Events › Summer 2026 Plant a Seed, Read: Understanding the College Admissions Blueprint

Go behind the scenes of college admissions to learn what actually moves the needle in your application, and what doesn't. We break down how decisions are really made so you can focus on how to best maximize your time this summer before college applications season begins!

We invite parents to join this webinar with their teen, there will be information for you in this presentation as well!

This virtual webinar will be followed by a Q&A for teens and parents. Please register for this event to receive the Zoom invitation link. This presentation will not be recorded.

Meet your guides to the college admissions journey, Vishnu Veeravalli and Aalaap Hegde, students at Stanford and UChicago who've spent the last three-plus years mentoring applicants and helping them discover meaningful passion projects. With over 500 families helped, they know what it takes to stand out, and they'll share it all from the perspective that matters most: a student's.

For accessibility accommodations (ex. ASL), please fill out the online form at sccld.org/accessibility 7+ days prior to the event. If you need assistance with the form, speak with a staff member at your local library, call (408) 540-3945, or email us at ask@lib.sccgov.org.