AI Is Your Friend — Except When It Comes to Your College Essays
We were about twenty minutes into a session, brainstorming on potential topics for his Personal Statement, when my student looked at me and said, half-joking, "Jesse, I just wanna ask Chat to write this for me." I laughed a...
A Suggested Timeline for Students and Their Parents
I recently attended a close friend’s birthday party. While I had a fantastic time catching up with old friends and sharing stories of our time in college, I couldn’t help but find myself talking a lot about work. I know…How boring! How...
Top Three Reasons to Get Started on the College Application Process Now
When should I start jumping into the college app process? Every year, as the junior year ends and the college application season begins, this is the one question I always get from rising seniors. And my answer is al...
Thoughts on the So-Called “Cliché" Personal Statement
“Jesse, I came across a YouTube video that said you should never write about sports in your Personal Statement.”
“Jesse, I saw a TikTok that said you should never write about the death of a loved one.”
“Jess...
Controlling What You Can Control and Letting Go of the Rest
“Control what you can control.” You’ve probably heard this saying a thousand times. “And let go of the things you can’t.” This is always easier said than done, right? Yes, but it’s still good advice for life. Honestly, the olde...
Thoughts on Whether Taking Standardized Tests (SAT/ACT) Still Makes Sense for College-Bound High School Students
In a word: maybe.
So, as we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic turned the age-old tradition of taking standardized tests like the SAT and ACT on its head. What was ...
Rethinking the College Application/Admissions Process
Yes, I admit it – I’m a product of consumer culture. When I was thirteen years old, I was a diehard Michael Jordan fan. And one day, my best friend showed up at school with a brand-new pair of Jordan 4s. As much as I loved him as a b...
A Write of Passage
I am 100% with you. The primary reason we take the necessary time and effort to write outstanding college application essays is to move the needle in our favor when applying to the universities we so badly want to attend. College application essays are a key determina...
The True Value of the College Application Essay
It’s no secret that school counselors are stretched thin. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) notes, “In 2014-2015, the average student caseload nationally was 482, with some states surpassing an average of 60...
Putting the Cart Before the Horse in Creating an Effective College App List
I can already hear you asking, “So, Jesse, what the heck do carts and horses have to do with college app lists?”
Well, in a figurative sense, when a college-bound high school student puts the cart b...
