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Do I need to share past trauma in my college essays? Posted On: October 24, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Priya Singh

As the college application process becomes more competitive every year, students are looking for ways to make their applications stand out from the rest. One way to do this is […]

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What is a Good SAT Score? Posted On: October 14, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education, Purvi Mody

In the intricate world of college admissions, the perennial question that looms over high school students and parents is, “What is considered a good SAT score?” The answer, however, is […]

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How to Fight Procrastination for a Happier You! Posted On: September 16, 2023 Posted In: Life Prep, Written by: Meilin Obinata

You procrastinate. And, worse yet, you feel terrible about it. You feel that it is inevitable. You might even feel guilty or have fights with your parents about this. Procrastination […]

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2023-2024 College Admissions Interview Policies Posted On: September 15, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

As many of you have submitted your college applications for the 2023-2024 college admissions season, it’s important to update your calendar and check your inbox regularly for interview invitations.   […]

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So You Want to Be a Lawyer? Insights into Pre-Law Majors Posted On: September 14, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Meilin Obinata

Your favorite shows are about lawyers passionately fighting for their clients about land zoning. Or, you have a relative who practices law and truly enjoys it. What if you want […]

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2024- 2025 Test Optional Colleges and Score Reporting Policies Posted On: August 17, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

The list contains the testing policies and requirements that began to change in 2020. Since then,  some colleges have extended their test-optional policies, while others have reinstated testing requirements. These […]

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College Supplemental Essays: Making a Strong Impression Posted On: August 16, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Priya Singh

College supplemental essays can make or break an applicant’s chance of being accepted to their dream school. These essays are a vital part of the college application process and provide […]

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Back to School: Get ready for a great academic year! Posted On: August 8, 2023 Posted In: High School, Written by: Insight Education

As your summer break comes to an end, you may be excited about a new school year or dreading the early mornings. Whichever describes you, it’s always a good idea […]

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College Essays: How to Slay Your First Draft? Posted On: July 28, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Meilin Obinata

Things I hear during application season: “I read a bunch of college essays on ____ site to help me understand what I should be writing.” “My friend/parent/older sibling told me […]

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2023-2024 College Admissions Options and Deadlines Posted On: July 25, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

When it comes to college admissions, understanding the various application deadlines is essential. Three popular options that students often consider are Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), and Single Choice […]

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Insights into Business Programs Posted On: July 20, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Priya Singh

Business management as an undergraduate major is important and sought after by many high school students; however, this major is only available in selective four-year colleges. Admission is relatively challenging […]

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5 Blunders to Avoid During Your College Campus Tour Posted On: June 29, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Visiting the campus or going on a guided college campus tour can provide insights into the institution and help you make an informed decision. To ensure you have a productive […]

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Insights into Honors College and Honors Program Posted On: May 5, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Meilin Obinata

So, you have heard great things about honors colleges and college honors programs. Now what? In this blog post, Insight Senior College Admissions Counselor Meilin Obinata will guide you through […]

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Happy College Signing Day, Insight Class of 2023! Posted On: April 17, 2023 Posted In: Success Stories, Written by: Insight Education

On May 1st, we celebrate our amazing Class of 2023! It has been our privilege as a team to work with the students and families that entrusted us during this […]

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Admitted! Which College Offer Should I Accept? Posted On: March 29, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jenny Bloom

Congratulations! Around this time of the year, all of us at Team Insight have the privilege to share the joy of our students and families as they receive acceptance letters. […]

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Waitlist and Appeal – What Should You Do? Posted On: March 15, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

We always look forward to this time of year filled with excitement — the time when college decisions are released. It marks years of hard work and dedication. It also […]

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ChatGPT vs. Admissions Counselors: Can AI write a compelling college essay? Posted On: March 13, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody, Insight Education

Will ChatGPT affect your college essay? Are you no longer just competing with your peers in school when applying to college but with artificial intelligence (AI) as well? The new AI-based […]

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Insights to the New Digital SAT (dSAT) Posted On: March 9, 2023 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

In early 2022, College Board announced their plan to launch a new, digital SAT. To many, the timing of this announcement does not come as a shock. During the Covid […]

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Parenting During College Admissions – Our Top Insights! Posted On: February 13, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

College admissions is a stressful time for the entire family. Seniors are anxious about starting a new chapter of their lives and leaving the comforts of home behind. Parents are […]

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Accepted, Deferred, or Denied: Understand Early Admissions Results Posted On: January 5, 2023 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

If you submitted your college application early back in October or November, late December and early January is usually a very exciting time for you as you are starting to […]

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23 amazing years of Insight! Posted On: December 22, 2022 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Insight Education

2022, another amazing year for Team Insight! We have been so blessed to share so many milestones and journeys with Insight’s students and families over the past 23 years. In […]

