Making a mistake on a college application after hitting submit is one of the most panic-inducing moments in the admissions process. The good news: most errors are fixable, and the ones that aren’t are rarely as damaging as students fear. The key is knowing which category your mistake falls into — and responding with the right protocol, not the wrong urgency.

This guide is built for students who have already submitted. It replaces the anxiety spiral with a clear, tiered action plan: what to fix immediately, what to update through official channels, and what to leave alone entirely.

Why Application Errors Happen

The Common Application’s review process asks students to scroll through a PDF of their completed application and click a confirmation button before submitting. In practice, as our counselors observe consistently, students are often overconfident at this stage — they scroll quickly, click through, and submit without catching errors that a slower review would have caught.

The consequences range from trivial to consequential. One student submitted to Purdue University’s wrong campus because he hadn’t filled out the data for his counselor to check before hitting submit. He was admitted to a campus that wasn’t his top choice, and the university would not allow a change. He ultimately enrolled elsewhere with a strong scholarship — but the Purdue outcome was locked the moment he clicked submit without a second set of eyes on the form.

That example illustrates the core principle of post-submission error management: the time to prevent mistakes is before submission, but the time to fix them is immediately after you find them — not weeks later.

Not All Errors Are Equal

Before taking any action, categorize the error. The appropriate response depends entirely on which tier the mistake falls into.

The following table maps error types to their urgency level and the correct response channel.

Critical Errors: Act Within 24 Hours

Critical errors are those that affect how the admissions office identifies and processes your file. A wrong birthdate, for example, can create a mismatch between your application and your financial aid record — a problem that compounds over time if left uncorrected. Understanding how long does FAFSA take to process can help you realize why data consistency is so vital for your financial aid package.

For Critical errors, do not wait for the portal to offer a self-service fix. Call the admissions office directly, then follow up with an email the same day. State the error clearly, provide the correct information, and include your full name, application ID, and the school you applied to. Keep the tone factual and brief — admissions officers process thousands of files and need the correction to be immediately actionable.

Academic Updates: Use the Right Channel

Colleges expect that senior year produces new information. A strong first-quarter grade report, a new SAT score, or a significant award earned after submission are all legitimate reasons to contact an admissions office. These updates work in your favor — they demonstrate continued achievement — and most schools have a formal mechanism for receiving them.

The first place to look is the school’s applicant portal. Once you submit through the Common App, each college sends login credentials for their own applicant portal. Many universities include an “Application Update” section within that portal specifically for submitting new academic information. This is separate from the Common App itself — the Common App’s role ends at submission.

For schools that use the University of California or California State University applications, the update process is handled entirely within those systems’ own portals, which have dedicated fields for post-submission academic updates. These differ structurally from the Common App portal and should be navigated separately.

If no portal update field exists, email the admissions office directly. Use the template format in the next section.

The Additional Information Section and Direct Outreach

Some changes aren’t errors, they’re developments. A family illness, a school closure, a new leadership role, a significant personal event: these are the kinds of circumstances that admissions officers genuinely want to know about, because they affect how they read the rest of your application.

The Common App includes an Additional Information section where students can explain circumstances that don’t fit elsewhere. If you’ve already submitted and didn’t use this section, you’ve lost that channel for that school — but you haven’t lost the ability to communicate. A direct email to the admissions office, framed as an application update rather than a correction, is appropriate here.

Admissions officers are people who understand that life happens. As our counselor, Sarah Myers, notes, if a student has a legitimate reason for a late or incomplete submission — an illness in the family, a hospitalization, a genuine emergency — reaching out directly is not against any rules. The same principle applies to post-submission updates: a well-written, concise email explaining a meaningful development in your circumstances will be read by a human being who has context for what students go through.

How to Email an Admissions Office

When the portal doesn’t offer a self-service fix, email is the correct channel. The email should be short, specific, and professional. Below are templates for the two most common scenarios.

Template 1: Correcting a Critical Error

Subject: Application Corr

6ection — [Your Full Name] — Application ID [XXXXX]

Dear [Admissions Office / Specific Officer Name if known],

I am writing to correct an error in my submitted application for [Program/Major] for the [Year] entering class.

The error: [Field name] currently reads [incorrect information]. The correct information is [correct information].

Please let me know if you need any supporting documentation to process this correction. I am happy to provide whatever is needed.

Thank you, [Full Name] [Date of Birth] [Application ID]

Template 2: Submitting an Academic or Contextual Update

Subject: Application Update — [Your Full Name] — Application ID [XXXXX]

Dear [Admissions Office],

I wanted to share an update relevant to my application for [Program/Major] for the [Year] entering class.

[One to two sentences describing the update: new test score, award, grade report, or circumstance. Be specific and factual.]

I have attached [supporting document, if applicable]. Please let me know if there is a preferred channel for submitting this information.

Thank you, [Full Name] [Date of Birth] [Application ID]

Keep both emails under 150 words. Admissions offices receive thousands of messages during review season; brevity signals respect for their time and makes your correction easier to act on.

When Not to Report an Error

Not every mistake warrants a correction email. Sending an unsolicited message to flag a minor typo in your essay can draw more attention to the error than the error itself would have received.

The threshold for action is whether the error affects how the admissions office evaluates or processes your application. A typo in a supplemental essay (a missing comma, a repeated word, a minor phrasing imprecision) does not meet that threshold. Admissions officers read thousands of essays and extend reasonable grace to small errors. As our counselors note, a typo is unlikely to cause an automatic rejection; what matters far more is the substance and authenticity of what you’ve written.

Apply the Wait and See protocol when:

• The error is a single typo or grammatical imprecision in an essay

• The error does not affect any factual claim in your application

• Correcting it would require drawing the admissions office’s attention to a section they may not have flagged

• The error is in a supplemental essay for a school where you have already submitted a strong overall application

Do not apply Wait and See when the error involves any identity data, academic record, or information that could create a mismatch in your file.

How to Withdraw an Application

If you’ve been admitted to your top-choice school through Early Decision or rolling admissions and need to withdraw applications elsewhere, that process does not happen through the Common App. Once you submit, the Common App’s role is complete — it has transmitted your information to each school.

Withdrawals are handled through each college’s individual applicant portal. Log in to the portal for the school you want to withdraw from, locate the withdrawal option (usually a clearly labeled button), and confirm. If you’ve already received an offer of admission you’re declining, the portal will typically present a “Decline Offer” button rather than a withdrawal option.

If you cannot locate the withdrawal function in the portal, a brief email to the admissions office — using the same format as the templates above — is sufficient. State that you are withdrawing your application and will not be enrolling, and thank them for their consideration.

Accessing Your Application After Submission

Your Common App account remains accessible after submission using the same login credentials. However, once an application is submitted, the editable fields are locked — you can view the PDF of your submitted application, but you cannot modify it through the Common App interface.

One practical step: download the PDF of every submitted application and save it. Our counselors recommend this consistently, because that PDF becomes your reference document if a discrepancy arises later — during financial aid processing, scholarship applications, or transfer situations. If you used a high school email address to create your Common App account, access may become difficult after graduation, since many schools deactivate student email accounts. A personal email address avoids this problem entirely.

The Strongest Prevention Is a Pre-Submission Review

Every post-submission correction protocol in this guide exists because the pre-submission review was skipped or rushed. The Common App prompts students to review their PDF before submitting — that prompt exists for a reason.

The most common errors our counselors catch in pre-submission reviews include: wrong campus selected for multi-campus universities, test scores reported or omitted incorrectly, activities listed in an order that doesn’t reflect academic priorities, and — critically — the wrong college’s name appearing in a supplemental essay. That last error happens when students repurpose essay content across multiple applications, which is a smart and efficient strategy, but only when every instance is checked individually before submission.

The activities section carries its own set of risks. The Common App gives students 50 characters for position title, 100 characters for the activity name, and 150 characters to describe it. Students who fill out the activities section directly in the Common App without drafting offline first consistently underuse these character limits — and every unused character is an opportunity to communicate something meaningful about who you are.

What to Do Right Now

If you’ve found an error after submitting, work through this sequence:

1. Identify the tier: Critical, Academic, Contextual, or Minor.

2. Check the applicant portal for the school in question — look for an update or correction field before sending any email.

3. Draft a correction email using the templates above if no portal option exists. Send it within 24 hours for critical errors; within a week for Academic and Contextual updates.

4. Apply Wait and See for minor errors — do not send an email about a typo.

5. Download your submitted PDFs now if you haven’t already, and save them somewhere accessible.

If you’re unsure which tier an error falls into, or whether a particular update is worth sending, that’s exactly the kind of judgment call where a counselor’s perspective saves time and prevents missteps. Our team works with students at every stage of the process — including the post-submission moments that feel most urgent.

Need to talk to a counselor for help with admissions? Book a free consultation today.

The post How to Make Changes to Your College Application first appeared on Great College Advice.

For families targeting Ivy League and highly selective colleges, quality and depth of involvement consistently outweigh quantity. The ideal time to drop an activity is when it has become box-checking rather than genuine engagement, and your student’s energy would be better invested in pursuits where they can demonstrate sustained passion.

The goal is becoming “well-lopsided”, developing superior talents in one or two areas, rather than surface-level involvement across many.

Searching for comprehensive strategies on building a compelling application profile? Explore our complete guide to top-tier college application tips to maximize your chances. For more insights on strategies around extracurricular activities, keep on reading.

What Are the Signs That My Student Should Drop an Extracurricular Activity?

