Holistic Review and “Institutional Priorities”: What They Mean for College Admissions

Learn how holistic review and institutional priorities shape today's college admissions.
College Guidance

Holistic Review and “Institutional Priorities”: What They Mean for College Admissions

We often hear about the terms “holistic review” or “holistic admissions” in the college admissions process. There is a lot of ambiguity with those terms among students and parents. So, what is it actually? In this article, we will decipher the holistic review process and will also look into “institutional priorities”. Introduction When most individuals […]

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Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges in India
Career Guidance
College Guidance
General Guidance

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges in India [2025 – 2026]

Liberal education previously flourished in ancient Indian universities such as Nalanda and Taxila, but later weakened under colonial curricula. Nowadays, in a globalised world where critical thinking replaces rote learning, the liberal arts field is witnessing a very strong resurgence in India, complemented further by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In this article, we […]

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Best STEM Majors for Non-Science Students
Career Guidance

Best STEM Majors for Non-Science Students

Do YOU think STEM majors are only for Science students? Think Again. When we think of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), most of us immediately picture students wearing lab coats working on equations or creating robots. While we’ve always thought science majors belong to those who study physics, chemistry, biology, and/or math, interdisciplinary programs and […]

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How to Approach the New UCAS Personal Statement
College Guidance
Essay Writing

How to Approach the New UCAS Personal Statement [2026 Entry]

Working up to the UCAS personal statement may seem overwhelming, but the new 2026 structure makes it more logical and easier to deal with. Rather than penning a single lengthy essay, you will now respond to three specific questions that lead you through highlighting your motivation, academic preparation, and broader experiences. This change means you […]

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how to tackle common app essay prompts
College Guidance
Essay Writing

How to Approach the Common App Essay Prompts 2025 – 2026

It’s again that time of the year when, for a high school senior’s world it means just one thing: the Common App has opened! When it comes to U.S. college applications, the Common App personal essay is often the most intimidating part for students. Unlike grades, test scores, or extracurriculars, this essay is your chance […]

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best alternative courses for mbbs
Career Guidance
Program Choices

20 Best Alternative Courses for MBBS in India [2026]

Selecting MBBS has always been the aspiration for Indian students. However, with few seats, rigorous competition, and shifting career goals, one must look at alternative lucrative options in healthcare. In 2025, ~22 Lacs candidates appeared for the NEET exam. And they were competing for merely 1 – 1.3 Lacs seats. Additionally, MBBS can be expensive […]

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General Guidance

Beyond the U.S. – Part 2: Exploring More Global Study Destinations for Indian Students

Last month, we explored how Indian students are increasingly considering study destinations beyond the United States due to concerns around visa delays, rising tuition, and unpredictable immigration policies. Countries like Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands are already gaining popularity— but the global landscape is even wider. This month, we look at four more destinations that […]

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Extracurricular Activities Examples
College Guidance

How to Leverage Extracurricular Activities as Indian Applicants to Improve College Admission Chances

In a 2023 National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) survey, 51% of 4-year colleges indicated that they considered extracurricular activities to be moderately or considerably important in their admissions decisions. The most important were grades in high school courses and the strength (or rigor) of the high school curriculum. In this article, we will look at the […]

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India vs abroad for higher studies after 12th grade
General Guidance

Home or Away? Navigating College Admissions in India vs Abroad

The experience of getting through college admissions can be intimidating, with many pivotal choices that will decide your fate. For most students, a desire for a new adventure sees them pursue study abroad opportunities, and a doorway to possibilities is opened. From choosing the right college to preparing an effective application, the feelings of a […]

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REA vs EA vs ED vs RD: Which College Application Plan Should You Choose?
College Guidance

REA vs EA vs ED vs RD: Which College Application Plan Should You Choose?

As the college application season kicks in, as a Grade 12 student, you face a big question: When should you apply? Should you aim for Early Action (EA), commit through Early Decision (ED), or wait for Regular Decision (RD)? Each college application plan comes with its deadlines, benefits, and commitments. Understanding these options can help […]

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What do you need to do for getting into an IVY league college?
General Guidance

Looking beyond the US for college | Top Study Abroad Destinations for Indian Students in 2025

Indian students have always viewed the US as a top study destination. However, with the ongoing visa challenges in the US, delays in visa processing, growing concerns about job opportunities after graduation, rising costs, and shifting immigration policies are causing anxiety among applicants and parents. Therefore, with this looming fear of “what’s next”, let’s explore […]

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General Guidance

The Great Indian Dip: Why Grade 11 Marks Fall — and What Parents Can Do About It

It happens only in India—your child just aced their Class 10 boards; then comes Class 11 — and suddenly, the marks dip, the confidence wavers, and motivation seems to vanish. Introducing… “The Great Indian Dip.” This is a commonly known phenomenon that even universities abroad are aware of where class 10 marks of Indian students […]

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General Guidance

Grade 12 Roadmap: Navigating University Admissions in UK & India

A continuation to my last blog which was a timeline and roadmap for the US application process, this is one for UK and India applicants. UK & India  Admissions Roadmap April – June : Begin Strategically! Research Universities and Courses- Spend this time researching the courses and programs that interest you in India and the […]

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General Guidance

Grade 12 Roadmap: Navigating University Admissions in the US, UK & India

In all my years of working hard as an entrepreneur, mother, stock analyst or banker, Grade 12 stands out as the year that demanded the most discipline from me—preparing for my boards in the sciences, taking various entrance exams, and generally just being a teenager! As a counselor today, I see my students work through […]

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General Guidance

6 Ways to Make Grade 11 Count

So your Grade 10 boards are over… The sun is shining again – and you don’t have to bury yourself in books and count marks for a while now. What’s more, you are moving into Grade 11 – that most fun time of all in school! Congratulations – and my best wishes for a great […]

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General Guidance

Careers in Fashion Design & Fashion Management

Everybody has a style – models, coders working from home, professors, business professionals, college students, sports people, bridesmaids and even gaming characters! Fashion rebounded strongly—like tourism—after the pandemic and though that high is slowing down in the west, the sharp and strong rise of Asian markets means that the centre of fashion is fast shifting […]

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General Guidance

University-Specific Admission Guidelines: Highlighting unique admission criteria for popular universities

With application deadlines looming and students and parents working frantically on all aspects of the application, here are some specific college admission guidelines for students to consider while checking admission requirements to these popular universities.  Ashoka University: Holistic Approach with On-the-Spot Essays Ashoka is India’s leading Liberal Arts university. Apart from a strong academic profile, […]

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General Guidance

IB vs CBSE vs A Levels vs ISC

Choice is a wonderful thing, and then it makes us scratch our heads. Should you choose CBSE, IB or A Levels? Which will bring out my child’s best? Is one preferred by others by international colleges, or even private colleges in India? Which one is best for a kid to take competitive exams in India? […]

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General Guidance

Navigating Common Application Platforms: A Guide for Indian Students Applying to Foreign Universities

We are now in mid October, with early deadlines approaching for most universities, India and Abroad, now is the time to start filling out your applications. Each platform, whether it’s the Common App (used by US universities), UCAS (UK universities), or country-specific portals like OUAC (Canada) or Studielink (Netherlands), comes with its own requirements, timelines, […]

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