It’s the best thing EVER when you are admitted to your Early Decision school. You are done with applications (except in some cases) and ready to attend your dream school next year. Similarly, Early Action results present you with admissions decisions before the regular decision pool of applicants so that you can begin to breathe a bit easier and start narrowing your focus. But if you are deferred or denied, you have some decisions to make.
What should high school students do in the summer? What if I need a break this summer? What if I need to work or take care of family members this summer? Should I pay for a pre-college summer program? Does it matter that the school offering the program is “elite?” How do I demonstrate my interest/experience in a particular academic subject?
The vast majority of colleges and universities in the US do not interview students; however, for those that do, the purpose, focus, and timing can vary greatly, depending on the school. This blog covers how to prepare for interviews with highly selective colleges, and also discusses the growing trend of video introductions in the college application process.
You have submitted your early round college applications. After that huge rush of activity, you may be wondering what to do next. This blog covers your checklist of things to remember, and common mistakes to avoid.
Of the 1.6 million juniors who sat for the PSAT in October 2023, only about 15,000 will go on to be named national merit scholars. How does the PSAT help me become a National Merit Scholar Finalist or Semi-Finalist? What scores are required to become a state finalist or a national scholar?
What’s a good PSAT Score? What are the PSAT Score Ranges? Does the PSAT predict how well I will do on the SAT? Is the scoring scale the same between the PSAT and SAT exams? How does the PSAT help me become a National Merit Scholar (NMS) Finalist or Semi-Finalist? The PSAT is offered to juniors as part of the National Merit Scholar (NMS) search process.
I gained some new insights this year that I want to share with all of you. Let’s start with a high GPA is more important than AP courses for most students. My number one mistake with my oldest was holding him to a high level of academic rigor in subjects that weren’t his strength. It took me too long to realize that, and his grades early in high school suffered as a result. While Yale, Cal Tech, and Haverford will want to see the highest rigor in courses across the board (along with As), not every school will, and getting Cs and Ds instead of As and Bs will make life much harder for the college applicant.
Sophomores, you have completed the first half of high school and are headed for big things in the coming months and years, including preparing for college applications. This is your moment to plan the next two years. Here is what I advise you to keep top of mind as you plan your spring and summer:
Writing the college essay is one of the most daunting tasks high school students face in applying to college. It is so important, and it feels like an impossible task: write an essay that will show how amazing you are without saying, that’s right, how amazing you are.
