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More expert advice

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Tom Barry

Tom is a collegewise counselor based in Seattle and has helped countless students through the college admissions process. When he’s not counseling or cooking, Tom enjoys traveling, spending time in the great outdoors, and writing the occasional product review for USA Triathlon Magazine.

What Colleges Look For

The Truth About Demonstrated Interest
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By Tom Barry
April 21, 2021 | 12 minute read

One of the often cited but little understood factors for students applying to college is a deliberately vague feature called “Demonstrated Interest.” We’ve written before about what...

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Choosing a College

5 Things To Know About Liberal Arts Colleges
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By Tom Barry
April 9, 2019 | 5 minute read

Q: What do a college counselor, an ICU doctor, a tech executive, and a US Forest Service Smokejumper have in common? A: We were all roommates at the same liberal arts college,...

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College Research

How Many Will You Attend?
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By Tom Barry
October 17, 2018 | 3 minute read

One of the statements we hear most frequently from parents and students applying to college is “You don’t get in if you don’t apply.” It’s tough to argue with that. There are thousands of...

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Life Advice for Teens

Someone in Your Corner
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By Tom Barry
March 21, 2018 | 3 minute read

March can be an agonizing month for high school seniors and their parents. This is when many college admission decisions come back, and this avalanche of news can be an emotional roller...

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