The published college tuition is not often the amount the average family will pay, thanks to increasing discounts in the form of merit scholarships. Therefore, parents and students should not dismiss a college solely on sticker price. In the recent school year, 2023-24, the average US private university discount on tuition for first year students…
As we previously discussed here and here and here, as well as contrary to popular belief, studying computer science is not necessarily a guarantee of a high paying job upon college graduation. Yet, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, Computer-Science Majors Graduate Into a World of Fewer Opportunities: Computer and information science is…
BRANDED from Surya Sundararajan on Vimeo. From the beginnings of a promising film career, Surya consistently honors and hones his talents as a storyteller, cultural commentarist, filmmaker, director, producer, writer, cinematographer. He embodies the prosperity of living one’s life purposefully—only gaining strength with each challenge. Creative Marbles was founded by teachers who appreciate helping students…
Searching for “The Ideal College”, students often seek the most elite admissions possible. Many believe a seemingly “prestigious” or “ranked” college equates to greater professional opportunities after graduation, as well as seek the “reward” for a lifetime of effort to best the academic meritocracy. But I want all this work that I’ve done in high…
The Summer Squeeze: Balancing Fun and Future Most students are planning to unwind during summer break. But with college applications looming in the fall, reminded by seemingly every adult, many sense pressure to be “productive.” Yet, truthfully, a strategic retreat to reflect on your abilities and aspirations creates a foundation for the nitty-gritty work of…
Families often simplify the college selection process when categorizing campuses as “Reach,” “Target,” and “Backup” based on perceived chances of admission. Appliants and their families overlook the complex matchmaking between what a student needs and the unique opportunities of a particular college: However, separating colleges by admissions chances, students fail to understand that college admissions…
Being waitlisted for college admissions prolongs hope, colleges banking on applicants’ desire to be admitted. And, students offered an “extended” waitlist option weeks after the enrollment deadline, which can seem like a further complication in an already opaque admissions process, can be particularly frustrated. “Extended” waitlists can further dispel the pretense that the admissions process…
As students prepare for the May 2024 Advanced Placement (AP) exams, knowing what college credits may be awarded for a particular score can be useful. The College Board has created a tool, which can be sorted by college, state, city and AP course. When awarded college units, students can benefit in the following ways: Creative…
In spring of junior year, families can discuss college with more urgency and anxiety, now that what was once a distant goal is suddenly taking shape on the horizon. SATs, ACTs, campus tours, assessing one’s qualifications especially in light of the latest Fall 2024 admissions decisions—parents and students find themselves immersed in the whirlwind of…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
