I promised I’d get around to writing about recommendations, and at long last I have. Colleges look at recommendations, first and foremost, to get additional information about what kind of student you have been and will be. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise, then, that the most important recommendations are usually from teachers. There are, of course, exceptions. If your ...

Then you get to your applications, and you get to the part where you answer some questions and ask some people to say stuff about you, and you realize this is the place you have the MOST control of the process. Then the panic starts. Let’s put this in some context. Essays and recommendations are WAY less important than your ...

Responses to a few questions on this subject: How many recommendations should I send? Remember that each admissions officer or committee reads THOUSANDS of applications, so this is not a competition to see who sends the most. The truth is that you can really annoy a reader with a ton of recommendations, especially if they don’t explain different information. Whatever the ...

When I first started working in the Brown Admissions Office, I assumed my primary responsibility was to select the strongest students. Instead, I soon discovered that my job was a combination of both gatekeeper and counselor. Even with a highly talented pool of students, my admissions colleagues and I spent many hours discussing how a student would make an impact in ...

One of the most important parts of your college application isn't written by you: the letter of recommendation. But that doesn't mean you're off the hook. Get the best recommendation you can to make a winning impression. Get Organized Organization is the key to making sure your recommendations get where they need to go on time. Make a chart of your ...

Working in retail doesn't necessarily mean that every day is the same. If you're looking to add some excitement to your retail career or earn some extra cash with an out-of-the-ordinary job, there are plenty of seasonal opportunities that go beyond ringing cash registers and stocking shelves. While all positions are not the same, consider one of the following cool temporary ...

Some college applications require you to submit recommendations. Because this is such an important part of your application, you should be as organized as possible. To help you with this process, here is a list of things you should and shouldn’t do when asking for a recommendation. DO begin early. Most recommenders need at least two weeks, to write recommendations, maybe ...

I know I promised to get back to the GREAT MYTHS OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, but you all send such INTERESTING questions that I get distracted. This can also happen with shiny objects, or really interesting events, such as…. Shameless Plug: Just two weeks ago Mason hosted the first annual Washington Journalism and Media Conference. Enrolled students got to hear from Chuck ...