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Can You Game the Admission System?
You may have seen recent news about a vast college admission scandal in the United States. Charges included such things as bribery, conspiracy, cheating, fraud, etc. and involved a wide range of people at several colleges, but also parents.
“I Do Not Care Which College You Get Into”
Sadly, I see some students who care too much about where they are admitted, and as a result, their entire focus is only on getting into this one specific college. Other students do not seem to care at all about where they go and simply apply to just any college, without putting much thought into it—merely wanting to get in somewhere.
Does It Really Take a Village?
As an Independent Educational Consultant in private practice, I work with distinct types of clients. Some, after signing up to work together, proudly announce: “We are so happy to welcome you to our team! We already have an SAT tutor and tutors for all three AP classes. Also, we found a great essay editor who…
Advice to Parents: Helping Your Student If You Notice Signs of Application Stress
Aside from knowing the warning signs of mental stress and when to seek help, you should also be aware of the possible resources a college can offer in that regard.
Advice to Parents: Keeping an Eye on the Emotional Well-Being of Your Student
Applying to college can be a very stressful process. Stress, in general—but especially consistent high levels of stress—can have an impact on a student’s brain functions, emotional well-being, and physical health.
My Biggest Regret When I Applied to College
Like a lot of students I work with, I applied to college right out of high school. I was fortunate to be admitted to a place that really fit me, and I was excited to go. College was a great experience for me in many ways. However, in retrospect, there are a lot of things…
“Why Us?” – The Hardest Application Essay You Will Have to Write
Many colleges, especially well-known or highly-selective colleges, request several different essays from applicants. Of those, one of the most important you will have to write is an essay that asks: “Why do you want to go to our college?” Highly-selective colleges are popular and receive a lot of applications from students who are unquestionably qualified…
Are You Making Your College Counselor Cringe?
A small percentage of students and/or their families add additional obstacles to the process that make their experience of applying to college more difficult, less ethical, and less rewarding than it should be.
Visit Early and Visit Often
Of all the steps involved in applying to colleges in a thorough and thoughtful way, perhaps visiting colleges is the most important. In fact, it is never too early to visit a college. Though, it is not a race by any means either. It is not about trying to beat your peers in an attempt to compete…
How to Apply to College With No Volunteer Hours
A student walks into my office and says: “I am in big trouble. I need a lot of help with my college application. My biggest problem is that I have very few volunteer hours and hardly any community service. What do I do? Where can I go? Can you sign me up for some volunteer…