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ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take? Posted On: December 6, 2022 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Standardized testing remains a key part of the college admissions process. Many students and parents begin their admissions journey by comparing the SAT and the ACT. One of the most […]

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Top 3 College Admissions Interview Questions and How to Answer Them Posted On: November 29, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jason Katz

Picture this. You are sitting in front of your computer, smiling as wide as you can. You hope the person at the other end of the video call can’t see […]

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Insight Alma Mater: Penn State Posted On: November 22, 2022 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Melina Matsoukas

For people who grew up in State College, Pennsylvania, applying to Penn State is a no-brainer. Like so many college towns, the university is the lifeblood of our little community. […]

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Class of 2027: Early Decision / Early Action Notification Dates Posted On: November 17, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

For many of you, your college applications are almost completed (and there is light at the end of the tunnel, we promise). The next big item coming up is early […]

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Summer Opportunities Fair 2022 Posted On: November 16, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Thank you for your interest in Insight’s Summer Opportunities Fair on November 5, 2022! We hope you had a great time meeting the participating volunteering, research, and internship programs. This […]

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Your Best Insights to Early Admission Options Posted On: September 1, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody, Insight Education

Over the past few years, all of us at Team Insight are noticing more and more families want to know if early admission option can increase their chance of acceptance. […]

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Top 10 College Essay Mistakes to Avoid Posted On: August 23, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

It’s application season! Whether you’ve been working on your college essay drafts all summer or just finished slaying your first draft, you want to double-check your personal statement or personal […]

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Key Insights to the UC App Updates in 2022-2023 Posted On: August 21, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

The University of California (UC) application portal has been open for 2022-2023 admissions since August 1. As Insight Counselor Jenny guided our seniors step-by-step through filling out their UC apps, […]

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What a Co-op University Offers and Why it is Appealing Posted On: August 18, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Do you know what’s a co-op university? What is unique about co-op? Can you name a few colleges that offer this? Let Insight share with you all about cooperative universities […]

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The 2022-2023 ACT Registration is now open! What now? Posted On: July 11, 2022 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

For those who check the ACT website often, you’ve probably noticed that the ACT registration is now open for September 2022-July 2023 test dates! Here is a quick guide on […]

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How to Write the “Why Major” or “Why College” Essays? Posted On: June 30, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

During the college admissions process, you may come across many supplement essays. The most challenging one is the “why” essay. Generally, these college essay prompt asks, “Why do you want […]

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2022-2023 SAT registration is opened! Now what? Posted On: May 24, 2022 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

For those who check the College Board website often, you’ve probably noticed that the SAT registration is now open for August 2022-June 2023 test dates! Here is a quick guide […]

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Insights into Building a College List Posted On: May 20, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Meilin Obinata

There are so many college ranking systems – US News might be the most famous one in the USA, but there are also lists from the Washington Post, the New […]

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College Facts Friday: Georgia Tech Posted On: May 12, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

In this week’s #CollegeFactsFriday, we are heading to Atlanta to learn more about Georgia Institute of Technology (aka. Georgia Tech).    1. A coin toss at graduation? In 1890, the […]

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Recommendation Letters: the Great vs. the Not-So-Good Posted On: May 4, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Zach Pava, Purvi Mody, Insight Education

Letters of recommendation can play a key role in the college admissions process. Many colleges, especially private universities, view their applicants holistically. They want to know who you are as […]

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Happy College Signing Day, Insight Class of 2022! Posted On: April 30, 2022 Posted In: Success Stories, Written by: Insight Education

On May 1st, we celebrate our amazing Class of 2022! It has been our privilege as a team to work with the students and families that entrusted us during this […]

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College Facts Friday: UC Davis Posted On: April 29, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Happy Friday! You know what this means – YES, another round of quick #CollegeFacts! This week we are checking out one of the UCs. Located less than an hour away […]

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3 Insight Tips to Stress Management Posted On: April 27, 2022 Posted In: Life Prep, Written by: Priya Singh

As you progress through high school, you may start picking harder courses, taking on leadership roles in your extracurricular activities, and working on challenging projects over the summer. You are […]

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How to Answer the Common App Essay Prompt #4 Posted On: March 4, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jason Katz

In this article, college admissions counselor Jason Katz will share his insights on the Common App Essay prompt #4, which was updated in the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.  Quick Read The […]

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What You Need to Know About Advanced Placements (APs) Posted On: February 23, 2022 Posted In: High School, Test Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

If you or anyone in your family are currently in high school, you must have heard of Advanced Placement (AP) classes or exams. From AP tests vs. AP classes to […]

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5 Important Questions to Ask When You Plan Your Summer Posted On: January 10, 2022 Posted In: High School, Written by: Zach Pava

Summer activities are a crucial part of the college evaluation process. Colleges want to see what high school students do with their long breaks and free time. Outside of the […]

