Arrival times

Spend any time in an airport these days and you'll inevitably see lots of kids arriving home for the holidays from college.  They're pretty easy to spot.  They're wearing college sweatshirts, lugging duffel bags (that are probably full of dirty laundry) and they are usually being given a hero's welcome from their families. Do you […]

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What’s your tag line?

It’s hard to be memorable in an application pool when you’ve been reduced to a few pieces of paper sitting in a stack with thousands of other applicants.  So one of the best things you can do for yourself is to develop a tag line. I don't mean that you need a slogan (it's never […]

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Seniors, don’t forget to give thanks

Nobody gets into college alone.  There are always supportive people in your corner who help you get there.  So as you submit the last of your applications, take some time to thank the people who helped you.  Here are some people who might deserve your thanks. 1. Your high school counselor.  Even if you never […]

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What’s really important?

A lot of parents suffer through the college process, anxious about whether or not their kids will gain acceptance to a prestigious college.  But it doesn't have to be that way.  Parents (and kids) can eliminate a lot of the anxiety associated with college admissions by just focusing on what's really important.  Imagine making the […]

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When plagiarism and stupidity collide

Last month, I published "30 Colleges, 30 Collegewise Guides to Getting In" on this blog.  I gave away a lot of advice about how to approach the application essays for each college, and I even included samples of what a good response might sound like. It should go without saying that you shouldn't lift those […]

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Some advice on choosing activities…

What you choose to do outside the classroom, and the passion with which you pursue it, tells the colleges a lot about the potential impact you are likely to make on their campuses.  As you think about how you want to spend your time outside the classroom, here are some pointers to keep in mind: […]

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Starting from scratch

"We don't know anything."  I hear that occasionally from parents and students who have no idea where to start with college planning.  Any family who takes these five steps will be more informed and in control of their student's college destiny.   If you've come to the realization that you should be doing more, but […]

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Lost arts

I think every high school student would be well served to master these ten skills. How to shake someone’s hand, look them in the eye, and introduce yourself. How to call someone you don’t know and articulately ask a question. How to write a thoughtful, appropriately composed and punctuated email that makes a good first impression. […]

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