Supporting Deferred Students
Deferrals are more common than ever as colleges manage record application volumes. This post helps counselors guide students through next steps with clarity, perspective, and a simple checklist they can use right away.
Three Quick Wins to Help Seniors Before Break
Seniors are stretched thin in December, and counselors often have limited time before break. These three quick tasks help students stay organized, check their portals, and prepare for January deadlines without adding stress. A simple, student ready checklist is included.
January 1 Deadlines: A Simple Guide for Counselors and Seniors
January 1 deadlines can be challenging since most counselors are on break. This post gives seniors a simple, self guided checklist to review applications, set up portals, and stay on track even when schools and colleges are operating on holiday schedules.
Regular Decision: Helping Seniors Finish Strong Without Burning Out
Regular Decision still offers real opportunity for seniors. This guide helps counselors support students with list building, stronger applications, midyear grades, and portal management. Practical talking points and a student ready checklist make January less stressful for everyone.
Test Optional in 2025
Since the pandemic, test-optional policies have reshaped how students approach college applications. While some colleges have returned to requiring scores and others remain flexible or test blind, counselors still face the same question from students every year: “Should I send my SAT or ACT scores?” This post breaks down how to evaluate that decision in 2025 with practical advice you can share right away.
Supporting Students Who Haven’t Started Yet
Every counselor has a few seniors who reach late October and still haven’t started. This post offers an empathetic, realistic plan to help those students get moving… with reminders that Regular Decision is still a strong option and that it’s better to submit one thoughtful, complete application than several rushed ones.
The Counselor’s Quick Application Check
As November deadlines approach, counselors are flooded with “can you take one last look?” requests. This five-minute application checklist helps you spot weak spots quickly — from missing transcripts to last-minute essay issues — so students can submit with confidence.
The Power of 150 Characters in the Activities List Week 2 Application Season Series
The Activities List may be short, but it’s one of the most revealing parts of a college application. In just 150 characters per line, students can show initiative, responsibility, and impact. This post helps counselors teach students how to make every word count—and uncover the power hidden in this small section.
The Myth of “Apply Early or Miss Out”: Application Series Week 1
Early deadlines create pressure for students and families, but “apply early” isn’t always the best move. This post helps counselors guide seniors through Early Action and Early Decision wisely, clarifying when it truly helps, when to wait, and how to protect students from financial and emotional stress.
Week 9: Providing(Basic) FAFSA Guidance
FAFSA season can be overwhelming, but early preparation helps. This post offers a simple checklist and guidance to help families get ready with confidence.