Articles, posts and topics of interest from The College Spy, an independent college consultant and college coach, and its founder Michelle McAnaney. The College Spy offers Expert, personalized college and university search, selection, admissions, and financial aid advice for parents and college-bound students. The College Spy provides its services online and via phone. The College Spy works with both US and international students.
College admissions counselors are impressed by students who spend their summers working. There are four places on the Common Application where students can highlight their employment experience. Your choice of where to feature a summer job will depend upon how significant the job is in showcasing your skills, interests and personal attributes compared with your other activities.
Read MoreSenior year of high school is a busy one for college bound students. This infographic breaks down the key events and deadlines so you can stay on top of the everything that must get done on the journey from high school senior to college freshman.
Read MoreIn addition to planning for junior prom and learning to parallel park, high school juniors should be doing these 7 things right now.
Read MoreThe Common Application is a single application that students can use to apply to over 900 colleges and universities. This is The College Spy’s description of the sections of the Common Application and tips on how to effectively response to each one.
Read MoreColleges utilize five types of application deadlines. As students plan for college, an understanding of how each type can affect their admissions chances as well as how a deadline at one college can limit the deadline choice at another college should be a key part of planning the admissions process.
Read MoreSummer activities feature prominently in the “activities” section of college applications and help college admissions staff determine which students will be a good fit for their campus. Unfortunately, COVID-19 will likely alter teens’ summer plans, leaving many parents and students worried about missing opportunities to showcase their skills, interests and talents. Think of the quarantine as an opportunity to do something unique that will set your application apart from others in the pile.
Read MoreCollege admissions professionals often cite grades and academic rigor as the best predictors of academic success on the college level. But these two predictors do not tell the whole story. Grades and courses do not provide information about a student’s strengths, challenges, personality, character and work ethic. Letters of recommendation provide this valuable, contextual information.
Read MoreDifficult life circumstances may prevent you from doing your academic best. Don’t let one semester or even a year of lower grades hold you back from applying to a college that is a good fit for you.
Read MoreWriting a college application essay can be a stressful and time-consuming task. The writing process, including choosing a topic, will be easier if you start with a full understanding of how the college essay is used by college admissions officers.
Read MoreA dual enrollment course is a single course that provides a student with both high school and college credit. Dual enrollment courses are unique educational opportunities that can offer significant advantages for the right student. When deciding whether to take a dual enrollment course, students should think about their college goals, compare the courses available to them at their high school and discuss their options with their school counselor.
Read MoreCollege admissions counselors are impressed by students who spend their summers working. There are four places on the Common Application where students can highlight their employment experience. Your choice of where to feature a summer job will depend upon how significant the job is in showcasing your skills, interests and personal attributes compared with your other activities.
Read MoreIn addition to planning for junior prom and learning to parallel park, high school juniors should be doing these things right now.
Read MoreColleges are increasingly and strategically sending letters to students who have applied regular decision suggesting that they consider converting their application to early decision or “ED” status. Your student should do these 3 things if they receive one of those letters.
Read MoreWhen setting up the “guardrails” around your student’s college search, consider that a short flight, rather than a long drive could result in your student finding the college match of his or her dreams.
Read MoreMy college admissions story starts in 1992. I am a junior sitting in the high school auditorium with 400 fellow students. Six guidance counselors take turns telling us what we need to do to apply to college.
Read MoreThe College Spy is a college coach and educational consultant. The College Spy offers expert one-on-one college and university planning, selection, essay, admissions and financial aid advice for college-bound high school students and their families. The College Spy provides its services online and via phone. The College Spy works with both US and international students.
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