May is typically a time when high school seniors can take a breath, having committed to their college for the next 4 years. Senioritis has definitely set in, with a lot of laughter, happiness, and a sense of accomplishment. High school is at an end. Beach week is around the corner. And soon, they will… Read more
College Admissions and the Coronavirus v.2
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
Forget passion; instead, focus on finding your purpose!
I was sitting in my office one rainy Wednesday afternoon talking to a student new to my practice. Joe was enthusiastically answering my questions because both he and I were hoping to uncover the answer to the age-old question: “What do you want to do when you grow up.” I oftentimes imagine myself a detective… Read more
And Now, We Wait!
It’s that time of the year again – a period marked with increased anxiety and nervousness. I’m speaking of the wait for college decision letters! The applications have been sent, and now it’s waiting time. No doubt this is an extremely nerve -wracking time for everyone involved. What’s a stressed- out student to do during… 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
The Pros and Cons of Summer College Visits
Pro: Add it to your vacation schedule. With most colleges offering two information sessions and tours a day, even in the summer, many families cram visits to several universities over the course of a few days. Big urban schools, like NYU, tend to have robust summer sessions with a lot of students on campus, so… 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
The Opportunities and Obstacles of Visiting Colleges During the Summer
Between his two daughters, Chris Snowden and his family have visited more than 15 colleges and universities – some multiple times – during the last five years. “Between AP expectations, soccer, swimming, and lots of homework, finding time to squeeze in college tours meant visiting most schools during breaks,” Snowden says. “Their high school does have a policy of excusing absences to… Read more
Congratulations, Class of 2018!
I love graduation ceremonies, not just to hear “Pomp and Circumstance” one more time, but mainly to witness the joy and happiness in student’s faces as they walk across that stage towards their diploma and their life. This is a time of celebration and reflection, and I hope each of you take the time to… Read more