Custom College Consulting

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Custom College Consulting The goal of Custom College Consulting is to make the experience of searching and applying to colleges as stress-free and meaningful as possible.

Thank you. Nicole S. A 5-star review like this is a wonderful reminder of what long-term college planning can accomplish...
10/14/2026

Thank you. Nicole S. A 5-star review like this is a wonderful reminder of what long-term college planning can accomplish.

This student-athlete began working with Custom College Consulting as a freshman and continued through the college search and application process. Along the way, the work included building a strong resume, identifying meaningful opportunities, developing a thoughtful college list, strengthening applications and essays, and navigating the additional complexities of student-athlete recruiting.

That kind of continuity matters. College planning is not just about senior year or submitting applications. It is about getting to know each student over time, helping them make thoughtful choices throughout high school, and ultimately identifying colleges that fit academically, socially, personally, and, when relevant, athletically.

Custom College Consulting is grateful for the trust students and families place in the process — and especially grateful when they take the time to share their experience.

“Onward” was a fitting theme for this year’s NACAC Conference in Minneapolis — a few days spent learning from and connec...
10/12/2026

“Onward” was a fitting theme for this year’s NACAC Conference in Minneapolis — a few days spent learning from and connecting with thousands of college admission professionals from around the world.

Throughout the conference, I attended sessions focused on the issues shaping college admissions today, exchanged ideas with fellow counselors and admissions professionals, and explored new approaches to supporting students at every stage of the process.

I also had the opportunity to meet directly with representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities across the United States and around the world. Those conversations provided valuable insight into academic programs, campus opportunities, institutional priorities, and what makes each college distinctive.

I’m grateful to the NACAC team for once again creating a space where professionals can share ideas, deepen their knowledge, and strengthen the work we do.

For Custom College Consulting, the most important part comes next: sharing what I learned with our students and families and putting those insights to work as we help each student navigate the college admission process.

Onward!

10/09/2026

A busy day at the NACAC conference! It's been great to see old friends and meet new colleagues who work hard to help students make choices about pursuing postsecondary education.

Transfer Savvy Custom College Consulting School Match 4U

At Custom College Consulting, we help students find the college that is truly the right fit — and sometimes that means r...
10/09/2026

At Custom College Consulting, we help students find the college that is truly the right fit — and sometimes that means recognizing that the first choice wasn’t the right one.

Transferring can feel overwhelming, but it can also be an opportunity to reassess what a student wants academically, socially, and personally and make a more informed choice the second time around. Custom College Consulting works with transfer students and families to develop a thoughtful college list, create a transfer strategy, and navigate applications and essays.

That’s why we’re excited to share Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner’s newest Talking College™ card deck, TRANSFER READY, created specifically for students considering transfer. It's now available for pre-order at https://talkingcollege.com/products/talking-college-transfer-ready and will arrive at your home in November.

Dr. Brenner is a college transition educator and author who draws on 25 years of experience as a college professor and university administrator. Her book and discussion prompt card decks are great resources for students transitioning to college.

Custom College Consulting families can use promo code FALL when ordering any of the Talking College™ card decks!

Onward to Minneapolis for NACAC Conference 2026!I’m excited to be joining more than 6,500 college admission professional...
10/08/2026

Onward to Minneapolis for NACAC Conference 2026!

I’m excited to be joining more than 6,500 college admission professionals from across the country for three days of learning, networking, and conversation about the issues shaping college admission right now.

At Custom College Consulting, continuing education is a priority because the college process is constantly changing. At NACAC, I’ll be learning more about topics such as admission trends, financial aid, application practices, AI in college admission, student support, and the evolving ways colleges evaluate applicants.

Just as important, I’ll be bringing that information back to my students and families — sharing what has changed, what colleges are talking about, what families should be paying attention to, and what may affect the decisions they make throughout the admission process.

This year’s theme is “Onward,” and it feels especially appropriate. The work keeps evolving, and so does the guidance we provide.

A big thank you to the Wootton High School faculty, staff, and PTSA for hosting such a terrific college fair last week.I...
10/05/2026

A big thank you to the Wootton High School faculty, staff, and PTSA for hosting such a terrific college fair last week.

