On December 4, 2025, our college counseling team hosted the second College Coffee of the year for parents/caregivers of students in grades 9–12.
These informal sessions are designed to foster partnership between families and counselors as students navigate the college process. This month’s discussion focused on resources for researching colleges and how to make the most of campus visits.
Highlights from the Session
State of the College Process
- Seniors (Class of 2026): Every senior has applied to at least one college, and 53% have already received an acceptance. Applications for the Class of 2026 have surged to 970 across 171 different colleges. Early Decision and Early Action notifications will arrive mid-December, and counselors will be available over the holiday break to support students as news lands.
- Juniors (Class of 2027): Counselors are beginning one-on-one meetings and encouraging completion of Scoir questionnaires. Family conferences will follow in the spring.
- Grades 9 and 10: Sophomore counselor assignments are out December 12, with the signature Case Studies event scheduled for April 25, 2026. Ninth-grade programming includes a February 4 parent/caregiver “Introduction to the College Process” event, and college counselors facilitate sessions of 9th Grade Seminar in the spring.
Key Resources for College Research
Fiske Guide to Colleges
A trusted resource for decades, the Fiske Guide offers in-depth profiles of hundreds of colleges and universities. It goes beyond rankings to provide candid descriptions of campus culture, academic strengths, and student life. The guide includes a section called “Sizing Yourself Up” to help students reflect on their interests and priorities before diving into the search process.
Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL)
Originally published in 1996 by Loren Pope, former education editor of The New York Times, this book introduced families to the concept of “hidden gems”—colleges that emphasize mentorship, liberal arts, and holistic student development. CTCL schools are known for fostering close faculty-student relationships and preparing graduates for meaningful careers and lives. The book sparked a movement away from prestige-driven rankings toward finding the right fit.
Dream School
Jeff Selingo’s latest book explores how students and families can better pick colleges, including examining the structures and experiences that shape student success. A central concept is “scaffolding”—the intentional support systems that help students thrive during their first two years.
The quote below from Dream School unpacks how families can look for scaffolding as they tour campuses:
“You’re looking for campuses that have supports around the first two years—building in opportunities to meet professors and other mentors who will stir your curiosity, challenge your thinking, and guide your intellectual development. This support might sound abstract, but it takes concrete form across campuses: mandatory first-year seminars that introduce students to the rigor and rituals of college, required check-ins with academic advisors, connections to upper-class students who can be peer mentors, and some sort of assessment about your interests to help point you in a direction for a major and a career.” (p. 165)
Look for colleges that offer:
- First-year seminars introducing academic rigor and campus culture
- Mandatory advising check-ins to guide academic choices
- Peer mentorship programs connecting students with upperclassmen
- Interest assessments to help students explore majors and careers
Selingo emphasizes that mentorship is a strong predictor of post-college engagement and success. When visiting campuses, ask questions about faculty accessibility, faculty hiring and teaching practices, advising programs, and opportunities for meaningful student-faculty interaction.
Making the Most of Campus Visits
Campus visits provide insight beyond brochures and rankings. To maximize their value:
- Go beyond the admissions tour—eat in the dining hall, sit in the student union, check out bulletin boards, and pick up a copy of the campus newspaper.
- Explore academic support offices and student spaces that matter to your child.
Actionable Tips for Parents
- Start early: Incorporate casual visits during family trips in 9th or 10th grade to reduce pressure later.
- Use local options: Charlotte offers diverse examples—research universities, liberal arts colleges, HBCUs, and urban campuses.
- Visit colleges when classes are in session for a realistic feel.
- Register early for tours, especially at large public universities in the Southeast and during spring break.
- Consider virtual tours as a first step; think of them as “101” before an on-campus “201.”
- Demonstrated interest matters at smaller/private schools—official visits, virtual engagement, and meeting admission reps can help.
- Let your student lead: Ask for their impressions first before sharing yours.
- Dig deeper: Sit in on a class, explore student spaces, and ask about academic support and campus culture.
- Pay attention to motivation and belonging: As discussed in the Hidden Brain episode “How Our Brains Learn,” Dr. Tara Christie Kinsey and psychologist/neuroscientist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang highlight that learning is deeply connected to emotion, purpose, and a sense of belonging. During visits, notice whether students seem engaged, supported, and known—those signals often matter as much as rankings or facilities.
- Look for “scaffolding”: Programs that support first-year students—seminars, advising, mentorship—are strong indicators of student success.
Next College Coffee: February 19 at 8:15 am.