YCM Journal
Essays, testing, college fit, recommendations, curiosity, campus culture, and the questions families keep revisiting when the process gets noisy.
Colleges are concerned. An increasing number of students provide amazing applications but arrive on campus unprepared for the challenges and stress of college life and rigorous academics. In addition, many students are...
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EssaysHow students can write with clarity instead of performance.
College ListBuild lists that are strategic, honest, and personal.
RecommendationsPractical guidance for support letters and context.
Latest essays
I am concerned. Students tell me they are excited to go to college to make new friends and build relationships. However, when I visit...
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A salacious scandal can be so very captivating, and Operation Varsity Blues definitely qualifies as a good scandal. It highlights many unsavory human characteristics,...
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I recently spoke with a senior attending a prestigious film school in southern California about tuition and student loans. He told me, “My $109,000...
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Educating students and families about the college application and admissions process is my professional mission, and a good way to reach students and families...
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There it went, November 1st, 2019—The Early Decision & Early Action, Crazy Train. Yes, the strong seem to get more While the weak ones...
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I just presented at the IECA—International Educational Consultants Association—National Conference in Los Angeles. My session was titled “Critical Considerations in STEM Education.” Unfortunately, my...
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Let’s talk about colleges, Canada, and poutine. As a Washington State native, crossing the border to Canada has always been a bit of a...
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I just returned from touring a few of the fine colleges and universities of Eastern Washington and Idaho. As usual, I made a point...
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“An eighth-grader should not be thinking about college. They should be focused on being a kid.” I have heard variations of this statement for...
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