College Planning Center

10/07/2026

Want to get into your target college? Start planning early. 🎓

One of the best things you can do is identify your target schools early and understand what they’re looking for in applicants.

From academics and test scores to extracurriculars and community service, knowing what matters gives you more time to prepare strategically.

Don’t wait until senior year to start figuring it out!
🎙️ Thanks to Jennifer Tarle Jennifer Tarle for having us on Real Work – How People Turn Ideas Into Impact!

▶️ Watch the full episode: https://buff.ly/gXghwzT

Ready to start planning?
🌐 Explore College Planning Centers: https://buff.ly/r4N6X1V
📱 Start your college planning journey with College Arena: https://buff.ly/aN0Keya
📖 Get Entering the Arena: A Guide to College Admissions: https://buff.ly/Qg9FAkr

HighSchoolStudents CollegeArena

10/01/2026

Looking for a college planning app that does more than hand your student another checklist? 🎓
Most apps stop at deadlines.
College Arena stops at what colleges actually want.
Built around Entering the Arena, 9 chapters and 44 self-paced lessons

College Arena helps motivated high school students learn what reviewers look for, plan their college journey, find scholarships and internships, and discover colleges that fit who they actually are.
One app. Four jobs. Zero spreadsheet chaos.
🌐 Explore College Arena:
https://buff.ly/VODPE36
📱 Download on iOS → https://buff.ly/VdcihWl
🔗 Expert guidance → https://buff.ly/BcVWThb
CollegePlanningCenter

09/14/2026

“Regular Decision used to be the default path. It’s increasingly becoming the harder one.”
Want to know why? Read the full blog 👇

Chris Parsons breaks down four things every college-bound family needs to know this week: FAFSA's earliest-ever launch, a wave of tuition hikes, Georgetown joining the Common App, and the legal fights reshaping admissions data.

09/11/2026

09/02/2026

🚨 FAFSA season is almost here. Is your family ready?

The 2027–28 FAFSA is set to launch by October 1, 2026, which means now is the time to start preparing, not waiting until the form opens.

There are a few common FAFSA mistakes that can lead to unnecessary stress, delays, or missed opportunities. Some are easy to overlook, especially if this is your first time going through the process. 👀

👉 Swipe through to see what families should watch out for before filing.

A little preparation now can make the financial aid process much smoother later.

📌 Save this post and start getting your family ready for FAFSA season.

Want to learn more? Read our full guide to FAFSA & CSS Profile Do’s, Don’ts, and Smart Strategies:

https://collegeplanningcenters.com/the-fafsa-css-profile-dos-donts/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fafsa_2027_28&utm_content=fafsa_dos_donts_guide

Have questions about FAFSA or paying for college?

Schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation with The College Planning Center:

https://collegeplanningcenters.com/services/schedule-now/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fafsa_2027_28&utm_content=fafsa_mistakes_carousel

08/28/2026

08/26/2026

“A discount is a number the school needed to hit — not a verdict on your kid.”

Click the link to know why:

Chris Parsons breaks down the week's biggest college admissions news: a DOJ whistleblower controversy, record tuition discounting among small colleges, steady US News rankings, and a court fight over federal admissions data mandates.

08/24/2026

Choosing a college isn’t just about picking a school that looks good on paper. It’s about finding the place that’s truly right for you.
Over 30 years ago, I walked out of Summerall Chapel at The Citadel with this ring on my finger. I didn’t always think it was the right place for me, but once I took the time to think about what I needed and where I could thrive, I realized it was exactly where I belonged.
Students should do the same. Look beyond rankings and expectations, weigh the pros and cons, and think about what’s truly the best fit for you. 🎓
Need help making the right college decision?
📅 Get your FREE 30-minute consultation:
https://buff.ly/mYocgDv
📖 Grab a copy of the book:
https://buff.ly/FHImWNA
💻 Join College Arena:
https://buff.ly/XUHHDJa

08/19/2026