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This week’s column:

16 Sep Stray from the cliche

Posted at 18:39h in Essay Writing

By Lee Shulman Bierer, College Admissions Strategies What do colleges want to know about you? That’s a good place to start when you’re brainstorming your college essay. You know colleges don’t want you to tell your life story in 500 words. But, you keep pestering yourself...

09 Sep Freshman survival skills – beyond Covid

Posted at 14:27h in Issues for Seniors, Uncategorized

By Lee Shulman Bierer, College Admissions Strategies Don't be one of those college students that ends up on the evening news because they didn't take the pandemic seriously. Listen to the doctors and school administrators about dealing with Covid. But, read further in today's column about dealing...

02 Sep Think twice before submitting Early Decision

Posted at 21:02h in Application Strategy

By Lee Shulman Bierer, College Admissions Strategies Before you hit submit for that November 1 Early Decision (ED) deadline, consider this: Early Decision is binding. That means that if you are accepted, you must go. That’s a great option if the college you’re applying to is your...

20 Aug Returning home after the big drop-off

Posted at 09:17h in Parenting

By Lee Shulman Bierer, College Admissions Strategies Pride and angst, very likely more angst than pride this year as families drop off their budding freshmen for a definitively non-traditional college experience. How many FaceBook posts have you seen this last week where families are sharing their mixed...

12 Aug The 3 types of essays: The Good, the Bad and the Risky

Posted at 11:24h in Essay Writing

By Lee Shulman Bierer, College Admissions Strategies If they made a movie about nailing the perfect admissions essay, the title might be: "The Good, The Bad and The Risky." The Risky Let's start with "The Risky." One of the favorite stories from admissions officers is a response to...

05 Aug Application mistakes to avoid

Posted at 19:35h in Application Strategy

By Lee Shulman Bierer, College Admissions Strategies College applications are out; let the careless errors begin. A sloppy college application; while one of the easiest missteps to avoid is probably among the most common mistake applicants make. Here are pitfalls you can prevent: A silly email address: If...

29 Jul Helping Teens Deal with Covid-Related Anxiety

Posted at 15:34h in Parenting

By Lee Shulman Bierer, College Admissions Strategies When our world changes quickly and suddenly, because of things like COVID-19, it is common to experience changes in our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Feelings of anxiety, fear or worry are typical in stressful situations.Everybody is anxious. The Covid...

23 Jul Freshmen Essentials

Posted at 12:37h in Issues for Seniors

By Lee Shulman Bierer In the old days, a roll of quarters for the washer and dryer was considered essential. Today, with enhanced technology, most laundry rooms take credit or debit cards and many even texts students when it’s time to transfer the wash to the...

17 Jul How will colleges evaluate applicants in the Covid era?

Posted at 10:32h in Application Strategy

By Lee Shulman Bierer, College Admissions Strategies The playing field has essentially been leveled. Students aren't attending elite summer university programs, conducting research, participating in community service projects or mission trips, traveling to distant lands or growing in life-changing outdoor programs. Let's be real, they also...

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...

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

LISTEN NOW

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

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“Brainstorming ideas about colleges to consider and helping clarify the student’s thinking. The best of all was steering her to summer programs that actually ended up changing her life. The whole process is daunting for parents and students who have not gone through this before. In the complicated world of deadlines, you are the lifeline. That you are professional, very well versed in the topic and make students feel empowered to do these things. You are also so good with helping them write the essays. One of the main things is that you are a caring adult who is focusing on helping them problem solve…not a parent or grandparent who always seems to be “on them” about something. I think that you do a good job of making the time meaningful yet not stressful for the student.”

2018 April 1, 2019

Thanks for everything. _______ got into every school he applied to except Vanderbilt. He got into Honors programs at University of Southern California (USC), Tulane, and Chapel Hill (maybe Villanova, too, I can’t remember). And he received two offers of merit scholarships—at Tulane and USC. We couldn’t be prouder of our boy and we are SO grateful to you for your wise guidance.

