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LAUNCH THOUGHTS

Launch Education Advisors aims to provide college admissions consulting, advice, and guidance for students seeking to attend university in the United States, United Kingdom, or the Netherlands. To help answer questions and keep the larger community informed, we share our thoughts - #launchthoughts - on a weekly basis. If there is ever a topic you want covered, please feel free to contact us with your idea.

Should I take the SAT?

Test optional--What does it mean? Will it help or hurt my chances to take the SAT/ACT? LAUNCH co-founder Sara Bitner explains the ins and outs of the new admissions environment regarding standardized testing. How COVID changed the scene It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the world of US college admissions in a big way. One of the biggest and still lingering effects of the early days of the pandemic is the role of admission tests: the SAT and the ACT. If

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Parents, Are You Playing Right?

Supporting your teen in their final college choice. It is the time of year when many students are facing decision emails from universities around the world. Students are experiencing a myriad of emotions, and now is not the time to push expectations on students who are already mentally fragile from virtual learning, lack of extracurricular and social opportunities, etc. Students and their families are active players in the game of life. Parents, guardians, grandparents, sibli

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Is Test Optional Really Optional?

The pandemic. It is here. Although the weather is nice, the sun shines exuberantly, and final exams are done, COVID-19 is still present. It is reshaping how we live our lives from every perspective including education. The fragility and inequities in America’s higher education system are more apparent thanks to COVID-19. Despite all this, there are some positives to come out of the virus. With students lacking access to stable internet connections to complete virtual learning

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How to Build Your (Student) Resume During a Pandemic

10 ideas to get you started Extracurricular (sometimes referred to as co-curricular) activities are a cornerstone of the American university application process. While still not as prevalent among European universities, there is a rise in universities who take a comprehensive approach to evaluating applicants. Part of the comprehensive approach is reviewing a student’s academic CV/resume. Doing so gives universities a better perspective on the student, and if their experience

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"Visiting" Campuses During a Pandemic

In much of the Western world, March started like any other month. People went about their business, meeting, socializing. Prospective university students were planning their final university visits at upcoming Open Days, Admitted Student Receptions, and enjoying the last months of secondary school. Then the pandemic came, sweeping through Europe and into North America. Transcending all ethnicities, socioeconomic classes, regional and international borders, medical, transporta

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A Message of Hope

Dear Families: This moment in our lives is unprecedented. We live simultaneously with the invisible but dangerous coronavirus, and for many of us that means a changed way of life. Known as Disease X in pandemic preparedness circles, the coronavirus is challenging various infrastructures besides healthcare. Seemingly overnight, it changed education, finance, transportation, health and human services, and lower wage jobs. The economic impact changes hour by hour, day by day. Th

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - How Do You Extracurricular?

Co-founder Sara Bittner shares her thoughts on how universities view extracurriculars and how LAUNCH helps clients structure their activities for the best application possible. Take our mini course on extracurriculars and building your student CV here We know the importance of extracurricular activities are quite unique to US college/university admissions, but how do admissions offices actually evaluate a candidate’s participation? As with most aspects of the holistic admissi

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - Admissions Decoded: What is Academic Rigor?!

Founder Lauren Joyce Hensel provides insight into the definition of academic rigor and how to achieve it. In the American admissions world, you will hear university enrollment representatives (counselors, directors, vice presidents) speak with a variety of industry terms, which lead to confusion and misinformation. At LAUNCH, we want to help you understand more of the process in a transparent and meaningful way. One phrase you are bound to hear in the admission and applicatio

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - 10 Parent Tips for the College Search

LAUNCH founder, Lauren Joyce Hensel, elaborates on 10 ways parents can create a cohesive, enjoyable college/university search and application process. The college/university search process does not have to be the terrible experience everyone preaches. Students and parents often get caught up in the competitiveness, but it does not have to be a constant race. The college/university search and application process is a time to expand your parenting abilities and encourage your b

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - Surrendering Custody: Is it Ethical?

LAUNCH founder, Lauren Joyce Hensel, discusses how the latest tactic being used by parents to game the American university financial aid system can be unethical. And just like that, another college enrollment scandal breaks. This, ProPublica published a well-researched article uncovering massive financial aid exploitation tactics being utilized by parents in wealthy areas and affluent schools in the state of Illinois. To be fair, not all students who live in these wealthy sub

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - The Only Thing Constant is Change

LAUNCH founder Lauren Joyce Hensel shares her thoughts about one of the biggest mistakes parents make while assisting their child in the university search process. Dear Parents, This blog post is for you. We know you love your child and want the best opportunities for them. We know this transition of them applying to and attending university is a difficult one. While your child is about to embark on a huge personal growth journey and develop into an even better version of the

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - ED/EA/RD/RA: What is the Difference in Application Options?

LAUNCH co-founder and Guidance Coach Sara Bittner explains the differences between the different application types available at American universities. When looking up the application deadlines for a college or university, you will come across the terms Early Decision (I or II), Early Action, Rolling admission, and Regular admission. Choosing the right way to apply can significantly increase your chances of gaining admission (but remember admission is never guaranteed), but yo

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - What You Don't Know Could Hurt You

Founder Lauren Joyce Hensel shares insight into DEMONSTRATED INTEREST, how some universities use it, and how to master it living outside America. Lately, we are meeting many families who do not know anything about demonstrated interest - particularly at international schools, where counselors may need to know multiple application processes. It seems demonstrated interest falls to the wayside, and families are losing valuable insight into this factor used in American universit

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To Write or Not to Write - When to Start the US Application Essay

Admissions officers want to see how an experience changed you or taught you about yourself...

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - Top 10 Reasons to Use an IEC

Founder and Head Guidance Coach Lauren Joyce Hensel, highlights the Top 10 reasons there is value in using an ethical Independent Education Consultant for the university application process. 1. IECs have qualifications. To gain membership into the Independent Education Consultants Association (IECA) and International Association of College Admission Counselors (International ACAC), LAUNCH had to meet stringent guidelines. Qualification for IECA membership include: a bachelor’

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - How College Sports Work in America

In this post, LAUNCH co-founder and guidance coach Sara Bittner explains the basics of college athletics in America. One of the most unique points of the American college and university system is the prevalence of sports on and around campus. When we talk about college sports, most people will think of stadiums filled with fans cheering on world class athletes. While universities competing in the Big East, Big 10 or ACC and similar conferences will most certainly have that ex

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - Junior College in America: Myths vs Truths

Junior College (JuCo), also known as Community College, is often confusing for domestic and international students alike. Since junior college has different cultural meanings, there is confusion about the level of education. Couple this confusion with the proliferation of misinformation, many students and their families do not view JuCo as a viable route to obtaining a quality and comprehensive education, which will prepare them for the job market and post baccalaureate studi

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - To Care or Not to Care About Rankings

Co-founder Sara Bittner discusses the downfall of using only rankings to decide your education choice.

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LAUNCH THOUGHTS - The US College Admission Scandal

The parents in the scandal robbed their children of opportunities, confidence building activities, and the ability to be their own person.

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