Good advice from college columnist

Two good "College Bound" columns by college advisor Joanne Levy-Prewitt in the San Francisco Chronicle:

College essays:
Oct. 21, 2007

When applying to college, it pays to sweat the small stuff.

Most colleges require that applicants write a long essay or write an open-ended personal statement revealing unique experiences or characteristics.

But many also request short essays asking applicants to tell more about why they are applying, or about favorite activities that might not be obvious on the general application.

So while it may be tempting to shut down the word processor after the long essays are finished, remember that short essays are a crucial piece of the college application and should not be taken lightly.

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College students look back on their admission decisions
Oct. 28, 2007

The most satisfying aspect of my job is learning from former students that they are happy in college. I enjoy hearing about their college experiences, and it's especially wonderful to witness the personal growth that happens between high school and college.

However, the most fascinating information comes when I ask if they have any reflections about the admissions process.

Some students agonized over which college to attend, so I often ask if they have regrets about their chosen path.

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