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Brown U. Alumni Attending Their 70th Reunion Want to know about life at a particular school? Talk to students and recent alumni for an inside view on what the college is really like. Even older alums have valuable information to share. I just came back from the annual reunion at my alma mater. Despite the rain, it was a joyous day. Reunion coincides with graduation, and the downpour didn't dampen the mood. While I was there, I was surrounded by people who would love to tell you about Brown. So how can college applicants find these people, or alums and students from any school? To start, ask your friends, relatives and teachers. You can also call the Admissions Office at any college and ask them to connect you to someone. Keep reading for tips on questions for students and alums. But first, check out this video from graduation and reunion 2026 at Brown University. Brown University graduation procession 2026 Questions for Students Why did you pick your school? What do you like best about your school? What do you dislike? Tell me about your classes. What do you do on weekends? Questions for Alumni What's your favorite memory about your school? Have you stayed in touch with friends or professors? Has being an alum helped you in your career? What advice do you have for me?

I hear this question a lot: "What should I do this summer? What do colleges want to see? Can't I just have fun?" Unfortunately, there is not a single answer. Work, intern, volunteer, study or travel. They're all great options. The key is to think ahead. Do something that makes you happy, and that can be part of the story you will eventually tell colleges. Talk to teachers and older students to get some ideas. Or meet with me for a consultation. I offer free half hour consults. Summers are long. so you can do several things. Here are some ideas. Do something fun What makes your eyes sparkle? When someone says, "What are you doing this summer," does your answer excite you? If you could talk for hours about your photography class, or the songs you're composing, then that's time well spent. Get a summer job or volunteer Spending money matters. Any type of job can give you real world experience. Lifeguard. Scoop ice cream. Work as a camp counselor. Your bank account, and your parents, will thank you. Likewise, volunteering is an important way to connect with your local community. Help out at a farmer's market. Collect and donate used sports equipment. Just find any cause that matters to you. Take a class If there’s a subject you find intriguing, you could take a class online at summer school, a pre-college program, or a local college. You can learn about anything from coding to personal finance without the usual school pressure. Explore new places Travel doesn’t have to mean getting on a plane and going to a far-off destination. Exploring a nearby town counts too. Maybe you and a friend want to plan a series of day trips to see as many historical landmarks as possible. Prep for college Rising juniors and seniors, this is the perfect time to travel to visit schools. And if you're a rising senior, it's definitely time to start working on your applications. I've written about that here. You'll need a game plan for the summer. You should also consider studying for the SAT or ACT if you haven't done that yet. Get outside Finally, get outside. You need the sunshine, and physical activity is good for your body and brain. Just don't forget sunscreen.

Seniors! It’s time to apply to college and we’ve got you covered. Join me for a college application workshop in Mount Kisco, NY. Here's what you'll get. 3 days. 12 students max. 3 tutors who are application experts. We're offering a 10% discount if you register by May 31. I'm partnering with two friends, Miriam Souccar and Deb Notis, to offer this program. Register here. Click this link. Questions: Reach out in my contact form Sessions 1 & 2 | Main Essay in the Common App July 13th & 14th, 3-5 pm Cost: $720 Session 3 | Activities List in the Common App July 15th, 3-5 pm Cost: $360

