I have an internal dilemma with each post I write here. Am I writing for the veteran reader, the parent or counselor who’s read more than 2,000 of my previous daily posts over the last five years, someone who knows my position and my history? That audience doesn’t need an introduction. If I spend too much time on the basics, they might feel like they’re reading recycled topics that have been covered at length before. With them, I can jump right in, skip the preliminaries, and be direct.
Or am I writing for the new reader—the student or parent who’s just starting the college admissions process, is still getting comfortable with the basics of everything from course selection to the Common Application? They’re at a different place in both the process and their readership.
Some days, my post is better suited to one audience than another. But I tend to skew towards topics that are timely, breaking news, or new takes on common subjects. I’ve already written plenty about the basics of everything from course selection to college essays, and unless I have something new to say, I tend to let those past entries speak for themselves.
But if you’re looking for more—or different—material than what shows up here every day, here are three places you can go.
First, for those with enough time and interest, you can click back through the blog archives, or do so by subject (both functions are on the right). I’ve been posting since 2006, and doing so daily since 2009. So there are over 2,000 entries to keep you busy.
I also publish an email newsletter, which goes out approximately every two weeks. The content is more appropriate for families who are new to the process or counselors who want to share the advice with their students.
And my book takes the most important parts of the college admissions process and boils them down into simple, easy-to-follow steps for students, parents, and counselors.
I hope that whatever audience you’re in, you’ll find something here that helps you enjoy a more successful, less stressful college process.