“A Rigorous High School Curriculum”- What Exactly Does That Mean?
Colleges advise students to take a rigorous high school curriculum, but don’t always explain what that means. Here’s the scoop.
Making the Final College Choice
You’re on the homestretch of your teen’s senior year in high school. You’ve survived a tough year that likely included virtual and in-person college tours and time spent nagging about college essays, on top of your student’s usual academic load. Acceptances are beginning to roll in. Maybe more than even anticipated (yay!). Or maybe there…
Are Selective Summer Programs for High School Students Worth It?
Each year, thousands of high school students are flattered when they receive an invitation in the mail to apply to various competitive pre-college summer programs. Or maybe they’ve even gotten an email from the college itself, suggesting that they should apply to their summer program. And each year, I am left to explain to families…
To Take Or Not to Take The College Entrance Exams?
Whether it is worth taking the college entrance exams – the ACT and/or the SAT – has been a dilemma for high school students.
Is It Worth Hiring a College Admissions Consultant?
My answer to the question in the title may surprise you. Of course I think a college admissions consultant brings value. But my answer to the question about whether it’s worth hiring one is — it depends! Whether or not college admissions consulting services are right for your family depends on things ranging from your…
An Overview of the Grad School Application Process
I’ve recently begun getting lots of questions about the grad school application process. Repeatedly, students are surprised when I explain what they need to consider and what actions they need to take to apply. While there are some similarities to the undergraduate application process, applying to graduate school has some important differences. Generally, it’s a…
After the College Early Admission Result: What Next?
After your student receives their early admission result, there are a few steps that families need to take, no matter the result.
What You Need to Know About a College Financial Aid Appeal Letter
Did your teen receive a disappointing financial aid award from their “dream school,” after you were celebrating their acceptance just days before? Not receiving the anticipated financial aid award feels like a blow – this could put that college out of reach financially, and no parent wants to disappoint their child, especially now. If this…
Should Students Agree to the FERPA Waiver for College Recommendations?
Most families have never been asked to waive their FERPA rights for any reason throughout their children’s years of school. And then suddenly, college applications contain a FERPA waiver that asks students to specifically give up their right to see a piece of their college application – their teacher recommendations. It may seem alarming. The…
Does Listing a Major on College Applications Help or Hurt?
Does the major listed on college applications play a role in whether or not a student is accepted? If you answered, “yes,” you are correct! And too often, students don’t know that. Many teens are not sure what to list as a major. In fact, sometimes, they’re overwhelmed by the possibilities when they check out…