How to Organize and Start Writing Your College Essay

REVISED 08.17.2022. Most students are taught how to write persuasive essays, and analytical papers.  Very rarely are you taught how to write something autobiographical, which is what a college essay is all about. Writing an essay that can be digested by a reader moving through your file in 1-3 minutes? None of y’all learn this. […]

Get Over Graduating and Godlike Delusions

Every year, clever seniors, already admitted to a college or university, think that they have the game beat. They are, momentarily, immortal and untouchable. Please allow us to strip your waxen wings before the colleges that have just admitted you melt them for you.  Avoid these pitfalls because the colleges that admitted you take action that can […]

Want in at a Conservatory or College Music Program? Take A Lesson

There is a mission-critical thing that students and parents considering a music track at either colleges or conservatories MUST do if you want to gain admission: Take a lesson with a professor at the school(s) of choice a year or more BEFORE you apply and audition when you are ready to do that. Read on […]

College Admissions Essays Change in the Age of the Algorithm

No more ACT or SAT writing? Most colleges and universities are cutting it out. Good news? Maybe, maybe  not. College admissions essays are becoming more important not only for them to know you, but as to how they judge your ability to write. For a growing number of schools, they’re not just a profile of who […]

The College Tour Game: Kick the Tires

When you visit colleges, the info session and tour are very pivotal points in your understanding of the college. What they show you, and what they don’t, is hugely important.  If you bought a car, you’d “kick the tires” to see if it was a good buy. We do far less shopping for one of […]

Priority Admissions Deadlines – ALL STUDENTS & PARENTS PLEASE READ

Every year the Florida public universities get inundated with applications. So they have a special deal: PRIORITY ADMISSIONS. PRIORITY ADMISSIONS DEADLINE: FSU: OCT. 19th. Other Florida Public Universities is NOV. 1st. This is NOT early decision, or early action.  There is nothing binding about getting your application in. It just allows them to process a […]

Essays? Get Help with the Finish, and Here’s A Great Way to Start

We have read a handful of really great essays thus far in the 2016 college admissions batch. SO, if you have your essay in ANY state, from finished to just a rough idea in your head, why not take advantage of an emeritus member of the American Society of Magazine Editors who can help you think […]

A Template for Requesting a Lesson

Chances are better than average that you WILL NOT get into most good music schools on an audition alone. We’ve had too many students who have been surprised by that “secret” of the game of getting into a top conservatory or university program.  Here’s what you do to get yourself on the radar of some of […]

Super-Scoring on Standardized Tests like ACT/SAT

Faster than a speeding bullet, you can create trouble for yourself with standardized tests like the SAT or the ACT. When you sign up for the tests with the College Board, or for the ACT, they give you the option of submitting everything to the colleges after you’re done taking the test.  Sounds convenient? Don’t […]

7 Common Mistakes in Choosing a College

There are a number of common mistakes that students and parents make when thinking seriously about researching colleges and universities or conservatories after attending their performing arts high school.  The volunteer advisory has run into many of them over the years. Here’s our “greatest hits” of pitfalls to avoid when considering where you might go next […]