Did you know that over 40% of all college grads start their education at a community college? The Pros Given the high cost of many four-year institutions, attending a community college can be a smart financial decision. It can also bring a host of other benefits. They provide a low cost a way for students […]
The Beauty of Indecision
Today’s guest blogger is one of my students, Paige MacPherson. Paige wrote a great essay for one of her schools which asked her to explain her choice of major. A simple enough request until she realized she wasn’t ready to choose one major. Paige will be heading off to college in the fall. I have […]
2022: The Year in Review
The 2022 top trends in college admissions … Applications: This year continued to see an increase in the number of applicants and applications. The Common App had a 20+% increase in applicants and a 5+% increase in the number of applications per student. While I’m happy to see more students applying to college, more applications […]
What You Need to Know Before Asking for an LOR
It’s May. Time for juniors to ask their teachers for a “Letter of Recommendation” (LOR). Most students review their report card, find a class or two where they got an A, and head off to ask that teacher to write an LOR for them. Not so fast. Before asking a teacher (or anyone) to write […]
The SAT Is So 2020! Or Is It?
Everyone (including me) thought (hoped??) the ACT and SAT were going the way of mullets and leg warmers. Apparently, we were wrong. While Cal State decided to eliminate the standardized test requirement, MIT just announced that they are requiring standardized test scores for the class of 2027 and beyond. How long will it be until […]
Admitted Students Day – It’s the College’s Turn to Impress YOU!
They said yes! Congratulations on getting into college! Now it’s time to sign up for Admitted Students Day at the school. Why Should I Sign Up? You might be thinking, “Why should I attend? I’m already in.” The answer is so you can make an informed decision as to which school is the best fit […]
Planning Your High School Schedule
Which math should I take? Does it matter if I’m in honors or AP? How do I fit in orchestra? Do I really need another year of a language? Welcome to the world of counseling high school students on their class schedules. Every spring students struggle with deciding which classes they should take next year. […]
2021 Hindsight – A Lookback at College and COVID
COVID continued to have a major impact on students in 2021. While there were some positive changes (students found innovative ways to enhance their learning and explore their interests, schools re-engineered their admissions review process to be more holistic), it was still a difficult year for many. As we bring this year to a close, […]
It’s Time for EA and ED Decisions
December and January. The months where Early Action and Early Decision applicants receive their decision letters. The Outcomes: Accepted. Congratulations you got in! Deferred: Admissions is interested in you, but they aren’t ready to commit. While you may be disappointed that you weren’t accepted, you still have time to impress admissions. Denied: This is the […]
You Hit Submit – What’s Next?
Congratulations! You hit submit. The confetti streamed across your screen. You’re done with applying, right? Not quite. There are a few steps you need to take to ensure your application is ready to be reviewed by admissions. Notify your guidance counselor as they need to send your high school transcript, counselor letter, and teacher recommendations […]
EA vs ED vs REA vs RD – What’s the Best Way to Apply?
Early application deadlines are looming. Some of the southern schools like UNC Chapel Hill and USC have an EA deadline of October 15. Most are November 1. A few are 12/1. But how do you know which is the right deadline for you? Let’s start with some definitions Early Action (EA): You apply early and […]
Writing the College Essay
650 Words That’s how many words you have to tell your story and convince the person reading your essay that they should accept you. While this task often seems daunting to rising high school seniors, it’s absolutely possible to do if you follow these steps: Identify your strengths, talents, and interests. Decide on the message […]