College essays often throw students for a loop. Yet, they are the one place admission officers can learn about them and their circumstances. With most colleges receiving more applications than they have seats, the essay is your student’s chance to put a personal face to the grades and scores. An essay has the potential to sway an admissions committee when candidates are identical in every other respect, or even when your scores aren’t of the

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCuaq-a7dKc Think of your college essay as a selfie in words. But, remember, best face forward!  As for the Second Essay, yes, the Yale specific second essay, the prompt is : please reflect on something you would like us to know about you that we might not learn from the rest of your application, or on something about which you would like to say more. You may write about anything—from personal experiences or interests to intellectual

Freshman & Sophomore Year – Laying the Foundation Grades, Extra Curricula’s & Community Service Matter For many universities, the GPA and scores from standardized college entrance tests like SAT and ACT, are the first considerations. And when it comes to the GPA, it’s not enough to pick up the pace in Junior year. Cumulatively, your grades influence the scholarships and financial aid packages offered.  College admissions officers also look at extra-curricular activities and community service. Establishing a track record

Fall is back-to-school time and for many parents and their high school seniors, it’s a scary time of the year.  If it happens to be the first born in the family, there’s even anxiety. If it’s an immigrant with a first-born and no history of applying to US universities, or a family with no previous college-going family members at all, it’s pretty much panic time. Throw in a high school counselor who has his hands

Junior & Senior Year  Paying for College – Myth Busters Junior year should include time spent researching colleges to create a preliminary list. Use the internet to gather information. Have your kids attend college information sessions presented through September and October at their high school. Parents and students should consider attending university information nights being presented in their city, during the Fall and Spring. To compile a list of potential universities, examine what their requirements are and