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Ready, Set, Apply: Your Guide to Tackling the Common App
Your Common App Game Plan Starts Here By Lara Poulios 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 […]
Aug 16, 2026
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Don’t Chase Perfection
What Makes a “Good Enough” College Essay By Mel Horadam 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, […]
Aug 16, 2026
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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 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 […]
May 14, 2026
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Building a College List the Right Way
Why a Balanced College List Leads to Better Outcomes By Eric Dobler 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 […]
Apr 09, 2026
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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 […]
Mar 12, 2026
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Merit Aid and Snipe Hunting
Where Are All the Scholarships Hiding? By Mel Horadam Outside Scholarships and the Search for Money If you’ve been on a college tour in the last ten years, you might have noticed something kind of weird during the information session. At these presentations, prospective students and their parents often sit in a big room, […]
Feb 14, 2026
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How To Make Sure Your High School Transcript Works For You
Course Selection Tips for College-Bound Students By Eric Dobler Why High School Course Selection Matters for College Admissions Over the next several weeks, I’ll be meeting with students to discuss high school course planning. While course selection may seem straightforward, especially with teacher recommendations and a school’s program of studies available for guidance, I find […]
Feb 03, 2026
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