Posts Tagged: application-process

Is Peer Advising for Everyone? (Yes, And Here’s Why)

When I first heard about peer advising for college admissions I was skeptical After all how could someone who was just a few years ahead of me possibly understand my specific challenges and provide useful advice Wouldn t I be...

I Used Both a Counselor and Pathways—Here’s How They Worked Together

When I first started the college application process I was completely overwhelmed There were so many decisions to make what schools to apply to what essays to write whether or not I should submit my SAT scores and I was...

The Five Moments When a Peer Consult Can Change Your Application

Anna had always been the straight-A student active in clubs and a competitive athlete On paper she looked like an ideal candidate for the Ivy League But when it came time to write her college essays she froze Her mind...

You May or May Not Need a $10,000 Counselor—You Do Need the Right Insight at the Right Time

When Jordan a high school senior from Maryland started applying to colleges he had access to his school counselor a few family friends who had been through it and the endless maze of forums and social media But what he...

I Didn’t Know the Rules, But My Peer Coach Knew the Game

By Aditi R not her real name International Student from India Before I even began applying to colleges in the United States I knew I was already behind Not academically I had top grades extracurriculars and awards but behind in...

Everyone Else on Reddit Sounded So Sure—But I Was Lost

By Jamil H not his real name International Student from Egypt As an international student I felt a mix of excitement and fear when I started considering applying to U S universities There was so much I didn t know...

Applying to College From 8,000 Miles Away? Here’s What Helped Me

By Amir A not his real name Undergraduate Student from Egypt The first time I decided to apply to a college in the United States the idea felt both exciting and completely out of reach Coming from Egypt a country...

What I Thought U.S. Colleges Wanted—And What They Actually Did

By Anjuna S not her real name Undergraduate at a Midwestern University I still remember the first time I sat down to start my college application for a U S school It was overwhelming I d heard stories of students...

Why I Chose a Peer Advisor Who'd Been Through It Abroad

By Aisha K not her real name Undergraduate Student from Nigeria The decision to apply to schools in the U S wasn t mine alone My uncle who had attended graduate school in Chicago always encouraged me to think beyond...

Peer Coaching Made My Teen Feel Understood—and Inspired

By Laura Kim Not her real name Parent of a High School Junior As a parent one of my biggest challenges has always been understanding how best to support my teenager through the college application process My daughter Siti not...

Turning My Passion for Activism Into a Compelling Application

By Maya Torres Not her real name Future Political Science Major When I started preparing my college applications I had no idea how to turn my passion for activism into something that would set me apart from the countless other...

From a Small Town to a Big Name School: The Peer Advice That Got Me There

By Isabella Hernandez College Freshman I ve always been proud of my small-town roots Growing up in a community where everyone knew everyone else s business I learned early on the importance of relationships hard work and staying grounded But...

Applying as a Student-Athlete: Advice From Someone Who Lived It

By Jordan Matthews Student-Athlete and College Freshman I remember the day I decided I wanted to play basketball at the collegiate level It wasn t a sudden revelation For years I d spent countless hours perfecting my game dreaming about...

What I Wish I Knew Before Starting My College Apps

By Aanya S Student and First-Gen US College Applicant If I could go back and have one honest conversation with my junior-year self it would start with this You re not alone and you don t have to figure it...

How Peer Advising Helped Me Choose the Right Early Decision School

I remember staring at a spreadsheet with ten colleges on it each with different programs deadlines and vibes and thinking How am I supposed to know which one to choose for Early Decision My school counselor was helpful with logistics...