- Navigating the College Application Maze -

AUGUST WORKSHOP:

08/07, 08/14, 08/21

All webinars are at 6:00 PST via Zoom

$350 for all three sessions

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the college application process? You're not alone. Many students and parents struggle to make sense of the myriad requirements and deadlines.

Join us in a 3 part series that is designed to help answer most (if not all) of your questions about the college admissions process.

Sharon Cravanas is the former Director of College Counseling at Head-Royce School and a former consultant for the College Board. She has guided thousands of students through the admissions process, helping them identify best-fit colleges, craft compelling applications, and understand how admissions decisions are truly made.

Session 1: “How College Admissions Really Work: The Insider’s Guide”

Focus: Build a shared foundation of knowledge for both students and parents.

  • Understand changes in today’s admissions landscape (test-optional, holistic review, etc). Understanding what matters in “holistic” admissions between GPA, rigor, extracurricular activities, and essays.

  • Overview of the UC A-G requirements, as they are applied to your individual high school, and how to enhance your GPA.

  • How to start identifying what you want in a college, and why you don’t need to have it all figured out—yet.

  • How parents can support without hovering: the “right” level of involvement.

  • Financial planning: Starting early matters (overview of cost, EFC, and aid).

Session 2: “Building the College List & Telling Your Story”

Focus: Find best-fit schools and learn how to present a compelling application

  • Reach, Match, Likely: What these terms mean and how to balance your list.

  • The Search Process: How to find colleges that are a match for you!

  • Storytelling in Essays: How to reflect, not just report

  • What your activities say about you—and how to make them count.

  • How parents can encourage exploration without applying pressure.

  • How to discuss college cost & limits transparently.

  • What about campus tours and interviews?

  • Understanding the difference between the parents’ dream school and the student’s best-fit school.

  • Live demo: Essay brainstorm using real prompts.

Session 3: “Testing, Financial Aid & Staying on Track”

Focus: Reduce stress by mapping out the testing, application, and financial aid timeline.

  • SAT/ACT: Who should test, who can skip, and how to prepare.

  • FAFSA, CSS Profile, and Merit Aid—what’s what and who qualifies. When to look for private scholarships.

  • Tackling common financial aid misunderstandings.

  • Building your Timeline: Applications, recommendations, interviews, and deadlines.

  • Support executive functioning (deadlines, organization, staying calm) and avoid burnout.

  • How to work with your school counselor (you really should!)

Ready to Start your Application Journey?

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