Just after my last post about grades, I heard from a student who wanted to know if the trends in grade issue (up trends better than down trends -- up all the way along is best) extended into senior year. It’s true that, for the most part, junior year of high school is the most important period for admission as a ...

OK, I’m back. Sorry to be gone so long right when you all were in the midst of your applications, but hey, it happens. I was off in Japan and Korea where Mason is incredibly popular, and came back to a FLOOD of early action applicants screaming for attention. Also, thanks to over 4,000 of you who attended our Fall Showcase ...

As if waiting for admissions decisions while colleges spam you with “holiday greetings” that are really application deadline reminders wasn’t enough to dampen your festive spirit, along comes a new Scrooge. College Prowler is a company that claims to offer inside information on colleges, while mostly selling stuff, although they only list about 250 of the 4,000 or so institutions out ...

Parents, in case you haven’t heard, college admissions officers may or may not be cyber-scrutinizing your children. That’s big news in the world of college admission. But it shouldn’t be. College admissions officers are savvy and (like prospective employers) they can get a little curious about students. I’m not saying we have a breaking and entering situation here -- quite the ...

Not all people have a smooth experience in high school. It takes some people longer to adjust, and others make choices that could have been better. And some students have to deal with serious life issues while in school: death, divorce, athletic injuries, or an end of a serious relationship. Whatever the situation, it might have meant a bumpier road rather ...

When it comes to selecting and getting into a college, guidance counselors are invaluable. But they can't help you unless they know what you're looking for. Help them give the guidance you need by following these tips from counselors across the country. Visit early and often. Get to know your counselor during your freshman year. Check back with them at least ...

You've narrowed your choice of colleges down to seven different schools. Now comes the fun part: filling out seven different applications. This means entering your name/address/school data over and over and writing multiple personal essays. And if you can't apply online, this means reacquainting yourself with a typewriter. At long last, an alternative is gaining momentum: the Common Application. What Is ...