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College Facts Friday: Lehigh University Posted On: January 6, 2022 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

It’s another #CollegeFactsFriday! This week, we are heading to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to learn more about Lehigh University.      1. Lehigh University’s Taylor Stadium was the third concrete stadium in […]

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22 amazing years of Insight! Posted On: December 20, 2021 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Insight Education

2021, what a year for Team Insight! We have been so blessed to share so many milestones and journeys with Insight’s students and families over the past 22 years. While […]

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Top 6 Summer Activities for High School Students Posted On: December 13, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, High School, Written by: Zach Pava

Planning for the summer can be overwhelming for high school students and their families. From figuring out what’s meaningful to you to what can help you in college admissions, you […]

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Community Service Ideas for the Holiday Season Posted On: November 30, 2021 Posted In: High School, Written by: Insight Education

The holiday season is a time for love and joy. For students (and adults), it’s also a great time to give back. While it’s important to volunteer and help out […]

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Class of 2026 Early Decision / Early Action Notification Dates Posted On: November 3, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

For many of you, your college admissions season is almost wrapped up (and there is light at the end of the tunnel, we promise). The next big item coming up […]

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Beyond College Admissions: Why Extracurricular and Summer Activities Matter? Posted On: October 14, 2021 Posted In: High School, Life Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Community service, student internship, and summer research – these days, high school students are trying to pack too many extracurriculars in their resumes, hoping to impress the admissions office. It’s […]

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5 Tips for Your College Essays Posted On: August 20, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jenny Bloom

It’s no secret that your college essays can influence your college admissions chances. You probably have been planning (and possibly stressing over) what to write and how to tell your […]

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College Facts Friday: Barnard College Posted On: August 19, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

For this week’s #CollegeFactsFriday, we are going to New York, New York! Cue the music and let’s learn more about Barnard College.    1. Barnard College was named after Frederick […]

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List of Colleges Where Demonstrated Interest May Benefit You Posted On: August 11, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

As we dive deeper into the college application season, it’s important to build an authentic relationship with your top-choice university. For some colleges, demonstrated interest helps them understand which students […]

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All You Need to Know about Demonstrated Interest Posted On: August 11, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

As some of you embark on the college admissions journey, you may start to hear the term “demonstrated interest.” How does it play into the college admissions process? What can […]

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College Facts Friday: Emory University Posted On: July 23, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Welcome back to another round of #CollegeFactsFriday! This week we are visiting the Peach State, Georgia. Just 3 miles away from Georgia’s state capitol Atlanta is Emory University, a private […]

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Top 10 Summer Tasks for College Admissions Posted On: July 12, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

Summer is the perfect time to get a jump-start on your college admissions process. There are several steps that you can take to make the admissions process as stress-free as […]

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College Facts Friday: Carleton College Posted On: July 9, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Happy Friday! For this week’s #CollegeFactsFriday we are visiting the state of 10,000 lakes. Carleton College, home of the Knights, is a private liberal arts college located in Northfield, Minnesota. […]

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2021-2022 SAT Registration is opened! Now what? Posted On: June 29, 2021 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

For those who check the College Board website often, you’ve probably noticed that the SAT registration is now open for August 2021 – June 2022 test dates! Here is a […]

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College Facts Friday: Boston University Posted On: June 25, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

 1. The Boston University Bridge is one of three places in the world where a plane can fly over a car driving over a train traveling over a boat. This […]

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Insights into Transferring Colleges Posted On: June 24, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jason Katz

Are you thinking about transferring colleges? If so, you’re in the right place, because I’m a transfer student and I’m going to tell you about my experience.   Insight counselor […]

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College Fact Friday: USC Posted On: June 18, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

 1. Their motto is “palmam qui meruit ferat, let he who merited the palm bear it,” meaning “achievement should be rewarded.”  2. When the University of Southern California was founded […]

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Will Passing the AP Exams Help You Save Money on College Tuition? Posted On: June 16, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Meilin Obinata

Newsflash: colleges are not consistent in their approach to honoring AP Credits. Some institutions have transparent and user-friendly policies. I’ve heard that some people believe that they could even save […]

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How to Prepare for the ACT or the SAT This Summer Posted On: June 10, 2021 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

It’s the beginning of summer! And for many of you, you just finished a tough school year and conquered some AP exams. The last thing on your mind is preparing […]

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Top 3 Tips to Help You Start to Prepare for College Admissions Posted On: June 8, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes to every aspect of our lives, from how we socialize to how we learn, and of course, to how we need to prepare for […]

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What Do the New UC and CSU Standardized Testing Requirements Mean For You? Posted On: June 3, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jason Katz

Insights into UC and CSU Standardized Testing Requirements for the 2021-2022 Admissions Season According to the University of California Application Center, “UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores […]

