October 1, 6:30-7:30pm
College Admissions 101
Between standardized tests, essays, and the countless deadlines, the college application process can become overwhelming to students and parents alike. College counselor Jessica Nelson will lay the foundation for parents and teens to have a successful application season, and maybe even find some joy in the process. We will offer an overview of the different components of the process, as well as a checklist and other organizational tools to help give it shape — and minimize the overwhelm. This workshop is appropriate for sophomores, juniors, seniors, and their parents.
October 8, 6:30-7:30pm
Building a Balanced College List
With 2,000+ colleges in the US, how can students determine the best fit for them? College research can be time-consuming, especially if you don’t know where to start or what to look for. This workshop will discuss the many factors high school students should consider when developing a balanced college list, and how to navigate college research to find the best fit academically, socially and financially. This seminar is appropriate for sophomores, juniors, seniors, and their parents.
October 15, 6:30-7:30pm
College Application Essays
College essays have become an increasingly important part of the application process, and an opportunity to share qualities and information that cannot be found elsewhere in the application. Jessica will share her strategies that are guaranteed to help students improve their chances of finding and sharing a compelling story with an admissions committee. You will leave this workshop understanding the differences between the personal statement and supplemental essays, common essay pitfalls to avoid, and how to craft essays that are authentic and unique. This workshop is appropriate for junior and senior families.
October 22, 6:30-7:30pm
Making your Common Application Less Common
The Common Application is one application that can be sent to 1000+ colleges. How can you tell your story in a way that admissions committees will find compelling? We’ll review each part of the Common App, showing you how admissions counselors will read your application and where you can inject your personality. This workshop is most appropriate for junior and senior families, and each attendee will receive a free digital copy of the guide How to Make your Common App a Lot Less Common 2025-2026.
October 29, 6:30-7:30pm
Paying for College: Financial Aid and Scholarships
The financial aid process for college can feel irritating at best, and incomprehensible at its worst. The 2023-2024 saw a major overhaul of the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) that was fraught with issues, making this process even more confusing. We will provide an overview of the financial aid process, types of aid offered, understanding industry terminology, and important updates to the new FAFSA process. We will also discuss how to get started on scholarship search. This seminar is appropriate for sophomore, juniors, seniors and their parents.
