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This week’s column:

09 Jul Essay Brainstorming — no easy task

Posted at 09:50h in Essay Writing

By Lee Shulman Bierer, College Admissions Strategies Summer is a great time to ponder deep thoughts and right about now rising seniors should be pondering their college essays. The essay is a student’s best opportunity to set themselves apart in the college application. Their grades through junior...

01 Jul One piece of advice – be different

Posted at 20:15h in Application Strategy

By Lee Shulman Bierer If I could only give every family one piece of advice about college admissions and the college application process it would be this: Dare to be different. Be different from the beginning – don’t wait like so many other people until...

24 Jun 2 recent grads give advice on the admissions process

Posted at 19:17h in Frequently Asked Questions

By Lee Shulman Bierer With experience comes wisdom. With that in mind, I consulted with two high school graduates who have just ridden the highs and lows of the college admissions process. Jessica graduated from Providence High and will attend Appalachian State University in the fall. Daniel...

17 Jun Thinking about a gap year?

Posted at 13:11h in Miscellaneous

By Lee Shulman Bierer Every year more and more students and parents talk to me about the pros and cons of a gap year experience. This year, given the current situation with Covid-19, more families are seriously considering other options besides heading off to a college...

10 Jun What’s next for seniors, whoops college freshmen?

Posted at 17:36h in Uncategorized

By Lee Shulman Bierer With this weird school year finally behind us, the responsibilities of rising college freshmen are just beginning. Here are a variety of items you should be on top of. Some of them will be taken care of by your high school registrar...

03 Jun Common Application – Part II & the new Covid-19 Question

Posted at 09:21h in Essay Writing

By Lee Shulman Bierer Last week I shared the first three of the seven Common Application prompts and some small tips on how to approach each essay. Today, I'll wrap up with the remaining four prompts and introduce the brand new optional Covid-Essay. Here you go: PROMPTS 4...

27 May What’s up with The Common Application in 2020?

Posted at 19:21h in Issues for Seniors

By Lee Shulman Bierer It's almost time to fill out college applications. . . wait, but even before that, students need to write their supplemental essays and the angst-producing Great American stresser - the Common Application essay. Starting to brainstorm essay topics and create first drafts...

20 May What about the 2021 grads?

Posted at 11:26h in Issues for Seniors

By Lee Shulman Bierer It seems all the focus has been on the seniors -- no prom, no graduation and unsettling news for the fall at college. These are all very real concerns and shouldn't be minimized, however, high school juniors -- soon to be rising...

13 May Great graduation gift ideas – creative ways to say congrats to your grad

Posted at 18:18h in Uncategorized

By Lee Shulman Bierer So cash may be still be king when it comes to what high school grads want to see when they open their graduation cards, but if you’re interested in a spark of creativity or trying to personalize your gifts here are some...

05 May Two Biggest Mistakes Families Make in the College Admissions Process

Posted at 13:44h in Beginning the Process

By Lee Shulman Bierer For lots of families of high school juniors and sophomores, this whole college admissions process has just kicked into gear. So, it seems like a good time to talk about the typical mistakes students and parents make as they get started. 1. ASSUMPTIONS -...

Guest Appearances

NEW! What The College Admissions Scam Doesn't Show
Mar. 19, 2019

Last week, the Department of Justice charged 50 people in schemes to pay for positions for their children at top universities across the country. It was called the, “largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted,” but it doesn’t paint the whole picture.
LISTEN NOW

College Admissions Season
Sept. 20, 2018

The college admissions process has become ever-more tricky and as high schoolers and parents try to navigate this important process, we’ve enlisted some help. On the next Charlotte Talks, two college admissions experts alert us to the pitfalls and give us a look at best practices for applying to college.
LISTEN NOW

Applying To College And Picking The Right
Sept. 1, 2016

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Student Debt
May 12, 2016: LISTEN NOW

College Decisions, College Admissions
Feb 26, 2014: LISTEN NOW

Lee Bierer – College Admissions Strategies

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College Admissions Strategies is written by Lee Bierer, an Independent College Admissions Counselor and the author of the weekly Countdown to College column in the Charlotte Observer that is syndicated across the country.
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Testimonials

2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“I can say that this past year was a lot easier because you took over the college search/application process. Also, your help with identifying essay topics and editing were INVALUABLE. You helped me get my things organized and in on time and that was so overwhelming at first. I recommend your services to other students because our college guidance is rubbish and you actually care about my essays.”

mom of a 2011 graduate June 29, 2015

“It’s hard for parents to keep their thoughts and feelings out of one of their child’s biggest life decisions. Our daughter has had to look inside herself and decide what school SHE THINKS would best suit her. She could not have done that without your guidance and encouragement.”

