Scores from the June 6, 2015 SAT will still be valid; however, any student believing their June 6, 2015 SAT scores were unduly affected by the printing error, which we discussed in our previous post, can petition for a retake for free. The College Board will waive the fees for the October 3, 2015 SAT…
Tag: Common Application
Decoding College Admissions Decisions
Acceptance*: What it feels like: “YES! OMG!” And, loud screaming. Maybe some tears of joy (and relief). What it means: You still need to pass all classes in Spring semester with a C or better, otherwise the acceptance can be rescinded. Denial: What it feels like: Rejection. A disapproving judgment of where there’s no discussion,…
#CommunityServiceMatters
Yes. The reasons for completing community service matters… Cartoon credit: The New Yorker Magazine
On Writing
The writing process is not simple nor are perfect college essays developed in one draft. The following is an excerpt from a recent New York Times Magazine article, “Old Masters“: Lewis Latham on writing: When I was 6, I delighted in the act of writing, at 12, in the expecting that by the time I…
Guest Post: Investigating the Stereotypes about Women’s Colleges
Hearsay and rumors can preclude students from considering women’s colleges. In order to gain more understanding, Olivia and Stephanie, the authors of the following post, share their experiences as students at women’s colleges in different parts of the United States. Olivia currently attends Mt. Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA and Stephanie recently graduated from Mills College…
Ahead of the Curve: March 18, 2014
From Our Clients: The New SAT: current high school freshman (Class of 2017) will be the first students to take the recently updated SAT. The newest version with an optional essay section, will be given for the first time in Spring 2016. Stay tuned for how the new SAT will or will not affect the college…
Ahead of the Curve: January 5, 2014
From Our Clients: More Common App Problems: January 1 is one of the common college application due dates for popular and highly selective colleges, like Stanford, Harvard, Rice, Brown, Notre Dame, Claremont McKenna, Northwestern – just to name a few. In the midnight hours starting on the East Coast and moving West, the Common Application website,…
Top 10 Remarks NOT To Make At Holiday Gatherings
Seniors and their entire immediate family are experiencing the college application process close up and personal. So in the spirit of holiday giving, if you don’t make ANY of the following top 10 remarks to a college applicant, they’ll appreciate the super-bonus holiday gift: 10. “So, where are you applying to college?” 9. “What are…
The Emotional Side of Applying to College
Most students expect that completing college applications will be a short-term effort, temporarily inconvenient to the rest of their schedule, but generally able to be subsumed within their daily lives. In reality, the challenge of opening one’s life to analysis, in order to write autobiographical essays required in applications can create an unexpected emotional response,…
Creative Marbles In The News
Creative Marbles Consultancy was in the press again today – featured in The Sacramento Bee. Cathie Anderson, who’s goddaughter is a former client, highlighted our decade long history and evolution as an educational consultancy. Take a read and enjoy the weekend! Photo Credit: freefoto.com
The Returns on Writing College Essays
While writing the college essays may be a stressful experience, the process of reflecting on your life experiences – gaining greater awareness of what you’ve accomplished and where you’re headed – will serve you long after any acceptances return in the Spring.
The Truth About College Essays
College essay writing is difficult enough already without believing the myths about what makes a strong college essay. Creative Marbles latest video dispels two urban legends about college essays: one, that a dramatic event is THE ONLY topic that creates a compelling college essay, and two, that a personal statement drafted with sophisticated written language…
Oh, No! College Essays!
The college admissions essay can be one of those “coming of age” events that tests the writer’s (i.e. teenage applicant), as well as her/his parents’, patience and fortitude. The complexity of writing a statement that not only tells the experience of the writer, but also provides insights to the writer’s character, is not easy. Watch…
Applying to College Today Isn’t Like When Your Mom Applied
‘Tis the Season for College Essays, College Applications…and as a special bonus for Fall 2013, Common Application Technical Glitches…. Our latest Creative Marbles video offers tips and perspective to help weather the stress of applying to college.
Ahead of the Curve: November 7, 2013
From the News: Black and White and in the Red: Student Newspapers Scurry to Make Ends Meet, New York Times October 31, 2013 Why Teach English? The New Yorker August 27, 2013 UC Classes Too Big, Teacher Aides Too Few, Report Says, San Francisco Chronicle November 6, 2013 [Note: UC refers to the University of…