The clearest sign is when an activity feels like box-checking rather than genuine engagement. Key indicators that it’s time to reconsider an activity include:

• Your student dreads attending or participates with minimal enthusiasm.
• They show no interest in seeking leadership roles or increased involvement.
• They couldn’t imagine writing about this activity in their college essays with genuine passion.
• The activity doesn’t connect to any academic interest or personal growth story.

Colleges want to see activities pursued for multiple years with increasing involvement each year. As veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger explains, “If it’s something you don’t like, you probably don’t want to rise to be the president of that club.” This lack of natural progression signals to admissions officers that the involvement might not be authentic.

However, don’t confuse performative activities with those serving important personal functions. Activities crucial to your student’s physical health, mental well-being, sense of community, or genuine joy remain valuable even without direct admissions benefit. The distinction lies in whether continuing serves your student’s authentic development or merely occupies a line on their application.

How Early Should Students Narrow Their Extracurricular Focus for Top Colleges?

The ideal timeline follows a natural progression: freshman year is for exploration, then strategic narrowing begins by sophomore year. Jamie advises families: “Freshman year, try a lot of stuff and then narrow it and do something in the summer related to the ones you liked, then narrow down to fewer clubs the next year.”

For highly competitive programs at elite universities, the timeline can extend even earlier. Students targeting specialized majors face particular pressure. Jamie notes that students seeking spots in programs like Stanford’s aeronautics have typically been “little astronauts since middle school.” Stanford admitted roughly 13 aeronautics majors from approximately 1,300 applicants in one recent year, making activity alignment critical for such impacted programs.

The overarching goal is to demonstrate sustained commitment. Here at Great College Advice, we advise our students that “deep dives for four years into activities is what’s most valuable. The great well-rounded kid is not the ideal anymore.”

Admissions officers at the most highly selective colleges like to see students who have well-defined interests in which they excel and exhibit leadership. They do not like to see students who flit from one activity to the next without really committing to any.

Even if your student hasn’t yet found that defining passion, there’s space for continued exploration. High school is a time for discovery, and working with experienced counselors can help students find the right balance between exploration and commitment.

Should My Child Quit an Activity They’ve Done for Years If It’s Not Related to Their Intended Major?

This question has nuances, and the answer isn’t automatically yes. While activity-major alignment matters significantly for competitive programs, personal well-being also carries weight in application narratives and student success.

Jamie explains this directly: “Should my kid quit rowing? He’s not going to get a scholarship for crew. Well, rowing could be super important to this kid’s physical health, sense of well-being, and sense of community, and they should not give it up. They may have to sacrifice some aspects of an extra rowing camp to do something academic or have a job in the summer, but they shouldn’t give it up because it’s not going to help them get into college in a very literal way, because it’ll help them get into college by being important to their life.”

The strategic approach involves allocation rather than elimination. Keep activities essential to your student’s well-being while finding time to add experiences aligned with academic interests.

Summer is a great opportunity for this rebalancing. Perhaps rowing continues during the school year, while summer includes an academic camp, research opportunity, or relevant work experience.

For highly competitive majors, alignment becomes more critical. Jamie recalls working with a family whose son attended summer camp for seven years but wanted to major in aeronautics at Stanford. Despite excellent grades and scores, he was a long shot because he hadn’t done any aeronautics-related extracurriculars.

The solution wasn’t necessarily to abandon all non-aeronautics activities, but to consider related, but less competitive, programs like physics, where his general science profile might prove more competitive.

Or as we like to say: Stop worrying. Do what you love. And the rest will take care of itself.

How Many Extracurricular Activities Should a Student Have for Top 20 Colleges Admissions?

There is no magic number, and chasing a quantity target often backfires. The Common App provides space for ten activities, but students need not fill all ten spaces.

The Great College Advice Family Handbook is direct about this: “The number of activities is less important than the depth of the commitment. Some students sign up for a million clubs but make little contribution to any. Other students join no clubs but have one special activity that occupies almost all of their time outside of school. What counts is what information goes into those spaces.”

At elite universities like MIT and Harvard, admissions committees have their pick of students with perfect grades and scores. Activities become the primary distinguishing factor among academically qualified candidates. Jamie describes this reality: MIT and similar schools “get the pick of the litter of kids with the highest achievements, grades, and scores. And the only way they distinguish them from each other is those activities.”

Students who succeed at the highest level typically fall into two categories.

1. The first group has “national finalist level, national winner level” achievements—accepted to elite programs such as Stanford, MIT, and the Ivy League universities based on demonstrated excellence. These students succeed even with relatively narrow activity profiles if their achievements are exceptional enough.
2. The second group presents unique, authentic pursuits that tell a compelling story. Being “well-lopsided” with superior talents in one or two areas impresses admissions officers more than being thinly spread across many activities. The student who manages a McDonald’s and connects it to business school aspirations can be as compelling as the student with prestigious internships because authenticity and demonstrated growth are compelling attributes.

Is It Okay to Drop an Activity After Sophomore Year If My Student Lost Interest?

Yes, authenticity matters more than forced continuation. Admissions officers can sense the difference.

Jamie confirms this: “Even if they’ve done something for two years and they realize after sophomore year, it’s just not for them, then it’s just not for them. And yes, it would be better if they did the same thing for four years, but you don’t want them to get into Harvard and be miserable in a major they didn’t want. So maybe they don’t get to go to Harvard, but they don’t head down the wrong career path.”

This perspective reveals an important truth: the college admissions process should guide students toward their authentic path, not force them into performative choices that lead to misaligned college experiences. Dropping an activity strategically is preferable to maintaining hollow involvement.

The key is redirecting that time productively. Use this free time to dive deeper into remaining passions, explore new interests that might become meaningful commitments, or add experiences aligned with your student’s evolving academic direction. An activity started in junior year that genuinely excites your student can demonstrate authentic engagement, especially if they rapidly assume leadership or achieve notable results.

What matters most is that your student can speak genuinely about their involvement when the time comes for essays and interviews. Forced continuation produces shallow narratives that admissions readers easily identify.

How Do I Know If an Activity Is “High Impact” Enough for Elite College Admissions?

High-impact activities share key characteristics:

• Sustained commitment over multiple years,
• Increasing involvement and leadership,
• and demonstrable achievements or growth.

Crucially, the activity itself matters less than what your student has done with it.

Jamie shares a powerful example that illustrates this principle: “I helped a kid get into very selective schools, whose main activity was that he started working at McDonald’s. He became a manager, and he also went to national conferences. He got accepted to the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He didn’t have illustrious academic camps. But he did what he did for four years, and he loved it. He was able to write about his story. It led to what he wants to do for a living. And the colleges recognized this is someone who knows what they want, who’s done it, who stuck with it and excelled at it.”

What makes an activity high-impact is the story it tells: passion, persistence, growth, leadership, and connection to future goals. This explains why seemingly ordinary activities can prove more compelling than prestigious programs. After all, the narrative matters as much as the activity itself.

The Great College Advice Family Handbook reinforces this: “Leadership roles are great to put on college applications. While not all students are natural leaders, there are ways they can demonstrate leadership other than by having an official title or position. For example, a student might manage the website or lead a fundraising effort for a school club.”

Can Working a Regular Job Be as Impressive as Prestigious Summer Programs for College Applications?

Absolutely, and sometimes more so. Meaningful work experience can be equally or more impressive than expensive summer programs, especially when it demonstrates growth.

The Great College Advice Family Handbook confirms this: “There are a variety of meaningful ways students can spend their summers, and they don’t all come with a huge price tag. Additionally, it is completely acceptable for students to work during the summer.”

The McDonald’s example from Jamie’s experience demonstrates exactly how transformative regular work can be. A student who worked his way to management, attended national conferences, and connected the experience to his business school aspirations presented a more compelling narrative than students with generic, prestigious academic camp experiences. His story demonstrated initiative, growth, leadership, and clear direction; all without the price tag of so-called ‘elite’ summer programs.

The key differentiator is what your student does with the opportunity. Elements that transform ordinary work into extraordinary application material include:

1. Advancement and increased responsibility over time. 
2. Documented achievements and contributions to the workplace. 
3. Clear connections to their academic narrative and future goals. 
4. Stories of problem-solving, leadership, or meaningful impact.

Colleges recognize that not every family can afford elite summer programs, and authentic growth through real-world work demonstrates maturity and initiative. What matters is the story your student can tell about their experience and how it shaped their aspirations. It’s not about the prestige of the program name.

If you’re uncertain whether your student should drop an activity, how to help them develop deeper involvement in their passions, or how their current extracurricular profile aligns with their college goals, we’re here to help. Our admissions counselors have guided thousands of families through these exact decisions.

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your student’s unique situation and get personalized guidance on building a compelling application profile.

The post The Extracurricular Smorgasbord: Stop Gorging! first appeared on Great College Advice.

For practical parents focused on value and ROI, understanding what scholarships and financial aid are available in the US is essential groundwork before weighing your final options.

What criteria should we use to evaluate and compare colleges for best fit and value?

When evaluating colleges, start with financial criteria as your foundation—this should be the starting point for all families, regardless of income level. From there, develop a comprehensive list that includes academic factors (majors offered, class sizes, faculty accessibility), location preferences (urban vs. suburban, distance from home), and social considerations (campus culture, extracurricular opportunities). Great College Advice uses a detailed assessment with over 100 categories, using pull-down menus ranging from “must have” to “not interested,” covering everything from specific majors to campus size to internship availability.

