Plan the Path

Attention applicants: the Common App is now open. Be sure to check the deadlines for each school you're applying to. And if any of them offer rolling admission, send in your materials as soon as possible.

At Plan the Path, students work one-on-one with an application specialist to complete and strengthen their Common App. If you need help navigating the application process, contact us at the link in our bio.

Book Launch! We are thrilled to share that our very own Kyle Lopez, writing coach for PTP students, is publishing a new book of poetry: PARTY LINE. The collection considers three interconnected forces: social life, US-Cuba relations, and the lives of Black people in the United States and Cuba. His poems challenge assumptions that party spaces are apolitical or purely escapist, revealing unexpected connections between individuals’ actions and those of the state.

Please join us in celebrating this momentous occasion -- and please join Kyle at the launch party on July 7 at The People's Forum: 320 W. 37th St in NYC. For more info, see link in bio.
Graywolf Press

Today we observe Memorial Day and honor the lives lost in service to our country. At college campuses across the country, classes are canceled and administrative offices are closed in remembrance. Student groups, many associated with the Student Veterans of America , an organization with chapters at over 1600 schools nationwide, gather to remember the sacrifices of alums by laying wreaths and leading memorial services. We wish you a meaningful and reflective day.

From hands-on research opportunities to a close-knit campus community in the heart of Indianapolis, Butler University stands out for its commitment to student success. With a strong emphasis on undergraduate teaching, students benefit from direct access to professors, hands-on research experiences, and personalized mentorship throughout their academic journey.

Butler’s nationally recognized programs in Pharmacy, Business, and the Performing Arts, combined with the excitement of Division I athletics, create a well-rounded college experience. Located just minutes from downtown, students also gain access to valuable internships, professional networks, and real-world opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Butler has a ton to offer and the cutest mascot.

At Butler University, students don’t just learn, they lead.

Interested in Butler but unsure if it’s the right fit? Reach out to us through the link in our bio.

Writing the personal statement can inspire some anxiety in even the most grounded of high school students. This 650 word essay offers the student the opportunity to define themselves on their own terms, but so much leeway can be hard to navigate. We recommend working backwards: what take away impression do you want to give the admissions officers after reading your essay, and in fact your whole application? Considering the essay from the reader's perspective tends to invite fresh thinking about what the most valuable personal reflections may be. Please scroll back through past posts for more essay advice, or better yet: contact us to work with one of our expert essay coaches -- link in bio.

Helping our students with "mixed records," often the result of challenges with mental health or neurodivergence, is one of our signature strengths. As Marcia shares in her LinkedIn article (see link in bio), helping these students find a way to college is deeply rewarding. Hearing from their families about the difference we made in the application process means the world to us. Thank you C.F. and congratulations again to your child!

As a team of Humanities majors ourselves, we admit to being a touch biased on this one... So we're especially happy to share the latest installment in our Finding Your Fit series about selecting a direction of study in college. We're also happy to see a renewed belief in academic circles that students of the Arts and Humanities will have a vital role to play in steering the conversation about technology as it continues to inform more and more of our daily lives. Read on! Link in bio.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but at Plan the Path, awareness of students' struggles with mental health is a year-round priority. Our founder and CEO Marcia Kramer has innate compassion for and extensive experience working with students whose path through high school has been interrupted or redirected by depression, anxiety, and/or other mental health conditions. Marcia has recently begun sharing her reflections on working with this student population and how, in light of all they've been through, she helps identify their best-fit colleges. Please see our LinkedIn (via link in bio) to read more.

May 1st marks College Decision Day, a meaningful milestone that reflects months (and often years) of dedication, perseverance, and thoughtful planning.

We’ve had the privilege of supporting many students throughout the admissions process, and we are proud to recognize the universities that our students have been admitted to.

These outcomes represent more than admissions decisions, they reflect self-discovery and a commitment to future goals. We are honored to have played a role in guiding our students and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the years ahead.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026.