1) Dear Parents of HS Juniors…I wish you knew now what you will know a year from now.
2) IMPORTANT: When a College Admissions Representative refers to an SAT score, they are usually referring to your READING + MATH sub-score. NOT your Reading + Math + Writing score. I’ve seen too many schools and families talking about two different things. To the detriment of the student.
3) Every action taken in Junior Year (and in the summer) saves two actions in the Senior Year. M.Szarek, 2012.
4) Adult students need and deserve as much guidance in the college search as traditional students.
5) Too often, students take ALL or NONE of their Direct loan eligibility. Often, SOME would have been their best choice.
6) What IS the right price for a year’s worth of higher education?
7) If they don’t want you, you don’t want them.
8) Of the 4000 colleges in this country, there are 17.9 ‘perfect’ schools for your son or daughter. Okay, I made that up. But, I bet I’m right.
9) See it with your own eyes. Visit. Visit. Visit. Visit. Visit. Visit. Visit. Visit. Visit. Visit. Visit.
10) If a picture paints a thousand words, how does that fit into the Common Application Essay requirement?
As always, I welcome your comments and questions. Please feel free to email me at info@cc4therestofus.com, call or text me at 908-403-3819, join me on Facebook on “College Counseling for the Rest of Us” and join me on Twitter at @MichaelCCR. And now on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/CCRMichael?feature=mhee.
College Counseling for the Rest of Us 
Apr 11, 2012 @ 21:45:19
Perceptive and witty, as always! 🙂
Apr 11, 2012 @ 21:52:46
Thank you, sir!
Apr 08, 2014 @ 11:17:04
Actually surprised by the reaction of a college visit to a military approach: I have talked to groups large and small using this phrase because quite frankly they “hear it” and realize the visit is very important in the process. Hours spent in preparation, realistically why NOT! Oh, and yes I spend hours on essay writing too! My clients get the very best from me as did my candidates for admission when I was both a Dean and Assoc. dean. Parents also receive countless hours. I don’t weigh my hours against my fee. I am from the old school I do work 24/7 and am proud of it.
Apr 09, 2014 @ 14:07:51
Donald:
Thank you for your comments. Always glad to share with someone who has been on both the admissions and indy counselor sides of the fence. And I think you and I agree on the value of a purposeful, planned visit.
Michael
Apr 11, 2012 @ 21:54:18
I like #8 here nad would raiuse that number to 400. All too often the perfect school is some fantasy. Kids that look for perfect are the very ones who struggle to adapt to the new environment of college work and life.
Apr 11, 2012 @ 22:01:57
Mike,
Thanks for the kind words! If I may say, it should be about fit, not reach.
Apr 12, 2012 @ 09:36:15
Love this post, Michael! All so true!
Apr 12, 2012 @ 10:45:38
Thank you, Judy!
News on College Admissions and More | Parents' Guide to the College Puzzle
Apr 12, 2012 @ 13:27:53
Apr 25, 2012 @ 21:28:03
This is great! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I plan on sending this to all my current juniors and their parents.
Apr 25, 2012 @ 21:33:38
Thank you, Charlotte!
Sep 04, 2013 @ 07:12:03
Great and Effective collegefinder information..I really enjoyed to read your post..truly thanks.