I always enjoy the opportunity to connect with students and families as they begin thinking about colleges, fit, and what comes next. It was great meeting so many thoughtful, engaged students and being part of an event that gave families the chance to ask questions and explore their options.

If you weren’t able to attend and know a student who could use support with college planning, applications, or finding the right-fit schools, I’d be happy to help.

[email protected]
www.custom-college.com

AI is everywhere right now, including in conversations about college admissions.And while tools like ChatGPT can be usef...
10/02/2026

AI is everywhere right now, including in conversations about college admissions.

And while tools like ChatGPT can be useful for brainstorming, organizing thoughts, or helping a student get unstuck, the college essay still needs to sound like the student.

Admissions officers are looking for voice, perspective, personality, and reflection — the things that make an essay feel real. If a piece is over-polished, generic, or clearly written in a voice that does not match the rest of the application, it can work against the student.

A few good rules:

• Use AI to brainstorm, not to replace your ideas
• Do not ask it to write your essay for you
• Keep your natural voice, even if it is not “perfect”
• Make sure every story, detail, and reflection is actually yours
• Read the essay out loud — if it does not sound like you, revise it
• Be especially careful with rewriting tools that make everything sound overly polished or generic

At Custom College Consulting, we want students to use technology thoughtfully, but the final essay should always be unmistakably their own.

The strongest college essay is not the one that sounds the most impressive.
It is the one that sounds the most like you.

FAFSA and CSS Profile are LIVE.If you have a senior applying to college for fall 2027, today is an important financial a...
10/01/2026

FAFSA and CSS Profile are LIVE.

If you have a senior applying to college for fall 2027, today is an important financial aid milestone.

The 2027–28 FAFSA and CSS Profile are now available, and families should begin the process as early as possible.

Why start now?

• Some colleges and states have priority financial aid deadlines
• Certain sources of institutional and state aid may be limited
• The CSS Profile is required by participating colleges for consideration for their own institutional aid
• Starting early gives families time to gather documents, resolve questions, and avoid a last-minute rush

One important reminder: not every college requires the CSS Profile, so check the financial aid requirements for every school on your student’s list. College Board specifically recommends submitting the CSS Profile by your earliest priority filing date.

And don’t assume your family will not qualify for aid. Completing the forms gives colleges the information they need to determine what assistance may be available.

At Custom College Consulting, we encourage families to treat the financial side of the college process with the same care and attention they give the applications themselves.

Start early. Know your deadlines. And make sure you understand what each college requires.

College financial aid season opens in just a couple of days, and waiting to understand the process can cost families opp...
09/28/2026

College financial aid season opens in just a couple of days, and waiting to understand the process can cost families opportunities.

With the 2027–28 FAFSA and CSS Profile opening on October 1st, now is the time to get informed.

As a proud member of EdPro Collaborative, Custom College Consulting is sharing the recording of EdPro’s recent webinar, “Navigating the Complex World of Paying for College,” for families who could not attend live.

The webinar covers:
• Today’s college cost landscape
• Key financial aid rules
• Important deadlines
• Major factors that influence aid
• How the process has changed since many parents applied to college

One important reminder: apply for financial aid as early as possible. Some state and institutional aid is limited, and colleges may have priority deadlines well before the final FAFSA deadline.

Watch the recording here:
https://www.custom-college.com/webinars-and-workshops

At Custom College Consulting, we believe families should understand not only how to apply to college, but also how to make informed decisions about paying for it.

If only “relax” worked that easily.The college process can feel overwhelming, especially when families are trying to bal...
09/25/2026

If only “relax” worked that easily.

The college process can feel overwhelming, especially when families are trying to balance academics, testing, applications, deadlines, finances, and all the opinions that come with it.

And yes, selective college admissions can be competitive. But stress does not have to drive the process.

At Custom College Consulting, we help students and families create a clear plan, understand what actually matters, and move through the process one step at a time.

The goal is not to eliminate every anxious moment. It is to replace uncertainty with information, organization, and a strategy that fits the student.

Take a breath. Make a plan. Keep moving forward.

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