How to Write an Impressive High School Resume
A section-by-section guide to creating a stand-out high school resume, plus a personalized resume template
110 Interesting Persuasive Speech Topics to Impress Your Audience
Learn how to give an impressive persuasive speech and explore our comprehensive list of persuasive speech ideas
100+ Debate Topics & How to Win Any Debate
Choose from over 100 interesting debate topics and learn strategies to win any debate
Class Rank: Is it Better to Go to a Competitive High School?
Should your child attend an “easy” high school? Learn everything you need to know about class rank, including how it affects your college admissions odds
How to Show Demonstrated Interest to Colleges
How Your Student Can Build Connections at Top Colleges—Even If You Haven’t Donated Millions
The Ultimate Guide to College Visits
Everything you need to plan your college visit, including good questions to ask colleges and what to wear
How to Succeed in College: The Best Strategies
Learn strategies to transition from high school to college and position yourself for college success
Asian American Discrimination in College Admissions: Myths, Facts, and Strategies
Does being Asian affect your child’s chances of acceptance to their top-choice college?
Should I Apply to College as an Undecided Major?
Should you apply to college as undecided or declare a major? Discover how your choice affects admissions chances, explore the pros and cons, and make the right decision.
Should You Take a Gap Year After College?
Learn whether a gap year after college graduation is right for you, with insights on jobs, travel, skill-building, and long-term career outcomes.
Don’t Know What to Do After College? A Practical Guide to Help You Decide
8 options for students without post graduation plans
IB vs AP: Which one is better for college admissions?
Discover the key differences between AP and IB classes, which is harder, and which one helps you stand out most on your college applications.
How to Write Amazing Ivy League Essays (Examples Included)
Learn what Ivy League admissions committees look for in essays and discover strategies, tips, and examples to craft standout college application essays.
How to Find Internships for High School Students
Everything you need to know about high school internships, including how to cold email for an internship
The College Admissions Puzzle: How the 8 Main Pieces Fit Together and Affect Which Schools Your Child Gets Into
This article is also featured on The Huffington Post.
To help you better understand the college application evaluation process, I have highlighted the 8 primary elements of most college applications, including what they represent to admissions committees, and what they don’t.
Carefully considering what story will be told through the various pieces of your child’s college application will help your family make more informed decisions when it comes to your child’s academics and extracurricular pursuits. Collectively, better decisions will improve your child’s admissions odds at his or her top-choice schools.
The Costco Essay: What Makes It So Good?
Learn exactly why the Costco essay was so impressive to Ivy League admissions officers and how to select your own unique essay topic
How To Choose A College That’s Right For You
Learn how to choose the right college for you by focusing on fit, academics, finances, and goals—instead of rankings—to make a confident, informed decision.
How to Get the Best Letters of Recommendation for College (Sample Included)
Whom, when, and how to ask for college recommendation letters that can help your child get into their dream school
[Video] The myth of the ‘perfect’ application: How to turn weaknesses into strengths
My interview w/ Dr. Maggie Wray
[Video] What SAT or ACT score do you need to get into an Ivy League school?
A data-informed answer to an age-old question