The Best U College Admissions Consulting

  High school is many things, but stressful is almost certainly one of them. Given this reality, there are many reasons why taking an intentional pause between high school and college can be a powerful and transformative choice for a student. If you are wondering if a ‘gap year’ might be a fit for your student, here’s our advice for how to approach this opportunity: Tune in & open the conversation: If your student is raising doubts about college, has trouble envisioning their life on a college campus, or expresses feelings of burnout or needing a break from academic life, this is a good sign that it might be time to open up a conversation. Many students feel pressured by family, peers, and so many internal and external forces to keep pressing forward. We encourage parents to engage these conversations with their kids, ask open-ended questions, and really listen. If your child is struggling, do not delay in seeking the mental health support they need. But if what they express is...

Balancing school, activities, and college admissions expectations can take up all of a student’s time. Learn what one of the biggest regrets former students’ have from their high school days. Click here   to Connect With Us.

  If you are thinking scholarships will be a part of your family’s plan to pay for college, there are steps you can take right now to access those opportunities. Whether your student will begin 12th grade or 9th grade in the Fall, it’s not too soon or too late to start. Read on for three key tips to make scholarships a reality– 1. Begin your search now & make it a family affair. Gathering information about scholarship opportunities can be a daunting process, especially for high school students. If scholarships are an important part of your college funding strategy, it’s never too early to start. There are scholarships targeted for each grade level in high school, and for every unique interest, talent, or identity. Target your search to those scholarships that are most tailored to your student’s individual identity and strengths. Parents can be a big help by doing some of the initial research to screen for good fit opportunities . Start a spreadsheet or google sheet with key inf...

  Throughout our work we meet thoughtful, well-intentioned, caring parents who are struggling to make sense of the confusing and rapidly shifting landscape of college admissions. At The Best U, we have long seen our mission as empowering students and families with the resources, tools and knowledge to navigate the college process with clarity & confidence. The chief means we have of sharing our experience and insights has always been one-on-one advising. We love this work and are so grateful for the families who entrust their children to us to navigate the journey together. It is a gift to build a relationship with a student, know them well, and champion their growth as they move through high school. But is this the only way? For those who’ve stayed on this mailing list, but felt that the cost of one-on-one advising is beyond reach, we are thrilled to share a new way to engage with The Best U– We’ve often found ourselves wishing there was a way to share our knowledge and exper...