Posts by Dave Bergman:

How to Get Into Northeastern: Acceptance Rate and Strategies

Posted on: 10 Jul 2025

Anyone who went to college thirty, twenty, or even ten years ago would likely be shocked if you told them that Northeastern University, once viewed as more of a commuter school than a nationally recognized institution, has an acceptance rate in the single digits (the Northeastern ED acceptance rate is much higher). This Boston-based private […]

The Most Common College Admissions Mistakes Austin-Area Families Make and How to Avoid Them

Posted on: 08 Jul 2025

Austin is one of the strongest secondary-school markets in the country. Students here benefit from exceptional access to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment, and post-AP coursework, as well as nationally respected independent schools. But that strength creates a hidden problem. In a region where many students attend high-performing schools and present strong academic profiles, […]

Public vs. Private High Schools in Hampton Roads: What Actually Matters for College Admissions

Posted on: 07 Jul 2025

Families across Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, York County, and the Peninsula face a familiar but high-stakes question: Is a public or private high school the better path to selective college admissions? With strong public options like Ocean Lakes, Princess Anne, Jamestown, Grassfield, Grafton, York, and Tabb, alongside respected independent and faith-based schools such […]

Public vs. Private High School in Columbus, Ohio: What Actually Matters for College Admissions

Posted on: 06 Jul 2025

Few decisions create more anxiety for Columbus-area families than choosing between public and private high school. Central Ohio offers an unusually strong mix of both. On the public side, districts like Bexley, New Albany, Upper Arlington, Dublin (Coffman and Jerome), Olentangy Liberty, and Orange regularly produce competitive college applicants. On the private side, schools such […]

How to Get Into Tufts: Acceptance Rate and Strategies

Posted on: 03 Jul 2025

Situated just five miles outside of Boston, the campus of Tufts University has long been a destination point for high-achieving teens in the Northeastern United States. However, as with many other prestigious institutions over the last few decades, Tufts has seen a consistently climbing number of applications and a commensurate decline in acceptance rates. Between […]

Tufts Supplemental Essays 2025-26 – Prompts and Advice

Posted on: 01 Jul 2025

Tufts University has long been a highly selective school. Yet, the acceptance rate has been hovering around 10% for several years now. As at any college that rejects more than 9 of every 10 applicants who apply (the overwhelming majority of whom are supremely qualified), aspiring Jumbos need every single component of their application to […]

Caltech Supplemental Essays 2025-26 – Prompts & Advice

Posted on: 26 Jun 2025

With an acceptance rate of less than 3% (yes, truly), Caltech is one of the most highly selective schools in the country. Although ACT or SAT results are now required again during the admissions process, the Caltech admissions committee does give serious weight to the six supplemental essay prompts that they require from all applicants. […]

UChicago Supplemental Essays 2025-26 – Prompts and Advice

Posted on: 25 Jun 2025

UChicago has long been known for its “provocative” essay prompts, viewing them as a chance for “students to talk about themselves, their tastes, and their ambitions.” The University of Chicago admissions committee invites you to approach the UChicago supplemental essays with “utter seriousness, complete fancy, or something in between.” While writing this “uncommon essay” sounds […]