If you're an 11th grade student planning to apply to college this fall and need help on your college essays and applications, we have BIG news for you.
You have the opportunity to join an 8-week small group intensive this summer and get everything done on time before the school year starts!
During the 8 weeks, you will write your college essays and get personal guidance on SAT/ACT tests, recommendation letters, resumes, college lists, demonstrating interest, preparing for interviews, and submitting supplemental material.
We will help you create a winning college application that will wow admissions officers and help you get into a top college.
Learn more here!
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Some universities receive billions of dollars in research grants each year, and they're keeping their eye out for the next budding researcher. If they think that might be you, they are much more likely to give you a letter of admission.
If you're still thinking about what to do this summer, research may be the perfect use of your precious time. We have 100+ professors and mentors in our network and research topics cover a wide variety of subjects, from artificial intelligence and machine learning to art history and finance.
Continue reading here!
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This month, high school seniors and their parents around the country are hearing back from colleges about whether or not they were accepted.
And financial aid considerations are an important part of this decision, especially in these turbulent times.
We helped a high school senior and his family negotiate $27,000 per year more in financial aid from Dartmouth. This is a savings of $108,000 over the next four years!
Continue reading here!
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If you're a senior and got into your first choice university, congratulations! Many of our students have been accepted to their top choice colleges, and we'll be sharing their testimonials soon. But as top college admissions becomes more and more competitive each year, we're noticing a rise in the number of waitlisted students. If you were waitlisted at a college, know that you’re not alone—and you still have options.
Being placed on a waitlist is not a rejection; it means the admissions committee saw strong potential in your application but doesn’t yet have the space to offer you a spot. Many colleges use waitlists strategically, and each year, students are ultimately admitted from them. While the uncertainty can feel frustrating and stressful, it also means you still have a real opportunity.
In the meantime, it’s important to stay proactive. One of the best steps you can take is to submit a strong letter of continued interest (LOCI).
Continue reading here!
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We recently watched a short video of Eric Furda speaking. Eric was the Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania from 2008-2020.
According to Eric, the faculty at Penn's engineering school prefer that students take two physics classes during high school since it's so fundamental to future engineering studies.
Are you a future engineer? If so, will you be taking two physics classes during high school? There's so much to consider when selecting high school classes, which is why so many students request guidance in the process.
Continue reading here!
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One of our students was accepted to all eight Ivy League Universities, Stanford, MIT, Brown University's elite BS/MD program (PLME), and Wharton's undergraduate business program!
He decided to attend Stanford, where he's studying now as an undergraduate.
Some students have a belief that you have to work on college essays for several months, but he worked with us for only a few weeks on his college application essays.
His personal statement was about his love for music, which his grandfather helped him cultivate.
Continue reading here!
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Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” ~Stephen R. Covey
Recently we watched a short video interview of Jeffrey Brenzel, former Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University.
Interestingly, we found that he wanted students to feel uncomfortable at Yale. Exposure to different points of view is one of the greatest gifts of attending a university that prides itself on diversity, and it is often there for the first time that students are challenged in their longstanding beliefs. Over the years, we have seen several students talk about their beliefs in college essays, and sometimes they come across as too provincial.
Click here to read more!
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Last week, the top 40 finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search were announced! Around 2,600 high school seniors conducted independent research and 40 finalists were selected for their future leadership in STEM.
Each finalist will be awarded $25,000 and will compete for an additional $1.8 million in awards, including the top prize of $250,000.
Many college admissions officers at top universities look at the list of the top 300 winners (not just the top 40). If one of these students applied to their college, they will flag the application, which will significantly increase their chances of admission to that university. If you’re interested in attending a top university, have you thought about doing a research project?
Continue reading here!
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Will your college prepare you for the workforce?
According to an article from Inside Higher Education:
"Only 14 percent of the 2,239 undergraduates around the country who replied to a summer survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse, with support from Kaplan, felt that they had received good service from their school’s career center (Just 2 percent felt they had received bad customer service from the career center, and the rest didn’t feel strongly either way.)"
This is important, because employers are more likely to hire college graduates with practical work experience.
Continue reading here!
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Happy New Year! May we all cultivate peace, prosperity, and happiness this year and set up a strong foundation for the future.
Many of us made New Year’s resolutions, which is wonderful. But if the resolutions are too general, they may be hard to implement.
This is why SMART goals are important (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound).
The good news is that you can take any goal and transform it into a SMART goal.
Here's an example from the University of Minnesota showing the difference between a general goal and a SMART goal: https://effectiveu.umn.edu/tips/smart-goals
Continue here to read more!
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"I just wanted to let you know that I have been admitted to Princeton University next fall! I’m so excited to go! Thank you for all of your help and guidance throughout this process." -Proud Student
As you think about holiday gifts for your family, consider giving them the gift of education. If you've been thinking about signing up for one of our programs, now is the perfect time.
Families that sign up for our personal college counseling program, leadership academy, or research program before December 31st 2025 will receive complimentary access to Q&A sessions twice a month (valued at $1000).
Hope you have a holiday full of Grace, Infinite Peace, and Gratitude.
And may your time with family be relaxing and nourishing.
Over the next few weeks, 12th graders from around the world will be hearing back from US universities. As college admissions becomes more and more competitive each year, we've noticed a rise in the number of students whose applications are deferred or rejected.
Getting deferred or rejected can feel frustrating, confusing, and discouraging. However, by staying intentional, motivated, and true to your goals, you can turn this moment into an opportunity. Many students end up thriving at schools that were not their “first choice” schools. Here’s what you can do to boost your chances for the regular decision round and maintain perspective:
Continue reading here!
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