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The Crucial Elements of a Great Personal Statement – Part 1
As I have noted in my blog post, “Personal Statements for Mere Mortals,” many colleges require a unique essay—usually 500-650 words-long—as part of the admission process. As a former admission officer and high school college counselor, and now as an Independent Educational Consultant, I have read, edited, and helped students with thousands of these personal…
The Best and the Worst Letters of Recommendation I Have Ever Read
As a former college admission officer, I was at the receiving end of hundreds of letters of recommendation. And, obviously, as a college counselor and independent educational consultant, I frequently talk with students about their letters of recommendation. I have seen good ones, bad ones, and anything in between. For this post, I would like…
Transparency Is Key for Transfer Students
Transparency is fundamental for college applications. When you apply as a transfer student, there are two areas in which you must be transparent, honestly and clearly disclosing information: Your past Your future.
Myths About Extracurricular Activities – Part 2 (Summer Activities)
In my last post, I talked about some of the misconceptions about extracurricular activities in general and the place they have in your education and college application. In this article, I will address summer extracurricular activities in particular. Summertime—when most students are off school—provides you with an abundance of free time to use in whichever way…
Myths About Extracurricular Activities – Part 1
Extracurricular activities can certainly be fun and educational at the same time. Some people, though, seem to think these activities possess some sort of extraordinarily miraculous powers when it comes to college applications. They do not. Nevertheless, throughout my years as an admission officer and independent educational consultant, I have heard many people repeat myths…
The Rigor of Your Curriculum: What Level of Difficulty Is Enough?
The rigor—or difficulty—of the classes you take in high school (honors, AP, or International Baccalaureate) is a crucial piece of information colleges use to make admission decisions. In fact, rigor is one of the top three most important factors that college admission officers regularly consider.
Why Start College Counseling Early?
“Early” is a somewhat relative term. For some, starting college counseling early means one week before the application deadline. For others, a year or even earlier in advance. What I mean by “early” when it comes to the college counseling process is considering college requirements at the very beginning of high school, which generally is grade 9 for most students in the United States
The Different Flavors of Standardized Tests
For many applicants, understanding their unique roles and the varying requirements colleges have in connection with these tests can be quite confusing. It is imperative to have a clear understanding of this part of the admission process.
How Do You Really Know a College Is the Right One for YOU?
With the internet putting so much information at our fingertips, facts and statistics about colleges are easily obtained these days. Moreover, there are many great college guidebooks that can tell you everything you want to know about a school. Except one thing—is the college right for you?
Advice to Parents: How Not to Be Involved in Your Child’s College Application Process
In my last blog post, “Advice for Parents: How to Be Involved in Your Child’s College Application Process,” I have discussed what parents can do to be involved in this important process the best way. In this post, I will talk about what not to do and why.