Tag: junior year

Transitioning from High School to College

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

At her parents’ urging, Catherine Peterson began looking at colleges in her sophomore year, beginning with a visit to Bates College during the family’s summer vacation in Maine. Catherine’s parents knew that Bates had a strong academic reputation – and a solid swim team, which was also important to Catherine. That was the start. As […]

Two Great Engineering Programs: Maryland and Penn State

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

Engineering is an applied science. It’s a discipline that uses scientific knowledge to solve problems, and it’s a rapidly growing field. There was a time when engineering was principally focused on buildings and bridges, but today it encompasses the likes of aerospace, biomedical technology, and computer applications of all descriptions, just to name a few. […]

University of Chicago Goes Test-Optional, Most Selective College To Do So

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

If there were such a thing as a Lady Gaga-type rock star in the world of college admissions, it’d be the admissions office at University of Chicago. In my estimation, it must be one of the most well-funded undergraduate admissions offices in the country, with the marketing prowess of Apple, and the school has never […]

Too Many Chefs: A Simple Kitchen Tip for the College Essay

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

“I’ll have my mom, my dad, my guidance counselor, my English teacher, my tutor, my sister at Princeton, and my uncle who is a chemistry professor look at my essay.” I heard this from a former student a couple years back as we worked on her college application. The upside of all this? She had […]

Top 10 Answers to Annoying Holiday Questions about College

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

10. “Thanks Grandma, writing a personal note to the university president would be very helpful.” 9. “After applying to all of the schools on my list, I realize I actually want to go to clown school.” 8. “Oh look, the menorah caught the curtain on fire.” 7. “When you applied to school, men wore pleated pants […]

Should I Retake the SAT or ACT?

Posted by: admin on March 14th, 2019

Tuesday was the first day of spring, which is great news for most people but perhaps not if you’re a high school junior. Spring brings term papers, APs, and, possibly, another go at the SAT or ACT. You likely have taken at least one test at this point and might be wondering, “Should I take […]

College Deferral

Posted by: admin on March 14th, 2019

You know you want to go to college, but you’re not really sure who “you” are yet. One way to launch your undergraduate years with purpose and determination is taking a gap year before college! The idea behind a gap year is all about personal growth—challenging yourself to better understand your values, your goals, and […]

The Gap Year Option

Posted by: admin on March 14th, 2019

One way to launch your undergraduate career with purpose and determination is this: take a gap year! Recent studies show that deferring entrance into college for one year in order to learn outside the classroom and engage the world can have very positive effects on a person. Leadership programs enhance life skills, new language skills […]

SSAT Support at Home

Posted by: admin on March 14th, 2019

As a test preparation tutor, I often get asked by parents “What can I do at home?” to aid in the process. I appreciate the question as it gives me an opportunity to reinforce the idea that parents, school, and tutors are all support staff dedicated to the success of the student. To paraphrase astronaut […]

The Air is Ripe With AP Exams, SAT Subject Tests (Oh, and Spring)

Posted by: admin on March 14th, 2019

revised March 8, 2020 Spring To-Do List Ah, spring! No more freezing rain and weather-related late starts. You’re finally creeping out from under the midterms and semester projects of winter, ready to embrace the growing season of a new year. As such, you’ll want to turn your attention to some of the excitement spring has […]