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Happy College Signing Day, Insight Class of 2021! Posted On: May 1, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Success Stories, Written by: Insight Education

Today, May 1st, 2021, we celebrate our amazing Class of 2021! Even though we can’t celebrate in person, it has been our privilege as a team to work with the students […]

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Stop Telling Teens to Find Their Passions Posted On: April 19, 2021 Posted In: High School, Written by: Purvi Mody

When I was applying to business school, part of my personal statement focused on how I found my passion for education and how I wanted to explore it more deeply. […]

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Understanding the Intent to Register Process Posted On: April 13, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Priya Singh

Around this time of the year, many families are faced with the dilemma of choosing a college and committing to it by making the required deposit by May 1st (Note […]

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Waitlist and Appeal – What Should You Do? Posted On: April 6, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

We always look forward to this time of year filled with excitement — the time when college decisions are released. It marks years of hard work and dedication. It also […]

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Congratulations & Thank You, Class of 2021 Posted On: April 6, 2021 Posted In: Success Stories, Written by: Insight Education

As we are wrapping up the 2020-2021 admissions season (and now anxiously waiting with our seniors as results trickle in), all of us at Insight wants to thank our students […]

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College Facts Friday: UMass Amherst Posted On: April 1, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Founded in 1863 as an agricultural college, UMass Amherst was originally called the Massachusetts Agricultural College. UMass Amherst is the flagship and the largest campus in the University of Massachusetts […]

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Why It Is Important to Find Your “Best Fit” College Posted On: March 10, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jason Katz

Warren Buffett (Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway). George Lucas (creator of “Star Wars”). Larry Page (co-founder of Google). Jerry Jones (owner of the Dallas Cowboys). Arnold Schwarzenegger (former Governor […]

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To Test, Or Not To Test? Posted On: March 2, 2021 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education, Meilin Obinata

In a land, devastated by famine and drought, shimmering pools of water and images of plenty tempted travelers and visitors. Were these hallucinations? Oh dear reader, these visions are inspired […]

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The Importance of Writing A Letter of Continued Interest Posted On: February 4, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Meilin Obinata

I remember one student telling me, “But Meilin, they deferred me! And I’m so tired of writing apps! Why do I have to keep writing to these people if they […]

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College Board is Dropping Subject Tests and the Essay Portion of the SAT: What This Means For You Posted On: January 20, 2021 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Quick Summary:  The College Board said on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, that it will stop administering the SAT Subject Tests. It will also eliminate the optional essay-writing component after June […]

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A Lesson from the Pandemic: How Project Management Skills Lift Introverts   Posted On: January 13, 2021 Posted In: Life Prep, Written by: Meilin Obinata

We in the United States glamorize extroversion – being outgoing, so much so that Susan Cain shook the world  some years ago  with her  book,  “ Quiet: The Power of Introverts […]

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Hidden Benefits of College Admissions Interview Posted On: January 6, 2021 Posted In: College Prep, Life Prep, Written by: Insight Education

By now, you’ve submitted your applications, and you may have the option to interview with college alumni. You might wonder whether or not they’ll positively affect your admission decision. More […]

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6 Warning Signs For Teen Mental Health, and What To Do About Them Posted On: December 28, 2020 Posted In: High School, Life Prep, Written by: Insight Education

It’s no secret that the pandemic is an isolating time, however together with this isolation comes an increased risk of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges for teens.

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Should I self-study for AP? Posted On: December 22, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Test Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

You probably know about Advanced Placement or AP courses. You may have even heard of AP Self-Study, and might be considering it. But should you? Does it help demonstrate your strength?

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Insight Alma Mater: Mitchell Hamline Posted On: December 14, 2020 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Meilin Obinata

My decision to attend Mitchell Hamline School of Law (MH) in Saint Paul, Minnesota started out as just a marriage of convenience. When I applied, all I knew as a Bay Area native was that Minnesota was […]

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Class of 2025 Early Decision / Early Action Notification Dates Posted On: November 25, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

For many of you, your college admissions season is almost wrapped up (and there is light at the end of the tunnel, we promise). The next big item coming up […]

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Best Way to Prep for PSAT? Study for the SAT! Posted On: November 21, 2020 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Insight Education

The Preliminary SAT, also known as the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), is a part of the SAT suite. This test is offered annually to students in the 10th […]

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Picking a High School? Forget about College (for now) Posted On: November 4, 2020 Posted In: High School, Written by: Purvi Mody

Question: My child is in 7th grade right now and my husband and I are trying to figure out which is the best high school for him to attend so that […]

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Early Decision vs. Early Action – Which to Choose? Posted On: October 8, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

If you are entering the college admissions process, you might have heard of these terms. You might even wonder what they are. What is the difference? Which is better for […]

