Quality over Quantity In over three decades in the classroom, I learned to spot the résumé padders who loaded up on extracurricular activities in junior and senior year. As adviser for the high school newspaper, I saw what colleges are really looking for: depth over breadth, quality over quantity. The students who started as ninth-grade reporters and rose to be

How does immersion create connection at Furman University? It starts with the residency requirement and continues with wraparound advising for all four years. These features lead to deep connections with professors, advisers, and peers. A residential campus experience Furman is 100% residential, meaning that everyone is expected to live on campus all four years. The school believes that to be

Families hire me not only to help the student with the transition from high school to college, but to bring a little peace into the family dynamic. I’m an independent educational consultant (an IEC) dealing specifically with colleges, so you might call me a college adviser or college counselor. Parents thank me for making junior and senior year more enjoyable.

Have you noticed that every college brochure looks the same? A group of diverse students sit beneath an oak tree, laughing and looking like they are the best of friends just taking a break from their serious studies. A professor and a student in white coats and goggles focus on a beaker of green liquid in a modern lab. “World-class

I limit my practice to a dozen students per graduating class. This allows me to really get to know my students individually, and, in the process, they get to know themselves better. As Alexis M. said, “Ms. Hott is not just there to help her students submit strong applications; she is also there to guide students to discover more about

June 11, 2025 Overview The College of Charleston, though it has the feel of a private school, is part of South Carolina’s university system and the 13th oldest college in the nation. With fewer than 11,000 undergraduates, Charleston has an average class size of 24. It offers big, state school advantages with small school attention. All classes are taught by

Karen A. Hott is an independent college adviser and the founder of Two Bridges College Consulting. Before going into college consulting, she taught AP English Language & Composition, standard and honors English, journalism, and newspaper production in a Maryland public high school. Today Ms. Hott loves working with students on their college searches, applications, and essays, facilitating the transition from

Campus creates park-like atmosphere Maybe it’s because the bright blue sky formed such a breathtaking contrast with the new green of trees leafing out in early May, but Michigan State looked to me like a vast and well-tended park. Sidewalks snake through gentle rises in the landscape, and a river runs through the campus. I guess I’d expected something Spartan

Michigan provides comprehensive support systems The University of Michigan is large, with 34,000 undergraduate students, and its resources are plentiful. To help new students acclimate to a school the size of a small city, Michigan provides first-years with a freshman adviser before they even arrive on campus. In addition, they have advisers for each major, pre-professional advisers, study abroad advisers,

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