College interview jitters? Read our December cover article to learn what interviews are really like and set your mind at ease. Other articles include:
Our calendar pups, Penny and Lily, end this crazy year on a high note at The Juilliard School. We hope their campus tours throughout 2020 have given you something to smile about. Contact our office if you’d like a copy of the new 2021 Penny and Lily Calendar!
It’s never too soon to start researching colleges. If you’re college bound, then it’s time to begin. The better you understand your options, the easier it will be to build your college list. Not sure where to start? There are a number of ways you can learn about a campus to determine if it is the right fit for you.
Last spring, colleges responded quickly to develop virtual resources for students who couldn’t visit in person due to Covid-19. As a result, there are an abundance of opportunities for you to get to know campuses across the country. We’re also available to help. We have visited literally hundreds of colleges in person. If you have questions, just ask! We can give you the inside scoop.
Here are our tips for doing college research:
Take a virtual tour or attend a virtual event. You can easily find links on a college’s website. Virtual experiences can be both taped and live and range from guided tours to information sessions, Q&A panels and one-on-one sessions. Live events typically require you to register in advance, but taped events are accessible anytime.
Visit a college’s website. In addition to finding general information about enrollment, admissions stats, campus life and housing, dig into academic departments and browse courses offered, professor bios and undergraduate opportunities like research in your potential major. Look for what makes a college truly stand out to you.
Follow your colleges on social media. You can learn a lot about campus life on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat. Some accounts are run by students or feature student takeovers, which will help you get an authentic view of campus. It’s a great opportunity for you to keep up to date with schools or departments, organizations, sports teams, and even professors whose work you admire.
Use online resources and apps. Listen to first-hand student testimonials and tours through websites like CampusReel, YouVisit, Induck and College Vizzy. YouTube is another great resource. College Expert students also have access to all the resources in their Custom College Plan, which includes links to guides such as The Fiske guide, Niche and Big Future.
Sign up for a college’s mailing list. Once you sign up, you’ll receive emails from the college as well as notifications of virtual events. An added bonus, a college will track if you’ve requested information and opened their emails, and this can work in your favor because it demonstrates interest.
Email admissions counselors. Another way to demonstrate interest is to email a college’s admissions counselor. It isn’t too soon to introduce yourself, tell them why you are interested in their school and ask any questions you can’t find the answer to on their website.
Talk with current students or alumni. Ask parents, family friends, teachers and others about their college experiences. An admissions office also may be able to put you in touch with a current student so you can get their perspective. Or ask us – we may be able to connect you with a student who attends that school. We also post College Spotlights written by our former students on the blog on our website.
We know nothing quite replaces exploring a campus in person. But it’s still possible to get to know a college using these resources and feel informed, confident and excited as you build your list and anticipate going off to college. It’s time to get started!
Virtual tours and college websites can help you make connections with your colleges. Learn how in our November newsletter.
This month’s articles include:
Early deadlines are approaching! Learn how colleges will make decisions this year, and review the basics of the FAFSA in our October newsletter.
This month’s articles include:
The College Expert calendar pups are disguised as Golden Gophers this month, cheering for their hometown team. Ski-U-Mah! Want to learn more about this classic Big Ten campus? Ask Sue or Ryan about the University of Minnesota! #SkiUMah #GoldenGophers
Don’t miss these opportunities to learn about your colleges! Connecting with college reps demonstrates your genuine interest in a school. Hint: you’ll also learn details about academic programs and campus life that you can use in your “why this college” essays. The first one is this Sunday! Visit mispfair.homestead.com and nacacfairs.org for more info.
It’s back to school! See our September newsletter for virtual learning tips and advice on how to get to know a college campus during COVID.
Here are the topics in this month’s newsletter:
It’s back to school, and our calendar pups, @penny_and_lily, are at Auburn University this month, a large, welcoming Alabama campus with a small town feel. Fun fact: Tim Cook, CEO of Apple is an Auburn alum. (War Beagle!) Want to learn more? Ask Sue or Ryan if Auburn might be right for you! #collegeexpert #collegebound #wareagle
To the Amazing Class of 2020:
As your freshman year of college is about to begin, whether it be online, in person, or somewhere in between, we at College Expert want to say farewell. But this doesn’t mean our journey is ending. We are your college consultants for life, and that didn’t stop suddenly when you made your final college decision. Navigating the first steps as a freshman can be an exhilarating whirlwind of anxiety and adventure. And that is in a normal year.
