One of the University of California (UC) application essays asks students to: Describe the world you come from – for example, your family, community or school – and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. Dreams and aspirations can often be challenging to define for many college applicants. Describing dreams or…
Tag: Private colleges
Ahead of the Curve: October 29, 2013
From the News: College Financial Aid Drops – Families Pinched, San Francicso Chronicle October 23, 2013 Is College Tuition Too High? Of Course (Not), Higher Education Data Stories Blog October 15, 2013 So Many Students – So Little (Counseling) Time, Sacramento Bee October 28, 2013 From Clients: On-going Common Application Technical Issues: From recommenders not…
Common Application Essays Part 6: Essay Prompt 4 Explained
The next podcast in our Common Application Essay series defines the fourth of five essay prompts. Applicants must choose only one of the five prompts to help structure their essay. Yet, considering topics for all five essay questions, before focusing on one, can help applicants write the most meaningful essay possible and remain competitive across…
Losing Sleep Over College Affordability Concerns? You’re Not Alone.
Families attempting to determine college affordability can be subjected to acute bouts of insomnia. The predicament of framing the pros and cons of each college choice for their children can be, at times, daunting for parents. Parents face the dilemma of defining the value of a future outcome–a college degree with all of its attendant…
Extended Early Application Deadlines
Some college admissions offices around the country are extending early application deadlines, as a result of the technical issues the Common Application website is currently experiencing. The following is a partial list of the colleges and the new deadlines: Barnard University, November 8 Boston University, November 15 Dartmouth University, November 8 Duke University, November 8…
OH NO! Common Application Technical Glitches?!?
The Common Application unveiled a new interface this Fall, which is currently experiencing a range of technical issues. The New York Times recently highlighted several issues from difficulties with payments and submitting letters of recommendation. Stressed clients have also been calling and texting, after encountering similar challenges. Don’t worry. After a query of college admissions…
Do You Want to “Monkey Around” With Your College Essay?
Asking a trusted adviser to read college essays can help improve the final product. Cartoon from The New Yorker, July 23, 2007
Common Application Essays Part 5: Essay Prompt 3 Explained
Knowing the definition of the prompt can help applicants select topics that most effectively highlight their qualities and give understanding to their qualifications for admissions. Our latest podcast defines the third of five new Common Application essay prompts, that asks applicants to: Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted…
“The Three D’s: Death, Disease & Divorce”
When beginning to write college application essays, students often worry about having lived an “ordinary” life, under the assumption that a dramatic event is a compelling topic to persuade college admissions officers. A few years back, a stressed-out Senior, with tears welling in her eyes, exclaimed to her dad, “Why couldn’t you have died?!? Then,…
Go Slow. You’ll Know.
Knowing is not that difficult, in theory. Inherently, we know. Yet, in reality, acquiring knowledge can take practice to refine. To gain knowledge is a process, repeated over and over. First, calm down. (Not always simple to do, or just a matter of some deep breathing.). Then, listen. (Again, not always easy, especially when feeling…
Common Application Essays Part 4: Defining Prompt 2
Knowing the meaning of the essay question can help college applicants write the most insightful college essays possible. Luckily, we, at Creative Marbles Consultancy, have done the defining work. Over the last decade, we’ve complied a stack of hand-written, dog-eared yellow pads full of words, along with a growing library of digital photos of our…
Does My Kid Have Even the Slightest Chance to Get Accepted?
At this time of year, about one to two months from the first college application deadlines, parents’ and high school seniors’ concern about outcome of submitting college apps, is usually concluded by, “I’m never going to get in, ANYWHERE!” The lack of a straightforward, formulaic standard about who will or will not be accepted at a college can send normally…
Advice for Parents of High School Seniors
“Why isn’t my kid taking more initiative in the college application process?” is a common refrain from parents of high school Seniors heard at this time of year. Since the initial college application deadlines are generally one to two months away, and months in teenager time can be like dog years in reverse, parents may…
The Tale of a College Essay Writer
College essay writing can bring out the creative spirit in any high school senior and community college transfer applicant; however, may not be the type of creative effort needed to actually write college essays. More like innovation in putting off until under the pressure of the deadline, concerted drafting of the essay, to the consternation of…
Common Application Essays Part 3: Defining Prompt 1
Generally, college admissions officers are seeking greater insight and knowledge of the student from the college essay. Our most recent podcast defining the first essay question of the new Common Application essays (which is listed below) can help Seniors begin uncovering the meaning or significance of their life experience in drafting their college essays. Some…