COLLEGE ADMISSIONS & CAREER SERVICES

A popular question I oftentimes get asked is:

Does a student have to be well-rounded to get accepted into a great school?

The answer may surprise you: No.

First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page and start off with a definition. “Well-rounded” is the term typically used to describe someone who has strong test scores, grades, and a list of various extracurricular activities.

The problem with assuming this is the golden ticket to getting into a great school is that colleges are not only looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking to create a well-rounded class — a group of students who represent various backgrounds, strengths, and interests.

Of course, good test scores, grades and extracurricular activities are important, but they’re not enough to differentiate one student from another.

So, what does a student need instead?

An angle.

What makes that student different? A passion for art? A spirit of entrepreneurship? A...

With the school year winding down, it's easy to get distracted and daydream about hang outs with friends, trips to the beach, and sleeping in until late.

While I'm a big believer in making sure students get to have some fun and restore some balance in their schedules, it's important to remember that the final weeks before the school year ends still make a big difference.

Here are five ways students can make sure to finish the school year strong: 

1. Stay on top of grades: Students should use these final weeks to maintain good performance or to put in the extra work to bump grades up. Some students get tempted to ease up a bit in their studies as the school year ends. They may be shocked to see their grades drop once everything is finalized. This is especially true for high school seniors -- seniors still need to submit a final transcript over the summer to their school of choice, so they shouldn't give their college a reason to rescind an offer.
2. Talk to your...