The Best U College Admissions Consulting

  A college list that works has little to do with any list you can find online Families with high school students know better than most that the recent news in college admissions features quite a lot of headlines about the highest numbers of applications and the lowest acceptance rates “ever.” While these may be the facts, we encourage parents and students everywhere to step away from the ranking lists and take a different approach to building college lists. Read on for our key advice for where to look instead– What’s really behind increased application numbers and ever shrinking acceptance rates? Colleges benefit from increased applicant numbers because they drive the perception of prestige, exclusivity and excellence, and higher rankings. With college rankings and our public perceptions about what makes a college highly desirable tied to low acceptance rates, colleges are in a race to depress those numbers. The more applications a college receives, the lower that acceptance rate ...

  If you know a young person thinking about the prestigious U.S. Service Academies in their future, there is a lot to know. The candidate processes at Westpoint, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, & the Coast Guard Academy are unlike traditional college applications. Here are three things to know now if you are curious about these opportunities: Preparation begins now: While each service academy has its own expectations and profiles of their ideal admitted candidates, know that admissions is as competitive as the most highly selective colleges in the country. All of the academies are looking for students who are both excellent students and committed, accomplished athletes. They expect to see students taking rigorous courses and earning strong grades throughout high school, particularly in math and science. They look for students to compete in one or more sports as varsity athletes throughout high school. Prospective students will also need to complete health evaluations ...

  It’s no secret that the competitiveness in college admissions continues to skyrocket. But what’s really happening when admissions officers read your application? Do the same things matter or are they looking for something different? Read on for what we are seeing + an opportunity for a live webinar with our very own Stacy Hernandez to peek behind the curtain of the application reading process – Looking at the early findings from 2023, here are three trends we’ve seen growing in priority in the admissions process: 1.Applying early is increasingly important. Many colleges are persisting in the trend of admitting upwards of 50%+ of their class from their Early Decision pools. This means that students who are strong, viable applicants compared to the typical admitted student profile create their best likelihood of admission to a school that offers a binding Early Decision pathway by committing to that school with an ED application . This path is not for everyone, but if you know the ...

  April is the month where the final anxiously awaited college decisions roll in. Sometimes, students & families have spent so much time preparing for the admissions process, that what happens next has yet to come into focus. Read on for our must know tips on finalizing your college decision & preparing for a successful college transition + a FREE webinar opportunity to join us live to take the guesswork out of this transition season– 1.Think through your decision with yourself and the adults who know you best. At the end of the day, it can be easy for students to lose sight of the ultimate goal: preparing for life and learning in a college community where you will thrive in the next chapter of your life. Putting aside all the admissions results that can feel like wins and losses, now is the time to think about what really matters for you in the college you will call home. Not the ranking, name, or prestige, but what matters to you. As students hone in on those final choic...

  If you know a 12th grade student, chances are they are feeling stumped by a pesky supplemental essay question on their college applications right now. These essays, optional or required as part of an application to a specific college, can be tough for students to tackle. Here are three tips to help you write your best – #1 Don’t let optional fool you. Many additional essay or short answer questions asked by colleges within their applications are listed as “optional” or “not required.” Don’t let this fool you. Colleges are receiving more applications than ever before, and a thoughtful supplemental essay response is an important way to show the college you are invested and serious about attending! Don’t leave that opportunity on the table. #2 Think about why a college is asking this question. If a college is adding an essay that will increase the amount of reading they have to do for each application, they are asking that question for a reason. Take a look at the prompt and ask y...

  April is the month where the final anxiously awaited college decisions roll in. Sometimes, students & families have spent so much time preparing for the admissions process, that what happens next has yet to come into focus. Read on for our must know tips on finalizing your college decision & preparing for a successful college transition + a FREE webinar opportunity to join us live to take the guesswork out of this transition season– 1.Think through your decision with yourself and the adults who know you best. At the end of the day, it can be easy for students to lose sight of the ultimate goal: preparing for life and learning in a college community where you will thrive in the next chapter of your life. Putting aside all the admissions results that can feel like wins and losses, now is the time to think about what really matters for you in the college you will call home. Not the ranking, name, or prestige, but what matters to you. As students hone in on those final choic...

From a traumatic experience in my youth, I had to learn how to say “No”. This experience is now applied to teaching parents how to support their teenagers’ “No’s.” To visit more blogs, please  click here .

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