You graduated high school and are starting college in a history-defining year, and one thing rings very true: you have a role in all of this. Colleges need world-changers like you, especially now. Some thoughts to keep in mind:
This probably was not the senior year or the summer that you envisioned. But remember, we are here for support and there are others ready to support you as well. If you find that you are experiencing tough emotions during these trying times, don’t forget to ask for help. If any class can rise to this unique occasion and give us all hope, it’s this one. We have never been as proud as college consultants. So instead of waving farewell, please let us know if you need anything during these uncertain times. We have your back. You did this and you got this!
Be well,
Ryan Luse & The College Expert Team
Here is the link to a higher resolution image of our Class of 2020 Poster than what is shown on this blog : College Expert Class of 2020 Poster It turned out awesome!
Helloooo July! This month our mascots, Penny and Lily, visit the University of Southern California, the only university to have an alum nominated for an Oscar every year since the first Academy Awards. Looking for a vibrant campus with infectious school spirit and lots of sunshine? Ask Sue or Ryan if USC might be right for you! ☀️ #collegeexpert #collegebound
Congratulations to the Class of 2020 and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your college journey. We’re sending handshakes and hugs your way as we wish you the very best next year. You have inspired us more than you know, and you are exactly what this world needs right now. We are so proud of you!
Sue, Ryan and the College Expert Team
Here are the topics in this month’s newsletter.
Dear Class of 2020,
You did it and you got this! Let me explain. You started with a list of colleges that you may have seen as a mountain at times, but you decided the heights, the climb, and you got to the top. You evoked thousands of smiles and pulled heartstrings with your moving and entertaining essays that were read by countless admissions counselors from every corner of this country and some even beyond. You waited for the final college decisions and they came. Through the cheers and tears and somewhere in between, you prevailed. You lit up your future like a “champagne supernova in the sky” when you made that final college decision… Yes, Class of 2020 — you did it!
And you did it during one of the most surreal, unpredictable times (since maybe ever?) to be a senior in high school… When you look back on this strange but historic time, choosing a college during Covid-19, you may have a perspective that no other college-bound grad has ever had. No graduation, no parties, the summer of all summers has been turned into something like the “Upside Down World” from Stranger Things. The college experience in the Fall is also unknown to many of you. Whether it be in person, a late start or online classes, just remember your acceptance is not going away and the bumps along the way will be worth the ride. You got this.
This is because there is a chorus of people – family, friends, teachers, educators, admissions counselors, and us at College Expert – giving you standing ovations (from a safe distance of course). Your class has inspired us during this truly stressful time. As I have been talking (more like Zooming) with so many of you during quarantine, your humility, hope, and humor have been so honest and heartfelt. You inspire me and I’ll say it again- “Yes, you did it and you got this, Class of 2020!”
You probably hear your elders (like me) throw around the phrase that you are “Generation Z”, so keep this in mind during this voyage to college during this pandemic. You grew up in a connected world and absorbed information long before you took your first steps. Now, as young adults, you are going off to college with the mystic ability to connect the dots between humans and technology like nobody’s business during the biggest crisis of our lifetime. (Except for my one Amish student… I should really check to see if they have seen the news…)
Yes, you may never have rented a movie at Blockbuster or listened to your favorite band on a tape cassette, but it’s also your generation that is going to save our planet and help get us through this crazy corona crisis… Generation Z was born for this! Please remember that as you complete the weirdest senior year in history. You are all in this together, 2020 graduates everywhere. As I reflect on my own life without such a universal tragedy in my high school years, I can’t imagine being in your shoes. I don’t know what my past senior-year self would have done, but I can bet I would not have been as brave and hopeful as your class. The insight of your class has shown some hope to us adults. You did it and you got this… Here is a random picture of me in high school. I think you can see what I mean regarding how unequipped for a pandemic I was!
Now back to all of you and your college futures. It is still as bright as ever before. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I am here for you. I am in touch with my former students in college, and this extends to each and every one of you as the news and journey unfolds. I am your college counselor for life and I have your back.
