With over 50% of all recent college graduates underemployed, working in jobs not requiring their college degree, high school students seeking to attend college should reconsider the expectation that a college diploma alone guarantees lifetime wealth and prosperity. Starting careers underemployed, individuals often earn less over their lifetimes. The Burning Glass Institute study showed, that…
Author: Jill Yoshikawa, Ed M, Partner of Creative Marbles Consultancy
Know Thyself
The quest for college admissions can be likened to a matchmaking process—seeking a college that resonates with one’s character and abilities, which requires understanding oneself. Oscar Wilde’s poem “Hélas!” provides a template for self-reflection, particularly apt for soon-to-be college applicants. Although Wilde speaks of love and its loss, college applicants can heed the lesson inherent…
Select-ting College Not Being Select-ted
The typical understanding of the college admissons process is backwards. Many families approach the college admissions process as “How can I help my kid be worthy of being select-ted?”—a misguided understanding at best and moreso an anxiety-provoking, potentially moral-compromising “Arms Race“-like reality for too many families. Yet, the college admissions process is ultimately a process…
Pronoun Beware
Pronouns serve as replacements for other words and often refer back to information mentioned earlier in a text. However, when composing autobiographical college essays, teenagers who often use pronouns can unintentionally hinder their goal: conveying their experiences clearly to admissions officers. Using pronouns, teenagers assume: Yet, admissions officers are human and, like anyone, their attention…
College Essay Writing 101: Passive vs. Active Tense
High schoolers tend to write passive constructions in academic writing, often needing to fulfill assigned word counts requirements in order to earn the highest grade. Students can often dilute their intended meaning with verbosity. Yet, for college essays, students need to write in an active tense, self-assured and self-aware, as they are essentially writing their…
Advice about Letters of Recommendation
Students are advised to request the letters 6-8 weeks prior to the application deadline, ideally from two academic teachers: history, English, language other than English, math, or science, plus their high school counselor. Students should select teachers with whom they built a trusting relationship, regardless if a teacher’s academic expertise is related to their potential…
Academic Stress May Not Appear as “Stress”
A high school sophomore recently shared her thoughts on the challenges of earning an A in her Chemistry course—a grade that she, her peers, parents, and many others view as essential to be “competitive” for college admissions and a reflection of her intelligence. She realizes that she needs more time than typically allotted in a…
Advice about Optional Admissions Interviews
Some private university admissions officers invite prospective applicants to schedule evaluative admissions interviews before applying. Students have a dual opportunity: develop more understanding of the university, and present more insights about themselves. Applicants should note the deadlines for requesting and completing the optional interviews. Notably, some admissions officers, especially at Ivy League institutions, arrange alumni…
Support Those Living True
Surya, a former student, seeking to live authentically, is developing his latest film. View this post on Instagram A post shared by branded (@branded_film) Creative Marbles was founded by teachers who appreciate helping students (re)discover their aptitude, first in the academic classroom, now as part of the complex college admissions process. For more information, please…
Tips When Attending A College Fair
To most effectively gain needed information at college fairs—often described as “speed dating” for college admissions—it’s crucial to prepare in advance. First, scrutinize the list of attending college admissions officers for campuses of interest. Being focused, students and families can save time aimlessly roaming the event space. Second, reflect on one’s ideal college experience. With…
All About the College Essay
The college essay is autobiographical, not a typical academic writing exercise. However, most students have been trained to write academic assignments, according to a structured grading rubric aligned with the teacher’s expectations. However, crafting an autobiographical essay demands different skills and efforts, including a thorough examination of one’s life experiences. Then, students can effectively communicate…
Guest Post: The Departing for College Dilemma
A soon-to-be first year college student from the West Coast, reflects on her experience preparing to move to an East Coast college. Having attended high school in Reno, Nevada, I was influenced by peers who desired to attend college locally and many adults who graduated from the University of Reno, Nevada. I am one of…
The Myth of the College List
Most families believe the college admissions process starts with picking colleges, then filling out applications, which includes writing college essays, then submit applications, then, wait for responses, then choose one college. However, the actual process of choosing and applying to college is much more intricate. Often, parents are puzzled when their teenager seems overwhelmed or…
Don’t Pay Attention to the College Essay Prompt
It’s a mistake to start the process of drafting college essays by choosing a prompt, then brainstorming ideas based on an interpretation of said prompt. By focusing too narrowly on writing exactly to the prompt, students can contort their own voice and write an essay that isn’t authentic. The Common Application Writing Section‘s directions specifically…
The Reality of Starting College
4.0+ Plus High School GPA, CHECK Stellar Extracurricular Resume, CHECK Impeccable Letters of Recommendation, CHECK Brand-name college acceptance, CHECK, YAY! FREEDOM AND LIFELONG HAPPINESS, HERE I COME!!!! (Cue Record Scratch) Maybe. Well, at least not right away and not without effort… [Feigned shock 😳 then 😡] The transition to college can be challenging for first…