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Writer's pictureLydia Park

8 Awesome College Admissions Counseling Blogs

In the intricate world of college admissions, staying informed and ahead of the curve is paramount for Independent Educational Consultants (IECs). College admissions counseling blogs are invaluable resources, offering insights into the latest trends, strategies, and updates in the field. These blogs serve as a compass for college applications, financial aid, and student advising. 


Whether you're a seasoned IEC or new to the field, these blogs can enhance your expertise, providing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to support students in their journey to higher education. For IECs seeking to broaden their knowledge and refine their counseling practices, exploring these top college admissions counseling blogs is an excellent starting point.


Here are some of our picks for 8 awesome college admissions counseling blogs.


The College Essay Guy blog is an invaluable resource for those navigating the complex terrain of college admissions. Spearheaded by Ethan Sawyer, this platform demystifies the college application process with a compassionate and comprehensive approach. It delves into crucial topics such as crafting compelling personal statements, mastering supplemental essays, and strategizing financial aid applications. 


What sets this blog apart is its holistic view of admissions, offering insights beyond essay writing, including interview techniques and college selection strategies. Ethan’s expertise brings a unique blend of professional guidance and personal touch, making the blog a go-to resource for students, parents, and educators alike. Through its thoughtful content, the College Essay Guy blog empowers applicants to present their most authentic selves, transforming a daunting process into a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.


The Lumiere Education blog is an essential resource for IECs and students aiming for a competitive edge in the college admissions process. Founded by Harvard College alumni, the directors of this world-class research program aims to connect ambitious high school students with mentors on an independent project. With a focus on high school students, they offer comprehensive guides and reviews on a variety of pre-college programs, summer opportunities, and research internships across disciplines like chemistry, computer science, and more. 


Each post is meticulously crafted to provide valuable insights into program specifics, application tips, and the strategic advantages they offer in strengthening a college application. For IECs, the Lumiere Education blog includes insightful posts on organizations for IECs, such as IECA, HECA, IACAC, various certifications for college counselors, programs and internships that you can recommend to your students, as well as reviews of useful tools for IECs, such as CollegeBoard’s BigFuture Toolkit, College Planner Pro, CollegeData, and more! 


The International College Counselors blog serves as a vital tool for students and parents navigating their journey in college admissions. It covers a wide range of topics, including strategic high school course selection, early college planning for middle schoolers, crafting impactful letters of continued interest, and identifying scholarship opportunities. Additionally, it provides guidance for parents on how to support their teens through the admissions process. This blog is a part of International College Counselors' broader mission to offer personalized advice and support to families aiming for higher education success. 


The ICC is a trustworthy resource, as they are made up of a team of dedicated professionals in college counseling, and they have experience in helping U.S. and international students get accepted into all of the Ivy League schools, premiere institutions like MIT and Stanford, as well as hundreds of other colleges and universities around the nation. Their experience and approach makes them a reliable source to learn from. 


Sara Harberson brings a wealth of experience from her tenure in the admissions offices of the University of Pennsylvania and Franklin & Marshall College. Her deep understanding of the college admissions process, combined with her passion for helping students, makes her blog a credible and invaluable resource for college counselors and advisors.


Her blog covers a wide array of topics crucial for college counseling, such as crafting compelling college essays, understanding admissions decisions, and developing effective college application strategies. Its relevance to college counseling lies in Sara's ability to demystify the admissions processes and provide actionable advice, making it a go-to resource for advisors looking to support their students better.


US News is a highly respected source for educational rankings and insights, making it a key resource for understanding the landscape of higher education in the United States. Their College Admissions Playbook blog offers targeted advice and strategies for navigating the college admissions process, addressing topics from application tips to financial aid guidance. This blog offers strategic insights into the college application process, covering topics such as essay writing, admissions strategies, and financial aid. It's a valuable resource for students, parents, and educators looking to navigate the complexities of college admissions with advice from experts. You’ll be likely to find up-to-date information regarding trends in the industry, which can drastically improve the advice that you can give to your students.


MIT is often a dream school for many applicants, and as a college counselor, you should be prepared to answer questions that may pertain to this particular university. Luckily, through reading their blogs, you can gain a deeper understanding about their culture, their student demographics, and their admissions process.


The MIT Admissions Blog offers a unique glimpse into life at MIT, showcasing personal stories and experiences from students. Topics range from interviews with Tetris champions to insights into winter sports, reflecting the diverse interests and activities within the MIT community. This variety makes the blog an engaging read for anyone interested in the vibrancy of MIT's campus life, providing a real-world perspective on the academic and extracurricular opportunities available. For those exploring college options, especially in STEM fields, the blog serves as an invaluable window into the MIT experience.


The IvyWise College Admissions Blog is a comprehensive resource that covers a wide array of topics pertinent to the college admissions process. From understanding regular decision and early decision notification dates to exploring the nuances of auditing classes and the pass/fail grading system, the blog provides valuable insights for students navigating their college journey. It also delves into the intricacies of testing policies and offers comparative analyses of prestigious institutions that your students will be interested in, like Caltech or MIT. Moreover, the blog addresses crucial considerations such as the size of colleges and the implications it has on the college experience. This diversity in content makes the IvyWise College Admissions Blog a crucial tool for college counselors seeking to provide their students with informed guidance through the complex landscape of college admissions.


College Confidential's blog on college admissions is a rich resource for independent educational consultants (IECs) and college counselors. It offers a wide array of articles, expert insights, and advice on various aspects of the college admissions process. Topics range from application strategies, essay writing tips, and SAT/ACT preparation to financial aid, college selections, and decision-making processes. The blog's content is tailored to address the concerns and questions of both students and their advisors, making it an indispensable tool for IECs looking to stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in college admissions. 


Our thoughts

College admissions blogs are invaluable for counselors, providing a wealth of knowledge, strategies, and insights into the ever-evolving landscape of college applications. From understanding the nuances of test anxiety to navigating the complexities of executive functioning, these resources offer a well-rounded perspective, empowering counselors to better support their students through the admissions process.



If you’d like to recommend a rigorous research program open to high schoolers, you may want to consider the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded by researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here. You can also reach out to us at contact@lumiere.education to know more, or to have a chat about possible collaborations!


Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!


Lydia is currently a junior at Harvard University, studying Molecular and Cellular Biology and Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She aims to become a life sciences consultant after graduation.


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