Parents & Guardians

Supporting a student’s future? You’re in the right place. Ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others guiding students toward college and career success.

Dual Enrollment and College Admissions
Now that we know what Dual Enrollment is, let's learn about some of the benefits and impacts on college admissions. Benefits: According to the official Department of Education blog, "On average, dual enrollment has a positive impact on high school academics, high school graduation rates, college enrollment, college…
Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Letter💰: Grants, Scholarships, Loans, & Work-Study
Deciphering financial aid award letters can feel like unraveling a complex puzzle🧩, but it's a vital step in the college planning process.💯 Let's break it down into manageable components. The first step is understanding the different types of aid and how to evaluate them, which is crucial for minimizing your family's…
Ask An Advisor! Can you shed light on how selective colleges go from 50k applicants to 1.3k accepted
Hi Parents & Guardians! One of our community members asked a great question in one of our AMA sessions with Admissions Consultant @Sara_AdmissionsConsultant -"Can you shed light on how selective colleges go from 50k applicants to 1.3k accepted?" Check out her expert answer below and let us know if you have any other…
"College is the ONLY Path to Success" - Busting the Myth‼️💣
Let me start by saying that college isn't the only road to success❗️ For a long time, the message was pretty clear: go to college, get a degree, and then you'd be successful. (I’m sure I’m not the only one who grew up hearing this message.) And while a four-year university is a great path for many, it's high time we bust…
Trade School vs. College: Your Guide to Vocational Education
As we discussed in a previous post, college is not the only path to success. More families and students are exploring vocational schools as an option. So, what are trade or vocational schools anyway? Vocational schools, also known as trade schools or career colleges, give you the exact skills and know-how you need for a…
Understanding Graduation Requirements🎓
Senior year goes by so quickly, and it can be hard to stay on top of all the graduation requirements. Usually, that’s not something we think of until school has started, but being aware of what your rising senior needs before day one will set you up for success (and less stress!) If you’re not sure where to start, check…
What’s your advice for college freshmen going to college in the fall?
What's your best campus survival tip?
📝PROs & CONs Of Taking A Gap Year Before Deciding If You Want To Go To College
Is It OK to Take a Gap Year? Pros and Cons Yes, I think taking a gap year can be a great choice if it’s structured and intentional. Many students benefit from a year away from the classroom to gain real-world experience, travel, work, or focus on personal growth. That said, it’s not the right move for everyone. Pros of a…
Are You Actively Searching for and Applying for Scholarships?
Searching for college scholarships can feel daunting, especially when you keep hearing “there are so many scholarships out there,” but you’re not sure where to begin your search. If that’s you, check out College Board's scholarship searching tool here! If you’re in the process of scholarship hunting or have already gone…
High School Skills that Prep You For The Workforce
As a former hiring manager who often interviewed high schoolers and graduates, I've seen how intimidating it can be for high schoolers to apply or interview with “no experience." But did you know that many of the skills your high schooler currently possesses or is learning in high school directly translate to the…
What advice do you have for parents of high school seniors? 🎓
It’s a big year…full of pressure, milestones, and a whole lot of emotions (for students and parents). Whether you’ve been through it before or are in the thick of it now, what tips, encouragement, or “I wish I had known…” advice would you share?
What Is A Youth Apprenticeship?👀
Deciding what to do after high school can feel overwhelming, but a youth apprenticeship is a powerful, "earn while you learn" option that offers the best of both worlds. A youth apprenticeship is a structured, paid program that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction. It's designed for high school students…

Latest High School & Beyond Community Discussions

Dive into all the discussions as you support your student on their journey.

🎉 Welcome to the Parents and Guardians Community! 🎉
👋 Hey there, fellow parents and guardians of high schoolers! Is the journey to college feeling like a rollercoaster ride? 🎢 You're not alone! This community is your one-stop shop for all things college-bound. We're here to help you navigate the exciting, and sometimes challenginging, path to higher education. What awaits…
Let's Break The Ice!🧊
We're so happy you found us!🎉 This community is for parents and guardians seeking trusted advice and direction on getting their child to college. It’s a safe space to connect and share with others on the same journey, with access to top experts on the path to college. Let’s kick things off with an icebreaker! In the…
Start Early, Stand Out: Why Your "Brag Sheet" is Your Secret Weapon
When you think about getting into a great college or landing that first big opportunity, your grades are just one piece of the puzzle. What you do outside of the classroom—your extracurriculars—are just as important. They tell a story about who you are, what you're passionate about, and what you're capable of. The best way…
What is the ASVAB?
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is the test you must take to join the U.S. military. It measures your strengths in different subjects like math, reading, science, mechanical knowledge, and word skills. What It Tests The ASVAB is broken into sections that look at things like: Math skills (arithmetic,…
Start Early, Stand Out: Why Your "Brag Sheet" is Your Secret Weapon
When you think about getting into a great college or landing that first big opportunity, your grades are just one piece of the puzzle. What you do outside of the classroom—your extracurriculars—are just as important. They tell a story about who you are, what you're passionate about, and what you're capable of. The best way…
Managing Finals, Tests, and Apps!
November brings finals, standardized tests, and application deadlines, which can feel overwhelming. But you’ve got this! Here’s a quick guide to help you stay organized: 1. Conquering Finals Create a Study Schedule: Avoid cramming by scheduling specific times to review each subject, focusing first on your most challenging…
Top 5 jobs that pay well without a degree!
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top jobs for which a degree isn't required are grouped under Construction and installation Maintenance and repair Transportation Check out the top 5 careers below and let us know if you're considering any of these or which you'd like to learn more about in the comments…
Let's Talk Financial Aid And How to Get Your FAFSA ID!
Financial Aid 💰 FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-2027 school year opened on October 1, 2025. Parents and guardians should complete this as soon as possible, as some aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll need an FSA ID to get started. CSS Profile: Some private…
College Application timeline: 10th grade
Are you or your student a current or rising 10th grader? Here’s a quick timeline of what you might consider each year in the lead up to actually filling out a college application. Tenth Grade: Have another conversation with your guidance counselor and parents. Are you challenging yourself appropriately in all areas of…
College Application timeline:11th grade
For current or rising 11th-grade students, here's a helpful timeline to consider throughout the year as you prepare for college applications. In the fall of eleventh grade, start to research colleges with intention. Make sure you have an organizational system that works for you to keep notes about what you like, what you…
College Application timeline: 12th grade
Senior year is KEY! Whether you will soon be a senior or you're currently in your senior year, here's a detailed breakdown of what to keep in mind throughout this time to stay on top of things during the application process. Summer before Senior Year: This is when you’ll really start to get going on the nitty-gritty of…
Ask an Expert: 5 Reasons You Should Attend A College Fair
There’s a good chance that over the next few months, there will be college fairs happening near you. They may seem like they could be overwhelming, but I promise you, they are incredibly valuable to attend! Here are five reasons why you should consider going: You’ll learn about new colleges and universities: There are…