College Counseling

Advising 101: “Demonstrated Interest” and College Admissions

loading… A lot of buzzwords surround the college application process, and one that comes up frequently is “demonstrated interest.” Colleges use this term as a way to measure the excitement a given student shows in regard to a particular school, with the idea that a higher level of demonstrated interest means a greater chance a … Read more

The Summer Before Senior Year: A Fantastic Time to Work on College Applications

loading… The senior year of high school comes with a significant amount of responsibility, especially when it comes to applying for college.  To stay on top of the application process, we recommend working on applications during the summer before senior year. Summer provides the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork without the added pressure of … Read more

Advising 101: Getting a Jump Start on Your Common App Activities List

loading… Sharing interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities can be nerve-wracking, especially since the Common Application’s ‘Activities’ section offers ten spots with very short descriptions. In our office, we suggest students create a log beforehand so they can work through their descriptions. For those students also applying to the University of California schools, a thoughtful activities … Read more

How to Approach Letters of Appeal for CSUs and UCs

loading… If a student is denied admission to a Cal State University (CSU) or University of California (UC), they can try to persuade the admissions office to reconsider their application by writing a letter of appeal. Each of the UC and CSU campuses offer their own appeals process, and have the exact guidelines on their … Read more

Advising 101: What Are Admissions Officers Looking for in College Essays?

loading… When working with students on the college application process, we see personal statements and supplement questions as an *incredible opportunity* for students to showcase their unique background, perspective, and interests. Over the years, we’ve had so many students become excited about their essay topics, and craft compelling statements on why they want to attend … Read more

The Underlying Stress of Passion + Purpose for Students

loading… Last week, I had a high school senior in my office for a college advising appointment. A few minutes into the meeting, she blurted out, “I am so stressed! I don’t know what my passion is!!!” Please note: I had not asked her to identify her passion, her sense of purpose, or anything related. … Read more