Admissions Blog

Learn all about being an undergrad in the UK

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Craig

Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. If this describes how you are feeling right about now and you are an American or Canadian high school student, NOW is the time to seriously consider and start researching options for completing your undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom.

“But how do I go about do that?” you ask? “I wouldn’t know where to begin!” you declare.

Start by signing up for the invaluable TH!NKUK event running from January 18 through 22, 2021.

TH!NKUK is like a massive multi-day virtual college information session, and it will be the largest scale event organized specifically by UK universities for a North American audience this year. TH!NKUK highlights diverse higher education opportunities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and will cover everything from how to submit UCAS applications to what it’s like to arrive in the UK as an international student. Best of all, participants will have the chance to engage with International Admissions Officers, academics, current UK university students from North America, and UK university alumni.

This flier highlights all of the participating UK universities, the huge range of sessions available and schedule, and – most importantly – the link to register.

Students, parents, and high school counselors are encouraged to attend to learn more about studying in the UK.

Before or after attending, here are five ways applying to attend college in the UK is different from applying to attend college in the US.

Long time readers of Admissions.Blog know that I’ve often said that there are at least two great reasons for Americans to get their degree in the UK.

What’s that you say? The UK is not exotic enough for you? Here are four reasons to consider going to college in Europe and an introduction to going to college in France.

Though so much has changed in the last year, high school students need to remember that the world is your oyster! Don’t settle for an American college degree if it’s not a good fit for you. Research until you find your ideal post-secondary path. Good luck!

Dear 12th Grader: Don’t Blow Your Ivy Chances Now

Posted on December 20, 2020 by Craig

So many high school seniors are still in real contention for an Ivy League acceptance in the first few weeks of twelfth grade. Then, something happens that takes most of these smart and well-intentioned young people out of the running entirely.

Don’t let this happen to you! Watch the video below to find out what you must do to give yourself the best shot of closing the deal with the Ivy League or similarly selective college of your dreams during the first few weeks of senior year.

The advice in the above video is particularly relevant to students who have not made major mistakes in 9th grade, 10th grade, or 11th grade.

Sadly, many high school students make major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

If you are a student (or a parent of a student) who wants to proactively and wisely tackle every challenge high school throws your way and reach your college admissions potential, the best advice I can give you is to join my Monthly Master Class.

My Monthly Master Class is for students and parents who desire expert guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! Too many students don’t get much if any great college admissions advice even as late as into their senior year in high school; therefore, it’s never too late to join the Monthly Master Class if you want to give yourself the best chance at reaching your college admissions goals.

On the first Sunday of each month throughout the year members of the Monthly Master Class meet up with me live (no more than ten students/class – though parents are invited too) during which time they are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and learn from questions and answers shared in the class. During each session I provide exclusive access to insider admissions news and information and answers to participants’ current questions. Some sessions may last an hour. Others may last up to two. My goal is to ensure participants leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented by each remaining month of their high school careers.

In short, if you become a member the Monthly Master Class you’ll gain access to timely best-in-class college admissions counseling that will empower you to make the right moves regarding academics, testing, extracurricular activities, and college applications in order to meet with future college admissions success.

Best of all, unlike my one-on-one college admissions coaching services, which are, frankly, quite expensive, joining the Monthly Master Class only costs a very reasonable $49 a month, or when paid annually, just $499 a year (a savings of $98 compared to those paying monthly). Consider it an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention a month is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which, from my experience, is too often the case with students who only start getting good/any college counseling in 11th grade or later).

Get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected. Join my Monthly Master Class today.

Dear 11th Grader: Don’t Screw Up Your Ivy League Chances Now

Posted on December 19, 2020 by Craig

One decision you make in eleventh grade, your third year in high school, will directly influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League or similarly selective college or university when you are a high school senior.

If you don’t make time to focus on this one endeavor during your junior year, you won’t be meeting your college admissions potential. In the process you will be kissing Ivy League colleges and similarly selective American colleges and universities goodbye – particularly if this misstep is coupled with similarly destructive mistakes in 9th grade, 10th grade, or 12th grade.

Yet, in an ideal scenario, you won’t be making any major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

My Monthly Master Class is for students and parents who desire expert guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! On the first Sunday of each month throughout the year members of the Monthly Master Class meet up with me live (no more than ten students/class – though parents are invited too) during which time they are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and learn from questions and answers shared in the class. During each session I provide exclusive access to insider admissions news and information and answers to participants’ current questions. Some sessions may last an hour. Others may last up to two. My goal is to ensure participants leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented by each month of their high school career.

Best of all, unlike my one-on-one college admissions coaching services, which are, frankly, quite expensive, joining the Monthly Master Class only costs a very reasonable $49 a month, or when paid annually, just $499 a year (a savings of $98 compared to those paying monthly). Consider it an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention a month is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

Get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected. Join my Monthly Master Class today.

Dear 10th Grader: Don’t Become An Ivy League Reject!

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Craig

One decision you make in tenth grade, your second year in high school, will directly influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League or similarly selective college or university when you are a high school senior.

Make sure to make time for the major pursuit described in the video below during your sophomore year because if you don’t, your chances of getting into highly selective colleges or universities in two years will nosedive – especially if coupled with similarly destructive mistakes in 9th grade, 11th grade, or 12th grade.

My Monthly Master Class is for students and parents who desire expert guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! On the first Sunday of each month throughout the year members of the Monthly Master Class meet up with me live (no more than ten students/class – though parents are invited too) during which time they are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and learn from questions and answers shared in the class. During each session I provide exclusive access to insider admissions news and information and answers to participants’ current questions. Some sessions may last an hour. Others may last up to two. My goal is to ensure participants leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented by each month of their high school career.

Best of all, unlike my one-on-one college admissions coaching services, which are, frankly, quite expensive, joining the Monthly Master Class only costs a very reasonable $49 a month, or when paid annually, just $499 a year (a savings of $98 compared to those paying monthly). Consider it an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention a month is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

Get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected. Join my Monthly Master Class today.

Dear 9th Grader: Don’t get rejected from the Ivy League so soon!

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Craig

One major decision that you make in ninth grade, your first year in high school, will directly influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League or similarly selective college or university when you are a high school senior.

If you can avoid making this one big mistake (described in the video below) in your first year in high school you will salvage your chances of getting into a highly selective college or university later on – as long as you don’t make similarly destructive mistakes in 10th grade, 11th grade, or 12th grade.

My Monthly Master Class is for students and parents who desire expert guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! On the first Sunday of each month throughout the year members of the Monthly Master Class meet up with me live (no more than ten students/class – though parents are invited too) during which time they are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and learn from questions and answers shared in the class. During each session I provide exclusive access to insider admissions news and information and answers to participants’ current questions. Some sessions may last an hour. Others may last up to two. My goal is to ensure participants leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented by each month of their high school career.

Best of all, unlike my one-on-one college admissions coaching services, which are, frankly, quite expensive, joining the Monthly Master Class only costs a very reasonable $49 a month, or when paid annually, just $499 a year (a savings of $98 compared to those paying monthly). Consider it an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention a month is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

Get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected. Join my Monthly Master Class today.

Wake Forest Reveals Summer 2021 Pre-College Programs for High School Students

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Admissions.Blog

Wake Forest University’s Summer Immersion Program is an opportunity for high school students to pursue their passions, immerse themselves in a career pathway or field of study, and engage with Wake Forest faculty and professionals. With twenty unique Institutes being offered on-campus and online during the Summer of 2021, Wake is excited to offer options for to those willing to show up in person despite the pandemic and those wanting to play it safe by learning virtually. Thematically, Institutes include:

STEM (Medicine, Biosciences and Engineering, Neuroscience, Psychology, Virtual Reality)
Civic Engagement (Law, Leadership, Policy and Politics, Debate and Public Advocacy
Business (Entrepreneurship, Finance and Investing, Sports Marketing)
Creative (Animation, Film, and Writing for Life)

Institutes range from $2,500 – $2,700. To be considered for the Summer Immersion Program each student must submit an online application, as well as receive one recommendation from a school counselor, teacher, or principal. Within the online application, students will list the name, phone number, and email address of a reference who can speak to the student’s academic abilities and capacity to thrive in a college environment (the online recommendation cannot be requested from a family member, coach, religious leader or paid tutor). References will receive an automated email with a link to a form that asks questions about the student. It should be noted that high school transcripts are not required to apply to the Summer Immersion Program. Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis, so that means you can even start (better yet, finish) your app over winter break if you are interested. As we always say, those who want to make the most of summer break make the most of winter break!

Those who have questions even after visiting Wake’s Summer Immersion Program website (linked above) are encouraged to contact [email protected] or 980-224-9298.

See some of our past recommendations for great summer programs and endeavors here, here, here, and here. If you are torn between an expensive pre-college program and a local and cheaper option, click here. And if you are debating a summer job versus a summer internship click here.

Good luck to high school students are they set out to plan a safe and productive Summer of 2021!

University of Rochester Application Deadlines Extended

Posted on December 5, 2020 by Admissions.Blog

University of Rochester Library.

The University of Rochester has announced a major shift it its Regular Decision and Early Decision II application deadlines for the current admissions cycle.

Dr. Robert J. Alexander, Rochester’s Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Management, informed high school counselors on December 4, 2020 that applications for both admission plans, which are typically due in the first days of January are now due January 20 – a full two weeks later than normal.

“In recognition of these turbulent and unprecedented times, the University of Rochester is offering an extension to both our Regular Decision and Early Decision II application deadlines.” wrote Alexander. Students applying by the new deadlines will still be considered for both admission and merit scholarships. He added, “We hope this extension allows students, families, and counselors more time to navigate the challenges associated with COVID-19 and virtual interactions, and to take care of themselves and their families.”

While those are lovely sentiments, as we mentioned previously when discussing Tuft’s decision to move its Early Decision deadline into late November, such dramatic shifts are not taken out of altruism alone. While we don’t have access to internal data from Rochester, what’s becoming clearer is the decision to go test-optional this admissions cycle by many selective and hyper-selective colleges has boomeranged back particularly hard on many typically selective colleges like Rochester that don’t have the name recognition of the Dukes, Penns, or Browns of the world. This is because many students who would have never considered hyper-selective colleges are applying to them instead of colleges that are typically slightly less selective; even the Ivies are test-optional this cycle.

For instance, let’s say you are an average straight A student in the high school Class of 2021 with a 1030 on the SAT; in a typical year you would never apply to anything other than your state university and a few others with relatively low test score averages. This year, you say to yourself, “I might as well put in an app or two to Duke, Harvard, and Vanderbilt since they won’t look at my scores.” And he or she has heard of them in pop culture.

Meanwhile, the typical Rochester applicant, one with, let’s say, a 1350 on the SAT, is now also looking to trade up the rankings lists to Carnegie Mellon, Wash U., or even Yale this year. Rochester likely finds itself in what we’ve call previously a doughnut hole of a situation; Rochester is getting overlooked by both its typical applicants and those academically weaker than its typical applicants all because both groups of applicants are applying to higher ranked schools OR opting for options with retail prices lower than private Rochester (in-state universities, community colleges, etc.) considering the economic disaster brought on by governors and mayors shutting down so much commerce. What a shame for a great school like Rochester! Yet, what a great year for a strong student looking for a great college and a scholarship to consider Rochester. And now such a student has even more time to apply (though we always say, “the early bird gets the worm”). Stay strategic.

Demonstrate Interest in DigiPen, Get a Computer

Posted on December 5, 2020 by Admissions.Blog

DigiPen Institute of Technology is taking rewards for demonstrating interest to a new level.

While many colleges and universities reward students who demonstrate interest (including visiting campus, communication via phone or email with an admissions officer, taking part in a regional information session, etc.) with an edge in the admissions process, DigiPen has announced that through August 13, 2021, when prospective students attend any of its Online Information Sessions, Degree Program Deep Dive sessions, or Preview Days, they will automatically receive an entry for a chance to win a laptop computer (with specifications meeting the requirements for incoming DigiPen students). Students may receive an additional entry each time they attend a qualifying event during this period, but no more than one entry per event per registered attendee. For more information on full rules click here.

DigiPen is a private, for-profit university based in Redmond, Washington with additional campuses in Singapore and Bilbao, Spain. It’s best known for offering degree programs in computer science, animation, video game development, game design, sound design, and computer engineering. In 2019, Animation Career Review ranked DigiPen as the sixth best Video Game University in the United States and Princeton Review ranked DigiPen as number four on its annual list of “Top 50 Undergraduate Schools to Study Game Design.”