Podcast: Sharon Genicoff: Personal Branding in College Admissions
In this episode, I sit down with high school college counselor Sharon Genicoff to explore the art of crafting an authentic personal brand for your college applications. Our conversation empowers students to present their unique qualities in a meaningful way, ensuring their college applications stand out and reflect their genuine selves. Tune in for invaluable […]
Podcast: Alberto Naviera: STEM tutoring
In today’s episode, I speak with one of Signet’s Principal Tutors, Alberto Naviera. We discuss Alberto’s unique approach to STEM tutoring, his empathetic connections with students, and how he empowers them to conquer the challenges of learning science. Tune in to learn more about how we meet students where they are at Signet! TRANSCRIPT Sheila […]
Procrastination? Or Fear in Disguise?
Here’s a look into the future: It’s Spring of 2024. The school year is rolling on. Homework and activities have piled up. And you realize you’re behind—again. You thought this time would be different, but the days slipped away, “have to’s” piled up, and your hope of being purposeful and intentional got swallowed by […]
Podcast: Bob Schaeffer: Fairtest.org
Today I sit down with longtime friend, Bob Schaeffer. Bob is an incredible source of knowledge around how the testing landscape has changed in the last several decades and the work that he and his team at FairTest do is invaluable. Tune in to hear about the test optional movement in college admissions and more! TRANSCRIPT […]
Signet Admissions Results
Since we started helping students in 2005 get into their dream schools, our team of former admissions officers, writing coaches, and research analysts have helped students with hundreds of personal statements, supplemental essays, activity lists, and resumes. On top of that, we’ve given our students advice on which schools to target, how best to frame […]
Podcast: Mai Moore and Yumi Ndhlovu: Navigating College Admissions as a Woman of Color
Today’s episode is a special one: I get to talk to a mom and her daughter about their experience with the college process. Navigating college admissions is hard for anyone, and for people with minority backgrounds, there are additional factors to consider. Tune in to learn how one family listened to their values and found […]
The Anatomy of a Good College Essay
If you’ve been following Signet for any period of time or reading through their provided resources, you’ve probably already heard a lot of talk about the college admissions essay. It’s not just a big checkbox on the admissions to-do list. It offers a chance to encapsulate your journey in life thus far. The opportunity for […]
Artificial vs. Authentic: Four reasons why using AI to write your college essay is a bad idea.
As we slip further into summer, many high school students are starting to prepare for August 1st—the day when many colleges release the supplemental essay prompts for their school’s applications. These summer months are the perfect time to start working on your college application essays. This crucial step in the admissions process provides an opportunity […]
Riding the Winds of Change: How to Sail Through Transition
Riding the Winds of Change How to Sail Through Transition It’s summer. Your kid is a teenager. That means you’re facing a whole lot of change. We don’t even need to know what age or year your child is currently in to know they’re facing some whopping transitions in the year ahead. All you […]
Podcast: Andrea West: The Power of Reflection in College Admissions
Today, I talk with Signet’s Director of Operations and senior academic coach, Andrea West about the benefits of combining traditional college admissions consulting with coaching. Coaching can not only improve a student’s academic performance, but it can also shift them into more of a growth mindset and self-knowledge, two things which are vitally important in […]
Celebrating our 2023 College Admissions
We have the privilege of working with the most amazing and talented students and talented staff, and we’re just so proud, we have to shout it from the rooftops! In the past year alone, our students have received acceptance letters from over 90 of our nation’s top-rated colleges and universities. This is an incredible achievement, […]
From Victories to Vision: Turning Last Semester’s Wins into Next Semester’s Goals
As the school year comes to a close, it’s an excellent time for high school students and parents to reflect on the past semester’s achievements and set goals for the future. By acknowledging the wins, evaluating areas for improvement, setting goals, and assembling a support team, students can pave the way for a smooth and […]
Capturing Your Story
The school year is coming to a close, and you’re getting excited about summer and all its possibilities. But nagging there in the back of your mind is this little thought that won’t leave you alone. Your college essay. You can put it off or pretend it’s not there, but eventually, you’ll have to face […]
Podcast Bonus Episode: Tools for Academic Skill-Building and Accountability
Towards the end of my conversation with Jay, our CEO, last week, we started getting really tactical around various tools that can help build students’ awareness of their challenges and move them towards solutions. In this episode, we talk through calendars, digital distractions, time management, and a tool for examining how non-academic factors impact academic […]
Planning a Summer that Serves
Summer is on its way, and if you’re the parent of a high schooler, you’re probably starting to think about what they’re going to be spending all that free time doing. How do you give them the freedom they need to refresh and avoid burnout, but also keep them challenged, mentally engaged and building a […]
The Weight of the Waitlist
If your child has been put on the waitlist for their college of choice, you know the ache of watching them struggle under the weight of it. The feeling of being in limbo can be hard to bear, and it’s difficult to know what to do next. Although the waitlist isn’t a closed door, it […]
To Test or Not To Test?
