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 help you focus on studying smart. 1. Follow a clear study schedule. If you want to make sure you study each week, you need […]
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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 principle that guides the actions of the school. 2. The school is ranked No. 60 among public universities, and in the top 130 overall. Learn […]
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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 country for a new experience. I thought I would love this school, but it turns out that I am really unhappy here. Is it possible […]
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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 back to 1855 when the school had a focus on agricultural science. More on the history of the school here. 2. Penn State has a […]
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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 to the best college essays, or devour past essays as clues to getting in. But there is no gaming the system when it comes to […]
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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 first as today’s story picks up right where that one left off. Insight Alma Mater – UC Santa Barbara. FLASHBACK TO TRANSFERRING When I […]
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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, and first took on undergraduate students in 1925. 2. There are 250+ student organizations at AU, you can learn more about them here. 3. The […]
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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 time next week to find out what happens! Below is Insight Counselor Jenny Huang’s experience at the University of Santa Barbara. FLASHBACK TO SENIOR […]
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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 beautiful Rocky Mountains and enjoying over 19,000 acres of park space in and around Denver. 2. University of Denver is ranked in the top 5 […]
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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 to write about a school in sunny CA for #CollegeFactsFriday. Ready to learn more about UC Riverside? Read on! 1. The very first “first-day” […]
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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 answer all of your letter of rec questions, and guide you on how to be in the BEST position to receive strong letters! One […]
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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 King George II of England. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York and the fifth oldest in the […]
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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 university in the western United States in the 2019 U.S News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. The University earned a perfect overall score of […]
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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 or don’t develop it in the first place. The anonymity of how we interact these days means we are losing some of the skills that […]
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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 of her journey during first semester. Read on below! You can also learn more about Seattle U on their Facebook, and Instagram “Can’t you […]
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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 museums, theaters, famous monuments and landmarks 2. Georgetown was established in 1789 3. The university motto is “Utraque Unum” which translates to “Both into one” 4. […]
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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 this year, there are some important things to remember! We have three great tips for you to keep in mind: 1- Be Prepared! Your […]
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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 Number 1. Public University worldwide by US News & World Report. 2. The mascot for UC Berkeley is known as “Oski”, a golden bear. 3. […]
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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 prompt to answer?” Well, the first and most important thing to say here is that there is NO “right” prompt to pick. The UC’s have […]
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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 the top 16 of world cup Quidditch. You can keep up with them on Facebook here! 2. NYU was founded in 1831 and is now […]
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It’s an exciting week for rising seniors! Application portals for the University of California, Coalition and Common application are now open, and students are now hard at work filling out the apps. As students work through these applications, it’s important to keep in mind some important tips. 1- Have transcripts ready to go! This […]
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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 the California Institute of Technology in 1920 2. The mission of the California Institute of Technology is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through […]
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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 of interest, or their job and career. Fun fact, it’s actually because of an informational interview that I ended up becoming a college counselor at […]
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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 to decide when to study on campus—and when to use time away from Hanover to gain work experience, engage in service, be an intern, or […]
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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 sounded like something my Dad did at hospital functions, some obscure activity that only mattered to people who were old enough to legally sip wine, […]
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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 Cruz has a big focus on water conservation. Over a 20-year period in which enrollment increased 67%, water consumption increased by less than 5% 2. […]
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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 that, beyond strong academics and analytical skills, the quality they seek out is creativity. In a world where technology is seeping into every facet of […]
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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 University of Chicago. 1. UChicago’s motto is Crescat scientia; vita excolatur – Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life […]
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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 has approximately 9,300 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate students. About 1/3 of all undergrads are engaged in research with a professor on campus, and the university […]
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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 college fair and the targeted presentations, confirming their commitment to increasing the volume of applications they receive from the United States. All-in-all the participating universities […]
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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 school work. So what can you do to break the cycle of procrastinating? Well, that is a hard question to answer! This is something that […]
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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 to this question is “NO!” You absolutely do not need to take both exams! In fact one of the common errors we see sometimes when students come in for the […]
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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, but it’s also walking distance to the Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park, Boston Common, the South End, Newbury Street, and more. In other […]
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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 study and prep for a test is a real party pooper. However, there are some big advantages of studying for the SAT or ACT […]
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To the Class of 2019. 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 school, hopefully unscathed and excited for the future. For those of you that will be heading off to college in […]
