Melissa from Chicago, Illinois

Student Success

Melissa is a brilliant, humble, kind, and diligent young lady who attended a public school in Chicago, IL. She wants to become a pediatric physician; this has been her desire and focus most of her life, which is of no surprise. Although she has struggled with some health issues, anyone who meets and gets to know her would never know, as she manages her life from commuting to and from school via the subway each day, takes the most rigorous classes offered, and is successful at everything she does.

Can I Ask for More Financial Aid?

Financial Aid
Opening your college acceptance letter is an exhilarating moment, but the financial award offered may leave you feeling let down. Not aligning with your expectations or needs, you may ask…
How to Plan a College Visit

How to Plan a College Visit

College Planning
You’ve done your research and compiled a list of schools in which you are interested based on your strengths and interests, the academic and social life you desire, and ideal…
A Peek Into Our Future

A Peek Into Our Future

College Planning
My business allows me to take a peek into the future. I am happy to report that our future looks bright with students that are caring, kind, courageous, independent, brilliant,…
When Does FAFSA Open?

When Does FAFSA Open?

If you are looking to receive financial aid, or even simply the Federal Direct Student Loan or a Federal Parent PLUS Loan, you will need to fill out the Free…

Audrey from Brookfield, Connecticut

Student Success

Audrey was a straight-A student in high school with very strong course rigor. She was diligent, focused, humble, and completely enveloped with our environment. It was clear to me from the start that she would make a positive change in our world one day.

Ideas for Summer Break

College Planning
There are so many ways for high school students to engage in summer activities that can have a huge impact on them personally, and on a college or university admission…

Making Sense of College Rankings

College Search
This is an article in our January 2021 Newsletter, click here. Although this article is directed to students just beginning their college search, it will also be useful to seniors…
Franklin & Marshall

Jessica from Washingtonville, New York

Student Success

Jessica was a straight A student in high school, diligent, bubbly, friends with many, and completely into dance, music and theater. She was unsure what she wanted to major in (which is completely fine for anyone who is 17 years old!) but knew she wanted to be surrounded by the arts and continue her passion, in an extracurricular forum, through her college years.

Brody from Florida, New York

Student Success

Brody, who attended Seward High School in Florida, NY, is a reserved, analytical and intellectual young man who had an interest in computer science, but also was exploring a myriad of other majors.

Anita from Princeton, New Jersey

Alexa from Princeton, New Jersey

Student Success

Alexa, who attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School near Princeton, NJ, is a quiet, mature, diligent, independent, and expressive young lady who wanted to major in economics and possibly computer science at a school that had a strong liberal arts curriculum.

Why Do Colleges Defer Students?

Videos
It’s that time of year. The responses to your early action and early decision college applications are starting to roll in. While you are hoping for a yes, you open…
Anita from Warwick NY, Northeastern-University

Anita from Warwick, New York

Student Success

Anita came to us in the middle of her junior year. From Warwick, in Orange County, she attended Warwick Valley High School. A hard working, diligent, respectful and focused young lady, Anita excelled in her math classes and knew that she wanted to apply to college as a business major. Her grades were solid, in the low to mid 90’s, taking some challenging courses throughout high school, including AP’s and honors classes.

Do Colleges Care More About GPA or SAT?

Videos
GPA or SAT – which is more important to college admissions counselors? We are often – actually almost always – asked this question by students and parents throughout the college…

Aubrey from Carmel, New York

Student Success

Aubrey, who attended Carmel High School in Putnam County, is a diligent, energetic young lady who wanted to major in business. Her transcript was solid with grades being in the 90’s throughout high school with a couple of grades in the 80’s mixed in. Her parents are divorced and it was important that she receive funding to assist her parents in putting her through college.

Northeastern-University

Joshua from Suffern, NY

Student Success

With 5000+ colleges and universities in the United States, the college selection and application journey is surely daunting to both students and their families. Our consultants streamline the process by helping to identify the schools that would be a best fit, breaking the application process down into manageable steps, and keeping students on top of upcoming deadlines.

Who Fills Out the FAFSA-Parent or Student?

Videos
If you want to receive any financial aid from the federal government for college, including federal student loans, a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be completed. But…

How to Request Transcripts on Naviance

Videos
Each high school determines which features of Naviance they want to implement for their school and students. Although there are some high schools that allow you to request transcripts through…
Does Everyone Get Financial Aid?

Does Everyone Get Financial Aid?

