After Applying: The College Portal
After students hit “submit,” their work is not over. This post helps counselors teach seniors how to use college portals to confirm materials, track missing items, and take responsibility for their applications after submission.
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 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.
July Reset Week 3: Summer Counselor Rec Letters…. Your October Self Will Thank You
October is brutal. I’ve heard more than one college counselor refer to it as “Suck-tober.” Rec letters, early deadlines, FAFSA updates, last-minute questions from seniors, meetings you didn’t plan for — and somehow you’re supposed to sit down and write thoughtful, personalized letters in the middle of all that? July is quieter. That’s what makes […]
When the Decisions Come In: Helping Students Understand the Four Types of College Admissions Outcomes (and Themselves)
One of the most important parts of my job—especially this time of year—is helping students make sense of the decisions they’re getting from colleges. But I’ve found that the real work often starts long before those emails hit their inboxes. Over the years, I’ve realized how crucial it is to guide students toward healthy expectations. […]