Free Webinar: Conversations with a Consultant - Lessons learned from the Class of 2026

Each admissions cycle offers new insights into how colleges are evaluating students and what strategies are proving most effective. In this free webinar, we will take a close look at the key lessons emerging from the Class of 2026 admissions cycle and what families can learn from the results.

College admissions continues to evolve rapidly, with major conversations around standardized testing policies, the surge in application volume at many universities, and the growing competitiveness of impacted majors such as computer science, engineering, and business. In this session, we will unpack what these trends actually looked like this year and what they may signal for future applicants.

Families will gain perspective on how admissions decisions played out across a range of institutions, what stood out in successful applications, and how students positioned themselves effectively in an increasingly competitive environment. We will also discuss how changes in testing policies, shifting institutional priorities, and the continued spike in applications are influencing admissions outcomes.

This session will be led by Melissa Wood, M.Ed., College Consultant Director at Access College America. Drawing from her experience working closely with students throughout the application process, Melissa will share practical insights and observations from the most recent cycle to help families better understand what colleges are looking for today.

Whether you are the parent of a freshman just starting the high school journey or a junior preparing for applications soon, this webinar will provide valuable context and takeaways to help families navigate the evolving landscape of college admissions with greater clarity and confidence.

PRESENTER:

Melissa Wood, M.Ed.

College Consulting Director

Access College America

Melissa is a licensed school counselor with Bachelor's and Master's of Music Degrees from Sam Houston State University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Texas State University, and a School Counselor Certification from Angelo State University. She has worked her entire career in public education, serving her campus community for 23 years in various roles, and has served as a school counselor for the past 5 years. Melissa has a true calling for assisting scholars in finding their chosen career path while also guiding them through the admission process to highly selective schools in Texas and across the country.

Melissa has served in roles ranging from band director to College & Career Transition Coordinator to Academic Guidance Counselor. She has a broad range of experience assisting everyone from those who are undecided in their major to those applying to some of the most selective colleges in the country with the intention of securing a STEM major. As Transition Coordinator & Guidance Counselor, Melissa has successfully assisted scholars through the course selection process for dual credit, Advanced Placement, the International Baccalaureate programs, along with numerous Career & Technical Education programs.

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Access College America is proud to present their college planning series FREE for the community.

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Not able to attend this event but want information about college planning services? Click here to schedule a 30-minute discovery call today! Learn more about Access College America! Visit www.AccessCollegeAmerica.org!