College Applications Now

08/16/2026

08/08/2026

If your student is struggling completing the Common Application, writing a college essay, or completely confused on how or where to get started, I can help!

I have 1 space left in my schedule to work with a Class of 2027 student.

Reach out today!

www.collegeappsnow.com

08/01/2026

If you have a high school senior who is applying to college this year- ask for help from your student’s high school counselor!

I’ve met with a bunch of families this week who are very confused, unfamiliar with how applying to college works, and simply have false information which is understandable.

The scary part is without my assistance these families are about to make some major mistakes that would impact college decisions, more importantly scholarships!

Ask questions from an expert - not from another parent who has equally bad information. If you have the means to hire someone like me, do it. I help take away the stress and confusion from the process.

I’m happy to answer questions here. At a minimum, meet with your students’s school counselor for free help.

Don’t try to do this all on your own. The college process has changed dramatically since you went to college.

07/21/2026

📚 The Common Application opens August 1st — is your senior ready?

📚 If you're a parent feeling that little flutter of "wait, where did the summer go?" — you are not alone, and you are exactly where you need to be.

Every year, families come to me right around this time feeling a mix of excitement and overwhelm as senior year approaches. The good news? A few smart moves now can turn that anxiety into confidence.

I've spent 29 years helping students and families navigate the college admissions process from start to finish — essays, applications, scholarships, financial aid, and everything in between. I love this work because I get to watch families go from stressed to steady, and seniors go from "I don't know where to start" to submitting applications they're proud of.

Here are 3 tips to help you plan as the Common App opens:

1️⃣ **Build a timeline now, not in October.** Map out application deadlines (regular decision, early action, early decision) alongside test dates, recommendation letter requests, and essay drafts. Starting in August gives your student breathing room instead of a fall scramble.

2️⃣ **Don't wait on financial aid and scholarships.** The FAFSA and CSS Profile open in the fall, but scholarship research and early applications should start now. Many merit scholarships have earlier deadlines than families expect — missing them can mean leaving money on the table.

3️⃣ **Prioritize the personal essay first.** The Common App essay prompts are already out, and starting a rough draft this summer (before homework, activities, and senior-year chaos hit) makes a huge difference in the quality of the final product — and your student's stress level.

I only take on a limited number of families each admissions cycle so I can give every student the individual attention they deserve — and spots for this cycle are filling up fast. If you want personalized support and a clear plan before things get busy, now is the time to reach out.

📩 Send me a message or comment below to schedule a free consultation — let's make this admissions season feel manageable, together.

07/20/2026

Saying this louder for those in the back!

07/15/2026

🎓 Should My Student Apply Early Action or Regular Decision?

This is one of the questions I hear most often from parents every fall.

The answer?

It depends on the student...and the college.

Choosing when to apply is more than just submitting an application earlier. It should be a strategic decision based on your student's academic profile, college list, and whether their application will truly be stronger by the deadline.

Here's a quick overview:

🟢 Early Action (EA)
✔️ Non-binding—you don't have to attend if admitted.
✔️ Students usually receive a decision earlier.
✔️ Great for students whose grades, test scores, and application are already strong by the fall of senior year.

🔵 Regular Decision (RD)
✔️ More time to strengthen grades, improve test scores, build extracurricular involvement, or refine college essays.
✔️ Can be a better option if a student's application will be significantly stronger after the first semester of senior year.

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is:

"Earlier is always better."

Not necessarily.

Submitting an application before it's ready simply to meet an earlier deadline can actually hurt a student's chances. A stronger application submitted later is often the smarter strategy.

Every college evaluates applicants differently, which is why there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best admissions plan is personalized to each student's strengths, goals, and college list.

Helping families make these strategic decisions is one of the most valuable parts of the college admissions process. Sometimes it's not just where you apply—it’s when you apply that can make a meaningful difference.

If your family is unsure which application strategy is right for your student, I'd be happy to help you build a personalized admissions plan that maximizes their opportunities and reduces the stress along the way.

07/10/2026

🎓 Feeling overwhelmed by the college admissions process? You're not alone.

For many families, applying to college has become more confusing and competitive than ever. Building a college list, writing essays, completing applications, understanding deadlines, and making important decisions can quickly become overwhelming.

The good news? You don't have to navigate it alone.

For the past 29 years, I've had the privilege of helping thousands of students and families successfully navigate the college admissions process. I've worked with students of every academic background—from those applying to the nation's most selective colleges to those searching for the college that is simply the best fit for their goals.

What sets my approach apart?

✅ 29 years of experience in college counseling and school counseling
✅ Guidance built on helping thousands of students with a wide range of academic achievements, extracurricular experiences, and career interests
✅ Relationships with admissions representatives at hundreds of colleges and universities across the country
✅ A highly personalized approach that helps each student identify and showcase their unique strengths, experiences, and authentic story
✅ Comprehensive support from the first planning meeting through college applications and final enrollment
✅ One simple, comprehensive fee—no surprise charges for additional meetings, essay reviews, or application support

I believe every student has a story worth telling. My goal is to reduce the stress of the college admissions process while helping students present themselves with confidence, authenticity, and purpose.

Because I work closely with each family, I intentionally accept a limited number of students each year to ensure every student receives the individual attention they deserve.

If you have a high school student and would like experienced, personalized guidance through the college admissions journey, I'd be happy to talk with you.

📩 Feel free to send me a message to schedule a conversation or learn more about how I can help your family approach the college admissions process with confidence.

07/07/2026

After another admissions season, one thing has become even more clear...

The families who feel the most confident aren't necessarily the ones with the highest-achieving students—they're the ones who have a plan.

Here are three mistakes I see families make every year and what I encourage them to do instead:

❌ Mistake #1: Trying to build the "perfect" résumé.

Many students join clubs they don't enjoy, volunteer just to check a box, or overload their schedule because they think it will impress colleges.

✅ Better approach: Colleges aren't looking for students who have done everything. They're looking for students who have invested deeply in the activities that genuinely matter to them and can explain how those experiences shaped who they are.

❌ Mistake #2: Spending months researching colleges but very little time preparing the student.

Families often ask, "Which colleges should we apply to?" before asking, "What can my student do over the next year to become a stronger applicant?"

✅ Better approach: The strongest applications begin long before senior year. Thoughtful course selection, meaningful extracurricular involvement, leadership, summer planning, and a clear application strategy often make a much bigger difference than families realize.

❌ Mistake #3: Assuming there is one right answer for every student.

I hear questions like:
"Should my child go test-optional?"
"How many volunteer hours do they need?"
"Is this enough leadership?"

The honest answer is almost always...

It depends.

✅ Better approach: Every student is different. Every college evaluates applicants differently. The best admissions strategy is one that is personalized to your student's strengths, goals, and college list—not advice copied from TikTok, Reddit, or a neighbor whose child had a completely different application.

The college admissions process has become far more competitive and complicated than it was just a few years ago. That's why having the right strategy matters just as much as having strong grades.

My goal is to help families take the guesswork out of the process, reduce stress, and create a personalized roadmap that gives students the best opportunity to succeed.

If you're the parent of a rising junior or senior and aren't sure where to begin, I'd be happy to help. Let's build a plan that fits your student—not someone else's.