By Tim Parros I wrote an article four years ago about the importance of extracurriculars in the college admission process (read it here) Interestingly enough, it still rings true and is even more critical going into the 2023/2024 admission cycle. As a result, we see our students reaching for many colleges that take a deep look into the extracurriculars; after all, colleges want students to better their communities, and students with experience in this are very attractive to them. The admissions landscape continues to evolve, and schools seek students with more than perfect test scores and top ..read more

My decision to move across the country to attend the University of California, Los Angeles was one that I contemplated very extensively. Moving across the nation meant being independent and taking on burdens I was not familiar with. What also came with moving to Los Angeles was the chance to explore pockets of a new city and create lasting connections with individuals I just met. My decision to uproot myself from my hometown, Ann Arbor, proved to be very gratifying as it has allowed me to navigate this new chapter of my life independently and seek opportunities without the help of others. Bein ..read more

By Lisa Schmidt LPC, NCC, College Planning Counselor at Parros College Planning LLC. Living and working just an hour from East Lansing, we felt pretty confident that we understood what Michigan State University had to offer to our students. However, on our recent campus tour, with a group of Independent Educational Consultants, we discovered there was still much more to learn about the large state university in our backyard. The facilities were top-notch, but the brand new STEM building blew us away. MSU transformed a 70-year-old power plant into a “student-ready maker and collaboration space ..read more

By Nate Laskey and the Parros Team. Since the start of COVID-19 last year, both students and colleges have had to adjust to the many constraints due to the virus. With a lack of proper access to ACT and SAT testing sites at the beginning of the pandemic, many schools quickly adopted test-optional policies to accommodate their incoming students better. However, for students applying to colleges for the very first time, these policies may bring new challenges in their application process. For this reason, this article will walk through what exactly these policies are and the lesser-discussed be ..read more

By Nate Laskey Here at Parros College Planning, we like to acknowledge that every school has its unique traits that attract students from around the world to them. In some cases, these traits may be a hallmark of the school, and in other cases, they may be a lesser-known fact. Therefore, we will be exploring the outstanding and unique qualities that Central Michigan University (CMU) has to offer. CMU offers a broadly diverse educational experience through its nationally recognized programs spanning the health professions, business, engineering, and more. The university also maintains the thir ..read more

Here at Parros College Planning, we specialize in helping future creatives find their path as they prepare for college. Emma H. is one such individual who is carving her way towards her future in post-production film work. As she approaches her junior year at Columbia College Chicago, Emma has taken the time to speak with us about applying for colleges, her experiences since starting college, and how she has grown as both a student and an artist. Despite having a “slightly rocky first year,” Emma has settled in quite nicely at Columbia. Like many students around her, she found herself having ..read more

In the past, the team at Parros College Planning discussed how valuable it is to display your interest when applying for college admissions [See article here]. College tours have always been one option for prospective students who are trying to narrow down their options while also addressing such interest. However, many colleges have ceased in-person visits due to COVID-19. So, how does one show they’re interested in a college when they can’t physically attend events? One answer is rather simple: virtual tours. Since the pandemic began, most colleges have offered enhanced online experienc ..read more

Revisited by Tim Parros The envelope comes- well, actually, the information from the college is in the students portal. As you review the data, it may come as a surprise that what they are viewing is just an Acceptance Letter. They may think that this is the final Award Letter. Not true in most cases; an Award Letter is different from your Acceptance Letter. Many people use these terms interchangeably, which is not correct. The Financial Aid Award Letter should contain the actual cost to attend the college (room, board, tuition, books, and travel) along with loans, scholarships, and merit aid ..read more

In the spring of 2019, we took a moment to discuss on our blog how extracurriculars can have a positive impact on a student’s college application process. READ THAT ARTICLE HERE. While many of the points addressed in this article, much still remain true, a significant change occurred throughout schools across the country due to the arrival of COVID-19. Not only has the pandemic forced many students to change how they approach schooling with the switch from in-person learning to online platforms, but it’s impacted how incoming college students can stand out on their college applications. The pa ..read more

By Lisa Schmidt Michigan Technological University is one of the only colleges in the state of Michigan offering on campus tours this August. I recently got the opportunity to be shown around by the Director of Admissions, Kyle Rubin, and this is what I took away from my visit. Located in the city of Houghton in the upper peninsula of Michigan, MTU’s campus has a relaxed, rural feel. If you like the snow, Michigan Tech must be on your college list. The student body causes the population of Houghton to grow by 50% every fall making it the ideal college town. There are 7,000 residents in the Houg ..read more