Hilary Sullivan, Affirm Educational Planning

As students head back to school, one of the most valuable things they can do for their future college applications has nothing to do with grades or test scores.

Build meaningful relationships with your teachers.

Strong letters of recommendation don't come from students who simply earn high marks, they come from students who are engaged, curious, respectful, and willing to participate in the learning process. The teachers who know a student best are the ones who can speak to their character, intellectual curiosity, resilience, and contributions both inside and outside the classroom.

My advice is simple: introduce yourself, participate thoughtfully, ask questions, attend extra help when needed, and show genuine interest in learning. These small, consistent actions throughout the school year often lead to the most authentic and compelling recommendations.

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

One of the greatest privileges of my work is earning the trust of the students and families I have the opportunity to serve. The college admissions journey can be exciting, but it can also bring uncertainty, difficult decisions, and moments of stress.

When a student feels heard, supported, and confident enough to ask questions, explore possibilities, and navigate challenges, meaningful growth happens. Building that relationship is just as important as building a college list.

Receiving messages like this is a wonderful reminder of why I do this work:

"Hilary is compassionate, fair, experienced, and strong especially during the tough moments. We hired Hilary Sullivan and she immediately formed astrong working relationship with my daughter as they navigated the overwhelming (and at times, emotional) college evaluation experience. Hilary was an incredible support to my daughter from getting to know her, selecting appropriate schools, encouraging continued excellence in her high school classes, and being an impactful cheerleader for my child in both her academics and extracurricular activities. Hilary not only kept my child calm and on track with responsibilities, essays, and applications, she simultaneously kept Mom & Dad just enough involved to keep us calm and faithful! Our daughter did in fact get accepted to her number one choice school though Early Decision which was thrilling. Hilary was an integral player on our team!"

I am deeply grateful for the trust families place in me. Helping students navigate the college admissions process with greater confidence, perspective, and peace of mind is truly one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.

www.affirmedu.com

As the world of higher education and work continues to evolve, so too do the opportunities available to today's students. This article explores The College Board's newest Advanced Placement offering, AP Business with Personal Finance, and the thinking behind its development.

The addition of this course reflects a growing emphasis on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness alongside traditional academic preparation. It also serves as a reminder that colleges increasingly value students who are prepared not only to succeed in the classroom, but to navigate an ever-changing world with confidence and practical skills.

I encourage families to look beyond course titles and consider how each academic choice aligns with a student's interests, strengths, and long-term goals. Thoughtful course selection has always been an important part of building a meaningful high school experience.

This is an interesting read for students, parents, and educators alike.

There's a New AP Business Course. College Board's CEO Explains Why (Opinion) David Coleman talks financial literacy, workforce readiness, and engaging Gen Z.

College Readiness Extends Beyond the Classroom

Strong grades and challenging coursework are important, but so are the interpersonal skills students will rely on throughout college and beyond.

Whether participating in a college interview, meeting with a professor during office hours, interviewing for an internship, or assuming a leadership role on campus, the ability to communicate with confidence and professionalism is an essential life skill.

Parents can help students develop these skills through simple, everyday conversations:

➡️ Practice introductions. A confident greeting, eye contact, and a genuine smile create positive first impressions.

➡️ Encourage self-advocacy. Rather than speaking on their behalf, help students practice communicating directly with teachers, coaches, employers, and mentors. Learning to ask thoughtful questions and advocate respectfully is one of the best preparations for college.

➡️ Develop active listening. Meaningful conversations begin with listening carefully, asking follow-up questions, and showing genuine curiosity about others.

College preparation is about more than submitting a strong application. It's about helping students develop the confidence, communication skills, and independence that will enable them to thrive throughout their college experience and beyond.

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

August 1 marked an important milestone in the college admissions process - the Common App is officially open for rising seniors.

While many application deadlines are still months away, this is an ideal time for students to begin working intentionally, not hurriedly. Completing the application thoughtfully, refining essays, confirming application requirements, and organizing supporting materials now allows students to move into the fall with confidence rather than unnecessary stress.

The strongest applications are rarely the result of last-minute effort. They are built through careful planning, thoughtful reflection, and steady progress over time.

For the Class of 2027, the college application season has officially begun. Thoughtful preparation remains one of the greatest advantages a student can have.

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

When families think about selective college experiences, they often focus on private universities. Yet some of the country's most outstanding academic opportunities can be found within honors colleges at public institutions.

For high-achieving students, honors colleges often provide many of the benefits associated with smaller private colleges ... seminar-style classes, priority registration, faculty mentorship, undergraduate research, honors housing, and dedicated advising, while also offering the breadth of resources, majors, and campus life found at a large university.

Just as importantly, these programs can represent exceptional value. For many families, an honors college offers the opportunity to receive a highly personalized educational experience at a significantly lower cost than a comparable private institution.

Not all honors colleges are created equal, however. Admission standards, curriculum requirements, research opportunities, and student benefits vary considerably from one university to another. Understanding those differences is an important part of building a thoughtful college list.

I encourage students to look beyond a university's name and explore the academic opportunities available within it. For the right student, an honors college may provide the ideal combination of intellectual challenge, personalized support, and long-term value.

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

As a new school year begins, I'm excited to celebrate a special milestone - 10 years of Affirm Educational Planning!

Over the past decade, it has been my privilege to partner with students and their families as they navigate one of life's most significant transitions. Every student brings a unique set of strengths, aspirations, and possibilities, and I remain grateful for the trust families place in me to help them approach the college admissions process with clarity, confidence, and intention.

As I welcome a new class of sophomores and juniors, I'm reminded that the strongest college journeys don't begin with applications, they begin with thoughtful planning. Together, we develop a personalized roadmap that aligns academic choices, meaningful extracurricular involvement, leadership, and future goals long before senior year arrives.

To the many students and families who have been part of the Affirm story over the last ten years, thank you. Your trust, accomplishments, and continued success have made this milestone especially meaningful, and I look forward to helping the next generation of students discover where their own journeys will lead.

Here's to a new school year, a thoughtful plan, and the opportunities that lie ahead.

www.affirmedu.com

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that students need to do everything.

In reality, colleges are looking for students who make thoughtful choices, not students who simply accumulate accomplishments.

Depth often matters more than breadth.

Curiosity often matters more than perfection.

Authenticity always matters more than checking another box.

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

Looking ahead to Junior year. As July comes to a close, many rising Juniors begin thinking about what's ahead.

Junior year is often considered the most academically demanding and the most important, in the college admissions process. Entering the year with a thoughtful plan can make all the difference. The goal isn't simply to stay busy.

It's to make intentional decisions that reflect a student's interests, strengths, and aspirations while leaving room to enjoy the high school experience.

Thoughtful preparation creates confidence!

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com

What College Planning Really Looks Like. Families sometimes think college planning begins with building a college list. In reality, that's one of the final steps.

Before we ever talk about universities, we spend time discussing:

• Academic Planning
• Interests
• Leadership Opportunities
• Standardized Testing
• Meaningful Community Engagement
• Summer Experiences

A thoughtful application begins years before it's submitted, often starting Freshman year.

I am passionate about guiding the college process, empowering students, and informing parents. How may I help you? ➡️ www.affirmedu.com