Seth Godin’s recent entry reads like advice for working professionals—do work you can believe in. Not someday when you get the perfect opportunity, not reserved for that day when you have the title or salary or potential reward you’re hoping for. Do it today. Repeat it often enough you’ll get good at doing even more […]
Read More >Simple but surprisingly rare
Almost without exception, the families that enjoy the most successful, least stressful college admissions process employ this simple but surprisingly rare strategy: Relentlessly focus on the parts of the process that you can control—your effort, engagement, curiosity, character, and willingness to find colleges that fit, whether or not they are prestigious. Do the opposite, and […]
Read More >For parents: give the best gift
For parents with teens going through the college admissions process, one of the best gifts you can give is that of no judgment. Today’s teenagers are being evaluated, measured, and judged more than ever before. Their grades in school; their performance on the field, at auditions, or in elections; their college admissions outcomes—they’re constantly receiving […]
Read More >Consistency in activities
Do your activities necessarily need to be long-term commitments to impress colleges? Check out this entry on the UVa admissions blog this week for some great insight. And here’s a past post of mine with some potential benefits of (good) quitting.
Read More >First on the list
College applications frequently ask students to make lists. List your activities. List your honors or awards. List your current courses. And at Collegewise, we’ve always taught our students one simple but powerful technique in the art of application presentation—list the most important, impressive, or meaningful thing first. The second and third items should follow that […]
Read More >Where do I start?
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 […]
Read More >Don’t recycle words
I saw this sign at my local grocery store today. I love how it reads like a real human being wrote it. Yes, they could have done what most businesses would do and said something like, “Stairs under construction. We apologize for any inconvenience.” But whether you’re writing a college essay, emailing a colleague, penning […]
Read More >Battling procrastination?
Especially for seniors who may be battling application procrastination, here are a few greatest hits: First, a little motivation—starting now will maximize your relief. If you’re overwhelmed and can’t figure out where to start, use Cal Newport’s Ice Bath Method. And if those don’t work, try the 5-minute room rescue.
Read More >“I’m the one who…”
When you describe your roles, can you finish a sentence that begins, “I’m the one who…” For example: “On the hockey team, I’m the one who’d rather make a great pass than score.” “In my math class, I’m the one who helped the kid who was flunking.” “In my drama club, I’m the one who […]
Read More >Bedside manner
A doctor can have all the best training, pedigree, and skill to treat patients. But if she’s rude, dismissive, or otherwise not all that pleasant to be around, many people will take their business and their health care someplace else. But the doctor who takes the time to thoroughly explain, who listens and patiently answers your questions, […]
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