When colleges consider applicants, they are interested in several factors. At the majority of institutions, the most important factors are whether students challenged themselves in high school and took the most rigorous classes available to them, as well as their GPA. But, colleges consider other factors too, such as letters [...]
I recently finished watching the fourth and final season of Never Have I Ever on Netflix. The show chronicles how the main character, Devi Vishwakumar, and her friends navigate the academic, social, and romantic challenges of high school. In the fourth season, Devi is a senior at a public high [...]
Recently, I visited seven Colorado colleges in about two and a half days. Yes, it was exhausting. No, I don’t recommend visiting that many schools in that amount of time. That said, if beautiful scenery, access to the great outdoors, and superb academic programs sound appealing, you should consider a [...]
I was interviewed by money.com (formerly Money Magazine) for an article called, "4 Tips for Finding the Best College for You." Specifically, I was asked about how students can use campus visits to determine if a college is a good fit. The article was included in Money's "Best Colleges" feature [...]
Perhaps you’ve decided going to college in New York City would be a perfect fit. Between the bright lights of Broadway, hundreds of museums and galleries, every type of cuisine imaginable, and shopping that can’t be beat, NYC has so much to offer. The Big Apple is indeed an exhilarating [...]
When I was taking classes at UC Irvine to earn my Independent Educational Consultant certificate, my classmates and I held many differing opinions. However, there was one thing we all seemed to agree on: a strong dislike for the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. Begun in the [...]
For years, I have told anyone who will listen not to rely too heavily on the U.S. News & World Report college rankings, as they are deeply flawed and don't necessarily capture the quality of education a particular school provides. I know many college consultants who feel the same way. [...]
A few days ago, I was telling my parents that some of my seniors likely will have to decide which college they're going to attend without having visited, as the pandemic has upended college visits for the past year. My dad commented that he didn't visit any colleges before deciding [...]
I am currently reading David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell. The premise of the book is that disadvantages might actually be advantages, that people who are considered underdogs may in fact have the greatest chance for success, and that obstacles might really be opportunities. One section of the book focuses [...]
Countless businesses have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and colleges are no exception. In addition to all the "normal" considerations that students and parents have when it comes to choosing a college, an additional factor this year is whether colleges are financially stable and if they are at [...]
