College Prep
Between heightened competition and a college prep-industry gone wild, the lead up to college admissions is a stressful time. Here's down-to-earth advice on surviving the college admissions process.
College Admissions 101
College Admissions 101: A step-by-step guide for families navigating the college admissions process.
College Admissions 101: A step-by-step guide for families navigating the college admissions process.
Essential College Prep Curriculum
Bound for Harvard or your local state school? Here's a list of essential college prep curriculum.
Bound for Harvard or your local state school? Here's a list of essential college prep curriculum.
How the College Admissions Process Works
Despite the hysteria surrounding college admissions and the beastly amount of paperwork, the process itself is fairly straight forward. Here's a basic outline of how the college admissions process works.
Despite the hysteria surrounding college admissions and the beastly amount of paperwork, the process itself is fairly straight forward. Here's a basic outline of how the college admissions process works.
DIY College Admissions Counseling
Families spend thousands on college admissions counselors to help them through the admissions process, but you can save considerable cash by doing it yourself. Here's how to generate a great list of colleges, that are good matches for your child, in a few easy steps.
Families spend thousands on college admissions counselors to help them through the admissions process, but you can save considerable cash by doing it yourself. Here's how to generate a great list of colleges, that are good matches for your child, in a few easy steps.
Organizing the College Admissions Paperwork
The college application process can become a jumble of paperwork very quickly. Organizing the college admissions paperwork will help your child stay on track and ahead of deadlines.
The college application process can become a jumble of paperwork very quickly. Organizing the college admissions paperwork will help your child stay on track and ahead of deadlines.
DIY College Admissions Counseling: Step 2
Too many families spend too much money on college admissions counselors for advice they could get for themselves - for free. Once your child has come up with a list of 20 or 30 possible schools, it's time for a college admissions reality check. Here's the next step to winnow that list down to some real possibilities.
Too many families spend too much money on college admissions counselors for advice they could get for themselves - for free. Once your child has come up with a list of 20 or 30 possible schools, it's time for a college admissions reality check. Here's the next step to winnow that list down to some real possibilities.
A Sneak Peek at the 2009-10 Common Application
The Common Application: A new college application season starts this fall, but here's a sneak peek at the 2009-10 Common Application, its essay topics and changes from last year.
The Common Application: A new college application season starts this fall, but here's a sneak peek at the 2009-10 Common Application, its essay topics and changes from last year.
18th Birthday Party Ideas - Tips for Great 18th Birthday Parties
18th Birthday Party Ideas - What's your best idea for celebrating that big 18th birthday?
18th Birthday Party Ideas - What's your best idea for celebrating that big 18th birthday?
Everything You Need to Know When Your Child Turns 18
Turning 18 is a big deal, not just from a parent's emotional perspective, but legally too. Here's a quick rundown on everything you need to know when your child turns 18, from celebrations to legal implications.
Turning 18 is a big deal, not just from a parent's emotional perspective, but legally too. Here's a quick rundown on everything you need to know when your child turns 18, from celebrations to legal implications.
What are Art Portfolios
What are art portfolios?
What are art portfolios?
Getting the Most Out of a College Visit
College tours - Getting the most out of a college visit means more than simply taking the college tour.
College tours - Getting the most out of a college visit means more than simply taking the college tour.
What is the Common Application
What is the Common Application? How does one use the Common Application?
What is the Common Application? How does one use the Common Application?
What's an Admit Day?
What is a college's Admit Day or Decision Day, and why should my child go to Admit Day?
What is a college's Admit Day or Decision Day, and why should my child go to Admit Day?
Ask the Right College Tour Questions
Going on a college tour? Maximize your time on campus by asking the right questions - the ones that can't be answered by the campus brochure, web site or college tour guide's script. The real questions.
Going on a college tour? Maximize your time on campus by asking the right questions - the ones that can't be answered by the campus brochure, web site or college tour guide's script. The real questions.
What is the Unified Application?
What is the Unified Application?
What is the Unified Application?
5 Reasons Not to Visit College During Summer Break
Conventional wisdom says you can save cash and time by touring colleges during summer vacation. Conventional wisdom is wrong. Here are 5 reasons not to visit colleges during summer break.
