5 College Planning Resources for the Class of 2027

While I continue to work with my current seniors in the Class of 2026, the help I am giving them now is mostly tactical: finding more scholarships that match their profiles, providing suggestions and editing for scholarship essays, and similar tasks. At this point in their scholarship and college admissions journey, there is no more strategic help I can provide. Their resumes, GPAs, and standardized test scores are locked in.

That is why it's so important to start the entire college admissions and scholarship process early. What your Class of 2027 student does over the next few months will define their college admissions journey - where they get in, how much college will cost, and how stressful the process will be.

Here are five college planning resources that you and your Class of 2027 students can access to have a less stressful and more positive college admissions journey:

1) Start Brainstorming College Admissions Essays.

College admissions essays are unlike any essay your student has ever written in their life. Their essay needs to be authentic and insightful, and it should be about something most students rarely write about: themselves! College essay expert Kelli Coppi and I recently held a webinar, and she shared some valuable advice about what your student can do right now as they begin their college admissions journey. You can request the recording by clicking here.

2) Start Standardized Test Prep.

If your student plans on chasing merit aid, there is no better return on their investment than focused, meaningful, and proven test prep. Many colleges offer merit scholarships based on a student's GPA and test scores. And, even at test-optional colleges (which are becoming fewer every year), higher test scores often lead to higher acceptance rates and more merit scholarships. On Tuesday, March 3rd at 8pm Eastern, master test prep expert Jackie Pollina and I will be holding a webinar: "Test Prep for Scholarships, Honors, and Admissions." Click here to register for free.

3) Gain Clarity on College Major.

Did you know that at some colleges, certain majors are only available to students at the time they apply to the college? Due to limited space and resources, students cannot "transfer" into these majors. Did you know that the choice of major often impacts college admissions decisions? And, based on my years of experience, a student's clarity about their college major is one of the best predictors of scholarship success. Click here to get a free resource to gain exclusive insights into admissions by major at all 50 state flagship universities. This comprehensive research reveals which colleges require students to apply to a specific major, where it's easy to change majors, and where your teen's options may be limited.

4) Begin Building Your College List.

With roughly 6,000 colleges in the United States, your student has many options. The good news is that there is a college for every student. The bad news is that 6,000 colleges are a huge number to sift through, and it can be daunting. This is yet another reason that clarity about a college major is so helpful, as it can significantly narrow the list of potential colleges. But other factors are important, as well: region of the country, the size and type of college, and, of course, the cost of attendance are just a few of the things that students must consider. If you aren't sure even where to begin, the Access to College Experts (ACE) Network is a wonderful resource! With experts in college admissions, essays, SAT, ACT, scholarships, and even dorm planning, the ACE Network is an affordable alternative to expensive one-on-one college consulting, plus it cuts through the noise and bad advice of the huge public parent Facebook groups.

5) Start Applying for Scholarships!

Isabella didn't win a single scholarship until the spring of her senior year. Madeline didn't win any scholarships until the spring of her senior year. Then she won 18 in one night! Talon, who won over $100,000 in scholarships, won them all in the spring of his senior year (or later, while in college). So, if these students didn't win scholarships until the spring of their senior year, why am I suggesting your student start applying for scholarships now in their junior year? Because your student needs to gain experience and practice with the scholarship process! They need time to write and rewrite compelling scholarship essays. Isabella, Madeline, and Talon may have been awarded their scholarships in the spring of their senior year, but they won them because they had been applying for months beforehand, gaining the practice and experience that they needed for success. I have several free resources to help you and your student on their scholarship journey. First, be sure to listen to the Scholarship GPS Podcast. You'll not only hear about great scholarship opportunities, but you will also hear from college planning experts who will help you, as well. Also, join the free private Scholarships - Class of 2027 Facebook Group, where we share helpful scholarship info, cutting through the noise and bad advice of large public groups. While the students mentioned above didn't win scholarships until they were seniors, many of my students win scholarships as high school juniors. To get started, click here to get our free list of scholarships for high school juniors.