The college admissions process can be an emotional rollercoaster, and once decisions start rolling in, the real work begins: deciding where to enroll. This choice can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into clear phases can make the process much more manageable. Drawing inspiration from conversations with past students, I put together this three-step approach to […]

In the evolving landscape of higher education, a new group of elite institutions, known as the “New Ivies,” is capturing the attention of students, parents, and educators alike. These colleges and universities, while not part of the traditional Ivy League, offer exceptional academic programs, distinguished faculty, and vibrant campus communities. Here’s a closer look at […]

In today’s competitive college admissions landscape, students need to stand out. One often overlooked factor is demonstrated interest—a valuable piece of the admissions puzzle. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of demonstrated interest, why it matters, and effective ways to display your enthusiasm for your dream schools.  What is Demonstrated Interest and […]

A waitlist offer from a college can be upsetting, especially if it is one of your top choices. However, being waitlisted means you will have a chance to attend the school. Staying positive and doing what you can to improve your chances of being accepted from the waitlist is essential. According to the National Association […]

Are you a high school junior looking for ways to make your college application stand out? While many activities can help give you an edge, summer is often the best time to focus on building up your resume and application. From volunteer work to online courses, there are plenty of ways for high school juniors […]

A Response to the Wall Street Journal’s Revelation that “Extraordinary” Isn’t Enough for the Ivy League With apologies to the always jocular Yogi Berra, I feel his oft-quoted observation after witnessing Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris hit back-to-back home runs time after time best sums up the Wall Street Journal’s recent (04/21/22) observation: “To get […]

As decisions from highly selective schools start rolling in, there is a good chance that you might be offered a place on an institution’s “waitlist.” Admissions officers use these lists to manage their yield. It is a hedge against a class size that comes in lower than expected. This year there has been a lot written […]

As the leaves start turning green and the air becomes fragrant with pollen, final college admissions decisions begin to roll out. This can be both a joyous and difficult season, depending on the outcome. Students spend months crafting their college applications and, regardless of insightful essays, stellar GPAs, and high test scores, many students still […]

A recently released survey by EAB Global, How enrollment leaders are responding to COVID-19, provides a glimpse into the disrupted world of college admissions offices around the country. We have received many calls from clients asking for any guidance or insight we might have as it relates to current seniors and juniors. While clarity and […]

About a year ago, I wrote a blog post about the new harsh realities facing students applying to The University of Texas at Austin (UT Admissions: The New Reality (2019)). Reflective more of the interest in the topic rather than the quality of the prose, the post went viral and has nearly 100,000 views. At […]