New School College Counseling

07/07/2026

Summer Checklist for Rising Seniors
If you're heading into senior year this fall, here's what to knock out before mid-August:
1️⃣ Start your Common App and complete the profile page (it's open now)
2️⃣ Build your resume first, then use it to complete the Activities section
3️⃣ Get a final draft of your personal statement done, so you have time for supplemental essays when they drop August 1
4️⃣ Open a STARS (Self-Reported Transcript and Academic System) account and enter your grades. Required by schools like Clemson, NYU, and University of Tennessee, and easy to forget
5️⃣ Complete your counselor packet/brag sheet so it's ready when school starts
Getting these done now means walking into senior year ahead instead of behind.

06/27/2026

06/15/2026

After working with almost two hundred students, here's what I know to be true:

1. This is not the time to procrastinate. Students who use the summer to work on essays, activity lists, and resumes experience significantly less stress during senior year. The work doesn't disappear. It just gets harder to do well when the classes are demanding and sports practices are daily. Waiting until the deadline to write the essay doesn't allow enough time to develop your thoughts, edit, and improve. A rushed essay is a lost opportunity to show a different side of you. I have also seen students become so overwhelmed at the last minute that they fail to apply at all, or submit after the deadline at 12:02. Planning ahead makes all the difference.

2. A balanced college list can change everything. Students who apply on a whim or simply to test the odds often face a wave of rejections in March. Beyond being defeating, the harder truth is they probably didn't even want to attend most of those schools. Applying just to see what happens is not a strategy. Spending time thinking about why you are applying to each school, visiting the campus, and considering whether it is truly a good fit makes the process more meaningful and the outcomes better. It is also important to find schools that aren't uber-selective but still offer what you are looking for. I understand having a dream school and needing to apply, but I recommend only applying to 3 to 4 reach schools and spending more time identifying why those reach schools are even on the list. Then students can find similarities at less selective schools.

3. The rules keep changing. After Covid, things seem to change daily. Deadlines shift. Essay prompts change or are even eliminated. Test policies evolve. Whether demonstrated interest or legacy matters varies by school and by year. Schools have gone from test-optional to test-preferred to test-required within a short time. New deadlines continue to appear as well. This year, Washington University and Syracuse added Early Action. Last year, USD, USC, and University of Michigan added Early Decision, and University of Florida followed suit this year. This is genuinely hard to keep up with, especially for working parents who are already busy.

4. Results can be unpredictable. Every year I see decisions that don't make sense on paper. Institutional priorities and yield protection are blamed but the results are still disappointing. A student who did everything right, denied. Another admitted to a reach school after not getting in a school with higher admission rates. At the IECA Conference this year, an admission officer from Penn said that they used to make sure decisions made sense from a high school, ensuring top students were admitted over those with lesser qualifications. She said they don't necessarily do that anymore. After seven years, I've made peace with the fact that the process will always have surprises and that is why a thoughtful college list is so important.

5. Everything works out. There are real highs and real lows along the way. Students change their minds about what matters to them. A school that once felt like the only option becomes less important. But when students take the time to understand what colleges are looking for, build a thoughtful college list, and prepare, the process works. At the end of it, students land somewhere great. With over 3,000 universities in this country, there are remarkable opportunities waiting at every one of them. Students join clubs, find mentors, build friendships, and graduate with skills, confidence, and knowledge that prepare them for careers and independence.

The process is hard. The outcome is worth it.

05/02/2026

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/college-admissions-yield-rate-2fb30f42?st=JbNUwQ&reflink=article_imessage_share

Schools are pushing to get commitments from prospective students sooner, adding new early-admission rounds, and using wait lists aggressively.

04/06/2026

Waitlisted… Now What? (For Parents)
If your child was waitlisted at a top-choice college, take a deep breath—this is not a rejection. It means the school believes your student is qualified… they just don’t have space right now.
Here are 4 simple steps to help your student navigate this:
👉 1. Send a Letter of Continued Interest
Encourage your student to share updates since applying—grades, activities, awards, jobs—and reaffirm their interest.
👉 2. Visit Campus (If You Can)
If possible, visit or revisit. Some schools give as little as 48 hours to accept a waitlist spot, so being prepared helps.
👉 3. Commit by May 1
Have your student choose a school where they’ve been accepted and submit their deposit. Attend admitted student events—you may be surprised how excited they become.
And remember the idea behind "Love the One You’re With" this school already believes in your child and their potential.
👉 4. Be Patient
Most waitlist movement happens after May 1, once colleges know how many students are enrolling.
Final thought:
Your student will land where they are meant to be—and they can thrive at more than one college. 💙

