McNeal Sams College Consulting

10/21/2026

Choosing a college is about more than the campus; it’s about the opportunities beyond it.

When families compare colleges, it’s easy to focus on rankings, reputation, campus culture and the appeal of a particular location. But geography can play a bigger role in a student’s future than many realize.

From internships and employer connections to alumni networks and first-job opportunities, where a student goes to college can influence where and how they begin building a career.

Before finalizing that college list, consider the bigger picture. Our latest blog explores why location deserves a closer look in the college decision-making process.

10/06/2026

We enjoy the Georgia Tech Office of Undergraduate Admission blog and often share the posts with our students and parents. Today's post, "Coffee, Conversations, and Completing Your College Application" by Katie Mattli really hit home.

Every year students worry about whether their essays are "perfect," "say what the admission officer wants to hear," or "are original enough". That is not new. What is new, however, is the level of angst around the essays I am navigating this year. In the last 24 hours alone, I have encountered three situations where students are so overwhelmed by the information they hear from friends, family, well-meaning adults, and the media (social and otherwise) that they have lost sight of what their application is designed to do: authentically represent who they are.

Parents follow multiple college counseling "influencers," while students are connected across the globe and constantly absorbing "insights". The noise is deafening. Thank you to Georgia Tech for trying to provide some quiet.

Hey, Seniors, I’m here to take you from deadline apprehension to application submission, while simultaneously dialing down the emotional temperature many of you are feeling right now – all through …

09/17/2026

Paying for college just got more complicated.

FAFSA rules, borrowing limits, Pell Grant eligibility, and even the way families’ assets are treated are changing. Some of these changes affect families right now as they build college lists and prepare to apply, while others will matter later when students borrow and repay loans.

The key? Don’t wait until an acceptance letter arrives to think about affordability.

Our latest blog breaks down the changes families need to know and what they can do now to plan ahead.

Melissa Mieyr, M.Ed. Founder, InfoQuest College & Financial Solutions, LLC Paying for college has never been simple, and a wave of recent federal changes makes it even more important to plan ahead. The good news: you do not need to become a financial aid expert. You just need to know what actually a...

09/16/2026

“We won’t qualify for anything.”

If you’ve said this about paying for college, you’re not alone. But you may be making an assumption that could cause your family to overlook financial aid that may be available.

Financial assistance doesn’t come only from the federal government. Colleges themselves can offer significant need-based grants and scholarships, and their eligibility formulas can look very different from federal programs.

So, should your family complete the FAFSA? In most cases, yes.

Our latest post breaks down what families should know about the FAFSA, CSS Profile, Net Price Calculators, deadlines, and building a college list that makes sense academically and financially.

Susan Lutz, College Consultant “We won’t qualify for anything.” I hear this often from families as we discuss paying for college. Many assume that need-based financial aid consists only of federal Pell Grants or state assistance and that if their income is too high to qualify for those program...

09/10/2026

Is your student ready to manage money on their own?

College students today have more ways to spend than ever—Venmo, Amazon, debit and credit cards, DoorDash, and more. But having access to money doesn’t necessarily mean knowing how to budget or make smart financial decisions.

Before your student heads to campus, make financial health part of your college-readiness conversation.

💳 How does credit work?
💰 How much can your student spend?
🏫 What costs aren’t included in tuition or the meal plan?
✈️ Who pays for trips home?
💼 Can a campus job help cover additional expenses?

Knowing the answers ahead of time can help your student feel more confident and help your family avoid unwelcome financial surprises.

Jeanie Grimm, College Consultant The first year I served as a dean, and lived in a freshman dorm, I watched in amazement as the common area readied for the arrival of students and their families for move-in day. The next morning, for many students their first time living away from home, the next wav...

09/08/2026

🎓 Financial Aid 101: Beyond the Basics FREE Webinar!

Navigating financial aid can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Join us on Wednesday, September 9 at 7:00 PM for a FREE informational webinar designed for students and parents who want to better understand the financial aid process.

We’re pleased to welcome Hannah Zenishek, Assistant Director of Student Financial Services at Saint Louis University, who will share valuable insights beyond the basics of financial aid.

📅 Wednesday, September 9
⏰ 7 PM
💻 FREE Webinar
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Open to students and parents

This webinar is offered strictly as a public service and informational resource.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and feel more confident about navigating financial aid! Registration is required 👉https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GWSV380gR7eiKQcAjdvvcg

09/03/2026

🍕 Pizza Index: College Edition?

Let's look at the costs you won’t see represented in the (astonishingly high) total for tuition, fees, room, and board.

08/25/2026

What can a pastry chef teach us about college, ambition, and opportunity? Quite a lot.

Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar, built her success by doing something deceptively simple: she showed up, worked hard, and meant it.

For students, the lesson is just as powerful. You can’t control every outcome, but you can control how you prepare, how much effort you give, and whether you’re ready when opportunity knocks.

Read our latest blog for a reminder that success isn’t handed to you. You have to put in the work - and show up when it counts.

We first learned about her through a fascinating episode of How I Built This, a stellar podcast featuring entrepreneurs who’ve made it really big (Instagram, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Serena & Lily, and more). Tosi founded Milk Bar in

08/20/2026

Seniors, it’s game time. 🎓

Applications are open, and now it’s time to turn your college list into a strategy. From choosing the right application plan to managing supplemental essays and deadlines, there’s a lot to do - and plenty you can control.

The goal? Make the plan. Do the work. Finish strong.

Read our latest blog for practical advice on tackling the application season with intention and confidence.

Susan Lutz, College Consultant Seniors, applications are open. It’s game time. This may be the largest long-term, multistep project you have managed. And…it’s one where you often cannot predict the final outcome. What you can control is your preparation, effort, and quality of work. That begin...