Is it any wonder that kids and parents get so torqued up about the college admissions process when they read statements like these in the press (all of which I've seen recently)? “A lousy essay can sink a student with perfect grades and test scores.” “This one mistake can kill your application.” “Getting a jump […]
Read More >Consider the source
Two days before my high school economics final, my buddy, Noah, who’d taken the course the previous semester, told me he’d gotten an A on the final without even studying. According to him, every question on the multiple-choice final was followed by “four ridiculous, incorrect answer choices.” It sounded like some easy process of elimination […]
Read More >How to apply without missing anything
The safest way for college applicants to make sure you don’t miss anything application-related is to visit the websites of each school you’re applying to and find the answers to these five questions. 1. What are the elements of a complete application? Everything you need to submit—test scores, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.—will be spelled out on the admissions […]
Read More >Where money looks good in college admissions
The desire to make money (as in, “I want to major in business so I can become a CEO and make a million dollars”) isn’t something that’s going to move a college admissions officer who’s reading your file. But a track record for making money is a different story. Get a part-time job at Kentucky […]
Read More >“Why this college?”
Despite the unnecessarily provocative title (“The College Application Mistake That Will Kill Your Chances”), Patrick O’Connor gives us his steady stream of great advice here, this time about how to handle the “Why this college?” questions.
Read More >How do I think of something to write every day?
The question I’ve most often been asked since I began writing daily entries here in October 2009 has been, “How do you think of something to write every day?” The truth is that it’s actually not that hard. Pretty much anyone can do it in two easy steps. 1. Write about something you know. We all have a […]
Read More >Give Google good fodder
Students today face two Google certainties. People—from new friends to future employers to people you hope to date—are going to Google you. And Google will find whatever there is to be found. So give Google what you’d want people to find. One way to look good in searches is to be so successful that people talk about you. […]
Read More >“Don’ts” for parents of college applicants
There are lots of “don’ts” for parents whose kids are going through the application process—don’t fill out any part of the applications for your kids, don’t get involved (at all) with the essays, don’t compare notes with other parents, to name a few. Sharon Greenthal hits them all on her list of “10 Things Not […]
Read More >Ask (and listen) before you sell
We’ve just returned from the annual NACAC conference where we had a chance to speak with plenty of vendors pitching us products or services they think can help our business. We’re not buying any of them because most of their pitches sounded like this: Here’s why you need this… Lots of other people are using […]
Read More >Don’t forget about attitude
Achievement in high school is important. It shows that you’re willing to work hard and that you’re capable of handling the rigors of college. But your attitude can be just as much if not more important than the achievements themselves. A student who takes the most difficult course curriculum and gets straight A’s is clearly […]
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