College Blog

May 3, 2019

In Praise of the Humanities and Social Sciences

I respect the sciences and what they have brought to my world: the ability to read at night; to drive or take the train or fly to visit friends and family; to not worry about polio or small […]
April 18, 2019
British Universities

Back to Britain – Highlights of the University Tour

Back again in England over the winter, but this time in the north country, courtesy of the British Council. What most universities in the North of England emphasize, aside from academics, are the affordability of its cities and […]
April 5, 2019
Mount Holyoke College

On the Road with Betsy Woolf – Mount Holyoke College

If I had to name three adjectives to describe Mount Holyoke College, I would say homey, personable and confident. When I look back on my notes from the first time I was on campus, I also would add […]
March 15, 2019
character in college admissions

Character in College Admissions

What a week of revelations about college admissions! Today’s Inside Higher Education features an article about a committee of which I am proud to be a member, the Character Collaborative, whose work is even more timely and important […]
November 15, 2018

Give Thanks for Our Wonderful Children

If I had one word to tell parents of high school students applying to college, it’s perspective. Your students are capable, but please remember that they are mostly 17-year-olds. Their responses to doing the work necessary to apply, […]
October 19, 2018

Takeaways from Inside the Admissions Office, October 2018

If you couldn’t make it to the Inside the Admissions Office program at the JCC of Mid-Westchester on Monday, October 15th, don’t worry. This blog gives you the highlights of that dynamic evening with a panel of admissions deans from across […]
October 4, 2018
Chapman University

On the Road with Betsy Woolf – Chapman University

I enjoy return visits to colleges and universities to discover what’s new and what’s stayed the same. While in California this past summer, I paid another visit to Chapman University in Orange, California, south of Los Angeles. My […]
September 2, 2018

Trends at the Start of Another Year

It’s application season, and to coin a phrase from Peter, Paul and Mary, there are some trends that are “Blowin’ in the Wind”: Colleges are pulling back on requiring SAT Subject Tests. It seems that Caltech, Harvey Mudd […]
May 5, 2018
college admissions and cupcakes

College Admissions is Like a Box of Cupcakes

Last week, I attended the semi-annual conference of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, or IECA, of which I am a professional member. Held in Austin, Texas, it was an opportunity for me to network with my colleagues and […]
May 1, 2018
Rice University

On the Road with Betsy Woolf – Rice University

The most difficult thing for me to decide to do in writing up my return experience at Rice University was deciding which photo to use. Rice is undeniably one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States, […]