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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, LLC
354 Washington Street
Suite 225
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
781-859-9116 phone
781-203-0019 fax
poppandassociates.com

October 2014

October Reflections: Important Moments and Questions

October is definitely the busiest month of the year for college counseling offices, and P&A is no exception. Seniors are busy polishing essays and Common Application activities charts in preparation for submitting November 1 applications, juniors are starting to consider college options after taking the PSAT, and freshmen and sophomores are discovering new extracurricular opportunities as they find their niche in high school. October can also be a stressful time as the first quarter closes for grades in the coming days.

I'm always impressed to see students working hard not only in their classes and sports and extracurricular commitments, but also they work hard to understand themselves and what they need to be happy: What college is the best fit for my needs? Do I have time in my schedule for another leadership position? How can I manage my time better to get all of the reading done in my AP classes? What changes in my schedule should be made to make room for my SAT tutoring?

These questions are commonly discussed at P&A, and not surprisingly, there aren't easy answers. High school is full of important and challenging questions that students and families face, and the quest for the right answers can be daunting and uncertain. As students and parents search for answers, it is essential to remember that there is not one right answer for everyone. Don't be afraid to take the path that is best for you, even if peers may be choosing another direction. Consult your teachers, college counselor, mentors and anyone else who can listen and help guide you. Some of the most meaningful conversations at P&A focus on what steps are best for students to take personally and academically in order to enjoy success now, in college and later in life.

Let us know how we can be most helpful as you move forward in the days ahead. Our door is always open.

P&A Blog Highlights

The P&A Blog covers popular topics of interest for high school students and families, including college admission, financial aid, community service and summer program opportunities, and more. You can always stay up-to-date by subscribing to our RSS Feed

. In case you missed these posts, we have shared them here for your convenience. Enjoy!

Early Decision and Early Action Checklist

The final days of October are almost here, which means that the 1st set of application deadlines arrives in less than 2 weeks! Many students are applying to colleges with a November 1 deadline, so I wanted to share a checklist of priorities to keep in mind for your Early Action and Early Decision schools....�

Priorities in the College Application Process: If It Matters to You, It Matters

Last week, I was sitting with a 12th grade client who attends a local public school, and we discussed her mixed emotions about applying Early Decision. She is a strong student on many levels and is approaching her college search process by asking all the right questions, though in our meeting, I'm not sure she...�

"I'm Safe"

While contemplating what to share in this week's blog post, tips for applying Early Action/Early Decision seemed appropriate, but that topic was not the first to come to mind. It should be given this time of year, but instead I am choosing to write about what really happened at Popp & Associates last week and...�

Fall Events for Teens, Parents and Educators

On October 30, U.S. News Education will host a Twitter chat about the college application process. Parents, students and educators can learn helpful tips from admission officers from Colgate University and the University of Virginia, as well as other admissions and college counseling professionals. Discover what you can to do to ensure that your college application process is a success!

Students can visit MIT during Splash 2014 and take mini classes on numerous subjects. From November 22-23, thousands of high school students will gather on the MIT campus, where MIT students and community members will teach short classes on a variety of topics. During Splash, students can get their feet wet with a short introduction to any number of subjects - things they always wanted to learn, or topics they never knew existed. Registration is now open, so check it out!

Please visit P&A News and Events to find more upcoming events in your local area.

Website Pick of the Month

Determining the Right College Fit

As seniors are in the process of applying to college, conversations about "the right fit" come up a lot these days in our office. There are many factors to consider when evaluating whether a college is a good match for a student. In this article, NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) provides helpful recommendations about what to prioritize and good questions to ask.

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