The annual US News & World Report college rankings were released yesterday, and the media (both social and traditional) were abuzz with folks either a) touting their schools or b) ‘splaining away their precipitous falls from ‘grace.’ Columbia University – you know, the Ivy one – had a lot to say after dropping 16 slots, from number 2 […]

Last month I was up in New England (a little business and a little vacay before the Oct crunch). I stayed just outside of Boston, not far from where I was born and pretty close to where Jill and I met (first day of college, to be exact). Coincidentally, it was move-in week and the […]

The Common App opened this past Monday, on August 1. Needless to say, it’s been a busy week helping students as they begin the application cycle. It’s a great feeling to witness a student take ownership of their future and launch the college application. I did that many times this week, and I know that these kids […]

At the University of Florida, they get right to the point. I visited UF yesterday, and the opening remarks at their info session were all about numbers (SAT 1330-1470, ACT 30-34, GPA 4.4), deadlines (Nov. 1) and the selective nature of their admissions process. Note to students: Apply by Nov 1. Period. End of story. And […]

After a two year Covid-induced college tour sabbatical, I’m finally back on the road. And so yesterday, while on route to a secret, undisclosed, Smoky Mountain hideaway, I had a chance to first tour FSU and then visit with Julie Rubin, the Associate Director of Admissions (see our lovely picture at the bottom). It was […]

Yesterday I joined a private webinar led by two admissions representatives from highly selective universities- one from an Ivy League school, and the other representing a highly selective, private, southern university. Every so often I participate in these kinds of webinars to stay fresh and to stay on top of any trends or changes in […]

On the very first page of the very first book I ever wrote (ok, co-wrote) about college (Never Pay Retail For College) I referred to college admissions as being in a ‘Code Yellow’ State of Emergency. Since I’m pretty sure there were only about four people who read that book (including my mom), here’s the […]

I have, for several years now, been tracking and recording a considerable amount of data (both anecdotal and empirical) on college admissions and financial aid decisions. And yes, I do know that I’m a bit of a geek! That notwithstanding, I do use this information to help inform my opinions and how I advise my […]

Though we’re but three weeks into the New Year, it’s time for many of our teen readers (and the parents who love them) to pick NEXT YEAR’s classes. Yup, many high schools have already distributed 2022-23 course cards and the rest will do so soon. Though often overlooked or done in haste, choosing the right high […]

My kids and I went to see Spider-Man: No Way Home last Friday night. It was pretty awesome – 2 and a half hours of non-stop blockbuster adventure – with a teeny tiny, small but important lesson for college-bound high school students. Quick PSA for those who haven’t seen it yet: This post does NOT contain any […]