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How to Combat Zoom Fatigue Posted On: September 15, 2020 Posted In: Life Prep, Written by: Insight Education

If you are finding yourself exhausted between classes, office hours, webinars, and social time all on Zoom, you are not the only one. Over the past few months, “Zoom fatigue” or […]

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What are College Admissions Officers Looking for? Posted On: July 17, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jason Katz

An Interview with Santa Clara University’s Claire Kreeft, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions I conducted an interview via email with Ms. Claire Kreeft, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission at Santa […]

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How Covid-19 Has Impacted Insight Alumni Posted On: July 11, 2020 Posted In: Life Prep, Team Insight, Written by: Zach Pava

This is a special one. At a time of uncertainty for all of us, five former Insight graduates have taken the time to share the details of their experiences in […]

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Standardized Testing: A Reflection Posted On: June 24, 2020 Posted In: Life Prep, Test Prep, Written by: Jenny Huang

I feel like there are certain activities that will always make me a little—okay, very—nervous.  These include riding a roller coaster, watching a horror movie, and lastly, taking standardized tests! […]

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Finding Your College Match If You Have Learning Challenges Posted On: June 9, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Life Prep, Team Insight, Written by: Jason Katz

Have you ever wondered how to find a good college match if you have learning challenges?  In order to answer that question and provide insight, I conducted interviews via email […]

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From Our Founders Posted On: June 7, 2020 Posted In: Life Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody, Ajit Jain

Dear Insight Community,   It has taken us a number of days to gather our thoughts and put something down on paper to share what we are feeling with our […]

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Transferring Between UC Campuses…Wait, That’s Possible? Posted On: May 13, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jenny Huang

You’ve probably heard about transferring from a community college to a UC institution, but did you know it’s possible to transfer between UC campuses?  This is the path I took—I spent my first […]

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Happy College Signing Day, Insight Class of 2020! Posted On: May 1, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Success Stories, Written by: Insight Education

Today, May 1st, 2020, we celebrate our amazing Class of 2020!    Even though we can’t celebrate in person, it has been our privilege as a team to work with […]

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Insight’s List of Colleges Accepting AP Credits 2020 Posted On: April 30, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Ajit Jain

THE FOLLOWING LISTS THE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES ACCEPTING 2020 AP CREDITS Adelphi University: “We will still award Advanced Placement (AP) credit in the same way for virtual exams being offered […]

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What’s the Best Online School Etiquette? Posted On: April 28, 2020 Posted In: High School, Written by: Jenny Bloom

  Online etiquette has always been an important part of life, but it is even more so now with all of us staying at home and social distancing.  Insight Education […]

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Online Extracurricular and Volunteering Ideas To Make the Most of Your Lockdown Posted On: April 19, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, High School, Written by: Insight Education

So many of us have found our lives up ended during COVID-19. However, just because all of your extracurriculars have been canceled doesn’t mean you can’t still try to find […]

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Choosing A College: Questions to Ask Alumni and Current Students Posted On: April 16, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jenny Huang

  Congratulations, Seniors!   Not only have you finished applying to college, but you’ve also now hopefully been accepted to a school and maybe even multiple schools!    What are […]

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How to Get the Most Out of Virtual College Tours Posted On: March 24, 2020 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Are you stuck at home because of Coronavirus fears? Or concerned about the high travel cost of college tours? Whatever the reason, more and more students and families are turning […]

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20 wonderful years of Insight! Posted On: December 15, 2019 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Insight Education

This year, 2019, Team Insight celebrated 20 wonderful years!  We have been so blessed to share in the pivotal moments and journeys of so many wonderful students and families over […]

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5 Tips To Study Smarter – Not Harder! Posted On: December 7, 2019 Posted In: High School, Written by: Insight Education

Studying can be tough, especially if the content isn’t something you’re very excited about or you have a lot of other things on the go. Below are some tips to […]

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College Facts Friday: San Diego State University Posted On: November 22, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

This week for #CollegeFactsFriday, we’re talking about San Diego State University!    1. San Diego State has a strong statement of ethics: “Leadership starts here”. The statement is a fundamental […]

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Dislike College? You Have Options! Posted On: November 12, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

Question: I am a freshman in college right now. I chose the school I am attending because I wanted to go to a big school in another part of the […]

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College Facts Friday: Penn State Posted On: November 8, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

We’re back with another #CollegeFactsFriday! This week, we’re taking a closer look at Penn State, located in … you guessed it, Pennsylvania!    1. The history of Penn State dates […]

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Why The College Essay Matters Posted On: October 20, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

Writing about oneself is not an easy task, but a necessary one when it comes to college applications. Too often students and parents scour the internet looking for the secret […]

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Insight Alma Mater: UC Berkeley Posted On: October 17, 2019 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Insight Education