Your summer plan for college applications Some of you have just finished school. Others still have a few more exams. The end is in sight. Either way, juniors, you need a break. Take some time to relax. Decompress. And now I contradict myself. It's also time to get a head start on the college application process. To do that, you need a good summer plan for working on college applications. This will lighten the workload of senior year. One strategy is to "back time" how you are going to accomplish everything you need to do this summer. Of course you have other things going on besides college applications. Work, travel, friends. Sleep. Yes, sleep. It's all important. But "back timing" will help. Here's how it works. Pick a deadline, and calculate how many weeks until that deadline. Then pick a goal. Next, divide the amount of work by the number of available weeks. Here's an example of what this looks like. Pretend you need to read a 500-page book for English class by the end of four weeks. Divide 500 by 4, and you'll see that you need to read 125 pages per week. Doing this will avoid procrastination and an all-nighter the day before the deadline. So figure out how many weeks you have until senior year starts. Then make a schedule that you can use to benchmark your progress. What goes onto the calendar? Here are some possibilities: Studying for the SAT or ACT. Creating a Common App profile. Doing the activities section of the Common App. Writing a resume or LinkedIn profile. Asking teachers or other mentors for letters of recommendation. Visiting colleges. Doing online information sessions. Writing a draft of your main Common App essay. Working on supplemental essays. Strategically accomplishing some college application work this summer will give you a great sense of accomplishment. And showing that plan to your parents? Not such a bad idea either.

Writing thank you emails is a key part of the college application process. Any time someone helps you, send a thank you email. It's the professional thing to do. Plus, it just feels good to show gratitude and say "thank you." Here are some pointers (and be sure to read all the way to the end for a sample email): Writing a thank you email if someone helps you during the college application process Who Should Get a Thank You Email Anyone who helps you. Time is valuable, so you should show appreciation. Teachers and school college counselors College alumni and current students Admissions representatives Student tour guides Someone who wrote you a letter of recommendation When to Send a Thank You Note As soon as possible! Send emails within 24 to 48 hours after an interview or meeting This keeps the interaction fresh in the reader’s mind Think about the time zone where the person is located and consider sending an email in the morning How to Write an Effective Thank You Email Details matter. Write a clear subject line : “Thank You for the Interview” or “Appreciate Your Advice.” Address the person by name to personalize the message One or two paragraphs is enough Mention specific details from your conversation Proofread carefully to avoid typos or errors Include your full name and contact information What to Avoid in Your Thank You Note Avoid these common mistakes: Sending a generic or vague message without personal details Writing a long email that repeats everything you discussed Using informal language or slang Sample Email to a High School Teacher Subject: Thank You for the Recommendation Letter Dear [Teacher’s Name], I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to write a letter of recommendation for my college applications. I truly appreciate the effort and thought you put into helping me. I’m so excited to share that I’ve [been accepted to / heard back from] [College or University Name]. Your guidance your support definitely played a part in helping me get there. Thank you for believing in me and for everything I learned in your class. I'm looking forward to the last month of classes. Best regards, [Your Full Name]

Getting multiple college acceptances can feel like winning a prize. But the real challenge starts when you have to decide which school to attend. Here are some tips to help you choose the right college: Get Student and Alumni Input Go straight to the source. Gather as much info as possible from people who know the school best: Visit campus. Sign up for a "revisit" day for accepted students. Do a virtual tour. Talk to current students. Talk to alumni. Understand Your Academic Goals Start by looking closely at what each college offers academically. Ask yourself: Does the school have strong programs in your intended major? Are there opportunities for research, internships, or study abroad? What is the student-to-faculty ratio? Smaller classes often mean more personalized attention. How flexible is the curriculum if you want to explore different subjects? Consider Campus Life and Location College is not just about classes. Think about: Campus size and feel: Do you prefer a large university with many activities or a smaller college with a close-knit community? Location: Urban, suburban, or rural? Consider weather, distance from home, and access to internships or jobs. Housing options and quality of dorms. Clubs, sports, and social opportunities. Evaluate Financial Factors Money can play a role in your decision. Compare: Tuition and fees after scholarships and financial aid. Cost of living in the area. Availability of work-study programs or part-time jobs. Potential student loan debt and repayment plans. Think About Your Long-Term Plans Where do you see yourself after graduation? Some colleges have strong alumni networks and connections in certain industries or regions. This can help you find jobs or graduate programs later. Also, consider if the college’s reputation aligns with your career goals. Trust Your Gut Feeling After weighing all the facts, listen to your instincts. Which college feels like the right fit? Sometimes the best choice is the one where you feel most comfortable and are excited to start this new chapter.

