I’ve been answering questions that seem to be wildly misled about who actually reads your application. One site refers regularly to the "ADCOMM" -- admissions committee -- likes it’s some alien entity that always acts the same way, and not thousands of individuals. Questions like "how do admissions committees look at essays about my trip to Antarctica?" are almost as nutty ...

Applying to college for the first time is complicated enough, but the process of transferring from a two-year to a four-year college can be dizzying. With little consistency in transfer policies from school to school, there’s a lot to keep track of when changing colleges. Use the tips below to make a smooth transition. Know When to Transfer Prepare for your ...

I hear from a lot of people who think the admissions process is unfair because they don’t understand the goals that drive admission. Fair warning – much of this post came from my dissertation research, so it is long, even tedious, and only for those really obsessed with understanding the admissions process. Most people assume that colleges and universities should just ...

Like most misconceptions, community college myths are based on elements of truth. But like most misconceptions, these myths lead to mistaken beliefs that could warp your ability to choose the right post-high school educational path. Knowing the truth about community colleges sets you free from the bondage of what some in educational circles call the “snob factor.” In fact, the facts ...

In my first week of my AP English Lit class, my new teacher announced that we would begin the school year with one of the most famous works of literature, Dante’s “.” In his epic poem, Dante writes about his journey through Hell and Purgatory to eventually become the perfect man in Paradise. He struggles, hesitates and fails at some tasks, ...

Personally, I think it is reasonable to assume that most Americans can shamefully (or proudly, in some cases) admit that they have watched a teen flick. Whether the movie is Clueless, High School Musical, Mean Girls or Napoleon Dynamite, they all have that same cafeteria scene. The stock characters isolate themselves in their cliques at the lunch tables while appeasing their ...

I recently had the great privilege of serving on a select panel in Webster, NY for the presentation of Mr. Bob Bigelow.  Bob is a former first-round draft choice who played four years in the NBA.   [widget:1577] He competed collegiately at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. More recently, Bob co-authored the book Just Let Kids Play, and he has conducted more ...

All the terms you need to know to help you get into college. American College Test (ACT) : One of the most common college entrance exams. The exam consists of four sections including math, science, English, and reading. There is an optional writing section that is usually taken for the first time in the spring of the junior year and again ...

Picking out the school that's right for you isn't always easy. If you're a student with a disability, you want to find out if the school provides the accommodations and resources to make your educational experience a success. Here are some questions to ask up front to make sure a college can meet your needs: Academics and Life After College Does ...

If your roommate dies, you’ll get a 4.0. You know you’ve heard that rumor—and wondered if maybe, just maybe, it’s true. What about other college rumors? Our experts debunk these myths and give you the real scoop. Rumor: I can’t afford college.Busted: With scholarships and grants, few students pay the entire advertised sticker price of college. And with a little thought ...

You're at the top of your game and schools are clamoring to recruit you to play on their teams. Before you sign on the dotted line, ask these questions to make sure you're picking the right athletic program for you! [widget:1577] 1. Does the school offer the academic program that interests me? 2. What are the academic performance requirements to remain ...

Filling out the FAFSA can be tricky. Keep these tips in mind and you shouldn't have any problems. Identify Yourself Use your legal name as it appears on your Social Security card. Nicknames or aliases will cause a processing delay. Read the questions carefully. The words "you" and "your" on the FAFSA always refer to the student, not the parents. To ...

You want to go to college, but you can't meet the costs. According to financial aid expert Gary Williams, all may not be lost: After all of the work it takes to be successful in high school and gain admission to college, it can be extremely disappointing if your family cannot afford tuition. To avoid this situation, take a few basic ...

One reason George Mason University was voted the nation’s number one “Up-and-Coming University” by U.S. News and World Report is their straight-talking Dean of Admissions, Andrew Flagel. With over 20 years of experience, Flagel has been helping students all over the country navigate the admissions process. Now, he’s lending his talents (and sarcasm) to FastWeb users. “First off, no matter what ...

It’s breaking news!!! The admissions process isn’t fair! I know so because The Washington Post had a big article recently (ok, April, but I’ll admit I didn’t notice until one of our readers forwarded it to me for comment) on the subject. Their intrepid reporter, after what I’m sure was a grueling round of research involving at least three phone calls, ...

The holidays are about giving and sharing. In light of recent belt tightening, forget about hitting the mall to buy a sweater or a gift card.  The best gift you could give yourself and others is time. Time to enjoy the company of family and friends, time to spend cooking your favorite dishes with your parents, time to create long lasting ...

Andrew Flagel currently serves as the Dean of Admissions for George Mason University. With over 20 years of service in college admissions, Dean Flagel is more than well-versed in the ins and outs of the admissions process. Even better, he is all-too-honest with his advice ...and his opinions.

[widget:1577] At last, summer's almost here! After a school year full of hard work, you can finally put away your books, break out your bikinis, and soak up the sunshine. This is not only what you deserve but in fact what you need: If you have been working to your maximum level during the school year, you owe your body about ...

When choosing a college, you need all the information you can get. But visiting each campus can be expensive. And who has time research hundreds of Web sites or call each school individually? That's where college fairs come in. "College fairs are a 'one-stop shopping' kind of experience," says Greg Ferguson, director of the National College Fairs program of the National ...

Ready to move beyond high school, but you haven't graduated yet? Itching for new challenges and excitement? Maybe you should think about taking college courses before you graduate. Early college programs, like AP courses, can offer a lot: you learn more about your favorite subjects, get a chance to try out college-level academics and you may get a real start on ...