--- title: "The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions | College Admissions Consulting" description: College Admissions Consulting | The official blog of College Coach, a division of Bright Horizons. Our expert view on all things college admissions. --- [![College Coach - Your College Admissions Experts](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/hub/146790/file-1518948603.png "College Coach - Your College Admissions Experts")](http://www.getintocollege.com/) - [Blog](https://146790.hs-sites.com/blog) - [Contact](https://146790.hs-sites.com/contact) - [Login](http://passport.getintocollege.com/Account/Login) # The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts ## [New Rules for College Admissions | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365234/New-Rules-for-College-Admissions-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Elyse Krantz](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/elyse-krantz) on Thu, Apr 07, 2016 @ 08:29 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-318243470-jpg/images/img_7959.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365234/New-Rules-for-College-Admissions-College-Coach-Blog) ### What We Learned From the 2016 Admissions Cycle Now that colleges have released the bulk of their admissions decisions, and students are reconciling their application triumphs and defeats, it’s time to take a step back and assess the trends and surprises from this year’s admissions decisions. While not all of these findings are unique to the 2016 admissions cycle, they are noteworthy enough that all college bound students – especially those wrapping up their junior year – should pay careful attention. And if you count yourselves among the thousands of hapless seniors who didn’t earn a spot at your dream college, perhaps the rationales below will help explain why you were the recipient of a “thin envelope,” while your neighbor/best friend/classmate was not. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365234/New-Rules-for-College-Admissions-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [Turning the Dial to Turning the Tide | Part 2 | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365232/Turning-the-Dial-to-Turning-the-Tide-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Julia Jones](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/julia-jones) on Wed, Apr 06, 2016 @ 03:57 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-4199565745-jpg/images/turning_the_tide.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365232/Turning-the-Dial-to-Turning-the-Tide-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog) ### Turning the Tide: An In-Depth Look At The Harvard Admissions Report  One thing is clear about the recent *[Turning the Tide](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365219/Turning-the-Dial-to-Turning-the-Tide-College-Coach-Blog)* report on the state of college admissions, released recently by the Harvard Graduate School of Education: a single conversation simply isn’t enough to cover all the issues raised by the report. Regular listeners will recall that, in the March 17 episode of *[Getting In: A College Coach Conversation](http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2430/getting-in-a-college-coach-conversation)*, host Ian Fisher and guest experts Elyse Krantz and Beth Heaton introduced the report’s basic findings. But in order to provide a more comprehensive analysis, this week they continued their robust conversation, digging more deeply into the effect and impact the results will have on college admissions, and what it means for students. Ian, Elyse, and Beth addressed ways that students can engage with diversity and community, as the report recommends, while still allowing students to ‘find their authentic self’ in the application. They also addressed the concern raised by the report for ‘overcoaching’ in the college admissions process, and the role that strong college advising and counseling can play in the process. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365232/Turning-the-Dial-to-Turning-the-Tide-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [Maximizing Middle School Success | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365231/Maximizing-Middle-School-Success-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Mary Sue Youn](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/mary-sue-youn) on Tue, Apr 05, 2016 @ 04:25 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-4059322992-jpg/images/education-908512_1280.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365231/Maximizing-Middle-School-Success-College-Coach-Blog) Middle school is an important transition time for students between childhood and the teen years, and yet it fills so many parents with dread. Many questions arise, like: What do I concentrate on now that my kids are older? What do they need to do now to get into a “good” college later? What’s the balance between hovering over them and letting them try and possibly fail? [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365231/Maximizing-Middle-School-Success-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [How to Show Demonstrated Interest | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365228/How-to-Show-Demonstrated-Interest-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Steve Brennan](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/steve-brennan) on Thu, Mar 31, 2016 @ 11:11 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3975867714-jpg/images/handshakes-930181_1280.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365228/How-to-Show-Demonstrated-Interest-College-Coach-Blog) ### Demonstrating Interest without Spending a Lot You’ve identified your dream school(s) and you have a strong list of other colleges to apply to. Your numbers (GPA, standardized test scores) are where they need to be. You’re working on an essay that’s going to show your admission officer (AO) who you are and how you’ll fit into her school. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365228/How-to-Show-Demonstrated-Interest-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [College Finance: The Parent Perspective, Asking for More Money, & More | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365227/College-Finance-The-Parent-Perspective-Asking-for-More-Money-More-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Kathy Ruby](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/kathy-ruby) on Wed, Mar 30, 2016 @ 08:39 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-692078832-jpg/images/coco_130819_01181.