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Great College Advice Blog

Wanna Go To Med School? Forget Science. Major in Liberal Arts.

Most assume that in order to go to medical school, one must major in the sciences. But I tell people all the time that medical schools want interesting, educated, creative human beings. A philosophy major will do just as well, as long as one takes the basic requisites in the sciences (including the dreaded organic chemistry). But it turns out that organic chemistry might even be optional.

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Documentation: Six Core Elements

To receive accommodations at the post-secondary level, documentation must demonstrate that your student has a disability as defined by the ADA and Section 504. Today’s blog outlines six core elements to help you review your current documentation.

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Documentation: How much is enough?

Colleges typically use your student’s age, the evaluator’s assessment approach, and the level of detail provided in the last eligibility evaluation to determine the level of support she will receive at the college level.

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Need more time for the ACT or SAT?

If you’ve been diagnosed with a learning disability, you may want to consider requesting special accommodations when you take the SAT or ACT. Depending on your learning disability, accommodations could include extended time to complete the test, testing over multiple days, access to an audio DVD, or a specific seating arrangement. Students with ADHD, for example, may be able to take the test with extended time in a room with fewer students. There’s no additional charge to complete an accommodated test, and because college admissions committees don’t know when tests were taken under modified circumstances, you shouldn’t hesitate to request accommodations if you need them.

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Touring a Campus? Don't Forget the Library!

The library is no longer just the place to check out books. It may play a key role in your college experiences. What should you be looking for in a college library? What questions should you ask about the library when visiting a college campus?

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How to Train for the SAT Writing Section

The SAT includes a writing portion in which students are required to write a persuasive essay. Read these tips for preparing to write a perfect essay for the SAT.
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How to Write the Perfect College Essay–Tell a Good Story

At the heart of every college essay is a good story. Everyone loves a good story, but what are the elements that make it good. Reflecting on these elements can
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The Cardinal Rule for Writing a Perfect College Essay

What's the most important rule for writing the perfect college essay for your college application? Check out Mark's "cardinal rule". And find out what a "cardinal rule" is, too boot!
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common app essay prompts a comprehensive guide

How to Write the Perfect College Essay for the Common Application–Transition to Adulthood

Mark's final post in a series on essays explore the prompt in which students are asked to recount an incident that marks their transition from childhood to adulthood.
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How to Write the Perfect College Essay for the Common Application–A Place or Environment

The new perfect college essay prompts for the Common Application are much more narrow than they have been in the past. However, some of the questions are new takes on
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common app essay prompts a comprehensive guide

How to Write the Perfect College Essay for the Common Application–Beliefs and Ideas

Mark continues his examination of the Common Application college essay prompts. This one focuses on the "belief or idea" prompt.
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