Conventional wisdom says you can save cash and time by touring colleges during summer vacation. Conventional wisdom is wrong. Here are 5 reasons not to visit colleges during summer break.
What is Need Blind College Admissions?
What is need-blind college admissions? How might need-blind admissions affect my family?
What is need-blind college admissions? How might need-blind admissions affect my family?
The Lowdown on the SAT II
The SAT II - What are SAT II exams? Are they the same as the College Board's subject tests?
The SAT II - What are SAT II exams? Are they the same as the College Board's subject tests?
College Admissions Advice: Don't Scale the Pyramid
In the midst of college admissions mania, what kind of advice should a parent give a child? What does "safety school" mean anymore? And what's the best strategy in applying to college? College admissions expert Josh Bottomly shares some essential advice.
In the midst of college admissions mania, what kind of advice should a parent give a child? What does "safety school" mean anymore? And what's the best strategy in applying to college? College admissions expert Josh Bottomly shares some essential advice.
6 Myths About College Admissions
Embarking on a college search? Helping your child apply to college? Don't fall prey to these six college admissions myths.
Embarking on a college search? Helping your child apply to college? Don't fall prey to these six college admissions myths.
5 Ways to Cut College Tour Costs
College tuition is painful enough, but shelling out thousands just to tour prospective campuses? Ouch. Here are five ways to trim costs when you're scouting college campuses.
College tuition is painful enough, but shelling out thousands just to tour prospective campuses? Ouch. Here are five ways to trim costs when you're scouting college campuses.
College Applications 101 for Music and Drama Majors
You may think you know everything there is to know about college applications, but applying as a music or drama major is a whole different ballgame. Here's a practical how-to guide to the unique timelines, requirements, auditions and performance resumes.
You may think you know everything there is to know about college applications, but applying as a music or drama major is a whole different ballgame. Here's a practical how-to guide to the unique timelines, requirements, auditions and performance resumes.
College Admissions 101 for Art Majors
You may think you know everything there is to know about college applications, but applying as an art major is a whole different ballgame. Here's a practical how-to guide to the unique timelines and portfolio requirements.
You may think you know everything there is to know about college applications, but applying as an art major is a whole different ballgame. Here's a practical how-to guide to the unique timelines and portfolio requirements.
Small Liberal Arts Schools vs. the Big U
Can a small liberal arts school offer the benefits of a large university?
Can a small liberal arts school offer the benefits of a large university?
What to Do After the College Application is Mailed
Think the college admissions process is over once the application is sent? That's one of the biggest college admissions myths. There is more to do.
Think the college admissions process is over once the application is sent? That's one of the biggest college admissions myths. There is more to do.
Can You Break an Early Decision Agreement?
In college admissions, early decision is a binding agreement - if accepted, your child will enroll. Is it possible to break that contract?
In college admissions, early decision is a binding agreement - if accepted, your child will enroll. Is it possible to break that contract?
Early Decision vs. Early Action
Early decision vs. early action - Teens contemplating their college applications should pay careful attention to how they apply, especially if they're considering an early decision or early action college application.
Early decision vs. early action - Teens contemplating their college applications should pay careful attention to how they apply, especially if they're considering an early decision or early action college application.
College Admissions Lingo
Coping with the college admissions process is hard enough without having to decipher all the acronyms and jargon too. So here's the lowdown on the most frequently encountered college admissions lingo.
Coping with the college admissions process is hard enough without having to decipher all the acronyms and jargon too. So here's the lowdown on the most frequently encountered college admissions lingo.
Well-Rounded Students and Other College Admissions Myths
We all believe in the myth of that college admissions holy grail, the well-rounded student. Truth is, that's not what college admissions officers are looking for and that explains a lot about college rejections.
We all believe in the myth of that college admissions holy grail, the well-rounded student. Truth is, that's not what college admissions officers are looking for and that explains a lot about college rejections.
What is Rolling Admissions?
Teens can apply to college in several ways, including regular admission, rolling admission, early decision and early action.
Teens can apply to college in several ways, including regular admission, rolling admission, early decision and early action.
What is Early Action?
There are a variety of ways to apply to college, including regular admission, rolling decision, early decision and early action.
