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As a parent, I know how hard it can be to let go and allow our children to manage the bumps and bruises of life. I wish to protect my daughter from every difficulty and shield her from every hurt. However, as a higher education professional, I know I cant, and shouldnt, parent with that as my priority. In my work in higher education, I see examples of parental over-involvement that may come from love but may not, in the end, succeed in producing confident, capable adults.
One of the unique advantages I have is working with schools across the country. And let me tell youIve seen it all. Schools pour time, effort, and money into admissions and marketing, yet I often see the same critical mistakes repeated over and over again. These missteps can cost you prospective families, waste your budget, and make your enrollment efforts far less effective than they should be.
As I sit by my cozy fireplace staring into my snowy backyard, it is hard to imagine it is time for summer planning. I want to thank my colleague Meg Joyce for writing this super informative blog, Should I Do A Summer Program? Every year at Admissions Village, we notice a new crop of summer programs aimed at high school students. Held for the most part on college campuses throughout the country (including some abroad), programs are proliferating and filling up more quickly than ever as awareness
Having spent years in higher education enrollment and marketing, I’ve know firsthand the dedication it takes to connect with prospective students and ensure their success, keenly aware of the immense effort required, the daily challenges teams face in standing out amidst a sea of institutions, and the ever-increasing workloads they manage. And, at the center of all of this is a profound passion for making a real difference in students’ lives and a deep commitment to the unique missio
Reading Time: 8 minutes Education marketing is poised for a transformative shift in 2025. As technological innovations accelerate and global competition intensifies, schools, colleges, and universities must adopt strategies that meet the evolving expectations of prospective students. If youre new to educational marketing or administration, you may benefit from a working definition of the topic were exploring.
The purpose of this detailed listing of North Carolina scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for North Carolina students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline has passed, the website will likely be updated for the current school year.
In todays competitive college admissions landscape, students must do more than present impressive resumes and polished essaysthey must showcase self-awareness, intellectual depth, and an authentic sense of purpose. At Top Tier Admissions, we believe that cultivating these qualities begins with developing a students metacognition: the ability to think about ones own thinking.
This has been the year of weddings for me. My son got married in November down in Florida, and we will be attending four weddings in the next 3 months. I even had to go buy an additional suit so I would not be seen wearing the same outfit four times. One key for any wedding is planning things down to the smallest detail. My son’s wedding was a small one down in the Florida panhandle, and we rented a house to fit everyone invited to the wedding.
This has been the year of weddings for me. My son got married in November down in Florida, and we will be attending four weddings in the next 3 months. I even had to go buy an additional suit so I would not be seen wearing the same outfit four times. One key for any wedding is planning things down to the smallest detail. My son’s wedding was a small one down in the Florida panhandle, and we rented a house to fit everyone invited to the wedding.
Getting into the right college is typically the biggest concern for parents and students as they start to plan for the future. But now, the importance ofand competition inacademics starts earlier and earlier.
The University of Southern California will release its Early Action decisions via students USC applicant portal s on Friday, January 17. USC received nearly 42,000 applications for Early Action, which is about 2% m ore than received last year. Of those 42,000, only approximately3,500 will be offered admission Early Action. All other applicants will be invited to defer to Regular Decision.
Hello Juniors! Sometimes, it can feel like much of the application process revolves around what other people think of you. And because you cant control those perceptions, you might find the whole application process intensely frustrating. This is especially true when it comes to letters of recommendation. Its easy to get freaked out about which teachers to ask, if theyll agree to write your letters, and how to guarantee that they wont secretly write you a bad letter that will torpedo your chance
I serve as an academic advisor at a large university which puts me in the unique position of witnessing firsthand what most of you only speculate about higher education and the college experience today. Having had no fewer than twelve students (male and female) sob in my office in the first 3 weeks of last semester, I began to reflect on this chronic trend of students being unable to handle what many of us might consider normal stress levels.