2011 graduate June 29, 2015

“I would tell others that you are very easy to converse with and that our brainstorming sessions were always successful because you helped me find interesting topics to write about. I would also mention the wealth of resources in the templates and worksheets you have, especially the CFWs, brag sheet, and LOR procedure. I would have been lost without them.”

dad of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“You are easy to work with, knowledgeable, organized and honest. Overall it was a great experience.”

2008 graduate June 29, 2015

“My time spent with you was very very helpful. I liked pro and con check lists I did for each college I was interested in. Also, it was very helpful to have someone there each step of the way to check in with and proof read what I had written.”

dad of a 2011 graduate June 29, 2015

“I can’t thank you enough for your assistance the last two years. My wife made the comment this weekend that our son seemed to have his ducks in a row with the college application process (after she heard that some friends of ours were scrambling to get apps out this past week). So I take that as…… Thanks to Lee for making my son “have his ducks in a row”.

2018 April 1, 2019

You have a system in place already, and it works extremely well, so it took a lot of stress out of the process for us to follow your procedures. Because you had this system in place, our son (and our family) could more easily focus on the most important things, like writing the essay or picking colleges, and less on how to get everything accomplished. That said, the system was very flexible in accommodating the students’ schedule or needs at particular times. Deadlines were important, but they could be changed.

I also really appreciated the fact that you listened to both my boys. You let them know your thoughts on certain subjects and you listened to theirs as well. Even when they maybe weren’t making the best choices, you listened to them and spoke to them as (almost) adults. I think that attitude toward them helped them feel respected and like they were an important part of the process.

2018 April 1, 2019

Without you, we could not have made it through the whole process without major drama in our family! Seriously, working with you relieved a lot of pressure on individual relationships during a very stressful time.

2008 Graduate June 29, 2015

“Hi Mrs. B!
We just culminated the signing celebration at our house – complete with cork popping and hunting. I wanted to again thank you for introducing me the fine institution that is Rhodes College in the final stretch of my time working with you. I have already highly recommended your services and will be looking forward to your visit to campus next year! Forever grateful,”

2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“The main thing that I found useful was your help with the actual application process, which would have been a very confusing and overwhelming process if I had gone at it alone, and helping to keep me on schedule with deadlines. I would absolutely recommend you! I think that college applications can be a stressful time and working with you added a sense of security knowing that there was someone watching over my shoulder that knew what they were doing.”

2018 April 1, 2019

Lee,
We are most grateful for all of your support and guidance with __________, She is so excited – even for her! We are continuing to sing your praises to others!

Dad of a 2008 graduate June 29, 2015

“2008 was a very difficult year for graduating seniors applying to highly selective colleges. Our son was initially deferred from the college of his choice and was concerned he would not be admitted at all. After a meeting with Lee Bierer, he had a plan to market himself. Lee made sure he followed up and was invaluable with her critiques and suggestions. He was accepted! We are convinced that he would have likely fallen through the cracks like so many other bright, well qualified applicants had it not been for Lee’s help.”

Parents of 2008 graduate June 29, 2015

“We felt it was a very valuable use of our money. You were very responsive to our son. Your follow-through was great. Your detailed Meeting Reports were a fabulous part of the service because it allowed us as parents to stay informed but not have to manage the process and the best part was that it kept him on task.”

Mom of a 2007 graduate June 29, 2015

“Lee was incredibly helpful in demystifying the entire college application process for us as parents, and more importantly, for our son. She established a wonderful working relationship with him, and stayed directly involved throughout the application process. Lee guided us through the process of selecting the schools that represented the best fit for our son, how to best emphasize his strengths, and what makes a good application stand out. We unequivocally recommend College Admissions Strategies to parents and students preparing for and amidst the college admissions process.”

2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“You helped me so much and made my process to applying to college so much easier. I have told you this before, I couldn’t have done it without you. I do tell other people that I could have not done it without you. You assisted me with every aspect of the process and I really do appreciate it.”

This week’s column:

09 Jul Essay Brainstorming — no easy task

01 Jul One piece of advice – be different

24 Jun 2 recent grads give advice on the admissions process

17 Jun Thinking about a gap year?

10 Jun What’s next for seniors, whoops college freshmen?

03 Jun Common Application – Part II & the new Covid-19 Question

27 May What’s up with The Common Application in 2020?

20 May What about the 2021 grads?

13 May Great graduation gift ideas – creative ways to say congrats to your grad

05 May Two Biggest Mistakes Families Make in the College Admissions Process

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book

This week’s column:

09 Jul Essay Brainstorming — no easy task

01 Jul One piece of advice – be different

24 Jun 2 recent grads give advice on the admissions process

17 Jun Thinking about a gap year?

10 Jun What’s next for seniors, whoops college freshmen?

03 Jun Common Application – Part II & the new Covid-19 Question

27 May What’s up with The Common Application in 2020?

20 May What about the 2021 grads?

13 May Great graduation gift ideas – creative ways to say congrats to your grad

05 May Two Biggest Mistakes Families Make in the College Admissions Process

Student | Parent Login

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book