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.

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…
Is there a scholarship for… everything? 🎓✨
If you have a teen in high school (or even in college), you know the "Scholarship Hunt" is a full-time job. We all know about the academic and athletic ones, but sometimes the best opportunities are tucked away in the most unusual places. From the "Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom" contest to scholarships for being…
How important is it to highlight leadership in a college application?
When admissions officers sort through thousands of applications with identical GPAs and test scores, they aren't looking for the "best student"—they’re looking for the best future contributor. If you’re wondering how much weight leadership carries in the college admissions process, the answer is: it is often the…
📣 Senior Year Playbook - Parent & guardian wisdom needed 👇
Calling all parents and guardians! 📣 I’m looking to crowdsource the ultimate 'Senior Year Playbook' for our rising seniors. We know the academic side is covered, but what about the life side? I want to fill this comment section with the kind of advice that turns a busy year into an unforgettable one. What’s one nugget of…

Latest Parents & Guardians Community Discussions

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

🎉 Welcome to the Parents and Guardians Community! 🎉
High school is a wild ride, isn't it? One day you're cheering at a game, and the next you’re trying to decode FAFSA or help your teen figure out what they actually want to do for a living. 🎢 If it feels like a lot, that's because it is! We built this community to be your "home base" for navigating the path from high school…
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 or into a career. 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…
Shaping More Than Just a Resume ✨ Fill in the blank!
The world of work is changing faster than ever, and while we can't predict exactly what jobs our teens will have in ten years, we can certainly hope for the kind of life they’ll lead. We want more for them than just a paycheck—we want a purpose. ✨ Real career fulfillment isn't obtained by luck—it’s a discovery process.…
Does Your High Schooler Really Need a Resume Yet? (Short Answer: Yes!)
It may feel a little early to talk to your teenager about a resume. Especially when they are probably currently worried about their Chemistry lab or Friday night’s football game, right? But here’s the secret: A high school resume isn't only about the job. It’s about helping our kids see their own growth on paper before the…
Share your advice! Trade School and Workforce Path
We often hear that a four-year degree is the only finish line, but for many teens, the real 'aha!' moment happens far away from a lecture hall. Maybe it was the spark in their eyes during a shop class, the pride they felt after their first paycheck, or the realization that they learn best by doing. We want to celebrate…
Planning Ahead: Summer Camps and Volunteering
It's never too early to get ahead of the game. Just ask @Sara_AdmissionsConsultant, who shared her thoughts in a post on " How to Summer Smarter!- Summer Experiences That Truly Stand Out to Colleges". Here are 3 reasons why you should start planning volunteer opportunities and summer camp enrollments NOW. 1. The Best…
📅 Don't Miss the March 22: Applying to Med School in 2026 - Everything You Need to Know
[Parents & Guardians Welcome] Wanted to be sure everyone knew the Kaplan team is hosting a free webinar: Applying to Med School in 2026: Everything You Need to Know Sunday, March 22 5:00 - 6:30 PM ET There's nothing quite like the medical school admissions process. Let our Kaplan expert admissions consultants guide you…
Strategically Planning Your Senior’s Career Path This March
The job market has fundamentally shifted. A four-year degree is no longer the only path to a high-paying, stable career. In fields like cybersecurity, healthcare, and renewable energy, targeted skills often outweigh a traditional diploma. If your high school senior wants financial independence without the weight of student…
How to Help Your Student Build a Resume: Download the PDF Checklist!⬇️
When our kids start hunting for their first job, that blank 'Experience' section can feel like a brick wall. They don't realize that their daily habits—juggling school, sports, and chores—actually count as real-world skills. Our role is to help them translate those 'kid' activities into professional language that grabs a…
How to Build a College List That Actually Makes Sense
Making your college list can be overwhelming for many students. With thousands of colleges out there, how do you narrow it down to the right ones? Too many families rely on rankings, name recognition, or word of mouth—and end up with a list that's either too top-heavy, too random, or missing schools where the student would…
What surprised you most about the college admissions process?
As our kids get closer to graduation, the 'college talk' starts to feel a lot more real. Whether you’re just starting to look at schools or you’ve already sent off the final applications, we’ve all had those moments where we realized things aren't quite like they were when we applied! I’d love to hear about your journey so…
Financial Aid: Navigating the Fine Print and Securing Your Funding
Once you’ve identified the types of aid in your letter, the next phase is "reading between the lines." Not all offers are created equal, and some come with strings attached. 1. Distinguish "Direct" vs. "Indirect" Costs Your award letter might show a high "Cost of Attendance" (COA), but you won't pay all of that directly to…