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Advising Students and Parents

Get tips on how to prepare students and their families for college.

Students taking a handwritten test in a classroom

How to Help a Student Who Doesn’t Test Well

Expert advice on how to help a student who shines bright in many ways, but struggles when it comes to standardized tests.

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9 Resources Every College Counselor Should Use

Tired student taking a nap during a lecture in the classroom.

How to Help a Senior With Plummeting Second Semester Grades

High school counselor speaking to a student about college applications

How to Help Students with Learning Disabilities Through College Applications

High school counselor meeting with a student's parent in their office

What to Say When Parents Ask These Tricky College Admissions Questions

How One Counselor’s Focused Research Helped a Student Reach for His Dream School

Get your kids ready for college

Frequently Asked Questions

Helping students avoid the senior slump can be a challenging part of the college counseling process. Students need to understand that colleges do still care about second semester grades. It can also be helpful to address any issues quickly and talk with students whose grades have dropped dramatically.

It can be helpful to share downloads and handouts about the application process, including how to apply for financial aid. You can find additional resources on CollegeCovered.com. Feel free to email, print, post in your office, and share with colleagues and families.

College applications have changed in the last few years. More and more colleges have become test-optional. A test-optional environment means that there may be greater scrutiny on other aspects of an application, including essays and recommendations.

In general, a strong recommendation letter is one in which the writer demonstrates familiarity with the applicant’s personality and strengths. A recommendation from a counselor can be helpful to talk about how an applicant has grown, managed challenges, and has matured. A counselor recommendation can also help explain any weak spots on a student’s transcript.