By Adrian Cho, Ph.D. The note arrives before the thought does. A high E, fortissimo, shouting into the crowd: “Barabbam, oder Jesum?” In J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Pontius Pilate asks the gathered crowd of Jews whether they would rather free Barabbas or Jesus, and for that moment, I am Pontius Pilate. Of course,..
By Caroline Matas, Ph.D. Have you ever heard Frank Sinatra’s song “My Way?” It’s kind of a dirge, and honestly I don’t really recommend it. I only listened to it for the first time when I learned about the phenomenon of “My Way” karaoke murders (absolutely worth a Google). But there’s a reason it’s so..
By Victoria Tillson Evans, Ph.D. Besides the bursts of pink cherry blossoms, the sugary gooeyness of Cadbury Crème Eggs, and the mulchy petrichor following drizzly afternoons, nothing says spring quite like high school juniors’ brag sheets. These often lengthy questionnaires, sometimes referred to as Counselor Forms, Junior Packets, or other less-than-creative names, are like the..
By Adrian Cho, Ph.D. Happy New Year, dear readers! As we begin 2026, the time comes to begin seriously considering the list of colleges you will build (if you are a junior). It’s not just about finding schools that might accept you. It’s about identifying places where you can genuinely thrive. Building your college list..
By Caroline Matas, Ph.D. It doesn’t take a deep dive into college admissions Reddit, TikTok, or discussion boards to encounter tall tales about the mythical creature at the center of it all: the Admissions Counselor. The Admissions Counselor is larger than life, all-knowing, the keeper of the keys to your future. The Admissions Counselor throws..
By Victoria Tillson Evans, Ph.D. As an ambivert, I feel pretty lucky to sit squarely in the middle of the personality scale. On some days, I want a packed room and new conversations with everyone I meet. On others, I want nothing more than a quiet corner and a novel. Living as both an introvert..
By Caroline Matas, Ph.D. Are schools still assigning The Great Gatsby these days? Candidly, it wasn’t my favorite required reading, but I’ve got to hand it to F. Scott Fitzgerald: the man could write a conclusion. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us..
By Adam Muri-Rosenthal, Ph.D. Each fall, high school seniors around the US and the world race against early college deadlines, hoping to maximize their chances by applying Early Action (EA), Restrictive Early Action (REA), or Early Decision (ED). In most circumstances, applying by these deadlines provides an advantage—slight in some cases, more substantial in others—and..
By Victoria Tillson Evans, Ph.D. October always brings change. While I’m sure all of us are excited about the earthy purple mums decorating front steps around our neighborhoods, the crackling oak leaves beneath our sneakers, and the return of cool mornings inviting us to pull on cozy sweaters, most of us are not prepared for..
Caroline Matas, Ph.D. Did you recently go on an international trip that changed your life and view of the world? Did you volunteer at a local food pantry that made you realize how lucky you are to never have gone hungry? Did you volunteer to serve a marginalized community that opened your eyes to your..