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Why Scholarship Searches Feel Overwhelming and What to Do About It

Searching for scholarships

When students and their parents first start searching for educational scholarships online, they’re often bewildered. As a consultant, I am often asked: “So, what’s the trick?” I wish I had the keys to a simpler, more organized version of the internet, but the truth is, I don’t. The internet is messy, and scholarships are hard …

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How to Perform an Effective Scholarship Search

Student searching online for scholarship opportunities

Most students looking for scholarships start with the same question: “Where can I find a list of scholarships that fit me?” Though many balk at the task of sorting through thousands of potential opportunities, this endeavor is absolutely essential. Anyone searching for scholarships must develop individualized search strategies based on their knowledge of themselves and …

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STEM Graduate School SOP vs. Personal Statement: Key Differences Explained

laptop and notebook ready to write a STEM SOP or Personal Statement

Graduate school applicants quickly become familiar with the request to provide a statement of purpose (SOP). The SOP for graduate school programs, especially for STEM applicants, usually asks you to provide information on your motivation and preparation for the graduate program. The SOP prompt may vary from school to school, but essentially you are asked …

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Top Qualities for Physician Assistant Applications

Physician Assistant applicant wondering what to highlight in his application

The Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) is an online platform where prospective students can apply to multiple physician assistant (PA) programs with one application. Competitive CASPA applications highlight both hard skills and soft skills learned, applied, and demonstrated in a variety of settings.  For many PA applicants, showcasing hard skills – or skills …

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Choosing a Top Physician Assistant Program

photo of applicant deciding on physician assistant program

Choosing the right physician assistant (PA) program can feel overwhelming. There are more than 300 accredited programs in the United States, each with different strengths, cultures, and expectations. According to data provided by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the acceptance rate in the 2024-2025 cycle was roughly 36%. With medical schools boasting a 42.9% …

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How to Write Your Master’s in Engineering Statement of Purpose

applicants drafting their master's in engineering statement of purpose

Top engineering graduate programs expect applicants to have a high GPA, and some schools also expect an impressive GRE score – though in recent years, many schools have made GRE scores optional. Even if you earned superior grades in college, you will be competing against applicants who are equally qualified. Your statement of purpose (SOP) is what will allow …

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Five Tips for Writing Compelling PsyD Personal Statements

“What should I include?”  “How do I start?”  “What will impress the admissions committee?”  These are common questions PsyD applicants ask about their application essays. What makes this task even more confusing is that different programs refer to this same essay as a “personal statement,” a “statement of purpose,” a “graduate essay,” a “statement of goals,” a …

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Three Ways Writing About Obstacles Strengthens Your Application Essays

When crafting application essays – whether for graduate school, business school, or any other competitive program – candidates often focus on highlighting their accomplishments. And it’s easy to understand why. Most applicants want to showcase their significant achievements, such as leading a groundbreaking project, making a meaningful impact through research, or spearheading a successful community …

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Extracurricular Activities Can Help You Get Accepted to Graduate Therapy Programs

Your experiences outside of the classroom can be an important component of your graduate school application. Can you draw a connection between your extracurricular activities and the field you are entering? Has your participation in a particular activity influenced your decision to pursue your chosen career? For example, someone applying to graduate school in clinical …

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

woman sitting on floor with laptop thinking about her grad school statement of purpose

Your statement of purpose is one of the best ways to showcase yourself to the adcom as an original, well-qualified, and purposeful candidate. A strong statement of purpose will demonstrate your knowledge of and fit for your chosen field, as well as your intellectual growth, maturity, and ability to communicate clearly. Additionally, it will show …

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Preparing for Graduate School Admissions Interviews: Questions to Ask and Answer

Great news – you’ve been invited to interview at the graduate school of your choice! This means the program is seriously interested in you, and you’ve moved one important step closer to being accepted. To make the most of this opportunity, preparation is essential. Your goal is to demonstrate not only your enthusiasm for and …

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