Blog

Did you get waitlisted from your dream college? While it may be disappointing and even frustrating, you should not feel discouraged. As I report in a recent Huffington Post article, there are a few key steps to “dramatically increase your likeliness of an acceptance.” By being waitlisted, the admissions office believes you are a strong […]

Are you thinking about summer plans to prepare for college? If so, you are on the right track. As colleges become more and more selective, they look at a student’s summer activities to see how they spent their free time. However, “not just any activity will do,” as I reported in a recent Huffington Post article. […]

March marks the launch of the new SAT, and if you are like most students and families, you have concerns. The SAT has a track record of making changes (and mistakes). The impact of these changes are often not fully realized for several years later, and understandably so, you may not want to be the […]

The field of admissions is constantly changing—leading to extensive confusion and inaccurate information. The Ivy Dean is up to date on these trends and brings truthful, accurate information to my students and families. Recently, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education released a report encouraging even greater changes in the field. Read my recent article on the […]

After the submission of college applications, many students make a critical mistake: They frequently contact the admissions office. Such students do not realize that these frequent contacts can harm their chances of acceptance. Rather, students who are patient, and resist the urge to contact the admissions office, have a much greater chance of getting accepted. Colleges […]

Previously, I wrote about why you should always accept a college interview, as these interviews are great opportunities to personalize your applications and tell colleges more about what makes you different from other students in the applicant pool. Recently, I reported to the Huffington Post some tips and insights from the Ivy League regarding how to stand […]

Applying to college is like meeting any person for the first time: It is important to make a good first impression! Our Huffington Post article, “How Relationship Mistakes Can Help You Get Into College”, discusses how applying to college is like any relationship—one must establish a strong connection and not forget important information, such as dates and […]

Too often, students apply to college without a strategy or any thought to what space—position—they will fill at that college. Recently, I published an article, “The Perfect Position to Get into Top Colleges”, as a guide to finding your “position” and college application strategy. Any selective college must make decisions regarding who to accept and […]

Applying to college can be a long, complex process, so why make it any more difficult? One simple step can lead to a more enjoyable and successful admissions process: organization. In my article, “Applying to College: A Nightmare or a Dream?”, I discuss the importance of organization throughout the college application process. By starting early with a […]

The belief is that exceptional grades, high test scores and an assortment of extracurricular activities will give you a fighting chance anywhere. If you throw in the fact that a parent attended the college, that the student is an athlete, or that the student does not need financial aid, the scales will most certainly tip […]