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Common Application Essays for Class of 2024

February 26, 2023 By Jolyn Brand

The Common Application is a website that allows over 2 million students to apply to over 900 colleges each year, using one platform.  It requires one general Common App essay that is then sent to any colleges using the app. Students chose from seven different prompts to write this one essay.  Update February 2023: The Common Application prompts will stay the same for the 2023-2024 application season. Common Application Instructions and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Essays, For Juniors, For Seniors Tagged With: college admissions, college advice, college applications, college consultant, college counselor, Common App, Common App essay, Common App essays, Common Applicaiton, essays

Spring To Do List For Juniors

January 1, 2023 By Jolyn Brand

While most seniors are happily done (or almost happily done) with completing and submitting their college applications, now it’s time for juniors to get engaged. Below is a checklist of some of the things that juniors and their families should be thinking about, discussing and doing over the next few months. Start talking!  If you haven't already, now is the time to start conversations about the next steps after high school.  … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For Juniors Tagged With: college admissions, college advice, college consultant, college counselor

Does the PSAT Matter? Should You Prepare?

September 5, 2022 By Jolyn Brand

The PSAT will be given to area high school juniors (and younger students in some districts) on Wednesday, October 16.  But does this test really matter? Should you take it seriously? Is it something students should prepare for so that you do well? Do Colleges Care About the PSAT? The PSAT is not used directly by colleges and universities when they make their college admissions decisions. Your acceptance or rejection into college … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ACT and SAT, FAQ's, For Juniors Tagged With: college acceptance, college admissions, College tests, national merit, PSAT

Apply Texas College Essay Prompts for Class of 2023

January 17, 2022 By Jolyn Brand

  The Apply Texas application is a common application form for most Texas public universities. It allows students to input their information for several different colleges at once. ApplyTexas college essay prompts for class of 2022 are: Essay A: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?Essay B: Some students have an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Essays, For Juniors, For Seniors Tagged With: college, college acceptance, college admissions, college advice, college applications, college essays, college students, essays

Creating Your Student Resume for College Admissions

January 15, 2022 By Jolyn Brand

  When you apply to college, admission officers look at more than just your grades — they also take note of what you have done outside the classroom. Your extracurricular activities, such as jobs, sports, clubs and volunteer work, give colleges a better sense of who you are and show them what you can bring to their campus community. Remember that college folder you were supposed to be collecting throughout high school? The one stuffed with … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For Juniors, For Seniors Tagged With: college, college admissions, college advice, college applications, college counselor, college financial aid, college help, college letters, college students, essays, financial aid, scholarships

10 Things to See and Do on a College Tour

December 6, 2021 By Jolyn Brand

Students and parents should plan college tours starting in 9th grade. That should give high school students enough time during freshmen, sophomore and junior years to visit several different college campuses, take the official college tour, and narrow down their preferences and final college list before senior year.  Most colleges offer daily walking campus tours during the week and some also offer these on weekends. You can search "visit" plus … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's, For Juniors Tagged With: college, college admissions, college advice, college counselor, college students, college tour, college tours, college visits

5 Things to Do the Summer Before Going Off To College

December 5, 2020 By Jolyn Brand

Congratulations! You've just graduated from high school and have been accepted to a university (or several!) You've worked hard and should enjoy your last summer at home before going off to college. You may feel like being "lazy" before classes and your busy freshmen year begins; by all means, relax, but there are several things that you should concentrate on over the summer, while you still have time! 1. Get organized. If you don't already … [Read more...]

Filed Under: For Seniors Tagged With: college, college acceptance, college admissions, college advice, college consultant, college students

How to File the FAFSA

October 28, 2020 By Jolyn Brand

8 Steps to Filling Out the FAFSA Form Need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form but don’t know where to start? I’m here to help. Let’s walk through the process step by step. 1. Create an account (FSA ID). Student: An FSA ID is a username and password you need to sign the FAFSA form online. If you don’t have an FSA ID, get an FSA ID here. It takes about 10 minutes to create an FSA ID. If this will be your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's, Financial Aid, For Seniors Tagged With: college admissions, college advice, college financial aid, FAFSA, University And College Admissions

Rising “Hidden Costs” for College

September 25, 2020 By Jolyn Brand

More and more Americans are going to college. According to data from the Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 1980, 50% of high school graduates between the ages of 16 and 24 were enrolled in college; in 2016, it was 70%. In 2016, 19.3 million undergraduate students were enrolled in higher education institutions. 70% were enrolled at public schools, 23% at private non-profits schools and 7% at private … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's, Financial Aid, For Seniors Tagged With: college, college admissions, college advice, college applications, college consultant, college counselor, college financial aid, college students, college visits, financial aid

College Resources

May 18, 2020 By Jolyn Brand

College is an expensive investment that requires teenagers to make very important decisions. Want more information or resources? Two books I've personally read and highly recommend are: How to College: What to Know Before You Go (And When You're There) The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us BestColleges.com partnered with CampusPride.org to share resources that will benefit students who identify as LGBTQ+. These … [Read more...]

Filed Under: FAQ's Tagged With: college admissions, college resources, University And College Admissions

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Our experience with Jolly Brand was exceptional.
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Our experience with Jolyn Brand was exceptional. She was very responsive to us and offered valuable guidance throughout the college preparation and application process. My daughter got in to all of the schools in which she applied, even her stretch school. We credit Jolyn with helping us to make sure her resume, application and essays were top notch.
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Brand College Consulting was GREAT for our son! We met Ms. Brand when my son was in 7th grade! We saw her for an hour consult yearly to help him select his classes, plus a little algebra tutoring in high school. He was ahead of others course-wise and we were able to get 21 hours dual credit in high school, he made the Dean's List, Phi Theta Kappa, and Natl Society of High School Scholars. We are a family of Texas State Bobcats and it's very competitive now to get in but he did and we are thrilled! I recommend Ms. Brand and her services! Marylee Olson, Silverlake, Pearland (Dawson High School)
Chaplain Forever
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23:49 05 Oct 16
My youngest daughter attended tutorial services with Ms. Brand. Due to the exemplary, SAT preparation services, my daughter was accepted into several top colleges including the University of Houston, Texas State, Lamar University, and Sam Houston. As a college student, she received scholarships and has been on the Dean's list every semester. Ms. Brand instilled confidence in my daughter. I will be forever grateful.
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Client Testimonials

If you have a high school student that is desiring to attend college or university, our family highly recommends Jolyn Brand! She has been an amazing coach, consultant, and incredible resource to our family.

My suggestion is the sooner you contact her in your student's journey in high school, the better off your student will be, and their opportunities can be nearly limitless.

Shane Dodson
Parent of Friendswood High School student, class of 2016
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About Jolyn Brand

Jolyn is a certified teacher who holds a Doctorate in Higher Education from Northeastern University. After years of experience teaching high school and college students, she began assisting with the college process. She's the founder of Brand College Consulting and works with families across the country virtually. A note from Jolyn: I started working with low-income high school students in … More...

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Recent Articles

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  • Spring To Do List For Juniors
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