6 College Essay Mistakes We See Every Year
After years of working with students on their college essays, certain patterns emerge. Not the good kind — the kind that makes us wince a little on the inside while remaining mostly calm and encouraging on the outside. In the spirit of helping your student avoid the most common pitfalls, here’s an honest rundown of what we see again and again, and what to do instead. Mistake #1: Starting with the Prompt We know. The Common Application has prompts. They’re right there, staring at your student. It seems logical to begin there. It isn’t. Students who dive straight into a [...]
Why Teens Procrastinate on College Essays
There is a particular tension that settles into a house where the college essay is sitting unwritten. You can feel it in the way the topic comes up casually at dinner, “So… any thoughts about your essay?” and then disappears just as quickly. You can feel it in the open laptop that somehow never quite gets past the blinking cursor. You can feel it in your own rising internal monologue: We had all summer. Why are we still at zero? Parents often interpret this delay as avoidance or lack of motivation. Teens insist they “work better under pressure.” Both sides feel [...]
College Review: Penn State University
One of the most popular Big Ten schools, Penn State’s main campus is filled with so many good things—275 majors, with all of the greatest hits, but also including niche ones such as Immunology, Rail Transportation Engineering, and Turfgrass Science. In addition, they are an R1 research institution, have thousands of clubs, play many types of “sportsball,” as Lynda and I call it, and have endless opportunities for student advancement. Along with all of those great things, however, come 40,000 or so other things—undergraduate students. As a lifelong introvert, I won’t lie—my first reaction to all of the people and [...]
The Four Dimensions of College Fit
At The College Admissions Collective, we help families consider four key dimensions of college fit that paint a holistic picture of what “the right school” looks like: Academic Fit: How does your student learn best? Do they prefer hands-on projects, lively discussions, or structured lectures? A college that matches their learning style will foster engagement and confidence. For instance, a student who loves debate and writing might thrive at a discussion-based liberal arts college, while one who excels in labs and teamwork may prefer a polytechnic environment. Social Fit: Will your student find a sense of belonging among peers? Social [...]
How Students Can Protect Their Self-Esteem During College Decision Season
College decision season has a way of shrinking the world. Suddenly, everything seems to revolve around portals, timestamps, and rumors about who heard what from where. Students who were once juggling school, friends, activities, and plans for the future can find their sense of self narrowing down to a single question: What does this decision say about me? If that sounds familiar, let’s be very clear from the start: college decisions are not a measure of your worth. They feel personal, but they aren’t personal—and understanding that distinction is one of the most important skills you can build during this [...]
The Ultimate Guide to College Admissions Interviews
There’s no sugarcoating it—college admissions interviews are intimidating. It’s one thing to hit “submit” on your Common App, but it’s a whole different kind of pressure to sit across (or Zoom across) from someone who might potentially have a say in your college future. Here’s some good news: most college interviews are primarily informational and won’t significantly impact your admissions decision. Here’s some more good news: admissions interviews aren’t about having all the right answers. They’re about giving you a chance to share more of your personal story. They’re a low-stakes (yes, really!) way for you to share more [...]