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Wise Insights

ADMIT, DENY, or WAITLIST- Inside a College Admissions Committee War Room
ADMIT, DENY, or WAITLIST- Inside a College Admissions Committee War Room Posted

Suzie’s C in sophomore English and so-so essay led to each admissions officer’s right hand going up after hearing the proposed “Deny?” But Alfonzo’s compelling first-generation essay and transcript... Read more

We're Here Even When You're There: How We Use Technology In Our Consulting Practice
We're Here Even When You're There: How We Use Technology In Our Consulting Practice Posted

What I love about our industry-leading tech tools is they allow our students and their parents extra resources to benefit from on top of the personalized counseling we provide. Read more

What to do in the Spring of Your Junior Year
What to do in the Spring of Your Junior Year Posted

For those of us who live in New England, and especially for those of us who are Red Sox fans, February means the return of spring. As pitchers, catchers, and position players slowly make their way to... Read more

The Fate of the SAT and ACT in California: Hanging in the Balance
The Fate of the SAT and ACT in California: Hanging in the Balance Posted

College entrance exams, namely the SAT and ACT, are back in the news. It’s been rapid fire over the last year. First was the Varsity Blues scandal (when wealthy parents were hiring tutors for their... Read more

A History of Good Intentions . . .Or So We Thought ACT, SAT, Subject Tests . . . . . Test Optional, Test Flexible . . . HELP!
A History of Good Intentions . . .Or So We Thought ACT, SAT, Subject Tests . . . . . Test Optional, Test Flexible . . . HELP! Posted

The Evolution of College Entrance Examinations (Stewart, Johanek, 1996) Abstract Over the last 150 years, one of the hallmarks of American education has been the testing of increasingly large groups... Read more

Harvard Spared by the Feds – But Look Behind the Crimson Curtain
Harvard Spared by the Feds – But Look Behind the Crimson Curtain Posted

Despite accepting Asian American candidates at a lower rate than other applicants*, Harvard was spared this afternoon as a federal judge ruled the university does not discriminate against Asian Americans... Read more

The Changing Role of Early Decision in Admissions
The Changing Role of Early Decision in Admissions Posted

As the inimitable sage Beyonce once so fittingly warned, “if you like it then you better put a ring on it.” And in the smoky private poker lounge of the college admissions casino, where the stakes are... Read more

School List Guidance
School List Guidance Posted

The importance of best fit in school lists Read more

Summer and the Common App
Summer and the Common App Posted

Summer is in full swing! The next few months are about spending time with friends and family and enjoying “fun in the sun” activities...and for our rising seniors, wrestling with the dreaded college... Read more

Quantifying Humanity: SAT’s new “Adversity Score” Raises Questions
Quantifying Humanity: SAT’s new “Adversity Score” Raises Questions Posted

Every few weeks another bombshell hits the Twitter feeds, Facebook pages, and inboxes of college admissions professionals across the globe, and this week it is College Board’s announcement of their... Read more