Tag Archives: college prep

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

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

Leave a comment

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 →
college guidance, college planning, guidance counselors, Resources

How Much Does a College Counselor Cost? 2026 Guide for Parents

1 Comment
college counselor cost

For many parents, hiring a private college counselor sounds appealing, especially when the college admissions process feels overwhelming. But there is one question that usually comes before anything else:

How much is this going to cost?

The answer isn’t simple because college counseling services vary widely. Some counselors charge by the hour, while others offer comprehensive packages that can cover everything from building a college list to reviewing essays and preparing for interviews.

Depending on the counselor, the student’s grade level, and the amount of support needed, families can spend anywhere from a few hundred dollars for targeted assistance to $10,000, $20,000 or even more for comprehensive multi-year services.

So, is hiring a private college counselor worth the money? That depends on what you need and what you’re willing to pay for.

Continue reading How Much Does a College Counselor Cost? 2026 Guide for Parents →
college planning, college prep, common app, essays, parenting

Helping Your Teen Write a Strong College Essay

college essay

For many families, the college application essay is one of the most stressful parts of the admissions process. Unlike transcripts, test scores, and activity lists, the essay asks students to reveal who they are beyond their accomplishments. It’s an opportunity for admissions officers to get to know the person behind the application.

As a parent, you naturally want your child to succeed. However, when it comes to the college essay, the most effective support often comes from guiding rather than directing. The goal is not to write the essay for your teen but to help them tell their own story in a compelling and authentic way.

Here are some practical tips for helping your student navigate the college essay process.

Continue reading Helping Your Teen Write a Strong College Essay →
college prep, life skills, parenting

Helping Your Teen Prepare for College

1 Comment
prepare for college

Sending your child to college is a milestone that definitely brings a lot of excitement, pride, and plenty of questions. While most parents focus on packing, accommodation, and, of course, preparation, helping your team develop practical lifestyles is just as important as this. A little guidance before leaving home can make the transition to independent living much smoother as you help your teen prepare for college.

Continue reading Helping Your Teen Prepare for College →
college planning, college prep, technology

Why AI Tools Are Reshaping Your Teen’s College Choices

The college search process is changing, and many parents don’t even realize it’s happening.

A recent article from Inside Higher Ed confirms that today’s students aren’t just using Google to research colleges. Increasingly, they’re asking AI tools questions like:

  • “What are affordable colleges with strong biology programs?”
  • “Which schools have the best job placement after graduation?”
  • “Where can I get merit aid with a 3.7 GPA?”

Instead of sorting through websites, rankings, and brochures, students are getting:

  • school recommendations
  • program comparisons
  • cost/value insights
  • career outcome data

All from a single AI-generated response.

And colleges are already adjusting their marketing strategies to make sure their schools appear in those answers.

Continue reading Why AI Tools Are Reshaping Your Teen’s College Choices →
college prep, independence, summer programs

How Summer Programs Help Teens Prepare for College

summer programs

For parents of college-bound teens, summer break can feel like a balancing act: you want your student to recharge, but you also don’t want three months to pass without growth or direction. That’s where summer programs come in.

Today’s summer opportunities go far beyond traditional camps. Teens can explore academic interests, career paths, leadership skills, and independence, all while strengthening qualities colleges value. When chosen thoughtfully, a summer program can become one of the most meaningful parts of a teen’s high school journey.

Let’s explore what these programs offer and why they’re worth considering.

Continue reading How Summer Programs Help Teens Prepare for College →
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.

Continue reading How to Improve Your Teen’s Chances of Admission to College →
admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep

Why Are College Admissions So Competitive Today?

college admissions

If you’re a parent of a college-bound student, you’ve probably noticed that the college admissions process feels more stressful. It is also more competitive than it was a decade ago. Maybe you remember your own college search being simpler. You applied to a handful of schools. You wrote one essay. You waited for the mail to bring either a thick or thin envelope.

Today’s students are facing a high-stakes and data-driven system. The system is often confusing. It feels more like an Olympic event than a rite of passage. The question many parents are asking is: What changed?

Continue reading Why Are College Admissions So Competitive Today? →
admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep

New College-Bound Surveys Reveal Politics, AI, and Campus Safety Are Impacting the College Search Process

1 Comment
college-bound surveys

Enrollment marketing and admissions experts Spark 451, a Jenzabar Company, today announced the findings of its 14th annual College-Bound Student Survey and Parent Survey of College-Bound Students. The research revealed that, while academic quality was the primary factor for both students and parents when choosing a school, campus safety, political climate, and institutional values played key roles in the college decision process.   

The College-Bound surveys were conducted in the summer of 2025 and consist of responses from more than 1,800 graduating high school seniors and 1,400 parents of recent high school graduates from across the U.S.

“Academic quality, cost, and value remain top priorities for both parents and students, but this year’s findings show growing sensitivity to factors like campus safety, political climate, and institutional values,” said Michael McGetrick, Vice President of Creative and Interactive Services for Spark451, a Jenzabar Company. “At the same time, institutions are adapting. By investing in more student-centered recruitment and communication strategies, they’ve improved the admissions experience—70% of students reported being satisfied with the process this year, up from 62% last year.”

Continue reading New College-Bound Surveys Reveal Politics, AI, and Campus Safety Are Impacting the College Search Process →
admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep, parenting

College Prep Tips from a Parent Who’s Been There

1 Comment
college prep

Let’s be honest, if you’re a parent with a kid prepping for college, it can feel like you’re riding a roller coaster you never bought tickets for. As someone who’s now watched both my kids go through college prep and come out on the other side, I know just how wild the season can get. College stuff takes over: SATs, essays, applications, and everyone stressing about whether you’re doing enough. But trust me, there are ways to make it easier on both you and your student and maybe even enjoy the ride a little. Here’s what I learned along the way.

Continue reading College Prep Tips from a Parent Who’s Been There →