Blog
How to Make the Most of College Fairs
November 27, 2012
How can I make the most out of college fairs without becoming so overwhelmed by all of the various colleges present? This is a question that is most likely present on the minds of many high school seniors during this time of the year. Below are some tips to help you make the most of these college fairs:
How Requesting Financial Aid Affects College Admissions Decisions
November 16, 2012
Why Standardized Tests Are Still Important
November 14, 2012
Facebook Privacy and College Admissions
October 1, 2012
Social media, especially Facebook, has become an integral part of every high school student’s life. What many aspiring college students often forget is that college admissions officers consider Facebook a means of getting a picture of what an applicant is like in real life. Often they check the Facebook profiles of prospective students. Remember, even with the highest Facebook privacy settings, chances are a search engine can still find some Facebook posts about you.
Selecting the Best High School Courses in Preparation for College
September 27, 2012
As the competition for top colleges and academic scholarships increases, the need to select the best high school courses for colleges becomes essential. In addition, keeping in mind your college goals is just as important in your first year of high school as it is in your junior and senior years. If you follow these guidelines, as well as advice from a counselor, you will have a strong academic transcript for getting into the college of your choice.
Should students work hard to become an expert in a particular field, or should they try to know a bit about many subjects?
September 26, 2012
Not all students are able to determine exactly what they want to do at the start of college. In fact, many get confused about which field to focus on. It’s not a bad decision to study different subjects, and then eventually pick the one where the student excels the most. Many successful people today possess a group of skills and know the interconnections among various disciplines. They are flexible and capable of intellectually adapting to change. Even those who are dedicated to a certain field understand and appreciate the importance of other disciplines in dealing with various problems and situations. In today’s modern times, being capable of applying knowledge to different situations and having a versatile, multifaceted background is highly important.
Can students still get admitted into a good college even without outstanding grades, high test scores, wonderful recommendations and numerous extracurricular activities?
September 24, 2012
It’s not quite applicable to all colleges. If it were, there would be an inordinate number of students who wouldn’t be able to enter college successfully, and schools would be discriminatory. Although some colleges do accept students by formula, the best ones search for well-rounded students who are enthusiastic learners and eager to participate in campus activities. Grades and scores have their significant importance, but there are other factors to consider such as class rank, challenging courses taken, personal statements and social activities. Students and schools are equally hoping to find the best match for their unique needs.
Is there better course selection in large, research-based Ivy League schools, and do these schools attract more skillful faculty members?
September 20, 2012
While it is true that bigger schools offer a more extensive course selection, the courses they offer attract more competition because of limited availability. Additionally, numerous prominent scholars at major universities tend to get busy doing research and publishing books. Consequently, they are not able to spend much time on teaching. There are some chances for undergraduate research or independent study, but not in many cases.
Is there more diversity and variety in larger schools, and are there more opportunities for success?
September 18, 2012
Generally, larger schools offer a wider selection of programs, opportunities and activities. Nonetheless, there is also more competition. In some cases, students find it easier to meet new people and build strong, enduring friendships in smaller communities. The main reason for this is the absence of intimidating hierarchy and red tape that is typically present in large schools. Many students actually see less competition for leadership positions and student activities in a small campus.
Considering the tough competition in the college admissions process, what do you believe is a recommendable way for a student to stand out from the pool of applicants?
September 13, 2012
We emphasize college visits. An admissions officer once said that if a student applies to a college that’s only six hours away from home and hasn’t visited at all, then he’s shooting himself in the foot. This basically implies that showing enthusiasm helps a lot in impressing the admissions officers. A student who goes to the campus and meets the admission officers will more likely get accepted than others who don’t. Other good practices are going to the college’s school fair, and sending follow-up thank you notes.
