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 that some colleges extended their deadlines due to Covid-19). However, this can be a hard decision when (a) you have multiple colleges to choose from, […]
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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 brings with it hope for the future and a new beginning. And while we celebrate acceptances and struggle with denials, many don’t know how to […]
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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 and families for being resilient, creative, and flexible in the face of all the changes. Most of all, we are grateful to be a part […]
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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 system, as well as the first established. The official college color is maroon. The White House has named UMass Amherst to the President’s Higher Education […]
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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 of California, movie star). Oprah Winfrey (media executive, former talk show host, actress, etc.). What do all these people have in common? You might […]
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Quick Read The Common Application, which is accepted by more than 900 universities, includes the Ivy Leagues, the NESCAC, and the Claremont Colleges. It helps streamline the essential college application during the college admissions process for first-year and transfer students. While most of the seven Common App essay prompts remain unchanged in the past few […]
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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 by the financial waves crashing on colleges – I was using a metaphor for the feast and famine landscape higher education institutions are facing thanks […]
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The list contains the test-optional colleges that changed their admission policies due to COVID-19. This list was last updated (March 11, 2021). FAQ About Test-Optional 1. Test-Optional vs. Test-Blind Test optional means that you can still submit your scores (and you should if you can) and universities will take them into consideration. On the other […]
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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 don’t want me?” She was indeed tired of this application process. She had in fact worked very diligently, thoroughly, and even passionately (believe it or […]
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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 2021. In their statement, the College Board shared that the pandemic “accelerated a process already underway … to reduce and simplify demands on students.” It […]
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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 in a World That Can’t Stop Talking .” Why? Because her premise – that introverts have special gifts to offer society – is a message […]
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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 importantly, honing your interview skills goes beyond college admissions.
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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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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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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 home to Jesse Ventura, who had made his way from working as a pro wrestler to being the governor. And I knew nothing about MH; I […]
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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 is early admissions decisions! Like many things this year, the college admissions landscape of 2020 has changed due to COVID-19. Many universities have temporarily […]
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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 and 11th grades. You can only take the PSAT once per year. What’s the Big Deal? Your PSAT scores won’t get you into college […]
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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 he can get into the best colleges? If he attends a private school, does he have a guarantee at one of these schools? Answer: […]
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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 your college admissions strategy, if at all? Insight College Admissions counselor Amy Brennen is here to share with you all the insights on Early Decision […]
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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 “Zoomed-out” have shown up more and more over social media and Google searches. Most importantly, it is probably showing up in your home. Why do […]
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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 Clara University (SCU). Ms. Kreeft provides invaluable insights into the admissions process at SCU. Please note that this interview was conducted shortly before SCU […]
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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 college during the pandemic. There have been highs and lows and their experiences range from adjusting to the challenges of returning home again unexpectedly during […]
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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! Standardized testing was not my forte, and I felt like this was the most daunting aspect of the college admission process in high school. […]
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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 and phone with Gabrielle E. Miller, Ed.D., Assistant Vice Provost, Learning Services and Executive Director of the Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center at the […]
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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 Insight community. The country and the world are going through significant turmoil and the most recent events of the past few weeks, culminating in the […]
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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 two years at UC Santa Barbara before transferring to UC Berkeley for my last two years of undergraduate studies. If you’re interested in hearing about […]
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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 the students and families that entrusted us during this process. We are so proud of all the hard work, resilience, and dedication shown by Insight’s […]
