Online Tutor Shares Tips with Parents

Why Balance Is Key In Building a College List

Building a balanced college list might force you to make tough choices, but it’ll also likely result in acceptances to colleges where you can be both successful and happy.

college, college counseling, college essays, parenting, teensDominique PaduranoJuly 19, 2022Crimson Coaching LLCcollege counselorComment

How to Prevent Another Uvalde: 10 Things To Do No Matter Your Political Persuasion

Dr. P. recounts her own reaction as a full-time teacher during the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, as a way to encourage us to have empathy for those who might hold different points of view on the Second Amendment so that we can put an end to school shootings.

communication, parenting, parent teen relationship, self-esteem, student teacher relations, teens, mental healthDominique PaduranoJune 6, 2022Crimson Coaching LLCComment

Dr. P. Shares Key Trends & Takeaways from This Spring's Admission Cycle

Crimson Coaching Founder and President Dr. P. (Dominique Padurano, Ph.D.) shares three trends from the 2022 admissions season -- and two takeaways for those coming up in 2023 and later.

Advice for Appealing Your Financial Aid Award Letter

Though she’s not a financial aid specialist, Dr. P. uses her writing and research skills to find and summarize experts’ advice on appealing your child’s financial aid award letter.

college, college counseling, college essays, communication, parenting, teens, financial aidDominique PaduranoMarch 31, 2022Crimson Coaching LLCcollege essay coach, college counselorComment

What to say when college decisions arrive

If 2021’s admissions season was any guide, we’re in for another rollercoaster this year. Here’s how to put a stop to the March Madness and help your child stay sane through the arrival of college decisions.

campus visits, college, college counseling, college essays, communication, parent teen relationship, parenting, self-esteem, teensDominique PaduranoMarch 2, 2022Crimson Coaching LLCcollege essay coachComment

Communication Tips for Parents

Guest blogger and premarital counselor Hope Mirlis shares tips on how parents can use open communication methods to improve their relationships with their children.

parenting, teens, parent teen relationship, communicationDominique PaduranoFebruary 15, 2022Crimson Coaching LLCteens, communicationComment

“Zero Out of Eleventy-Million”: Do’s and One Big Don’t for Getting a Great Letter of Recommendation

Think the college app’s all about GPA, SAT, and extracurriculars? While those elements matter, in these days of test-optional admissions policies, the teachers’ letters of recommendation matter more than ever. Learn several “do’s” and one big fat “don’t” in the process of getting GREAT teacher letters of recommendation.

American history, college, college counseling, college essays, parenting, personal statement, teens, tutor, tutoring, writing, letter of recommendation, student teacher relationsDominique PaduranoNovember 16, 2021Crimson Coaching LLCcollege essay coachComment

What do ballroom dancing and college apps have to do with one another?

In the case of the 2005 documentary, Mad Hot Ballroom - everything! Read on to find out how….

college, college counseling, college essays, goal setting, parenting, personal statement, self-esteem, teens, tutor, tutoring, writingDominique PaduranoNovember 2, 2021Crimson Coaching LLCprivate college counselorComment

How to Get Better at Reading & Writing? READ!

One of the most common questions I'm asked as a college essay coach and SAT tutor is, "What should my child do to prepare for the last two years of high school?" I answer, in a word, "Read."

ACT, college, college counseling, college essays, exams, parenting, personal statement, reading, SAT, summer, teens, writingDominique PaduranoOctober 15, 2021Crimson Coaching LLCcollege essay coach, SAT tutorComment

How To Write a Great College Application Essay (Part 3 of 3)

Struggling with that college application essay? Read the last two of Dr. P.’s tips for writing a GREAT college application essay!

college, college counseling, college essays, goal setting, parenting, personal statement, scheduling, summer, teens, time management, writingDominique PaduranoSeptember 29, 2021Crimson Coaching LLCcollege essay coachComment

How to Write a Great College Application Essay (Part 2 of 3)

Stop struggling! Read my simple, seven-step process for writing a GREAT college application essay here. (Second in a three-part series.)

college counseling, college, college essays, goal setting, parenting, personal statement, scheduling, summer, teens, time management, writingDominique PaduranoSeptember 15, 2021Crimson Coaching LLCcollege essay coachComment

When Is the Best Time to Take the SAT or ACT (Part 2 of 2)

Timing is SO everything that I decided to dedicate not just one but TWO posts this month to getting the timing right for your teen’s SAT or ACT. Read on for important tips!

ACT, college, college counseling, exams, parenting, SAT, scheduling, time managementDominique PaduranoAugust 30, 2021Crimson Coaching LLCACT tutor, ACT, SAT, SAT tutorComment

When Should My Child Take the SAT or ACT? (Part 1 of 2)

Not sure when is the right time for your child to take the SAT or ACT? Dr. P. shares her top three tips for perfectly timing your kid's junior year rite-of-passage.

ACT, college, college counseling, exams, goal setting, math, parenting, SAT, reading, scheduling, summer, teens, time management, tutor, tutoringDominique PaduranoAugust 18, 2021Crimson Coaching LLCSAT tutor, ACT tutorComment

Do These 5 Things NOW to CRUSH the 2021-22 School Year

Want to make good use of the next five weeks? CRUSH the 2021-22 school year by doing these 5 things NOW!

Dr. P.’s Top Tips for Writing Successful College Essays

Got a teen dragging their feet? Not sure what to do or where to turn for help? Dr. P.’s got 4 tips, 1 warning, and several potential interview questions for families embarking on the college essay writing process.

ACT, college, college essays, parenting, SAT, scheduling, summer, teens, time management, writing, personal statementDominique PaduranoMarch 24, 2021Crimson Coaching LLConline college essay coach, online college essay tutorComment

Why Do Teens HATE Writing the College Essay?

What’s a “personal statement”? And, why do so many high school juniors and seniors dread it? Dr. P. explains BOTH in this must-read piece.

ACT, college, college essays, exams, parenting, teens, writingDominique PaduranoMarch 10, 2021Crimson Coaching LLConline college essay coach, college counselorComment

Neither or BOTH? More SAT / ACT Options

With the proliferation of “test-optional” admissions policies, some parents wonder their child should both preparing to take the ACT or SAT. Others have rocketed in the opposite direction, pushing their child to take BOTH. In this important piece, Dr. P. cuts through the hype.

ACT, college, college essays, exams, parenting, SAT, scheduling, summer, teens, time management, tutoring, writingDominique PaduranoMarch 1, 2021Crimson Coaching LLConline act tutor, online SAT tutorComment

SAT or ACT: How to Decide?

Ever wonder whether the SAT or the ACT was the right “fit” for YOUR kid? If so, you’re not alone! It’s the question I’m most often asked by concerned parents. In this piece, I give you the unvarnished truth — advice from the heart and my 30 years of tutoring all kinds of teens for BOTH exams.