Just over a decade ago, a client flew me to Africa (yes, really!).

One morning, I woke up and looked out on the lawn where I was staying and locked eyes with a warthog—just as it dropped to its knees.

To eat some breakfast.

Apparently, warthogs literally kneel down to feed themselves ‘cuz they have short necks—and kneeling also helps them keep a low profile against predators while chowin’ down.
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​Not glamorous. Not dignified. But warthogs are deeply committed to the goal: efficient nourishment.

I love breakfast, and I really love the near-religious ceremony of white linen and coffee service during breakfast at a hotel, so that little kneeling warthog has popped into mind several times over the years.

And ALWAYS in May.

Because let’s be honest—this time of year isn’t polished or pretty.

For students, it’s a gritty time, calling for nose-to-the-ground dedication to studying and showing up for end-of-year assignments. For parents, it’s just as gritty as we support them, hoping we’re not missing the golden lessons (or the good stuff) along the way.

May is for feeding your future, even if it’s awkward or uncomfortable.
​Root around. Get fed. Keep growing.

LET'S FLOW 🌊 — Context is King of The Common App

In the African wild, the lion may be king. But in my programs—like #WinningCollege or the Bookend Service I sent a special mini Minday about yesterday—context rules the story. Context is essential to a well-crafted application—and it’s #1 of the THREE Cs that separate the great ones from the good ones.

CONTEXT: Your path is part of your power.​
Choose to share the appropriate twists, pivots, or pauses. Success doesn’t come from following a tired 🥱 “superstar student script”—it comes from owning the full story of where you’ve been and how it’s shaped you.
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​CHARACTER: Show how you’ve grown through what you've gone through.​
Resilience, recovery, and how you respond to challenges say just as much—if not more 💪—about you than big wins or perfect grades. Colleges want to understand the whole you, not just the highlight reel.

CONNECTION: It’s all about getting a little vulnerable.
​Let colleges see your heart 💕 through the authentic stories and challenges you share—and watch the magic happen when admissions readers truly understand who you are.

And this year, context is getting the royal treatment in the 2025–26 Common App (rolling out August 1). Here’s your early peek at what’s changing for the Class of 2026:

What’s Staying the Same:

• All seven personal statement prompts.
  (Psst—I usually steer students toward Prompt 7: “Share an essay on any topic of your choice.” It gives us room to lead with authenticity, then match the prompt later.)
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• The Additional Information section questions—optional questions that go to all Common App schools—are still there, but they’re shifting.

What’s Changing:

• The Community Disruption (COVID-19) question is becoming Challenges & Circumstances, a broader prompt inviting students to share significant context from any time period.
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• The Additional Information section is being trimmed from 650 words to 300.

What This Means:

• Use your 300 words strategically—highlight any challenges, unusual grading policies, or life events that add helpful context.
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• Be concise: Bullet points, abbreviations, and to-the-point language are welcome.
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• It’s okay to leave it blank if you don’t have meaningful context to share—don’t fill it just to fill it.

📝 I’ll share the full question text with breakdown + examples in an upcoming blog. Stay tuned!

LET'S GROW 🌿— I’m a Workshop Warthog Digging For Good Dates! HELP!

I LOVED presenting with Success Story and for CHIME Institute last week, so I’ve decided I’m teaming up with two brilliant women to support you this summer with some free summer workshops:

🎓 A special session for parents sending a student to college this fall (feat. parenting coach Diana Davidson)
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💸 A practical workshop on navigating loans & college costs (with financial guide Shanna Due of Due Financial)​

I’m planning on one in June and one in July, and since I’m designing these workshops with you in mind—can you take 30 seconds to let me know what works for you?

LET'S GO 📍— Connection to the Present, Commitment to the Future

On May 1—College Commitment Day for my seniors—I toured my twins’ new school. They (and we) will be committing to more hands-on homework and projects in an accelerated curriculum.

And they made another commitment that day: to walk to and from their current school with me as often as possible for the final six weeks of the year since the new one is farther away.

A tiny ritual to honor what’s ending—and what’s next.

So now I’m asking: What are you committing to in these final few weeks of the school year?

May I offer a few ideas?

These come from my Bubble-Wrapped College Planning Timeline (including gems like the Future Self folder!). Email me if you can’t find your copy or want it again—you won’t get double emails.

📌 Menu for Meaningful Closure (not a mandate—just inspiration):

FOR EVERYONE:

• Meet with your counselor one last time to check in on plans for next year. Already set? Ask what they wish more students in your grade would do this summer.

9th graders:

• Use your calendar and photos to reflect: What surprised you most? What did you love learning? What didn’t you?
• Start a personal reading habit & stay on top of summer assignments.
• Ask someone you trust to introduce you to someone in a career you're curious about—then do an informational interview!

10th graders:

• Re-read your work from 9th & 10th grade and journal about your growth as a student.
• Set up 2–3 college visits (or virtual sessions).
• Engage in a summer experience: job, shadowing, internship, volunteering, or more info interviews.

11th graders:

• Ask two academic teachers if they’ll write your rec letters. Ask what info they need from you.
• Block out time for essay prep.
• Dive fully into any enrichment activity you’ve committed to.
• Write a letter to your “Summer of 12th Grade” self.

12th graders:

• Write a thank-you note to a mentor or teacher.
• Re-read one of your college applications.
• Write a letter to your “Summer After First Year of College” self.

That’s it for this Minday!

Keep your head up as much as possible while buckling down to finish out the school year.

Who knows? You might even get a selfie with an eland.

XO, Mindi

P.S. There are four remaining spots in #WinningCollege and two spots for 1:1 coaching. I'm not trying to cause any stress—just sharing real talk about my capacity. Book a call if you know you want to work together but aren’t sure what’s best for you. I anticipate filling my roster by July 1 or sooner, so please don’t wait to have a chat with me now so we can pop you on the calendar!

P.P.S. Please share your favorite selfie with an animal — domestic or otherwise!