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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 by the College Board. We will also lend flexibility for International Baccalaureate (IB) credit on the basis of predicted scores and/or final grade scores in […]
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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 has now moved to a virtual platform and so have many schools for the rest of the semester and possibly summer. Here are three […]
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Are you worried about the recent cancellations/postponements of the SAT and ACT? Are you wondering if any schools have changed their testing requirements and whether you should still take standardized tests? If so, please read on for important information from Insight counselor Jason. The University of California system has been debating for years about whether […]
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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 ways make the best of this time at home. So at Insight Education, we wanted to put together a list of great online extracurricular […]
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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 your next steps? In our previous article, “How to Conduct a Virtual College Tour During COVID-19 Closures,“ it’s especially valuable during this time to reach […]
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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 to virtual college tours and college research to learn about different universities from the comfort of their own homes. But how can you get a […]
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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 the past 20 years, and 2019 was no different! We have enjoyed a busy year, below is a small snapshot of all the fun we […]
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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: I like to […]
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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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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 […]
Read More...Welcome back to our blog series “Insight Alma Matar”. Today, our incredible college admissions counselor Sarah de Sousa talks about her experience getting into Stanford and the lessons she learned – mostly, outside of the classroom. Dec 25, 1998. I had just been accepted to Stanford early and beneath the Christmas tree was a […]
Read More...We’ve all been there at one time or another – whether in school, at work, at home, or in a wide range of activities – we have all (gulp) underperformed. Take a deep breath – it happens. In fact, the last time you underperformed was probably not your first time either. It’s probably happened to […]
Read More...Recently, we had the pleasure of taking the undergraduate tour at MIT in Boston. Here are some interesting things we learned during our visit! Your Application Essays: Don’t fall into the Grandma Trap This is what the admissions rep called writing about your grandma in the “who has inspired you or had a […]
Read More...You are opening those fat envelopes (or rather, you are clicking on the portal!) and finding out where you got into college. It’s an emotional time, all that work and time you spent the last six months completing college applications is now coming to fruition. So what do you do now that you’ve been […]
Read More...It’s no secret that computer science is one of the hottest (and hardest to get into majors!) around these days. Here are some recent examples of how difficult undergraduate CS admissions is becoming: – For the Fall 2017 admissions cycle, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign had more than 4,300 applications for their CS’s program’s […]
Read More...College decisions are out. Finally! While this year has been really hard on some students, the good news is students still have choices to make when it comes to deciding their next step. And choice is always a good thing! I tell my students that it is the best problem to have. While it […]
Read More...We look forward to this time of year every year — the time when college decisions are released. It marks years of hard work. It also brings with it hope for the future and a new beginning. And while we celebrate acceptances and grieve denials, many don’t know how to react to getting waitlisted. This […]
Read More...One of the most exciting parts of applying to colleges is visiting those colleges that you’d really love to attend. While it can be tricky to visit colleges that are far away, there are often plenty of great in-state options to check out and make a day trip to. No matter which college you are […]
Read More...Recently, Georgia Institute of Technology began offering first-year applicants the opportunity to apply again as a transfer student to begin school in the fall of 2019. The offer is presented through Georgia Tech’s Arts and Sciences Pathway Program and may be given to applicants who were not admitted to the College of Design, the […]
Read More...You’ve opened the letter, read the email, visited the portal. The response is not what you were hoping for. You’re disappointed, and this is a very fair reaction. Applying for colleges is a long and hard process, one that takes up a lot of your time both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, a lot of […]
Read More...Parents, this one is for you. Right now, your high school senior is on pins and needles waiting to hear back from colleges. They may have heard back from some already or are yet to receive a single decision. They may not express this to you, but their self-confidence is shaky. Emotionally, they are […]
Read More...When people think of the Boston area, the volume of outstanding universities is among the first topics to arise in conversation (trailing only perhaps politics and sports). It’s not hard to see why. Across varied majors, school sizes, and locations both urban and suburban, going to school in or around Boston has something for everybody. […]
Read More...For many students, the traditional high school experience is not well suited for them. Unfortunately, these students often trudge through the years getting more and more frustrated and less and less interested in education. The reality is there are alternative options that might work better with their personalities, lifestyles and learning styles. But […]