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365227/College-Finance-The-Parent-Perspective-Asking-for-More-Money-More-College-Coach-Blog) ‘Tis the season for college finance, and last week’s episode of *[Getting In: A College Coach Conversation](http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/91080/asking-for-more-money-part-2-scholarship-negotiations)*, was chock full of great information about paying for college. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365227/College-Finance-The-Parent-Perspective-Asking-for-More-Money-More-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [Can We Really Turn the Tide in College Admissions? | Part 2 | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365220/Can-We-Really-Turn-the-Tide-in-College-Admissions-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Ian Brook Fisher](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/ian-brook-fisher) on Sat, Mar 26, 2016 @ 11:35 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-2836487820-jpg/images/coco_130820_0282.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365220/Can-We-Really-Turn-the-Tide-in-College-Admissions-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog) In today’s entry, we continue the conversation between Ian Fisher and Elyse Krantz on the [Turning the Tide report](http://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/files/gse-mcc/files/20160120_mcc_ttt_report_interactive.pdf?m=1453303517) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. You can [re-read part one](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365205/Can-We-Really-Turn-the-Tide-in-College-Admissions-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog) on our blog here, and if you’re interested in further conversation, you can explore [the archives of our *Getting In *radio show](http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/91079/asking-for-more-money-part-1-how-to-appeal-a-financial-aid-award) to hear more from Ian, Elyse, and Elizabeth Heaton, on the impact of the report. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365220/Can-We-Really-Turn-the-Tide-in-College-Admissions-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [Turning the Dial to Turning the Tide | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365219/Turning-the-Dial-to-Turning-the-Tide-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Abigail Anderson](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/abigail-anderson) on Thu, Mar 24, 2016 @ 09:02 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3975867149-jpg/images/acceptance_photo.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365219/Turning-the-Dial-to-Turning-the-Tide-College-Coach-Blog) Last week’s episode of [*Getting In: A College Coach Conversation*](http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/91079/asking-for-more-money-part-1-how-to-appeal-a-financial-aid-award)* *covered the recently published “Turning the Tide” report, continued our students’ perspectives series, and perhaps most importantly, offered timely advice for appealing financial aid awards! [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365219/Turning-the-Dial-to-Turning-the-Tide-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [How Many AP Classes Should I Take? | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365218/How-Many-AP-Classes-Should-I-Take-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Becky Leichtling](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/becky-leichtling) on Thu, Mar 24, 2016 @ 04:12 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3975867009-jpg/images/702961_1280.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365218/How-Many-AP-Classes-Should-I-Take-College-Coach-Blog) Your brain is like a muscle that grows and gets stronger when you stretch it. You wouldn’t run a marathon tomorrow without any training, right? If you’re serious about completing the marathon, you’ll start training and increase your distance incrementally. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365218/How-Many-AP-Classes-Should-I-Take-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [Why I Chose the University of Southern California | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365212/Why-I-Chose-the-University-of-Southern-California-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Tova Tolman](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/tova-tolman) on Wed, Mar 16, 2016 @ 03:56 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-4018137263-jpg/images/coco_130819_00671.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365212/Why-I-Chose-the-University-of-Southern-California-College-Coach-Blog) Last week’s episode of *[Getting In: A College Coach Conversation](http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/90904/why-i-chose-the-university-of-southern-california-one-students-story) *continued the student perspective series, offering you advice straight from those who know the college search process best: a first-year college student! [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365212/Why-I-Chose-the-University-of-Southern-California-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [Can We Really Turn the Tide in College Admissions? | Part 1 | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365205/Can-We-Really-Turn-the-Tide-in-College-Admissions-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Ian Brook Fisher](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/ian-brook-fisher) on Thu, Mar 10, 2016 @ 08:25 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-4018137113-jpg/images/admissions.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365205/Can-We-Really-Turn-the-Tide-in-College-Admissions-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog) A recent report published by leading colleges and universities is calling for concrete changes to the college admissions process. Here, two of our expert educational consultants discuss their opinions and ideas about the report. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365205/Can-We-Really-Turn-the-Tide-in-College-Admissions-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) [All Posts](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/all) [Next Page](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting/page/2) ### Need help with the Common Application?  [![common application help](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/146790/cb1db37b-0d15-41e3-988b-213bb2724008.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/146790/cb1db37b-0d15-41e3-988b-213bb2724008) ### Get the Insider Advantage  College Coach experts, all former senior admissions and financial aid officers, are available to work privately with your student to achieve admissions success. 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