Posts by Dave Bergman:
Choosing a college major: What you need to know
Posted on: 19 Feb 2015
“Buridan’s ass” is a well-known (and unfortunately named) philosophical paradox where a famished donkey sits equidistant between two similarly delicious bales of hay and, unable to find a rational reason to select one over the other, ultimately starves to death. Strangely enough, this rather absurd and morbid 14th century tale is relevant to the dilemma […]
Is college still worth the investment?
Posted on: 27 Jan 2015
We’ll save the drama—even in an era of bloated tuition costs, ballooning student loan debt, and a weakened American job market, the answer to the general question of whether a college degree is still worth the investment remains a resounding, “Yes.” Yet, this affirmative answer is strapped with a Barry Bonds-sized asterisk; not every degree […]
Honors Programs: Why you should consider applying and what to look for
Posted on: 16 Dec 2014
While honors programs have existed in one form or another since the GI bill first brought an influx of talented but cost-conscious students to public universities in the post-war era, the full-blown honors college is a more recent phenomenon. The majority of honors colleges were born in the 90s, designed with aim of drawing Ivy-league […]
Nailing the Alumni Interview
Posted on: 24 Nov 2014
Walk into any Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, or public library around the holiday season and at least a few tables will be occupied by teen/middle-age dyads, with the older member asking things like, “Why our College?” or “What’s your favorite activity?” Alumni interviews are NOT an overwhelmingly important part of the college application process, but […]
The optional statement is NOT optional
Posted on: 14 Oct 2014
Too many students fail to complete optional parts of an application, and severely hinder their admissions prospects in the process. Optional statements demonstrate interest and provide an additional opportunity to showcase attributes that cannot be captured via a grade or test score. On the other hand, not completing the optional essays can sink your application […]
Choosing Between the SAT and ACT: Ten Quick Facts
Posted on: 24 Sep 2014
We are frequently asked by clients whether they should take the SAT, the ACT, or both. Here are some quick facts that may assist in helping to determine which test is right for you: The SAT and ACT cover Math, Reading, and English/Writing; however the ACT also includes Science (kind of). The ACT Science section […]
Admission Mythbusters: The College Transitions Edition – Part 3
Posted on: 26 Aug 2014
More is better Applicants often feel that more is inherently better when it comes to their application file and proceed to send along everything from editorials penned for the school newspaper to 5th grade book reports plastered in gold stars. Such offerings are highly unlikely to sway the admissions gods. If you decide to include […]
“Backdoor” Admission: Earning entry to an elite college with less than elite credentials
Posted on: 12 Aug 2014
Two caveats, before we dish out the advice. First, as readers of our blog know, we do not advocate over-focusing on highly selective schools. Yet we also recognize that the allure of brand name universities is quite powerful and that, in some instances, those schools may represent a good “fit” for certain students. Second warning… […]
