Author Archive: Rebecca Joseph
Dr. Joseph is a college access and admissions expert. A tenured professor at a public university, she believes that all students should have the option of a college education and does everything she can to help students, communities, and schools empower their students to make it to and through college. She is an expert in college admissions, especially application essays, and writes ongoing tips to help prepare students, families, and college advocates throughout the complex college readiness and application process. She also volunteers at school sites, Upward Bound, and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to help their students write powerful college and scholarship application essays. Last year she released an IPhone and IPad app–All College Application Essays that provides all the college application essays students need to write for their applications.
Why Teens Should Live in the Dorms
I spent my weekend trying to convince parents of high school seniors to let their children live college dorms rather than commute. These were seniors who were accepted to local colleges that provide housing. Finances were not the problem as the parents could either afford the costs or financial aid would cover the majority of [...]
Don’t Wait to Get Off a College Waitlist: 10 Proactive Tips
Congratulations for making it this far in the college admissions process. You will most likely have many good colleges options already, but if you really want to go to a college that waitlisted you, follow as many of these 10 tips as possible. Do not do this for a school you will not attend. Colleges [...]
Sharing Unique Stories: New College Application Prompts
For the first time in its recent history, the Common Application has changed its essay prompts for the 2013-2014 school year. More than 2 million high school seniors and 460 colleges use this college application platform; it enables students to send out the same application to member colleges. It requires one long essay, whose prompts [...]
Surviving the Waiting Game: Proactive Winter Tips for High School Seniors and Their Families
This is a time of agonized waiting for many high school seniors. They have submitted their college applications and supporting materials. Now their fate lies in the hands of admissions officers who are busily reading through applications. During this waiting game, students, families, and schools can use this time wisely. Here are some tips. Check [...]
New Years’ Resolutions for Parents of College Freshmen: Helping Your Children Shed Freshmen Fifteen and So Much More
I have spent the past few weeks meeting with college freshmen and their families. This is such a bittersweet time as freshmen get to come home and relax for a few short weeks. Many of the students are soaring and loving college. Others are having a challenging time. These are 10 resolutions to help those [...]
Applied Early: Karma Says Have Your Child Get Other Apps Ready Now
I’m so proud of your child for applying early action, decision, or notification to a college. In this brutally horrible waiting period before they hear their fate, please have them prepare other applications. Several public, rolling, and scholarship applications are due before they will find out, and they must submit them. Other applications should also [...]