bradshaw
Gerald Bradshaw
Gerald M. Bradshaw has been writing the Educated Advice Column since 1995. He is an international college admissions consultant. His focus is helping students gain …Read More
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Bradshaw: Competition grows for elite admissions
Mr. Bradshaw —How do top colleges decide who gets admitted? I plan to apply to Harvard, Yale, MIT and Stanford next year. I’m worried about the role of demographics. — Concerned student Dear student — There is no question it is getting more difficult for …Read More
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Performance more critical than ‘name’ school
Dear Mr. Bradshaw — I have been accepted by the University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, Columbia, Cornell, Notre Dame, California-Berkeley and Northwestern. I have a big decision to make, and I had no idea it was going to be this difficult. How do I …Read More
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Gerald Bradshaw: Applicants on waiting list can improve odds
Question: “I received word that I am on the waiting list for one of my preferred universities. What are my chances of getting admitted, and is there anything I can do to move myself up on the list?” Answer: Most students who apply to top …Read More
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Bradshaw: Acceptance time tough on high school seniors
It is again the time of year when high school seniors eagerly await letters notifying them of acceptance or rejection from the colleges of their choice. It is seldom more nerve-wracking than when the college of choice is among the eight schools in the Ivy …
Ivy schools more affordable
Dear Mr. Bradshaw — I plan to apply to Harvard and several other Ivy League schools this fall. Is it true that they offer generous financial-aid packages? If I have to borrow thousands of dollars to attend, I will opt for a state school where …
Jerry Bradshaw: AP classes not for everyone
Dear Mr. Bradshaw: I enjoyed speaking with you recently. Your comments echoed those of my biology teacher, who said I should consider a career in medical research, rather than as a surgeon. I hope to be accepted at Stanford University because of its diverse student …
Jerry Bradshaw: Course guide could be problematic
Dear Mr. Bradshaw: I am a junior in high school and want to participate in an extracurricular activity that will benefit students as well as help me develop my leadership skills. I came up with the idea of publishing a course evaluation guide created by …
One major can complement another
Dear Mr. Bradshaw — I read your last column about the stress students are under when they apply to college. I have another other issue: the stress of choosing a major. I have a general idea that I want to study business or history, but …
Bradshaw: College Common Application changes coming
Dear Mr. Bradshaw — My older sister just completed her college applications, and had a really stressful time. She applied using the Common Application for most colleges and was in tears over the deadlines and the number of essays she had to write. She would …
Jerry Bradshaw: Interview can make or break college admission
Dear Mr. Bradshaw — I have applied to several colleges; now, I am preparing for my interviews. Some schools are willing to conduct interviews over Skype; others say I still have the option to be interviewed on campus or by an alumnus. A Skype interview …
Journalism requires persistence
Dear Mr. Bradshaw: I am a college junior majoring in journalism and hope to find an internship in New York City or Chicago. The only internships I have found in my search expect you to work for free. I estimate it would cost at least …
High school freshman thinks ahead
Dear Mr. Bradshaw — I am finishing the first semester of my freshman year in high school. I have straight A’s, and I want to know what you suggest as the best way to get into a top college or university. My grandmother cuts out …
Scholarship or elite school?
Dear Mr. Bradshaw — I will apply to several top colleges next year, and I have a question that, so far, no one has answered to my satisfaction. If I am offered a full scholarship to a state college, should I accept it? If I …
Business, economics degrees differ greatly
Dear Mr. Bradshaw: I am a college sophomore and I need to declare a major. I am thinking about majoring in business and finance or economics. I know that a few colleges like Harvard and Yale do not offer undergraduate degrees in business. Why? Can …
Compatibility glitch has student in a panic
Dear Mr. Bradshaw — I am filling out my Common Application and, when I upload my essays, for some reason, they do not post in the display box. When I click “view document” or “print preview,” all that appears is a blank page. I am …
Graduate in 4 years and save
Dear Mr. Bradshaw — How much will my college education cost? My parents have tried to plan for my education, but the financial part is hard to quantify. We hope you can tell us what expenses we should expect. — Student Dear Student — One …
Consultant an asset for top school
Dear Mr. Bradshaw: I am considering hiring a college consultant to help me with the admissions process. My parents and I agree that applying to top colleges is a real challenge, and we would like to know how a college consultant could help make things …
HPA program is highly selective
Dear Mr. Bradshaw: I am a senior this year and I want to go to medical school. I am thinking about applying to the Indiana University/Purdue University program in Indianapolis that allows high school students to apply for admission to both a baccalaureate and a …
Second-tier colleges ‘the new Ivies’
Dear Mr. Bradshaw: I am putting together a list of colleges to apply to this fall and I have heard that I should consider a few backup college choices, in the event that I do not get admitted to one of my top choices. So …
Gerald Bradshaw: Advice for avoiding freshman jitters
As an adult it has always been difficult for me to understand why perfectly smart young people who are admitted to the very best colleges and universities fear their first experiences on campus. These students talk intelligently, scored off the board on admissions tests and …Read More
