• Why College Coach
  • Our Experts
  • For Parents
  • Resources
  • About College Coach
Why College Coach
Our Experts
For Parents
Resources
About College Coach
  • Why College Coach
  • Our Experts
  • For Parents
  • Resources
  • About College Coach
The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions -
Choosing the Right College

Women’s College Consortiums: The Best of Both Worlds?

college students

by Jennifer Simons, former admissions officer at Tufts University

When I recommend a women’s college to my female-identified students, occasionally the response is a joyful, “Yes, I was thinking about…”  Sometimes, the response is more measured: “Um, okay, maybe? I hadn’t really considered a ‘girls’ school.’”  And finally, and perhaps most frequently, I am greeted with an abject look of horror in response and some version of, “I don’t want to go somewhere without guys!”  Well, I have good news for you, all of you in fact, as I have never had a single response of “Excellent, I choose not to ever see another male person ever again!” You can attend a women’s college and still socialize and go to class with…males.

Continue reading

December 22, 2020by Jennifer Simons
College Essays

Tackling the Brandeis Supplemental Essays

Brandeis University sign

by Jennifer Simons, former admissions officer at Tufts University

This is the third in College Coach’s series of posts covering university-specific supplemental essays. Last week, we shared guidance on answering the CU Boulder admissions essay and the University of Delaware’s test optional supplemental essays. Stay tuned throughout October as we highlight additional prompts for Scripps College and Lehigh University.

If you’re applying to Brandeis University, you’ll encounter this request in the application:

Please include a short response to one of the three prompts below (250 words or fewer).

  • Why would you like to attend Brandeis?
  • Justice Brandeis once said, “If we would guide by the light of reason, we must let our minds be bold.” Tell us about something bold that you’ve recently done.
  • There are approximately 171, 476 words in the English dictionary. Pick your favorite word and tell us why you picked it.

Continue reading

October 13, 2020by Jennifer Simons
Choosing the Right College

The Secret of Women’s Colleges, Part III: Engineering, the Arts, and Career Preparation

female students studying

by Jennifer Simons, former admissions officer at Tufts University

Women’s colleges offer something for all women. They are diverse, engaging places focused on a multitude of facets of education and the human experience. Some have a particular niche, however, and it is incredible to think of all the students these colleges are able to serve. All women’s colleges are special but these are specialized…

Continue reading

July 7, 2020by Jennifer Simons
Choosing the Right College

The Secret about Women’s Colleges, Part II: Outside the Seven Sisters

female student wearing grad cap

by Jennifer Simons, former admissions officer at Tufts University

The Seven Sisters, starting with the founding of Mt. Holyoke College in 1837, began as the female counterpart to elite colleges, which at the time were open only to men. The moniker was a reference to the Greek myth Pleiades. There is a constellation that bears this name as well.  Students reading this blog have likely never heard of the term Seven Sisters, but to their elders, the term was synonymous with the best, most desirable schools in which females could obtain an education. While they might be the first of the women’s colleges, the Sisters in no way encapsulate all that women’s education has to offer. And, while many women’s colleges have merged with other schools and/or have become co-educational, the ones that remain continue to prepare leaders for their place in the world. 

Continue reading

June 25, 2020by Jennifer Simons
Choosing the Right College

The Secret about Women’s Colleges: Part I

finding scholarships

by Jennifer Simons, former admissions officer at Tufts University

If you speak to an admissions officer for let’s say, Wellesley, she might mention their beautiful campus or famous alumnae. If you speak to a student at Barnard, she will likely extol the virtues of a campus in the city and the robust internship opportunities therein. A professor from Agnes Scott College might mention their unique SUMMIT program, in which each student has her own personal Board of Advisors and is empowered to be an agent of global change. An alum from Sweet Briar or Mills College might tell you how they, as part of the student body, prevented their beloved alma mater from changing its core mission. But I’m not here to talk to you about any of those things. I’m going to tell you a secret: Women’s colleges aren’t special. 

Continue reading

March 17, 2020by Jennifer Simons
College Admissions Consulting

Q&A: International Students’ Commonly Asked Questions about U.S. College Admissions

search-1756278_1280

Today we’re going to tackle a selection of questions frequently asked by “international” students, the answer to all of which could be: “It depends.” In fact, I put the word international in quotation marks because the answer to, “Who do colleges consider an international applicant?” is often, “It depends.”  That’s how diverse the range of responses from different colleges can be. But before I answer the questions below, as best as I can, let me tell you two things about international admissions that I know for sure:

Continue reading

January 3, 2020by Jennifer Simons
College Admissions Consulting

Applying to College as a Third Culture Kid

third culture kid

What is a Third Culture Kid?

Are you a dual citizen? Do you live in a country outside of your citizenship? Do you dream in multiple languages? Do some of your friends look at you funny when you call soccer “football” or talk about “maths” class?

If you answered yes to more than one of the questions above, you might be a third culture kid.

Continue reading

January 15, 2019by Jennifer Simons

About Us

The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts is where College Coach experts weigh in on the latest college admissions topics. We cover everything from application timelines and strategies to tips on financing your child's education.

Categories

  • Alexa
  • Applying for Financial Aid
  • Choosing the Right College
  • College Admissions Consulting
  • College Applications
  • College Coach Mentionables: News & Events
  • College Entrance Exams
  • College Essays
  • College Loan Advice
  • College Visits
  • Finding Scholarships
  • How to Pay for College
  • Meet an Admissions Counselor

Contact Us

Cobell Scholarship | Alexa Flash Briefin

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Ale

Simmons University | Alexa Flash Briefin

An International Students’ Guide to Intensive English Programs

An International Students’ Guide to In

Story Time Provides Silver Lining for the College Coach Team

Story Time Provides Silver Lining for th

Subscribe to Our Blog

Tags

ACT admissions applying from abroad choosing a major choosing the right college college admissions advice college admissions consulting college admissions process college applications college lists college loans college visits common app common application common application help coronavirus covid-19 deciding on a college early action early decision educational consultant essay prompts essays FAFSA financial aid financial aid award getting in high school resume how to get into an ivy league school international students ivy league mba mba programs parenting paying for college SAT saving for college scholarships scholarship search standardized testing standardized tests summer activities summer planning tuition writing college essays

Latest Tweets

  • For the next award in our #collegeadmissions and finance awards, we're honoring colleges that have made significant… https://t.co/N4oAhuhaB8

    17 hours ago
  • We highlight a new college each week in our #schoolspotlight series. Check out the college below, along with the ot… https://t.co/7x0AizVKr2

    2 days ago
  • When choosing a #medicalschool, be sure to ask about #residency match rates. ‘I Am Worth It’: Why Thousands of Doct… https://t.co/fxK3yTMU6e

    2 days ago

  • Login
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Trademark Policy
© 2020 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC