Writing your college essay can be a daunting task, but by tapping into your unique perspective and highlighting your passions, you can craft a compelling narrative that stands out to admissions committees. It's also important to avoid common essay pitfalls, such as cliché topics and platitudes, that can dilute the impact of your message. Let's explore some specific themes to avoid, followed by nine inspiring prompts that can help you create a truly outstanding essay. Trust us, with a little creativity and guidance, you'll be well on your way to crafting a standout college essay!

The Sports Story: As a student-athlete, you might be inclined to focus on your sports achievements or experiences. However, it's crucial to keep in mind that sports-related topics are quite common and may not help you truly stand out. Instead, go beyond the field and explore other aspects of your life that make you a one-of-a-kind individual. Emphasize your unique interests and character, revealing the multi-faceted person you are.

We understand how important it is to you that your child continues the family legacy at your alma mater, even if the college no longer provides preferences to legacy applicants. It's natural to feel a sense of disappointment, but it's essential to remember that the changing landscape of college admissions presents new opportunities and possibilities. While the road may be different, there are still actionable steps you can take to enhance your child's chances of getting into their legacy school.

Leverage your connections and network: While preferences may no longer be given, your personal connections can still play a role in the process. Reach out to alumni networks, friends, and colleagues who have ties to your legacy school. These individuals can offer insights, advice, and potentially even provide recommendations or endorsements that can help your child's application stand out.

Overview of the ACT and Digital SAT:

The ACT consists of four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, with an optional Writing section.

The Digital SAT has two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math.

Administration Format:

The ACT is administered in a paper-and-pencil format, with fill-in-the-bubble answer sheets. The total testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes (without the optional Writing section).

The Digital SAT is presented on a computer, allowing students to interact with the test interface directly, with features such as highlighting, zooming, and flagging questions for review. The Digital SAT is structured with each section divided into two equal-length modules. Depending on their performance in the first module, the difficulty level of the second module will be tailored to either be more challenging or less challenging to provide an adaptive testing experience. The total testing time is 2 hours 15 minutes.

The SAT, or Scholastic Assessment Test, has a long and storied history that dates back to its inception in 1926. Developed by Carl Brigham, a psychologist at Princeton University, the SAT was initially created as a standardized test to provide a more objective measure of a student's academic abilities for college admission purposes. The test aimed to offer colleges a uniform way to evaluate students regardless of their educational background or geographical location.

Originally consisting of Verbal and Mathematical sections, the SAT evolved over the years to adapt to changing educational trends and demands. One significant change came in 2016 when the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, redesigned the test to focus more on critical thinking skills and real-world applications. This redesign aimed to make the SAT more reflective of the skills needed for college success and career readiness.

Introduction:

When it comes to preparing for a career, many parents and students tend to think of specialized degrees in fields like business or finance as the most direct route to success. However, liberal arts education can provide a strong foundation for any career, including finance.

The Power of Critical Thinking:

One of the key strengths of a liberal arts education is its emphasis on critical thinking. Liberal arts colleges encourage students to engage in rigorous analysis, question assumptions, and explore multiple perspectives. These skills are invaluable in finance, where problem-solving, evaluating risks, and making informed decisions are crucial. The ability to think critically allows finance professionals to navigate complex financial markets and adapt to changing economic landscapes.

Spring is here and with it comes the perfect opportunity to explore college campuses. To ensure that your family's college visits are meaningful and productive, so we've put together some helpful tips to maximize your "campus crawl".

Tip 1: Focus Your Time Wisely

When planning your visits, prioritize colleges that align with your child's academic, social, and financial needs. With over 4,000 colleges in the United States, there are numerous options that will be a better fit than highly competitive schools with low acceptance rates. It's also essential to consider colleges that fit within your family's budget to avoid future financial concerns. Look for schools that offer merit scholarships or need-based aid, if applicable, to make the most of your college visit investment.

Tip 2: Embrace Virtual Tours and Events

In the wake of the pandemic, colleges have enhanced their virtual tour experiences. Take advantage of these interactive tours, guided audio walks, and live webinars to gain insights and connect with admissions officers from the comfort of your home. Some schools even value "demonstrated interest," appreciating when prospective students engage with their virtual events. Explore resources like Campus Reel and The College Tour for enriching virtual experiences.

