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College application season is right around the corner, and for rising seniors, that means one thing: essay writing has officially begun! Alongside countless drafts of short responses and supplemental essays, students will also face what is arguably the most important essay in the entire application process — the Common App personal statement. Unlike grades, test ... The Most Common Mistakes Students Make in the Common App Essay (and How to Avoid Them)

There’s an age-old adage that big things come in small packages. How perfectly fitting to describe liberal arts colleges in the United States, which are frequently overlooked in favor of their bigger, more widely known university peers. As a former admissions officer at a liberal arts college, and a believer in their benefits, I believe ... The Underrated Liberal Arts College

We all know how this article is going to end: the message has been very consistent from neutral educators – all curricula lead you to the same place, and therefore, there is no clear winner here. I disagree – there are winners in the battle of the curricula but no real losers. If you are ... IB v A level v APs – which curriculum should I choose for my high school student?

A Note to Rising 10th, 11th & 12th Graders and Their Families Summer has arrived, and with it comes something every student has earned: rest. After the intensity of the school year, there is real value in stepping back, recharging, and reflecting on how things went, academically, extracurricularly, and personally. Students may take the initial ... A college counselor’s perspective: It’s Not Just About What You Do, It’s About Who You’re Becoming

The early round is the biggest strategic decision a senior makes, and most families treat it as a nice to have. However, at some point in this process, you’ll need to make a decision about where you’d like to go, so why not make that decision when it helps your chances as opposed to letting ... Early Decision and Early Action: How to Choose

A family sat down with me recently and walked me through their daughter’s recruiting plan at the end of her 10th grade. It was thoughtful, organized, and built on assumptions that were accurate maybe five years ago. They pictured a world where a coach at a selective college spots a promising junior soccer player, extends ... The Ground Has Shifted Under College Athletic Recruiting: Here’s What Families Need to Know Now to Navigate It with Confidence

Based on experience working in college admission, and primarily reviewing and assessing applications from students abroad, there are a few common pitfalls highly selective schools would see. The application components and process to competitive schools in the U.S., where they practice holistic application review, a process taking into account all aspects of the application, instead ... Five Common Mistakes International Students Make When Applying to U.S. Colleges

The best time to start thinking about your child’s future is before they have to. For many parents, university feels like something to think about in Grades 11 and 12. That is when applications, testing, essays and university lists become real, and deadlines begin to appear on the calendar. But the foundation for a strong ... Why Starting Early Matters