Small Town or Big City? Here’s Why Location Matters When Considering Colleges
When I officially enrolled in my university of choice as a senior in high school, the first words out of so many people’s mouths were some variation of, “Wow, and it’s in such a cool city!” And it was a cool city, but that honestly didn’t factor much into my decision. College campuses seemed like […]
5 Productive Activities to Keep Your Mind Sharp Over Summer Break
The weeks between spring final exams and heading back to school in the fall are a glorious time. It’s a chance to rest, spend time with family, and, of course, let your brain turn to absolute mush. While taking a break from calculus and world history is one thing, it’s another thing to neglect any […]
Using Social Media to Your Advantage
Here’s a fun fact: from 2018 until now, the number of admissions officers who creep on applicants’ social media accounts has risen by 11 percent. Well, it’s a fun fact or a terrifying fact depending on what your pages contain. And there’s more – while 42 percent of admissions counselors reported that looking at social […]
Tips for Building a Post-Covid College List
One of the most important tasks a student will do at the beginning of the college admissions process is creating a balanced college list – a list of reach schools, target schools, and likely schools that you’ll be applying to. We’ve discussed how to create a basic college list in the past (and I’d recommend […]
The Benefits of Submitting Test Scores in a Test-Optional World
Because the pandemic has wreaked havoc on testing schedules and made taking the ACT and SAT more complicated than ever, we’re experiencing a test-optional admissions cycle for the very first time. In June 2020, we wrote a blog urging students to study, practice, and still take those tests regardless. Now, as the class of 2025 […]
Accepted? Rejected? There’s More That Goes Into Your Admission Decision Than Academic Performance
Work hard. Ace your classes. Write a killer essay. Get involved. You’ve done it all, and the final decisions are now in the hands of the schools to which you’ve applied. It’s easy to feel defeated when you’ve been rejected or even waitlisted, but it’s so important to understand that sometimes, the decision has less […]
Cheating Has Exploded During Virtual Learning – Here’s How to Talk to Your Kids About It
This week, Fox Business published an article detailing an alarming new trend: virtual learning, necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to a huge increase in cheating. Specifically, the article explains, students are using “homework help” websites to cheat on digital essays and exams – and this has been a reported issue at Boston University, […]
Merit Scholarships in the Wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic
Unless you’re in the business of college admissions, you may not be familiar with the term “yield.” In simplest terms, yield refers to the percentage of students who, if given an offer of admission to that school, choose to enroll. Every year, this is a big concern for colleges – after all, it would be […]
How to Plan a Summer that Looks Great on Paper, in 3 Easy Steps
You know what you’ve got to do during the school year: challenge yourself with a rigorous academic schedule, study hard, get good grades, and, of course, find time for your extracurricular activities. But when school’s out for the summer, what’s the best use of your time? It’s no secret that admissions counselors look at your […]
What to Expect for the 2021 AP Exams
AP courses are invaluable opportunities for high school students to challenge themselves and potentially get college credit. However, like birthday parties, sporting events, and day-to-day life as we know it, AP exams are going to look a little different this year. Whether you’re relying on classroom instruction, tutoring services, or independent study to prepare, the […]