5 Signs You’d Love MIT
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 Oomi Pammit is in MIT’s Class of 2023. Do you love to write, sing, dance, read, play video games, crochet, fold paper, think about art, or visit new places? Well, have I got a college for you! The Massachusetts Institute of Technology isn’t just for engineering — it’s ranked #2 in arts […]
Pick up a Hobby This Winter Break!
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 “Choose your activities because they delight, intrigue, and challenge you, not because you think they’ll look impressive on your application.” — MIT Admissions “In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs.” — Stanford Admissions “Our […]
Nailing the “Timed Write” Assessment for Harvard-Westlake and Other Private Schools
Updated: Feb 18, 2023 If your teen is applying to private high schools or boarding schools, you may have noticed new application tasks on the portal that weren’t asked of students in prior years. This year, in my role as admissions consultant at College Torch, I’ve gotten the most questions from our families about Harvard-Westlake’s “timed […]
Could a UK school be right for your teen?
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 Studying in the UK is an incredible, life-changing experience for the right kind of student. To be honest, it’s quite different than studying in the US! Read on to learn about the major differences, both in terms of experience and the application process, and decide whether it might be worthwhile for your […]
Spice up your cooking hobby — for fun and for college apps
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 From whipping up a mug of dalgona coffee, baking the umpteenth loaf of banana bread, or attempting to follow your favorite celebrity chef’s cooking tutorial, exploring the kitchen became a popular alternative to exploring the outside world during the pandemic. Now, students can’t get enough of their cooking hobbies. If you’re looking […]
College Essay Series: Writing the UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs)
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 It can be overwhelming for students to start the UC Application and learn that the University of California wants them to write not one but four essays. Each essay should be no more than 350 words in length, and students can’t reuse their Common App Personal Statement. Not to worry! Robert Powers, […]
How to ace your (virtual) college application interview
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 The college application interview can be tricky, nerve-inducing, or both — add a global pandemic to the mix, and things get even more confusing! While interviewing virtually is similar to interviewing in-person, there are some things you should know about the virtual interview before starting. As someone who has been through countless […]
College Essay Series: Writing the Outstanding Characteristic Essay (UC Prompt #8)
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 In this week’s installment of our college essay blog series, we’ll go over the eighth and final essay prompt from the University of California Application: “Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of […]
College Essay Series: Writing the Community Improvement Essay (UC Prompt #7)
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 In this week’s installment of our college essay blog series, we’ll go over the seventh essay prompt from the University of California Application: “What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?” This doesn’t need to be a community service essay. Check the prompt: They want to […]
Should you major in political science?
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 Deciding what you want to study in college can be tough. That’s why we’re kickstarting a new series in which we examine popular college majors and answer some pressing questions. Today, we’re tackling political science! As Columbia University puts it, political science is “an academic discipline that seeks to understand the exercise […]