Hi there, welcome to Let’s Talk College! I’m Priyanka Shingala, the founder and your guide through this epic journey.
If you’re just starting out with this whole process, here’s the one thing you should know: without proper planning, going through the college applications process will be agonizing.
There are so many mini-steps attached to each step that at times, it’ll be hard to encourage your teen to keep working. Not to mention, the emotional roller coaster this process will be when the reality of going off to college and choosing a career path actually hits your teen.
Of course, it’s helpful on both the logistical and emotional fronts if you could start the whole process with all the relevant information you need so you could plan a path that works for you.
And that’s where Let’s Talk College comes in. Here you’ll find:
- In-depth information to help you plan your next steps. There are approaches that work for some students but not for others, so when it comes to SATs vs ACTs, personal statements, college search, etc. I’ll provide you with everything you need to know along with the recommended action steps & resources. Based on that, you’ll decide the specifics, such as when to take the SATs, and which universities to apply to.
- Study tips and strategies. The obvious approach is not the only approach, and there is more to prepping than simply knowing the material. Here, you’ll find detailed study strategies and tips preparing for the SATs and ACTs. Learn the strategies that work for your teen.
- The Above & Beyond. The truth is: this is one of the BEST times to build life skills and genuine relationships. Your teen will learn to contact university professors & staff members, conduct informational interviews, and explore their own interests.
Note: This step is not for the faint of heart. Your teen will have to get out of his or her comfort zone and be open to experiencing failure and rejection. It’s part of the process.
So, that’s what Let’s Talk College can provide for you, now, here are a few things you need to know about me:
- I believe in making it fun. Sometimes the practical side (and sarcastic) side of me comes out to write and other times the quirky fairy-tale, story-loving side does. Safe to say, the reading material will be a little interesting and if you jump from article to article in one sitting, you might get whiplash.
Curious to see what I mean?
o When I was feeling practical: PARENTS: 3 Ugly Ways You Complicate Your College Applications Journey
o When trolls and bridges rule the world! The Troll, The Boy, The SAT & The ACT
Both sides like making up words. - I’m a perfectionist. If you spend 10 minutes reading an article, it’s safe to say I spent at least 10 hours putting it together. While I post from my own knowledge and experience, I also doublecheck the sites and information I refer to, in case there have been changes. I want to make this the smoothest college application process it can be for you.
- With that said, I will NOT write your personal statements or essays for you. I know there are individuals and businesses out there that do provide that service, but I am not one of them. I’ll provide you with loads and loads of specific guidelines and resources, but we’re keeping this honest.
So, now that you know what you to expect, let’s get started!
NEXT STEPS:
I recommend splitting up the reading over a period of several days, it’s very information heavy.
1. If you are just starting out, test-taking is the first crucial step.
For in-depth details, differences between the two tests, and Action Steps, start with The Troll, The Boy, The SAT & The ACT.
2. After you’ve read the post, download the College Application Timeline. It lays out a clear path you can take to make this journey as stress-free as possible.
3. Finally, read through the FAQs page. The section includes the frequently asked questions for every topic. While you plan out the test-prep days and test dates, this will you a nice overview and address any concerns you might have.
4. Use Collegeboard’s College Search tool to start your college search. This free tool lets you search through almost 4,000 universities in the US and around the world, and allows you to use filters to narrow down your search.
On the site: You’ll find the filters on the left side of the screen, just click any and all that you find relevant and Collegeboard* will narrow down the list of universities for you. Clicking on the individual university will then provide you with the university’s deadlines, tuition rates, and education.
5. Sign up to receive regular updates. Don’t worry about constantly having to check the site. Instead, have any new strategies or information go straight to your inbox as soon I post it.
No Fields Found.If you’ve completed the last few steps, you’re good to go! Feel free to keep exploring this site and if you have any questions, you can email me at priyanka@letstalkcollege.org.
Talk Soon,
Priyanka
*Please note that Collegeboard is an educational non-profit that helps students learn and research universities and administers the SAT exam. All SAT-related services such as registration, checking scores, and sending said scores to universities, can be done through Collegeboard. Let’s Talk College is in no way affiliated with Collegeboard or the SAT or ACT.