As the saying goes, “For every system, there is a counter system.” And, the recent Federal indictments of 50 individuals only becomes the latest example of an educational counter-system. College coaches, athletic department administrators, parents, and Rick Singer, the independent college admissions consultant, collectively found a way around the admissions office, the “front door” of…
Tag: Ivy League
Grade Inflation Exposed
I often listen to students’ and parents’ worries about high school grades that are any other letter but an A. The A grade has become synonymous with “smart”, “the key to college acceptances” and “bragging rights”. But, in the quest to “achieve”, often the confidence in knowing oneself and one’s strengths, so as to boldly…
Only 2.43% Made the Cut
By definition, “highly selective college admissions” means more applicants denied than accepted. Harvard’s admissions results put the exclamation mark on the above statement. 98% or 40,003 people, a combination of “36,119 regular decision applicants, plus the 4,882 students deferred in the early action process” were denied admissions for Fall 2018. And, before assuming that applying Early…
College Admissions Purgatory
A waitlist offer is the in-between of admissions decisions—not a yes and not a no, more like a maybe. Applicants can ask questions, like “Why wasn’t I good enough to make the cut?”, yet at the same time be hopeful and think, “Well, at least, I still have a chance.” And, then the comparisons with…
Harvard’s Going to Admit Less Kids to “Play”
Everyone knows someone’s daughter’s boyfriend’s cousin’s auntie’s neighbor’s niece who was a 4.0+ GPA, perfect 1600 SAT scoring, president of her class who didn’t get admitted into the university of her choice. Being admitted to college only on one’s merits is a persistent expectation, despite the evidence of “worthy” students being denied admissions every year.…
Passion Practiced in the Dorm Room Promoted in the New Yorker
MAY 22, 2017 Pith Graduates from the Dorm Jonah Reider was a senior at Columbia University when he became a famous chef. Now he serves eight-course tasting menus in a ritzy Brooklyn town house. By Emma Allen Photograph by William Mebane for The New Yorker There are plenty of weird ways to get famous these…
Congrats to the Class of 2017!
Creative Marbles Consultancy’s consultants are proud to assist the Class of 2017 seniors in starting the next chapter of their lives and continue maturing into the new generation of global leaders. Congratulations on their many college acceptances! West Coast Colleges & Universities California Polytechnic Institute, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) California State University, Chico California State University, Humboldt California State…
CONGRATULATIONS!
CONGRATULATIONS to the Creative Marbles Consultancy Class of 2016 for acceptances to: American University Arizona State University Baylor University Boston College Boston University Bryn Mawr College California Lutheran University Cal Poly, Pomona Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo California State University, Channel Islands California State University, Chico California State University, Fullerton California State University, Long Beach California…
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…
Acceptance Anxieties
Clicking “Submit” only allows momentary relief. New anxieties rise Leaving many to exclaim, “Good Grief!” The months long wait for a response has begun Leaving everyone Undone The compulsive checking of the email inbox Seems to only mock The seriousness of the hunt for the (virtual) “large envelope” “Maybe tomorrow…” they hope Others…
The “Inside” Track on College Admissions, Especially To The Ivy League
Kwasi Enin was recently accepted to all 8 Ivy League colleges – and offered these words of “wisdom” for future college applicants on The Late Show with David Letterman: In other reports, college admissions officers have recounted stories of being offered free surgical procedures from parents who are doctors in exchange for their kid’s acceptance,…
Ahead of the Curve: October 16, 2013
From the News & Blog World: “Back to School” PC Sales Collapse to Worst Since 2008 Zero Hedge, October 10, 2013 Tuition, Net Price & Aid: Higher Ed Data Stories, October 8, 2013 Yale’s New President Says Expansion is a Priority: San Francisco Chronicle, October 12, 2013 From Clients: Slow and Steady: as college application…
On Being Educated
Supposedly, the older you get, the less you know, which can be a sign of wisdom. For me, the Harvard educated, lifelong ‘A’ student, however, the idea of knowing less is deflating. I was the nerdy kid, the one in the corner, even at extended family gatherings (which my cousins kindly remind me every chance…