Oh Eugene. When I think of an ideal college town, Eugene is right up there. Outdoorsy, cafes, culture, lots of open space. The town is definitely focused around the University and U of O has become a popular alternative to many of the California schools; with 18,000 undergrads and a laid back vibe, it’s not […]
Marianne Jett
FFTs and College Admissions
I have spent the past week meeting with families and students and helping them navigate these uncertain times. A good friend turned me on to Brene Brown’s new podcast and she talks about FFTs (F* First Times) and navigating the COVID-19 crisis. The reality is that everything we are doing right now is a first […]
UC Davis
. Part of my job in advising students is a commitment to visiting campuses throughout the country to share my insights from visits. Since that isn’t happening right now (for me or my clients), I’m going to be featuring a college on the blog each day for the next month..if you want to connect with […]
What to do if you can’t visit a school in person
As my current students are receiving admissions decisions from schools, and I have some students who are asking for advice about making a decision about where to attend without being able to visit a school. These are uncertain and unpredictable times; while a lot of schools are extending their decision dates, here are some ways […]
A Week of Virtual Learning, Here’s What I’ve Learned….
Families in the Bay Area learned rather abruptly last week that their kids’ schools were closed and moving to online learning. Things may look very different depending on what kind of school you are at, how old your kids are, and what kind of support they need to get work done. I think my kids […]
COVID-19 and the College Application Process
COVID-19 and the College Application process I’ve received a lot of questions about how the Coronavirus will impact college admissions; while it’s definitely thrown us all a curveball, here is some advice to help you navigate these uncertain times and even leverage this experience to your advantage. Please keep in mind the following: acceptance rates […]
Stress, Weightlifting and School
I had a rowing coach in college who liked to remind me that in order to get stronger, faster and more competetive, “you have to get comfortable with the discomfort”. Many of the juniors I advise are gearing up to take the SAT in a few weeks. The emotions displayed in my office range from […]
College and why it’s a place to learn how to learn
I’ve been thinking about the article I posted on social media all day today. I believe that college is a place for growth, and a place where young men and women have the opportunity to have a truly unique experience. And, I firmly believe that college is a place to learn how to learn. It’s […]
Building A College List
This is the time of year for my junior students where I start to put preliminary lists of schools together. What are your interests? What are the characteristics you are looking for in a college? What geographic area appeals to you? What kinds of students do you want to be around? Are there college […]
You’ve Been Deferred, Now What?
You’ve been deferred, now what? When I applied to college over 25 years ago, there were two admissions cycles, either early decision or regular decision. Early decision was a way for you to commit to your first choice early and express your interest in the school. So much has changed since then, and I am […]