I have it on good authority that 36% of admissions officers check social media pages when considering your college application, according to a 2020 survey by the Kaplan test company. And a full 65 percent of AOs think that checking an applicant’s social media feeds is a perfectly reasonable form of information gathering. What does this Continue Reading »
This is a highly emotional and consequential week for tens of thousands of students in the U.S. and around the world, as early decision and early action news reaches households. There will be a lot of joy — and a lot of disappointment. If you’re reading this, I’m guessing there is more sorrow than celebration. Continue Reading »
Future applicants to Princeton have a new requirement for applying: Instead of submitting test scores for the SAT and ACT Writing Sections, applicants must submit a graded paper, written in the previous three years of high school. Details are here and this page leads to a list of FAQs that should answer all of your Continue Reading »
If you’re a senior in high school applying to college – or live in a household where someone else is – this coming week may be the most stressful of the process to date. This is the infamous “mid-December” when tens of thousands of students will hear from first-choice colleges and universities about EARLY DECISION Continue Reading »
Beware, college applicants and parents! As you scour the Common Application for required and optional essays before filling out the application, be sure you’re looking in all the right places. I believe that the college’s sprinkle the writing requirements into the application as though you will just come to them as you’re filling out the Continue Reading »
I have it on good authority that 40 percent of college admissions officers search Google when they are reviewing a student’s application to their college. Which 40 percent? Anyone’s guess, but there is no time like the present to keep this in mind as you post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and wherever else you post, Continue Reading »
What could be wrong with the word “very”? Such an emphatic little word. It makes what comes next much more than it is on its own. Right? No. Not really. This is a short blog post. Or: This is a very short blog post? I walk fast to the bank. I walk very fast to the bank? What’s so Continue Reading »
If you’re on this website, it’s mostly likely because you or your child wants help applying to college. I’m thrilled you’re here, but before we get much further, it’s important that families know the ground rules of college admissions before starting the process. A recent article in The New York Times, How to Keep Your Continue Reading »
For the last few years, the New York Times has asked for contributions of Common Application essays and personal statements already submitted on the subjects of work, money and social class. They choose four to publish and present them with photos and information about where the writers are going to college. They are always fascinating to read. Click Continue Reading »
Did you ever think you could write a college application essay about why you love math? If you’re applying as a math major, you’ll have to. And if math connects with another intented major, it might make sense to touch on. But how do you use words to translate the abstractions that are math? Can Continue Reading »
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