JENNIFER HASSELL, INDEPENDENT COLLEGE CONSULTANT Based in Fairfield County, CT — Serving Students Nationwide

Being deferred after Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) can feel confusing and frustrating. You didn’t get the “yes” you hoped for, but you didn’t get a “no,” either. Instead, your application is placed back into the regular decision pool, and suddenly, everything feels uncertain. The truth is: deferral is incredibly common at highly and moderately selective schools, and it often has very little to do with your qualifications. Understanding why  colleges defer students

For decades, high school calculus has been considered the “gold standard” of rigorous math. Families often assume that taking AP Calculus is essential for college admissions, especially if a student is aiming for a competitive school. But the truth is more nuanced. While calculus can  be helpful (and sometimes expected for engineering or STEM-bound students), it is not the universal requirement many believe it to be. In fact, new research created by Just Equations in collabo

When families begin the college search, the conversation often centers around prestige (rankings, acceptance rates, and “name-brand” institutions). It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that the hardest schools to get into must be the best. But what many forget is that college isn’t a prize; it’s a learning environment  that should nurture, challenge, and inspire a student. This is where the Colleges That Change Lives  (CTCL) philosophy comes in. What Are Colleges That Chang

If you’ve heard the steam whistle at Georgia Tech, you probably picture engineering labs, robotics competitions, and students racing between high-tech classrooms. However, on a recent episode of the College Uncovered podcast, hosts Jon Marcus and Kirk Carapezza revealed something surprising happening on this STEM-dominated campus: the humanities are experiencing a boom. While humanities enrollment has fallen nationwide for decades, Georgia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts has

In an age where AI is rewriting the rules of communication, many colleges are turning to short “selfie videos” to bring back authenticity to the admissions process. Enter Glimpse by InitialView , a platform designed to let students record a brief, unscripted video introducing themselves in their own words. With AI-generated essays becoming harder to detect and written applications sometimes feeling impersonal, these short video introductions give colleges a more human, sponta

One of my favorite podcasts for demystifying the college admissions process is Admissions Beat , hosted by Lee Coffin, Vice President and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, Dartmouth College. While Coffin brings his Dartmouth experience to the table, the podcast explores the broader world of college admissions, not just one school’s perspective. Guests range from college admissions and financial aid officers to high school counselors, as well as students and parents. I love

When students start building their college lists, one of the hardest things to figure out is fit , especially when every campus looks perfect online. The truth is, a school can have strong academics, impressive rankings, and a great location, but if the "vibe" isn’t right, it might not feel like home for four years. Here’s how to dig beneath the marketing brochures and really understand a college’s personality, its vibe , before you hit “submit.” 1. Visit While School Is in S

Will Dialogue Portfolios Replace the Admissions Essay? As AI becomes more integral to everything, including college applications, it’s...

With the rising cost of college and the growing appeal of global experiences, more U.S. students are asking a big question: Should I go...

Understanding Need‑Aware, Need‑Blind & Need-Conscious Admissions Need‑Blind Admission: The school does not  consider your ability to pay...

It’s a question I hear more often than you’d think—from students, parents, teachers, and sadly, independent college counselors: “Is it...

For decades, legacy admissions—the practice of giving preferential treatment to applicants with family ties to alumni—quietly shaped who...

I recently attended the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) Annual Conference, held the first week in May under the...

As of 2025, both the ACT and SAT have undergone significant transformations, aiming to enhance the testing experience for students. These...

The summer before senior year is a crucial time to strengthen your college applications, and earning micro-credentials is a great way to...

California has two public university systems: the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) system. Each...

Religious colleges, whether Catholic, Jesuit, Protestant, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, or another denomination, offer unique advantages beyond...

If you’re diving into the college admissions process, you may have come across the term “R1 research university.” But what does R1 mean,...

Navigating college admissions is a complex and emotional journey. Even the most capable students may overlook crucial details that could...

When preparing for college admissions, many students focus exclusively on the Common App personal statement. While important, it’s not...