Julie Gross Archives - Collegiate Gateway

How to Write Your Personal Essay for College, Part I: Brainstorming

Are you feeling overwhelmed at the thought of writing your personal essay for the Common Application? We walk you through some tried-and-true tips for crafting a tight, captivating personal essay that will wow admissions officers. In this blog post, Part I: Brainstorming, we cover how to develop the best topics to write about. In our next blog post, Part II: Narrative Structures, we provide several options for how you can tell your story.

Maureen Meyer2026-06-18T09:40:55-04:00June 18th, 2026|Categories: Caroline Ferrucci, college, college admissions, college applications, College Essays, college list, Collegiate Gateway, Common Application, Julie Gross, Personal Essay Brainstorm, Personal Statement|Tags: brainstorming, Caroline Ferrucci, collegiate gateway, common app, common application, common application tips, crafting personal statement, julie gross, personal essay, personal essay brainstorm, personal statement|

What are the Differences Between First Year and Transfer Essays?

Learn about how the Transfer Essay differs from the First-Year Personal Essay for college applications. Read our tips for crafting essays that are thoughtful, clearly defined, and that demonstrate specific reasons for wanting to transfer to a certain school. Your Transfer Essay should reveal your interests and goals, and show how you will be a good fit for the college of your choice!

Law School Admissions Trends

Last year, law school applications surged by 20% in comparison to the previous year! Read our detailed analysis of current trends in law school admissions over the past few years, as well as how Artificial Intelligence is being incorporated into law school courses and used at law firms.

Maureen Meyer2026-05-26T14:14:48-04:00May 26th, 2026|Categories: AI in law, Collegiate Gateway, JD Enrollment, Julie Gross, law school, Law School Admissions, Law School Applications, Law School Trends|Tags: AI in law firms, AI in law school courses, collegiate gateway, julie gross, law school admissions, law school applications, law school enrollment, Law school trends|

How to Demonstrate Interest to Colleges

What is demonstrated interest and which colleges care about it? Read our blog post to find out more about the role that demonstrated interest plays in college admissions, and our 10-point plan to communicate the strength and depth of your genuine interest to your best-fit colleges.

Maureen Meyer2026-05-19T11:31:41-04:00May 19th, 2026|Categories: Admissions trends, Caroline Ferrucci, college, college admissions, college applications, college early applications, college list, college visits, Collegiate Gateway, demonstrated interest, Early Admissions, Julie Gross, Regular Admissions, yield|Tags: American University, Caroline Ferrucci, College Applicant Portal, college tours, college visits, collegiate gateway, demonstrated interest, High School Info Sessions, julie gross, Lehigh University, yield|

Crafting Your College List, Part III: Balancing Your List from Reach to Realistic

As part three of our blog series, Crafting Your College List, now it’s time to narrow down the list of schools you will apply to, and ensure that your list is balanced in a way that is right for you. The ultimate goal is not only to be accepted, but to succeed and thrive at the college you choose to attend!

Maureen Meyer2026-05-11T13:25:44-04:00May 11th, 2026|Categories: Admissions trends, Caroline Ferrucci, college, college admissions, college applications, college early applications, College Features, College interviews, college list, college visits, Collegiate Gateway, Early Action, Early Admissions, Early Decision, Julie Gross|Tags: balanced college list, Caroline Ferrucci, College Admissions, college candidacy, college list, college visits, collegiate gateway, julie gross, Naviance, Scattergrams, Test Optional|

How Make the Most of a College Fair

Are you attending a college fair soon and feeling overwhelmed? Read our tips for how to prepare for your college fair, including which schools to visit, what questions to ask, and how to follow up after.

Crafting Your College List, Part II: College Visits

In part two of our step-by-step guide to Crafting Your College List, we will help you narrow down a list of schools for you to research further, and then visit, either in-person or virtually. You will start to see your preferences emerge more clearly with each visit, and your college list will come into focus!

Crafting Your College List, Part I: Best-Fit College Features

When crafting your college list, consider your personality and preferences and how they relate to the features of each college you are considering. Use these "best-fit" features to help you determine at which colleges you will be most able to grow academically, socially, and personally.

Maureen Meyer2026-05-11T13:31:50-04:00April 30th, 2026|Categories: Caroline Ferrucci, college, college admissions, college applications, College Features, college list, Collegiate Gateway, Common Application, Fit, Julie Gross, Uncategorized|Tags: Caroline Ferrucci, college, College Admissions, college extracurricular activities, college features, college location, college size, college visits, collegiate gateway, internships, julie gross, study abroad|

The College Transfer Checklist: What to Know about Transfer Admissions

Read our college transfer checklist if you are considering a change and learn more about how transfer admissions is different than first year admissions, transfer requirements, and the timetable for applying. Our helpful tips will put you on a successful path to your next steps!

Medical Schools’ Varied Update Letter Policies

Find out everything you need to know about whether or not to send a medical school update letter, if allowed by the med school, including the timing, content, length, number, and how the letter should be delivered!