Category Archives: admissions

admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep, high school

Why Early Bird College Planning Matters When It’s Your Grandchild

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Disclosure: This post is intended to introduce families to Early Bird™ and contains affiliate links. I only recommend resources that I believe may be useful to families navigating the college process.

early bird college planning

I’ve been through the college process before.

As a parent, I’ve experienced the excitement, the questions, the deadlines, the financial concerns, and, yes, even the occasional panic that comes with helping a teenager navigate the road to college.

But this year, I’m looking at the process from a slightly different perspective.

I have a grandson entering the college process this year.

And let me tell you, being on the sidelines as a grandparent doesn’t make me any less invested! In fact, it has made me think even more about how overwhelming college planning can be for families.

There are so many questions.

  • What colleges are actually a good fit?
  • What should students be doing in 8th, 9th, 10th, or 11th grade?
  • When should they take the SAT or ACT?
  • How do you find scholarships?
  • How do you help your student build a strong application without taking over the process?

And perhaps most importantly: How do you make sure your student isn’t simply following a checklist, but actually creating a college plan that fits who they are?

That’s why I was intrigued when I learned about Early Bird™, a college-planning platform designed to help students and families start earlier and make the process more personalized.

Continue reading Why Early Bird College Planning Matters When It’s Your Grandchild →
admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep, extracurricular activities

Colleges Value Students With International Experience

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international experience

College admissions have become increasingly competitive, and strong grades alone are no longer enough to help students stand out. The truth is that colleges are also looking for a range of qualities, including adaptability, independence, and communication skills. They want students who can actively contribute to campus life and succeed in a diverse environment. 

So, students need to prove their worth to be admitted. This is one reason international experience has become more valuable in the admissions process. Indeed, students who attend an international boarding school are more likely to be exposed to new perspectives and responsibilities, which can translate into individuals who are more likely to adjust, grow, and succeed in a college environment. 

While international schools can be tough to finance, more and more institutions offer merit-based scholarships for their academics, sports, and music students, ensuring they can access opportunities that support their personal growth and long-term goals. Here are the top reasons why you want to ensure your child can get access to an international school. 

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admissions, college guidance, college planning, financial aid, parenting, Resources, Student debt, student loans

How to Help Your Teen Make the Final College Decision: A Parent’s Guide

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final college decision

The May 1 decision deadline is approaching and you and your student are carefully weighing your final college decision options:

  • Do you choose the least expensive college, but not the first choice?
  • Do you choose the college that costs more because it’s their first choice, knowing you are creating financial difficulties for your family?
  • Do you play it safe and commit to the college that gives the most aid, even though it was one of the “safe” ones on the list?
  • Do you take a deep breath and jump at the dream college, hoping you will find a way to pay for it?

Those were my family’s choices twenty years ago and although it was difficult for my daughter to accept, we learned some lessons along the way that might help you as the May 1 deadline approaches.

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admissions, standardized tests, test optional

Test-Optional Colleges: Should Your Student Submit ACT or SAT Scores?

test-optional colleges

Over the past few years, many colleges shifted to test-optional admissions, meaning students are not required to submit standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT.

At first glance, this sounds simple: if your student doesn’t want to submit scores, they don’t have to. But the reality is more nuanced. In many cases, submitting scores can still strengthen an application, while in other situations it’s better to leave them out.

For parents of college-bound teens, the key question becomes: Should my student submit their test scores even if the college is test-optional?

Here’s how to decide.

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admissions, in the news, parenting

BYU Acceptance Letter Mistake 2026: Rejected Students Told They Were Accepted Again

BYU acceptance letter mistake

In February 2024 thousands of hopeful applicants experienced what every high school senior dreams about followed swiftly by heartbreak. Brigham Young University accidentally sent acceptance notices to students who had actually been denied admission. The congratulatory emails went out prematurely because of a system error, only for many recipients to later receive corrected rejection notices. This BYU acceptance letter mistake was a painful emotional roller coaster for families who had already begun celebrating.

Fast forward to February 2026, and a strikingly similar mistake happened again.

According to news reports, the university mistakenly sent congratulatory acceptance messages to nine students who had been rejected. When those applicants logged into their admissions portals, they saw “You’re accepted!” only to later find the message replaced by a rejection after the error was discovered and corrected. BYU has since apologized to those affected and acknowledged that the mistake caused confusion and disappointment.

One of the students affected, 18-year-old Owen Johansen, captured the emotional whiplash many experienced. “At first when I was accepted, I was really excited,” Owen told local media, a reaction that’s easy to imagine for anyone who has waited anxiously for college news. But when the acceptance notice was replaced with a rejection, his feelings turned sharply negative: “I was really mad,” he said, adding that he felt the situation could’ve been handled “way better.”

Owen’s mother, Talai Johansen, also spoke out, expressing how the family was initially thrilled and urging the university to offer more than just a formal apology. She suggested they consider admitting the mistakenly rejected students because “it is the right thing to do.” I have to agree with her.

Continue reading BYU Acceptance Letter Mistake 2026: Rejected Students Told They Were Accepted Again →
admissions, FAFSA, Resources

College Application and FAFSA Deadlines

college deadlines

If the college admissions process feels overwhelming, you’re not imagining it. Senior year comes with stacked deadlines, unfamiliar acronyms, and high-stakes decisions — often all at once.

This guide breaks down college application deadlines (ED, EA, RD, and rolling) and FAFSA deadlines at both the federal and state level, so parents can help their students stay organized, avoid costly mistakes, and maximize financial aid.

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admissions, college planning, college prep

How to Improve Your Teen’s Chances of Admission to College

chances of admission

Getting into college today feels very different than it did even a decade ago. Acceptance rates are lower, applications are up, and many students are applying to 10, 15, or even 20 schools. For parents of college-bound teens, the process can feel overwhelming and high stakes.

The good news is that college admissions is not a mystery. There are concrete steps parents can take to help their teens build a strong, competitive application over time. This guide breaks down what colleges look for and how families can support students in improving their chances of admission without burning out or losing perspective.

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admissions, college costs, college planning, financial aid, financial planning

How Rising Tuition Is Reshaping What College Costs

college costs

If you’re the parent of a college-bound teen, you’ve probably heard the same thing again and again: college costs are rising. Tuition goes up. Fees go up. Housing and meal plans? Also up. And if you’ve ever found yourself staring at those numbers, wondering how families are expected to keep up, you’re definitely not alone.

Tuition increases are changing the entire college-planning conversation for families. Understanding why it’s happening and what it means for your teen’s future can help you plan more confidently.

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admissions, college costs, college guidance, college planning

The Real Cost and Difficulty of Attending an Out-of-State College

out-of-state college

Thinking about a public university across state lines?

If your teen has fallen for an out-of-state college, you’re not alone. Many high school seniors dream of the excitement of a new place, a different climate, or a campus that just “feels right.” But for parents, that dream can come with sticker shock: attending an out-of-state public university is often much more costly and complicated than families expect.

Before you and your student finalize the application list, here’s what every parent needs to understand about the financial and logistical realities of leaving the home state for a public university.

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admissions, college guidance, college news, college planning, college prep, education

Is Early Decision on Its Way Out?

early decison

If you’re the parent of a college-bound teen, you’ve probably heard about Early Decision (ED), the “binding” admissions plan that can sometimes boost your student’s chances of getting into a dream school. But as more families question the fairness of college admissions, some wonder: Is Early Decision on its way out?

The short answer: not yet, but the pressure is building.

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