Nancy FriesMar 23, 20195 minSelf-reflection Against the Backdrop of ScandalI’ve engaged in a lot of self-reflection on the ethics of what I do recently, especially since learning about the college admissions...
Nancy FriesFeb 7, 20195 minThree 'It Factors' in College AdmissionsSocial media went nuts late last year when David Hogg announced his acceptance to Harvard University. If you don’t recognize his name,...
Nancy FriesAug 28, 20184 minLessons from the Class of 2018The high school Class of 2018 is now the college Class of 2022, heading off to their respective new campuses for the next four years....
Nancy FriesApr 17, 20183 minHow Desi won: The connection between selflessness and successI’ll never, ever forget Desiree Linden’s run at today’s Boston Marathon. Not just because she’s the first American woman to win since...
Nancy FriesApr 13, 20184 minWhere passion meets purpose: Service with a smile, and a heartOn a recent Saturday morning run, my friend and I came upon three high school students who had set up a refreshment table. They were...
Nancy FriesJan 16, 20183 min34≠34Two identical test scores. Two very different situations. A mom calls me, excited that her daughter—we’ll call her Emily—has scored a 34...
Nancy FriesDec 5, 20175 minThe Harsh Reality of Selective College AdmissionsNow in my fifth season working in college admissions, I’m convinced the process is most stressful for the high grades/high scores/highly...
Nancy FriesNov 28, 20173 minPIQ, I <3 U There’s much to love about the University of California’s “Personal Insight Questions.” First of all, don’t call them essays. Nope,...
Nancy FriesMar 28, 20174 minLessons from College Visits: 54 and CountingSpring break is the ideal time to visit colleges. You can find plenty of good articles about how to approach college visits, so why write...
Nancy FriesFeb 22, 20173 minThe List: Where CdM Students Apply To CollegeAt Corona del Mar High School, the very fine public school my younger son attends, clusters of students tend to apply to the same...
Nancy FriesFeb 24, 20163 minThe college essay I would submit todayHere’s proof positive that your best essay topic lies deep within your soul and is not the first one that comes to mind. I attended a...
Nancy FriesMay 17, 20153 minThe Send-offPart 1: August 27, 2014 So I'm aboard a plane taking me home, which is 1,000 miles away from where I just left my firstborn child to...
Nancy FriesDec 16, 20143 minEarly DisappointmentHave you ever noticed how forlorn the losing team looks after the last game of the World Series? My heart always aches for them, but I...