Alison MerzelFeb 11, 20212 minSchool Spotlight: Pennsylvania State UniversityAs a two-time alumna from Big 10 universities and someone from a family of Big 10 graduates, I happen to have a soft spot for schools in...
Alison MerzelFeb 9, 20212 minHigh School Scheduling AdviceEspecially as a freshmen, it may seem premature to consider how your current course scheduling may impact college admissions. However, it...
Alison MerzelFeb 4, 20212 minSchool Spotlight: Colorado CollegeAre you a strong student looking for an intimate and personalized college experience? Do you have a passion for the great outdoors? Do...
Alison MerzelJan 28, 20212 minSchool Spotlight: Lafayette CollegeIf you aren't familiar with Lafayette, you may just assume it is some college in Louisiana. In actuality, it is a very selective, private...
Alison MerzelJan 22, 20211 min4 Key Changes to Higher Ed under Biden Administration so farOn his first day of office, President Biden took action to begin to reverse some of the harmful policies affecting higher education that...
Alison MerzelJan 15, 20212 minSchool Spotlight: University of MiamiIn January in Ohio, Miami probably sounds quite appealing to a lot of people. Beyond having a desirable winter climate and access to the...
Alison MerzelJan 6, 20212 minSchool Spotlight: Rhodes CollegeWhen you think of outstanding private liberal arts and sciences colleges, Rhodes may not be anywhere on your radar, but it should be....
Alison MerzelDec 30, 20202 minUpcoming changes to the FAFSA - What you need to knowWhen Congress passed the most recent COVID-19 relief legislation, it included the FAFSA Simplification Act. While the 167 pages do...
Alison MerzelDec 29, 20202 minSchool Spotlight: University of MarylandFans of the Big Ten conference know that Maryland and Rutgers are the two most recent additions. Not a sports fan? UMD offers students...
Alison MerzelDec 18, 20202 minHow College Admissions is Like DatingYou know that old phrase, "It's not you, it's them?" You know you are a great catch - you have the brains, the athleticism, the artistic...
Alison MerzelDec 16, 20202 minSurprised to be deferred? This may explain why.In a previous post, I explained the difference in terminology between "defer"and "waitlist" - some schools use them interchangeably but...
Alison MerzelDec 10, 20202 minSchool Spotlight: University of FloridaLast week I featured a California school, so this week we will move to the other side of the country and look at a Florida school. The...
Alison MerzelDec 4, 20202 minSchool Spotlight: UCSBEach of the nine University of California campuses has its own personality and notable programs and resources. They are all highly...
Alison MerzelDec 2, 20203 minIt's About Who You Are, Not What You DidI recently attended a conference session during which admissions officers at three selective institutions shared case studies of...
Alison MerzelNov 19, 20203 minSchool Spotlight: George Washington UniversityMany students who think they want to study in our nation's capital naturally just add schools like GW, Georgetown, and American...
Alison MerzelNov 18, 20202 minDemonstrated Interest DecodedYou know how you google something and then all of a sudden you start seeing ads for the item showing up everywhere you go? Or even...
Alison MerzelNov 9, 20202 minSchool Spotlight: James Madison UniversityJMU is a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley. Over 90% of enrolled students are undergrads, so...
Alison MerzelOct 30, 20202 minSchool Spotlight: University of DaytonUniversity of Dayton is a mid-sized Catholic and Marianist university whose mission to "learn, lead and serve" is embodied throughout the...
Alison MerzelOct 27, 20202 minTips for navigating college websitesCollege and university websites should be a primary source of information as you research schools and try to evaluate whether you are...
Alison MerzelOct 22, 20202 minSchool Spotlight: Michigan State UniversityToday we are featuring another Big 10 school in that neighboring state to Ohio. Ohio residents looking for an economical alternative to...