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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 been in Moraga for over 100 years, yet few have heard of this small Catholic college located between Berkeley and Walnut Creek. For California students hoping to stay local, Saint Mary’s […]
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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 CAN STILL GO TO A UC!! So exhale, take your hand off the panic button and let that sink in. But before we talk […]
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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 22,700 undergraduate students and another 6,500 graduate students. It is also a member of the Pioneer Valley’s five college consortium along with liberal arts colleges […]
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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 during this process. We are so proud of all the hard work and dedication shown by our Class of 2019. Below is a snapshot […]
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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 That Remains: A Memoir by The Minimalists” I don’t think minimalism is for everyone (or is it? 😉), but I related deeply to questioning the subconscious motivations rooted […]
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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 – prefer to watch rather than read? View our video on this topic: Click HERE!) Because I have a background in early childhood education, I […]
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“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 closest to your home. Rather, a gap year most commonly refers to taking a year off from school in between high school graduation and the […]
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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 where your “SIR-ing” too? And you may be asking yourself, what does SIR even mean?? PS- more of a visual learner? Check out […]
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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 consider in this process. There is a combination of factors that result in not only a strong college list but more importantly, a well-rounded […]
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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. As tough as it can be to hear, often times the decision from a college is going to be the final decision and launching an […]
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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 scandal. First, let me start by saying that not all consultants follow unethical and/or illegal practices. Most actually care about impacting the lives of […]
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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 (in-between quick snowball fights and snowman making competitions, of course!) 1. Study more for your exam that was supposed to be today 2. Complete your long […]
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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 and weaknesses and your long term goals. However, here are a few things you can think about as you make this decision: (Ps- are […]
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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? The best kind of community service activities for college are those that actively engage or challenge you. So while sitting behind a help desk or […]
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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 plan for success. Some students feel that the best approach is to accumulate as many AP courses at one time as possible. After all, […]
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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 make the most of your college visits. Having worked with hundreds of families for the past six years, I have seen a few repeated mistakes […]
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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 Zach by emailing us at info@insight-education.net I didn’t know my first choice college the summer before my senior year of high school. Come to […]
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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 the last two years. From Common App: “Based on extensive counselor feedback, the existing essay prompts provide great flexibility for applicants to tell their […]
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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 their expectations, and others to be overwhelmingly grateful. Certainly, those attitudes correlate heavily with the decisions received. With many more decisions to get released over […]
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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! Below are some of the highlights and success of our students in the college admissions process: “Zach, I can’t thank you enough for your […]
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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 Austin – I loved my experience there. I remember even getting to UT was work. I grew up in Texas and there were two perfectly […]
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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 goals that had been set and create resolutions for the upcoming year. These are some resolutions that I believe every teen should incorporate into their […]
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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 weeks, I have gotten several emails from students notifying me that they got into X or Y colleges, but then quickly following up with something […]
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“Early Decision” and “Early Action” are likely terms that you have heard before when talking about the college application process. The biggest thing to get your head around – what is the difference between the two? They have similar names but are quite different in their outcomes. (Ps – want to watch a […]
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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 on a tight deadline. Here are a few things you can do to help break out of the funk Brainstorming Jot down some […]
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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 do you recommend we do to fix the situation? I’m concerned that calling the colleges will start him off with them on a bad note. […]
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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 in and attending their university. Consider how many colleges you yourself are applying to. Then, consider if everyone in your class at school is applying […]
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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 equally worried about sending their children off into the world, hoping that they have prepared them well over the past 17 years. But before […]
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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 spending as few as 8 minutes on each application. That’s 8 minutes to convey all the hard work and energy you’ve put into the last […]
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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 college essay. It can cause even the most confident student to feel doubt. The intent of the essay is not to induce undue stress […]
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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 time in their lives, they can certainly benefit from the advice of people who have been there and done that. Over the past weeks, I […]
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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 our team of College Admissions Counselors has put together the answers! Below, a snapshot of some of the questions! Q: Everyone in my school […]
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“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.” – Charles Eisenstein I’ve been conducting an experiment in my own life lately. It goes like this: a thought comes up, “I’d like to […]
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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, I learned from television. I am the first generation in my family to have been born in the United States and would be the […]
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This time of year inspires much hope, and graduations play a big role in that. Students are leaving a huge part of their lives behind, ready and equipped for that next step. And while messages of “conquering the world” or “doing anything you put your mind to” are heartwarming and empowering, they don’t fully relay […]
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