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…
Tag: Parent
Denied and Qualified
When the #1,256 ranked student at your high school gets into a highly selective university and you don’t:
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…
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…
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: __________________________________________________________…
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…
Guest Post: Wrapping Up 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: The brainstorm is meant to warm you up for taking on the college essay so don’t fret discrepancies.
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…
Guest Post: Knowledge is Power
About the author: Rocio and her eldest son, Daniel, worked together to successfully navigate the college admissions process. (Not a simple task for any teenager and mom duo). They asked questions, thoughtfully considered editing suggestions to write 21 college essays and faced 7 acceptances in the Spring of 2015 before choosing New York University. Rocio discusses…
Senior Year Is Not Supposed to Be Stressful
The idea that senior year will be simple and stress-free is a myth. Yet, most seniors expect that their last year of high school will be smooth-sailing until graduation. Between college applications due in the fall, the non-stop homework through the school year, and generally transitioning toward adulthood, the stress can build for a senior. Catie discusses…
Preparing for Your First College Admissions Interview
Going to your first college admissions interview can be pretty nerve-wracking if you don’t know what know expect. In the following podcast, admissions interview veteran, David Alcalay, shares his first college admissions interview experience, and some tips on how to prepare:
For All The Parents Out There
For more information about how to both plan for and navigate complex educational issues, including the college admissions process, in order to minimize the risk of educational malinvestment, contact Creative Marbles Consultancy‘s experts.
Guest Post: How often should you talk to your college student?
A timely post from a mom who knows. Louise’s two daughters are attending Cornell University and University of California, Berkeley, while she lives in Sacramento, California. Since her oldest daughter moved to New York, Louise has learned a few lessons about keeping in touch with her kids, while giving them space to grow. Her thoughts…
Arts and Science Are Not Mutually Exclusive
All too often, science is considered the polar opposite of arts. Dr. Mae Jemison speaks to the intersection of arts and science, given her own experience, as a dancer, doctor, chemical engineer and first African American female astronaut. “Many people,” she wrote, “do not see a connection between science and dance, but I consider them…
What a 99 Year Old Wall Street Trader Knows
Although Irene Bergman intended her advice for Wall Street finance types, her wisdom can apply to anyone in any situation. Bloomberg News recently highlighted Ms. Bergman for her longevity in a notoriously competitive business, stock trading. We can all learn a lesson, if for no other reason, than Ms. Bergman has the weight of a century…