Everyone knows students have to compete for admission to selective colleges today. More high school seniors are applying to more schools, more international students want U.S. educations, yet the number of seats available at top colleges and universities has barely budged. But where college websites tend to make the process appear straightforward (fill out the application, submit a transcript, supply one recommendation), the reality is a little more complicated. Selective c

The world of college admissions has become increasingly complex in the last 25 years. Students used to attend whatever college was within a couple hours' drive from their home. Now, the US News rankings have increased awareness of institutions across the country, encouraging colleges to compete for applicants both nationally and internationally. At the same time, the advent of the Common Application has made it that much easier for students to apply to these far-flung inst

It's human nature: If we have a list, we want to rank it. US News and World Report took full advantage of that tendency when it first published its college rankings in the 1980s. While its goal might have been somewhat laudable at the time (to encourage students to consider colleges beyond their local area), the publication wasn't content with an alphabetical list. It had to rate one college against another. And that is where the trouble started. Below are three of the gr

When starting to research colleges, some students immediately turn to the internet. And there's no question that college websites and social media can provide up-to-date information and real-time student views of an institution. But today I want to plead for three books (physical books!) that deserve a look. 1. The Fiske Guide. This directory of selective colleges was revolutionary when Edward Fiske, a New York Times education editor, first put it out in 1982. It still

Americans seem to approach everything with optimism. Just look at some of our more widespread clichés: “Reach for the stars.” “Anything is possible.” “Follow your dreams.” Many colleges – including the most highly selective – are quick to encourage this kind of thinking. Even with (in some cases) more than 30,000 applications, they continually market to increase that number. They tout “holistic review,” brag that they have no cut-offs for test scores or GPAs, and assure st

By its nature a circle has no beginning or end, and so it is with college applications. Just as the seniors are stepping off the merry-go-round, juniors are stepping on. It's important to get both those endings and beginnings right. April 1st used to be a general notification date, but many schools now jump the gun, hoping to get your attention before more selective schools notify their applicants. Ivy decisions came out yesterday, and students found, once again, that thos

Many seniors have finally sent off the last of their applications, but for underclassmen the flurry of mail is just starting. They receive fistfuls of glossy brochures showing the same happy and diverse group of clean-cut students on the grass under an autumn sky, extolling the virtues of this or that college in strikingly similar terms. Sometimes the brochure is even accompanied by a letter, “personally” addressed to the student, “congratulating” him on his “accomplishment

In most parts of the country, spring is slowly blossoming into summer. Finally, a chance to change gears, experience a more relaxed schedule and -- if you are a rising high school senior –- start on that Common App essay! If you thought junior year was hectic and stressful, imagine next fall, when applications actually come due. It just makes sense to do what you can before deadline pressure sets in. Most selective colleges require a personal statement as part of their appl

Child Psychologist Ellen Braaten addressed the Independent Educational Consultants Association at its conference in Boston a couple weeks ago. Her topic: “The Curse of the Average Child.” She began the program describing a couple who had brought their daughter in for testing, “hoping” that some type of diagnosis would explain her lackluster grades. They were shocked at the outcome the therapist reported; their child was “perfectly normal. “ Perfectly average. Parents d

The headlines are similar every year: "The Unlikely School Where Students Sweep the Ivy League" "This Essay Got a High-School Senior into 5 Ivy League Schools and Stanford" "Twins Offered a Combined $1.6 Million in Scholarships After Being Accepted to 56 Colleges" I'm sure it won't surprise you to learn that these headlines are very misleading! Let's start with the assumption that getting into all the Ivy League colleges should even be a goal. For most students, elements of