Resolutions Worth Keeping Helping your own child with their college process can be a rewarding, bonding experience – but boundaries have to be drawn. Here’s where I have resolved to draw the lines and I embark upon this process with my own daughter.

The Dos and Don'ts of Graduate School Essays

Marybeth Gasman, who works in the admissions office at Penn’s Graduate School of Education, offers some pointed advice about how to write a compelling essay. While her words of wisdom are directed at graduation students, most of the advice she offers could be well heeded by anyone applying to college. Among my favorite tips: Don’t use the word “love” – ever, and don’t make excuses.

10 Steps to Writing Your Best Personal Statement

The Personal Statement demands a lot of the college applicant – to present themselves fairly but favorably, to articulate to those things that inspire them, to capture their character and personality, and to do it all in 500 carefully chosen words. No wonder so many find this to be a painful exercise. But with enough time, introspection, and careful editing, students sometimes learn as much about themselves as the reader does.

Pulling an all-nighter for the college application

Our goal for many of our college clients is for them to have most of their common application completed by the end of the summer. In July and August rising seniors have more time and fewer distractions so they can fully focus on completing the common app, and completing it well. The Fall is can be a very busy time and students should be focusing their energies on their classwork as this ... 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.