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Popp & Associates is dedicated to providing expert college admissions guidance to students and their families. We welcome the opportunity to assist you with your college counseling needs.
Popp & Associates
354 Washington Street
Suite 225
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
781-859-9116 phone
781-203-0019 fax
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November 2023


December College Admission and Financial Aid Classes Hosted by

Popp & Associates and Needham Community Education


Featuring Mindy Popp, Founder and Principal College Counselor, and Tom Walsh, Athletic Counselor,

from P&A

and Julie Shields-Rutyna, Director of College Planning, Education and Training at MEFA



Save the Dates!

December 4

December 6

7pm



We are excited to offer two classes next week for families including "College Funding Strategies" on Monday, December 4 with Mindy Popp and Julie Shields-Rutyna from MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) and "College Athletic Recruitment 101" on Wednesday, December 6 with Mindy Popp and Tom Walsh.


Please note the "College Funding Strategies" class on December 4 is FREE. Parents are encouraged to attend.


For more information about the classes and to register, please see below:


College Funding Strategies


Monday • December 4, 2023 • 7:00 – 9:00 PM • Free Virtual Class 


Funding a college education takes a multi-pronged approach. Aside from saving money or investing it in a 529 plan, there are other strategies and resources that are beneficial. In addition, there is need-based financial aid, as well as merit aid and tuition discounts awarded by colleges. You’ll learn about how to make a plan for financing college including how and why to save, what types of financial aid are available and how to apply, the factors that determine your aid eligibility, how colleges determine the amount of aid to offer, and the details of financial aid offers. Register Here.


College Athletic Recruitment 101


Wednesday • December 6, 2023 • 7:00 – 8:30 PM • $25 (Virtual Class)


The session seeks to provide a general overview of the college athletic recruitment process for qualified student-athletes. Although each sport has its own nuances, there are some standards that apply across the spectrum of collegiate sports when it comes to recruitment. From honest self-assessment to discerning the appropriate level of competition to the preferred timeline for outreach to ultimately making a commitment to a college coach and program, we will guide interested families through the ins and outs, as well as the do’s and don’ts, of this significant element of the college admission landscape. We look forward to dispensing knowledge, dispelling myths, and delivering an insightful, informative program, including ample time for Q&A from the participants. Register Here.


If you have any questions about the classes, please feel free to be in touch. We hope to see you next week!

News For High School Families

P&A is happy to share college admission and financial aid news and other topics of interest with high school families. Here are some of the articles recently mentioned in our social media:

"Early Application Data Are Rosy, if Complex" from Inside Higher Ed


"Why is The College Board Pushing to Expand Advanced Placement?" in The New York Times


"Editorial: The demise of liberal arts? Students lose when colleges trade humanities for STEM" in the Los Angeles Times


"Cornell, Columbia and UPenn among 7 schools facing Education Dept. probe over allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia" from CNN


"UCLA has a new disabilities studies major- the first of its kind at any public university in California" in the Los Angeles Times

College Counseling Package Sale

As you consider your holiday gift list this season, please keep us in mind if you have any family members or friends who are exploring college counseling services. Meet and Greet sessions for prospective clients will be scheduled in December and contracts and payment must be submitted before December 22 in order to take advantage of the holiday discount. Please read here to learn more about our college counseling services and get in touch to schedule a complimentary Meet and Greet session before December 18. We hope to work with you and your family in the New Year!


We are excited to offer a holiday discount of 15% off our Freshman College Counseling Package (75 hours of counseling services*) this holiday season when paid in full at the time of purchase. This college counseling package is geared for 9th grade students, but families with older students are welcome to consider it as well if they are seeking a high level of support in the college search and application process and would benefit from the additional time.


This Premium High School Guidance Package will provide benefits to the following:

  • Ninth grade students who want strategic guidance regarding important academic and extracurricular decisions throughout high school as well as expert advice during the college search and application process
  • Students who need expert guidance for their college search and application process as well as support for applications for scholarships, summer programs, research opportunities, National Honor Society (NHS) and more
  • Families who would like extra support with the college search and application process
  • Students who anticipate applying to a high number of selective colleges and writing a significant amount of application essays


We are happy to give $100 Visa gift cards to current or former clients who refer a new family that purchases one of our Premium High School Guidance Packages.


Please contact us to discuss how we can support your family in order to maximize high school opportunities and best prepare for the college search and application process. We are selling a very limited number of packages in this sale that ends on December 18, so call us today!


*College counseling package services include counseling meetings, telephone conversations, email communications, reviews of facsimile communications, application essays, and other client materials, and college counseling research.

P&A Holiday Gift Guide for Families


We are excited to share the 2023 P&A Gift Guide and hope that you find it helpful for your holiday shopping. From fashionable apparel to dorm room decor, we've got you covered!


Blurb

Create a cherished gift for the teen on your list by customizing your own book capturing favorite photographs, recipes, poetry and anything else that you can imagine.


Love Your Melon


Love Your Melon hats raise the spirits of children suffering from cancer and make them feel more comfortable after losing their hair during chemotherapy treatment. In addition, 50% of the company's net profit is donated to nonprofit organizations around the world who are leading the fight against pediatric cancer. We can't think of a better way to stay warm this winter than to buy a product from Love Your Melon



Mark & Graham

Searching for that perfect one-of-a-kind gift? You can find a meaningful present for your favorite teen with stationary, accessories and much more that will definitely impress.


Pottery Barn Teen

PB Teen is the perfect place to shop for any teenager on your list! Personalized gifts, dorm room furnishings, and more can be found at Pottery Barn.


Smathers & Branson

Find needlepoint belts, key chains, and much more for colleges across the country. Show your school spirit in style!


Two Blind Brothers

This fabulous company was founded by two brothers who lost their eyesight during childhood and now creates comfortable and fashionable clothing for adults and kids. The socks are especially amazing! All profits from sales are donated to organizations dedicated to researching and curing blindness.


UncommonGoods

Enjoy a variety of unique gift ideas that teens and college students will find appealing. From games to jewelry, there are plenty of eye-catching products for everyone on your list.


Website Pick of the Month


What’s Changed for the 2024–25

FAFSA Form?




The 2024-25 FAFSA is coming in December! Take a look at this helpful video and get a head start on familiarizing yourself with the new FAFSA. For more information on what to expect, please read here.

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