When we think back to how we used to spend our summers when we were young, it’s not uncommon to feel nostalgic. Things seemed so much more simple back then: no SAT or ACT, no summer program applications, no AP classes to prepare for, no pressure to think about college, careers, or the future at […]
Studying in the United Kingdom
Not everyone applies to international schools, but for students who do, the United Kingdom is one of the most popular destinations. Of course, if you’re interested in studying abroad, you don’t have to commit to a full undergraduate degree. Most US universities will offer study abroad opportunities that will allow you to study abroad for […]
Financial Aid
Financial aid need not be the complex labyrinth it often seems to be. This blog post will give you a general overview of the process and clarify some common misunderstandings. Net Price Calculators Most universities publish these. After inputting some personal data about your own financial situation, you’ll get a rough estimate for how much […]
3-2 Engineering Programs
This blog post provides an overview of 3-2 programs. These programs are most commonly found for engineering majors. Here are the key components: Students begin their college studies at a liberal arts college where they spend three years knocking out general education requirements and completing any prerequisite courses for their major. After three years, they […]
UC Admissions
Curious about the UC System? This blog post will give you a quick overview of its key components with links for further reading. UC A-G Requirements These are the minimum requirements students must meet in order to be eligible for the UC system. A – History (2 years) B – English (4 years) C – […]
BS/MD Programs
Let’s suppose that I’m set on attending medical school. Ordinarily, this involves two distinct application cycles: first, I apply to college; then, once I receive my undergraduate degree, I apply to medical school. However, that’s not the only option. With BS/MD programs, I can earn a bachelor’s degree and then transition directly into medical school […]
How to Research Colleges
“What’s a good college?” “What’s the best college for chemistry? For biology? For engineering? The best college in California?” As a college counselor, these are some of the most common questions I receive. Students and parents often expect straightforward answers and are surprised when I respond with an emphatic, “Well, it really depends.” “In particular,” […]
Summer Programs for High School Students
Summer programs are more popular than ever and it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. This short post is designed to give you a quick “lay of the land.” In general, summer programs come in two main flavors: Some are research-based. Here, there’s likely still going to be a classroom component, but the bulk […]
Early Action vs. Early Decision
In general, there are two rough timelines involved in submitting college applications (we’re going to exclude UCs here, since they don’t offer any “early” timeline): Regular Timeline: Submit your application in early January and find out your results in March. Early Timeline: Submit your application by November 1st and find out your results in early […]
Visiting Colleges
I encourage all of my students to visit as many colleges as possible. Books, websites, and anecdotes from friends and family can tell us a lot, but only an actual visit can give us first-hand impressions of the students, facilities, programs, buildings, surrounding city, etc. Certain colleges have a very distinct “feel” to them and, […]