03/25/2026

At large flagship universities, one of the most important, and often overlooked, factors is "fit to major."
At many of these schools, you’re not just applying to the university, you’re applying directly to a specific college or major (think engineering, business, computer science, etc.). And here’s the reality: admission standards can vary dramatically between majors at the same university.
A student who might be admitted to the university overall could be denied from a more competitive major, or even the entire school, if their academic profile and experiences don’t align with that program.
That’s why “fit to major” matters so much:
✔️ Your coursework should reflect genuine preparation (rigor + relevance)
✔️ Your activities should show interest and exploration in that field
✔️ Your story should make sense — why this major, and why you?
This isn’t about having everything figured out at 16 or 17. It’s about showing direction and authentic curiosity.
At large flagships especially, strong applicants aren’t just high achievers — they’re students who have started to connect their academic choices, extracurriculars, and future goals into a cohesive narrative.
Bottom line: It’s not just “Can you get in?”
It’s “Can you get in for what you want to study?”
That distinction can make all the difference.

Deciding how to match your activities to your major is something I can help with. Whether it is recommending a community college class, summer program, internship or job shadowing, making those connections is important.

04/16/2025

🎓 Letters of Recommendation: What Students (and Parents) Should Know ✍️

College essays, test scores, transcripts... we talk about those all the time. But letters of recommendation? They’re one of the most important (and most overlooked!) parts of the application.

🔹 Why they matter:
A strong recommendation gives colleges insight into the real you—how you think, how you treat others, how you show up in class. It’s a chance for teachers to say, “This student made a difference.”

🔹 When to start:
Start thinking about who to ask in the spring of junior year. Keep showing up and participating—this is your time to leave a lasting impression.

🔹 Who to ask:
Pick 11th-grade teachers from core subjects who know you well. Someone who’s seen you grow, lead, or help others. Bonus if you’ve had real conversations outside of class.

🔹 How to ask:
Ask in person. Tell them why you’re asking them specifically. Mention something meaningful about your time in their class. And then ask, “Would you consider writing me a strong letter of recommendation for college?”

🔹 Pro tip:
If your school requires a brag sheet, resume, or form—get it done early. And don’t forget to say thank you. A handwritten note goes a long way!

✨ Recommendations give your application heart, context, and credibility. Choose wisely and ask thoughtfully—and they just might become your secret weapon in college admissions.

03/19/2025

How to Make Your Final College Decision: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

College decisions are coming in, and now it’s time to choose where to enroll. While this is an exciting moment, it can also feel overwhelming. The best college for you isn’t just about rankings—it’s about where you’ll thrive academically, socially, and financially.

If you're still deciding, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make a confident choice.

Step 1: Revisit Your Priorities

Ask yourself:
✅ Does the school offer strong programs in your major (or flexibility if undecided)?
✅ Do you prefer a large university or a smaller, close-knit campus?
✅ Is the location right for you—big city, college town, or close to home?
✅ Will the extracurriculars and student culture be a good fit?

Sometimes, your priorities change during the process, and that’s okay!

Step 2: Compare Costs

Beyond tuition, consider:
💰 Housing, meal plans, and personal expenses
📚 Books, supplies, and potential travel costs
🎓 Scholarships and grants—are they renewable?

If finances are a concern, reach out to financial aid offices—many offer additional scholarships or adjustments.

Step 3: Attend Admitted Student Events

These events help you:
✔️ Experience campus life firsthand
✔️ Meet future classmates and professors
✔️ Get insights from current students

If possible, visit campus again before deciding.

Step 4: Join Instagram & Social Media Groups

Most colleges have Class of 2029 Instagram groups where admitted students connect. Also, check out:
📲 Reddit, Discord, and TikTok for student perspectives
👥 Facebook groups for housing and roommate searches

Seeing how engaged and excited current students are can be a great indicator of fit.

Step 5: Think About Fit and Feel

Beyond academics, consider:
🏡 Campus environment—can you see yourself living there?
🍽️ Dorm life and dining options—are they comfortable and appealing?
📍 Social and extracurricular scene—does it match your interests?

If you’re still torn, trust your gut—sometimes, the right choice just feels right.

Step 6: Consider Career and Academic Opportunities

It’s never too early to think about your career! Look into:
🎓 Internship and job placement rates
🌍 Study abroad and research opportunities
🤝 Alumni network—how strong is the school’s industry connection?

If grad school is in your future, think about which school best sets you up for that path.

Step 7: Make a Pros and Cons List

If you're undecided, writing things down can bring clarity. Also, talk to:
👩‍🏫 School counselors
👨‍👩‍👧 Parents and mentors
📞 Current students

Step 8: Make Your Decision and Celebrate!

🎉 Submit your deposit by May 1
📩 Let other colleges know you’re declining their offer
🏡 Start preparing for this exciting next chapter!

Remember, there’s no one “perfect” college—only the best one for you. Trust yourself, and embrace the journey ahead!