College Admissions Guidance

Applying for graduate school? 🎓🙌🏾 I recently attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education Open House to learn more about the Doctor of Education Leadership program. I'm not an admissions counselor but here's my advice informed by all that I learned: 1. Clarify Your Vision: Take time to define your educational purpose and passion, articulating your goals in alignment with the ethos of the institution. Your vision should reflect your genuine commitment to making a positive impact in your chosen field. 🚀 2. Research Professors & Programs: Delve deep into the works of the institution's faculty and explore the diversity of programs offered in the department. Identify professors whose research and teaching resonate with your interests and objectives. Connecting with the academic community in your application demonstrates your dedication to becoming an integral part of the institution. 📚 3. Demonstrate Impact: Present tangible examples of your past experiences, highlighting instances where your contributions have made a significant difference. This not only underscores your potential but also shows that you are already a proactive agent of change. Let your application tell the story of your real-world impact. 💪 4. Craft a Unique Story: Your statement of purpose is your canvas to share a narrative that stands out. It should authentically represent your experiences, challenges overcome, and your passionate pursuit of personal growth. Uniqueness in storytelling captures the reader's attention and makes them feel your fervor for education and change. 📖 5. Connect with the Community: Reach out to current students and alumni to gain insights into the campus' culture and values. Networking with the community fosters a sense of belonging and mentorship. Building these connections early not only provides you with valuable guidance but also showcases your proactive approach to being part of the community. 🤗 Do you have other tips? Comment below!

I didn’t know what I wanted to major in when I got to college. I had so many interests, and the admissions counselor didn’t know what to do with me. So, she put me in some strange classes that were prerequisites for absolutely nothing. Luckily, my dad was an admissions counselor at a technical school at the time and got my schedule sorted out. He told me in no uncertain terms that I was expected to finish college in four years and not to mess around. He knew how much a fifth year would cost. Looking back, I could’ve prevented the admissions officer’s confusion if I had only known what I wanted to do when I grew up. But I didn’t. Who really knows how they want to spend the rest of their life when they’re only 18? Not me, that’s for sure. If you or your kids are like most people, you probably have a wide range of interests. Sometimes, you have no idea what you really like. It’s a big world out there, with many possible careers, so how can a young person choose what’s right for them? Well-meaning relatives and teachers can tell you what they think you might like, but that advice can fall flat if they don’t know what you enjoy or what people in those careers enjoy. It’s a big decision, and most people go into it without a lot of self-exploration. College is a huge financial commitment, and you and your student deserve real answers. Here’s what I know now that I wish I knew then: Data is available. And not just any data—personalized data, including: - General Occupational Themes that provide a broad overview of types of compatible careers - Basic Occupational Themes that narrow the scope - Occupational Scores that provide a numerical value for how interested a student is in a career as compared to people who report satisfaction in that same career - Scores based on related interests, not just a job title - A list of over 100 possible career choices that correlate with the U.S. Department of Labor’s job titles - Almost more importantly, a list of careers that the student will probably hate so you can rule them out - A list of college majors that correspond to the student’s highest interest scores I sure wish I had someone to help me figure all that out before I landed in the scheduling meeting that day. But guess what? I can be that person for you or your child now.   I know how to pull data so the answers are right in front of you. Don’t guess. Test. Then, discuss it with someone who knows what they’re doing. Do you have sibling or child who’s in high school or entering college right now? Or, do you want to take the assessment for career change for yourself? If you do, let’s talk. Please repost to help parents in your network♻️ P.S. Did you know your major before you started college?

𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 It’s application season and having gone through the process last year, I can confirm it’s an exciting but overwhelming period. I’ve outlined some common mistakes students make that often jeopardize their chances, with practical tips to help you avoid them: 🔺 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 Many students hesitate to apply because they think they aren’t “good enough” or lack the “perfect” profile. They assume they need flawless grades or extraordinary achievements to stand a chance. In reality, admissions committees often value potential, not perfection. 𝘒𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺: Don’t talk yourself out of opportunities because you feel less confident. As long as you meet the requirements, apply! Instead of allowing self-doubt hold you back, apply with the mindset of “why not try?”. Remember that many successful candidates doubted themselves too. 🔺 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 – Success is often a game of numbers, the more you try, the higher your chances. The truth is, people only get to see the successes, they don’t get a glimpse of the numerous “𝘞𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘺𝘰𝘶…” emails we have received. 𝘒𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺: Maximise every opportunities that come your way. After all, the worst you’ll hear is “no”, but the best outcome could change your life. 🔺 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 - Don’t ask your referee(s) to provide a reference few days to the deadline and expect them to drop everything on their schedule to attend to you. This can lead to rushed or generic recommendations. Start early and send out your requests ASAP. The same applies to your mentors. Remember to be polite with your requests and value the time they’ve dedicated to helping you. 🔺 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 I recall missing a scholarship deadline because I thought I had until 11:59 PM, only to realise it was 11:59 AM. You can avoid such mistakes by paying attention to detail and setting personal deadlines to account for unexpected issues. 🔺 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 - It is called “personal” for a reason – to capture your unique story. Avoid clichés and AI-generated essays that lack authenticity. Let your personality shine through your essays and be memorable. 🔺 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 – It’s tempting to aim only for top-ranked programs. I also fall into this category. However, even the most competitive applicants face rejections due to limited spots. 𝘒𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺: Diversify your options by including a mix of “reach”, “match” and “safety” schools. Balance ambition with practicality and tailor your applications to where you can thrive. I hope you find these tips relevant to your applications.