Welcome back to Insight Alma Mater! For those of you that haven’t ready last weeks blog, written by counselor Jenny Huang, make sure you go back and read that one […]

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College Facts Friday: American University Posted On: October 10, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

This week we’re taking #CollegeFactsFriday to the capital and learning more about American University, located in Washington DC!    1. American University was founded by John Fletcher Hurst in 1893, […]

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Insight Alma Mater: UC Santa Barbara Posted On: October 6, 2019 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Insight Education

Welcome back to the Insight Alma Mater blog series! The story you’re about to read is one with an unexpected ending – make sure you return to our blog this […]

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College Facts Friday: University of Denver Posted On: October 3, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

This week we’re heading to Colorado for #CollegeFactsFriday, learning more about the University of Denver!    1. Students at DU reap the benefit of its amazing location, located near the […]

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College Facts Friday: UC Riverside Posted On: September 19, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

As we enjoy the last few weeks of sunshine… wait, who are we kidding? It’s California! It’ll still be sunny in November! Well, even still, we can’t help but want […]

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Tips for Strong Letters of Recommendation Posted On: September 17, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

For students thinking about getting letters of recommendation for their college application, it can tricky to figure out how to best go about the process. We are here to help […]

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College Facts Friday: Columbia University Posted On: September 13, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

This week, #CollegeFactsFriday is heading to New York City! Learn more about Columbia University below:    1. Columbia University was founded in 1754 as King’s College by royal charter of […]

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College Facts Friday: Santa Clara University Posted On: September 6, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

We’re back in the Bay for our #CollegeFactsFriday, this week looking at Santa Clara University! Read on for some facts:    1. Santa Clara University was named the top-ranked regional […]

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A Little Etiquette Can Still Take You A Long Way Posted On: September 2, 2019 Posted In: Life Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

We live in a society driven by technology, that allows individuals to interact through keyboards and some kind of screen. Unfortunately, this means that some people either lose their politeness […]

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Insight Alma Mater: Seattle University Posted On: August 27, 2019 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Casey Shook

We are back with one of our favorite blog series here at Insight, the “Insight Alma Mater”! Client Operations Manager Casey Shook attended Seattle University and tells a compelling story […]

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College Facts Friday: Georgetown University Posted On: August 23, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Welcome back to #CollegeFactsFriday! This week we’re taking it to the capital with Georgetown University in Washington, D.C!    1. Located in Washington D.C, students at Georgetown are surrounded by […]

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Three Tips for a Successful Senior Year Posted On: August 19, 2019 Posted In: High School, Written by: Insight Education

Congratulations, incoming seniors! You’re about to embark on a very exciting time in your life as the school year begins on your final year of high school. While you’re enjoying […]

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College Facts Friday: University of California, Berkeley Posted On: August 16, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

This week we’re sticking close to our HQ in the Bay Area and focusing our #CollegeFactsFriday on The University of California, Berkeley!    1. UC Berkeley is rated as the […]

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How To Decide Which UC Prompts To Answer Posted On: August 13, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Insight counseling students are working hard on their University of California Applications, which always brings up a common question that we get asked – “Which UC Prompt is the right […]

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College Facts Friday: NYU Posted On: August 9, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

We’re back with another #CollegeFactsFriday, this week bringing you facts about NYU – New York University!    1. NYU has a world champion Quidditch team who recently made it to […]

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10 Tips for Completing your College Applications Posted On: August 5, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

It’s an exciting week for rising seniors!  Application portals for the University of California, Coalition, and Common are now open, and students can work on filling out these college applications. […]

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College Facts Friday: CalTech Posted On: August 2, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

This week for College Facts Friday, we’re learning more about CalTech: California Institute of Technology!    1. Caltech was Founded as Throop University in 1891 in Pasadena, California, and renamed […]

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The Art of Informational Interviews Posted On: July 29, 2019 Posted In: Life Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Have you ever heard of an informational interview?    The purpose of an informational interview is you are reaching out to a professional to learn more about a specific field […]

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College Facts Friday: Dartmouth Posted On: July 26, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Happy Friday! Welcome back to our College Facts Friday series, this week we are looking at Dartmouth College!   1. Dartmouth’s year-round academic calendar of four 10-week terms allows you […]

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The Value of Networking Posted On: July 22, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Life Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

Networking: It’s an intimidating term to be sure.  I remember first hearing that word as a college freshman, and immediately shrinking away from any follow-up conversation in the moment. Networking […]

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College Facts Friday: UC Santa Cruz Posted On: July 19, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Welcome back to our new series here on the Insight blog called “College Facts Friday”. This week we’re looking at The University of California, Santa Cruz.    1. UC Santa […]

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Encourage Creativity In Your Teen Posted On: July 14, 2019 Posted In: Life Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

