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.
The 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 MoreYou’ve taken countless SAT practice tests, and in the last few you’ve managed to hit - or even exceed - your goal score. Then on test day something goes wrong and your score doesn’t come close to matching how well you’ve done on your practice tests. This situation isn’t uncommon, but there are ways to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
Read MoreGive your high school senior this checklist of college admissions tasks to complete before the school year begins. Completing these tasks early will reduce stress and help your family enjoy your child’s last year of high school.
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 MoreThe College Spy debunks three myths about the college tour that might keep you from taking advantage of this key element of your college search.
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 MoreYour daughter is hoping for acceptance to her first-choice college, one that was chosen carefully after an exhausting college search. Here is what you should do if a rejection letter arrives.
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 MoreToday’s well-rounded applicants are welcome at many colleges but the most selective schools prefer a different shape. They are prioritizing “pointy” students, those who have participated in several activities centered around a theme rather than a variety of disconnected activities. Elite colleges want students whose activities demonstrate commitment to a core interest, belief or pursuit.
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 MoreThe key to getting the most out of a summer job is to think ahead about what the job will do for you aside from providing you with spending money. A summer job can also boost your self-esteem, introduce you to a potential future career and help you get into college. Before you run out and take the first job you can find, here are some things to consider when choosing your summer job.
Read MoreA parent’s perspective: The college search process was an unexpected avenue into my daughter’s mind and heart. By the end of it, I knew that wherever she ended up, she’d be okay.
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 MorePSAT Scores Are Out. What you and your student need to know now.
Read MoreWith over 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States, creating a short list of just 8-10 schools can be quite a challenge. The most effective tool I have found to aid students in understanding their personal preferences is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
Read MoreI started my day in second grade. Then I went to college. Tomorrow, I am going to work -- The College Spy’s top reasons to visit colleges before junior year of high school.
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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