I enjoy writing, but rarely have the time to do so. However, this story is so important and brings me so much joy that I wanted to share it, so I made time. This is the story of a former student, Azeez. I have his permission to use his name, and I trust you will…

Students and parents alike often struggle to determine what a student should study in college. In the interview linked below, Brené Brown shares that many Tech Leaders contradict themselves when stating what contributed most to their success. Her revelations may surprise you. CFS encourages students with a strong passion for both STEM and the humanities…

Even in a year of unprecedented change in Higher Education, CFS students continue to shine with college acceptance after college acceptance. And to think, they’re not done yet! Here’s to many more acceptances in the weeks and months ahead!! Congratulations, Class of 2026!!! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJ1wnTR7fopzHNUNSpV46K2a_FPIwYlC/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109749061331660627347&rtpof=true&sd=true  

Please join us in congratulating our former student, Gabryelle (Gabby) Singer, CFS ’24 for “The Hard Work and Extraordinary Achievement of Dean’s List and ALL A’s for Fall 2024 University of Richmond.” Gabby is a 2024 graduate of Douglas County High School, Douglasville, GA and is pursuing a degree in Biology at the University of…

Congratulations to Jori Johnson CFS ’24 for being selected as a staff writer for The Hilltop, Howard University’s newspaper…The Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper! This is a remarkable achievement for such an early stage in her college career. Having a published article at this point is even more commendable. Jori’s hard work and talent are clearly…

“College fly-in programs are highly competitive college visitation programs for underrepresented students. Institutions fly students in to stay at their campuses for two or three days, allowing students—who might not otherwise get a chance to visit—to get a feel for the college and campus.”  “In most cases, the college covers costs, including transportation and room…

In March 2020, during their first year of high school, their world—our world changed forever as the news of a global pandemic prompted school and business shutdowns around the globe. Even still, these student CHAMPIONS achieved academically, led socially, and doggedly persevered through the unchartered path of COVID-19 and a disasterous rollout of the new FAFSA in December 2023. The…

Here are a few sobering truths about the increasingly competitive landscape of college admissions taken from this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/01/opinion/college-admissions-applications.html, which helps to explain some of the decisions our seniors received. To our underclassmen, brace yourselves! “The so-called Ivy-Plus schools — the eight members of the Ivy League plus M.I.T., Duke, Chicago and Stanford — collectively…

There’s little doubt in our minds that more institutions will join this trend: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/04/11/standardized-tests-harvard-admission-requirements/73292423007/.  CFS remains concerned for marginalized students who don’t have access to or the financial means to support formal test prep. Nonetheless, CFS continues to encourage our students to take advantage of the plethora of online FREE Test Prep and for FEE Test Prep,…

Join me in welcoming Erin Walker as a part-time Essay Editor. Erin recently completed her bachelor’s degree at Rhodes College, majoring in Urban Studies with a double minor in History and Religious Studies, and is excited to work with CollegeForSure as an alumna. While in college, Erin was a Bonner Scholar and served on the Black…

Year after year, one of my biggest concerns when reviewing students’ resumes is that they are not sufficiently involved in their high school and surrounding communities, making it difficult for colleges to learn about who they are and where their interests lie. While athletic extracurricular activities are a plus, we encourage students to consider non-athletic…

Dear Class of 2023: We Congratulate you for being UNDETERRED even in a highly competitive, if not the most competitive, admissions cycle EVER! Like the class before, you experienced unprecedented interruptions and disruptions caused by a global pandemic and the ever-changing landscape of college admissions. Yet, you were undeterred – steadfast and exceptional. You are among the best…

Dear Class of 2022: We Congratulate you on understanding and completely smashing the assignment! With the interruptions and disruptions caused by a global pandemic, you remained undaunted. Therefore, we hereby declare that perseverance is your SUPERPOWER!! Go forth and Conquer the World!!! It is our distinct pleasure to announce the Admissions Results for the Class…

BlackGen Capital is a National, Minority led student investment fund and Business organization with chapters on college campuses across the country. A new chapter at Georgetown University aims to provide members the educational and career opportunities to succeed within careers in the financial services industry alongside many others. Students can also use the knowledge garnered…

