In high school, students often wrestle with a defining question: “Who am I?”

It may seem like a simple question to some, but for teenagers standing on the brink of adulthood, this question is the gateway to purpose, passion, and a pathway forward. At Contigo Ed, we believe that helping students uncover their strengths, values, and interests is about more than college and career readiness; it’s about developing self-aware individuals who make empowered choices.

While a big focus of college access is supporting students with enrolling in college, where students enroll plays a larger role than you might think in how likely students are to graduate from college. 

A lot of our district partners focus heavily on college applications and FAFSA completion. These steps are absolutely crucial in helping students navigate the many hurdles that exist in enrolling in college in the Fall. However, we hope that this blog post helps you appreciate the opportunity that exists in using college attainment data to guide and advise students and families in making an informed and empowered decision.

College applications have had a serious glow-up—and standardized testing is no longer the main character. You’ve probably heard buzzwords like test-optional, test-blind, and test-flexible tossed around, but what do they actually mean? These evolving admissions policies give students more power to shape their own story, spotlighting strengths that go beyond the SAT or ACT. Whether you’re a testing pro, a classroom rockstar, or someone with a standout academic journey, there’s an admissions path that plays to your strengths. Let’s break down each option—and help you figure out which one makes the most sense for you.

As the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, I grew up in a mixed-status household. I was part of the 22 million people in the U.S. who navigate life with family members holding different immigration statuses, including being citizens, permanent residents, DACAmented, or undocumented individuals (fwd.us).  Like millions of families across the U.S., we couldn’t abide by the adage to “never discuss politics or religion at the dinner table.” For us, politics wasn’t a choice—it was a daily reality. The people we loved and cared for lived in fear of deportation amidst political uncertainty. Yet, the only sentiment stronger than that fear was the unwavering belief that education could be the key to success for us and our families.

Preparing students for life after high school is one of the most critical roles of a counselor or college advisor. While academics, applications, and financial aid are essential components of a student's postsecondary journey, the most impactful conversations go beyond logistics. We have the unique opportunity to help students navigate their motivations, values, and long-term goals—ensuring they make informed choices that truly align with their futures. By fostering deeper discussions, we can empower students to approach life after high school with confidence and clarity. So let’s get into it!

Not long into my early years of working at St. Agnes, I saw a link to an article in Inside Higher Ed, one of my favorite news sources.  In it was a link to the list of Rhodes Scholars for that particular year.  

And the contents of that article changed everything for me.

When it comes to college enrollment tasks, graduates may find more relevance when the checklist comes straight from their post-secondary school of choice.