Before You "Fall" for the Rankings...

It’s October: that magical month when pumpkin spice meets mid-semester grade reports and high school seniors suddenly realize that “college” isn’t just a word we’ve been tossing around for two years. It’s real. It’s happening. (And soon!)

For the parents of seniors, this season marks a turning point:

Applications are being finalized, essays wrapped up, and nerves are starting to replace the summer sunshine. For families just beginning the process, however, it’s time to dig in and start learning what actually matters when choosing where (and how) a student will spend the next four years.

That’s why I’ve centered this month’s newsletter on myth-busting, taking a closer look at two of the biggest misconceptions in the college world:

1. Rankings. Spoiler alert: they don’t measure what you think they do (and the criteria behind them may surprise you).

2. The “dream school.” Turns out the best-fit college isn’t about name recognition, architecture, or football tail-gating. It’s about fit, purpose, and opportunity - the good stuff that lasts longer than double overtime.

Fall is often the time we take stock - regroup, refocus, etc. - and also to remind ourselves what success in this process really looks like. Whether your student is clicking “submit” or visiting their first college campus, the resources shared here are designed to bring a little clarity (and maybe a deep breath or two) to the journey.

So grab a mug of something warm, take a seat, and let’s get real about what matters most.

In the news:

Hollins University just announced that their women’s equestrian team will join the NCEA in 2026. This will make them the sixth NCAA Division III program institution to adopt the NCEA format. Read More

Upcoming Opportunities:

The U.S. News World Ranking Trap

How We Have All Been Reading Them All Wrong

^{Every September, the new U.S. News college rankings arrive and families treat them like gospel. A school climbs five spots and parents cheer. A school slips seven and families start crossing it off the list. The trap is thinking those numbers reflect what your teen’s actual experience will be. They don’t.}

In this data-driven piece from the folks at College MatchPoint, read more about how the rankings are assessed and how you can actually use them as part of your college search process. (Or not.)

What Does the ‘Best’ University Mean Anyway?

Students and parents often talk about the ‘best’ or the ‘top’ universities – but what they actually mean by that can vary significantly.

Students and parents have an idea of what is “best” and “top” in mind. We as counsellors do as well – and likely universities do, too. Read More