Please join CollegeForSure, LLC in Congratulating our 1st QuestBridge National College Match Scholar!!! KaRon will be attending Colorado College starting next fall on a FULL scholarship…a $329,516.00+ value over 4 years!!! “QuestBridge is a national nonprofit that connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading institutions of higher education and further life opportunities. By…

I graduated from one of the best HBCUs, Spelman College, in 1983. My siblings that attended college also attended HBCUs, as did countless extended family members and friends. And I can attest that there’s nothing quite like the HBCU experience. However, an HBCU is not for every student and or their family, especially regarding financial…

Wikipedia definition of helicopter parent: “A helicopter parent (also called a cosseting parent or simply a cosseter) is a parent who pays extremely close attention to a child’s or children’s experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions.” Helicopter parenting is certainly not new and parents who exhibit these characteristics are rarely self-aware.  I believe there are many rationales for this beginning…

Please join us in Congratulating, Kornisha McGill Brown, mother of Jordan, a current CFS student.  Mrs. Kornisha Brown was recently elected as the 27th National President of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated at the 44th National Convention.  Mrs. Brown is a native of Thomaston, GA and currently resides with her family in Columbus, GA. She…

CollegeForSure, LLC supports and encourages students to be and become the voice for social change in their high schools, collegiate years, and beyond. With this in mind, we are proud to present one of our students, Jordan, a high school senior who demonstrated her commitment to change by writing, directing, and producing this video featuring…

Let’s say that travel is in her blood as Liz-Desir had traveled to 7+ countries before she completed high school. She was born in NYC, then from the age of six to ten, she lived in both the Ivory Coast and France before returning to New York where she had to learn English all over…

Dear Class of 2020: Waiting for college decisions is a notoriously stressful time but none more so than in 2020 while in the midst of a pandemic, online school, canceled proms, and graduations, etc.  However, despite it all, we have watched you persevere and, yes, thrive with the dignity and grace that is usually reserved…

Historically, most of our students have received greater scholarship/merit aid.  However, we know from experience that most people do not understand the difference between grant vs. scholarship aid, so as we begin to ramp up with the class of 2021, we wanted to share below.  This and other valuable FAQs may be found on our…

Today I went to the mailbox and what do I see, golden shining light through the opening. With low and behold is the sight of my psychology degree shining towards me. So beautiful is the light that I see because I know it is my future smiling back at me.  My hard work paid off. …

Although I began my journey in College Counseling in 2008, it was not until 2011 that we began working with families for compensation. One of those families was Kaylyn’s. Kaylyn was referred to me by a mutual friend. And as a single mom, I quickly bonded with her mom, who was a single mom as…

This week, I received a picture of an acceptance letter to Vanderbilt University College of Engineering from one of our students – Robert. Like Robert, I was elated to see this news, especially as I believe that it is well deserved. Robert has a 4.25 W GPA, 3.857 UW GPA, and 1500 SAT score with…

As an Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) working as a College Counselor, I can’t begin to tell you how hard it is for me to hear, time after time “that it’s cheaper for a student to stay in state to attend college.”  In my home state of Georgia, I have heard this statement too many times…

We are thrilled to announce our 2nd “Bonner Scholar.” CFS student, Erin was notified today that she has been selected as a Bonner Scholarship recipient at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. Her selection comes with a $10,000.00 annual scholarship as well as a monthly stipend of $312.50 to cover books and/or personal expenses. Way to…

From my years in Corporate America, residential real estate, and now in Education, I have attended multiple conferences. I learned something from each but at the Collaborative for Access & Successful College Outcomes (CASCO) Conference, I not only learned but I felt something as well. Through the essential questions that guided each conference session, I…

I’m headed to Maine on Sunday to attend the Collaborative for Access and Successful College Outcomes (CASCO) Conference at Bowdoin College.  This is the 4th annual Conference but will be my 1st time attending.  I am very grateful for a grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation that allows me to attend and I look…