Subscribe Here!

More expert advice

Picture of Arun Ponnusamy

Arun Ponnusamy

Arun Ponnusamy is the former Chief Academic Officer at Collegewise. With his admissions experience at three highly selective universities (UCLA, Caltech, UChicago—also his alma mater), he has personally guided hundreds of students on their journey to college and spoken to thousands more students, parents, and educators at high schools, conferences, and community organizations around the United States and world. He is a member of and adheres to the highest ethical standards of both the Independent Educational Consultants Association and the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

What Colleges Look For

Extracurriculars: Exploring and Exploiting
Picture of Arun Ponnusamy
By Arun Ponnusamy
October 6, 2021 | 4 minute read

One of the cringier questions that admissions officers are commonly asked at college fairs—virtual or in-person—is some version of, “How many hours of community service do I need to get...

Continue Reading

College Applications

It's Too Early for a Decision on Early Decision
Picture of Arun Ponnusamy
By Arun Ponnusamy
May 19, 2021 | 4 minute read

In March of last year, when the pandemic first took hold in America, Casey—our Executive Director of College Counseling—and I spent considerable time gazing into our semi-fabled yet fully...

Continue Reading

What Colleges Look For College Applications Life Advice for Teens

Will Colleges Look At My Social Media?
Picture of Arun Ponnusamy
By Arun Ponnusamy
March 26, 2021 | 4 minute read

For many of us during the pandemic, our social life needs were met by our social media feeds. Usage of these platforms skyrocketed as #quarantinelife led many people to seek meaningful and...

Continue Reading

Choosing a College College Research

Spring Campus Visits Are Probably Overrated
Picture of Arun Ponnusamy
By Arun Ponnusamy
February 17, 2021 | 4 minute read

As a college counselor in a precedented year, my meetings with juniors right now would include planning spring break campus visits, maybe even one of those full-fledged road trips that’s...

Continue Reading

Testing/Test Prep

Subject Tests Are Gone? Cool.
Picture of Arun Ponnusamy
By Arun Ponnusamy
January 21, 2021 | 4 minute read

When you’re an admissions officer turned college counselor, you’re always a bit curious about the educational path a person has taken before intersecting with you. So, as the nation watched...

Continue Reading

College Applications

Free Resources to Help *ALL* Seniors Find Their Strong Close to 2020
Picture of Arun Ponnusamy
By Arun Ponnusamy
December 16, 2020 | 5 minute read

For those of you who want the good stuff right away, scroll on down. We won't be mad. Those of you who want a little bit of an appetizer, read on.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to Email Updates