Blog Post
List Building for LGBTQ+ Students: Living-Learning Communities, with CIT Consultant Stephanie George
To create an especially comfortable, safe, and hospitable environment for LGBTQ+ students, some colleges have created LGBTQ+ living-learning communities. I’ve written about the strong beneficial qualities of living-learning communities (LLCs) in other posts, but here I want to offer five great LGBTQ+ examples that offer particularly inclusive, gender-neutral environments with compelling academic and social opportunities. …
Read MoreFirst-Year Trips Ease the Transition to College with CIT Consultant Anne Weber
Just before the school year starts, you’ll hear plenty of parents reassure their hesitant children, “Don’t worry, everyone is just as new as you are.” But let’s be honest, most people are still nervous about transitioning to a new school. Entering college is no different. That’s why many colleges and universities work hard to make…
Read MoreCollege List Building? Consider Living Learning Communities with CIT Consultant Stephanie George
Stephanie George, College Inside Track Consultant Hello, Stephanie! Our topic today is Living Learning Communities (LLCs). I know that you’re a proponent of them. What exactly is an LLC, and what colleges have them? A living learning community is a smaller community in a college or university; students in an LLC have common interests and…
Read MoreInsider 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 MoreCIT Merit Money Expert Suzy Fallon Q + A: What Every Family Should Do Right Now to Maximize Offers
CIT consultant and merit aid specialist Suzy Fallon Q + A: The hands-down best source of merit scholarships, the long arc of the merit scholarship process during the application year, and what every family must do right now to maximize merit offers ————————————————————————— Q: Families are as concerned as they ever have been about paying…
Read MoreScholarship reduction – The dirty little college secret
Would you ever consider a scenario where the scholarships your student won actually resulted in a scholarship reduction elsewhere? One of the students we work with, whom we’ll call Caitlyn, was a dream that every parent (and counselor) hopes for: kind, bright, studious and incredibly engaged in the college process. In addition to having nearly…
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 MoreKey College Admission Trends
The college admissions landscape is shifting faster than ever. Whether your student is a rising sophomore, junior, or senior, understanding these trends now can make a meaningful difference in planning, preparation, and outcomes. Here are the 10 most important college admission trends from the most recent admissions cycle. At a Glance: The 10 College Admission…
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