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This week’s column:

10 Sep Make the essay memorable and avoid cringe-worthy essay mistakes

Posted at 16:17h in Essay Writing

By Lee Shulman Bierer Top 3 essay blunders Many high school seniors find themselves paralyzed with fear; afraid to put their fingers to the keyboard. They’ve convinced themselves that the quality of their college essay will determine the rest of their lives. For starters, let’s all take...

03 Sep Combat freshmen faux-pas with these 5 tips

Posted at 23:30h in Carolina College Bound, College Students

By Lee Shulman Bierer University of South Carolina students return to the Columbia campus in August 2015. File photo by thestate.com It’s easy to be overwhelmed as a freshman. Everything is new, it feels like you’re making first impressions every minute of every day, you’ve gotten lost...

27 Aug Some Common Application schools don’t require extra essays – but you should do them anyway

Posted at 20:43h in Application Strategy, Carolina College Bound

By LEE SHULMAN BIERER Photo courtesy of Lees-McRae Right about now is when the first stage of mild panic seems to start brewing for many seniors. They wish they had done more thinking, and writing, on their essays over the summer, but, well, it just didn’t happen. Now,...

25 Aug Colleges on the Common Application with no additional required essays…

Posted at 12:45h in Essay Writing

Common App Schools with No Extra Essays (Class of 2023 Edition) Institution Adelphi University Albright College Allegheny College Appalachian State University Arcadia University Arizona State University Bard College Bates College Baylor University Belmont University Beloit College Bentley University Berry College Birmingham-Southern College Bowling Green State University Bradley University Brandeis University Bryant University Butler University Canisius College Case Western Reserve University Catawba College Catholic University of America Centenary College of Louisiana Centre...

21 Aug This year’s college freshmen see the last Mindset List from Beloit

Posted at 22:14h in Carolina College Bound, Miscellaneous

By LEE SHULMAN BIERER Photo by Robert Kinlaw, collegetownnc.com Many of this year’s college freshmen are truly the first children from the new millennium. Born in 2000, these students will be members of the college class of 2022. Every year since 1998, the annual Mindset List has circulated internationally as...

13 Aug Early application options abound, but some can narrow your college choices

Posted at 10:12h in Application Strategy, Carolina College Bound

By Lee Shulman Bierer Carolina College Bound file photo It would be easy to assume that with the increase in the popularity of online applications – www.commonapp.org, www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org and www.universalcollegeapp.com – a variety of decisions would be streamlined for college applicants. Unfortunately, that is just not the case. Colleges appreciate the benefits of...

07 Aug College freshmen, think ahead and plan carefully about what to pack

Posted at 10:07h in Carolina College Bound, Parenting

By LEE SHULMAN BIERER A standard dorm room. Photo by Alec Sitton T-minus one month and counting. The countdown to your first day as a college freshman has officially begun. There are advice articles galore with lists of what to pack and what not to pack; it’s...

07 Aug College freshmen, think ahead and plan carefully about what to pack

Posted at 10:05h in Carolina College Bound, Issues for Seniors

31 Jul The intimidating college essay: It’s all about the brainstorming

Posted at 11:30h in Carolina College Bound, Essay Writing

By Lee Shulman Bierer Carolina College Bound file photo Families are often surprised when I tell them that brainstorming essay topics is typically more difficult than writing the actual essay. Writing the essay can be a breeze if students push themselves to think openly during the brainstorming...

24 Jul Don’t be fooled by these common college myths

Posted at 10:06h in Beginning the Process, Carolina College Bound

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...

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 2008 graduate June 29, 2015

“Your research and general knowledge of what colleges are looking for in an application. I liked that and your willingness to spend extra time with our son . You provided a dialogue/sounding board with him when he wouldn’t listen to us. I value the relationship you shared and the trust he had in you.”

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.”

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!”

Parent of 2007 graduate June 29, 2015

“The best part of having Lee Bierer help our family was seeing how the general stress and tension left our home as she worked with our daughter. There was a sense that there was a light at the end of the tunnel, answers to all the questions, and a clear course to plot. Getting us out of the middle reunited us with our daughter emotionally, so we could enjoy all the positive emotion surrounding the future of college!”

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“Keeping my daughter organized and relieving me of my duty to stand over her shoulders during the entire process was invaluable. It reduced the stress levels in our house and eliminated anticipated quarrels. You are a great resource to ensure everything is done on time and a definite way to reduce friction in the family! I shudder to think of what might have been had I not invested in your service. Many Thanks!”

2016 April 1, 2019

As this was my first child going to college, I needed help organizing the approach. Your materials helped us figure out which types of colleges were a good fit, how to evaluation them and how to approach them. You gave us a time frame within which to work and helped set goals. In addition, you helped my son appreciate that the application process was something he needed to take seriously. Because you provided external structure, it helped him to finish the multiple essays and other pieces of paperwork in a timely fashion.

2016 April 1, 2019

Would you recommend my services? Why?/Why Not?
Absolutley!! Yes! Essays, Course Selection! I think you are excellent at what you do! I truly appreciate how you helped us! I would definitely recommend you. The essays would have been terrible without your help. I thought you were very helpful and knowledgeable. You made a daunting process easy to manage and navigate. And please feel free to use us as a reference.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

2018 April 1, 2019

Lee,
We are most grateful for all of your support and guidance with __________, She is so excited – even for her! We are continuing to sing your praises to others!

mom of a 2012 graduate June 29, 2015

“Intro meeting was energizing and helped to get her excited about the process. Essay brainstorming meetings were great and brought up ideas that she never would’ve thought of on her own. Essay editing was thorough, thoughtful and extremely helpful without changing the ‘voice’ of the essays from hers to yours.”

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!”

This week’s column:

10 Sep Make the essay memorable and avoid cringe-worthy essay mistakes

03 Sep Combat freshmen faux-pas with these 5 tips

27 Aug Some Common Application schools don’t require extra essays – but you should do them anyway

25 Aug Colleges on the Common Application with no additional required essays…

21 Aug This year’s college freshmen see the last Mindset List from Beloit

13 Aug Early application options abound, but some can narrow your college choices

07 Aug College freshmen, think ahead and plan carefully about what to pack

07 Aug College freshmen, think ahead and plan carefully about what to pack

31 Jul The intimidating college essay: It’s all about the brainstorming

24 Jul Don’t be fooled by these common college myths

Student | Parent Login

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book

This week’s column:

10 Sep Make the essay memorable and avoid cringe-worthy essay mistakes

03 Sep Combat freshmen faux-pas with these 5 tips

27 Aug Some Common Application schools don’t require extra essays – but you should do them anyway

25 Aug Colleges on the Common Application with no additional required essays…

21 Aug This year’s college freshmen see the last Mindset List from Beloit

13 Aug Early application options abound, but some can narrow your college choices

07 Aug College freshmen, think ahead and plan carefully about what to pack

07 Aug College freshmen, think ahead and plan carefully about what to pack

31 Jul The intimidating college essay: It’s all about the brainstorming

24 Jul Don’t be fooled by these common college myths

Student | Parent Login

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Lee’s Interview with The New York Times

Buy Lee’s Book