College Rangefinder

I always love our monthly IECA--Independent Educational Consultants Association Georgia Regional meetings, but this week was a standout.* We had Virginia Elliott from the Washington University in St. Louis admissions team join us, and she dropped some major updates that are going to shape application strategy for a few of my students this coming cycle.

If WashU is on your list, here’s my quick summary of what you should know:

1. The Big News: is here! WashU is officially adding a non-binding Early Action (EA) round. The deadline is November 2nd, and you’ll get your decision by the end of December. While their (EDI & II) admit rate has hovered around 28% (vs. 8% for RD), they expect the EA admit rate to be more in line with Regular Decision. If you get deferred in EA, you’ll have the option to pivot to ED II.

2. Demonstrated Interest is now an explicit factor. This is a shift! WashU wants you to benefit from deeper engagement as you consider your fit, and they want to see that you’re serious about them. Visit in person if you can, get on their mailing list for the latest news & events, and attend virtual sessions (watch for news on these). Beyond that, I would highly recommend that if you apply, you take the time to do the optional 90-second video. My students know that “optional” = opportunity.

3. The "South 40" & Living Local. The South 40 residential hub for first- and second-year students was actually designed by a Disney Imagineer to feel like a small town (think Downtown Disney vibes - but with student-run businesses and faculty fellows with their families and pets!). With 10 vibrant & spirited Living Learning Communities (LLCs), plus guaranteed on campus housing for all four years, the community aspect of Wash U is huge. Plus, you’re right across from Forest Park, which is basically the heart of St. Louis.

4. A Note on Majors & Rigor. WashU uses a holistic review, but you have to pass the "ready for WashU rigor" test first. They want to see that you’ve challenged yourself in the context of what your school offers and in light of your intended major/career path. Also, a pro-tip: apply to the academic division you actually want to be in. While it's easy to add a minor or second major elsewhere, it is much harder to officially transfer between divisions once you’re enrolled.

It’s clear that WashU is really leaning into Dr. McLeod’s legacy and goal of "knowing every student by name and story." It’s on you to begin to tell that story in the process. Thinking of applying? Let’s talk about best practices for showcasing your story in your voice so they can picture YOU on Wash U’s campus.

More info and important scholarship deadlines direct from WashU: https://admissions.washu.edu/whats-new-at-washu/

*I am grateful to my colleague, Lisa Barrett, who led this month’s meeting while I stayed in the shadows, recovering from whatever ick I picked up along my campus visits from Philly to Pittsburgh last week. More on that soon!

More blue skies. A lot more co-ops. And a dragon. Campus 2!

Blue skies and sunshine for Stop 1!

Which colleges will I visit this week?

When visiting Furman University, I highly recommend a stop for breakfast & cookies - Echo-approved 🐾

Earlier this month, my Georgia Regional group of IECA engaged in a series of meetings with the University of Georgia. I enjoyed two days in Athens, including on campus discussions with the Recruitment & Enrollment team of the Morehead Honors College, followed by a session with the UGA Admissions Office (where part of my team is pictured).

Later in the week, I had the great pleasure of hosting David Graves, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions, for an open admissions chat Q&A - a rare opportunity for which I am grateful.

Any family with UGA on their radar likely knows that the sheer number and caliber of applications means there are no guarantees. If you are looking for the most current data, David Graves’ UGA Admissions Blog remains the gold standard for transparency. My goal with this "UGA Week" wrap-up is to highlight a few strategic insights for your student.

UGA Admissions Strategy: Morehead Honors, OOS Hurdles & Insider Tips | College Rangefinder — College Rangefinder Navigating UGA admissions requires a precise strategy. Learn about the "one-hand rule" for grades, the 80/20 out-of-state enrollment hurdle, and the separate review process for the Morehead Honors College and Foundation Fellowship. Get the insider scoop from Aletta at College Rangefinder t

The landscape of admissions at the University of Georgia has shifted significantly, and the data from this past cycle tells a compelling story.