There are a variety of ways to apply to college, including regular admission, rolling decision, early decision and early action.
What is College Yield?
College rankings help fuel the competitive admissions frenzy in this country, and yield ratios play a part in that. But what is yield?
College rankings help fuel the competitive admissions frenzy in this country, and yield ratios play a part in that. But what is yield?
What is Early Decision?
There are a variety of ways to apply to colleges, including regular admissions, early decision and early action. What does early decision mean?
There are a variety of ways to apply to colleges, including regular admissions, early decision and early action. What does early decision mean?
What Goes into College Rankings?
College rankings, such as the U.S. News and World Report's annual list of top schools, help fuel the competitive admissions frenzy in this country. But are they a blessing or a curse? And what factors determine a school's ranking?
College rankings, such as the U.S. News and World Report's annual list of top schools, help fuel the competitive admissions frenzy in this country. But are they a blessing or a curse? And what factors determine a school's ranking?
AP Exam Tips for Parents
An AP or Advanced Placement course can give academically successful college applicants a definite edge. But there's a down side to AP exams too.
An AP or Advanced Placement course can give academically successful college applicants a definite edge. But there's a down side to AP exams too.
What's an AP course?
What is an AP or Advanced Placement course and why are AP exam scores important to college-bound students?
What is an AP or Advanced Placement course and why are AP exam scores important to college-bound students?
The High Cost of College Applications
You thought college tuition was bad? You can drop thousands of dollars just applying to get into school. Here's a heads-up on the high cost of the college application process.
You thought college tuition was bad? You can drop thousands of dollars just applying to get into school. Here's a heads-up on the high cost of the college application process.
The SAT vs. the ACT
Instead of wasting money, time and anxiety taking both college entrance exams - the SAT and the ACT - scan the differences and make a choice.
Instead of wasting money, time and anxiety taking both college entrance exams - the SAT and the ACT - scan the differences and make a choice.
Art School Portfolio Day
Art school admissions is a competitive business, one that requires not just an academic application but an art portfolio as well. In addition to college fairs, be sure to check out National Portfolio Day, a free public event that invites would-be art school applicants to meet with college representatives and have their portfolios evaluated.
Art school admissions is a competitive business, one that requires not just an academic application but an art portfolio as well. In addition to college fairs, be sure to check out National Portfolio Day, a free public event that invites would-be art school applicants to meet with college representatives and have their portfolios evaluated.
8 Audition Tips for Prospective Music Majors
Auditions are a nail-biting part of the process of applying to music schools or conservatories. Here are tips on surviving music auditions from experts at Juilliard and other conservatories.
Auditions are a nail-biting part of the process of applying to music schools or conservatories. Here are tips on surviving music auditions from experts at Juilliard and other conservatories.
Assembling a Portfolio
While most major art schools want strong academic candidates for their college-level programs, it's the artist's portfolio that's the deciding factor.
While most major art schools want strong academic candidates for their college-level programs, it's the artist's portfolio that's the deciding factor.
College vs. Art School
When it comes to higher education, art majors have three choices. They can attend an art institute, try a large university with a visual arts department - or opt for that happy medium, a university with a strong art school. Here's how to choose...
When it comes to higher education, art majors have three choices. They can attend an art institute, try a large university with a visual arts department - or opt for that happy medium, a university with a strong art school. Here's how to choose...
College Fair 101
Getting the most out of a college fair requires a game plan for both parents and prospective college students. Here's how to do it.
Getting the most out of a college fair requires a game plan for both parents and prospective college students. Here's how to do it.
College vs. Conservatory
College vs. Conservatory - Music and theater arts majors pursuing college degrees will need to choose between universities and conservatories.
College vs. Conservatory - Music and theater arts majors pursuing college degrees will need to choose between universities and conservatories.
4 Ways To Build an Impressive Conservatory Application
Tips to help college-bound theater and music majors build impressive university and conservatory admissions applications.
Tips to help college-bound theater and music majors build impressive university and conservatory admissions applications.
Sample Performance Resume for a Music Major
A sample performance resume for prospective music or theater arts majors applying to colleges or conservatories.
A sample performance resume for prospective music or theater arts majors applying to colleges or conservatories.