By Lee Shulman Bierer Gaining admission to some of the most elite colleges is remarkably more competitive today than it was 20 or 30 years ago. Unfortunately, this increased competitiveness has spurred myths that need to be dispelled. Admission isn’t all about scores. Students should look for...
LEE SHULMAN BIERER Right now, the angst among high school seniors and their parents is palpable. It is especially true this week with looming Oct. 15 deadlines at UNC Chapel Hill, N.C. State and the University of South Carolina, among others. Almost every parent I speak with...
BY LEE SHULMAN BIERER Attending your local college fair is a great way for students and parents to dip their toes in the waters of college exploration. It’s crazy loud, crazy crowded and yes, a little intimidating, but it’s a harmless first exposure that often yields...
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 the summer after junior...
Admission isn't all about scores; look for best fit, not big name Gaining admission to some of the most elite colleges is remarkably more competitive today than it was 20 or 30 years ago. Unfortunately, this increased competitiveness has spurred myths that need to be dispelled. Myth...
With over 4,000 colleges in the United States alone, deciding where to apply can be a daunting task. Here are two fictitious scenarios. Ivy Ivy: We all know Ivy. She was groomed in the womb. She and her parents have been diligent about tracking her every...
Welcome to College Admissions 101. Here's a pop quiz on acronyms and abbreviations used in the college admissions process. Everybody is familiar with GPA -- Grade Point Average. And SAT -- it used to be the Scholastic Aptitude Test, but it took on its more accurate...
How do colleges make their admissions decisions? What goes on beyond those closed collegiate doors? While there's a lot we don't know, for the most part, the admissions process is rational. Decisions are based on two basic sets of student qualifications: objective and subjective criteria. Objective...
Countdown to College: By Lee Shulman Bierer Stories abound of students and even teachers sharing inappropriate items on social media. You would think students who are about to apply to colleges and be evaluated by admissions officers would know better. The truth is that obviously the vast...
