While almost every college in the US became test optional during COVID and a few became test free, some are returning to requiring test scores, particularly the most selective. Here are the different approaches colleges are currently taking: Test optional means the college does not require any test scores. It does NOT mean that they […]
We strongly recommend campus visits, if possible. Such visits increase your familiarity with the colleges you’re considering, help determine fit, and provide invaluable information as you build your college list. Additionally, campus visits demonstrate your interest in that particular college and help you decide where/if you might want to apply Early Decision. A campus visit […]
College admissions officers place the greatest value on the high school transcript, both in the choice of academic courses and in the grades achieved in those courses. Our experience has taught us that students who take demanding courses in areas that are the most important to the colleges, who follow through on these subjects at […]
In the world of college admissions, there is one decision that always — and understandably — causes a lot of confusion: the deferral. A deferral is neither an acceptance nor a denial; it means they are going to review your application AGAIN along with the Regular Decision applications. It is a “wait and see” or a […]
The 2025-2026 Common App is officially OPEN! The Common Application is now accepted by over 1000 colleges and was designed to streamline the college admissions process. However, not all colleges accept the Common Application (particularly some public universities) and many of those that do accept it also have application supplements that may contain additional essay […]
Looking Back on the 2025 Admissions SeasonLast week, the Dunbar Consultants team sat down to review our students’ application results and reflect on this year’s admissions season.Here are our findings:1. Smart early application strategies are critical, continuing a trend we have seen for several years now as colleges fill significant portions of their incoming classes with […]
We are excited to share that we have been selected the best COLLEGE PREP SERVICE by Best of the Gold Coast Connecticut! Thank you so much for your support! We will continue to strive for excellence in helping our students navigate the college admissions process. We are incredibly proud of our Class of 2025’s acceptances and look forward to their continued successes!
This feels like the Year of the Waitlist!As more students apply to more colleges, it has become increasingly difficult for colleges to accurately predict their yield—how many of the students they accept who choose to enroll— and shape their incoming class. Having a waitlist gives a college a cushion in the event they don’t meet […]
With so many college decisions to be announced in the next several weeks, it’s natural and appropriate to hope for good news! But you should also be prepared for some disappointment as most every student gets a rejection letter in this highly competitive college admissions process; it’s almost a fact of life. Hopefully, there will […]
Believe it or not, now is a good time to think about SUMMER plans, especially if you are interested a summer enrichment or research program with an early deadline (as in December or January!). We have always advocated taking advantage of the summer months to pursue interests, earn money, develop independence and responsibility, build skills, and […]