The key insight is to focus on “compatibility” and “preferences” rather than chasing “dream schools” or “perfect fits.” College selection always involves some compromise, and the goal is to satisfy most criteria rather than maximize every single factor. 

How do we calculate the real cost of attending each college on our list?

To calculate the true cost of college, you need to understand three key numbers: Cost of Attendance (COA), Student Aid Index (SAI), and Net Price.

Start by reviewing each school’s COA on their website—this includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and estimated personal expenses. However, personalize this number based on your student’s actual lifestyle: factor in car expenses if bringing one, technology costs, travel between home and school, and off-campus food and entertainment.

Next, use the federal Student Aid Estimator at studentaid.gov to estimate your SAI. Most importantly, run each college’s Net Price Calculator (NPC)—schools are legally required to provide these tools. As veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger advises: “Every family should be going in and doing the Net Price Calculator for each school they want to apply to.”

While NPCs provide estimates rather than guarantees, going through this process for every school on your list gives you directional guidance on affordability. Paul Wingle, a respected voice in the Great College Advice community, reinforces this approach: “The family should be clear on what they can afford, be clear with their student regarding the number, run the net price calculator, and not count on merit unless and until merit is awarded.”

Should my student apply Early Decision if we need financial aid?

If financial aid is a significant factor in your college decision, approach Early Decision (ED) with caution. ED is a binding commitment—if accepted, your student must attend regardless of the financial aid package offered.

As Jamie Berger, a highly acclaimed college admissions counselor, explains: “If you apply Early Decision, you are bound to accept that offer. Early Action still gives you that bargaining ability. Early Decision does not. It is somewhat like buying a car—if you get four financial offers from four colleges and your top choice gives you the least amount of money, you can write to them and bargain. Early Decision eliminates that leverage entirely.”

The ED system can also subtly disadvantage students with high financial need. Qualified but not standout applicants may be deferred to the regular round so colleges can “shop around” for full-pay students. Great College Advice generally recommends that students with significant financial need avoid ED unless applying to one of the few schools that guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.

Bonnie Hale, another trusted voice in the Great College Advice community, offers practical timing advice: “As long as all of his supplemental essays are ready, he should definitely wait until he receives the ED decision. Save money on application fees, and IF admitted, he’d have to withdraw all other applications per ED agreement.”

A better strategy for aid-dependent families is applying through non-binding plans and comparison-shopping aid packages once all decisions arrive. 

How do we build a balanced college list with reach, target, and likely schools?

A balanced college list should include schools across three categories: reach schools (where admission is uncertain but possible), target schools (where your student’s profile aligns well with admitted student averages), and likely schools (where admission is highly probable).

As Paul Wingle advises: “A balanced list should include reach schools, and with reach schools comes the strong possibility of a denial or two, even for well-credentialed applicants. Hopefully, your list includes other schools where you might study your preferred major, and that those schools represent a range of selectivity.”

The key is ensuring your student would be genuinely happy at every school on the list, including the likely admits. Great College Advice recommends around 8 to 12 schools as an ideal range—this allows strategic coverage without the diminishing returns of over-applying. Jamie Berger puts it directly: “If you make a good list, you don’t have to make a huge list.”

For each category, ensure schools meet your financial parameters by running Net Price Calculators. If your student is unsure about their major or has multiple areas of interest, prioritize schools with strengths across those potential fields, making any future major change easier.

Avoid the trap of applying to eight highly selective schools hoping statistics will favor you—think about your individual chances at each institution rather than aggregate admission rates. 

When should we make campus visits, and what should we look for during tours?

Campus visits are among the most important moments in college selection—schedule them strategically during the fall and spring of junior year or the summer and fall of senior year for initial exploration, then revisit top choices after acceptances arrive.

When visiting, go beyond the polished admissions tour. Let your student take the lead—they should ask questions, take notes, and capture photos to aid memory later. If multiple tour guides are available, consider splitting up: the student goes with one group, the parents with another, then compare notes afterward.

Beyond the standard tour, check the campus events calendar for lectures, performances, or sporting events during your visit. Eat in the dining halls, explore the surrounding neighborhood, test public transportation, and locate basic necessities like grocery stores. The more time you spend on campus, the more information you will gather and the better sense you will get of the college.

Most importantly, develop a list of criteria-based questions before you arrive—rather than passively absorbing information, actively gather data points that matter for your specific decision. Virtual visits can supplement but rarely replace the visceral feel of spending a full day on campus.

How can we negotiate or compare financial aid packages from different colleges?

Once you receive multiple admission offers, carefully compare financial aid packages by looking beyond the bottom line. Examine the composition of each package: how much is grants and scholarships (free money) versus loans (which must be repaid) versus work-study (which requires your student’s time)? Federal subsidized loans are more favorable than unsubsidized loans.

For negotiation, Jamie Berger explains the process: “If you get four financial offers from four colleges and your top choice gives you the least amount of money, you write to them. Can you approach that? Can you help us in any way? We really want to go to Villanova. You can bargain with them.”

Present competing offers respectfully, emphasizing your student’s genuine interest in the school. Be specific about the gap you’re asking them to close. Some schools have formal appeal processes; others handle requests informally. Timing matters—don’t wait until the May 1st deadline approaches.

As Paul Wingle counsels families waiting on decisions: “Do not make an enrollment commitment before costs are known. Do you have any other active applications out at other schools? Do you want to compare aid offers?” Never deposit until you fully understand your costs after aid.

How do we weigh academic fit against financial considerations when choosing a college?

Balancing academic fit with financial realities requires honest family conversations and clear prioritization. Parents should consider the higher education investment as an investment in their student, rather than as an investment in a particular university or a particular major.

Your student’s personal characteristics, work ethic, and network-building will ultimately drive career outcomes more than institutional prestige alone. For ROI calculations, recognize that earning potential depends heavily on location choices, industry selection, and individual attributes, not just the degree. Payscale.com provides earnings data by major as a starting point, but these are averages that may not reflect your student’s specific path.

When weighing options, ask: Will this school support my student’s academic interests and career exploration? Can we afford it without crippling debt? Does the campus culture fit my student’s personality and learning style?

If a school excels academically but creates financial strain requiring excessive loans, that “better” school may actually produce worse long-term outcomes. The Great College Advice philosophy emphasizes that students often thrive at many different institutions—finding a compatible environment that’s financially sustainable typically outweighs marginal prestige differences.

Below, a graduate of Rhodes University in Memphis recounts how she chose her college.

“I followed the money. When looking at schools, I sought out schools that had good reputations for liberal arts and hands-on instruction. Although I was accepted to my top picks, I ultimately chose the school that offered me the most money, even though it was at the bottom of my list.

Was this a good choice? It’s hard to say. I do believe that students should ultimately follow their gut instinct, but I also think that college is what you make of it. I knew that I could survive anywhere, so it was the right decision for me to get a quality education for a good price. If tuition was not a concern, I would have chosen the school that I felt best complemented my personality, learning style and interests. (And I probably would have had a more positive collegiate experience.)

I suggest to students that they pick a dealbreaker quality. What one thing is most important to them? Be it cost, location, course offerings, etc. Then eliminate all schools that don’t fulfill the qualifications of their dealbreaker. What is left is generally a short list, so then I suggest that they trust their instincts and pick the school that feels right and fulfills their key requirement.”

This correspondent went on to pursue two graduate degrees, and is now an information specialist and reference librarian in Memphis.

Her strategy is an excellent one, and one that many students and parents don’t consider. There are literally thousands of colleges in the US, and hundreds of excellent ones. If money is a consideration, build your college list around that principal criterion. Many colleges are willing to pay top dollar (by giving substantial tuition discounts and scholarships) to well-qualified applicants.

Do NOT sell yourself short. If you have talents and academic abilities, be prepared to show them off during the admissions process. And depending on the audience for whom you are prepared to show off, you may get money thrown at you!

Continue your research: Understanding your full range of funding options is crucial before making any final decisions. If you seek professional help, schedule a free consultation with a counselor today.

The post Helping Your Student Choose a College first appeared on Great College Advice.

Helping your student choose the right college requires balancing academic fit, campus culture, and financial reality—and there’s no single “perfect” answer. The most effective approach starts with establishing clear financial parameters, then systematically evaluating schools against your family’s specific criteria for academics, location, and student experience. 

For practical parents focused on value and ROI, understanding what scholarships and financial aid are available in the US is essential groundwork before weighing your final options.

What criteria should we use to evaluate and compare colleges for best fit and value?

When evaluating colleges, start with financial criteria as your foundation—this should be the starting point for all families, regardless of income level. From there, develop a comprehensive list that includes academic factors (majors offered, class sizes, faculty accessibility), location preferences (urban vs. suburban, distance from home), and social considerations (campus culture, extracurricular opportunities). Great College Advice uses a detailed assessment with over 100 categories, using pull-down menus ranging from “must have” to “not interested,” covering everything from specific majors to campus size to internship availability.

The key insight is to focus on “compatibility” and “preferences” rather than chasing “dream schools” or “perfect fits.” College selection always involves some compromise, and the goal is to satisfy most criteria rather than maximize every single factor. 

How do we calculate the real cost of attending each college on our list?

To calculate the true cost of college, you need to understand three key numbers: Cost of Attendance (COA), Student Aid Index (SAI), and Net Price.

Start by reviewing each school’s COA on their website—this includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and estimated personal expenses. However, personalize this number based on your student’s actual lifestyle: factor in car expenses if bringing one, technology costs, travel between home and school, and off-campus food and entertainment.

