As the SAT turns

The makers of the SAT may allow a student to opt for score-choice, but not all colleges will.

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AP Human Geography: worthwhile or worthless?

Whatever happened to the big five subjects: English, Math, Science, History, and a foreign language?

AP Human Geography is a course that is increasingly being taught to ninth grade students, which capitalizes on administrators' and parents' fears about their students having plenty of sought after AP credits on their high school transcripts.

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Early Decision ‘08: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

More students than ever are applying early decision, even in a year full of financial uncertainty. For college applicants waiting to hear their fate some time in December, such news must come as an important reality check. The fact is that many very qualified students are not going to be happy come the Holidays.

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Visit the College Prep Examiner!

We have received many emails asking, "Where did the blog go?" Well, it's still as strong as ever, but the most updated posts are currently only viewable at Examiner.com.

Bookmark the above link today!

Fewer apply, more get in early at Johns Hopkins

Johns Hopkins University saw nearly identical numbers of early decision applicants this fall as they did last fall. Last year, 1055 students applied early, compared to 1049 this year, a drop of only one percent.

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Early decision aftermath

Some students got in, others didn't, but everyone needs to look forward.

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Harvard loses $8,000,000,000!

The long-emulated Harvard endowment has lost a startling 22% of its value since June. That equals over eight billion dollars.

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I lie, cheat, plagiarize…I’m ethical.

American high school students are treading in some dangerous territory, according to a new survey.

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Can't swing Harvard or Yale? Try St. Andrews or McGill.

If an international degree seems even more thrilling than one from the Ivy League, plus you don't have what it takes to get into the Ivy League anyway, the New York Times says we are living in an era made just for you.

Consider Study Abroad Options When Creating College List

With more students than ever studying abroad at some point in their college career, now more than ever college applicants must consider a college’s study abroad opportunities – or lack thereof – when deciding where to apply.

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Ace the College Admissions Interview

Many colleges offer applicants the opportunity to interview as part of the application process. Working as I do with students throughout every stage of the college admissions process, I’ve seen students become stressed over a lot of different things, but no one aspect of applying to college seems to bring as much acute consternation as the college interview.

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Dorm Room Must-Haves

It's time to pack for college. But what should you make sure you have in your newly appointed dorm room? Here are the top five must-haves for your dorm room to be sufficiently stacked.







-Craig Meister in Examiner.com

Transcending Race on Your College Application

"Bottom line for the soon-to-be-college applicant: colleges will consider many factors other than your grades and scores when they make their admissions decisions. Some you have control over (like how you communicate about your accomplishments and how you communicate about yourself in your resume and essay(s)). Others (like your race) you have no control over. Each college applicant can only make the best of what he or she has, so make sure that the factors that you do have control over build the best case possible for your acceptance."

More at Examiner.com

Is Maryland College Park Just Not That Into You?

The numbers are clear: University of Maryland College Park does not give in-state students nearly as much preference as other large state schools like UVA, the UCs, and UT Austin.

More at Examiner.com

Hopkins: Worth the Hype?

Johns Hopkins is great at promoting itself, particularly its hospital. But does that mean it's right college for you? Even aspiring doctors shouldn't take the view, "Hopkins or bust!"

More at Examiner.com

Forbes Magazine: Most Lucrative Majors & Ecomomic Woes and College Majors

With the changing economy and mortgage crisis, you may be surprised at which majors earn the most out of college.

More at Examiner.com

Univeristy of Maryland College Park vs. Indiana University Bloomington

Which do you prefer, and why?

More at Examiner.com

All 2009 College Applications...Coming Soon

"...we wait with eager anticipation to see which colleges have actually changed their freshman applications, and which have just reprinted their old one with a ‘2009' instead of a ‘2008.'"

Read more at Examiner.com

Check Out The College Prep Examiner

Check out my new college admissions blog at Examiner.com.

BREAKING NEWS: Kids Can Pick Which SAT Scores a College Sees

This is a major change that will make the SAT more student-friendly, while also benefitting those students willing to take a tests multiple times to reach an acceptable scores. Unfortunately for the Class or 2009, this change only begins in March 2009, well after the date when most rising seniors will have already applied to college!

More: By Lucia Graves, US News & World Report

A Bullish Year for College Admissions

The stock market, housing prices, and the dollar all may be in decline, but 2008 was another "bullish" year in the world of college admission.

By Tim Johnson, Burlington Free Press

Princeton University Faces Expanded U.S. Bias Probe

"Princeton University is facing an expanded investigation by the U.S. Education Department into whether the school's admission criteria discriminated against Asian students."

By Brian K. Sullivan, Bloomberg News

UC System Braces for Most Freshmen Ever

By Tanya Schevitz, San Francisco Chronicle

Yale to Expand Undergraduate Enrollment by 15 Percent

From 5,200 undergrads to roughly 6,000 undergrads will unfortunately not bump up the acceptance rate by anywhere close to 15%.