Visiting a college campus is more than just a chance to see the buildings. Done well, it could impact your chances of acceptance. Some schools track demonstrated interest. And even if a school doesn't do that, visiting gives you information you can use to strengthen your application. Here's how to plan a college visit. Plan a college visit that includes a formal tour and information session Register for the tour. You want the school to know you were there. If there's both a tour AND an information session, sign up for BOTH. You can usually locate the sign up on a school's admissions page. Use the same email address that you'll use when you fill out an application. Before you go, make a list of spots you want to see and questions that matter to you. Ask questions and take notes during the tour Try to establish a relationship with your tour guide. When the tour ends, walk up to the tour guide, say thank you, and ask for an email address. Once you get home send a thank you email and ask follow up questions. Meet faculty and current students Before you get to campus, reach out to a professor, student, or admissions representative that you could meet when you're there. If possible, arrange to attend a class in your area of interest. How do you accomplish this? There are multiple people you can ask to help you find contacts: ask your school college counselor, email the admissions office, text friends of friends. Explore beyond the main tour Don’t limit yourself to the official tour route. Walk around the campus on your own to get a feel for the environment. Visit the library, student center, dining halls, and dormitories. Notice how students interact and whether the atmosphere feels welcoming. Explore the surrounding neighborhood. Check out local shops, restaurants, and transportation options. Take notes and think about your application essays Write down your thoughts and impressions. This will help you decide later if the school is a good fit. It will also give you authentic content that you might be able to incorporate into a supplemental essay for your application.

See that pile of papers? The stack of books? Those dishes on the floor? It's time to clean it all up and start fresh in the new year. It's been nice to ignore the books for a while. But you've got a lot to do again. Classes, activities, sports. And maybe even some more college applications. Or, if you're a junior, perhaps some college tours . A clean desk can kick off the fresh start: Give away the books to a younger student. Recycle all of your old notes. Shred anything that's really personal. Open your desk drawers. Even if you can't see the mess, it's still there. Clean up your computer too. This includes dumping unused items from your desktop into the "trash," and organizing your digital files in the cloud. Let's go!

Once upon a time, high school students had actual, in-person interviews when they applied to college. (Parents, you probably remember that). While interviews are now much less common, some schools do offer video interviews. So it's helpful to know how to prepare for an on-camera interview. And even if you don't do an interview now, this skill will be critical when you apply for jobs. Here are my top 10 tips for the on camera interview. Properly frame your image . See the photo above. Note how the speaker on the computer screen is centered. The top of his head is near the top of the screen. Check your lighting . The best light should shine on your face. Don't sit in front of a window. When you do that, the window looks light, and you look dark. If you need to add light, you can put a ring light , or a lamp, in front of you. Silence your phone and computer . You don't want any sort of sound interruptions. Tell other people at your home that you're going to be on a call. And if your dog might interrupt... find a way to distract the pup. Check your background . Blur your background. If you don't want to do that, clean up any mess behind you. No open closets, messy beds or bookshelves. Wear a solid color shirt . A primary color is best. No patterns. Dress professionally . No hats or sweatshirts. Sit in a stable chair . If you're in a chair that swivels, you might move around too much. Get a stable chair that won't move. Prepare three talking points . Your interviewer will have questions. So prepare a note of three things to share with the interviewer. You'll pepper these nuggets into the conversation. For example: (1) I play guitar and want to join a band in college; (2) I'm in a modern dance company and want to audition for a college dance company; and (3) I want to study Ancient Greece and did an independent study about Greek Mythology. Prepare three questions . The final question is always, "Do you have any more questions for me?" So make a note of three questions that are specific to you. The questions should not be generic. For example: I'd like to spend a semester studying abroad in Greece. Do students typically stay at school all four years, or do many go abroad? Research your interviewer . If possible, Google the person who is going to interview you. Read the person's LinkedIn profile or bio on the school website. It's helpful to know a little bit about the person you'll be speaking to.