I recently spent a week on campus in Athens, engaging in deep-dive sessions with the Morehead Honors College and the UGA Admissions team. Between the strict 80/20 enrollment goals for Georgia residents and the fact that 93 percent of admitted students’ core grades are A’s, the path to Sanford Stadium and beyond requires more than just high test scores—it requires a specific strategy.

On the Insights blog, I am breaking down the key takeaways from my visit, including:

The One-Hand Rule: What your transcript actually needs to look like to be competitive.

The Out-of-State Hurdle: Navigating the 80/20 enrollment commitment.

Morehead Honors: Why this is a completely separate review process and how to avoid the common application traps.

The Foundation Fellowship: Why the November 1st deadline is a marathon, not a sprint.

UGA is now a reach for almost every high-achieving student. Understanding the institutional nuances behind the decisions is the first step in building a balanced, successful college list.

Read the full strategic breakdown at the link in my bio.

Can a Liberal Arts degree actually lead to a high-powered Finance career? 📈

I get questions like this a lot during my “Inside Admissions” meetings. Many parents worry that a small college experience won’t provide the “hard skills” needed for Wall Street or major business hubs.

Last night’s webinar with my alma mater, Denison University, indicates otherwise.

Denison is officially launching a Finance Major in Fall 2026, and it’s the perfect example of a trend I call the “Professionalization of the Liberal Arts.” Think: ✅ Bloomberg Terminals & Compustat (the same tech used by pros). ✅ A Finance Capstone where students solve real-world problems for industry partners. ✅ Small classes where ethical reasoning meets high-level quantitative analysis.

This offers a “best of both worlds” for students seeking strong faculty relationships and a residential college experience with preparation to thrive in the boardroom because they learned how to think critically in the classroom.

I’m currently opening spots for Discovery Sessions. We’ll dive into your student’s unique goals and start building a balanced roadmap that fits them academically, personally, and financially. Meeting with colleges to develop this nuanced understanding of offerings benefits my clients - no matter what type of college they have in mind.

🔗 Click the link in my bio to book your Discovery Session today!

Red

I spent my evening "back on campus" (virtually!) with Denison University, and it sparked a conversation I find myself having more and more in my "Inside Admissions" meetings lately.

There is a massive trend happening right now that I call the "Professionalization of the Liberal Arts."

Many parents worry that a liberal arts degree might be too "broad" for today’s job market. But innovative schools like Denison are proving you don’t have to choose between a close-knit, intellectual community and high-level career prep.

Denison just announced a brand new Finance Major (launching Fall 2026) that is a perfect example of this. Here is why it stands out from a standard business degree:

The Finance Capstone: This is the "crown jewel" of the program. Housed within the combined Economics and Finance department to ensure a deep theoretical foundation, this project-based course tasks students with solving real-world, active industry problems sourced directly from alumni and community partners.

Pro-Level Tools: They’ve invested in Bloomberg Terminals and Compustat—the same data tools used on Wall Street—but students use them in small, 15-person classes rather than 300-seat lecture halls.

The Columbus Advantage: Being just outside a major business hub like Columbus allows Denison to build direct pipelines for internships and "real-time" case studies with industry leaders.

It was inspiring to see this project spearheaded by a fellow Denison alum, Dr. Emily Marshall. It’s also a great reminder of how these schools maintain lifelong relationships with their graduates.

If you’ve been looking for a "best of both worlds" college experience—rigorous academics paired with serious professional "teeth"—this is exactly the kind of innovation we look for when building your student’s list.

Go Big Red! 🔴⚪️ 🏀🏊🏽🏆📈

Finance | Denison University Courses, requirements, faculty, news, and more for Finance at Denison University.

