Author: Publisher
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Common Application Update & Reminders
The Common Application released these statistics (as of December 15, 2011) along with 2010* comparisons: Individuals Applicants 411,799 (+19%) Submissions Applications 1,372,017 (+20%) School Reports 976,745 (+58%) Teacher Evaluations 1,640,864 (+57%) *compared to 12.15.10 REMINDERS: School Forms Delivery If you intend to submit school forms online this year, remember that a college will not be…
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Students Advised to View College Marketing Mailings with Skepticism
Students frequently receive unsolicited letters and marketing materials from universities. These mailings may come in the form of a personalized letter congratulating the student on strong grades or PSAT scores and encourage the recipient to apply for admission. It isn’t unusual for students (and their parents) to interpret this correspondence as an indication of strong…
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Khan Academy Offers Free SAT Prep and Homework Help
Looking to boost your AP or SAT score, or to understand some aspect of physics or calculus that your teacher never properly explained? Looking to learn something new such as world history, calculus or economics. Check out the Khan Academy. Its mission is to provide world-class education, for free, to anyone, anywhere. The Academy was…
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Facebook Warning: Admissions Officers Check Out Students
College-bound students, beware: College college admissions officers may be looking you up on Facebook. Make sure what they see is suitable for viewing! According to surveys of college admissions officers, social media is often used in the admissions process to vet applicants and recruit prospective students. Some college admissions people have stated that a student’s…
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Matching Career Options with Personality and Interests
Many high school students (and older people too) are interested in learning about careers that fit with their personality type, interests, strengths & weaknesses, and likes & dislikes. There are a number of self-assessment tools to help you. Some of these resources also provide a list of suggested college majors and careers that are…
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Resource Recommendations for Juniors and Sophomores
As a college consultant, I am frequently asked about college guidebooks and SAT / ACT prep. COLLEGE GUIDEBOOKS: There are many good college guides, but my personal favorite is Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011, 27E The Fiske Guide includes the colleges and universities that most typical high school students consider. In addition to providing an…
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Favorite College & Scholarship Guides and Test Prep Books
Whether you’re researching colleges and universities, preparing for the ACT or SAT, searching for scholarships, or trying to demystify the college admissions process, there are numerous guide books to help meet your needs. Given the large number of resources to choose from, parents and students often ask for a few suggestions. As an independent college…
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From Hogwarts to Brown
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson have played Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, in the entire Harry Potter film series, based on the books by J. K. Rowling. Of the three, only Radcliffe had previously acted in a film. The three Harry Potter stars have varied educational backgrounds. One attended an Ivy…
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Legacies Have Leg Up in College Admissions
Ever wonder about legacy preferences in college admissions? Richard D. Kahlenberg’s book “Affirmative Action for the Rich: Legacy Preferences in College Admissions” examines legacy admission practices at a number of institutions including Brown, Princeton, Harvard, Penn and Dartmouth. The Choice blog, a feature of The New York Times, explores the issue and cites Mr. Kahlenberg’s…
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The Early Decision Advantage
How much of a better chance does a student have by applying early decision? “Usually a lot better.” Steve Cohen, in his Forbes.com blog, shares acceptance statistics for a number of selective colleges offering early decision programs. The blog discusses relevant factors and considerations affecting early decision statistics including student athletes, financial aid and enrollment…