In todays competitive market, private schools cant afford to guess how their families and staff are feeling. Yet far too often, school leaders operate on assumptions rather than insights. The most successful schools dont just leadthey listen. And one of the most powerful ways to listen is through intentional, well-executed satisfaction surveys for both parents and employees.
Youve worked hard on your early applications, collected recommendation letters, proofread your essays numerous times, and then finally apply to your dream school, only to hear that your application has been deferred. Often, this comes in the form of a letter from the university where you applied saying they were not able to offer you… The post Why do Universities Defer Students?
How does student satisfaction at HBCUs compare to institutions nationally? Student satisfaction is a critical component for student success. At RNL, we have observed that satisfaction can vary based on the institution type. Student satisfaction levels at a four-year private may differ from a four-year public. In addition, we have seen that students at schools with a specific identity or mission (such as Christian colleges) may also have different levels of satisfaction.
Reading Time: 11 minutes Authenticity has become a cornerstone of successful education marketing campaigns. Nothing speaks louder to prospective students than real experiences shared by current students. Thats why we recommend the combined use of two powerful tools: student ambassador programs and user-generated content (UGC). These strategies harness the voices of your students to create compelling, authentic narratives that resonate.
This week we welcome Assistant Director of Admission, Ashley Brookshire, to the blog. Welcome, Ashley! If you were with us for last months blog , then hopefully you are aware of (and perhaps even embracing?) the gray-area that is college admission. In keeping with that theme, lets venture to a topic that some of you may find highly relevant as college admission decisions are being released: deferrals.
A recent study examining the educational backgrounds of top achievers in American society presented compelling evidence that elite colleges play an outsized role in shaping future leaders. The findings are both thought-provoking and sobering, especially for families navigating the competitive college admissions process. At Top Tier Admissions, we aim to help families understand and contextualize studies like this while empowering students to chart their unique paths to success.
So, youre thinking about applying to UC Davis? Thats awesome! But before you hit send on your application, youre probably wondering, whats the UC Davis acceptance rate? You’re in the right place because we will break it down for you. Well talk about how competitive UC Davis is, what you can do to increase your chances, and other important details youll want to know before applying.
Tourists waiting in line for their Instagram poses at East Balis Lempuyang Temple Note and PSA: I do not assist with the UT Waitlist academic update essay or Letter of Continued Interest at other universities for non-clients. Do not pay anyone to assist you with these essays - unscrupulous services prey on peoples grief. Im understandably receiving many questions about UT-Austins new opt-in waitlist for Fall 2025 first-time freshmen applicants.
If college is an obstacle course, you will have plenty of moments when youre leaping from rope bridge to rope bridge like a cat and countless others when youre flailing upside down in your harness. Every class will test you in different ways, whether it analyzes Shakespeares syntax or quantum mechanics.
Participating in summer research programs allows students to explore academic passions, gain hands-on experience, and build valuable skills. These programs create an environment for intellectual growth and practical learning, helping students prepare for future academic and career challenges. In this article, we’ll explore research programs for high school students and provide a guide to some of the best opportunities available.
Here are great responses to unsolicited opinions about where your teen is going to college. (Aaron Amat/Shutterstock) Teens work hard to get accepted into college: please be supportive Your kid worked their tail off during high school and they are so proud of the college they will be attending in the fall. Or maybe they were kind of just not that into school and they are simply happy theyve chosen a community college to have some time to figure out what they want to study in the future.
Many school leaders searching for enrollment growth and marketing success hope for a quick fixa single, magical solution that will transform their numbers overnight. Whether launching a new ad campaign, redesigning the website, or hosting a special event, its tempting to believe that one initiative alone can drive sustained success. But the truth is, there is no magic wand.
This admissions cycle, Purdue University received more than 63,000 applications by its November 1 Early Action deadline, which is an increase of nearly 8,000 applicants from just last year. This increase occurred despite the fact that Purdue is test expected. Yet, only 53,000 Early Action applicants submitted a test score with their applications (!).
