Resources
Guidance, whenever you need it.
Free articles, guides, and videos on holistic college counseling — for families at every stage of the high school journey.
Articles & guides
Read the latest.
Summer Shouldn’t Become Another Performance Season
A different way to think about high school
Three College Application Mistakes Students Make and How Parents Can Avoid Making Them Worse
The College Process Is the Mirror We Didn’t Know We Signed Up For
Beyond the Score: What the Data — and Experts — Reveal About Supporting Teens in College Admissions
Why I Never Write Essays for Students — But How I Ensure Their Authentic Voice Shines
13 Years in College Counseling: What I’ve Learned About Families and Anxiety
Watch & learn.
Just two education professionals in the college prep space mindmelding on some fun questions!
Faiza Riaz
@nowtestprep Managing Director of Outreach
Elite 1:1 Tutoring, Mentorship & Proven Results
Dot Kowal
@college_with_dot Holistic college counselor, educator, and former independent school leader
Helping students grow into confident, self-aware young adults
Parents, what song would YOU pick as the current soundtrack to your high schooler’s college process? We can’t wait to see your answers!
#CollegeCounselor #HighSchoolStudents #CollegeAdmissions
I recently saw Sleater-Kinney and Liz Phair in concert, and thought, “Why do I love them so much?”. The answer came to me so clearly: They teach us to be unafraid.
Gen X parents, pass a little bit of this wisdom on to your teenagers today – and please, school them on some really good music from our generation!
#CollegeCounselor #LizPhair #SleaterKinney
Easier said than done, but trust me on this one: Don’t melt down when your teenager melts down.
Parents of 9th graders, tell me: has this happened in your house since high school has started? 9th grade is a year of transformation, and while there can be huge growth, it’s not without its obstacles. That’s one of the reasons why I like to start my college counseling work with students Freshman year, providing support along the journey and preparing them for the rest of high school and beyond with the long term vision in mind.
If you’ve got a Freshman who could use some support, don’t hesitate to reach out. Schedule an introductory call at the link in my bio.
#CollegeCounselor #HighSchoolStudents #CollegeAdmissions
9th grade is rife with opportunities for disappointment. Has your family been dealing with this yet?
The good news is that there’s actually a bright side to this disappointment. Even if it’s not easy to see right now, this is an opening. A chance to figure out who they could become.
If you have a 9th grader that could use some long term support through their high school journey as they work toward their future, don’t be a stranger. You can schedule an intro call at the link in my bio, or shoot me a message.
#CollegeCounselor #9thGraders #HighSchoolFreshman
My third grader’s teacher blew my mind by accidentally creating the perfect college admissions graphic.
Thank you @k.impatiently for this brilliant concept! I’m excited to share it with the families I work with!
#CollegeCounselor #HighSchoolStudents #CollegeCounseling
The 4-Year College
Readiness Roadmap
A practical, year-by-year guide to navigating high school with intention — so your student arrives at senior year grounded, confident, and ready. Not overwhelmed.
- Year-by-year focus areas for 9th through 12th grade
- The Map & Compass framework — what it is and how to use it
- What colleges actually look for, and when it starts to matter
- How to reduce anxiety by starting with intention
- A parent guide: how to support without adding pressure
- Reflection prompts for every stage of the journey
Readiness Roadmap
9th · 10th · 11th · 12th
She made the entire process feel doable, not stressful. I'm truly grateful for her support.
— Callie D., San Diego StateDot truly changed the way I looked at the college process and my high school path in general.
— Amaya Q., Columbia UniversityWe are so grateful for Dot's calm demeanor and unwavering belief in our child's potential.
— Steve & Rebecca F., Parents