Chronicling Email Pitches from Colleges to High School Sophomores

• Posted by UberMusings

In my effort to contribute to the quest for sanity and humanity in college admission, I have been encouraged by guidance counselors and independent educational consultants (IECs) to share my “research” chronicling email pitches from colleges to high school sophomores. An unsuspecting sophomore indicated interest in being contacted by colleges on the PSAT registration form. (more...)

College Admissions: Waiting Is the Hardest Part

• Posted by UberMusings

Words of wisdom and humor for high school seniors and their parents as they eagerly await college admission decisions: College admission decisions for early admission plans are generally conveyed to high school students between mid-December and early February. Decisions for regular decision plan applications are generally rendered later and before April 1. Despite the fact (more...)

My Integral Role as Educator

• Posted by UberMusings

I wish that more was written about the integral role of college admissions advisors and independent educational consultants (IECs) as educators. In the current, complex and often competitive terrain of college admissions, we teach. I teach students about college curriculum, general education requirements, what it means to declare a major, the opportunities and options, how (more...)

The Disconnect between Colleges and Applicants: What Families Should Know

• Posted by UberMusings

Too often there is a disconnect between what families and colleges understand to be important in college admissions. I want to inform families about the college’s point of view and its impact in the review of applications and determination of admission decisions. In the absence of that kind of information, families can find themselves reacting (more...)

Supporting Students with their Process

• Posted by UberMusings

How does Jane C. Hoffman, MBA, of College Advice 101 in Larchmont support students with their college search and application process and ensure their success? By helping assess what is realistic from a competitive admissions perspective based on the student’s admissions profile, interests and goals. Considering qualitative elements like fit, demonstrated interest and how a (more...)

The Importance of Visiting Colleges for both Students and Colleges

• Posted by UberMusings

Dear Student Editors: As a professional who understands college admissions, I want to lend my perspective, share insights and offer advice to students. Visiting colleges is important from both the student’s and the college’s perspectives. For the student, it is an important part of the search and exploration process. Visiting colleges allows for broad preferences (more...)

Jane’s Tips

• Posted by UberMusings

Jane’s #1 Tip: Visiting a College Can Be Very Important Visiting a college is an important part of the search and exploration process. Research by colleges shows that applicants who visit are more likely to enroll. Therefore, many colleges treat the visit as proxy for “likely to enroll” and as a positive factor in their (more...)

College Admissions Decisions 2009: Economy Trumps Demographics

• Posted by UberMusings

High school seniors graduating in 2009 represent the largest group of students to apply to college. While 2009 was supposed to be the most competitive year for college admissions, what is unequivocal is that the economic meltdown trumped demographics. The bigger factor this year is the changing economic realities for families and the concern by (more...)

Awaiting Admissions Decisions

• Posted by UberMusings

Words of wisdom to high school seniors and their parents as they eagerly await Early Admission decisions now and Regular Admission decisions later. College admissions decisions for the Early Decision admission plans are generally communicated to high school students between mid December and early February. Despite the fact that admissions decisions are not the measure (more...)

Highlighting Information that is Common Rather than Unique

• Posted by UberMusings

Jokingly Proposing a New Concept in College Admissions – “The Common Information Session and Tour” Having visited more than 100 colleges in the past three years, I have learned a lot about those particular colleges and about how colleges position and market themselves. Colleges are quick to point out those distinguishing characteristics and factors that (more...)