Senior Year is nearly here, and you are feeling ready! You’ve spent time researching colleges, building a balanced list, and imagining brilliant essay ideas. It is time to move your college process from the theoretical to the actual. It is time … for APPLICATIONS. (For information on the 2021-2022 application cycle and the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
The fundamental role of an independent educational counselor (IEC) is to help students make decisions about their educational journey experience. That responsibility includes helping students explore high school opportunities, college options, and, often, career pathways, in order for them to succeed both academically and socially. IECs don’t get students admitted: they help students by offering […]
One great way to learn something new is to watch someone else do it first. You go; I’ll just stand back and watch for a minute! Right? We have all done this when we find ourselves standing before the expanse of the unknown. Looking ahead at the scope of a big change (e.g., going to […]
The college search is one big plan, so position yourself to go the distance. It’s a long season, and each step along the way is important to your ultimate goal of finding your #1 college. Right now, you can enjoy a sense of accomplishment in knowing that all of your applications and essays are done. […]
Early Decision and Early Action notifications are beginning to trickle out now, with most making their way to inboxes all over the country by Friday, December 10! You’ve probably gone back and forth between truly believing you’ll be accepted right away to deeply questioning whether it was even worth applying. That zig-zagging is totally natural […]
First, let’s define demonstrated interest; after that, we can explore how it can help you make an informed decision regarding your college choice. “I thought demonstrated interest was me telling colleges that I am really interested in them?!” Yes, this is true. You are the one reaching out to colleges, and demonstrated interest is an […]
Hey there, thoughtful, curious, motivated students! Show us your stuff. Tell us about yourself. Give us an idea of who to expect when you arrive on campus. Early summer is a great time to think about your college essay topic. Settling on a good idea is half the battle, so be prepared to focus and reflect […]
Applying to college is taxing, from the first college visit until the final decision is made. Perhaps no time in the process is more stressful than ticking through these cold weeks, politely dodging the questions of aunts and cousins, waiting for a stranger in an office somewhere to decide what your next four years will […]
Does a college choose me, or do I choose my college? A couple of years ago, a junior said to me, “I am very clear on what colleges are looking for in their students. But do they care about me? Do they care about what I am looking for in a college?” This is a very […]
No matter how often we get this question, we are still perplexed. We think, “Of course they matter!” Still, it’s not unusual for an aggressively hard-working, disciplined senior to be looking for the light at the end of the tunnel after years of grinding out assignments, never missing soccer practice, all while leading the debate […]