Frequently Asked Questions - College Admissions and College Applications

Write 2 University provides the following services to clients:

1. assistance preserving your family's extremely important parent-teen relationship
2. a proprietary guide for parents whose teens are undertaking the college application process
3. proprietary summaries of the best study guides and college admissions books
4. at least monthly meetings with the applicant
5. targeted tutoring in and guides to AP/IB ELA / History, Writing, and the SAT/ACT
6. experienced guidance in planning a teen's summer activities / career exploration and throughout the application process (programs, volunteering, jobs)
7. assistance identifying an applicant's (and separately a parent's) preferred college characteristics
8. expert college list compilations that increase the odds of multiple admission offers
9. a targeted list of questions to ask colleges during campus visits, information sessions, conversations with current students, and contact with admissions officers
10. mentoring during college research that maximizes your insider knowledge and minimizes the time you need to spend
11. expert advice on how to maximize and sort the activities descriptions
12. a resume that clearly indicates the applicants' personal interests
13. a special, proprietary, 95% effective essay topics and key values brainstorming interview
14. an assessment of college preparedness and targeted skill development
15. help assessing AP Research/Seminar or IB Subject Investigation, CAS, and Extended Essay topics
16. multiple times a week rounds of feedback, encouragement, and editing suggestions during the college application essay writing and rewriting process that maximizes your chances of admission to highly rejective schools while preserving the applicant's authentic voice, values, interests, and experiences
17. help mastering critical thinking and analysis, plus other soft skills, without any reliance on AI
18. 2 mock interviews with specific feedback and recommendations
19. leads to experts on financial aid for business owners 
20. leads to current and former Ivy Plus student advisors for help with the essential smooth transition to college life

All without relying on any use of AI!

A few years ago, Harvard advertised how many applicants had GPAs above 4.0 and perfect test scores. It was 3x or 4x their freshman class size. (Fun fact, a lot of those rejected applicants wound up at Rutgers New Brunswick.) Your competition for U.S. colleges is truly global. You need to identify and apply to multiple strong fit colleges, along a range of admissions percentages, and differentiate yourself with authentic passion, if you want to gain a spot before May 1st. That said, I would be most happy to help you in May to find a great fit school with open spots where you will be happy!     

That is a very common myth. Admissions wants to get to know the real you well, even though you've probably never ever met them. Your essays, potentially required video, and possible interview are your chance to stand out to the admissions officers in a memorable way, so that they want to include you in their incoming freshmen class.

Likewise, an essay, video, or interview misstep can actually hurt your chances of being the person who fits their particular priorities who gains the offer. 

**Additionally, poor school counselor and or teacher recommendations can hurt your chances as well. 

The college application essay format is a narrative mix of creative writing and analytical writing. Many teens struggle to follow this style in a compelling and powerful way. Andrea has been successfully guiding teens through this drafting and revising process since 2014 in such a way that the writers preserve their own unique voices, highlight their personal values, and show what they themselves gained from their experiences.

Many colleges require additional essays besides the main one. Some colleges assign as many as 3, 4, or 5 extra essays. Usually, but definitely not always, these extra essays fall into 7 general categories. However, there are schools like Stanford, U. Chicago, and Tufts who require essays outside those frequent topics. 

The very best admissions tactic is to plan ahead by continuing to apply to schools after you've submitted applications to your top three choice colleges. You do not want to spend the December holidays drafting and submitting emergency applications. 

A few years ago, I worked with a lovely boy who placed extremely high in Regneron and participated in the training camp for one of the International Science Olympiads. However, this young man refused to acknowledge his lab partner anywhere in his applications. This oversight was considered to be an enormous red flag and cost him many expected offers.

At this time, Write 2 University is happily resuming both our highly successful ACT English and Reading, and SAT Reading and Writing test prep programs. In prior years, students' scores rose significantly (more than 150 points on the SAT).  Our tutors work with students one-on-one to identify areas of academic weakness, develop a personalized study plan, check progress twice a week, and improve their test-taking skills. We also partner with expert Math tutors for those sections of the ACT and SAT. Please note that these programs require a three month commitment, or longer, but they can be completed during any time of the school year. Also note that Write 2 University neither believes in nor utilizes teach to the test drills and AI.  

Write 2 University is happy to arrange a monthly payment plan and or refer your family to several highly reputable and successful admissions programs for low income applicants.

It depends on the college, but being from a less represented viewpoint often increases your chances, assuming you're willing to be made uncomfortable by various professors at most colleges. College administrators want to be able to claim that their schools are truly open minded and inclusive communities where all viewpoints are welcome. 

I wanted to become a diplomat and translator of children's books written in other languages. In your case, you will seriously damage your admissions chances if you do not take a foreign language through 12th grade. Indeed, many colleges require you to continue studying a foreign language during freshman year of college.

Recently, I created a comparative database of Catholic campus ministry offerings at more than 400 colleges, both Catholic and secular, for a brand new Catholic high school. It was amazing how devoutly some college students practice the Catholic faith on their secular or even Protestant campuses! I have since created a modified version of that resource for interested clients, school counselors, youth ministers, pastors, and diocesan directors in exchange for a donation to the Nuns who encouraged me in this initiative. Contact me for more information.