top of page
Search
Alison Merzel
Jul 113 min read
Get Common App Ready - August 1st is Coming!
Tips to prepare for the Common Application
Alison Merzel
Nov 17, 20236 min read
Questions to ask if you are a Jewish student applying to college
My colleagues and I are getting many questions from rightfully concerned Jewish families about how to approach the college admissions...
Alison Merzel
Nov 2, 20234 min read
Jews on Campus - Where Will They Be Safe?
The Anti-Defamation League has reported a 400% increase in antisemitic activity since October 7, and the news headlines continue to...
Alison Merzel
Mar 16, 20233 min read
The Importance of a Balanced List
Sometimes I feel like a broken record when I harp on the importance of creating a balanced college list in my meetings with families....
Alison Merzel
Nov 16, 20223 min read
Don't Let "Average GPA" Scare You Away
If you look at published GPA ranges for many well-known colleges and universities, you may start to scratch your head in bewilderment....
Alison Merzel
Mar 28, 20222 min read
To stay or not to stay on the waitlist. That is the question.
You may have noticed that this year, in particular, colleges are handing out waitlist decisions like candy. It almost feels like "YOU get...
Alison Merzel
Mar 3, 20221 min read
Common App Application Updates
The Common Application recently published a report of application trends through February 15, 2022. Here are the big takeaways: 1) Since...
Alison Merzel
Feb 1, 20223 min read
Unpredictability is the Reality
As admissions decisions continue to get released, there is always chatter about why one student got into a school and another didn't. "He...
Alison Merzel
Apr 20, 20213 min read
FWIW go with the email or I'll be SMH.
DMs are the new texts. Texts are the new emails. Emails are the new letters. While sometimes it feels like the days of email are going in...
Alison Merzel
Mar 22, 20214 min read
We are not Rick Singer
If you had forgotten about the huge college admissions scandal that happened in 2019, you have likely been reminded again with the...
Alison Merzel
Dec 18, 20202 min read
How College Admissions is Like Dating
You know that old phrase, "It's not you, it's them?" You know you are a great catch - you have the brains, the athleticism, the artistic...
Alison Merzel
Dec 2, 20203 min read
It's About Who You Are, Not What You Did
I recently attended a conference session during which admissions officers at three selective institutions shared case studies of...
Alison Merzel
Nov 18, 20202 min read
Demonstrated Interest Decoded
You know how you google something and then all of a sudden you start seeing ads for the item showing up everywhere you go? Or even...
Alison Merzel
Oct 27, 20202 min read
Tips for navigating college websites
College and university websites should be a primary source of information as you research schools and try to evaluate whether you are...
Alison Merzel
Sep 25, 20202 min read
Focus on the WHY and WHAT before the HOW
For many high school students, the mechanics of the college admissions process take shape before they have even given thought to why it...
Alison Merzel
Sep 16, 20202 min read
5 tips about the University of California application process
If you are interested in applying to any of the nine schools within the University of California system, you will use one application,...
Alison Merzel
Sep 15, 20201 min read
You know about AP and IB credit, but do you know about CLEP?
While most high school families are familiar with either AP and/or IB courses as pathways to college credit with passing exam/assessment...
Alison Merzel
Aug 26, 20202 min read
A Gap Year with College Credit
You have likely heard of a Gap Year by now if you hadn't before - with so many colleges and universities offering only remote...
Alison Merzel
Aug 3, 20202 min read
When does "Optional" mean "Preferred"?
Earlier this spring, I wrote a post explaining that Test Optional is not Test Blind. As a result of continuous test center closures,...
Alison Merzel
Jul 22, 20202 min read
School Spotlight: Columbus State Community College
As a result of financial constraints, healthcare concerns, and social/emotional instability, many students are expected to turn to...
bottom of page