Next, use the federal Student Aid Estimator at studentaid.gov to estimate your SAI. Most importantly, run each college’s Net Price Calculator (NPC)—schools are legally required to provide these tools. As veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger advises: “Every family should be going in and doing the Net Price Calculator for each school they want to apply to.”

While NPCs provide estimates rather than guarantees, going through this process for every school on your list gives you directional guidance on affordability. Paul Wingle, a respected voice in the Great College Advice community, reinforces this approach: “The family should be clear on what they can afford, be clear with their student regarding the number, run the net price calculator, and not count on merit unless and until merit is awarded.”

Should my student apply Early Decision if we need financial aid?

If financial aid is a significant factor in your college decision, approach Early Decision (ED) with caution. ED is a binding commitment—if accepted, your student must attend regardless of the financial aid package offered.

As Jamie Berger, a highly acclaimed college admissions counselor, explains: “If you apply Early Decision, you are bound to accept that offer. Early Action still gives you that bargaining ability. Early Decision does not. It is somewhat like buying a car—if you get four financial offers from four colleges and your top choice gives you the least amount of money, you can write to them and bargain. Early Decision eliminates that leverage entirely.”

The ED system can also subtly disadvantage students with high financial need. Qualified but not standout applicants may be deferred to the regular round so colleges can “shop around” for full-pay students. Great College Advice generally recommends that students with significant financial need avoid ED unless applying to one of the few schools that guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need.

Bonnie Hale, another trusted voice in the Great College Advice community, offers practical timing advice: “As long as all of his supplemental essays are ready, he should definitely wait until he receives the ED decision. Save money on application fees, and IF admitted, he’d have to withdraw all other applications per ED agreement.”

A better strategy for aid-dependent families is applying through non-binding plans and comparison-shopping aid packages once all decisions arrive. 

How do we build a balanced college list with reach, target, and likely schools?

A balanced college list should include schools across three categories: reach schools (where admission is uncertain but possible), target schools (where your student’s profile aligns well with admitted student averages), and likely schools (where admission is highly probable).

As Paul Wingle advises: “A balanced list should include reach schools, and with reach schools comes the strong possibility of a denial or two, even for well-credentialed applicants. Hopefully, your list includes other schools where you might study your preferred major, and that those schools represent a range of selectivity.”

The key is ensuring your student would be genuinely happy at every school on the list, including the likely admits. Great College Advice recommends around 8 to 12 schools as an ideal range—this allows strategic coverage without the diminishing returns of over-applying. Jamie Berger puts it directly: “If you make a good list, you don’t have to make a huge list.”

For each category, ensure schools meet your financial parameters by running Net Price Calculators. If your student is unsure about their major or has multiple areas of interest, prioritize schools with strengths across those potential fields, making any future major change easier.

Avoid the trap of applying to eight highly selective schools hoping statistics will favor you—think about your individual chances at each institution rather than aggregate admission rates. 

When should we make campus visits, and what should we look for during tours?

Campus visits are among the most important moments in college selection—schedule them strategically during the fall and spring of junior year or the summer and fall of senior year for initial exploration, then revisit top choices after acceptances arrive.

When visiting, go beyond the polished admissions tour. Let your student take the lead—they should ask questions, take notes, and capture photos to aid memory later. If multiple tour guides are available, consider splitting up: the student goes with one group, the parents with another, then compare notes afterward.

Beyond the standard tour, check the campus events calendar for lectures, performances, or sporting events during your visit. Eat in the dining halls, explore the surrounding neighborhood, test public transportation, and locate basic necessities like grocery stores. The more time you spend on campus, the more information you will gather and the better sense you will get of the college.

Most importantly, develop a list of criteria-based questions before you arrive—rather than passively absorbing information, actively gather data points that matter for your specific decision. Virtual visits can supplement but rarely replace the visceral feel of spending a full day on campus.

How can we negotiate or compare financial aid packages from different colleges?

Once you receive multiple admission offers, carefully compare financial aid packages by looking beyond the bottom line. Examine the composition of each package: how much is grants and scholarships (free money) versus loans (which must be repaid) versus work-study (which requires your student’s time)? Federal subsidized loans are more favorable than unsubsidized loans.

For negotiation, Jamie Berger explains the process: “If you get four financial offers from four colleges and your top choice gives you the least amount of money, you write to them. Can you approach that? Can you help us in any way? We really want to go to Villanova. You can bargain with them.”

Present competing offers respectfully, emphasizing your student’s genuine interest in the school. Be specific about the gap you’re asking them to close. Some schools have formal appeal processes; others handle requests informally. Timing matters—don’t wait until the May 1st deadline approaches.

As Paul Wingle counsels families waiting on decisions: “Do not make an enrollment commitment before costs are known. Do you have any other active applications out at other schools? Do you want to compare aid offers?” Never deposit until you fully understand your costs after aid.

How do we weigh academic fit against financial considerations when choosing a college?

Balancing academic fit with financial realities requires honest family conversations and clear prioritization. Parents should consider the higher education investment as an investment in their student, rather than as an investment in a particular university or a particular major.

Your student’s personal characteristics, work ethic, and network-building will ultimately drive career outcomes more than institutional prestige alone. For ROI calculations, recognize that earning potential depends heavily on location choices, industry selection, and individual attributes, not just the degree. Payscale.com provides earnings data by major as a starting point, but these are averages that may not reflect your student’s specific path.

When weighing options, ask: Will this school support my student’s academic interests and career exploration? Can we afford it without crippling debt? Does the campus culture fit my student’s personality and learning style?

If a school excels academically but creates financial strain requiring excessive loans, that “better” school may actually produce worse long-term outcomes. The Great College Advice philosophy emphasizes that students often thrive at many different institutions—finding a compatible environment that’s financially sustainable typically outweighs marginal prestige differences.

Below, a graduate of Rhodes University in Memphis recounts how she chose her college.

“I followed the money. When looking at schools, I sought out schools that had good reputations for liberal arts and hands-on instruction. Although I was accepted to my top picks, I ultimately chose the school that offered me the most money, even though it was at the bottom of my list.

Was this a good choice? It’s hard to say. I do believe that students should ultimately follow their gut instinct, but I also think that college is what you make of it. I knew that I could survive anywhere, so it was the right decision for me to get a quality education for a good price. If tuition was not a concern, I would have chosen the school that I felt best complemented my personality, learning style and interests. (And I probably would have had a more positive collegiate experience.)

I suggest to students that they pick a dealbreaker quality. What one thing is most important to them? Be it cost, location, course offerings, etc. Then eliminate all schools that don’t fulfill the qualifications of their dealbreaker. What is left is generally a short list, so then I suggest that they trust their instincts and pick the school that feels right and fulfills their key requirement.”

This correspondent went on to pursue two graduate degrees, and is now an information specialist and reference librarian in Memphis.

Her strategy is an excellent one, and one that many students and parents don’t consider. There are literally thousands of colleges in the US, and hundreds of excellent ones. If money is a consideration, build your college list around that principal criterion. Many colleges are willing to pay top dollar (by giving substantial tuition discounts and scholarships) to well-qualified applicants.

Do NOT sell yourself short. If you have talents and academic abilities, be prepared to show them off during the admissions process. And depending on the audience for whom you are prepared to show off, you may get money thrown at you!

Continue your research: Understanding your full range of funding options is crucial before making any final decisions. If you seek professional help, schedule a free consultation with a counselor today.

The post How to Help My Student Choose a College first appeared on Great College Advice.

When Is the Best Time to Take the SAT or ACT for the First Time?

The ideal window for a student’s first official SAT or ACT is the winter or early spring of junior year — typically between December and April. By this point, most students have completed the coursework in math and English that these tests assess, and there’s still enough runway to retake the test in the spring or early fall of senior year if the initial scores fall short.

Jamie Berger, a veteran college admissions expert at Great College Advice, emphasizes a critical principle in his guidance to families: students should never take an official test “for practice.” A handful of the most selective schools require that students submit scores from every test taken from ninth grade onward. This means every official sitting carries real weight.

Before registering for an official exam, students should take a full-length practice test of both the SAT and ACT in a timed, test-like environment.

On occasion, a counselor may recommend an earlier or later test date based on the student’s academic trajectory, course load, and extracurricular schedule. A student who is ahead in math, for example, might be ready to test in the fall of junior year, while a student taking AP courses with heavy spring demands might be better served waiting until summer.

“Once your student understands whether the SAT or ACT is better for them, plan to take the first official test in the winter or early spring of junior year. This will leave enough time to take the test again should the scores be unsatisfactory.”

— The Great College Advice Family Handbook

For a deeper look at how standardized testing fits into the college admissions process, explore our comprehensive guide on how early to take the SAT or ACT.

What Is the Ideal SAT/ACT Testing Timeline from Freshman Year Through Senior Year?

A well-planned testing timeline removes stress and maximizes results. Here’s the strategic approach:

9th and 10th Grade: Build the Foundation

Freshman and sophomore years are not the time for official testing. Instead, students should focus on building strong academic foundations in math and reading — the skills that underpin both the SAT and ACT. The PSAT, typically administered in October of 10th and 11th grade, serves as a useful low-stakes diagnostic. For juniors, the PSAT also qualifies students for consideration for the National Merit Scholarship, so it’s worth taking seriously.

By the end of sophomore year, motivated students can begin taking full-length practice tests of both the SAT and ACT at home or through a prep company. This early diagnosis helps families plan summer preparation if needed.

