Essay writing season is underway at Educational Advocates. We are meeting with students to brainstorm topics and guide them as they begin to free write. While almost any topic written effectively can work, some topics are better than others and a few should be avoided.
Here are tips to keep in mind as you begin your essay:
What do you want the college to know about you? Each year students tell us they want a clever angle for their college essay. They mention the cousin who wrote
With summer approaching, it is the perfect time to select some books to read on the porch with a tall glass of lemonade. With the volume of homework you manage all year it can be hard to find time to read for pleasure. Remember the joy you get from reading a riveting story and not wanting to put it down? Our friends at Wellesley Books offer recommendations in a range of genres:
The current state of the economy has left many college-bound students and their families more concerned about how they will pay for college. The good news is that, in addition to need-based aid (determined by family income and assets), our clients collectively received over $1.6 million in merit scholarships this year for college or graduate school. In a previous article, we discussed developing a college list with financial considerations in mind. Here we further explain…
When teachers receive a student request for a college recommendation, they first consider some questions. What are this student’s strengths? Can I give specific examples of how the student demonstrated these strengths? How did this student do in my class in terms of grades and effort? What might this student contribute to their college or program of interest?
As you might gather from these questions, writing letters of recommendation can be a complex task. If you apply through…
If you are a senior, you have recently made a big decision and placed a deposit at the college of your choice. Now it’s time to plan for your transition to college. If you have received support or accommodations during high school for a learning difference, or health or physical disability, here are the steps you should take:
Visit the college website and find the page for academic support services or disability services. There you will find specific instructions for how to access
Children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability or a medical issue that affects their learning, or who currently receive accommodations such as extended time or use of a computer at school, should start thinking early in high school about applying for accommodations for the SAT or ACT. Starting early means 9th or 10th grade.
Case Study: Realizing The Need Late In High School
Consider Joey’s story. He was a hard-working, first-born student in a private school with…
This is a time of uncertainty which can be difficult. It is only human to want to know what lies ahead. Keep in mind, however, that all high school students are in the same position as you. There have been many changes impacting college admissions and higher education and we will be guiding you through all these changes. Here is a summary of recent developments with resources to help you manage it all. Be sure to contact us with any questions.
Coping with financial uncertainty and creating a financially balanced college list
The events of the past few weeks have disrupted plans for a smooth transition to college. Students’ best intentions to complete rigorous courses, take standardized tests on schedule, and participate in meaningful extracurricular activities are all expectations that we now find challenged. Parents’ plans to pay for college using long-term investments may need to be revised. While we are…
For many seniors, April 1 marks the end of a long and often stressful period of uncertainty. Envelopes or emails from colleges will arrive, and the result is usually a definitive acceptance or denial. However, for students who are put on a college’s waiting list, the next steps are less clear. Due to Covid-19, waitlists are expected to be longer this year. With uncertainty around topics such as international students being able to get a Visa, families re-evaluating college cost,…
Between now and May 1 (or June 1 for colleges who have extended), high school seniors are trying to decide among their many college acceptances. Here is a list of frequently asked questions from college-bound seniors that may help you as you think about your college options.
Q: I was accepted into my second choice college at my favorite university. Should I matriculate and try to transfer into my college of choice once I am an enrolled student or is this too risky?