Please text, email (or if you want to go old school – call me!). Let me know how you’re doing if you have any questions or concerns because you mean so much to me. You’re attending the first year of college during a time that history books will reflect back on. Those books will write about your bravery, intuition, and leadership, and more importantly, your ability to adapt to this new world that makes very little sense for the rest of us. I truly mean it when I sing it from the rooftops one more time- ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ “You Did It and You Got This!” ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬
I will leave you with some quotes from some of my heroes now and when I was your age:
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” –Ferris Bueller
“You were only waiting for this moment to arise.” –Paul McCartney
“Dear Prudence, open up your eyes. Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies.” –John Lennon
May you stay forever young.” – Bob Dylan (but check out this super cheesy 80’s Rod Stewart version!)
Thanks again Class of 2020 for giving me the hope and energy needed during these challenging times. You have inspired me more than you could ever imagine.
Stay Awesome,
Ryan Luse
ryan@collegeexpert.net
612-695-6285
Lima is living her dream as a Watson Institute Scholar at Lynn University. Read about her journey from Kabul, Afghanistan to Boca Raton, Florida, and see how she’s making an impact by embracing opportunities her freshman year.
The Class of 2020 holds a special place in our hearts. While the college planning and application process is always a bit of a rollercoaster, for the Class of 2020, the ups and downs were exceptional. Just as seniors were celebrating their college decisions and beginning to picture themselves on campus, their school year came to an abrupt and unceremonious end. At a time when they should have simply been feeling accomplishment and excitement, there were so many other emotions mixed in.
While we understand things might not look like they expected right now, our message to the Class of 2020 is this: Be confident in your future. You’ve already shown incredible discipline, focus and grace in spite of the sacrifices you’ve had to make. As we compiled our list of graduates and their college destinations, we were filled with pride and anticipation for what lay ahead for them. Our 2020 statistics show a group of students who enthusiastically want to experience the world and have already proved themselves ready for a challenge.
We are excited to report:
Drawing on our vast knowledge and experience, we recommended an eclectic mix of colleges, many of which were unfamiliar to our clients. In fact, it’s possible some clients never would have considered the colleges they chose without comprehensive and thoughtful discussions about finding the right fit – our guiding philosophy. As a result, 100% of our students have a college plan for this fall.
Our Class of 2020 students will matriculate to colleges across the country and Canada. This year we had several students accepted to Ivy League Universities and other highly selective colleges such as Duke, Stanford, U Chicago, USC, Washington University, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, UVA, Rice, Wellesley, Wesleyan, UCLA and UC Berkeley. We have students going to engineering schools, women’s colleges, theater BFA programs, small liberal arts colleges, hockey academies, research universities, Big Ten Universities, and colleges with in-state tuition. We strive to help families find ways to afford college tuition, and we were overjoyed with the resulting merit scholarships, grants, and aid. We are especially happy that several of our students received full tuition and room and board scholarships.
We were honored to help prepare members of the Class of 2020 for the next chapter in their lives. They made this unusual and challenging year extraordinary. We wish our seniors all the best with the journey ahead. Please keep in touch!
Here is our College Matriculation List for our Class of 2020:
Dear Students & Parents,
Coronavirus remains on all of our minds. As soon as one question about its impact on college planning is answered, two more seem to take its place. At College Expert, we are working hard to keep up with all these changes and believe now more than ever, it’s important to have expert help to guide you through the process. Since we have been to over 400 colleges, we can help find the best fit for our students even if they cannot visit campus in person.
On the college side it’s reassuring to hear, as explained in this Forbes article, admission deans “get it.” They are responding with compassion and understanding. If you’re worried about spring grades, testing, canceled activities or uncertainty over whether you will be on campus in the fall, you aren’t alone and colleges continue to make decisions based on their students’ best interests.
In the meantime, we recommend you focus on what you can control. Finish the school year strong, look for opportunities to learn and grow and, if you’re a rising senior, continue to research and connect with prospective colleges. Finally, these really are unprecedented times, so if you begin to feel anxious or overwhelmed, take a break and take care of yourself.
Here are some other things you can do during this summer.
Pursue something that excites you! Check out our resources on how to learn and volunteer from home and these virtual summer programs. Also, follow College Expert on Instagram and Facebook to see how some of our students are making the most of their stay-at-home time during Covid-19. They’re inspiring!
Stay connected with us. Thank goodness for technology! It’s been easy for us to transition to online meetings, in fact we have been meeting with students virtually from all over the country. We will continue to hold all of our meetings and Research Jam Sessions online until further notice. Throughout the summer, our essay experts will also work with rising seniors one-on-one over Zoom or another platform.