11th Grade: The Main Testing Window

Junior year is when the real testing action happens. The recommended sequence:

Fall (September–December): Complete diagnostic practice tests if not already done. Begin focused test preparation — at a minimum, practice a section each day in the months leading up to the exam.

Winter/Spring (December–June): Take the first official SAT or ACT. If scores are below target, retake in May or June after additional preparation. Many students see meaningful score improvements on a second sitting simply from greater familiarity with the testing format and conditions.

12th Grade: Final Opportunities

August–October: The last practical window for retesting. Students applying Early Decision or Early Action (with deadlines typically in November) need their final scores by October at the latest.

December: The absolute last test date for most Regular Decision applicants, though some schools may accept January scores. Check each college’s specific requirements.

One parent in the Great College Advice community shared practical wisdom about this timeline: when it comes to competitive programs like engineering, even at technically test-optional schools, submitting strong scores can make a meaningful difference in admissions outcomes — and waiting for a higher score before submitting an application is sometimes the smarter strategic move.

How Many Times Should You Take the SAT or ACT?

The sweet spot for most students is two to three official sittings. Here’s why that number works:

The first attempt establishes a baseline and gives students the invaluable experience of testing under real conditions — something no practice test can fully replicate. The second attempt typically yields improvement as students apply lessons learned from the first sitting and benefit from additional preparation. A third sitting can be worthwhile if a student sees a clear upward trajectory and has done meaningful work between tests.

Beyond three attempts, the returns diminish significantly. Students should turn their attention elsewhere, like making an impact in their community or brainstorming potential essay topics.

How Superscoring Works in Your Favor

Most colleges practice “superscoring,” combining a student’s best section scores across all test dates to create the highest possible composite. For example, if your student scores higher in math in March but higher in reading in June, colleges that superscore will use the higher score from each section.

This is why submitting scores from multiple test dates can actually benefit your student at schools that superscore. Great College Advice counselors help families navigate these decisions toward the end of the application process, ensuring the right scores are sent to the right schools.

Both the SAT and ACT also offer Score Choice, which allows families to decide which score reports to send. However, some colleges require that students submit all scores, so it’s important to check each school’s policy.

Should My Student Take the SAT, the ACT, or Both?

Every college in the United States accepts both tests equally. The decision comes down to which exam better matches your student’s strengths — and the only reliable way to determine this is to take a full-length practice test of each under timed, realistic conditions.

A common strategy

Some students prefer to take both tests in an official setting to compare their real-world results. This is a perfectly valid strategy, as long as they’ve prepared for each. Once a student identifies which test plays to their strengths, Jamie Berger recommends focusing preparation efforts on that single exam rather than splitting time between both.

For students considering testing accommodations such as extended time, it’s worth noting that both the SAT and ACT offer accommodations — but the application processes and timelines differ slightly, so plan accordingly.

Is It Worth Taking the SAT or ACT If Colleges Are Test-Optional?

In nearly all cases, the strategic answer is yes — provided your student can achieve scores that strengthen their application.

As one admissions officer shared with Great College Advice: “Test scores matter less than you think they do, but more than you want them to.”

Since the Covid pandemic, a growing number of colleges and universities have adopted test-optional policies. However, “test optional” does not mean “test irrelevant.” When test scores are not submitted, admissions offices weigh other credentials more heavily — including GPA, course rigor, essays, and extracurricular activities. At the most selective schools, where thousands of applicants have similar academic profiles, strong test scores function as a differentiator that helps admissions officers sort through the pile.

A community member in the Great College Advice network observed that even at schools advertising test-optional policies, admissions committees often “prefer test scores” — particularly for competitive programs. Students who applied test-optional to engineering programs, for instance, sometimes found themselves at a disadvantage compared to peers who submitted strong math scores.

The Financial Argument for Testing

Beyond admissions, there’s a compelling financial case for taking the SAT or ACT. At many colleges and universities, merit-based financial awards are closely tied to test scores. A few additional points can translate to thousands of dollars in scholarships annually — and across four years, that adds up significantly.

As Jamie Berger notes, investing in test preparation “might save you $20,000 a year by getting more merit aid at a college. You can’t guarantee it, but it very well often does.” For families focused on value and ROI in the college process, the testing investment is one of the highest-return decisions available.

FairTest.org maintains a comprehensive list of schools that do not require standardized test scores, which can be a useful reference as your family builds its college list.

How Should My Student Prepare for the SAT or ACT, and When Should Prep Begin?

Test preparation should begin at least two to three months before a student’s first planned test date. For most students targeting a winter or spring junior-year test, that means starting focused preparation in the fall of 11th grade.

The Great College Advice Family Handbook puts it plainly: “Just like getting to Carnegie Hall, the best way to get ready for standardized tests is to practice, practice, practice! Although colleges do not like to admit it, students’ scores on both tests can be significantly influenced by familiarity and coaching.”

Recommended Preparation Resources

Students should complete as many full-length practice exams as possible under test-like conditions. At a minimum, they should find time in their schedule to practice at least one section every week in the months leading up to the exam.

For test prep books, Great College Advice recommends the official guides: The Real ACT Prep Guide from ACT and The Official SAT Study Guide from College Board. These contain real past exam questions and are the most reliable preparation resources available.

For more structured preparation, Great College Advice’s comprehensive packages include a one-year license for self-paced SAT and ACT prep through Magoosh, and counselors work with each family to build a preparation strategy that fits their student’s learning style and schedule.

A Note for Parents: Remember that it’s OK to encourage and even, on occasion, cajole your student when it comes to standardized test preparation and performance. Be careful not to communicate that a high test score is a measure of your love and support for your child. Focus on the test as a ‘mountain to be climbed,’ and not a measure of a person’s worth.

What If My Student Needs Testing Accommodations for the SAT or ACT?

Both the College Board (SAT) and ACT offer accommodations to students with documented learning differences — including extended time, extra breaks, and alternative testing formats. The accommodation process requires advance planning, so families should begin early.

To qualify for accommodations, students do not need a 504 plan in place at their high school prior to requesting testing accommodations. The application should be submitted through the student’s high school; parents can only apply directly to the testing agencies in special circumstances.

The approval process can take weeks or even months, which is why Great College Advice recommends approaching your school’s guidance office as soon as possible. Ideally, families should begin the conversation no later than the sophomore year to ensure that accommodations are fully approved before junior-year testing begins.

If you think your student may qualify, start by talking with your school counselor about the documentation requirements. If your family is working with an independent college admissions counselor, they can help you navigate this process alongside the school to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Building Your Student’s Test Plan: Putting It All Together

The testing process works best when families approach it strategically rather than reactively. Here’s a quick-reference summary:

Sophomore Year: Take practice tests of both the SAT and the ACT to identify the best fit. Begin conversations about accommodations if applicable. Use the PSAT as a low-stakes diagnostic.

Fall of Junior Year: Start focused preparation. Register for a winter or spring test date.

Winter/Spring of Junior Year: Take the first official test. Evaluate scores and determine if a retake is warranted.

Summer Before Senior Year: Targeted preparation for a retake if needed.

Fall of Senior Year: Final test date (ideally by October for Early Decision/Early Action applicants).

Building this plan is one of the first things Great College Advice counselors work on with families. As Jamie Berger’s team advises, “While your counselor will be working with your student to put together a testing plan and preparation strategy, you are an integral part of that process.” Parents know their student’s strengths, stress levels, and schedules — and that knowledge is essential to creating a plan that works.

And if your family is ready for a personalized testing strategy as part of a broader college planning approach, reach out to Great College Advice to start the conversation.

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The post When Do You Take the SAT or ACT first appeared on Great College Advice.

Choosing the right college means looking beyond polished admissions presentations to understand authentic campus culture, student well-being resources, and true community fit. For families weighing both quality and value, assessing these factors accurately on the campus visit is essential to ensuring your investment pays off with a positive college experience. This guide provides practical strategies for evaluating what campus life is really like—crucial information that complements your research into scholarships and financial aid options when building your college list.

Why shouldn’t I rely solely on the official campus tour to assess campus culture?

Think of the official campus visit as you would a timeshare presentation—polished, persuasive, and designed to close a sale. Admissions departments invest considerable resources, sometimes hiring specialized consulting firms, to craft memorable visitor experiences. Tour guides are trained employees following memorized scripts, not randomly selected representatives of student opinion.

As veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger observes, the fundamental issue is that these presentations offer very little variability from one school to the next. After visiting multiple campuses, families often find their experiences blurring together—every school seems to have the same talking points about small class sizes, accessible professors, and vibrant campus life.

The Great College Advice Family Handbook emphasizes this critical distinction: “A college is more than a bunch of buildings: it is a community. It takes a bit of time to get beyond the superficial aspects of a campus to learn about that community of people.”

This doesn’t mean tours are worthless—they provide useful logistical information and demonstrate that your student is serious about the school (which matters for demonstrated interest). But don’t confuse the tour’s polished presentation with an accurate picture of daily student life.

What specific activities reveal an authentic campus culture that tours miss?

The most revealing insights come from unscripted moments and independent exploration. Before your visit, check the campus events calendar to see what’s happening during your stay. Attend a sporting event, play, concert, or lecture if timing permits—these gatherings reveal how students actually spend their free time.

