Should I use the Common App or the Coalition App?
Rising seniors who will be applying to competitive colleges this fall are almost sure to soon face the question, “Which is better, the Common App or the Coalition App?” This budding rivalry isn’t quite yet on par with Coke vs. Pepsi, Ford vs. Chevy, or…
Everything you need to know about Test-Optional Admissions
Rarely does a week pass without another well-known college or university making headlines by announcing that it will no longer require applicants to submit standardized test scores. This movement, known as going “test-optional,” actually began almost 50 years ago at Bowdoin College and has rapidly…
Honors Programs: Why you should consider applying and what to look for
Are you craving the in-class intimacy of a tiny liberal arts college but also find yourself drawn to the bright lights of a vibrant, sprawling campus, the big-time sports, and the chance to be part of a large and passionate student community? Not to sound…
Extracurricular Advice for 9th and 10th Graders
Winston Churchill once quipped that “a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” Or did he? Ironically, the attribution of this quote may be a case of a lie whirling around the globe while the…
The Truth Behind Private Scholarships
In the early 1970s the U.S. auto industry received warnings from economic experts—if they continued to focus on the wrong thing, Japanese car companies would soon put them out of business. Detroit’s Big 3 of GM, Ford, and Chrysler were told that if they remained…
A Guide to High School Course Planning
The answer to what students should strive for in most areas impacting college admissions is a straightforward, “More/higher is better.” Whether you’re talking about GPA or standardized tests scores, the goal is always going to be to max out your potential. Yet the problem of…
Early Decision II: An FAQ and list of participating colleges
(List of ED II colleges updated August 2017–see below) Early Decision is quickly becoming a misnomer. An increasing number of highly selective institutions have initiated a second round of binding admission programs, giving students another chance to commit to a college before acceptance and possibly…
Acing the College Interview
Through much of the college application process you are defined by your hard numbers—GPA, class rank, ACT or SAT score, number of rigorous courses taken, performance on Subject Tests, APs, and so on. The college interview presents an opportunity to show off your less…
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Downloadable Resources for your College Transition
