Depth Over Breadth?

“Well-lopsided” is the new catchphrase in college admissions. In CMC’s recent conversation with an Ivy League admissions officer, she mentioned that the trend for applicants are either well-rounded, with depth in each activity or well-lopsided—which means if applicants are going to focus on one activity, like a sport, Olympic training should be in view for such a candidate. In…

Continue Reading

The University of California Unveiled Brand New Application Essay Prompts

In Fall 2016, both freshman and transfer applicants to the University of California (UC) will choose from brand new writing prompts when composing the required personal application statements.  After ten years, the UC has retired their previous two essay prompts. With annually record-breaking numbers of applicants—which increases the selectivity in admissions—admissions officers are seeking a fuller understanding…

Continue Reading

Texts from a College Admissions Victor

About Karli: She’s a freshman at the University of California Davis, currently studying Biology and Chemistry.  Karli is a former Creative Marbles Consultancy client; we advised her as a high school senior through the college admissions process, knowing the pressures she experienced in completing her college applications.   In response to a recent New York…

Continue Reading

And, The Oops! Award for Fall 2016 College Admissions Goes To…

….University of California Santa Cruz! We’ve all “clicked prematurely”, but on Wednesday, March 15, 2016, the Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC regional admissions officer for UC Santa Cruz sent 4000 “Congratulations on your admissions to UC Santa Cruz!” emails to students who hadn’t even applied. At least this application season (knock on wood), only UC Santa…

Continue Reading

Guest Post: Life After Getting Into College

Kai is a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Class of 2016.  He will graduate with an Aerospace Engineering degree, as well as completed the requirements for medical school.  He also runs on the USNA Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field Team.  Below are Kai’s reflections on the transition from high school to college:  __________________________________________________________…

Continue Reading

Know the Instructions

Did you know you’re going to be allotted a specific time period for reading during the following Advanced Placement (AP) exams?  See below for the specific instructions from the College Board website. AP Exam Reading Periods Eight AP Exams – Biology, English Language and Composition, European History, Latin, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, United States History, and World…

Continue Reading

University of California Blues

With first counts of Fall 2016 applicants totaling 206,339, the competition for University of California (UC) admissions will be even greater for current high school seniors and community college transfer students.  A recent Atlantic Monthly article highlighted the steep odds for admissions of today’s UC applicant. The UC has educated generations of Californians in the…

Continue Reading

Guest Post: Be One With The Brainstorm

About the Author: Antonio, aged 19, currently works at Hubbubbaloo Creative, as well as is a college student.  After writing his own college essays, he has the following advice to share:  __________________________________________ It’s important to give some time and thought to brainstorming for a college essay, don’t be afraid to get started take a look at…

Continue Reading

Guest Post: The Forecast Calls for Thought

About the Author: Antonio, aged 19, currently works at Hubbubbaloo Creative, as well as is a college student.  After writing his own college essays, he has the following advice to share:  ________________________________________________ Writing an essay can be stressful, especially if it is a college application essay about yourself. The stress increases considering that the essay is…

Continue Reading