Cardinal Education Journal

Category: Admissions

April 27, 2021

A Lost Generation? COVID-19 and Athletic Recruiting

The coronavirus crisis of 2020 is now about to stretch into its third month of lockdown, and the global educational landscape is still reeling. From testing to extracurricular activities to even school visits, every element of students’ college application process has been shut down. Perhaps the single most impacted field, however, is that which itself […]

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April 27, 2021

3 Keys to Writing a Strong Personal Statement for College Applications

College applications are an inherently stressful time in students’ lives, and perhaps the most daunting task before them is the composition of their personal statement. After years of analytical writing in high school, they are now expected to master expository writing and complete a 650-word statement that sums up the essence of themselves while also […]

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April 27, 2021

3 Keys to Getting Off Your College Waitlist

Every year, college admissions season brings both joy and sorrow. Caught in the middle, however, is the mixed disappointment, relief, and confusion of being deferred or placed on a school’s waiting list. What are you to do? Do you simply wait, or do you send even more materials to convince the college admissions committee? While […]

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April 27, 2021

COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effect on Need-Blind College Applications

As the current public health crisis barrels toward an enormous economic crisis, families are feeling the crunch as parents experience pay cuts and even unemployment. One thing is for sure: in the fall of 2020, families will be entering a college application season like none that has ever come before, not least because financial ability […]

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April 26, 2021

Time Management During the College Application Season

Applying to college in a senior year can be a daunting time. Just as soon as you’re done with your homework in Math and English, it’s almost evening, and you still have your lab report to finish…And after that’s done, you realize you still haven’t gotten started on your common app essay! You may have […]

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April 26, 2021

Want to Get In? Get In Early!

You’ve probably been eyeing a lot of top picks from Brown to Columbia, and you’ve probably been thinking a lot about how to increase your probability of acceptance. After you’ve maintained top grades, brainstormed the best essay topics, and gotten started on a polished personal statement, what else is there left to do? The next […]

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April 26, 2021

Common College Essay Mistakes: Things to Avoid.

Have an essay topic in mind, but wondering if it’ll do you good? Stuck on what to write and don’t know where to begin? Here’s Cardinal Education’s list of 10 essay topics/styles on which you most likely don’t want to start. #1: The Sports Essay Perhaps you play a sport. Perhaps you play it well. […]

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April 15, 2021

How Important Are Recommendation Letters for College in College Admissions?

You’re working on your GPA, you’ve studied hard for tests, you’re brainstorming for a balanced college list…What’s your next step on the path to the college of your dreams? Well, next, you have to secure good letters of recommendation from your teachers! Here is Cardinal Education’s advice on the importance of recommendation letters, and how […]

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April 15, 2021

Balanced College Lists: The How and Why

Do you have a dream school you’re sold on, and hardly want to look anywhere else? Do you have so many colleges you want that you can hardly decide? Or do you have no idea where to start at all? No matter what your college list situation is, Cardinal Education is here to help. Here […]

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March 30, 2021

How to Choose the Right High School Classes

Each spring, students decide which classes to take during the upcoming year. What many students do not realize is the classes chosen freshman year can affect which classes are available senior year. It is important to research your options and carefully select which classes to take. This article will discuss common choices students face and […]

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March 30, 2020

Picking the Right Activities

The alarming trend of dwindling college acceptance rates creates pressure in every aspect of students’ lives. Because college admissions has become so competitive, students are led to believe that even something as simple as choosing which extracurricular activities to participate in may wind up being the difference between acceptance and rejection senior year. They stress […]

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February 18, 2020

Does Affirmative Action Still Exist in College Admissions?

Editor’s Note: This article is the fourth in our four-part series Demographic Factors in College Admissions This question has become increasingly more difficult to answer.  According to a study performed by Princeton Professor Thomas J. Espenshade, the admissions advantage for underrepresented minority groups can be quite substantial.  However, the reasons for the leg-up in the […]

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