Ahead of the Curve: October 29, 2013

From the News: College Financial Aid Drops – Families Pinched, San Francicso Chronicle October 23, 2013 Is College Tuition Too High? Of Course (Not), Higher Education Data Stories Blog October 15, 2013 So Many Students – So Little (Counseling) Time, Sacramento Bee October 28, 2013 From Clients: On-going Common Application Technical Issues:  From recommenders not…

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Common Application Essays Part 6: Essay Prompt 4 Explained

The next podcast in our Common Application Essay series defines the fourth of five essay prompts.  Applicants must choose only one of the five prompts to help structure their essay.  Yet, considering topics for all five essay questions, before focusing on one, can help applicants write the most meaningful essay possible and remain competitive across…

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Losing Sleep Over College Affordability Concerns? You’re Not Alone.

Families attempting to determine college affordability can be subjected to acute bouts of insomnia.  The predicament of framing the pros and cons of each college choice for their children can be, at times, daunting for parents.  Parents face the dilemma of defining the value of a future outcome–a college degree with all of its attendant…

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Extended Early Application Deadlines

Some college admissions offices around the country are extending early application deadlines, as a result of the technical issues the Common Application website is currently experiencing.  The following is a partial list of the colleges and the new deadlines: Barnard University, November 8 Boston University, November 15 Dartmouth University, November 8 Duke University, November 8…

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OH NO! Common Application Technical Glitches?!?

The Common Application unveiled a new interface this Fall, which is currently experiencing a range of technical issues.  The New York Times recently highlighted several issues from difficulties with payments and submitting letters of recommendation.  Stressed clients have also been calling and texting, after encountering similar challenges.  Don’t worry.   After a query of college admissions…

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Common Application Essays Part 5: Essay Prompt 3 Explained

Knowing the definition of the prompt can help applicants select topics that most effectively highlight their qualities and give understanding to their qualifications for admissions. Our latest podcast defines the third of five new Common Application essay prompts, that asks applicants to: Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted…

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“The Three D’s: Death, Disease & Divorce”

When beginning to write college application essays, students often worry about having lived an “ordinary” life, under the assumption that a dramatic event is a compelling topic to persuade college admissions officers.   A few years back, a stressed-out Senior, with tears welling in her eyes, exclaimed to her dad, “Why couldn’t you have died?!?  Then,…

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Ahead of the Curve: October 5, 2013

In the News: Financial Literacy, Beyond the Classroom New York Times: October 5, 2013 How to Be a College ‘Resimuter‘ Washington Post: October 2, 2013 UC’s Twist on Crowdfunding Inspires Students San Francisco Chronicle: September 18, 2013 From Our Clients: Quarter Grades/Midterms–conversations with teachers to identify academic areas for improvement, as well as what the student…

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Common Application Essays Part 4: Defining Prompt 2

Knowing the meaning of the essay question can help college applicants write the most insightful college essays possible.  Luckily, we, at Creative Marbles Consultancy, have done the defining work.  Over the last decade, we’ve complied a stack of hand-written, dog-eared yellow pads full of words, along with a growing library of digital photos of our…

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