Waiting on the Waitlist


With college admission decisions made and released, the attention of students and admission officers turns to the tricky challenge of the waitlist. And rarely has the process…

Empathy: Considering another’s perspective in a college application


In preparing their applications to college, high school students are encouraged to be authentic, engaged, passionate, and committed. These are indeed great aspirations, and,…

The Advantages of Boarding School


Students who attend boarding school get to live, learn, and thrive with motivated peers from around the world, supported by compassionate and dedicated faculty who serve as…

How Heavy Is Your Backpack?


She uses the backpack analogy as a way to help her clients prioritize the things occupying their headspace.  A backpack is a useful tool, but it has a limited capacity and a…

Major Myths, Revisited


Students should be encouraged to look at its exciting range of possibilities rather than casting around for a narrow academic box to climb into. But college is also not summer…

The Role of Majors in Applying to a Liberal Arts Program


In the admission process to a selective liberal arts college, a lack of any academic focus can also help to weaken a student's application. Some colleges will require applicants…

The Role of Parents in the College Application Process


College admissions present parents with difficult ethical, social and educational choices. We want our children to enjoy the adventure, act with integrity, feel good about the…

Protecting Your Family Against Digital and Identity Theft


My 24-year-old graduate-student son recently had a terrible experience that offers many lessons to college-aged students and their parents. As a nice, smart kid who typically…

Planning Your Summer with College in Mind


Are you a high school student (or the parent of one) who is wondering how best to spend your summer? What do colleges expect high school students to do during their school…