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Category: Applications

What to Expect from a Counseling Session with Empowerly

Sheelah explains what you can expect from a counseling session with Empowerly, and why each element matters so much. We talked to Sheelah Bearfoot, one of our fantastic counselors, to get the scoop.

Weighted vs Unweighted GPA and How Colleges View Them

The discussion of weighted vs. unweighted GPA has risen to the top of many minds. COVID has brought grading schemes under the microscope, once again. 1) in the classroom through letter grades, and 2) through Grade Point Average, or GPA. You're likely familiar the grading from A-F, but colleges are interested in overall performance—”with a quick glance of your unweighted GPA which will fall between 0.0 and 4.0. Colleges could also be interested in a weighted GPA which applies more proportional weight to more difficult classes. However, more and more classes are also offering P and NP. Wondering what that means? Read on for a breakdown of how this plays out today.

When to Start on Your College Essays? Now!

The beginning of your summer, your rising senior year, is the perfect time to start planning your first college essay. Your mind is no longer full of the memorized facts, equations, and extracurricular scheduling of the school year. You also are likely to have more time to dedicate the process of brainstorming, writing, and editing that are necessary to write a thoughtfully organized and meaningful essay.Â Do not sell yourself short in waiting to write this all-important piece that will be a deciding factor as to whether or not you are accepted to the school of your dream; start now!

How to DIY Self-Started Extracurriculars with Results

Empowerly provides expert advice to high school students applying to college. Our counselors play a huge role in working one-on-one with our students to help them through the application process. You may be wondering, "what's so important about getting college admissions counseling?" or "how can a college counselor help me?" We talked to Sheelah Bearfoot, one of our fantastic counselors, to get the scoop.

Beyond the Numbers: 3 Tips for Writing Your College Essay

Excellent students will often soar through their final exams, SATs, ACTs, and get stunning references from their teachers. But then, the college essay hits them like an anvil. This is because they've mastered everything thrown at them, but never looked at their own story. The personal statement is easy to dismiss and scoff at, but really, this is the only chance to know a person aside from numbers on a page and secondhand stories from teachers.

Online, Digital, or Virtual: Well-Rounded Still Wins Out

In-demand spots are suddenly uncertain. Who makes the cut? We find, being well-rounded as a scholar and student still wins out.

College Counselor Chat with Christine W.

What is one trait that you find common among the most successful students you have worked with?

How to Decide Who to Ask for Letters of Recommendation

Testing, transcripts, and even essays, can tell colleges a good deal about how you perform in academic settings and how you define yourself. What they lack, however, is the ability to combine this objectivity and personality testimony. This is where letters of recommendation come in.Â

College Admissions Dropping Test Scores: Permanently?

College admissions boards across the nation are dropping standardized test scores as a requirement. Some campuses plan to drop them for good.