One of the questions I always ask recruiters, CEOs and entrepreneurs is what trait do they most want to see in potential hires?    Almost every time the respondent states […]

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College Facts Friday: The University of Chicago Posted On: July 12, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Welcome to a new series here on the Insight blog called “College Facts Friday”. Each Friday, we’ll be posting facts about a new college! Kicking off the series is The […]

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An Insight to Boston College Posted On: July 8, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

Recently I had the pleasure of attending an information session and campus tour at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. A private Jesuit university and tier 1 research institution, BC […]

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Thinking About College in Canada? Posted On: July 1, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Ajit Jain

I recently had the opportunity to attend the SuperACAC conference in Phoenix, Arizona. As a proud Canadian, what pleasantly surprised me most was how many Canadian universities participated in the […]

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How To Deal With Procrastination Posted On: June 23, 2019 Posted In: High School, Written by: Insight Education

Procrastination can strike us all, at any time and ahead of any task!  One thing we hear from students a lot is that they struggle when it comes to procrastinating […]

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Should You Be Taking BOTH the SAT and the ACT? Posted On: June 18, 2019 Posted In: Test Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

Today we’re going to be answering one of the most common questions we hear as counselors: “Do I need to take both the SAT and the ACT?”     The answer […]

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An Insight to Northeastern University Posted On: June 9, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

Northeastern University provides a unique balance of campus and city life that I’ve rarely seen equaled. Not only does the university offer an exceptional academic experience and incredible employment opportunities, […]

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Reasons Why Summer Study Can Be A Great Thing Posted On: June 3, 2019 Posted In: High School, Written by: Jenny Bloom

I know most of you are probably looking forward to those days off just lounging around and relaxing all summer long, so someone like me who is telling you to […]

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Summer Plans for High School Graduates Posted On: May 24, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

This is it! You are finally graduating high school and getting ready for that next step of your life, whatever that may be.   You have made it through high […]

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An Insight to Saint Mary’s College Posted On: May 16, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

I was lucky enough to be able to recently tour Saint Mary’s College, a welcoming gem of a school tucked away just an hour and a half from the South Bay area.    Saint Mary’s College has […]

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Help! I Got A D – Can I Still Go To A UC? Posted On: May 11, 2019 Posted In: High School, Written by: Insight Education

We have been asked the question “If I get a D grade in Freshman year, does that mean I can’t go to a UC?”    Here’s the good news: YOU […]

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An Insight to The University of Massachusetts Amherst Posted On: May 10, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

Recently I had the good fortune to visit UMass Amherst for a campus tour. The public research university, located in Western Massachusetts, is the commonwealth’s flagship campus.  UMass has approximately […]

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Happy College Signing Day, Insight Class of 2019! Posted On: May 1, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Success Stories, Written by: Insight Education

Today, May 1st, 2019, we celebrate our amazing Class of 2019!    It has been our privilege as a team to work with the students and families that entrusted us […]

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World Book Day: Team Insight’s Favorite Reads! Posted On: April 22, 2019 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Insight Education

Team Insight is excited to be celebrating World Book Day this April 23, 2019!  Below is a selection of our favorite books to read and recommend.    Sarah’s Pick: “Everything […]

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When Should You Start Thinking About College Counseling? Posted On: April 16, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, High School, Written by: Jenny Bloom

One question I’m asked all the time when I tell people what I do is “when should my child start thinking about college and college admissions counseling?”    (Ps – […]

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Do You Want To Take A Gap Year? Here’s Why That’s A-OK! Posted On: April 10, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

“A gap year?” – Puzzled Parents   No, a gap year does not mean you spend the majority of your time hanging out shopping at The Gap in the mall […]

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Explaining “SIR” – Statement of Intent to Register Posted On: April 5, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jenny Bloom

Now that many of you have heard back from most of your schools, you will start hearing people talk about completing their SIR, asking if you’ve completed yours, and asking […]

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How To Build Your College List Posted On: March 26, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Zach Pava

A question that we hear a lot from students and families during their first meeting with us is how to think about building a college list, and what they should […]

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Should You Consider An Appeal? Posted On: March 21, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

The short answer is… probably not. We get a lot of requests to help with appeals for students who just can’t understand why they received the decision that they did. […]

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Insight’s Response to the College Admissions Cheating Scandal Posted On: March 14, 2019 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Purvi Mody

Many people reached out to us at Insight because of our work in the admissions industry, particularly admissions consulting, to ask us our thoughts on the recent college admissions cheating […]

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Ways to be Productive on a Snow Day! Posted On: March 4, 2019 Posted In: High School, Written by: Zach Pava

Our Massachusetts friends are snowed in!    With a full day on your hands and the weather encouraging you to stay warm inside, here are our suggestions for how to be productive […]