As higher education faces what experts call an “ enrollment cliff ,” with projections showing a potential 15% decline in traditional college-aged students, institutions are radically re-imagining their recruitment strategies. The latest data from RNL’s 2025 Marketing and Recruitment Practices For Undergraduate Students report reveals fascinating shifts in how different institutions connect with prospective students in this challenging landscape.
Reading Time: 13 minutes Now more than ever, knowing how to recruit students online is essential for success. In 2025, brochures and campus visits alone are no longer enough. A successful student recruitment plan requires a blend of innovative digital tools, personalized engagement, and a deep understanding of student behavior. At Higher Education Marketing, weve spent years refining our approach to online student recruitment, and were excited to share ten proven strategies that can take your re
There is a great deal of confusion about the Academic Index used in the Ivy League, what it means and how its applied. We asked our admissions consultants to shed some light on this important matter in Ivy League admissions. Key Facts About the Ivy League Academic Index Exclusively for Athletes Within the Ivy League,… The post The Ivy League Academic Index Explained appeared first on Solomon Admissions Consulting.
From figuring out where your classes are, to navigating a new social scene, the first semester of college can feel confusing, disappointing, or overwhelming. But when that rough period drags on, and you havent found your people or your academic groove, is it time to move on? Transferring to a different college might be the right decision, but we want to make sure you approach it with your eyes wide open.
Dreaming of Stanford ? Youre definitely not alone! If youve ever wondered how hard it is to get into Stanford, lets just say, brace yourself! With its reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Stanfords admissions process is notoriously competitive. Out of tens of thousands of applicants each year, only about 3%4% make the cut.
Weighted versus Unweighted GPAs: A Closer Look Anyone who has worked as an admission officer or college counselor will tell you that questions about student grade point average (GPA) come up almost as frequently as the sun rises. Families routinely ask, Which is better, a weighted or an unweighted GPA? To which I often jokingly reply, Yes. And I realize youre not asking a yes-or-no question.
An increasing number of selective colleges now scrutinize how applicants spend their summers during high school. Some parents, in response to this trend, have blown thousands of dollars on summer programs for teens that may provide an enriching experience, but do little to distinguish their child from the rest of the applicant pool.
Many students will know the feeling of opening an admissions decision and seeing one of two words: deferred or waitlisted. After the already stressful application process, this news might put you in a state of further uncertainty. This can be stressful for not only students but also for parents and counselors alike. Understanding the distinction in the deferred vs. waitlisted decision is essential to navigating this stage with confidence.
My eldest son just turned 20. I dont even know what to do with that number. It means Im old, for one. Like, really old. And yet I remember exactly where I was when I turned 20: taking a Shakespeare midterm in college. I remember the shape of my bedroom, those who passed through it, and the 50s-era flowered thrift store blouse I wore that day because I was going through my ironic June Cleaver phase.
A recent debate has emerged among private and faith-based schools: should tuition be posted online? Recently, Andy Lynch, CEO of Tassel, and I discussed this topic during our Show & Tell Show on “Dialing in your Admissions Section of Your Website.” We both believe that schools should intentionally post tuition rates on their website within the context of affordability and accessibility.
The University of Texas at Austin had promised its first cohort of Early Action applicants – students who were required to apply by the very early date of October 15, 2024 – an admissions decision by January 15, 2025. Well, January 15, 2025 came and went, and guest what? The majority of Early Action applicants have no admissions decision.
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: colleges struggle to connect with their most important audiencestudents. Fresh data RNLs research studies show a big disconnect between what higher education offers and what students need. A new report from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education is waving red flags about dropping enrollment numbers and workforce gaps if colleges can’t step up their game and prove their worth.
Reading Time: 7 minutes Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems have become essential tools in higher education, transforming how universities interact with prospective students, current students, alumni, and other stakeholders. Whether youre trying to track your enrollment funnel, streamline your recruitment process, or boost retention, CRM systems offer many unique marketing benefits for your institution.
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