Empowering students for college
admissions success.
What College Rankings Do and Do Not Measure
Ever hear of a Cargo Cult? It’s a term that describes the Pacific Islanders who faithfully awaited the never-to-return U.S. Navy of 1945 and their cargoes that made their lives
Read moreStress Management for High School Students
Picture the famous painting by Edvard Munch known as “The Scream”. No student should have to go through high school feeling like that person. Although there’s serious work to be
Read moreCommunity Service Boosts an Applicant’s Appeal
Colleges want to populate their next freshman class with students who are aware of and sensitive to the world and people around them. They tend to be less impressed by
Read moreGifts, Endowments, and Financial Aid
Attending a college that receives major gifts from deep-pocketed benefactors and has a multi-billion dollar endowment has advantages for students. Among these is the possibility that some of that money
Read moreStudents Can Prepare for Digital Testing
The PSAT and SAT soon will be taken by college-bound students only by computer. The transition from paper-based to digital testing affirms the continuing relevance and usefulness of standardized tests
Read moreNeed-Blind vs. Need-Aware Admissions Policies
Students in wealthy families enjoy many advantages if they aspire to attend an elite institution. One advantage is that the family can simply pay full tuition plus all other costs
Read moreAn Open-Minded Approach to College List Building
News flash! Not everybody gets to go to Princeton! In fact, very few people get to go to Princeton. Likewise the other Ivies, MIT, Cal Tech, Duke, Chicago, Georgetown, Johns
Read moreCollege Financial Aid Originates with the FAFSA
Kelly Barnhardt – College Admissions Strategies October 2022 High school seniors preparing to apply to college should complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — an indispensable
Read moreThe Results of the 2021-2022 Admissions Cycle
By Kelly Barnhardt, College Admissions Strategies, Owner Long-established patterns of college admissions have been disrupted in the last two years. Many consider the changes to be a result of the
Read morePicking a major
By Kelly Barnhardt, College Admissions Strategies, Owner “Follow your passion!” is the conventional wisdom for students choosing a major and a career. However, as a high school student, it’s unlikely that
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