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Whether you’re starting with a blank screen or you’ve written down a quick list of your high school activities and you’re wondering where to head next, here are some tips on how to get the most out of the Activities Section on your Common Application. Before we start, here are some quick reminders: 1) you only have 10 entry spots, 2) you only have 150 characters maximum for each spot, and 3) your entries should be listed in order of importance to you. Use action verbs to describe your experiences and tasks. There is no need to use complete sentences for [...]

While the admissions news might not be exactly what you had hoped for, hearing back about a waitlist position or deferral spot can be a great opportunity for you to reaffirm your interest in a college, giving yourself the best possible opportunity to gain admission in the future. First, unless otherwise specified in the materials from the college itself, I would suggest sending a thoughtful and detailed email letter directly to your local admissions representative. In this email, you can reaffirm your interest in the college, share any relevant application updates, and make the admissions officer aware that if accepted, you [...]

When I first start working with a family, I am often asked about this mysterious idea of “finding your passion.” While most of the time the question initially comes from parents, I have a feeling that the high school student is just as interested. But how do you go about discovering your passion at a younger age when your coursework is fairly prescribed, your activities are somewhat limited but what’s available to you, and you might even be experiencing a global pandemic. Ha! Here are a few great places to start: Take a course in a subject matter you have always [...]

While visiting a college campus is typically the strongest way to determine fit, much can be done before or in lieu of a visit to get a sense of a school. Here are some tips for exploring a campus virtually: Go to the college’s website and explore the Undergraduate Admissions page. What themes or messages are highlighted throughout the admissions materials? Attend a Virtual Information Session, offered live regularly and also recorded for watching after a prior event Connect with current students via a Live Chat or through your own network. Many admissions offices are now offering this opportunity to connect [...]