Financial Aid
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room that we all wonder and worry about when we are going through our child’s college admissions journey. Does everyone get financial aid?…

How to Track College Application Status

Videos
You’ve submitted your college applications. Congratulations! The hard work is finished, but there is still work to be done. You need to make sure the application was received and that…

Is It Better To Apply Early Decision

Videos
For those of you wondering if it is better to apply early decision over regular decision, it is important to note that for many schools, applying early decision can increase…

How Many Colleges Can You Apply To?

Videos
Our students and families always ask: • How many colleges should I apply to? • How many college applications is too many? • How many reach schools should I have…

Can I Apply Early Decision and Early Action?

Videos
Generally, you can apply early decision to one school and early action to other schools; however, there are some caveats. Remember, early decision is binding, it is contractual. You can…

What Colleges Use the Coalition Application

Videos
Today, there are about 135 schools and colleges that are members of the Coalition for College, using their application for admission. You can find the complete list of schools that…

How Does Early Decision Work

Videos
There are several ways you can apply to a college – depending, of course, upon the type of options they offer. Our article Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Rolling…
Syracuse-University

Charlotte from Wappinger’s Falls

Student Success

Charlotte, who attended Roy C. Ketchum High School in the heart of Dutchess County, came to us in the middle of her junior year after we had worked with her older brother a few years prior. A high-achieving student with excellent course rigor, Charlotte is incredibly diligent and a deep thinker.

FAFSA Expected Family Contribution Going Away?

Videos
There recently have been articles about the upcoming changes related to the Expected Family Contribution, which is part of the financial aid calculation. Our article Changes To The FAFSA: Student…

How Colleges Track Demonstrated Interest

Videos
Colleges want to know which students have a significant interest in attending their school – and they go to great lengths to find out. They carefully track students that show…

How Does a 529 Affect Financial Aid?

Videos
In short, even though a 529 account is for a child, it is considered a parental asset and is figured into the Expected Family Contribution, which affects financial aid awards.…

Does Financial Aid Cover Books?

Videos
In short, yes, financial aid does cover the cost of books. Financial aid covers anything that falls under the cost of attendance, which includes: • Tuition • Room and Board…

What Is the High School Code?

Videos
Throughout your college admissions journey, you will be asked to provide your High School Code. If you’re like most students, you may be confused as to what that even is.…

What Is the Deadline for FAFSA?

Videos
All FAFSA forms/applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. central time on June 30th of the academic year for which you are applying. For example, if you are applying for…

How to Accept a College Admission

Videos
The college acceptances have arrived. You’ve narrowed down the options and made your decision. You know which school you want to attend. Now you just need to let them know…

How to Turn Down a College Coach

Videos
You’ve worked hard, put in the time and commitment, and now it’s paid off. You have a group of college coaches wanting you to come play for them. They have…

College Waitlist Chances

Videos
When March rolls around, so do the final college admissions decisions. In addition to acceptances and rejections, you could possibly receive a notification that you have been put on a…

How to Prepare for College as a Sophomore

Videos
The college search and application process is incredibly important. The sooner you start preparing, the more successful and enjoyable this journey will be. There are plenty of things sophomores can…

When Should You Start Visiting Colleges?

Videos
Visiting colleges is a really important piece of your college journey. You want to get a true feel for the school’s personality, and stepping foot on campus will help you…

Can You Appeal a College Rejection?

Videos
While you may be able to appeal a college rejection, the chances are incredibly slim that the school’s admission decision will change for the positive. Every so often, I am…

Do Colleges Look at Disciplinary Records?

Videos
College admissions officers will look at disciplinary records IF a high school provides them. Most college applications, including the Common App, inquire about disciplinary information. By disciplinary records, we mean…
Tulane-University

Jared from Cornwall NY

Student Success

Jared, from Cornwall, NY is one of the nicest young men you will ever meet. Respectful, sociable, hard working, incredibly diligent in everything that he undertakes. During high school, he took all of the most challenging courses.

University of Vermont

Elona from Cold Spring NY

Student Success

Elona came to us over the winter break holidays of her junior year, attending Haldane High School in the small community of Cold Spring, NY, where her graduating class is less than 80 students. Her quiet yet open persona warmed me to her immediately.

Can You Get Student Loans Without FAFSA?

Videos
Let’s face it, the FAFSA is time consuming and can be overwhelming. So, it’s quite tempting to skip filling out the federal government’s financial aid application if possible. While you…

College Admissions Deferred vs. Waitlist

Videos
Being deferred from a college versus being put on a waitlist are two totally different college admissions responses. Let’s say you applied early action or early decision and you get…

How Important Are College Interviews?

Videos
In short, college interviews can be a very important part of your admissions process. They are a way to bring your application to life for the school’s admissions officers. Interviews…

How Do You Set Up a College Visit?

