Do You Want to Go to Stanford? Take Risks.

It's as true in college as it is anywhere else: If you want big rewards, you have to take risks. The typical high schooler just wants an A in AP Calculus and maybe a job as a manager someday. Those are small rewards, and they come only after you do exactly what you're told to. If you take that path, people will tell you what to do for the rest of your life. At Stanford, the expectations are totally different. Look at what's published on its Web...

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Summer Science Programs (Bay Area)

Update: I've added a link to my Quantitative Finance course. Check out these summer science programs for high school students in the San Francisco Bay Area. Quantitative Finance course This curriculum starts at a fairly basic level (introduction to diversification, trend following, and relative momentum) and culminates with advanced reading in academic papers.  Prerequisites A deep-seated interest in how financial markets work An...

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Q&A: How much do college admissions consultants charge?

Update: I've added a link to the $10,000 open offer. Admissions consultants typically charge $100 to $500 an hour. That sounds high but has to be placed in context with other professionals' fees. For example, a Merrill Lynch financial adviser typically charges about 2% per year of your $300,000 brokerage account, which amounts to $3000/hour if you meet with him two hours per year. You're likely to just be placed in funds that track with index...

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Four Ways to Create a Presence on the Internet

When you type your name into Google's search engine, what do you find? That's what colleges will see. A social media presence can either help or hurt you. Whether you're applying for a selective program or building a reputation that will help you find a job later, it's important to present yourself as a knowledgeable member of the community. Start by filling out in the blank in the sentence below: "I want the world to see me as ________________________." Here...

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How to Get Noticed: 7 Steps to a Vibrant Social Media Presence

Are you dedicated to a hobby - building computers, organic gardening, finance research - that would help you get that internship or jazz up your college app if only someone knew? You can get the attention you need by starting a blog or Twitter account. If you post consistently for a year or two, you'll start to show up when someone Googles your name. It's a great opportunity to present your work to the world. Follow the steps below to get...

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Free Web Site Help AND a Free Tutoring Session

On January 28, the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center is offering a free three-hour seminar about building a Web site through Wordpress. In the interest of helping students build an online presence, I'm offering a free tutoring session to any current or new student who attends. The link below has the seminar's location and time. Web Site Building Basics: Building and Publishing Your Own Web Site After the seminar, please contact...

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How to Choose Extracurriculars

If you want to go to a top school, your extracurriculars need to show a focus that sets you apart from all the other applicants with straight As and 1500 SAT scores. If your main extracurriculars reflect random choices, busy-work, or short-term commitments, what does that say about who you are as a person? Do your current extracurriculars - and your current life - provide experiences that set you apart as an exceptional individual? Have you been...

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College Admissions: Start a Blog!

One way to make your college application stand out is to create a Web site. I've previously mentioned the Lafayette students who created Local Helpers and the seventh grader in my computer class who wrote Zach's Art of Architecture. It takes guts put yourself out there. Guts are impressive. (A piece of intestine here, a bit of kidney there...) Fortunately, your content doesn't have to be completely original. Some of my students...

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How to Make Your College Applications Stand Out

Are you applying to top schools but worried you're not going to get in? The very best schools can choose from a large pool of students with straight A's and high test scores. For example, U.C. Berkeley's 75th percentile GPA is 4.30, and its 75th percentile ACT score is 34. Berkeley only admits 17.5% of the people who apply. What could possibly set you apart? Top schools aren't looking for just anyone. They want students who will become famous:...

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