Summer is Here

by Tom O'Hare | Jun 16, 2025 | Before, College Admissions, College Planning

Over the past few months, I have spoken with students and parents, both individually and in groups, listening to their challenges and sharing my insights. Families and individuals included those with high school and college-age students, those about to graduate, and many already in the workforce.

I’ll share some insights addressing the four groups, but first, I want to share a brief testimonial from a dad of younger students. This dad, like me, is a planner. As I have written before, planning is critical to prepare for life after high school and before graduation. If you’re a parent of young kids, read on.

Young Family’s Insights

“I am big on planning, and I recently met with Tom to review/refine my plan, which has been extended for 10+ years. My wife and I have three children aged 3 to 8. We are currently pleased with our public elementary option, but we are always intrigued by the private option. Our oldest children are good athletes for their age, and as Tom highlighted, aptitude starts to develop in middle school. After talking, we sensed that a private middle school option might be best for our family. This will allow us to evaluate the quality, affordability, local high school options, and talents of our children. I am a product of public education from kindergarten to college, but I also recognize that standards are changing and that we want to position our children for success. Tom reinforced the importance of perseverance, learning to share space, and the value of planning financially (asset location). After sanity-checking my plan with Tom, I felt better and made the savings adjustments to hopefully realize our oldest child’s private middle school option”.

Thank you, Dad!

What’s happening in June
Congratulations to all fellow Geminis. June is extra special for me as I celebrate 45 years with the most wonderful, caring, and beautiful spouse and mother of my four kids… I’m blessed!!

A new wave of young adults is leaving college, some advancing to graduate school, and tweens who need to transfer after rethinking their first choice. However, the vast majority will be looking for their first real “adult” job. They will need your help to:

• Learn how to network to find work versus using Indeed
• How to understand employee benefits
• Understanding that internships or temp-to-hire can lead to full-time work
• The importance of creating a financial budget
• Embrace the start of their student loan payback

Don’t let the noise from Washington and the tremendous late-night bantering paralyze you from taking proactive steps to manage your student loan obligations. Repayment benefits through the federal government, private education loan providers, and, in some cases, employers are available to help all students and families.

Preparing for September

I’m 18 NOW –  If you send a son to college or work at 18 or older, your student and family must be protected. They may always be young in your mind, but in the eyes of the legal, medical, and higher education world, they are on their own. Old enough to speak and advocate for themselves. Protecting them means having proper documentation, so you, as their parent, can continue to assist them in a safe and healthy growth.

Essay, College Options, Scholarships, and Applications
Snap your fingers, and we’re there. It’s time to apply to college. The list is down to 12, the writing is complete, and recommendations are in. We found and applied for scholarships based on our academic interests, hobbies, high school resumes, and family backgrounds. We have had numerous meetings with college admissions and toured campuses. We ran our financing numbers and understood how much we would need to pay.

Don’t pause during the summer. It is valuable college planning time!

Start a conversation if you need help with your 11th-grade checklist, calming the waters, managing education loan repayment, or hosting an on-site employee seminar. Call today!

Get College Going, a full-service education advising practice based on the North Shore, has been helping families manage the college process before, during, and after college for four decades. Learn more about how we are helping families and individuals find the right education pathway at the right school for the right reason at an affordable investment. Visit www.getcollegegoing.com to learn more.

Pivotal Year Begins Now

by Tom O'Hare | Sep 23, 2024 | Before, College Admissions, College Planning

FALL PLANNING

We are back into the swing of learning, fall sports, performing arts, extracurricular activities, and even little work. Families of 12th-grade seniors are actively finalizing essays, narrowing college options, and working to be prepared to hit their admission and financial aid deadlines.

As parents of 11th-grade high school students, it is time to launch the all-important planning process. It begins with early fall activities and kicks into high gear in January 2025.

• PSATs— The PSAT exam, scheduled for mid-October, is a crucial milestone in the college planning journey. It serves as the unofficial starting point for students and families, paving the way for the Spring SATs. The results of the PSAT can be instrumental in identifying areas where a student might require academic support. Moreover, it is a gateway to the most prestigious academic scholarships offered by the National Merit Scholarship Program and its partner institutions. Understanding the significance of the PSATs will empower you as a parent to guide your child effectively.

• Define My Pathway— As students and parents look to the future, it is critical to start discussing life after high school. The education-to-work pathway is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Whether it’s attending a traditional, four-year public or private college, starting at community college to transfer, volunteering, serving our country, entering an apprenticeship program, or pausing the button to work and plan some more, there’s a perfect fit for your child’s unique talents and aspirations. The variety of pathways should reassure you that there is no wrong choice, only the right one for your child. This diversity of options should inspire a sense of open-mindedness and reassurance in you as a parent.

• Funding Assessment—How will we pay? What are our resources? Investing in education after high school is a significant financial commitment. Parents should begin assessing their family’s financial capacities to craft a college funding strategy. This process can be time-consuming and knowledge-intensive and may necessitate the help of external resources. College is too substantial an investment to be left until the last minute or, worse when it is time to accept the college offer.
• Grades, Writing, and Mental Health—While challenging academic performance, a strong GPA, well-written essays, and a robust high school resume are critical. As parents, we want the best for our students, as do colleges, but not at the expense of their well-being. It is essential to utilize the value of time to manage the college planning process at the student’s pace. Let us remember to let students be students.

• Too Far; Not Too Close— Distance is measured in feet or miles. Planes, trains, and automobiles are the measurements for college. Plus, are we talking about the burbs of a big city or the trees in the country? These open questions can present a stumbling block for many when building their college list. Use the Fall to help students get their GPS bearings.

• Meet the Representatives—Before we visit a campus or take a tour, students create a list of schools that meet their goals and college preferences—a list of possibilities to research and uncover to find the right fit. We use technology and apps and attend local and regional college fairs. Many students and families can meet admission counselors during these events in the fall. Attend one in your area.

• January 2025—Mark your calendar. As the holidays end, college planning begins. The journey will be exciting and emotional, with the occasional uncertainty and questions. Remember, it requires time, patience, knowledge, curious minds, and a plan.

To obtain a comprehensive 11th-grade planning checklist email tom@getcollegegoing.com or visit www.getcollegegoing.com.