You want a seat in that classroom. You're working hard on those applications. And maybe you've even submitted some applications for early decision, or early action . So now is the time to double down. Make sure you've done everything possible to enhance your application. "Demonstrated interest" is a piece of this puzzle. So what does this mean? You want to show, or demonstrate, to a college that you really want to attend that school. Colleges care about their "yield," or the percentage of admitted students who accept an admissions offer. So theoretically, a school is more likely to look favorably at your application if you show that you will help them with their yield rate. How to demonstrate interest: Apply Early Decision or Early Action. This is the ultimate way to demonstrate interest. Sign up for the school's mailing list . Visit campus in person. Make sure you formally register for a tour through the school's website. You want them to know you were there. If you simply wander around campus on your own, the school doesn't have any way to know you visited. Attend an online virtual tour or webinar. If you can't attend in person, or even if you already did, a virtual option is just as powerful. Meet with an admissions representative who visits your school. Sign up for any formal visits. Follow the school on social media . Talk to current students. If you don't know anyone at a particular school, find a friend of a friend, or an alum of your high school. Email a professor at the school. Is there a subject you want to study? Find a professor in your intended major and reach out. Ask to talk, or if there are any students who might be willing to talk to you. When you write an essay, you can reference your interest in this professor's area of focus. Talk to alumni from the college. Do you have a neighbor or relative who attended the college? Sign up for an admissions interview if this is offered. Few schools still offer this, but it is possible in some cases. In addition, I recommend using an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of these steps for each school. Of course not every school considers demonstrated interest. In fact, some explicitly say it's not part of the evaluation. Even so, there's an advantage to doing all these extra steps. Your application will actually be better if you spend more time interacting with a school. You'll write a better "why us" essay. You'll have a better sense of what the school is looking for, and this will come through in your application essays. So go for it. Sign up for that extra webinar, even if you've already applied. It might just help you make a decision on what offer to accept further down the road.

Earlier this summer I spoke with a Westchester, NY based publication about the college admissions process. Check out the full story in The Inside Press (by Stacey Pfeffer) to see the context around what I had to say. Here's one small part of the article: Many college advisors suggest that a student take both a diagnostic ACT and SAT in their sophomore year to determine which test is a better fit for them. “This can help relieve the pressure of junior year,” says Meyer who often advises clients across the country to take a long-term calendar view of their four years of high school, so that students in their spring of junior year aren’t cramming for ACTs or SATs, Advanced Placement exams and finals while simultaneously going on college tours. “Whatever students can do pace themselves can help,” she recommends.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly useful. But in the world of college applications, do not use AI to write or edit your application essays. Here are five reasons why you need to write these essays yourself. Authenticity Matters The essays have to be your work. They are the result of your ideas and experiences. They are your own writing. Admissions officers want to hear your unique voice and story. An AI-generated essay won't sound like you. It doesn't know how you truly think. It won't have your voice. AI can generate words, but it can't convey your emotions. It's inauthentic. Plagiarism Risk Using AI for essay writing increases the risk of unintended plagiarism. AI systems generate content based on a mix of existing texts. This can lead to similarities with previously published materials. Writing Skills Writing your essays is an invaluable chance to strengthen your writing skills. This will give you confidence as you move through the reminder of high school and into your college classes. Feedback and Iteration Write your first draft. Then get input from a teacher, mentor, peer or tutor. You want someone to push you to edit and revise your work. Writing is a process. You learn more by iterating. College application requirements Some applications may actually ask you to confirm that you did not use AI to write the essays. This is an ethical implication that you need to take seriously. Is there any scenario in which AI is ok? Maybe for fact-checking. But even there, you need to double check that the information an AI platform gave you is accurate. Even AI makes mistakes.