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This week’s column:

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 -...

29 Apr Letters of Recommendation – Part 2

Posted at 11:04h in Issues for Seniors

By Lee Shulman Bierer Last week's column covered the basics of Letters of Recommendation: Who do you ask? What should they say that will really make a difference? Where do these letter go? What are the logistics involved in getting them to each of the colleges and universities where...

22 Apr Now is the time to think about who you’re going to ask for letters of recommendation

Posted at 08:59h in Application Strategy

By Lee Shulman Bierer I used to insist that students make an appointment with their teachers after school to request, in person, a letter of recommendation. I used to tell them to read the teacher's body language to make sure they would look at this as...

14 Apr Is it possible to get off the wait-list and get in?

Posted at 19:49h in Issues for Seniors

By Lee Shulman Bierer WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE WAIT-LISTED Commandment # 1 - DON'T WAIT Waiting, i.e., doing nothing is the one thing you shouldn't do, if you have any interest in possibly attending any schools where you've been wait-listed. If you haven't yet responded to your...

08 Apr Worried about the wait-list?

Posted at 15:19h in Issues for Seniors

By Lee Shulman Bierer Decisions have been released and high school seniors are trying to decide where to hopefully unpack next fall. Some were waiting to visit colleges once they were accepted and now find themselves having to make a decision about where to spend the...

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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Feel free to join the discussion by leaving comments, and stay updated by subscribing to the Countdown to College Column below! In doing so, each week you'll be among the first to get this nationally syndicated column via email!

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

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,”

2011 graduate June 29, 2015

“To be honest, there are a ton of qualified students vying for the same spot. How you present yourself really does matter. That is where your strength is, making each student come across as the best candidate they can. You know many intangibles, such as how to phrase this sentence to get the point across as best as possible, or the importance of visiting and other ways to make a personal connection with the school of your choice.”

dad of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“I would recommend your services because your knowledge and ability to get students to focus and build a good resume is invaluable. It was worth the money.”

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 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“You are a great listener, you are open to exploring many possibilities for the students you work with, you are flexible and take the stress out of the experience. I really liked that you were very productive with regard to our meetings; you kept us on task! I appreciate the knowledge you have of various colleges and universities, and I think that really helped us to broaden our search. The best part of working with you was your overall expertise with the process. Your services were invaluable to us with regard to the college admissions process. I felt “your product” was well worth the investment.”

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.”

2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“Getting in to Carolina was the best part, of course! But you were also very helpful in figuring out which colleges best fit my preferences and learning more about each school. You made the college application process much easier, much less stressful, and I don’t think I would have been nearly as successful on my own.”

Parents of 2007 graduate June 29, 2015

“We have nothing but GREAT things to say about Lee Bierer! Our daughter worked with Lee over the past year, and she will be attending a highly selective university on a full academic scholarship this fall. Although we credit our daughter with possessing excellent academics, service, and leadership, we credit Lee with helping her put it all together!”

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.

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.”

2008 graduate June 29, 2015

“The services you provided met my expectations 100%. Applying to college was something I had been dreading and meeting with you assured me that it is really not that hard. By doing the match meter and college evaluations I was able to get a better feel for the school I wanted. Our meetings kept me on track for deciding where I was going to apply. After every meeting you would send me a meeting report which was extremely helpful because it kept me organized with deadlines to keep me moving along. Getting help with essays was another great thing about meeting with you because you took the time to listen and really try your best to make sure my essay was the best possible. I have a lot of younger friends who are just as scared as I was about applying to college. I think my friends would benefit by your guidance on the entire college process.”

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.

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“Your help with the essays and reviewing interview skills was most helpful. The detailed comments and your specific examples were the best. I would recommend your services. You were painfully honest and it helped her get a better understanding of what was expected of her. Originally, she blew through her essays and thought they were good enough and you helped her see how superficially they were written. I would tell them not to expect empty promises from you. You definitely tell them the truth, no matter how brutal.”

2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“I enjoyed the essay editing you provided. You gave me valuable insight and it was fun to brainstorm with you. You are a valuable asset in the process and I couldn’t have gotten into college without you!”

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“I would tell other people that you can help find the right college, organize deadlines, proofread papers, and help to double check all applications. These are all very comforting during the application period.Your knowledge, experience and professionalism was a big plus. Keeping my daughter on track with dates, her responsibilities, etc. was highly valuable. You gave us confidence that we were doing all we could to reach goals.”

This week’s column:

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

29 Apr Letters of Recommendation – Part 2

22 Apr Now is the time to think about who you’re going to ask for letters of recommendation

14 Apr Is it possible to get off the wait-list and get in?

08 Apr Worried about the wait-list?

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book

This week’s column:

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

29 Apr Letters of Recommendation – Part 2

22 Apr Now is the time to think about who you’re going to ask for letters of recommendation

14 Apr Is it possible to get off the wait-list and get in?

08 Apr Worried about the wait-list?

Student | Parent Login

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book