During your campus walk, pause at bulletin boards in building hallways. One community member noted discovering this approach: “It was a great way to get a little inside glimpse into what was happening on campus when there weren’t a lot of students to talk with.” Bulletin boards advertise clubs, events, causes students care about, and the general pulse of campus activity.

Extend your exploration beyond the campus boundaries:

Visit the surrounding area and try local restaurants. Test transportation options—can students easily get to town, the airport, or nearby cities? Help your student identify where they’d find basic necessities like groceries and pharmacies. These practical elements profoundly shape daily student life.

Most importantly, talk to students who aren’t wearing admissions office lanyards. Ask them directly about their experiences. One parent in the Great College Advice community shared an approach of simply stopping random students walking across campus and asking honest questions about weekend life, academic pressure, and social dynamics, yielding far more candid responses than any official tour.

If offered, schedule a campus overnight stay. There’s simply no substitute for experiencing evening and morning routines alongside actual students.

How can I determine if a college is a “suitcase school” where students leave on weekends?

The “suitcase school” phenomenon can dramatically impact your student’s college experience. When significant portions of the student body pack up and leave each weekend, campus social life withers, creating a self-reinforcing cycle where emptier weekends prompt even more departures.

Research from the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA found that 39% of first-year students at less selective campuses reported going home frequently. This trend concerns college educators who recognize that students heading home miss the challenges and rewards of building new relationships and experiencing campus community.

When admissions officers insist their campus stays vibrant on weekends, dig deeper with these specific questions for current students:

Do you or your friends leave campus on weekends? If so, why? If you stay on campus, do you feel there’s enough happening? Are students packing up for the whole weekend or just taking day trips? Do you ever feel like you’d miss something important by leaving? What about students from far away who can’t easily get home? Do they feel isolated?

If possible, schedule part of your visit during a weekend to observe activity levels firsthand. A campus that feels energetic on Tuesday morning but deserted on Saturday afternoon tells you something important about student culture. For more on identifying this pattern, see our detailed guide on how to find out if a college is a suitcase school.

What questions should parents ask about student well-being and support services?

Parents carry legitimate concerns that students may not think to address. Parents should seek out the answers to their own parental questions—your questions about campus safety or financial aid are perfectly appropriate.

The key is approach. Let your student take the lead during tours and information sessions. Consider a “divide and conquer” strategy: while your student attends a class or meets with a coach, you can separately meet with someone in financial aid, student advising, or health services.

Priority questions for parents include:

Campus safety: What security measures exist? What are the crime statistics (colleges must report these)? How does campus security respond to emergencies? Is the surrounding area safe for walking at night?

Mental health support: What’s the student-to-counselor ratio? Are appointments readily available during high-stress periods like finals? What support exists for students struggling academically or personally? Does the school have a reputation for high-pressure environments that impact student well-being?

Financial aid accessibility: Can you schedule a meeting with a financial aid advisor to discuss your family’s specific situation? Understanding how financial aid impacts admissions helps you ask the right questions.

Practical support: What health services are available on campus? What are the housing options and guarantees? How’s the food quality? What dietary accommodations exist? What resources support students with disabilities or learning differences?

You can also write a quick email to the general admissions email after your visit to ask questions your student found intrusive during the tour itself.

How do I assess whether a college fits my student’s academic, social, and personal needs?

True fit assessment begins with deeply understanding your own student before evaluating any college. Great College Advice uses a structured assessment approach including the “Why Go to College” survey, which examines student motivations ranging from career preparation to personal growth and self-discovery.

This distinction matters enormously. As one assessment process reveals: “Some students are going to college in order to do a specific job. If they couldn’t get a job from the college experience, they wouldn’t go to college. Some students are like, ‘Yeah, I’ll get a job later, but right now I’m going to broaden my mind, to learn more about myself.’ Those are two different, really different schools.”

Career-oriented students will likely thrive at professionally-focused institutions with strong internship pipelines and industry connections. Growth-oriented students may flourish at liberal arts colleges emphasizing exploration and intellectual development. Neither approach is superior, but matching students to institutions matters critically for satisfaction and success.

Jamie Berger emphasizes helping students shed the “gaming the system” mentality: “I like to think that a little added feature of working with an experienced admissions consultant for a year is to help people who’ve always done it right start to realize—I’ve earned access to one of these schools. Now what do I want?”

Discuss concrete preferences with your student: urban versus rural settings, large versus small student bodies, competitive versus collaborative academic cultures, strong Greek life versus alternative social structures, political climate, religious affiliation, and diversity priorities. Focus on compatibility rather than chasing an elusive “perfect fit.”

The colleges that match your student’s academic profile, social preferences, and personal ambitions will yield happier, more successful outcomes than simply pursuing the most prestigious names regardless of fit.

When is the best time to visit campus to accurately assess the culture and student life?

Timing can make or break your campus visit’s value. If possible, based on your family’s schedule,  visit when classes are in session. As the Great College Advice team puts it, this is when you can spot “students in the wild”—walking to class, crowding dining halls, gathering in libraries, and going about their actual daily routines.

Avoid holiday breaks if possible. During Thanksgiving week, students have ventured home, admissions officers are often out of the office, and colleges rarely offer tours. Campus dining facilities and amenities will be completely shut down. Winter break is even worse—dorms locked, libraries on limited hours if open at all, faculty traveling. Unless you want to see locked, empty buildings, these windows offer virtually no insight into campus culture.

Optimal timing includes February, spring break (when it doesn’t overlap with the college’s own break), and fall months. Note that not all colleges offer weekend visits, and those that do typically only offer them during September, October, March, or April. Look for special events like “preview days,” “open houses,” or “admitted students days.”

For the most informative visits, spend a full day or more on campus, from morning until well into the evening. This allows you to experience the rhythm of campus life across different times—morning class changes, afternoon study sessions, evening activities.

One critical caution: don’t schedule more than two campus visits per day. Your experiences will blur together, compromising your ability to evaluate each school distinctly. Months later, you won’t remember which library went with which school.

How can I assess campus culture if an in-person visit isn’t possible due to cost or distance?

When in-person visits aren’t feasible, whether due to budget constraints or international distance, virtual resources can provide meaningful insights, though with acknowledged limitations.

Many campuses offer robust virtual visit options: virtual campus tours on their websites, virtual panels, information sessions, and interviews with faculty, students, staff, and alumni. Visiting a campus in person can give you information that is hard to glean from afar, but if visiting is too costly or time-consuming, virtual visits can be a great option.

Check online campus events calendars—these serve as “virtual bulletin boards” revealing what programming exists and whether it aligns with your student’s interests. Connect with current students through official channels where colleges often make students available to prospective applicants online. Research student newspapers, forums, and social media for unfiltered perspectives on campus life.

As Jamie Berger advises families unable to visit their first-choice schools: “If you live abroad, you can’t go visit. Write them a letter so they know you’re not just applying to 30 schools blindly. Something short, though.” This brief, thoughtful communication demonstrates genuine interest while acknowledging the logistical realities of international applications.

Take advantage of every virtual opportunity offered: Zoom meetings, Facebook groups, admitted students’ online communities, and virtual information sessions. “Just say yes to everything,” Berger recommends when it comes to demonstrating interest and gathering information about schools you genuinely care about.

While virtual research can’t fully replicate walking campus pathways and absorbing the atmosphere, a thorough online investigation combined with genuine outreach to admissions representatives and current students can provide substantial insight into whether a campus culture might suit your student.

Assessing campus culture and student well-being requires looking beyond polished presentations to understand authentic student experiences. At Great College Advice, our expert counselors help families develop comprehensive evaluation criteria matching students’ academic, social, and personal needs. Combined with strategic guidance on financial aid timelines and merit-based scholarship strategies, we help value-conscious families find colleges where students thrive academically and personally—at a cost that makes sense for your family.

Schedule a free consultation today.

The post Tips for Successful Campus Visit first appeared on Great College Advice.

When schools like Duke have admission rates below 5%, expert support can make the difference between a strategic application and one that gets lost in the crowd. For a deeper dive into evaluating your options, see our complete guide on How to Choose the Best College Admissions Consultant.

What Are the Main Benefits of Hiring a Private College Admissions Counselor?

The primary benefits of hiring a private college admissions counselor center on what overstretched high school counselors cannot provide: truly personalized attention throughout the entire application journey.

A dedicated college counselor works with you from college list development through final decisions, providing expert guidance on essay writing that helps students discover and communicate their authentic story—rather than trying to “game” what admissions officers want to hear. This strategic partnership includes developing a balanced college list that identifies both prestigious reaches and schools where your student will genuinely thrive.

Perhaps most tangibly, professional guidance often translates directly to increased merit aid. As veteran college admissions expert Jamie Berger puts it: “The sticker price for us might seem large, but it might save you $20,000 a year by getting more merit aid at a college. You can’t guarantee it, but it might very well—often does.”

Unlike high school counselors who may be responsible for 200 or more students, private counselors provide dedicated time and individualized strategy. After junior year, comprehensive package clients typically meet almost weekly with their counselor until applications are submitted—a level of attention impossible in a school setting.

Why Can’t My High School Guidance Counselor Provide the Same Support?

High school guidance counselors face significant structural constraints that limit their effectiveness for students aiming at highly selective colleges. The numbers alone tell the story: each counselor at a school could be responsible for 200 or more students, making truly personalized attention mathematically impossible.

Jamie Berger, who transitioned from working as an academic coach at a prep school to private college counseling, observed this limitation firsthand: “Their college counselors would meet them junior year and give them a list of colleges without really knowing them.” Even at well-resourced private schools, the counselor-to-student ratio prevents the deep understanding necessary for crafting compelling applications to elite institutions.

