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This week’s column:

18 Dec LIST OF COLLEGES OFFERING EARLY DECISION I AND EARLY DECISION II

Posted at 13:23h in Uncategorized

Complete List: Schools Offering Early Decision Here's the full list of schools with early decision by state. The starred schools offer both Early Decision I and Early Decision II. * Indicates Schools Offering Early Decision I and II Arizona Prescott College AZ California California State University Sacramento CA Claremont McKenna College* CA Harvey Mudd College* CA Loyola Marymount...

12 Dec The December affliction of Reluctant Writer Syndrome

Posted at 09:51h in Carolina College Bound, Essay Writing

LEE SHULMAN BIERER An Adrian College student studies in her dorm in Adrian, Mich. AP Photo/Carlos Osorio Reluctant Writer Syndrome, like the flu, hits every year around this time. Most typically affected are high school senior boys, who seem to specialize in procrastination. Joking aside, it seems that...

04 Dec 12 top tips for staying safe on campus

Posted at 18:48h in Campus Visits, Carolina College Bound

By LEE SHULMAN BIERER Photo by UNC Asheville Most parents don’t spend much time worrying about the safety of their children on what they believe are, for the most part, idyllic college campuses. And until something happens to someone they know, most students assume nothing can go...

28 Nov If you can get a college interview, don’t tank it

Posted at 03:00h in Carolina College Bound, Interviewing

By LEE SHULMAN BIERER The interview was once an important staple of the college admissions process. Young men dressed up in jackets and ties, young women wore short heels, a proper dress, hose and pearls, and they sat down for a formal interview inside the college...

21 Nov Navigating the Thanksgiving tightrope

Posted at 08:40h in Carolina College Bound, Parenting

LEE SHULMAN BIERER College students are homeward-bound. For many freshmen, it will be their first visit back since packing up last August. Thanksgiving, the uber-American family togetherness holiday, can be equally tough for parents and their college students. Parents often feel that they’re traveling on a tightrope...

13 Nov Should you bother to fill out the FAFSA?

Posted at 22:28h in Carolina College Bound, Financial Aid

LEE SHULMAN BIERER ECU student Luke Holloman works on his laptop in a study booth on the second floor of Joyner Library. Cliff Hollis, ECU News Services Should you fill out the FAFSA? In a word, yes. Many middle-class families have convinced themselves that filling out the Free Application...

07 Nov 10 top tips on the fine art of essay editing

Posted at 19:08h in Carolina College Bound, Essay Writing

LEE SHULMAN BIERER “Once and done” doesn’t cut it with the college essay. Essays need to marinate and be reviewed, revised and edited again. Word or character length of college essays is critical. Fine-tuning an essay so that it says exactly what you want to communicate in...

31 Oct Financial aid 101: What you need to know

Posted at 08:56h in Carolina College Bound, Financial Aid

Lee Shulman Bierer The first question students ask is: “Will I be accepted at college X?” The first question parents often ask is: “How can we afford to pay for college X?” With college tuition prices escalating annually – faster than the cost-of-living index – discussing what funds...

23 Oct Don’t make these mistakes when seeking financial aid

Posted at 21:33h in Carolina College Bound, Financial Aid

LEE SHULMAN BIERER D-Day, or Deadline Day, for Early Decision applicants and a variety of Early Action options is just a week away on Nov. 1. Just after that crunch deadline is when many high school seniors will hopefully take a breath and perhaps even take...

16 Oct Survival secrets for freshman year

Posted at 23:09h in Carolina College Bound, College Students

LEE SHULMAN BIERER Photo by UNC Asheville While the initial adjustment period is over, there are certainly lots of things freshmen can start doing now to improve their chances of having a successful year. Most college students compartmentalize their college experiences into two distinct areas: the academic and...

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.”

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“I wish we had found out about you earlier than right before her senior year started but that is not your fault. I would surely recommend you… our guidance department is very weak and parents who are very involved with their children and their education need to know about services similar to the ones you offer. You have a tremendous amount of knowledge about the whole application process and you provided us with very valuable information. I also think the suggestions you provided our daughter on her essays really made the difference.”

2018 April 1, 2019

Lee – you are awesome!! You have made the process so manageable and less stressful. Another acceptance for _____________ with a scholarship of at least $39,000. Very exciting: 2 for 2. Thanks again for all your help. It’s really paying off

2016 April 1, 2019

That this process is multi-faceted and complex and Lee helped educate us and lead us through the minefield and we could not have done it without her. The essay help was amazing! The applications are overwhelming and I could not have gotten through seven of them by myself or with my child!

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.

Parent of 2008 graduate June 29, 2015

“Lee’s understanding about the college process was very helpful. The steps to apply to college were a bit overwhelming for our son. Lee broke it down into smaller steps and would give “homework” that needed to be done in order to meet the college deadlines. Lee was available to answer questions either by e-mail, by phone or in person. The support that she gave our family was so helpful and the outcome for our son –SUCCESS!”

2018 April 1, 2019

I think, simply put, the insight you provided was most helpful. You let me know what colleges were looking for, and you helped to shape me as the candidate that colleges were looking for.

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.”

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.”

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!”

Dad of a 2008 graduate June 29, 2015

“I particularly liked your grasp of “facts” about the sometimes intimidating application process. Also, I believe that your fees are reasonable. I don’t really have any negatives. You have been helpful and flexible. And, also very importantly, you spent the time necessary with our son to achieve objectives.”

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.”

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.”

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.

2018 April 1, 2019

Thank you so much for all your help. _____ got accepted in Caltech. We all are very excited with the result as this was first EA decision. You have been an amazing support throughout this entire college application process. We sincerely appreciate your time and efforts.

This week’s column:

18 Dec LIST OF COLLEGES OFFERING EARLY DECISION I AND EARLY DECISION II

12 Dec The December affliction of Reluctant Writer Syndrome

04 Dec 12 top tips for staying safe on campus

28 Nov If you can get a college interview, don’t tank it

21 Nov Navigating the Thanksgiving tightrope

13 Nov Should you bother to fill out the FAFSA?

07 Nov 10 top tips on the fine art of essay editing

31 Oct Financial aid 101: What you need to know

23 Oct Don’t make these mistakes when seeking financial aid

16 Oct Survival secrets for freshman year

Student | Parent Login

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book

This week’s column:

18 Dec LIST OF COLLEGES OFFERING EARLY DECISION I AND EARLY DECISION II

12 Dec The December affliction of Reluctant Writer Syndrome

04 Dec 12 top tips for staying safe on campus

28 Nov If you can get a college interview, don’t tank it

21 Nov Navigating the Thanksgiving tightrope

13 Nov Should you bother to fill out the FAFSA?

07 Nov 10 top tips on the fine art of essay editing

31 Oct Financial aid 101: What you need to know

23 Oct Don’t make these mistakes when seeking financial aid

16 Oct Survival secrets for freshman year

Student | Parent Login

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Follow us on Facebook

Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book