2018 April 1, 2019

You helped most with the actual application process- helping us to break down how to get the many applications done, your essay brainstorming and sessions were amazing, your guidance on recommendations, your review of the essays- that was critical for us. Also, you helped us once we identified “what schools” – which were safeties, targets and reaches which really helped us navigate and prioritize. 2018
You are accessible, knowledgeable, and on target. Great advice and guidance. Particularly good with essay writing help, application strategy and follow up, and application review. I think the best way to put it for us is that we “couldn’t have done it as well without you”. Especially in understanding how everything works, essays, application details, etc. That you know your stuff, are very helpful and knowledgeable, provide excellent guidance in many areas, have great resources (like SAT/ACT diagnostic), and are easy to work with.

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,”

Mom of a 2008 graduate June 29, 2015

“It was just what we needed and expected. We wanted you to keep our son on task, which you did. In addition, your essay editing was good. The essays truly reflected him. You pulled his own thoughts out of him, I could tell they were his thoughts, not yours. Your report after you and he met was great. It let me know what you accomplished in your meeting and what tasks and by whom were required for the coming week. We were not making any headway in keeping him on task and it was very frustrating to us that he seemed so disorganized, so your help alleviated the frustration and possible (probable!) arguments. I am very likely to recommend you because you filled our immediate need. When I called you, I was in a near-panic mode and you were able to work with our son right away and I felt totally comfortable with you and knew you to be competent.”

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“This is a difficult and stressful process. You simplified it as best as could be expected.”

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.”

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.”

2011 graduate June 29, 2015

“I would say to someone else that, they would more likely than not do more work than they would if they just took advice from someone in the college guidance office at their school, but if they worked with you they would have a much better sense of what they really wanted from college, and would make a more informed decision. In addition I would tell them that they would get help on a very personal level with their essays.”

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.”

mom of a 2011 graduate June 29, 2015

In addition the brag sheet, the essay brainstorming and editing were very valuable. The best part of working with you was the feeling of confidence that I got from you that you did in fact know your stuff! You also were supportive of my daughter and made the whole process less intimidating.”

Parent of 2008 home school graduate June 29, 2015

“The biggest strengths to us: helping us to stay “on task” which was essential to a procrastinating mom and son; evaluating and suggesting revisions to his essays; and as a homeschooling parent, having someone who was in-tune with the ins-and-outs of the college admission process. You were friendly, but firm as to what needed to get done by what time. Also, you had advised us to get the UNC application in early, which is something he failed to do. I feel if we would have followed your advise, he may have been admitted outright instead of being wait-listed and then finally accepted.”

2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“You helped me the most with my essays. English, as you know, is definitely not my strong suit. The fact that we learned to brainstorm and make the process easier and more fun was great. You also helped me think outside the box for many of the topics. I think you are great at what you do…which is why so many people want your help!”

2018 April 1, 2019

I think that when it came to filling out information in CA you were very helpful because I always would know exactly what the college was looking for. Any doubt, uncertainty, or ambiguity was always answered when calling you—which was a nice resource to have. I also like your systematic way of analyzing colleges and looking at it empirically.

mom of a 2011 graduate June 29, 2015

“I think the most important part of your help was with the essays. Many of my daughter’s friends applied to the same schools with pretty much the same grades and activities but a lot of them were deferred. I think the essays are what broke the ties and got her accepted.”

This week’s column:

16 Sep Stray from the cliche

09 Sep Freshman survival skills – beyond Covid

02 Sep Think twice before submitting Early Decision

20 Aug Returning home after the big drop-off

12 Aug The 3 types of essays: The Good, the Bad and the Risky

05 Aug Application mistakes to avoid

29 Jul Helping Teens Deal with Covid-Related Anxiety

23 Jul Freshmen Essentials

17 Jul How will colleges evaluate applicants in the Covid era?

09 Jul Essay Brainstorming — no easy task

Student | Parent Login

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book

This week’s column:

16 Sep Stray from the cliche

09 Sep Freshman survival skills – beyond Covid

02 Sep Think twice before submitting Early Decision

20 Aug Returning home after the big drop-off

12 Aug The 3 types of essays: The Good, the Bad and the Risky

05 Aug Application mistakes to avoid

29 Jul Helping Teens Deal with Covid-Related Anxiety

23 Jul Freshmen Essentials

17 Jul How will colleges evaluate applicants in the Covid era?

09 Jul Essay Brainstorming — no easy task

Student | Parent Login

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book