College Applications: Why You Should Start Early

Your senior year of high school is going to be your busiest school year yet. You’ll be taking the most rigorous course load possible, you’ll be serving in leadership roles in your clubs and on your teams, and on top of that, you’ll have several college applications to complete, unless you are wise enough to…

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College Essay Assumptions and Realities

Many young people get off on the wrong foot when it comes time to start writing their essays, based on false assumptions that they, their parents, or even their counselors might hold. The protean world of college admissions is always changing, and it’s important to stay up to date. Assumption: The admissions office is obliged…

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Tricks for writing a great college essay: story, style, and tone

When you write your personal statement you want to accomplish three things. You want to relate memorable anecdotes (or a single story) in order to forge a bond with your reader. A good anecdote creates an indelible impression and puts the reader in your corner. You also want to demonstrate maturity, focus, and resilience, using…

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How to write the supplemental essays

Many applicants make the mistake of devoting most of their time and energy to the personal statement, only to discover late in the game that each school to which they apply requires a variety of supplemental essays. The term “supplement” can mislead students into assuming these essays are of secondary importance. But supplements are just…

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How to Prepare for a College Interview

Many colleges give you the opportunity to interview, either with an admissions representative (unusual) or an alumnus near you. Sometimes these interviews are virtual, sometimes in person. Whatever the case, if you are given the opportunity to interview, accept it! Any opportunity to distinguish yourself as a distinctive and promising applicant is a chance you…

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What To Do When You Are Waitlisted At An Ivy League School

Getting waitlisted at an Ivy League school may feel disheartening, especially when you’ve been hoping for admission for many months. Though nobody who is waitlisted should ever assume that they’ll get into their university of choice, there are ways through which students can increase their odds of admission from the waitlist. You can find information…

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Get Into An Ivy League School As An International Student

Ivy League schools are among the most elite and popular colleges globally, conferring prestige and name recognition upon their graduates around the world. For international students, attending an Ivy offers a clear path to career success no matter where they end up working. The Ivies pride themselves on enrolling a significant portion of overseas students,…

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What Is The Earliest I Can Apply For College?

No two paths to higher education look exactly alike. Most students choose to apply to college during their senior year, though in rare instances, some hypermotivated juniors proactively apply as a junior. While the latter scenario comes with a unique set of challenges, it is not impossible or unprecedented. The accelerated route can certainly be…

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What Should Be in a College Recommendation Letter?

As college admissions consultants, we are often asked what makes for an effective letter of recommendation. Compelling recommendations can be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful college application, so how can you make sure you get good ones? This is probably one of the most mysterious and intimidating aspects of the college application process.…

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Is It Worth Applying Early Action?

Many students want to know if early action is a good college application strategy. But before we even get to that—what is early action, anyway? Often confused with early decision, early action is a different process with its own rules, advantages, and disadvantages. Though as both of their names imply, they each involve applying to…

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