Soaring into spring

Admittedly, it hasn't felt much like spring in Michigan since I got back from spending the winter season in Ocala. My short sleeves have turned back into sweaters and my horse is back in his heavyweight blanket for a bit. But spring is on the way and I can tell - the days are getting sunnier (and longer too!) and the buds are out on the trees and flowers. It's that transitional time of year for students as well - the seniors are making their final college selections and getting ready to step into all of the new things (experiences, friends, etc.) that come along with leaving high school and moving onto the next step in their lives. The juniors are shedding the earlier anxieties of which colleges to apply to as quickly as they're ditching their winter coats and are nailing down their essay ideas and the activities for their resumes. And the underclassmen are emerging from the cocoon of winter into a time in their lives when college is becoming a tangible reality. Eagle-eyed readers will see that I've also "sprung" into a new newsletter platform in the hope of keeping the quality content coming in a more visually appealing way. Here's to spring and here's to change - thanks (as always) for reading!

Author

Randi Heathman
April 16, 2025

Did you miss the latest Facebook live event?

What’s Happening

What College Admission Professionals Want You to Know About Parenting

“Parenting is not for the faint of heart. It is simultaneously the best and most challenging job I have had. When my children were born, I took a hiatus from my job as a college counselor and admission officer to stay at home with them for three years. Now, 20-plus years later, they are in college and I have learned a lot.”

I Took the New, Shorter ACT: Here’s What Students Need to Know

“Saturday, April 5th, was the first time that students could opt-in to take the new Enhanced ACT on a computer. Although availability was limited nationwide, a colleague and I were able to sign up and take the Enhanced ACT alongside students. While the Enhanced ACT will only be available via computer-based testing for June and July, it will become the only option in September, offered either on paper or on a computer. 
Here are some of our general impressions about this new test and how students and families should respond.”
Visionary Voices

CLIENT FAMILIES FOR THE CLASS OF 2026 - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Zoom call with coffee

From "To Do" to "To DONE" - How We're Mastering College Apps This Summer

Rising seniors and parents, it’s go time! Join me for a must-attend webinar outlining our game plan for the college application process, beginning this summer.

We’ll cover everything we'll be doing to stay on track and complete applications by (or before!) November 15, including scheduling of meetings, crafting strong essays (and understanding the right parental role in the process — LOL!), polishing activities lists, and navigating the Common Application site.

This is your roadmap to a smooth, stress-free application season - don’t miss it! (But seriously, if you do miss it, I'm recording and will send you a link.)

From the Web 

A PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE’S GUIDE TO THE RECRUITING PROCESS

Former NCEA equestrian Raegan Rast walks students through the recruitment timeline with do’s and don’ts from the latest blog posting in The Plaid Horse’s Collegiate Corner.