April 17, 2020 Since my last newsletter a few weeks ago, a lot has happened to impact high school and college students and their families. Students – and all of us -have never experienced anything like this 2020 pandemic. With schools closed and all events canceled, normal life has ground to a halt. The closing… Read more
Coronavirus & College
The coronavirus has certainly upended all of our lives. These past two weeks have been ones for the record books. Everyone is trying to figure out the best course of action to take to keep everyone safe. We all now know to wash our hands and stay six feet apart when going out. I know… Read more
The Importance of Gratitude in the College Admissions Process
I was recently talking with my son-in-law, Paul, about the many changes in the college process that have happened since he was in college. He then shared with me an event that happened at the most recent interviews conducted with law students looking for employment with his firm. He is in charge of the search… Read more
Changes to College Admissions Rules May Not all be Positive
At the September meeting of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC), changes were made to the ethical guidelines that colleges have to adhere to when admitting students. These changes went into effect at the end of September of this year and may impact your child’s admission experience. The changes include: For years… Read more
Here’s what you need to know about the FAFSA!
It is that time of year again! The 2020-2021 FAFSA and CSS Profile opens on Tuesday, October 1. The FAFSA is required to be completed by any student and parent who intends to attend college in the Fall of 2020 and will need money to pay for college. Listed below are suggestions and facts that… Read more
How to Help Without Taking Over the College Essay
It is a rainy Wednesday in July 2018. I am sitting with a Mom and her daughter as they share with me their hopes and dreams for college as well as their fear about the college essay. When I mentioned the essay for the first time, Mom began bombarding me with questions: “Does she have… Read more
Why You Should Take a Second Look at Test-Optional Colleges
In light of the recent Varsity Blues Scandal, which continues to be in the news four weeks after the first headlines, I thought I would revisit an article that I wrote in 2015 about options to college admissions’ testing. As you know, the two assessments used by college admissions’ counselors are the SAT or the… Read more
Saddened by college admissions scandal
Good morning: Like many of you, I have been following the college admissions scandal that has been in the news these last few days. As an independent college counselor with more than 30 years of experience, I am angry and sad that this is happening today. However, I am not surprised. I have met many… Read more
Understanding those Critical Financial Aid Letters
“The waiting is finally over!” Mrs. Drew* happily shared with me as I answered my phone in April 2018. “Scott* got into all of the schools on his list, which is wonderful. So, how do we decide where he should go? I have started receiving his financial aid award letters and I don’t understand them. … Read more
What to do AFTER all the College Applications are done
I recently heard this voicemail from one of my students: “I’ve finished all of my college applications. I’m done, right?” I could hear the pride and fear in her voice as she asked the question. She was proud that she had completed all of her nine college applications, including essays, short answers, letter of recommendation… Read more