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Applying to College as an Introvert: Admission Interview
As I mentioned in my last post, “Applying to College as an Introvert: Extracurricular Activities,” introverted students sometimes feel that they are disadvantaged in the college application process, especially where extracurricular activities are concerned. In this post, I would like to discuss how to approach admissions office interviews.
Applying to College as an Introvert: Extracurricular Activities
Recently, I was sitting across the desk from a parent and student whose transcript was filled with excellent grades and rigorous courses. The student enjoyed school and had SAT scores that were well above average.
The Three Most Important Things to Consider When Applying to College – Redux
As an experienced college admission counselor, I think about applying to college all the time! In my blogs, I have listed many of the “most important things to consider”—probably too many times. I also visit a lot of colleges, as often as I can. A recent visit to Depauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, led me…
How Can You Apply to College If Your Room Is a Mess?
When I was in elementary school, I had an extraordinary opportunity to attend a sleepaway camp that specialized in competitive downhill snow skiing. The coaches were some of the most accomplished ski racers in Europe and the United States. While I have the fondest memories of spending time on the mountain, challenging myself to fly down the slopes faster and faster each day, what I remember most is a curious exchange that happened toward the end of my time at camp.
The Third Rule of Applying to College
Students and parents often ask me the following: What SAT score do I need to get into a good college? Should I take three or four AP classes in my senior year? I’m no longer interested in this extracurricular activity, so if I switch to this other extracurricular activity is that okay? How many students…
The Second Rule of Applying to College
In my previous post, I wrote about “The First Rule of Applying to College”: getting enough sleep. This rule puts a premium on finding the balance between pursuing admission to desirable colleges and maintaining one’s mental and physical health. Pushing oneself to extremes where sleep, well-being, and mental or physical health are jeopardized is not…
The First Rule of Applying to College
Many of the students and families I work with experience understandable anxiety about applying to college. This anxiety begins with the many important decisions that should be made during high school: choosing which colleges to apply to, completing the application process, and making a final decision about which school to attend. Additionally, the process includes…
Zen and the Art of College Admission Interviews
A big part of my job as an Independent Educational Consultant is to help students and families understand which parts of the college admission process not to worry so much about and which parts to work hardest on. Often, clients misdirect their worry about what parts of the process to focus on or when to…
Zen and the Art of College Visits
In my experience, students and families often overthink specific aspects of the college admission process. Visiting colleges is one of these areas. Many clients believe they need a “strategy,” along with “tactics,” that define “measurable outcomes” for the perfect college visit that will help them get into their “dream school.” However, this is an extreme…
Replacing Prestige
If prestige is an illusion when it comes to choosing colleges, as I suggested in my post, “Rethinking Prestige,” how do you choose colleges? After all, considering what schools are the right choices for application is a pretty important decision. One that should not be taken lightly.