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7 hours ago
3 min

The Gifts of Eighteen Summers and the Importance of Senior Year

Eighteen summers. That’s how many most of us get with our kids. How we choose to spend that time is way more important than any college.

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Dr. Thom

Jun 26
3 min

What Does it Really Mean to Stand Out in Your Application?

What would make your application stand out and really connect, given the pile of files into which your application will sit?

23 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Jun 19
3 min

Why Students Should Stop Asking What Colleges Want

One of the most common questions we are asked is: "What would College X think of [insert decision]? Here's why that is the wrong question.

20 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Jun 12
2 min

Application Fear: Do it anyway

Really putting yourself out there in your application is scary - it always is. Do it anyway.

14 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Jun 5
2 min

A message to our community: We stand for equality

We want to be a part of the solution, a resource, and a safe place for conversation and reflection. We invite you to join us.

12 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

May 29
2 min

How to Get Your Student to Take the Lead in their College Search

Recently, my 14 year old son asked me for advice on college. But he added something that stopped me in my tracks.

24 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

May 22
3 min

An Open Letter to the Class of 2020

This was supposed to be your year, and in a way, it still was. You found ways move forward and because of that, you're ready for big things.

14 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

May 15
5 min

Couch Surfing College Search: What Happens in the Fall

There is a ton of uncertainty in the college admissions process right now. Here's how you can stay positive and sane through it all.

8 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

May 8
2 min

How to Really Help Your Student Apply to College

It's tempting to want to help your student with all of the minutiae of the college search, but you have to know the boundaries first.

4 viewsWrite a comment

Bridget Williams Golden

May 1
5 min

Guide to Dual Enrollment: Buy One, Get One Free?

Dual enrollment is like a "buy one get one free" offer to high school students. Here's our guide to everything dual enrollment.

17 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Apr 24
3 min

Couch Surfing College Search: COVID-19 and AP testing

The changes to the Advanced Placement (AP) testing program may be the most significant, and potentially lasting. Here is what we know.

11 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Apr 17
4 min

Choosing a Major Versus Creating Your Path

Have you ever noticed a dirt path next to a paved one? These "desire paths" are fascinating and can help young people plan their futures.

7 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Apr 10
4 min

How to Appeal for More Financial Aid Without Becoming a Used Car Salesman

Interested in how you can work with a financial aid office without turning into a used car salesman? If yes, trust me, this is YOUR article.

8 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Apr 3
5 min

Couch Surfing College Search: Stop Worrying about your To-Do List

If the internet is to be believed, you have so much extra time available to you these days. So why are parents so stressed?

44 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Mar 27
4 min

Couch Surfing College Search: Controlling the Controllables

Why is social distancing is a great opportunity to remake your routine around health and family well-being.

58 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Mar 20
3 min

Couch Surfing College Search: Why now is the best time to be a College Searching Junior

Now is the BEST time for your high school junior to prepare for college. Why? No school means they have time to focus on their ACT.

6 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Mar 13
4 min

Coronavirus and the College Search: What you need to know

While higher education grapples with COVID-19, here's some guidance on how the pandemic might impact students who are applying to college.

10 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Mar 6
5 min

Early High School Planning: A Healthy Approach to Picking out Courses

Picking classes is essentially what college prep decision-making looks like during 8th-10th grades. Here’s a healthy way to approach it.

15 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Feb 28
4 min

The Room Where It Happens: Inside an Admissions Committee

Everyone wants to be in the "room where it happens," right? Dr. Thom sheds some light on how selective admissions committees work.

22 viewsWrite a comment

Dr. Thom

Feb 21
4 min

The Initial College List: Breaking Through the Overwhelm

Creating that first list of colleges that you'll be considering can be overwhelming. Here's how to break it down and get moving.

31 viewsWrite a comment

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