I just returned from two days in Athens, where a dozen of my IECA Georgia Region colleagues and I spent an immersive day at the University of Georgia’s Morehead Honors College. Our hosts, the Honors recruitment team and three student ambassadors, pulled back the curtain on the process, student experiences, and community insights to reveal what it takes to get in, and what makes it special once you’re part of this community of scholars nested within the state flagship. 🏟️

A few Hot Tips, if you are considering the Honors College:

📊It’s not just a stats game. While the mid-50% SAT (1490-1530) is high, the team is looking for IMPACT. They want to see leadership you’ve honed over the years and a clear "passion" for how this program helps you reach your big dreams. Show them who you are and what makes you tick in the honors essays.

⏰Automatic Honors Consideration is for EA applicants ONLY: Yes, some EA applicants are auto-admitted based on holistic review of their UGA application, but if you’re applying Regular Decision, you MUST submit a separate Honors application. No app = no consideration!

🌄For a crack at the lucrative and highly competitive Foundation Fellowship, you must apply EA and complete the additional scholarship application by 11/1. Scholarship winners advise getting your UGA app in as early as possible to unlock the “dense” Foundation Fellowship application to give yourself time.

🗃️Letters of Rec Matter (A Lot): While UGA Admissions might only read 1-2 optional LoRs, the Honors team often digs deeper. But be sure to focus on quality over quantity here! A couple of strong LoRs from recommenders who truly know you well and enthusiastically describe why they recommend you is far better than a handful of letters lacking that depth. Pro-tip: While I will always recommend you include a junior year teacher who knows you best, you can augment that with an "Other Recommender" (coach, supervisor, etc.) who can tell a compelling story about you from a different perspective.

🛜The Perks: Early registration (huge bonus with 32,000+ undergrads!), specialized honors advising, smaller classes, and the chance to live in Myers Hall. Plus, limitless experiential learning and professional development opportunities, book discussions, lunchbox lectures, and a cohort that can become an incredible professional network.

The bottom line? Admission is extremely competitive, but there are multiple ways to find your way in, including 1st-semester entry once you’re on campus or as a transfer student Sophomore year.

Do you see yourself as a future Dawg? I’m heading into a meeting with the Head of Admissions later this week to get even more insights for you. Stay tuned!

Is this your student? 🌍🛰️

When I visited the Sarkeys Energy Center at the University of Oklahoma, I realized that the "Geo" side of the College of Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences is the perfect home for the student who wants to save the world—but needs the data and policy tools to do it.

🗺️ With an incredible 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, this department offers a level of mentorship that is rare at a major research university. Whether your student is a "map geek" or a "policy wonk," there is a specific home for them here:

🛰️B.S. Geospatial Science: For the tech-driven student. They’ll use drones, satellite imagery, and GIS to reveal real-world trends and solve global challenges.

🌐 B.S. Environmental Systems & Sustainability: For the scientist who loves fieldwork. This major focuses on how natural systems and human activity shape our environment.

♻️ B.A. Environmental Studies: For the critical thinker interested in the "human" side—environmental law, justice, and ethics.

The "Insider" Edge:

⏩️Accelerated Masters: OU offers a pathway into Regional & City Planning, which is a high-demand field for students who want to build the sustainable cities of the future.

➕Flexible Minors: Not ready to major? Non-majors can still add a minor in Weather & Climate or choose from seven other "Geo" minors to round out their degree.

🛣️If your student is interested in making a tangible impact on communities and ecosystems, the Sarkeys Energy Center is where the action is.

Want to learn more about these specialized programs? Let’s schedule a time to talk! Head to CollegeRangefinder.com to book your Discovery Session 🎯

Earlier this week, announced the personal statement prompts for the upcoming application cycle. Not surprisingly, they are remain the same again this year.

After academics, the next most important factors in decisions are traits and the college essay (the ideal place to demonstrate character traits and values). This data, based on a survey by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), indicates just how important the essay is in the college process.

Why? Because the provides a key glimpse into who you are and the type of student and community member you will be on campus.

My superpower is helping students identify strengths, reflect on growth, and articulate a meaningful theme where their own voice and experience shines through. Let's get started! Book a Discovery Session at CollegeRangefinder.com 🔗