Posts by Sonja Buckmeier
Insider Tips for the week of November 7, 2026
Choice of major and ROI – How does choice of major impact return on investment for a particular college? CIT’s Cozy Wittman sets forth guideposts for you to consider while planning financially for college. College admission is about celebration – Rick Clark encourages students to celebrate the applications they’ve submitted and all the hard work…
Read MoreCozy Wittman Q and A: The College Search Junior Year: Strategies Related to Debt
Do you have a high school junior in the house? Now is the time to nail down a concrete strategy related to college debt and the college search. CIT’s Cozy Wittman lays out the steps to an effective debt strategy and suggests a strong benchmark for debt. Why is junior year especially vital for families…
Read MoreInsider Tips for the week of October 3, 2026
Expert tips on getting the most scholarships – Suzy Fallon from College Inside Track shares the secret sauce(opens in new tab) for how families can maximize scholarship dollars. Key takeaway: Each college has its own financial aid philosophy, and you want to find those that match with your student’s profile. Take a few minutes to…
Read MoreInsider Tips for the week of September 5, 2026
Insider tips for building the college list (part two) – The College Inside Track Consulting Team shares more of their best tips for effectively building a strong college application list. College admission: 3 messages you need to hear – Rick Clark shares honest and direct facts about admission to selective colleges. Key takeaway: you cannot…
Read MoreInsider Tips for the week of August 1, 2026
7 Reasons to Ignore College Rankings – CIT’s Jay Benanav does a nice job of explaining why college rankings are meaningless and believes the fixation with them is a major reason for the tremendous stress and mental health issues that too many of these students experience. Take a few minutes to read and share with…
Read MoreInsider Tips for the week of July 11, 2026
Capacity-constrained majors and the college list – CIT’s Anne Weber discusses problems posed by “capacity-constrained majors” and sets forth five possible pathways families may consider to beat this alarming trend when constructing the college list. Insider tips for building the college list (part one) – The College Inside Track Consulting Team shares some of their…
Read MoreCongratulations to Solomon Secor!
Solomon is headed to the University of Colorado Boulder, where he will study Engineering. Solomon’s college journey was shaped by curiosity, adaptability, and experiences far beyond the classroom. Having spent time sailing the Pacific Ocean with his father, Solomon learned early how to navigate uncertainty, work through challenges, and stay calm when plans changed. Those…
Read MoreInsider Tips for the week of June 8, 2026
The secret of college admissions – Scott White explores how “getting into college” is not an activity, and it is all about who the student is, not what they do. A worthy read to share with your student. 6 questions to ask colleges – Many families are in the process of visiting colleges, and most…
Read MoreCongratulations to Nolan Schneider!
Nolan, a senior at Maranatha Christian Academy, is headed to St. John’s University, where he will major in Finance while continuing his athletic career in both baseball and football. Nolan’s college search is a great example of a process coming full circle. He began with an interest in St. John’s, but rather than settling early,…
Read MoreCongratulations to Meredith Gentry!
Meredith, from Des Moines, Iowa, is headed to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she will study Business. Meredith’s college journey is a powerful example of growth, reflection, and finding clarity. Throughout her search, she approached each step with thoughtfulness and patience—taking the time to truly understand what she wanted in her college experience. One of…
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