How to Get Strong Letters of Recommendation For College
An important yet confusing part of the college application process is requesting letters of recommendation. College requirements and high school processes vary, but it’s your responsibility to request letters of recommendation. Following these tips will help your letters showcase your strengths and potential. Why are letters of recommendation important for college admissions? Recommendation letters give
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Blaine’s College Prep Journey
A few hours before Stanford University’s decisions are supposed to arrive, Blaine’s dad gives her a call. He says, “You know, whether you get in or not, we’re still going to celebrate. You worked hard over the past few years, and regardless of whether or not you get in, your worth is not determined by
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Duke TIP Has Ended: Advice for Families Moving Forward
Duke University’s long standing national Academic Talent Search program (Duke TIP as it has previously been known) has permanently ended. Duke TIP activities for eligible students have been cancelled through the summer of 2021, according to a March 2021 announcement. After this break, activities geared towards students in grades 6-8 are moving to a program
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Temi, Cornell University Class of 2020
Temi is a recent Cornell University graduate living in Atlanta with her family. When she’s not working on law school applications, she likes to read, spend time with her younger sisters, and take online courses to further her education. Temi plans to pursue a JD/MBA that will help her prepare for a career in politics
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Can You Still Volunteer During COVID?
“How can I volunteer during the pandemic? Where do I even find opportunities?” We get these questions almost daily from our high school students, so allow me to get on my soapbox. There’s no better time than now to volunteer, especially for young adults. COVID-19 has affected every aspect of life, and no matter what
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2024 College Application Tips: Advice from a College Counselor
Over the last few years, we’ve seen the college admissions landscape change and become increasingly competitive at the nation’s top colleges. After working with hundreds of students and consulting with other admissions professionals, these are our top five college application tips for 2023-2024. I’ll explain why these are the mistakes students are making—and how you
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Two Truths About College Admissions in 2021
Amidst the constant change, unimaginable hardship, and incredible resilience of 2020, the college admissions process changed in ways we couldn’t have expected. In our next two blogs, we will discuss the fundamental changes we experienced, what we learned, and what students can do to be successful in the current environment. To keep yourself from curling
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When Should I Take the ACT® or SAT® Test?
Choosing the right time to take the ACT® or SAT® test can have a positive impact on your performance. You will need time to prepare beforehand, and you’ll want to settle on a date when you won’t be overwhelmed with extracurriculars, school work, or other factors. Deciding on the best test date for you will
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Goodbye, SAT Subject Tests™
I can’t say that I’ll miss the SAT Subject Tests. For more than 15 years, I have tried to explain SAT Subject Tests to families. It’s not easy to combat the confusion between the regular SAT® test (and its many iterations over the years) and the SAT Subject Tests, hour-long assessments of a student’s knowledge
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Remembering Dr. King
I had the privilege of meeting Martin Luther King. By chance, while at Dallas Love Field to pick up a relative with my family, my father spotted Dr. King as we strolled across the main lobby of the airport. Under the shadow of the big statue of The Texas Ranger, my dad stuck out his
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