The Ultimate Guide to College Application Strategy
Why great grades alone aren’t enough—and how to stand out in a competitive admissions landscape Introduction: What Is a College Application Strategy? Getting into a top college takes more than perfect grades and test scores. Every year, thousands of high-achieving students are rejected from elite universities—not because they lacked ability,…
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Lessons from The Costco Essay
How to Write Your Own Costco Essay: A Breakdown of Brittany Stinson’s Famous Personal Statement When Brittany Stinson’s now-famous essay about Costco helped earn her acceptance to five Ivy League schools and Stanford, it made waves in the world of college admissions. Why did this essay stand out? And more…
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What to Expect At the Airport When Moving to the U.S. for College
Moving to the U.S. for college is an exciting leap into a new chapter of your life, filled with new experiences. But before you can settle into your off-campus housing or attend your first class, you’ll need to navigate the often overwhelming process of arriving at a U.S. airport. In…
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The Most Competitive Admissions Season Ever?
Every year, the rumor circulates: This is the most competitive admissions season ever. The rumor is inspired by all of the wonderful applicants we know personally or through hearsay who don’t get accepted “anywhere.” The claim is supported by theories presented as facts, such as the claim that this is…
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How to write a Great LOCI
Writing a Great LOCI As the regular application season wraps up, the LOCI season begins. If you applied for Early Decision and were deferred, you will likely be asked to write a Letter Of Continued Interest. Here’s what to do and what to avoid when writing this letter. Write another,…
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Application “Postponed” at U Michigan? What it means and what to do
Many early applicants to UMich recently learned that their applications have been postponed until regular admission. What does this mean, and what can you do? What does ‘Postponed’ mean here? First, UMich has decided to use the term “postponed” instead of “deferred” because they apparently like receiving a flood of…
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How to prepare for your college interview
When you fill out your applications, you will encounter the following question: Do you want to have an interview? The interview is one more chance for you to make an impression on the admissions committee, so you should definitely check the yes box. Once you’ve submitted the application, you may…
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Does the College You Go to Matter?
This question is just as valid today as it ever was! For many college applicants, attending a highly-ranked undergraduate program is not the “end-all-be-all” of their aspirations. Many of these applicants instead view their undergraduate institutions as stepping stones to other goals. These students might ultimately desire to become a…
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What Is Most Important to College Admissions?
As the world evolves, so too does the definition of an ideal university student. The entire landscape of the college admissions process has changed dramatically in the past decade, and many of the ideas that students and their parents bring to the college admissions process are now outdated, incomplete, or…
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Depth is More Important than Breadth
Students hoping to get into elite universities often make the mistake of having a grab bag of extracurricular and summer activities, rather than focusing on a particular interest or talent and developing it throughout high school. Whether it is because they are still under the misconception that colleges want “well-rounded”…
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