College Admissions Guidance
Blog posts about college admissions topics such as essays, extracurriculars, planning, mental health, etc.
Grade specific advice
Mar 11, 2022
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- 9th grade parent night programs
- Plan carefully the international language choice; make sure it's one you will carry for 4-years; two years of one language and 2-years of another don't mean...
Teacher recommendations FAQs
Sep 21, 2021
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Letters of recommendation should portray your academic curiosity, strengths, and personality. Find recommenders who know you well, such as teachers who have taught you for more than one year....
Counselor recommendation: pay attention
Sep 21, 2021
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The counselor recommendation is a Mandatory part of the common app... so pay a lot of attention. Here's what they are asked in the app:
- The duration and context in which you've known the...
Make the time to carefully write the Common App
Sep 21, 2021
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It's not just about the essays... there are subtle parts to the common app that students should make the time to review way ahead of time and have an advisor review the details. These small things...
Spend 20+ hours brainstorming your essay topics
Sep 21, 2021
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Trust me, it's worth the investment. I see too many students who come to me with well manicured essays, flowery writing, big big words. They hate my guts when I tell them the dreaded words... but...
The Hero's journey: Ultimate form of brainstorming
Sep 21, 2021
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Why Should You Use The Hero’s Journey?
You're the hero of your college essay, which means you’ll have to tell the reader about your journey. Therefore, applying this framework allows you...
You're the hero of your college essay, which means you’ll have to tell the reader about your journey. Therefore, applying this framework allows you...
The post-COVID admissions strategy
Apr 28, 2021
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I know sound like a broken record when I bring up the 6-point evaluation admissions criteria. But this time, though the dimensions are the same, the way they are evaluated has changed subtly or a...
Know where your target college stands: Buyers and Sellers Colleges
Apr 25, 2021
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What are the buyers and sellers?
It’s a concept of dividing colleges based on their need versus your desire via their marketing $$ at play to get in.. Jeff Selingo developed...
It’s a concept of dividing colleges based on their need versus your desire via their marketing $$ at play to get in.. Jeff Selingo developed...
Full-ride scholarship strategies
Apr 21, 2021
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Many full-ride scholarships have similar eligibility requirements, so making yourself a great candidate for one will often make you a great candidate for multiple scholarships. While the specific...
8 COLLEGE ADMISSION RESOURCES TO HELP YOU HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN 2021
Apr 21, 2021
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It’s a new year, but the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our day-to-day lives—and the college admissions landscape. Here are 8 updates and resources to help you stay in-the-know...
Five ways to get merit scholarship at state universities
Apr 21, 2021
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Here are five things to keep in mind about obtaining a merit scholarship from a state university:
- Merit money is plentiful.
- Understand what it takes to win a scholarship....
Don't use COVID-19 experiences for your Common App essay
Apr 21, 2021
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College essays are to help you differentiate over other students. If your topic is common, one that many others will be writing about, you are already fading into the crowd. It’s simply...