Explore college resources available. Making a decision without being able to visit is difficult, and colleges have reacted quickly with virtual tours, student panels and webinars. To learn about these opportunities, get on the mailing lists for your colleges and follow them on social media. We can also be a great resource to talk about college fit if you can’t visit, so ask us! And when it’s time to make a decision, we’ve developed a fun new virtual college selection card deck for our college selection meetings.
Here are some additional resources related to college planning, admissions and the coronavirus:
Inside Higher Ed – Latest Coronavirus News
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Update: Coronavirus Outbreak
Will College Campuses open this fall. https://www.thecollegesolution.com/will-college-campuses-open-in-the-fall/
Virtual Summer Programs
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nXUHnzHvaE1w1YBGAosReXNVIdg9xfacNWVPE7N9fVE/edit#gid=0
Be well,
Ryan, Sue and The College Expert Team
It’s May, and this month our ambitious Penny and Lily visit Harvard and MIT for some “wicked smaht squirrel chahsing.” Here’s a fun fact about the school: Actor Matt Damon played a janitor at MIT in the film Good Will Hunting, but the REAL Matt Damon actually attended Harvard, a highly selective college with an acceptance rate of 5%. Ask Sue or Ryan if you want to learn more about Harvard and MIT!
Our May issue includes these timely topics:
It’s April and our pups, mascots and calendar models (with guest Prudence) are happy to see this crazy March behind us! How about you? This month the pups visit Stanford, a university at the forefront of nearly every field of study. (Did you know the world may have never known Google if it weren’t for Stanford graduates? Google it!) Interested in learning more about this school? Ask Sue or Ryan to share their insight with you!
Here are the topics in this month’s newsletter.
Many students are looking for ways to meaningfully use their stay-at-home time right now. If you’re wondering how you can help your community during the COVID-19 crisis, think about your genuine interests. Whether it’s art, working with children or healthcare, sharing your skills and talents can make an impact.
Local organizations such as Hands on Twin Cities matches volunteers with opportunities. Staying in touch with neighborhood organizations, places of worship, and service organizations such as The Lions Club, Interact Clubs and your high school Honor Society is also a great way to learn about community needs. You can also find opportunities through social media groups and Nextdoor (a neighborhood networking service), and in this article published earlier this month.
Here are some ways you can volunteer while at home:
In many cases, our elderly community members don’t just need assistance with necessities like groceries, but they need social connection as well. Deliver groceries, do yard work or interact with them through phone calls or by sending handmade cards or artwork.
Again, use Nextdoor, social media, or even your own teachers to find elementary school colleagues who might spread the word about your availability. Or visit Quarantutors, a San Francisco Bay Area organization that is matching students with tutors all over the country. You can also provide babysitting time remotely by reading to younger kids or guiding them through activities.
Pandemic or not, our 2020 Election political process continues. Volunteer to increase voter turnout through organizations such as Rock the Vote, which offers opportunities that can be done remotely, and Postcards to Voters, which can be written from home.
If you have programming skills, do home-based coding for nonprofits that need help through organizations such as Code for Social Good, Benetech, or DonateCode. Or develop apps or websites for fundraising and volunteer efforts in your community.
Organize a virtual concert, performance, poetry slam or other event for fun, or turn it into a fundraiser and donate proceeds to a local nonprofit. Or offer to teach an online class, such as ballet, painting, or karate — either as a service or to benefit an organization providing much-needed community resources.
Find out what a local shelter or food banks needs are, and send emails to families, friends and neighbors asking for collections. Have them leave the items outside for you to pick up and deliver.
During this time, it’s important to keep in mind the importance of remaining connected. Reaching out through volunteerism is a great way to remind ourselves that while we are keeping our distance, we are all in this together right now
We know it’s a struggle right now. With classes, activities and part-time jobs, you’re used to being BUSY, and suddenly everything seems to have come to a halt. You’re also thinking about college and wondering how you can possibly build your application when you can’t even leave the house.
There are many ways you can continue to pursue and develop your academic and personal interests. Here is a list of some great resources to get you started.
Create a Unique Teen Activity
Learn a new Language: Babbel, Rosetta Stone, DuoLingo or Language Bird, or find native speakers who will teach you their language, culture and colloquialisms through sites like Verbling.
