Hott off the Press

A blog about college insights and more.


teen looks into sky to see different percentages with college in background

Admit rates keep falling. What the numbers really mean.

By Karen Hott, July 2026
In just seven years, the admission rate at Northeastern University dropped from 28% to 5%, making it as selective as the Ivy League. Take a look at the chart below. Admit rate comparison 2017 to 2024 School 2017 Admit Rate 2024 Admit Rate 2017 SATmiddle 50% 2024 SATmiddle 50% 2024-25 CDSIn-state admit/out-of-state admit Northeastern 28% 5%  1330-1510 1460-1530 private UNC
outside of IDEA Factory at UMD College Park

UMD: Location, strong programs, a deadline that matters

By Karen Hott, July 2026
Rosemary Martín Edwards, associate director of undergraduate admission at the University of Maryland, College Park, presented current information about UMD to the DC MIX group of HECA and IECA members on June 24, 2026. As usual, she delivered a wealth of information. By the numbers This year, Maryland at College Park had 69,000 applications for a freshman class of about
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Is it cheating to hire a college consultant?

By Karen Hott, June 2026
No, it’s not cheating to hire a college consultant.
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Towson pairs access with success

By Karen Hott, June 2026
In suburban Baltimore, you can hear the Tigers roar. First impressions: a campus in bloom When I visited Towson after the IECA conference in May, I was struck by all the greenery. In fact, there’s an arboretum in the middle of the campus. Buildings look well maintained and some are quite new, like the new Health Professions Building, which houses
A bright green hill stretches before the admissions building at Loyola Maryland

Loyola Maryland outcomes rival the elites’

By Karen Hott, May 2026
I spotted a deer in the woods as our bus of counselors drove onto the Loyola University Maryland campus. Loyola is located within Baltimore city, in the upscale Roland Park community. It’s green and secluded even though it’s classified as urban. You’re a 20-minute drive from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and 45 minutes from DC by train. Loyola serves just under
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Johns Hopkins surprises with its breadth and affordability

By Karen Hott, May 2026
The address says Baltimore, but the campus says green.
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Loyola Chicago puts values into action

By Karen Hott, May 2026
I met Sister Jean! In October 2023, I met Sister Jean, the then-104-year-old nun of Loyola who became a video sensation as the men’s basketball chaplain rooting for the Ramblers courtside in the 2018 playoffs. She has an office in the student center with an open door, through which seven college advisers and I walked to say hello and snap
Karen Hott stands by a pillar with her arms crossed.

How hiring a college adviser can save you money

By Karen Hott, May 2026
Also called an IEC (independent educational consultant) or college consultant Besides running my business of college consulting, I used to work as a writing tutor at my local community college. The Writing Center helps students with application and transfer essays as well as their written assignments for the community college. Let me tell you about two students who came to
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Lewis & Clark: Hidden gem in Portland forest

By Karen Hott, May 2026
They almost named their mascot the Moss. The rainy, cool climate of Portland provides the prime conditions for moss to grow everywhere at Lewis & Clark College. It’s on the cobblestone walks, the rock walls, the branches and trunks of trees about to bloom. But the L&C colors are orange and black, so the bright green of the moss wouldn’t
Karen Hott stands by a pillar with her arms crossed.

How to get a great letter of recommendation

By Karen Hott, May 2026
Recommendation Etiquette by Karen Anne Hott I’m an independent educational consultant and the founder of Two Bridges College Consulting. Before going into college advising, I taught AP English Language & Composition, standard and honors English, journalism, and newspaper production in a Maryland public high school. Today I love working with students on their college searches, applications, and essays, facilitating the