One of the less visible changes that the 2020 pandemic brought us was the shift to “test optional” policies at many schools across the US. Nearly 2,000 schools have now instituted this policy based not only on the lack of ability to test during lockdown, but on research showing standardized test scores do not offer […]
Podcast: How to Navigate the Waitlist
With all the college decisions that came out in the last week of March, I’m getting so many questions about how to navigate the waitlist. In this episode, I talk about what the waitlist is used for, how waitlist use has increased recently, and what students who are waitlisted should do to both move forward […]
[Podcast Trailer] Don’t Force It: How to Get Into College Without Losing Yourself In The Process
For all the stressed-out parents trying to help their teenagers navigate the complicated world of college admissions. Each episode offers insightful and in-depth conversations with admissions experts and professional educators with practical advice for getting through the process without losing sight of yourself, your kid, or your sanity. From building a strong academic and extracurricular […]
Making the Most of Your College Visits
College visits can be daunting and stressful, but with the right approach and preparation, they can offer the building blocks for deep connection and foundational memories for you and your family. Here are a few tips to keep your college visits fun and intentional: 1. LIST WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW. Have you ever […]
Personal Statement Essay Prompts
The Common Application provides five prompts for your personal essay.
Make Your College Application Stand Out
Who are college admissions officers? And how can students ensure their applications stand out? Discover three helpful guidelines for making a good impression.
Preparing to Write the College Essay
Preparing to write your college essay? Learn what makes a great college essay, how to write one from brainstorming to final draft, and helpful quick tips.
Write Your Perfect College Essay
The college essay (or personal statement) is an important component of a college application. Discover Signet’s 8-step approach to writing the perfect essay.
How Long Do College Admissions Decisions Take?
The waiting is the hardest part! But just how long do college admissions decisions take? Keep reading to find the answer.
College Admissions
College admissions is one of the most important parts of the high school experience. It can also be a significant source of stress for students and their parents—especially as they try to keep up with the many other demands of high school. First things first: take a deep breath. The journey you’re about to take […]
High School Road Map for Sophomores and Juniors
The most successful high school students have a road map that takes them from the beginning of freshman year through high school graduation. Learn how sophomores and juniors can plan their road maps.
Checklist for Early Decision Applications
Is your student applying early? Here’s a quick checklist of the pieces they’ll need to finalize by the November 1st deadline.
SAT, ACT, or go ‘Test Optional?’
We receive many questions from families about whether their students should take the SAT, ACT, or go test optional. Here’s how to make the right decision.
Your Student’s Guide to College Planning
If your rising senior is struggling to find the motivation to work on their college application this summer, these tips can help get them on the right track.
College Admissions for Complex Students
Complex teens deserve a customized method for making crucial decisions about their future. Learn more about Signet’s secret-sauce framework.
Summer: The Time for College Applications
Summer is right around the corner and it’s the perfect time for students to get on track with college applications. Get Signet’s college application checklist.
How to Build a Stellar College List
How can students and their parents go about creating a stellar college list? Read Signet’s step-by-step guide.
6 Tips for Transforming a College Essay
The revising and editing stage of writing a college essay evolves a decent essay into a great one. Discover six guidelines to follow.
How Does the College Waitlist Work?
Being waitlisted puts students in a liminal space that can be excruciating to navigate—but there is hope. Discover what to do next.
Dos and Don’ts of College Recommendations
College recommendations can carry a tremendous amount of weight in a student’s application. Discover the dos and don’ts of recommendations in our latest blog
How to Stand Out in the College Admissions Crowd
How can students stand out in a highly competitive college admissions landscape? Discover our #1 secret to getting into college.
When to Start Planning for College Admissions
Parents of college-bound students often ask us when they should start thinking about the college admissions process. It’s a great question—so let’s dive in!
Dos and Don’ts of Talking to a High School Junior
High school juniors are inundated with questions about the future. Discover how to support your teen with the right questions and conversation starters.
Do Extracurriculars in High School Still Matter?
Extracurriculars are one of several pieces that represent a student on their college application. Discover how high school extracurriculars are different in a pandemic world.
Early Action or Early Decision: Last-minute Help for Seniors
Does your student benefit from applying to college Early Action or Early Decision? Learn why applying early may—or may not—increase their chance of acceptance.
The True Value of a College Essay
In this blog post, you’ll discover what the college essay is, why it matters, and what a good college essay can really do for students.
How the World of College Admissions Has Changed
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every aspect of higher education. Ask anyone who took the SAT or applied to colleges last year about their experience, and they’ll tell you just how stressful it was.
Are Colleges Moving Away from Standardized Testing?
To many families, the SAT and ACT are practically synonymous with college admissions. But there are more than a few problems with the SAT and ACT. Learn about the issues with standardized testing and what colleges are doing about it.
Admissions Consulting and School Counseling Go Hand in Hand
Learn why a private admissions counselor can complement a student’s relationship with their in-school guidance counselor.
What Should I Do With All This College Mail?
Discover what high schoolers should really do with all that college marketing material.
How Much Does Course Rigor Matter for College Admissions?
Learn why not every “A” is created equal. A student’s GPA counts, but the difficulty or strength of their curriculum matters just as much.
What Should I Wear to My College Interview? And Four Other Tips to Prepare for College Interviews
By preparing ahead of time and making smart choices about how to present yourself, you can make it easy for an admissions officer to see you as a positive addition to their campus!
What Kinds of College Interviews Are There?
Do you remember your first job interview? Multiply the anxiety you felt then by ten, and you’ve got a sense of how your student is probably feeling about the prospect of their first college interview.
5 Tips for Successful College Applications
Learn what your junior can do to start the college application process off right.