Introduction

As parents, we understand that summer vacation can be a time of uncertainty when it comes to our children's college applications. While summer is a great opportunity for students to engage in meaningful experiences, the key question is whether the specific activities they choose will truly make a difference on their college applications.

Section 1: Going Beyond the "What" to Embrace the "Why"

When evaluating summer activities, it's important to delve deeper than just the activity itself. Admissions officers are interested in understanding the motivations behind a student's choices. For example, does a student attend a robotics camp because they have a genuine passion for engineering, or solely because it's hosted at a prestigious university? By reflecting on the underlying reasons, students can demonstrate authenticity and highlight their true passions.

Are you planning to take the SAT or ACT in 2024? As you prepare for these standardized tests, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest changes and information. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about taking the SAT and ACT in 2024, including test dates, registration deadlines, test format, and tips for successful preparation.

Test Dates

The College Board and ACT, Inc. offer multiple test dates throughout the year to give students flexibility in scheduling. For the SAT, the 2024 test dates will be in March, May, June, August, October, November, and December. The ACT test dates will be in February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. Be sure to check the specific dates for your region and plan accordingly.

"Scattered Minds," Gabor Maté offers a profound and compassionate exploration of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) that challenges traditional perceptions of the condition. Maté contends that ADHD is not solely a neurobiological disorder, but rather a manifestation of early childhood stress and trauma, resulting in challenges with emotional-cognitive development.

The book provides a compelling analysis of the impact of adverse childhood experiences on brain development and emotional coping mechanisms. Maté presents a persuasive argument that ADHD is often inseparable from individuals' early life circumstances, shedding light on the social and psychological roots of the condition.

As parents, we have the power to shape our children's relationship with education and, in doing so, set them on a path to success. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by “glamorizing” academics and underscoring its importance in their lives. In this post, I will explore what “glamorizing academics” really means, why it matters and shed light on the perils of diminishing significance of intellectual pursuit.

What I Mean When I Say “Glamorize Academics”

Glamorizing academics at home goes beyond creating a positive environment; it also involves modeling intellectualism through the words we use and the activities we engage in during our free time. The language we use when talking about education and learning shapes our children's perception of intellectualism. By using words that evoke excitement and value for education, we can inspire a positive attitude towards academics. Additionally, our personal actions, such as reading books, engaging our children in discussions about intellectual topics, or attending plays, demonstrate our own commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual pursuits. Children observe and internalize these behaviors, leading them to develop a genuine appreciation for intellectualism and a curiosity to explore the world of knowledge on their own. Thus, by consciously exposing our children to intellectual activities and exhibiting our own love for learning, we can greatly influence their perception of academics and inspire them to embrace the world of education.

If, as Lorrie Moore said, “a short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage,” what is a college essay? Every once in a while I sit down next to a student and start reading, and I have to suppress my excitement, because there on the Google Doc in front of me is a real writer’s voice. One of the first students I ever worked with wrote about falling in love with another girl in dance class, the absolute magic of watching her move and the terror in the conflict between her feelings and the instruction of her religious middle school. She made me think that college essays are less like love than limerence: one-sided, obsessive, idiosyncratic but profound, the first draft of the most personal story their writers will ever tell.

It's no surprise that college admissions have become more competitive than ever before. As a parent, if you're relying on your own experience to guide your child through the college application process, unfortunately, it won't be enough. The landscape has changed dramatically.

One major difference is the decline in acceptance rates. Just think about this: in 2004, Bowdoin College had an acceptance rate of around 20%. Today, that rate has dropped to just 7%. Similarly, Harvard's acceptance rate was about 10% in 2004, but it's now a mere 3.5%. For today’s students, elite schools are at least three times harder to get into compared to when their parent’s applied, and for grandparents of students applying, that multiple is closer to 10.

The SAT, a college admissions exam long associated with paper and pencil, will soon go all-digital.

Starting in 2023 for international students and in 2024 in the U.S., the new digital SAT will shrink from three hours to two, include shorter reading passages and allow students to use a calculator on the math section.

By Bernd Debusmann Jr

Excerpt from BBC News, Washington

Wesleyan University, an elite US liberal arts college, says it will no longer grant preference to student applicants with family or donor ties.

The Connecticut institution said it was "important" to end so-called legacy admissions, long criticised as a perk for the white and wealthy.

It cited the Supreme Court's recent ruling that race could no longer be considered as a factor in admissions.

A vast majority of Americans are against legacy admissions.