Between the excitement of graduating high school and the anticipation of embarking on your college career there lies two glorious months of summer.  Finally, some time to yourself to enjoy the weather, friends and countless other carefree activities, right? WRONG. The summer before your first year of college will allow for plenty of time to partake in the aforementioned activities, but you’re doing yourself a disservice if all you do is relax and hang out with friends.  Ideally, this summer should be a blend of nostalgia and preparation.  So fondly remember your high school years and spend time with the people that contributed to your best memories, but also do the following: Visit your college roommate You will know who […]

1. Write your story Every college will want you to write about yourself, no matter the specifics of their essay questions.  If you write a personal statement about how you’ve become who you are, using details from your life, you’ll be able to modify that essay for all your applications.  It’s much easier to think about this question before school begins. 2. See how colleges will see you Fill out a little bit of The Common Application every day for a week.  This very thorough application can serve as the prototype for all other applications.  In the college’s eyes, this application is you. 3. Talk to your teachers Yes.  Talk to your teachers during the summer.  Letters of reference come […]

As the calendar stretches into June, most seniors are on their way to graduation. They know where they are going, and are preparing for finals, prom, graduation parties, etc. But what about those students who are still on waitlists? Many schools will extend their waitlist into August, as there are invariably issues that arise that make it impossible for students to attend in the fall, and will offer any spots that open up to the students that have chosen to remain on the waitlist. If you’re in that position, what can you do? In short: maintain dialogue with the school. The school knows that you’re busy with sports and your activities. They’ve already considered you, and know that you will […]

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, about 35% of colleges report rescinding college acceptances. In fact, the University of California and the University of Colorado typically take back several dozen acceptances each year. With long waiting lists at many colleges, there is no trouble filling those vacancies. Why do colleges reject students after they have been accepted? One word: Senioritis. It’s an insidious and highly contagious disease that the American Psychological Association doesn’t recognize. It affects only a small subset of society, high school seniors, and strikes almost exclusively in the springtime. The Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines Senioritis as “an ebbing of effort by school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences, and lower grades.” Parents are often caught […]