More: By Tamar Lewin, The New York Times

Oxford's $2.5 Billion Fundraising Drive to Rival Ivy League

The famous British university ups the ante in an effort to compete with the big boys.

By Polly Curtis, The Guardian (UK)

Opinion: Quantitative Data Necessary for College Admissions

By Valerie Goranson, Chicago Tribune

No SAT or ACT Required to Attend Wake Forest

By Devetta Blount, AP via digtriad.com

The College Visit - Does It Do Any Good?

A different perspective on college visits by Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle Arts and Culture Critic. 

More About "Get Into College!" - For Some Students, Summer Camp Means Prepping for College Admissions

Don't just dream about completing your college applications in one week - DO IT!

More: By Kelsey Volkmann, Baltimore Examiner

More: Get Into College! details

Waiting Out the College Wait Lists

"Schools dig deeper into their wait lists - and take longer to do it."

By Kathy Boccella, The Philadelphia Inquirer

JUNIORS: Finish Your College Applications In June With Your Own Personal College Admissions Expert

WHAT:

This June, Tactical College Consulting and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore are proud to present Get Into College! This exclusive, innovative, and highly individualized college admissions prep camp will teach participants the keys to the college admissions process and help them get a jump start on putting together outstanding college applications! All participants will:

• Write a creative, powerful, and up-to-date résumé

• Write personal statements & essays

• Complete the standard Common Application

• Create/focus a personalized college list

• Learn how to ace the college interview

• Hear from real admissions officers

• Talk with college students

• Take interest & personality assessments

WHY:

To take the stress out of the college application process!

WHEN:

Session I: 6/16/08–6/20/08

or

Session II: 6/23/08–6/27/08

Both sessions will be capped at no more than 8 students - giving all participants plenty of personalized attention (slots are filling up fast, so send in your application soon)!

WHERE:

The JCC in Owings Mills, MD

WHO:

Craig Meister, the president of Tactical College Consulting, will be the lead instructor of Get into College! He is an authority at shedding light on the often intimidating and confusing, yet vitally important world of college admissions.

HOW:

The total cost for the one week session is $950 for JCC Members and $1000 for Non-members. To reserve your space or for more information call 410-526-2558.

As More Take a Year Off, Colleges Often Don't Mind the Gap

By Valerie Strauss, The Washington Post

College Admissions Process Sets Records Across the Country

By Dan Woznica, Student Life (Washington University)

Photo By Lucy Moore

Perfect College Entrance Exam Scores Don't Help Student Who Dreamt of the Ivy Leagues

Proof once again that successful college applications are made up of much more than perfect scores. Scores, while important, are just one piece of the puzzle. Contact Tactical College Consulting to find out how we can help you get into your dream colleges, whether you have a 2400 on the SAT or not.

Read the full article by Laura Heinauer of the Austin American-Statesman

How to Get Off the Wait List and Into College

By Kim Clark, US News & World Report

Emerson Lands a Role in Hollywood

"The Boston college, already known as a Hollywood pipeline, has landed property for a permanent center on Sunset Boulevard for its successful Los Angeles program."

More: By Peter Schworm, The Boston Globe

Admissions Season Makes Colleges Sweat

By Justin Pope, The Associated Press

An Un-Common Class: Vanderbilt Acceptance Rate Reaches 23 Percent with Nearly 31 Percent Increase in Applications

By Nikki Bogopolskaya, InsideVandy.com

Ivy Admissions Prompt Frenzy

By Caitlin Roman, Yale Daily News

Bad News U

Now more than ever, students need to seek out guidance in order to meet with college admissions success.



More: By Anjali Athavaley, The Wall Street Journal

NYU Admission Rate Drops to 24%, Lowest in Years

By Eric Platt, Washington Square News

Elite Colleges Reporting Record Lows in Admission

By Alan Finder, The New York Times

Fitzsimmons Defends SAT II

"As a faculty panel at the University of California considers dropping SAT II subject tests from its admissions requirements, Harvard stands behind its decision not to do so."

By Lingbo Li, The Harvard Crimson

Top 10 Rule Limits UT-Austin, Says School President

By Lisa Sandberg, Houston Chronicle

Record Numbers Apply to College

By Paula Pant, Colorado Daily News

Math Suggests College Frenzy Will Soon Ease

By Alan Finder, The New York Times

(Some) Colleges Reduce Out-of-State Tuition to Lure Students

By Jonathan D. Glater, The New York Times

Higher Education Mess In Japan: Class Dismissed

It's not just foreign students who are abandoning Japanese universities - so are the Japanese themselves.

By Coco Masters, Time Magazine

Competition in College Admissions Follows Students into Internship Application Process

By Charlotte Steinway, The Tufts Daily

Extracurriculars That Count

By Derek Thompson, BusinessWeek

IU Admission Standards Increase

By Katherine Fay, Indiana Daily Student

Op-Ed: End of Angst-Ridden, College Admissions Process Nears for Teens — and Their Parents

By Nikki Starrett, The Salem News

Students Believe in the SAT

More students than ever are taking the college admissions test, along with often pricey preparation classes.

By Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times

Senioritis Can Derail College Plans

Slacking off can put admission in remission.

By Larry Gordon, The Los Angeles Times

Get Into College! – a College Admissions Prep Camp for Rising Seniors & Juniors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The JCC and Tactical College Consulting want you to

GET INTO COLLEGE!

New JCC summer program 'Get Into College!' gives high school students a jump start on college admission.

With competition to get into college rising to new heights, college prep camps are springing up from New York to Los Angeles. This June, the JCC of Greater Baltimore will offer Get Into College! – the first college admissions prep camp in Maryland. No other JCC in the nation offers such a comprehensive college admissions prep experience for students with an eye on their future.

"Get Into College! is a personalized and intensive one-week program ideal for students wanting an edge in the college admissions process," explains Craig Meister, president of Tactical College Consulting and lead instructor of Get Into College!

Each Get Into College! student will define an application strategy, write a compelling resume and college essay, and complete the Common Application. Additionally, students will take part in mock college interviews and meet with college students and admissions officers.

"It's essentially boot camp for students who want to get a lot done in a short time," said Esther Gunter, Director of the JCC College Center. Students get to choose between two one-week sessions in late June, which will allow them focus on other endeavors like summer jobs or travel for the rest of the summer.

"Get Into College! could not have come along at a better time and the JCC could not be luckier to have Craig Meister heading up this effort. Students will benefit greatly from his attention and expertise." said Gunter. "This camp will focus students who have yet to think much about college, but it's also for students who have thought a great deal about college because it's going to propel them - and their applications - to the next level," she added. This is important because while more students are applying to college than ever before, the colleges themselves have not increased their capacity to meet the surge in demand.

"It's no longer enough to be a strong applicant; you have to present yourself as a strong applicant. Get Into College! is going to help students do just that!" declared Meister.

To reserve your space or for more information call 410-526-2558.

Free Prospective Student (and Family) Information Sessions at the Owings Mills JCC:

Sunday February 24, 11:00 a.m.

Sunday March 30, 11:00 a.m.

Sunday May 4, 11:00 a.m.

Md., Va. Among Top 3 In Passing '07 AP Tests

By Jay Mathews, The Washington Post

More:
By Kelsey Volkmann, Baltimore Examiner
By John-John Williams IV, Baltimore Sun

NYU Sets Record for Applications

"More than 37K seek admission, most of any private university"

By Eric Platt, Washington Square News (NYU)

College Applications Can Be Too Good

By Peter Schworm, The Boston Globe

University of Maryland College Park Reporting Spike In Applications While Cutting Size of Freshman Class

Via the Baltimore Sun

US Universities Woo Israeli Students

From Ynetnews.com

Tel Aviv, Israel

Focus on Either ACT or SAT Test, Some Experts Suggest

This Fort Worth Star Telegram article may be an eye-opening article for those students and parents who are just starting to think about tests. For a personalized standardized test game plan, call Tactical College Consulting at 410-526-2558 to schedule a strategy session appointment.

By Katherine Cromer Brock

Letter: College Admissions Taken Too Lightly

This thought-provoking letter to the editor of the Pike County Courier comes from Flora Mendoza, a Yale senior.

College Freshmen: Parents Helicoptering OK

By Justin Pope of the Associated Press

Openness, Outreach Trademarks of New (Penn) Dean

By Alyssa Schwenk, The Daily Pennsylvanian

More Students Head Overseas

By Anjali Athavaley, The Wall Street Journal

Dreaming of college? Behave.

Admissions officers ask about drinking, cheating, suspensions

By Lisa M. Krieger, San Jose Mercury News

Applications to Colleges Are Breaking Records

"Applications to selective colleges and universities are reaching new heights this year, promising another season of high rejection rates and dashed hopes for many more students."

By Karen W. Arenson, The New York Times

Applicants on Rise After Halt to Early Admissions

By Linda K. Wertheimer, The Boston Globe

(Melbourne) Uni Hails Move to US-style System

By Richard Kerbaj and Brendan O'Keefe, The Australian

College Hopefuls Get Creative to a Fault

Admissions gimmicks rarely work...

By Linda K. Wertheimer, The Boston Globe

Top 100 Best Values in Public Colleges

Kiplinger's does its own college rankings.

Though Admit Rate Falls, More Accepted Overall

"Yale may have accepted a lower percentage of early applicants this year, but the number of students receiving good news in December actually increased."

By Caitlin Roman, Yale Daily News

Admissions Anxiety, With a Twist

By Gerri Hirshey, The New York Times

Controversial Reform in New Zealand

"New Zealand’s leading research university and academic trend-setter has said it will move this year to restrict admissions to its undergraduate programs."

By David Cohen, Inside Higher Ed

Colleges Turn to Web Tools in Hunt for '08 Freshmen

By Peter Schworm, The Boston Globe