“Look Beyond What You See” If you have ever watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you will remember Kostas “Gus” Portokalos issuing a challenge: “Give me a word, any word, and I show you that the root of that word is Greek.” So call me the Gus of college admissions. Here’s a few examples: What’s the […]
The Coalition Application, perspective for professionals
Since the Coalition Application was announced in September, it has spurred significant press, healthy debate, and at times, heated criticism. Let me be clear: I do not work for The Coalition Application. So just as much as we tell students not to take one tour guide’s voice as gospel, please know this is not intended to be inclusive of all members, nor is it the “party line.” […]
A Family Affair, Part Deux (For Parents)
Let’s go for a ride together. Not a driverless car or a Bactrian camel. Let’s go out on the sea for a bit. Winds, squalls… rudders… you know, sailing. When you first have kids, you are undeniably the captain of the boat. At the helm you grip white knuckled even when the skies are clear and the seas […]
A Family Affair, Part 1
It’s taken me over fifteen years working in college admission to realize a basic human truth: People love their kids. Profound, right? But it’s an extremely important lesson and a statement I continue to tell myself and our staff each year. People love their kids. That’s why a mother might call pretending to be her […]
Coalition Application
Solace in Uncertainty Rick Clark Director of Undergraduate Admission Recently, as I was en route to visit a high school, the counselor called my office to let me know their AV system was down. She was concerned the malfunction would jeopardize my slide presentation. My assistant assured her, “Don’t worry. He’ll just speak from the […]