Read More...The Common Application has announced that the 2018-2019 personal essay writing prompts will be the same as the seven 2017-2018 prompts. This is great news, as it allows Juniors to now start thinking about their responses to the prompts ahead of the college application writing season coming up this year. Meredith Lombardi, Associate Director, Outreach, […]
Read More...There are so many great, competitive programs and options available to students who are planning how to spend their summers. The tough part – how to decide! You can spend your summer doing a variety of things, maybe it’s working part-time while taking an SAT course, perhaps you want to do an internship and […]
Read More...After submitting their college applications, I’ll bet what high school seniors want most to do is just relax — something they have not gotten to do in a long while! And while I do believe they deserve to savor these unscheduled and unhurried moments, I would caution them that the effort they just put in […]
Read More...The rush to get summer internships can feel as intense as the pressure to get into college. There is a misconception that specific internships will get kids into their dream colleges or that certain “unique” experiences will help to set students apart in the admissions process. So students trudge through applications. Teachers are forced to […]
Read More...We continue our Q&A series with Jenny Bloom, Insight counselor for 5 years and all-round awesome human! Where did you go to college? I went to The University of Texas at Austin for my undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Sciences (go Longhorns!). Post college, I moved to Los Angeles to work with […]
Read More...So you’ve decided to do a college interview. Congrats! This is a great opportunity for you and your dream school to get better acquainted. It’s normal to feel a bit nervous before an interview, but by preparing and preparing some more with our list of common college interview questions, and understanding how to give answers […]
Read More...2017 has been a wonderful year for our Insight students, with many getting into the top college of their choice or scoring the SAT/ ACT Score of their dreams! Below are some notes from our students as they celebrate their success. I took an Insight SAT Boot Camp, and afterward, I got 1570 on the SAT!!!! […]
Read More...For the whole month of December, Team Insight are celebrating the holidays by taking a look back at the things that bring us joy. One of the big things we all enjoy are the traditions we celebrate with our families during the season. Below are some of our favorite holiday traditions. What are yours? Share […]
Read More...And Can Prepare You Too! I’ll admit it: I was a bit of a theater geek in high school. I built sets, sang, dance, but most importantly I learned to smile through my fears and say ‘yes, and?’ to whatever life and my interviews threw at me. Using The Core Principles of Improv If I […]
Read More...For many of us, one of our favorite parts of the holidays is the FOOD! We are very blessed to be able to enjoy special meals with our families, and every family has a different recipe that reminds them of the happy holiday time. Team Insight is excited to share some of our traditional family […]
Read More...Now that so many seniors have submitted their college applications, the hard part begins — waiting. We know it can feel like torture to wait the few weeks or months until college decisions are released, but there are certainly some things you can do in the meantime: • Make sure your applications are complete. The […]
Read More...It is no secret that teens are not getting enough sleep these days. With endless screen time, mounds of homework and crammed schedules, teens are sacrificing sleep just to keep up. And it is not that they are simply losing a few minutes of necessary winks. According to the National Sleep Foundation, teens should average […]
Read More...The advent of technology certainly has made the college admissions process easier and more accessible to the nearly 2 million high school seniors who apply each year. But it has also made our lives so much more transparent and visible than ever before. And college admissions officers, trying to glean as much as they can […]
Read More...The day is finally here. You’ve been preparing for months, worked your way through countless notebooks and #2 pencils, and taken practice test after practice test to get your score where you want it to be. Today is ACT day! First of all, I urge you to take a moment to pat yourself […]
Read More...With Early Decision deadlines just around the corner, it is crunch time for college applicants. As important as it is to submit the highest quality application, it is equally important to make sure that Early Decision is the right option for the entire family. Early Decision is the admission option through which a student makes […]
Read More...Each year a number of my students are admitted and a number are rejected. Such is the life of an admissions counselor. And on this day, my colleague and I had a similar task: we each were asked by parents of our students to explain the decision their child had received from X dream school. […]
Read More...The Japanese symbol for mindfulness is one of those elegant shapeshifting words that depends on context to reveal its meaning; it combines the symbol for presence with the symbol for mind, spirit or heart—in other words, the familiar concept of mindfulness could also be translated heartfulness. To be mindful is also to have presence of heart. I like to […]
Read More...You are probably expecting me to say that “fitting in” is a myth, that what matters is being yourself and not sacrificing your values and your authenticity for the sake of gaining approval. But before I offer that advice, which I inevitably will, let’s pause and acknowledge that we are in some sense wired to […]
Read More...“Mindfulness” is the hot new buzz-word sweeping through education, psychology, corporate consulting, and just about every domain of our modern lives. From the New York Times to the cover of TIME magazine and a recent TIME article, mindfulness appears to be hitting the mainstream like never before. But what does it mean? And how does […]
Read More...This past Sunday, August 27th, the entire Insight team celebrated our 18th Birthday at “The Art of College Admissions” Seminar event, held at our Cupertino location. The event marks an exciting time at Insight, as we open two new locations this year in Newton, MA and Santa Cruz, CA. Celebrating 18 years gives us a […]
Read More...Our Q&A with the Insight team continues this week with Ajit Jain, the Co-owner and Co-CEO of Insight Education! Celebrating our 18th Anniversary, Ajit looks back on his fondest memories. Where did you go to college? I attended the University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada where I grew up. I studied Civil Engineering with […]
