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Insider 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…
Congratulations 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,…
Congratulations 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…
Full pay as a college strategy
While many families are looking for ways to reduce the cost of college, a new strategy has emerged that actually seeks to pay the full amount for college. The ability to pay the full sticker price can make families more attractive to schools, and thus increase their chances of getting accepted. According to…
Congratulations to Layla Jackson!
Layla, a senior at Totino-Grace High School in Minnesota, is headed to the University of Minnesota to pursue Industrial Engineering. From the start of her college search, Layla stood out for her incredible work ethic and steady, thoughtful approach. She is the kind of student who steadily gets things done—organized, proactive, and always planning ahead.…
Congratulations to Enna Swackhamer!
From day one, Enna embodied the spirit of her own essay: “measure twice, cut once.” She didn’t rush, she researched thoughtfully, explored what actually excited her (turns out, two things!), and made her decision with clarity and confidence. Come fall, she’ll be heading to Colorado State to dive into their construction management and interior design…
Capacity-Constrained Majors and the College List, with CIT Consultant Anne Weber
Written by Anne Weber, CIT Consultant You may have read that for many years the US has faced a shortage of doctors in primary medicine and in rural areas. The paradox is that while we need more doctors, getting into medical school and matching for a residency program has never been harder. Even with incentives…
CIT Consultant Tips: Building the College List, Part One
Anne: Your teachers’ words are likely familiar–check your sources! Don’t believe everything you read online. Make sure you are assembling research from a number of sources–school representatives, college guide-books and real students who can give a first-hand account. Susan: At the outset, embrace the idea of exploring colleges with which you are completely unfamiliar. A…
Congratulations to Stephanie Manoel!
The Starting Point: Stephanie came to us as a driven, exceptionally hardworking student balancing strong academics, an active role in her school’s band program, and a weekly job — all while attending a large public high school in Austin where individualized college counseling is limited. Her parents, educated abroad, wanted not only the best outcome…
ROI and Building the College List: Key Tips from CIT Pro Cozy Wittman
VIDEO. CIT Education and Partnerships pro Cozy Wittman discusses two key methods to evaluate if a college has the right ROI (return on investment) for your family.