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.
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.