Although colleges requir the personal statement to be submitted typed, not read, it is delightful to hear the author’s voice.

Here is the transcript:
Somewhere in my house hangs the best picture of me ever taken. I am in my third grade reading teacher’s classroom wearing this horrible maroon hat along with this horribly toothy grin. It’s [...]

Questions and Answers continue today at the New York Times, with the four admission directors addressing the reader’s questions, for example:
 

Be honest: Do you really read all the essays submitted? Or, do you read only for the borderline cases?
- Vinod

Mr. Poch of Pomona: We do at Pomona. But some colleges use the essays as a tie [...]

New York Times has a great Q and A from four leading deans of admissions:
Jeff Brenzel, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., which in 2007 had 5,275 undergraduates and 6,083 graduate and professional students.
Bruce Poch, Vice President and Dean of Admissions at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., which has an [...]

U.S. News profiles 30 careers that offer strong outlooks and high job satisfaction. More…

Audiologist
Biomedical Equipment Technician
Clergy
Curriculum/ Training Specialist
Engineer
Firefighter
Fundraiser
Genetic Counselor
Ghostwriter
Government Manager
Hairstylist/ Cosmetologist
Health Policy Specialist
Higher Education Administrator
Landscape Architect
Librarian
Locksmith/ Security System Technician

Management Consultant
Mediator
Registered Nurse
Occupational Therapist
Optometrist
Pharmacist
Physical Therapist
Physician Assistant
Politician/ Elected Official
Urban Regional Planner
School Psychologist
Surgical Technologist
Systems Analyst
Usability Experience Specialist
Veterinarian

‘‘I think it’s good to start with a coach early who can encourage her to join clubs and that sort of thing,’’ said Alten. ‘‘I absolutely think I better call now.’’
Oh dear. This mother is talking about getting her daughter a college coach in grade 9. This Boston Globe article focuses on immense pressure students [...]

Well now that early results are out, I am sure some people can use some humour, courtesy of College Humor.

And for some real insight on how the brain works, From our friends at TED. Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as [...]

Colleges meet perfumes, perfumes meet colleges.
Am I the only one that think this idea stinks?
We are Penn State — but do we smell like Penn State?
Maybe not before, but now a new Penn State perfume and cologne claims students, alumnus and hardcore fans can exude the very essence of this school.
Katie Masich, president and CEO [...]

The 11 Best-Kept-Secret Careers are:

Accent-reduction specialist
Casting director
Child life specialist
Creative perfumer
Health informatics specialist
Orthoptist
Orthotist/prosthetist
Program analyst
Program evaluator
Prospect researcher
Surgical technologist

Source: USA News

Pretty much everywhere…Marshall scholars are announced this year. Marshall scholarships are awarded to 40 US students every year to study in the UK:

To enable intellectually distinguished young Americans, their country’s future leaders, to study in the UK.
To help scholars gain an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain.
To contribute to the advancement of knowledge in science, [...]