What Is a Liberal Arts Education?

As immigrants, many of us do not understand the essence of a liberal arts education. Some think it is an education provided by political liberals in a democratic society, while others think it is the study of the arts in … More →

Small Schools, Huge Possibilities

I grew up in a small town in the middle of Wyoming, the least populated state in the country.  I loved it there but I was sure that after high school, I would head off to college “back east.”  I … More →

Why Do Selective Universities Choose to Remain Small? (Part 1 of 2)

Year after year, the applicant pool gets larger and stronger with rising GPAs, SAT scores, and class ranks. Why don’t the top colleges just admit more students and collect more tuition? More →

Why Do Selective Universities Choose to Remain Small? (Part 2 of 2)

In Part 1 of Why Selective Universities Choose to Remain Small, I discussed the potential benefits of admitting more students into the nation’s most prestigious universities. In this newsletter, I focus on institutional complexities. More →

Tips for a Successful College Tour (1 of 2)

Leslie Vasquez, our experienced admissions counselor, shares her reflections and observations, as well as suggestions for a successful and informative college touring experience. More →

Tips for a Successful College Tour (2 of 2)

Leslie Vasquez, our experienced admissions counselor, shares her reflections and observations, as well as suggestions for a successful and informative college touring experience. More →

Go Big, or Go Home

For many high school students, the decision to attend a small college or a large university can be a difficult one to make, but for me it was never a question. From a very young age, I believed in going … More →

Which college should you choose – UC Berkeley or Williams?

UC Berkeley is a top public university. Williams is a top small liberal arts college. What are the differences? Which one should you choose? More →

Understanding Admissions Yield (Part 1 of 3)

As in Goldilocks, how much is too little, how much is too much, how much is just right? More →

Understanding Admissions Yield (Part 2 of 3)

Did you know why colleges recruit students they will never admit? Did you know why a top student may end up in his 2nd or 3rd choice school? Find out! More →

Understanding Admissions Yield (Part 3 of 3)

In Understanding Admissions Yield (Part 1 of 3), I explained that a yield is the percent of admitted students who will actually enroll in a college. In my last Admissions Yield newsletter (Part 2 of 3), I talked about the … More →

Misconceptions: Understanding Pre-Business

Many students believe that they will need to major in business if they want to eventually get an MBA. Does it take an undergraduate degree in business to get into an MBA program? More →

Misconceptions: Understanding Pre-Law

Are you considering law and eventually becoming a lawyer? Read what it takes to get you there. More →

Misconceptions: Understanding Pre-Med

Kids romanticize about being a doctor. This newsletter shows you the road map to get you there. More →

Tricks of the Trade: Why Take a Class in Creative Writing?

Most students are unaware that the best non-fiction writers, whether they are crafting narrative essays or entire books, employ the exact same tricks of the trade fiction writers use to make their prose jump off the page. We are not … More →

Why Should Every Student Take a Playwriting Class (including Science Geeks)?

Many students interested in science and engineering believe that there is no value in taking a creative writing class since they do not intend to become a playwright or a journalist. Yet all humans, including engineers, need to learn creative … More →