It is a rainy Wednesday in July 2018. I am sitting with a Mom and her daughter as they share with me their hopes and dreams for college as well as their fear about the college essay. When I mentioned the essay for the first time, Mom began bombarding me with questions: “Does she have… Read more
What to do AFTER all the College Applications are done
I recently heard this voicemail from one of my students: “I’ve finished all of my college applications. I’m done, right?” I could hear the pride and fear in her voice as she asked the question. She was proud that she had completed all of her nine college applications, including essays, short answers, letter of recommendation… Read more
The Importance of Gratitude in College Admissions and in LIFE!
Several years ago, my husband became very ill. All of a sudden, his blood pressure shot up into the unhealthy stroke range. For several days, nothing the doctors did seemed to bring it down. I was filled with worry and dread. I began to miss appointments, not return phone calls or emails, and would find… Read more
How to Write Your Crucial College Essay
By October, most high school seniors have narrowed their college choices and are beginning to complete their college applications, including gathering letters of recommendation, resumes and college essays. This original piece of writing has become essential to students’ applications, because it allows them to speak directly to college officials. It can also be the most… Read more
Six Steps College-Bound Students Need to Take BEFORE Senior Year
All the books have been put away, the exams are a fading memory and rising high school seniors are breathing a collective sigh of relief. School’s out for summer. Time to sleep in, visit with friends, go on vacation, and, maybe even work. They can worry about the college admissions process later. Right? Wrong! If… Read more
Your College Essay May Win an Acceptance Letter!
How important are college essays? Most students and parents think that the only way to get into college is to have an exemplary transcript and really high test scores. But what about students who aren’t terrific test takers? In thinking of the college admissions’ process, the ‘door’ to college admission is writing an outstanding college essay. The… Read more
Conquering the Dreaded College Admissions Essay
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” ― Winston S. Churchill It’s October, and for many high school seniors, panic has begun to set in. The deadline for submitting their application is less than a month away, and they haven’t yet begun their college admissions essay. Their… Read more