Seth Allen, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Pomona College, Claremont, Calif.

College essays carry far more weight than they have in previous decades. With a record number of students applying for college, admissions offices have become highly selective when considering student applications. While each school has its own criteria, schools typically look for students who demonstrate a high level of creativity and innovation. They want students who can express themselves and present interesting viewpoints on issues. Schools also seek out students who have the potential to take on leadership roles in some shape or form. One place they look for these differentiators is in the college essay.

These practical tips can help students stand out when writing college essays: Read more

By Marilyn Wechter

One of the most important things parents can teach their children about money has to do with the delay of gratification. If children can only be satisfied with instant gratification, they will act impulsively. When they learn to delay gratification in the hopes of something better, they also learn a kind of resilience and the sense of success and accomplishment. Children who know they’ve made good decisions develop self-esteem.

The goal is to build up your child’s ability to handle the complexities imposed and choices offered by life. If you do it for them (and if you pay for everything), they won’t know what they’re capable of accomplishing on their own.

These practical situations can carry a theoretical discussion into a real-life learning experience. Read more