Core College Consulting

08/30/2026

Hi everyone! Jess Chermak and I are co-hosting a webinar with Jeff Selingo on 9/8 at 3 pm EST. We're going to chat about current trends in admissions, college fit and best practices for navigating the college search, and understanding potential ROI in this process.

Everyone is welcome to join the webinar, and please feel free to share with your families/students! The webinar will require registration, which enables us to send the recording out after if you can't make it.

Join us for a conversation about identifying college fit, maximizing the ROI of a college education, and best practices for navigating the college admissions process.

05/01/2026

Learn how to craft knockout college essays in this two-hour writing workshop led by Sam Bergeron, our essay specialist extraordinaire. Limited spots available.

Date/time: Sunday, June 7th from 2-4pm CT
Cost: $250
Students will leave with:
- An understanding of what colleges look for in essays
- Prompts for practicing personal writing
- At least five personal statement topic ideas
- A structured outline for the first essay draft

Scan the QR code to register now!

03/23/2026

I had the chance to visit several colleges across Pennsylvania last week as part of the IECA “Pursue Your Happiness in PA” tour, and I left feeling both energized and reflective.

There’s a lot shifting in admissions right now: AI, test optional practices, affordability, even a projected decline in the number of college-aged students.

But what stood out most wasn’t the uncertainty; it was the intentionality.

Schools like Bryn Mawr, Lehigh, Dickinson, Penn State, and Penn are all thinking deeply about:

➡️ how students learn
➡️ how they grow
➡️ and how to prepare them for a changing world

The biggest shift I’m seeing?

Less focus on “getting in”,
More focus on “getting on” and becoming.

If you’re navigating this process, it’s worth slowing down and asking:
Where will you actually thrive?

If you’re thinking through that right now, I’m always happy to be a sounding board.

Read more here: https://www.corecollegeconsulting.com/blog/pursue-your-happiness-in-pa-what-i-saw-what-stayed-with-me

IECA--Independent Educational Consultants Association

I recently had the opportunity to visit 10 colleges in PA, and it was one of those weeks that leaves you both energized and thinking long after it ends.

02/10/2026

Planning on visiting colleges this spring? Check out our guide!

https://www.corecollegeconsulting.com/blog/iudx7m8sre7zsozewoku9l282pp1zq

A great college visit begins before you set foot on campus, with a solid plan.

08/28/2025

For anyone working with q***r (and especially trans) kids, here is a resource to help in applying to college, including how to fill out the "profile" section of the Common App. Enjoy! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

https://www.corecollegeconsulting.com/blog/applying-to-college-as-a-q***r-student

Whether you are a q***r teen applying to college, a parent, or a counselor, this guide will help you understand some of the factors that go into the application process.

05/03/2025

Congrats to the Class of 2025! 👏🏻

About 60% of our students are headed out of state and the other 40% are staying in Texas (including four private universities).