McNeal Sams Blog
At McNeal Sams College Consulting, our college consultants have more than 150 years of experience combined. We have seen a lot of changes and developments within the college admission profession over that time. From going digital to testing trends to rising costs, and now, the introduction of Artificial Intelligence, understanding what is relevant or what is even real can be daunting for a student or a parent.
In this space, we couple our wealth of knowledge with today’s trends and concerns. Whether you are a student embarking on your college choice journey, or a parent assisting students on their journeys, or simply someone interested in learning about higher education, this is a space for insights, conversations and support.
Nelie McNeal, Founder and Managing Partner Anticipating a college admissions decision isn’t easy. You’ve put so much into the process; in fact, this is the [...]
Jeannie Grimm, College Consultant What does it mean when we talk about fit? Close your eyes for a second and picture what your “dream" school [...]
Elizabeth Schnell, College Consultant “Teach a person to fish and they will eat for a lifetime” goes an old proverb; its corollary is that if [...]
Barbara Sams, Managing Partner It’s that time of year again. The leaves are falling, pumpkin spice is everywhere, and college-bound students are… quietly (or not [...]
By Barbara Sams, Managing Partner When my friends began to have children, I discovered the book We’re Going on A Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen. [...]
By ArborBridge College admissions testing in 2025 is more complex than ever. While headlines often focus on whether schools are “test optional” or “test required,” [...]
Barbara Sams, Managing Partner Standardized tests are a widely debated part of a college application. Institutions that once required testing moved have moved to a [...]
Barbara Sams, Managing Partner October brings cooler air, changing leaves, and the anticipation of the months ahead. For high school sophomores and juniors, though, October [...]
Nelie McNeal, Founder and Managing Partner Just when you felt like you were getting well-versed in the terminology of the college search and application process, [...]
Barbara Sams, Managing Partner The cost of college is often one of the biggest financial decisions a family faces. According to the College Board, the [...]