A new set of rankings for colleges has just been have released. Payscale has compared the return on investment (ROI) for over 800 colleges and has posted the study on their website Average-cost-for-college-ROI. . With the high cost attending private colleges families are clearly questioning whether it’s worth the investment. We are certianly hearing that more and more in our offices and understand as well as appreciate the appropriateness of the question. While useful as one of the factors in ... more >>

Top 10 Strengths and Experiences Colleges Look for in High School Students

Just as no two students look alike, neither do any two applications. Here’s a list of the top strengths colleges look for in applicants, but it’s important to highlight your unique skills and interests.

Finding Applicants Who Plagerize

The most challenging piece of the common application for the vast majority of the college applicants we work with is the personal statement. They hem, they haw, they look at us plaintively for help, and they dread typing those 500 words. (Yes, the personal statement asks for “250 words, minimum, but 500 feels about right for most essays). So, this piece about the increasing incidences of plagerism admissions officers are finding is disheartening, but comes ... more >>

7 Things You Need to Know About Sports Scholarships

While being an athlete is certainly an asset to any college application, don’t play sports just for the scholarship money, which is likely to be less than you expect. Play for the love of the game.

Experts Ponder the Future of the American University

In reponse to the globalization of commerce and culture, increased accessibility of information, and changing demographics in developed countries colleges and universities are being forced to rethink their traditional models of education. The University of Phoenix is, in many ways, on the leading edge of some of these changes and it will be interesting to watch how other schools respond.

Distinctive Bacteria in Autistic Kids\' Guts Could Enable Urine Test for Autism

Hopeful news for parents of autistic children. Being able to diagnose autism earlier means that treatment can start sooner. Studies show that the treatment for autism is most successful when started early.

4 Reasons why the library should affect your college choice

I’ve always been a fan of libraries as a place to study, read quietly, and hang out with friends. But with the advent of Kindle and the ready availability of information on-line, schools and colleges are starting to question if and why they should devote space and capital resources to maintaining their libraries. Here are some compelling reasons why libraries are, and should remain, the hub of a school’s ... more >>

Many test prep centers are offering free SAT and ACT practice test sessions throughout the summer and there are many reasons why students should take advantage of this opportunity. Like a dress rehearsal, these sessions replicate the real testing environment as students sit in a room with other students and take the test following the standard protocol.

Through exposure to real test questions, when the time comes for the official test, students should feel more confident going into ... more >>

Recalling when summer meant a break from stress

Exams are finished, the next SAT isn’t until the fall, and there’s nothing to do for the next three months except sleep late, read trashy novels, and hang out with friends. Unless you’re like many of our clients and have summer days filled with internships, college visits, and resume building volunteer work. Our message to you – keep busy, keep happy, and, above all, keep balanced. Summer is the time to explore new ... more >>

UC Riverside Commencement Speech

Although I tend to find graduations to be rather tedious, drawn-out affairs, I do like to read commencement speeches. Usually erudite, often witty, a great graduation speaker is able to give important advice or perspective to the graduating class. In her commencement speech at UC Riverside, Lynda Resnick gives 7 suggestions for a life well-led.