Hi, Reader! I’m in the thick of summer here in Texas. Pool days, vacations, and (of course) lots of essay work. After an unfortunate run-in with a copperhead under my rosemary a few years ago, I’m also trying gardening again. (If you’re not too squeamish, you can read my story here.) Some might call my little garden disorganized — a mishmash of citrus, cantaloupe, berries, and herbs — but I call it an experiment. See what grows and evolves, see what I like, and see what I crave more (and...
20 days ago • 4 min read
Hi, Reader! Last week, we talked about how many schools you might want to apply to … but now you’ve got to make sure that number is a nice balance of safety, target, and reach schools. And with college admissions changing from year to year (and seemingly moment to moment), defining those schools (and then creating a balanced list from them) can be challenging. The ideal list includes safety schools (roughly a >70% chance of admission), target schools (30%-70% chance), and reach schools (<30%...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! Ah, the "magic number" question! If only there were just one right answer (or number). Here's my guideline: quality over quantity, always. I typically recommend 8-10 thoughtfully selected schools for most students, but there are students who apply to only 3-4 schools … and some who apply to more than 20. Now, back in the day, I applied to just two schools: Illinois Wesleyan University and DePauw University. (And no, I have no idea what I wrote my essay on, but I sure wish I had a...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hi, Reader! It’s cliche to say, but I’ll say it anyway: How is it already May? Spring has just flown by, and now we’re in full-on summer prep. Vacations, summer jobs, workshops, college tours — you know the drill. Sometimes, summers are just as busy as the school year! I just finished giving two two-day workshops for two (notice a theme?) local high schools, and it was exhausting but amazing. So many of them came in with no ideas at all and left with solid outlines that they can continue...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! This looks like a long email this week, but it’s really just jam-packed with useful resources that will help you navigate the college admissions journey. You can read it now or tuck it away for later … but I think it’s worth saving! I know your time is precious, so let's dive in. (But make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom! There are a few great offers and resources I don't want you to miss.) 9th Graders College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources...
3 months ago • 5 min read
Hi, Reader! It was my dog’s second birthday yesterday. OK, we just made yesterday her birthday. She was turned into the shelter as a stray, so she really doesn’t have an official birthday. But we knew her general age, and sometimes she acts a fool, so April 1 seemed as good of a day as any to name it her birthday. Lucy and her dog-friendly cake! But as you can imagine, that’s not why I’m writing. Instead, I want to ease your mind about something. I’ve been spending a lot of time talking with...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! One of the biggest mistakes students sometimes make in the college application process is having an unbalanced college list — either too many reach schools, not enough financial safeties, or schools that aren’t actually a great fit. (It doesn’t help that schools are always changing what they’re looking for in a student, what they’re asking of students, and how many students they’re looking to accept.) Here are some strategies for building a well-rounded list that increases both...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Hi, Reader! I know it’s not even spring break for most, but you best believe I’m already thinking ahead to summer. It’ll be here before you know it … do you know how you’re going to spend it? Colleges love to see students making the most of their summers — gaining knowledge, getting experience in fields they’re interested in, and serving their communities — but that doesn’t mean you need to spend thousands on a fancy program. Here are some smart (and sometimes free) ways to use your summer...
4 months ago • 2 min read
Hi, Reader! Scholarships aren’t just for seniors! I mentioned last week that even junior high school students (and sometimes even younger) can earn scholarship money. So I thought that this week, I’d expand on just a few (and then give you tips on how to find and win more!). Here’s a list of just a few great scholarships students can apply for based on grade level. Now, some of these may have closed for this year’s students, but they’re great to bookmark for next year. And there are also...
4 months ago • 2 min read