Additionally, high schools often have their own institutional agendas and established relationships with certain colleges that may not align with your student’s best interests. Private counselors have no such conflicts—their only objective is your student’s success.

For students at public schools with minimal college counseling resources, this gap becomes even more pronounced. Families who chose public school over private and can invest in independent counseling often find it provides the personalized attention their student needs to compete effectively.

How Do I Choose a Qualified College Admissions Consultant?

Selecting the right college admissions consultant requires verifying professional credentials while also ensuring personal compatibility with your student.

Start by checking for membership in professional organizations like IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling), or HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association). These organizations maintain experience requirements and professional standards. As Jamie Berger notes, membership is “way better than someone who isn’t in any of them. Although there are some great people who don’t participate in any of those, but they should come to you recommended personally.”

Personal recommendations from families who have completed the process remain the gold standard. Beyond credentials, consider the counselor’s background: some come from admissions departments and bring insider perspectives, while others come from academic backgrounds and may excel at essay development and intellectual positioning.

Most importantly, the student should meet with potential counselors before committing. Berger emphasizes this critical question: “Who do I want to meet with once a week for 30 weeks? Who am I going to work well with?” This relationship will span the most intense period of your student’s high school experience—chemistry matters.

For more detailed guidance on evaluating consultants, read our comprehensive guide: How to Choose the Best College Admissions Consultant.

What Is the ROI of Hiring a College Counselor, and Is the Investment Worth It?

The return on investment for college counseling can be substantial, manifesting in both financial returns and less quantifiable—but equally important—outcomes.

On the financial side, expert guidance often translates directly to increased merit aid. Jamie Berger states plainly: “In terms of increased merit aid and finding the perfect fit, I think it’s totally worth it. And if I were a parent today with a kid, especially a kid without much [school] college counseling, I would definitely hire someone.”

Quality college counseling typically ranges from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands, depending on the level of service and the firm’s expertise. Berger cautions against extremes: “I don’t know anyone who should spend $100,000 on a college counselor or even a fifth of that.”

Beyond direct financial returns, the ROI includes reduced family stress during an inherently tense process, more efficient use of the student’s time, and perhaps most valuably, discovery of “hidden gem” schools—institutions off the beaten path that match your student’s profile where they can truly flourish. When counselors help identify target schools where students qualify for significant merit scholarships, the initial investment can yield returns many times over across four years of tuition.

When Is the Best Time to Hire a College Counselor?

The ideal timing depends on your family’s needs, but most experts recommend beginning the formal relationship after sophomore year.

Jamie Berger explains his approach: “I personally like to start working with students after sophomore year. I sometimes will meet students who are freshmen and help them guide them on engaging in extracurricular activities.” Some families hire a counselor freshman year for occasional touchpoints with engagement intensifying substantially after junior year.

The reasoning behind starting after sophomore year is nuanced: beginning too early can make “a young person get too obsessed too early in the process.” High school should include time for genuine exploration and discovery, not just strategic positioning.

That said, the foundational decisions that shape college applications—particularly around extracurricular development—should be considered “even in middle school,” according to Berger. The key question families should be asking early: “What are they really into? How can I help them dive deeper into it?” The modern admissions ideal is no longer the well-rounded student but what the Great College Advice team calls the “well-lopsided” student—someone with superior talents and deep commitment in one or two areas rather than superficial involvement in many.

How Can a College Counselor Help with Application Essays?

Essay coaching represents one of the highest-value services a college counselor provides, particularly for students targeting elite institutions.

The best counselors help students avoid the most common—and costly—mistake: trying to “gamify” the process by writing what they think admissions officers want to hear. Jamie Berger is direct about this trap: “When you’re dealing with the most selective schools in the country, that is just the wrong way to go about it. They’re getting thousands and thousands of applicants from kids who have always done what they think is the right thing to do. And they fall into kind of a cookie-cutter bunch of kids.”

Instead, effective essay coaching guides students toward authentic self-reflection. Berger describes the admissions reader’s perspective: “They have all your data. They don’t want to hear more about your data or your accomplishments. They want to get a little feel for who you actually are.” This process takes months because high-achieving students must “shed that mindset and just do it authentically, not right.”

Beyond voice and authenticity, counselors help students organize multiple essays across applications, enforce strategic deadlines, and ensure the personal statement and supplemental essays work together with the rest of the application to present a coherent, compelling portrait of the applicant.

What Should I Look for in a College Counseling Firm Versus an Individual Consultant?

Both models can work well, but multi-counselor firms offer distinct collaborative advantages worth considering.

At Great College Advice, for example, six counselors bring over 100 years of combined experience to every client. Jamie Berger describes this team approach: “Not only you hire me, but you’re also hiring all six of us because we meet once a week, talk about our clients, ask any questions, and bounce things off each other. And we are all in different regions of the country with different expertise.”

A team structure provides diverse perspectives on challenging situations, regional knowledge spanning different parts of the country, and collective problem-solving when unusual circumstances arise. This matters because college admissions vary significantly by region—what works for California schools differs from strategies for New England institutions.

Look for firms that offer comprehensive packages rather than purely hourly billing. As Berger explains, “A comprehensive package commits both the client and the counselor.” This alignment of incentives means your counselor isn’t watching the clock or needing to “resell” themselves repeatedly—they’re invested in your outcome from day one.

The best firms also conduct thorough initial assessments to match students with counselors whose backgrounds and expertise align with the student’s needs, whether that’s strength in essay development, knowledge of specific school systems, or experience with particular application scenarios like athletic recruiting or arts portfolios.

Take the First Step Toward Your Student’s Success

The college admissions process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our team of experienced counselors is ready to provide the personalized guidance your family needs to navigate this critical journey with confidence.

Book your free consultation today to learn how Great College Advice can help your student stand out, find their best-fit schools, and maximize their opportunities for admission and merit aid.

The post Why Should I Hire a College Counselor? first appeared on Great College Advice.

Begin the college search process over winter break

Along with starting the college search process, here are some other productive activities to do over winter break:

1.  Start doing some college research.  There are so many college websites out there, it is hard to know where to begin.  These days, high schoolers are inundated with information about colleges on TikTok or other social media platforms. But, we often suggest that students begin with a simple college match survey.  You can find these on CollegeBoard.org or Princeton Review.  Once you find some colleges that you are interested in learning more about, visit CollegeData.com.  This site provides a wealth of information about size, academics and the competitiveness of the application process.  Another site to check out is Unigo.com.  This site can answer many questions you may have about the college application process.
2.  Volunteer.  Winter break is a great time to get in some volunteer hours.  You may work at an animal shelter or see if you can help with a holiday program at a local hospital.  Volunteering not only looks great on your college applications, but it is beneficial for your mental health and a great way to give back to your community. It may also be a great opportunity for you to explore some different careers.
3.  Begin thinking about next summer.  Now is the time to begin thinking about your plans for the summer.  Look into possible enrichment programs or camps that will help you explore an interest. You may want to start putting together your resume as you begin exploring potential summer job or internship opportunities.
4.  Network.  There are lots of gatherings during the holidays, which provide great opportunities for networking.  Before you attend your next holiday event, brainstorm some questions you may have from the people you know will be there.  Ask about career paths and college experiences. This is a great way to learn more about college from multiple perspectives.
5.  Read.  Reading is one of the best ways to improve your SAT scores, so take some time to dive into a good book or two or three!

Great College Advice

The post Winter Break Tips for High Schoolers first appeared on Great College Advice.

Research the Strength of a College’s Career Services Office

A good career services office should be able to help students identify and promote their strongest assets.   An article in the New York Times describes just how important it is for recent college graduates to market themselves.  The article states that while the most popular majors among employers are accounting, engineering, computing and mathematics; there are still ways for those philosophers and English majors to market themselves.  So while there are thousands of English majors out there looking for jobs, the ones that will be the most successful will be able to show off their writing skills.

Another interesting article from the Boston Globe describes the strong alumni network of a small college, Emerson.  While this school may not have the “big name” reputation, the alumni in the entertainment industry are seeking out “some of their own” by placing Emerson students in internships and providing opportunities for their “big break” after graduation.  One Emerson alumnus described it as helping each other “like a family”.  The Emerson network has become so powerful that it has even been called the “Emerson mafia”.  A strong career development office will be able to teach students how to use an alumni network in their job or internship search.

Finally, there is always the importance of networking.  An article on MSNBC talked about how parents can help with a job or internship search by providing professional contacts for their children.  The article cautions parents to use their judgment when bringing your child into your professional world.  It also talks about how a parent can go overbroad by trying to help a child negotiate a salary package or even submitting applications for their children.  A good career development center will provide students with the skills necessary for managing the job application process.  They should even cover negotiating skills so students feel comfortable advocating for themselves when it is time to talk salary and vacation time.

Questions to ask about job placement out of college

So if you are in the process of creating a college list, it is a good idea to ask questions about job placement at the schools you are interested in.  Call the career center directly since you are more likely to get accurate answers.  Here are some questions to consider:

–       What is your job placement rate for recent graduates?
–       How many graduates attend graduate school?
–       Who is your top employer?
–       Can you give me some examples of jobs students are obtaining from specific majors?
–       What types of career development workshops and support do you provide?
–       What type of specialized internship programs do you have?
–       How many employers to you have posting jobs?  What are you doing to attract new employers to campus?
–       Do you hold job fairs on campus?  If so, how many employers attended your job fair last year?