Learn to Code: CodeWizards
Explore the World: National Geographic Kids Read a book: NPR 100 best ever teen novels
Prep for the ACT
Here are some additional ideas from our friends at Homeworks for Students:
Art of Problem Solving: Excellent enrichment for HS math, + some science, Python programming, etc.
American Regions Mathematics League: Normally a national on-site competition for all-star state & regional math teams, this year’s competition has been cancelled – but in its stead, the ARML Local competition (for small local teams of 6 students) is being offered FREE on May 30th and 31st. In addition, ARML is offering its book containing all problems and solutions from its 2009-2014 contest online for free – an excellent enrichment resource.
EdX: 2500+ online courses from 140 top institutions. Most are free.
Coursera: Many hundreds of these courses are online for free from 190+ colleges and corporations. Additionally, degrees/licensures can be earned at a cost.
Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative
National Repository of Online Courses: Free web-based resources, with a focus on AP and college intro-level content.
Science: Bozeman Science and Crash Course
HHMI has great activities for biology. For example, here’s one on Darwin’s finches and another on the biology of skin color. Both of these activities follow along with a video online and have pdf fillable forms which you can complete independently.
Tinkercad is easy to use and excellent for learning 3D modeling and building structures for students who may be missing the hands on experience in the classroom.
Sue was interviewed by WCCO’s Jason DeRusha via video chat on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college testing and college tours, and she also gave advice on college acceptances during this time of uncertainty.
The COVID-19 outbreak has added a new level of stress to the already emotional college application and decision process. As a result of the pandemic, students are worried about fast-approaching decision deadlines, the impact of remote learning on their GPAs and transcripts, and access to ACT and SAT tests, which they were hoping to take — or take one more time to improve their scores.
The good news is colleges are committed to doing what they can for these prospective students. Many are reassuring them they will be flexible and understanding, and they are implementing policies and changes to support incoming freshmen as well as high school juniors who are just starting to research colleges without the benefit of being able to step foot on campus.
What changes are colleges (as well as the College Board, ACT) making and, more importantly, how will they affect you as a parent or student? Here are the top 10 college admissions announcements this past week:
As we all navigate this changing process, it’s more important than ever to continue to check your college websites, portals, and social media and your own email for updates. We will also continue to keep you updated as we have news that we think will be helpful to students and families.
Be safe, be kind, be well and stay positive!
This has been a disappointing couple of weeks for college-bound students. Juniors have had to cancel their spring break visits and seniors, hoping to attend admitted student events, are concerned they won’t be able to revisit their top colleges before making a final decision. We feel for you and understand this isn’t quite how you expected this process to look.
The current health crisis has changed circumstances in a way we never could have anticipated. It is forcing us to be flexible and to look at alternatives – in many areas of our lives – including college planning. But while nothing can fully replace visiting a campus, there are many ways to get to know a college, its students, its academic programs and its staff when an in-person visit just isn’t possible. Below are some suggestions.
And College Expert students, remember, we have visited hundreds of colleges and have the expertise to know what colleges are the best fits for you. If you have any questions, we can give you the inside scoop and help you determine if a college is right for you.
To learn about a college:
If you’re a senior, you should also:
Every year, under traditional circumstances, we work with students who don’t have the benefit of going on college visits. And while it’s not ideal, we know that it is still possible to get to know a college using other resources and feel informed, confident and excited about your final decision.
Learn about the updated April 4 ACT information. Stay well, friends!
Dear Students & Parents,
Coronavirus is on all of our minds. Along with everything else, this has certainly impacted the college planning process. We want to send out some practical talking points and recommendations during this unpredictable time.
In the meantime here are some additional resources related to college and the coronavirus:
Inside Higher Ed – Latest Coronavirous News
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Update: Coronavirus Outbreak
We join you in hoping that we will all be able to return to our normal routines soon!
Be well,
Ryan, Sue and The College Expert Team
As applications increase, more colleges are offering spring admission and working with students so they can still graduate with their peers. Could spring admission be right for you?
Here are the topics in this month’s newsletter.
It’s March, and Penny and Lily, our Blue Devil Dogs, visit Duke University! Did you know Duke students camp out in Krzyzewskiville, located just outside Cameron Stadium, for more than 6 weeks to get into the Duke/UNC basketball game? Now that’s madness! If you’re researching schools with some serious school spirit, ask Sue or Ryan if Duke might be right for you!