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How Many AP Classes Should You Take? Posted On: February 27, 2019 Posted In: High School, Written by: Insight Education

This is such a common question! And, unfortunately, it’s one of those questions that is best answered “it depends” because the right number really depends on YOU, your academic strengths […]

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8 Unique Silicon Valley Teen Volunteering Opportunities Posted On: February 19, 2019 Posted In: High School, Written by: Insight Education

You’ve no doubt heard about the importance of volunteering, and how much colleges truly value service and community engagement. But what are good local South Bay Area volunteering opportunities?   […]

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Balancing Your High School Course Load Posted On: February 12, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, High School, Written by: Zach Pava

As we get deeper into February, many students are thinking about their class selections for next year. These are important decisions that deserve careful consideration as you look ahead, and […]

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How To Make The Most Of Your College Visits Posted On: February 1, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Sarah de Sousa

Whether you are just beginning to think about college or a #classof2020 student suddenly realizing just how close you are to the finish line, it’s important to understand how to […]

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Insight Alma Mater: Trinity College Posted On: January 21, 2019 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Zach Pava

We return to our Insight blog series “Insight Alma Mater” with counselor Zach Pava. Zach attended Trinity College in Hartford Connecticut and is our Newton-based counselor! Set up a meeting with […]

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2019 – 2020 Common Application Essay Prompts Posted On: January 15, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

You know what they say – third time’s a charm!     The Common Application has announced that the 2019-2020 application essay prompts will remain the same as they have been for […]

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How To Focus Forward After An Initial Rejection Posted On: January 8, 2019 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

With results from the early round of applications widely available, I have noticed many behaviors and perceptions regarding admissions getting altered. I have found some families to be unreasonable with […]

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2018 – What A Year! Posted On: December 23, 2018 Posted In: Success Stories, Team Insight, Written by: Insight Education

The holiday season is a great time to pause and reflect on the year that has been. 2018 has been a wonderful, busy year for Team Insight and our students! […]

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Insight Alma Mater: The University of Texas at Austin Posted On: December 10, 2018 Posted In: Team Insight, Written by: Jenny Bloom

Welcome back to the Insight Alma Mater blog series! Insight College Admissions Counselor Jenny Bloom attended The University of Texas at Austin.     My time at The University of Texas at […]

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Personal Fulfillment Counts as Much as Academic Success Posted On: November 29, 2018 Posted In: Life Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

The holidays are always a great time to reflect on the past year and look forward to a fresh start. With my students, we talk about the past year, revisit […]

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That First Acceptance Letter is a Big Deal! Posted On: November 7, 2018 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

While it may seem too early to receive college acceptance letters, many students who applied to schools with rolling admissions have started to receive some decisions. In the past two […]

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Get Past Essay “Brain Fog” Posted On: October 12, 2018 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Jenny Bloom

You’re deep in college essay writing, and the worst happens – you’re struck with writer’s block!   The dreaded “brain fog” can be hard to get through, especially if you’re […]

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What To Do About Mistakes in College Applications Posted On: October 2, 2018 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

Question: My son submitted his college applications early, but accidentally sent three before they were ready. Some answers are wrong and some don’t present him in the best light. What […]

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Using Demonstrated Interest in College Admissions Posted On: September 25, 2018 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

Demonstrated Interest – what is it, and how do you use it!    In short, Demonstrated interest is something colleges use to see if you are genuinely interested in enrolling […]

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3 Ways to Stand Out on your College Application Posted On: September 10, 2018 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

What are the most important things you should think about when writing your college applications?   It may be a little intimidating to hear, but some schools these days are […]

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Overcoming Writers Block Posted On: August 30, 2018 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

Q: So many of my friends have started their college essays, but I seem to have a block and don’t know where to begin. Help! A: Ah — the elusive […]

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Tips for Incoming College Freshmen Posted On: August 10, 2018 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Purvi Mody

A new academic year is upon us. Soon-to-be college students around the country, and the world are packing, ready to embark on new adventures. And while this is an exciting […]

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Insight Answers Your Top College Admissions Questions! Posted On: July 27, 2018 Posted In: College Prep, Written by: Insight Education

This past weekend, Insight hosted two community seminars in Fremont and Cupertino respectively. During those seminars, families wrote down their top college admissions questions.    We’ve collated those questions and […]

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The Gift of Service: Why and How Students Should Volunteer Posted On: July 10, 2018 Posted In: High School, Written by: Insight Education

“Trust in your desire to give, remember how good it feels, and be open to opportunities to do so, especially when they are just at the edge of your courage.” […]

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Insight Alma Mater: San Jose State Posted On: June 20, 2018 Posted In: College Prep, Team Insight, Written by: Christina Shumaker

We return to our Insight Alma Mater series with our wonderful Office Manager Christina and her story of studying at San Jose State University.    What I knew about college, […]

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