Remember it may not be just the name of the college or power of their alumni network that gets you a job after graduation.  Schools with comprehensive career education programs are going to teach how to look for a job and how to market yourself.  These are skills that you will use to obtain that first job out of college and beyond.

Compare College using Government Data

The College Scorecard through the Department of Education is a helpful tool to compare earnings a few years out of college as well as a wealth of other information.

Get Personalized Guidance for Your College Journey

Every student’s path to college is unique. The demonstrated interest strategies that work for one applicant may not be right for another. Knowing which schools actually track engagement, when to visit, and how to make meaningful connections requires expert insight tailored to your specific situation.

At Great College Advice, our team of veteran college admissions counselors has helped thousands of ambitious students navigate the complexities of college admissions. We’ll help you build a strategic approach to demonstrated interest, identify which schools on your list care most about engagement, and develop an application strategy that maximizes your chances at your dream schools.

Ready to take the next step? Schedule your free consultation today and discover how personalized guidance can make the difference in your college admissions journey.

The post It’s Never Too Early to Think About Getting a Job first appeared on Great College Advice.

When a client asked me the other day about the importance of student to faculty ratios, I got to thinking about other supposed indicators of educational quality.

The other oft-cited statistic when visiting an admissions office is “average class size.” As with student-to-faculty ratios, the size of the classes at a college is assumed to reflect the quality and the intimacy of the educational experience. Small classes–so the assumption goes–are interactive and provide ample opportunity for interaction between students and faculty. The pedagogy of these classes is more a facilitated discussion than a lecture.

This assumption is generally true: small classes are more interactive. Yet I could cite numerous examples of professors I have known who stand and deliver lectures from prepared notes to a class of seven students. Just because a class is small doesn’t mean it’s any good.

The use of the “average class size” can be very misleading, however, and masks some more important facts about the quality of education delivered by a college or university.
Consider how the following scenarios have an impact on how “average class size” is calculated.

• Some of the smallest classes are taught by the least effective, least popular professors. In a world of university tenure, bad professors cannot be chased out. So they end up teaching ever smaller numbers of students, while the more effective, popular instructors see their class sizes swell.• Some of the smallest classes are in obscure subjects. Some of these are new courses professors are trying out for the first time.
• They can be experimental. And few students are willing to take risks of this sort (credits are too expensive, too dear to take such risks).
  Class sizes in some departments are much smaller than in other departments. Courses for popular majors such as history, economics, and biology may be large, while equally good courses in anthropology and art history may be tiny. Here quality of the individual course is not the issue–it’s the popularity of the major that may affect class size.
• Professors generally do not like teaching huge courses–not because they hate lecturing–but because they hate grading so many tests and term papers. So they ask administrators to cap enrollments, insisting that “small classes are better” (when, in fact, they are simply concerned about their own work load).
• Professors and administrators cap enrollments in popular courses in order to keep the average class size small. Even the most popular courses at small, liberal arts colleges are not allowed to grow large–because those colleges are protecting the ratio. In a competitive environment that values small class sizes over large ones, institutions of higher education are loath to allow classes to grow too large. So from an administrator’s point of view, the question is not so much access to great courses or the quality of the individual course (some large lecture classes in the hands of an outstanding professor can be awesome). An administrator’s job is to keep “average class size” as low as possible.

This final point leads to some very troublesome effects on college campuses. An article a few years back from the alumni magazine of my alma mater, Dartmouth College, points out that the real, untold story is how the mania to protect the “average class size” statistic is shutting students out of popular courses. The article makes the point this way:

In [the department of] economics, with 453 students registered as majors, minors, or modified majors, students get closed out of as many of 20 percent of their course choices, a rate that far exceeds the rate of closeouts campus wide, as estimated by [Dean of the Faculty Carol] Holt.

To further elaborate the point, a “small class” in the economics department at Dartmouth is 30 students: the department would likely cancel a class with such “low” enrollment. While in the department of anthropology, a “small” class might be 5 or 6 (in my department at the University of Denver, a course with fewer than 7 students was considered “uneconomic” and therefore cancelled).

(Note to future economics majors: if you really want to small classes, go to a college where economics is NOT a popular major.)

Believe me, this is not the sort of information you will hear from an admissions counselor. They will sing out their statistics on student-to-faculty ratios (8-to-1 at Dartmouth) and “average class size” is probably around 15 or so.

Student to Faculty Ratios Can Mislead

But the statistics, beautiful though they are, do not tell you the whole story. In fact, they can be grossly misleading. And they do not necessarily bear any relationship to the quality of the education being delivered.

As an alumnus, of course, I would tell you that the quality of the education at Dartmouth is more a function of the quality of the faculty and the quality of the student body. Dartmouth can afford to be more discriminating in its offers of tenure, it offers higher salaries to faculty, and the student body is one that any high-quality faculty member would love to teach. And only teachers who love to teach undergraduates would be motivated to apply for a job at Dartmouth–for there are few graduate students.

In the same breath, however, I would criticize the quality of a Harvard undergraduate education, where the student-to-faculty ratio is an ultra-low 6-to-1, but average class sizes are generally much larger, and graduate teaching assistants perform the overwhelming majority of grading and lead almost all the class discussions. To be graduate student at Harvard is to be on top of the heap; to be an undergraduate is fun an exciting, but the teaching is just not as good.

Why would I say that?

Two reasons.  First, my experience while a graduate teaching fellow.  I was an assistant for two different courses over a few semesters.  These were 200-level courses in the economics and political science departments (international political economy and political theory, respectively).  While I enjoyed my experience, I found the lectures by the professors to be relatively boring, and I also found it weird that I was leading discussions on the readings despite my relative lack of expertise in either subject. I also was in charge of grading all papers and exams, some of which were awesome, and other were complete pieces of crap. But the professors allowed us to give nothing less than a “B” grade to anything, no matter how horrible or off the mark the work was.

The second is that a friend of mine wrote me a note about his experience in choosing and attending Harvard.  While he enjoyed his time at Harvard overall, his classroom environment not all that memorable.  Here is what he wrote:

I didn’t think very critically about which college was the right “fit”. All I knew about college was gleaned from family trips to University of Notre Dame for football games. I knew I wanted to go away to college, and I had been to Washington DC so I applied to Georgetown. I applied to University of Michigan Ann Arbor as my “safety” school. And at the last minute, my Dad told me he had spoken with a friend whose daughter had gone to Harvard and enjoyed it. So I applied to Harvard.
When I got into Harvard, I was so overwhelmed with people’s responses to that fact that it seemed to me the right thing to do to go there. I had never been to Boston and had no idea what Harvard looked like and no real appreciation for its history. In fact I almost cried when I rode into Harvard Square because it didn’t look at all like “college” to me!
It turned out to be a wonderful experience for me, not because of the undergraduate academic offerings (three or four truly exceptional courses) or the career guidance (zero) but because of the terrific students and graduate students I met and became friends with. It is a part of my life I treasure. Looking back, I’m not at all sure that I couldn’t have gotten an equally wonderful (though of course different) experience at any number of other colleges. I will say though that the Harvard name has opened many doors for me, many of which I am probably not even aware.

So how can you uncover the truth behind the statistics?

Here’s a short video I did a while back expressing gratitude for the clarity with which Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, calculated its student to faculty ratio.

The Truth Behind Student to Faculty Ratios

How can we compare and contrast the educational services offered by different institutions? How can we get beyond these simplistic numbers?

You must ask more substantive questions about how courses are taught, and not to focus solely upon the size of the class.

But there are other questions that prospective students and their parents might ask in order to understand and predict what their experience might be like if they matriculated to a particular college or university.

1. What is the “course load” for faculty members? How many undergraduate courses is each faculty member expected to teach every year? Is this number the same for all departments, or does it vary by discipline?
2. What percentage of courses is taught by adjunct or part-time faculty? Is this percentage the same across departments, or do some departments rely on part-timers more than others?
3. What percentage of courses has a waiting list? How does the college (or the individual department) determine who gets off the waiting list and when?
4. How many campus lecture halls seat 100 students? 50 students? 500 students? How many seminar rooms are there? What is the ratio of lecture halls to seminar rooms?
5. How small must a class be before it is canceled by the administration?
6. What is the most popular course on campus (or in your department)? Is enrollment in this course capped? Who gets in, and who doesn’t?

As you ask these questions, you should not permit admissions people to give vague answers. They will hem and haw. They will will be imprecise.

But these figures do exist on campus, and they exist in the office of institutional research. The administrators in this office crunch the numbers. They have the facts. If you really want to know this information, you need to ask to be put in touch with someone in the office institutional research who can provide this information to you.

Still, you must not focus solely on the statistics. Every educational institution has administrative problems like the ones at Dartmouth described above You will never be able to guarantee that your son or daughter will not be shut out of a class. You will not be able to ensure that every course he or she takes is a gem.

But if you dig deeply enough, you may be able to figure out how forthcoming and honest the faculty and administration is about the difficulty of measuring educational quality, and you will learn how they are working to deliver the quality you expect–and will be paying for.

Need to understand the data and how it applies to you?

The college admissions counselors at Great College Advice have access to the latest higher education data to help students and families make the right decisions about their educational paths. We can guide you toward the information you need to choose the right colleges and ensure that you get the educational opportunities you most desire. Give us a call for a free consultation or fill out our contact form. We’d be delighted to get acquainted and explain how we help families make the admissions process less stressful and more successful.

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