Williams Educational March Newsletter

March is a month full of energy and movement. While the world talks about brackets and buzzer-beaters, I see something else: strategy. The teams that advance are not just talented, they are prepared. The same is true in college planning. March is not just about waiting for decisions or enjoying spring break. It is a time to think intentionally, follow up on financial aid, visit campuses, refine college lists, and make thoughtful choices. Strategy brings calm to what can feel overwhelming. When students understand their strengths and families approach decisions with clarity and purpose, March becomes less about madness and more about momentum.

This is the season when seniors begin receiving decisions. Some are exactly what they hoped for. Others feel unexpected. I always remind families that one decision does not define a student’s future. Sometimes the school that chooses you wholeheartedly becomes the place where you grow the most.

In basketball, everyone fills out a bracket thinking they know how it will go. And every year, there are surprises. The top seed falls. The underdog rises. The story shifts. College admissions is no different. At Williams Educational, we build thoughtful, balanced college lists so students have options and confidence.

Preparation reduces panic and strategy builds peace. For juniors, this is your preparation season. For younger students, you are laying the foundation. And for seniors, take a breath. Your story is still unfolding. I am honored to walk alongside your family in every season. Strategy matters. Preparation counts. And each student’s path unfolds exactly as it should.

March Application Fee Waivers

While most seniors have completed their applications, there is often still time during March to thoughtfully add one or two additional schools, especially if a student wants another option or is reconsidering staying close to home.

For Georgia families, GAFutures is a helpful resource for understanding application fee waiver eligibility and opportunities. It is always worth checking to see what is available.

As always, I help families track which schools are still accepting applications, where fee waivers are offered, and how to approach any additions strategically. Even in March, thoughtful planning can expand options and provide peace of mind.

Just like filling out a bracket, college planning is about gathering information before you make your picks. And one of the best ways to do that in March is by attending a college fair.

Think of a college fair as your scouting opportunity. Instead of watching teams on a screen, you are meeting the representatives who shape the campuses that student call home. You get to ask questions, test the fit, and sometimes even discover a school you had not previously considered. Just like every March brings an unexpected team into the spotlight, college fairs often introduce students to colleges that were not originally on their list.

The NACAC College Fair is coming to Atlanta on March 8, and it is a wonderful opportunity for families in our area. Hosted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, this event brings together hundreds of colleges and universities in one place.

It is efficient, informative, and incredibly valuable for students who are building or refining their college list. Please remember to register before the event!

Beyond the Beach: A Smart Use of Spring Break

Spring break is on the mind of every high school student right now. They are thinking about rest, travel, friends, and a break from routine. And that is wonderful. But spring break can also be one of the best opportunities of the year to explore college options in a relaxed, low-pressure way. Just like teams use the regular season to prepare for tournament play, students can use spring break to gather information before senior year decisions begin. Visiting one or two campuses, even casually, gives clarity you simply cannot get online. Walking the campus, sitting in the student center, noticing how it feels to be there — those moments matter. You do not need a perfectly planned college tour schedule. Even adding one visit to a family trip can spark meaningful conversation. What did you like? What surprised you? Could you see yourself here? Spring break does not have to be all college planning, but it is a smart time to start observing, asking questions, and widening perspective. March is full of momentum. While everyone is watching brackets unfold, this is also a season to quietly build strategy for what comes next.

ASK WENDY WILLIAMS

"How can I check that my FAFSA was actually received by the schools I applied to?" 

After a student submits the FAFSA, you will receive a confirmation email and a FAFSA Submission Summary (formerly called the SAR). This confirms that your form was processed. However, that does not automatically mean each college has marked it as received in their system. 

To confirm a specific school has your FAFSA:

1. Log into the college’s applicant portal. Most colleges list required and received documents in a checklist format.

2. Look for a section labeled Financial Aid, FAFSA, or Required Documents.

3. If it is not marked as received after a reasonable processing period, contact the college’s financial aid office directly.

4. You can also log into your FAFSA account at studentaid.gov to verify that the school code was correctly listed.

It is important to remember that colleges may take several days to process FAFSA data after it is released to them, especially with recent FAFSA timeline shifts. As always, you can call the  financial aid department and inquire about the FAFSA.

Email Your Questions to Wendy@WilliamsEducational.Com

COMMON APPLICATION RELEASES

NEW ESSAY PROMPTS

What the Common Application reports about prompt selection reflects what we see at Williams Educational. Many students gravitate toward Prompt #7, the “topic of your choice” option, because it offers flexibility. That said, the best prompt is never the most popular one. It is the one that fits the student.

Writing the Common App essay is like offering a meaningful introduction. You would not hand someone a résumé and walk away. You would share a story, explain what matters to you, and give them a glimpse of who you are beyond accomplishments. The essay works the same way. Grades show performance. The essay introduces the person. And it only works when it is authentic.

At Williams Educational, we guide students through structured reflection and intentional conversations before drafting begins. From brainstorming to final edits, we mentor and refine while keeping the student’s authentic voice at the center.

The Common App provides the prompts. Students provide the story. When they can clearly articulate their strengths, values, and growth, they do more than complete an application. They introduce themselves. If your student is ready to begin shaping that story, we would be honored to walk alongside you. Please look at our latest blog regarding the New Common App Essay Prompts. 

As a Certified MBTI Practitioner, I work with individuals beginning around age 14 all the way through adulthood. Whether we are guiding a high school student through college admissions or helping an adult gain clarity about career direction, the foundation is the same: understanding how you are wired. How do you make decisions? What environments energize you? How do you respond to stress? Where do your natural strengths show up most consistently?

In March, while everyone is focused on brackets and outcomes, this is a powerful time to focus on alignment. When students and adults understand their natural preferences and strengths, decisions become clearer, confidence grows, and long-term success becomes more sustainable.