The Vinik Hosid Group

AI has become unavoidable, so it will be crucial to train students to use it ethically and effectively. Check out these two cool new majors at the University of Maryland!

UMD to Launch 2 Bachelor’s Degrees to Explore… | Maryland Today New Majors Aim to Ethically Advance AI Tech, Prepare Students to Address Its Societal Impact

Today, we’re sharing the work of My Dorm Room, an incredible organization that helps DC-area college-bound students set up their dorm room on campus.

Inspired by Michelle Obama’s own recounting of some of the lesser discussed challenges of being a first generation or low-income student heading to college, My Dorm Room helps students create a comfortable second home once they arrive on campus, making the transition to college life that much easier. Its a tangible way to support students as they start their college journey.

We love the work they’re doing and encourage you all to support their work! Check out their website at www.mydormroom.org, or this Bethesda Magazine article at https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/08/05/my-dorm-room-nonprofit/ .

One of us met Bruce through a Craig’s List “help wanted” ad in 2011 (Laura), and one of us met him at birth (Annie), but we have both been shaped indelibly by his warmth, knowledge, and genuine commitment to seeing students for who they are and helping them identify and explore their educational pathways.

Bruce founded our college counseling practice in 2001, after many years as a beloved teacher and administrator at several independent schools, most notably Georgetown Day. He spent 25 years as an esteemed independent educational consultant, helping shape the local college counseling landscape and bringing to countless families a calm and effective approach to college admissions.

We recently celebrated Bruce’s retirement, but our years working with him continue to influence us in so many ways. We can’t imagine a time when we don’t regularly ask ourselves, “What would Bruce do?” And when we can’t come up with the answer ourselves, we hope he’ll still respond to our calls and texts in between hanging out with his wife Ginny and the grandkids, playing pickleball, delivering Meals on Wheels, and taking adult ed classes on obscure historical topics.

Congratulations on 50 incredible years in education, Bruce/Dad!

Annie and Laura spent three days last week driving back and forth to Baltimore for the IECA--Independent Educational Consultants Association Annual Conference. We heard a lot about the responsible and ethical use of AI in admissions, and the current administration's impact on higher education. We talked to many college admissions reps and IEC colleagues. But most importantly, we met the Baltimore Orioles Bird!

We are so proud of Graham Hough Cornwell (our new essay coach) who has a New York Times byline today!! Also, we learned a LOT about the Kentucky Derby while driving through Texas with him earlier this month! 🏇🏆

Women are breaking barriers in horse racing’s Triple Crown. Is another about to fall? (Gift Article) In the wake of Cherie DeVaux's breakthrough Kentucky Derby win, women within the sport discuss the challenges of climbing to the top.

We are so proud of our Class of 2026! From small liberal arts colleges to big state schools, Midwestern towns to Manhattan, Engineering to English majors -- our seniors are headed off for some amazing experiences in the fall! 🎓🎉👨🏻‍🎓

We just got back from an epic, Texas-sized road trip to check out 7 different schools in the Lone Star State. Along the way, plenty of Tex-Mex, big skies, and, yes, even a few cowboy hats.

Here are all the schools we visited:

- Texas Christian University TCU Office of Admission
- Southern Methodist University SMU Undergraduate Admission
- Baylor University Baylor University Admissions
- Texas A&M Texas A&M University
- Southwestern University Southwestern University
- UT-Austin Be a Longhorn, University of Texas at Austin
- Rice University Rice University

(We also love Trinity University in San Antonio, which we have previously visited!)

We’ll post details from each school in the coming weeks, but it was wonderful to see 7 really interesting and dynamic colleges. Stay tuned for more! 🐂🤠🏫

“Cookie House” is not on the college visit bingo card of typical campus features! Our essay coach Graham, a Carleton alum, can vouch for these baked goods!

Other Colleges Have Frat Houses. This One Has a Cookie House. For decades, Carleton College in Minnesota has kept a place where students and others can come, bake and share. After a recent renovation, we checked in.

We are excited to announce that The Vinik Hosid Group is growing! Graham Cornwell, a former colleague of Annie’s, recently joined our team and is available for remote college admissions essay coaching for the Class of 2027. Graham works closely with Annie and Laura to ensure that students’ essays complement their entire application package.

Graham is a historian, writer, and editor with extensive experience supporting students with their writing and academic planning. Graham earned his BA from Carleton College, where he played and coached varsity soccer, and earned his PhD in History from Georgetown University. Prior to joining Vinik Hosid, he was senior assistant dean for research at GW's Elliott School of International Affairs, where he taught courses in History, Geography, and International Affairs. He has regular bylines in The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, and Foreign Policy.

In his writing, Graham likes to take brief moments or local events and zoom out to reveal what they say about bigger historical trends and global issues. In his essay coaching, he works with students to identify unique facets of their personality and background; what might seem like a trivial hobby or silly moment can often say a lot about who you are, and Graham loves helping students turn these details into compelling stories that elevate their applications.

In his spare time, Graham leads tours to Morocco (his favorite place in the world) and, as a native Kentuckian, loves horse racing. After 16 years in Washington, DC, he now resides in Lexington, Kentucky with his wife Judy and kids, Gibson and Maggie.

Graham offers college essay coaching on an hourly basis as either a standalone service or in conjunction with “à la carte” strategy support from Annie or Laura.

Learn more about Graham at https://www.vinikhosid.com/meet-the-team/ -cornwell

“The committee recommended that Yale make admissions more transparent, only using criteria it is willing to describe openly, make academic achievement the top priority, communicate a minimum standard of academic achievement necessary and reduce preferences such as those given to athletes and children of alumni and donors.”

Yale considers changes to admissions, grading to regain trust in higher ed Maurie McInnis, the school’s president, said she could see that loss of trust was a serious issue for higher education.