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The End of Standardized Testing: Has the Time Come?
In the world of college admissions, few things change frequently. Except in one area—standardized testing* requirements for admission. It has been my observation that, in the last 5 to 7 years, standardized testing requirements have seen the highest rate of change for a significant number of colleges and universities in the United States. Some may…
When Should You Start Applying to College?
The short answer is… as soon as you begin high school. Now, that does not mean that you would actually be filling out applications at that moment or preparing any of your application essays. But what it does mean is that, as soon as you start high school, you have begun phase 1 of 2…
How Long Does It Take to Apply to College?
The short answer to that question is… longer than you think. Ultimately, it does not just take weeks or month—it takes years. The answer really depends on what part of the application process you are working on. To clarify, let me break down the timing.
The Crucial Elements of a Great Personal Statement – Part 2
Remember that quote from my post “The Crucial Elements of a Great Personal Statement – Part 1”? I can only echo the words of the famous novelist Elmore Leonard once again for part two of this subject: “If it sounds like writing, rewrite it!” In that last post, we applied that statement to the 75%…
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.