Advice

Making the Most of College “Fairs”

By Lea on March 7, 2024 0 Comments

If you have started your college research, and feel ready for another layer of engagement with colleges, then you should know about college fairs and how to make the most of them. In-person fairs are usually held in large halls lined with tables hosted by admissions representatives ready to share information about colleges and universities from all over … Continue Reading

Advice

Plan Ahead on High School Course Selections

By Lea on January 30, 2024 0 Comments

Colleges look very closely at what courses you take and how well you do in those courses. This is because they know that a student’s high school grade point average (GPA) is a strong predictor of success and persistence in college. Staying competitive for a wide range of colleges means most high school students will … Continue Reading

Advice

Using Net Price Calculators to Determine Financial Fit

By Lea on January 5, 2024 0 Comments

It’s no secret that college is expensive. But estimating the actual cost can be a lot more complicated than simply identifying the sticker price on a college’s website. There is a whole number of factors that determine the price offered to each student. In fact, the system for setting the actual net price for each … Continue Reading

Advice, News, Opinion

Trends in College Admissions 2023

By Lea on May 18, 2023 0 Comments

Each year I set out to provide an overview of changes and trends in the admissions landscape to help understand the policies and practices at play that can influence the strategies to employ and decisions my students might make as part of their college planning. Trends discussed in this blog post from last year continue. … Continue Reading

Advice

Your College Research & Campus Visits Post-COVID

By Lea on November 3, 2022 0 Comments

My students and I work through identifying their personal criteria to help them decide on the right schools for them. While location and “vibe” of the school are often what first draw a student in, the real fit and match is found over time. It is important that students learn about a college’s academic programs, … Continue Reading

Advice

Exploring Programs in Political Science

By Lea on June 28, 2022 0 Comments

Political Science departments explore the intersections between theory and practice in government and political sectors. Most universities offer a BA or BS in political science through their respective departments. Political science departments are popular at many schools: this area of study is in the top five most popular majors at Fordham and the top eight … Continue Reading

Advice

Summer Reading!

By Lea on June 1, 2022 0 Comments

I often hear my students lament about how they used to be avid readers when they were younger, a hobby they can even seem nostalgic about with wonder on how to capture the love of reading again. More and more they are competing with screen time and captivated by social media, but they can be … Continue Reading

Advice, News

Let’s Talk About Institutional Priorities

By Lea on April 26, 2022 0 Comments

The college admissions landscape has been drastically altered during the COVID pandemic, accelerating changes that were already underway. New data shows that college application numbers continue to grow and the percent of students admitted to the most selective schools continues to drop. It helps to understand a bit of what is going on behind the … Continue Reading

Advice

To Test or Not to Test? That is the Question!

By Lea on March 22, 2021 0 Comments

At this juncture, the most pressing question facing students in the class of 2022 — those currently in their last few months of 11th grade who have mostly not been on their high school campus in over a year — is “To test or not to test?”

Advice

Moving Forward with College Planning during COVID-19

By Lea on April 28, 2020 0 Comments

Taking college and career planning one step at a time has always been a good idea. Now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the only option. New announcements and unprecedented changes to core elements of college admissions are taking place daily.  It’s understandable that you can feel thrown off course by the uncertainty, and what feels … Continue Reading