Posts Tagged: narrative

Why the Pathways Model Is Redefining Student Advising

How an Open-Choice Community-Driven Platform is Giving Students Control Over Their Future In the world of academic advising most platforms follow a predictable playbook you re matched with a counselor often through a rigid algorithm or availability matrix and your...

If you get into a BS/MD program, is it objectively better?

The answer depends on fit but let's unpack it data-first BS MD vs Traditional Pre-Med A Data-Driven Pros amp Cons Analysis BS MD Programs Pros AdvantageDetailsGuaranteed SeatYou secure a conditional or guaranteed seat in medical school reducing application stress saving...

How Admissions Officers Review Your Application – Through the Eyes of a Former Admissions Officer

It s a quiet Tuesday morning in early January I ve just poured my third cup of coffee and the admissions portal is blinking unread applications As a former admissions officer at a highly selective university this is what my...

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...

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...

Helping Students From Underrepresented Backgrounds Means Listening First

By Carla J not her real name College Coach I ve worked with students from all walks of life but the ones who stay with me the longest are the ones who didn t think they belonged in the college...

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...

STEM, Startups, and Summer Programs: Crafting a Story That Stands Out

By Michael Tran Future Engineering Major Applying to college as a high school student is never easy but for those of us passionate about STEM there s an extra layer of complexity You re not just trying to stand out...