When most families think “college,” their minds jump to big-name universities with sprawling campuses, packed football stadiums, and thousands of students. But here’s the thing—those aren’t the only options, and for many students, they aren’t even the best options. Enter the small liberal arts college. If you’re picturing old brick buildings, tiny lecture halls, and [...]
Let’s face it—official college brochures are basically the Instagram highlight reel of higher education: perfectly staged, heavily edited, and not always the full picture. If your student really wants to know what life on campus is like—beyond the glossy brochures and carefully scripted tours—social media is the secret weapon to research colleges. Students are already [...]
When I went to tour McGill last summer with my two kids, ages 15 and 11, I had two very different experiences. While waiting for the tour to start, my eleven-year-old son read the course catalog, picked his major, and decided on his dormitory. My fifteen-year-old avoided sitting next to me, seemed very unhappy, and [...]
The concept of branding has invaded our culture. Not only do brands have brands, but people, including students, are encouraged to promote their “personal brand”. Soon, my dog will start working on one–his brand will probably be “well-behaved but quirky,” so he gets more treats, although his behavior will undoubtedly remain problematic despite his campaign. [...]
Navigating the college admissions process is complicated, and I feel it’s on the organizational level of planning an invasion of a small country. Here are some ways to make it slightly more efficient and less stressful. Do smart research using smart sources—my favorite two research tools for colleges are old school. The Fiske Guide, although [...]
I have a wonderful friend, who has a wonderful son. As her oldest child, the college admissions process took them both by surprise. Although he was an excellent student with excellent extracurriculars, he was rejected by all the colleges in the Ivy-Plus world. Although he did gain admission to a top-notch public flagship in the [...]
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