Read More...Summer is a great time to really think about the past year and to set goals for the upcoming one. While you might want to block out what happened the previous academic year, remember that we have to learn from our successes and our failures. This will help you to set appropriate goals and strategies […]
Read More...It is so hard to imagine that this year’s senior class has finally grown up. I have known many of my seniors since they were unsure, shy, aspiring underclassmen. Now they are the ones who are going to rule the school. Being a senior is not just a rite of passage; with the privileges come great […]
Read More...Welcome to a new Insight Series: Q&A with your Counselors. We’re starting off with our Insight Counselor Zach Pava, who works with us out of his hometown in Boston. Get to know Zach and a little more about why he loves being a College Admissions Counselor! Tell us about Insight Education Newton? We offer […]
Read More...Update: In 2021, the SAT will be offered on August 28, 2021. The College Board announced early this year that they would be offering the SAT on August 26th, 2017. Prior to this year, the first opportunity students had to take the test after June was in October. Now that the College Board is offering […]
Read More...Yes! I started working unofficially at the age of 7, helping my aunt file papers in her small accounting practice. When I turned 14, I got my first real job, at McDonald’s — the only place that would hire anyone so young at that time. And on the day I turned 16, I went from […]
Read More...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 possible during the upcoming fall. Even though your friends may procrastinate, there is no reason for you to do so. Put these 10 tasks on […]
Read More...I have had the great honor of sitting on panels about college admissions. One that has stuck with me was a panel to share with students the true value of a college education and how to best prepare for it. It was an opportunity to see life not as one big race to the finish […]
Read More...As final exams conclude, as you turn in your year-end projects, as you wait for AP scores and prepare for your upcoming SAT, ACT, and SAT subject tests in June, as you begin to pack for a summer trip, a new internship, or (gulp) college, please stop for a moment and take a deep breath. […]
Read More...For all you high school seniors out there, you are ready to embark on a new stage in your life. For the first time, you will be in full control of your destiny and your day-to-day life. While you may just want to jump into the college experience and see what it brings, I challenge […]
Read More...It’s no secret that getting into an elite university is tougher than ever, but few of us are aware of just how rapidly the admissions landscape has shifted in recent years. Universities across the U.S. have not only seen dramatic shifts in who applies, but also in when students apply and where students apply. Knowing […]
Read More...Students are getting ready to embark on a very busy testing season. The next SAT dates are coming up in May and early June, and the ACT is following just after. Below are some tips for success during the summer study period: Focus on your weaknesses and not your strengths. It is human nature to […]
Read More...Do you know how you actually spend your time? Gone are the days of my high school life when I was waiting for the bus, I would pick up my book and read. Now you can fill your time with Facebook, Vine, Snapchat, read through your texts, Tweet, take 10000 selfies of what you would look like with and without bangs. And before you know it, that project that was due two weeks from now is due tomorrow. There is no possible way you can get it done in time so you fake a stomachache and stay home to finish the project.
Read More...How much do colleges weight sports? Does it help if I quit tennis and pursue a more unique sport? Can I get into a top school if I am Captain of Speech and Debate? Do I really have to do research? Is 1600 the score I need to get into any college? What if I try to skip ahead in Math and do Calculus in my Junior year, is that better than if I do it in my Senior Year?
Read More...Each year a number of my students are admitted and a number are rejected. Such is the life of an admissions counselor. And on this day, my colleague and I had a similar task: we each were asked by parents of our students to explain the decision their child had received from X dream school.
Read More...One of the ongoing debates in the world of college admissions is how to make the entire process more affordable, especially to families in lower income brackets. The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success (CAAS), a diverse group with more than 90 colleges and universities, is aiming to offer a more affordable education to students.
Read More...On March 24, the University of California (UC) announced a drastic change to the essay section of its application. Effective immediately,freshman applicants will have the freedom to choose four questions to answer out of a possible eight.
Read More...A student of mine had just been admitted to her dream school, a school that we both knew was not a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, she explained that when she first shared the news with her friends, she heard someone nearby whispering, “Wow, she got in where?!?
Read More...Do you know how you actually spend your time? Gone are the days of my high school life when I was waiting for the bus, I would pick up my book and read. Now you can fill your time with Facebook, Vine, Snapchat, read through your texts, Tweet, take 10000 selfies of what you would […]
Read More...I am here writing today as an Insight alum. I just wanted to take a quick minute and truly extend my thanks and gratitude to Purvi and Ajit for providing me with such exceptional guidance as I went through my college selection process. Were it not for them, I don’t think that I would have […]
Read More...It’s that time of year- the countdown has officially begun! The first day of school is just here and for those students entering their freshman year in high school, this is no ordinary first day of school. The first day of high schools marks an important life transition in so many ways. How is it […]
Read More...For the first time in 11 years, The College Board will be offering an updated version of the SAT exam beginning in March, 2016. The new test will be administered only three times during this remaining academic year, once in May and then again in June. With seniors awaiting college decisions and most underclassmen being […]
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