Videos
Just Follow these 3 Simple Steps Setting up a college visit is fairly simple. It really hinges on knowing where to go online to schedule your visit. Practically all colleges…
Sophomore College Checklist

Sophomore College Checklist

College Planning
The college selection and application process is a journey that starts during your early high school years. Picking a college is going to be the biggest decision you will most…

What Is a Regular Decision Deadline?

Videos
The regular decision deadline is the last day that you can submit your application for admission to that particular college or university for the following school year (unless there is…
College Visit

College Visit Checklist

College Planning
Are you getting ready to visit colleges in person or plan on “visiting” them virtually? Wondering how you approach and prepare for this? As with so many things in life,…

Do Colleges Look at Weighted GPA?

Videos
This is a question that typically weighs heavily on every student’s mind. You’re taking more difficult classes – honors, AP, courses offered through colleges. These more difficult classes require more…
Main-Image-When-to-Send-FAFSA

When to File the FAFSA

Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) form kicks off, and is a necessary part of, the process to receive financial aid from any higher education institution. This form…
Tips for Common Application

Tips for Common Application

You’re finally sitting down at your computer and are ready to complete the Common Application but where do you start? Will you complete it correctly? How long will it take?…

Andrea from Monroe-Woodbury

Student Success

Andrea, from Monroe, NY, is one of the nicest, most thoughtful and hard-working young people I have ever had the good fortune of meeting, getting to know, and working with on her college admissions journey.

What Does Early Action Mean?

Videos
When you apply to college, you may have options as to the way in which you apply: • Early Action • Early Decision • Regular Decision • Priority Application •…
University of Michigan

Mina From New Paltz NY

Student Success

Mina attended New Paltz High School in New York and is an independent, diligent and focused young lady who was interested in our environment, wanting to attend a college that was green in its philosophy.

American-University

Jackie From Warwick NY

Student Success

Jackie, from Warwick, New York, is a quieter, respectful and lovely young lady who had a passion for journalism and communications and wanted to be sure she would attend a college that provided a rich environment to fulfill her career dream.

Syracuse University Univ-Maryland

Marcia & Jacqueline From Goshen NY

Student Success

Marcia and Jacqueline from Goshen, NY, are fraternal twins – but are nothing alike. Marcia is more to the point, open and upfront with a bubbly personality and Jacqueline is more reserved and sophisticated, a thinker, and subdued. They both enjoy the arts, but in different ways: Marcia in fashion design and Jacqueline an accomplished dancer.

Elise From Washingtonville NY

Student Success

Elise is a young lady full of life. She is exuberant and is always a glass-half-full kind of person, a true joy to be around. She is positive and always finds the good in people. Elise is an only child who is independent, boisterous, and someone who speaks her mind. You always know where you stand with her.

College Planning Checklist for High School Students

College Planning Checklist

College Planning
Are you a high schooler or a parent of a high school student preparing to apply to college? Are you confused about the steps and the order of those steps…

Eric From Beacon NY

Student Success

Eric, from Beacon, NY, came to me the summer before his senior year after doing an extensive amount of research on college counselors in the Hudson Valley region (yes, all on his own!) and I was fortunate that he and his family decided to work with me in helping him through his college admissions journey.

How Do I Start a College Essay?

How Do I Start a College Essay?

College Essays
Most colleges require that you submit an essay or personal statement as part of your college application. Many students dread writing their essays, and many put off writing them until…
How to Begin College Search

How to Begin College Search

Selecting a college is a multi-faceted task. It is more than just a question of public versus private, private versus state school, comparative GPAs, and admissions requirements. If you are a high school sophomore or junior, now is time to begin your college search.

Admissions Process Timeline Non Athlete

College Planning Timeline

College Planning
Are you in high school, and starting to prepare for your college search? The steps and the order of the steps of the college planning process can be very confusing. …
College Athlete Timeline

College Athlete Timeline

College Planning
Are you in high school preparing to apply to college as a college athlete? Are you confused about the steps and the order of those steps in the college planning…
Money trumps all

Money Trumps All

College Planning
The inside scoop on what college admissions really want. The craziness has begun and those highly selective colleges have released their first set of responses, mostly early decision, as students…
Justifying Mediocrity

Justifying Mediocrity

College Planning
You Can Make Excuses You can make excuses for how you can justify mediocrity, that its everyone else’s or something else’s fault. Here’s the point, though, settling for mediocrity, whatever…
ACT Announces Scoring Reforms

ACT Announces Scoring Reforms

ACT Announces Scoring Reforms ACT announced scoring reforms on its ACT exam today. The changes are effective September 2020. They will allow test takers: Who have already taken the full…