MATCHPOINT
COLLEGE NEWS
A newsletter to keep you informed on college admissions.
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Happy first day of summer. Summer is our favorite time of the year. It reminds us how lucky we are to work with such amazing families.
Our class of 2019 students are busy finalizing college lists and major selections and we've already reviewed a number of completed college essays-this class is hard at work. Our rising juniors and sophomores are diving into researching majors and careers, defining activity plans, and determining their plan for standardized tests.
 We are thrilled to announce the addition of a new consultant to our team, Anna Morris. She joins our team after 4 years spent working for the Office of Admissions at The University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, Anna holistically reviewed and scored hundreds of freshman admissions applications and regularly counseled students and their families through the application process. You can learn more about Anna here.
We are so grateful for your continued referrals to our practice. Our class of 2020 is filling much faster than previous years. If you are wanting a spot in this class, please reach out to us soon. We are quickly adding students in 2021 and 2022 as well.
Thank you for sharing your children with us.
Lisa Bain Carlton, Bob Carlton & the College MatchPoint team
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What Admissions Officers Look For In An Essay
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Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of rising seniors quite like the college essay. Students tend to think they must be something specific (insert your choice of adjective-funny, introspective, remarkable) when, in fact, college admissions officers really just want them to be, well, them. Whether it's by demonstrating passion or revealing quirks, students should showcase what makes them unique. This pieces reveals the types of college essays that stand out to college admissions officers at some of the nation's top schools.
And don't forget about the supplemental essays, which can be just as important as the main essay. They are often the easiest spot for a student to position themselves exactly how they want to be viewed by the admissions committee, so they should be given the same care and attention as the primary essay. In this post, a former Harvard & Columbia Dean of Admissions offers tips on how to make those supplemental essays stand out.
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How An Independent Project Can Set
Your Student Up For Success
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If a student has stellar grades, high test scores, and a strong schedule, how can they dig even deeper academically and stand out to selective colleges? An independent project can be a great way for a student to challenge themselves, make an impact in their community, and impress college admissions officers. These projects can be completed over the
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Click to view our video |
summer or during the school year and can even count for credit.
We offer step-by-step guidance on how to choose an area of focus and coordinate with the student's school, as well as tips and suggestions for making the most of an independent study project from the planning stages through to the tangible outcomes. |
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How To Plan for Junior Year Without Overdoing It
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| Junior year is an exciting time: your student is starting to hone their interests, they're taking on more leadership positions, and college is becoming more of a reality. But it also comes with stress since it's their last chance to show college admissions offices what they're made of. Read our blog post for 6 pieces of advice for rising juniors to help them thrive in this crucial year. The short of it: plan, don't panic. |
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Save The Date: September 5 Evening With UT Admissions
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 We are pleased to host an evening with Alexandra Taylor, Director of the UT Austin Undergraduate Admissions Center. This event was very popular last year, allowing our students the opportunity to speak one-on-one with an admissions leader. This event will be on Wednesday, September 5, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Hotel Granduca. Be sure to register for this event here as we expect the event to fill.
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6 Ways To Determine If Your Student Is
Academically Ready For College
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Click to view our video |
If your student has learning differences, you know that there's no magic formula or tried-and-true checklist to determine if your student is ready for college. The trick is to find the places where your student has had success in high school - the "wins" - and build on them. You'll want to ensure your student has had enough academic wins in high school to be ready for college.
In our blog post, we share clues you can keep your eye on to help you determine if college is the best next step for your student's journey. It may be helpful to get an outside opinion from an expert who can give you an honest view of your student to help you evaluate college readiness. |
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College MatchPoint Team Spotlight: Jen Bees, Jesi Egan
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Each year, our students point to their work with their essay coach as a crucial aspect of their successful applications. This month, we'd like to spotlight 2 of our coaches:
Jen Bees, M. Ed.
After graduating from Williams College, Jen pursued her passion for  education and working with students. She has taught in London and the Bay Area, guided over 200 students through the college process on both coasts, worked in admissions at Williams, and earned a master's degree at Stanford University. For Jen, the college admissions essay is an opportunity for students to articulate, sometimes for the first time, who they are and what they care about most. You can read more about Jen here.
Jesi Egan, M.A has been part of the College MatchPoint team since May 2016. Jesi  has taught 8 undergraduate courses in the English and Rhetoric departments at UT and currently works as a consultant in the University Writing Center. Jesi has worked with countless students on their college essays. Jesi brings the right blend of humor, encouragement, and constructive feedback to this experience. Her work with students ensures that the process is an exciting chance to reflect on who they are, what they value, and what kind of people they hope to become. You can read more about Jesi here.
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Taking A Permanent Detour: The Cost Of Underemployment
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Your student's college journey is really the start of a larger journey: their career. A recent study found 43% of college graduates are underemployed in their first job. And getting lost on the first turn often means those who start out behind tend to stay behind: 67% will still be underemployed five years later. These detours can be costly, with grads underemployed in their first job earning $10,000 less annually. By contrast, college graduates who have a first job that matches their aptitudes and motivations almost never fall into underemployment.
More and more of our students are utilizing informational interviews as an important step in clarifying their focus for major & ultimately their career. Informational interviews give you a peek into an industry or career you might never have considered otherwise. Summer is the perfect time for students to gather information from a direct source. |
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Keep Those Neurons Firing With An
Engaging Summer Reading List
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| Summer is in full swing, and your student might be starting to lose the momentum they had during the school year. Whether your student is a rising senior working on their essays or is still exploring and honing their interests as a freshman, sophomore, or junior, an easy way to keep those neurons firing is with a good book. This summer reading list, which offers recommendations from college admissions counselors & deans, includes everything from memoirs to poetry to non-fiction. And we wouldn't leave you out: the list includes lots of titles that are meant for parents of college-bound students as well. |
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Colleges That Change Lives August 11 Austin Event
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The Austin CTCL College Fair will take place on August 11 at the Hilton Austin. They're expecting at least 40 colleges to attend, including schools from all over the country. For many students and families, this is a chance to see what's out there, explore different colleges, and get some practice asking the right questions.
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Test Date
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Registration Deadline
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| July 14 |
June 15 |
| September 8 |
August 3 |
| October 27 |
September 22 |
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Test Date
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Registration Deadline
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| August 25 |
July 26 |
| October 6 |
September 7 |
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