College Life

March 6, 2023

On the Road with Betsy Woolf – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Located on California's Central Coast about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a California public university where the motto is "Learn by Doing." And that is exactly what I found on a trip to this surprisingly modern campus. The curriculum is "flipped," meaning that from day one, students are  taking classes in their areas of study. And they don't just sit in class. This is a hands-on university.
February 26, 2023

On the Road with Betsy Woolf – So You Think You Know ASU…

ASU West is a 35-minute shuttle bus ride from the Tempe campus, yet it is a world away. It's hard to find a public university with a small student population, but ASU West is one. There are just over 4000 students attending this pretty modern campus...
June 9, 2022

On the Road with Betsy Woolf – CalArts

CalArts was founded by the Disneys in 1961 as a performing and visual arts educational institution. It is a direct entry school, which means that a student applies into a particular program. CalArts houses six separate schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater. All undergraduate programs – there are around 70 -  lead to a BFA degree.
May 17, 2022

Update on the Common Application

Current Common Application membership is 979 colleges and universities, 63 of whom are international. Members hail from 19 countries outside the US. This year, 1.2 Million first year applicants submitted 7.5 million applications.
June 1, 2020

What Are Colleges Planning To Do This Fall?

Although many plans won’t be released until later this month or in July, we are getting an inkling of what some colleges and universities are planning on doing. Most schools seem to be leaning towards having students on […]
May 1, 2020
how to focus your college research

How to Focus Your College Research

Now that colleges have cancelled information sessions and tours, what students learn about colleges virtually has become more important than in the past. Each person will have his or her individual list of preferences and areas of importance, […]
February 18, 2020
Rollins College and Stetson University

Gateways to Orlando

Sometimes it seems as though I see more colleges and universities on grey days – or rainy days – or cold days. That was the case in January in Florida where the temperature in Central Florida dipped into […]
April 5, 2019
Mount Holyoke College

On the Road with Betsy Woolf – Mount Holyoke College

If I had to name three adjectives to describe Mount Holyoke College, I would say homey, personable and confident. When I look back on my notes from the first time I was on campus, I also would add […]
March 13, 2018
United Kingdom universities

Studying in the United Kingdom: What’s the Difference?

Just back from the 2018 British Council UK University Tour where I visited eight universities in the southwest and two in and around London. Studying in England and Wales is not the same as studying in the United States. Here are […]
February 15, 2018
campus safety

How to Stay Safe Before, During & After a Violent Crisis on Campus or Anywhere Else

The recent tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School once more evidences how vulnerable our schools and colleges are to violence. The places we once thought of as safe havens for our children are now home to fear and […]