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Ready, Set, Apply: Your Guide to Tackling the Common App

Your Common App Game Plan Starts Here

By Lara Poulios

A guide for rising seniors outlining five key tips for completing the Common Application, including setting up an account, gathering materials, documenting activities, planning essays, and tracking college requirements and deadlines.

August marks the official start of college application season, and for many rising seniors, that means it’s time to get serious about the Common Application.

More than 1,100 colleges and universities use the Common App, which allows students to apply to multiple schools using a single application. While the platform simplifies the process, completing your application still requires organization, planning, and attention to detail.…

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Eric Dobler Aug 16, 2026 Comments Disabled
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Don’t Chase Perfection

What Makes a “Good Enough” College Essay

By Mel Horadam

College advisor explains why students should stop striving for perfection in their college essays, focusing instead on authentic voice, personality, values, and clear writing.

The Personal Statement is Scary

When I talk to parents, anxieties often lead our conversations. They worry about finances, if their kid is going to fit in, and the viability of various majors in this precarious job market. Students worry about these things, too. However, when weighing the biggest stressors on their plate, students most often bring up essays and all the mythology surrounding them. …

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Eric Dobler Aug 16, 2026 Comments Disabled
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Applying with Confidence: Early vs Regular Decision

Helping students choose the timing that sets them up for success

By Lara Poulios

All application plans—ED, EA, and RD—require the same core materials. The difference isn’t the application itself, but the timing and level of commitment.

Understanding the Options Before You Apply 

ED, EA, RD… the alphabet soup of college application plans can feel overwhelming at first. Families often hear these terms tossed around and assume there’s a “right” strategy—but in reality, the best choice depends entirely on the student. 

Over the years, I’ve worked with many students trying to decide whether to apply early or wait for regular application deadlines.…

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Eric Dobler May 14, 2026 Comments Disabled
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Building a College List the Right Way

Why a Balanced College List Leads to Better Outcomes

By Eric Dobler

Building a balanced college list is the key to a successful college search.

 

Why a Balanced College List Matters More Than Ever

For many students, the college search begins with a spark. Maybe it’s a campus visit that just felt right, really outstanding resources in an academic department, or a school everyone seems to talk about. It does not take long to identify one or two “favorites.” That is completely normal.…

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Eric Dobler Apr 09, 2026 Comments Disabled
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Tour Smarter: How To Make College Visits Count

A practical guide to turning a campus visit into meaningful insight

By Lara Poulios

Develop A System For Sorting Out Observations

I’m an Independent College Advisor who loves my work guiding students through the process of evaluating their college options.  I’m also the mom of two now-adults who went through this very same process.  The first time I attended a college visit with my older son, I thought it would be easy to remember the school’s distinguishing features and sort out the pros and cons compared to other college campuses. …

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Eric Dobler Mar 12, 2026 Comments Disabled