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More expert advice

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Sam Joustra

Choosing a College

3 Best Colleges for Ice Cream Lovers
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By Sam Joustra
June 14, 2022 | 8 minute read

Did you know that there are almost 4,000 colleges and universities across the country? It’s easy to forget that fact when the same 50-100 schools get the most news and media attention. At...

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Course Selection

Your GPA Doesn't Tell Your Academic Story
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By Sam Joustra
January 26, 2022 | 5 minute read

During my eight years working in selective college admissions, the question I got asked most often was, “Is it better to get an A in a standard-level class or a B in an AP-level class?” The...

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College Applications

Admissions Committees: What Goes On Behind-the-Scenes
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By Sam Joustra
September 22, 2021 | 5 minute read

If you’ve seen the 2013 movie Admission starring Tina Fey, you’ve gained some insight into a representation of an admissions committee. The operative words there are “a representation.” We...

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College Applications

You *Can* Sit With Us: A Mean Girls Approach to College Applications
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By Sam Joustra
June 23, 2021 | 7 minute read

The Mean Girls movie just celebrated its 17th birthday on April 30th, and it’s going off to college this fall like many of you. (In other news, I feel OLD.) This is one of my all-time...

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