I counsel my clients to consider 6 to 8 after they do their due diligence in researching and visiting colleges. That’s a good base number. Why?

College Applications: It Takes Four Minutes to Review What You’ve Done in Four Years: It’s never been more true that “less is more” when it comes to your college applications.

The SATs and ACTs should never define who you are but rather are a necessary part of every student’s college admissions journey.

So you’re 16 and how many times have you been asked, “What do you want to be?” I asked a 10-year-old girl if anyone has asked her this question and she said, yes, many times.

I imagine you have a collection of tote bags filled to the brim with paper, books, pamphlets, notes, maps, maybe empty granola wrappers and water bottles.

Are you the hard-working ant, preparing for the future, storing up its winter supplies? Or the grinning green grasshopper, partying, procrastinating, who will eventually be starving when food gets scarce?

You’re about to embark on one of the greatest experiences of your life! The time between Sophomore Year and Junior Year is special.

That’s exactly what you have to do for a college road trip – when you pile into the car, onto the bus, or board the plane, you’ve prepared, you know what you’ll need to ask and what to see.

Sometimes you have to think about choosing a college the same as if you were building a house. You wouldn’t just start nailing the wood together, right? So, you don’t go into the college admissions process without a plan. The plan is also known as the To Do List.

Why did Harvard Rescind 10 Offers?

Listen to Elizabeth Levine on WTBQ, 93.5 FM and 1010 AM, to gain more insight to the college admissions and financial aid process.

These are the golden rules I follow when preparing my students for their interviews: Be yourself, know why you want to attend, ask questions that you can’t find on their website that are of interest to you and practice, practice, practice!

The Mayans were on to something when they came up with a calendar. Maybe they had to make sure they made the proper amount of sacrifices to the gods. Or maybe they had a kid getting ready for college.

I sit here, as I do each year, reflecting on the experiences with all the families I helped through their college journey. There’s no better feeling in the world.

Some of you are going to love the college search process, some are going to throw your hands up in surrender after one visit.

After completing my certificate in College Admissions Counseling through UCLA, I began my practice, Signature College Counseling. I am a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), have guided over 200 families, and fully enveloped as a college admissions consultant, bringing students and colleges together.

College Admissions Process: Where are you in the College Admissions Process? Ask yourself these questions: