Month: November 2021

Adda is Great in College Admissions (Maybe)

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Many of the families we serve participate in Adda.  It’s great for them. Intellectual conversation, exchanging important educational tidbits based on worldly knowledge and information deemed to be exclusive and privileged is used to propel their families forward.  Unfortunately, by definition and practice, Adda equates to collective group thought and perhaps insularity.  Based on diversity and inclusion research, when you are insular in your discussions and decision-making processes, sameness of thought limits your success.

Relying on Adda in the quest to be admitted into highly-selective colleges and BS/MD programs is the antithesis of standing out and is counter to our college admissions Wow Factor concept.  Sounding like everyone else results in rejection decisions.

With Adda, as it applies to college and BS/MD admissions, one might believe that all that is necessary is to call different educational consultants to ask multiple questions, and then share answers.  However, to seasoned professional educational consultants like me, it is obvious that this “strategy” does not work. 

Year after year, tens of thousands of students (other than our clients) are rejected from Ivy League and highly-selective colleges and BS/MD programs.  Perhaps this is what needs to be discussed in Adda.

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.

Different_Dr_Paul_Lowe_Admissions_Advisor_different_unparallel_unmatched_unrivaled

Dr. Lowe and his team of diverse admissions experts provide unrivaled, unmatched and unparalleled admissions advisory and educational research services for their clients. Most importantly, you work DIRECTLY with Dr. Lowe and get the benefits of his entire team. By working with Dr. Lowe, one-on-one, you work with his reputation, his expertise, his experience and his success!

What Parents Need to Know to Succeed at College Admissions?

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Parents call us to understand how my firm has a continual level of admissions success.  Why are our clients so happy the day decisions are released?  Let me explain.

We embrace Empirical Analytics by using data, technology, client-case studies, campus-expert panels, our specialized knowledge, and over 23 years of experience to answer questions, navigate challenges, predict outcomes, and to help our clients make informed decisions that provide results-based admissions success. 

Simply put, we are the best in the admissions advisory business!  No other admissions consulting firm, with our team make up, has the historical, experiential and cultural perspectives that allow our clients to consistently win at the college admissions game.  We share our perspectives and empirical analytics with our clients which gives them an admissions edge.

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After all, isn’t admissions to Ivy League, highly selective college/universities and BS/MD programs a competition? 

College Admissions is a Competitive Sport.
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Dr. Lowe and his team of diverse admissions experts provide unrivaled, unmatched and unparalleled admissions advisory and educational research services for their clients. Most importantly, you work DIRECTLY with Dr. Lowe and get the benefits of his entire team. By working with Dr. Lowe, one-on-one, you work with his reputation, his expertise, his experience and his success!
Dr_Paul_Lowe_Admissions_Expert_Stand_Out

Navigating the F-1 Student Visa Process with Dr. Lowe

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Coming to the U.S. to get a world class education is the primary goal of international students.  This may be followed by work experience at a top U.S. firm. For many students, continued employment may develop into an immigration opportunity where they actually become U.S. citizens.

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International students who wish to study in the U.S. face two challenges that they have to surmount, (1) They have to worry about being accepted into desirable, credible and competitive programs at U.S. college and universities. (2) They have to convince the U.S. government to grant a F1 Student Visa in order to pursue their studies. According to the U.S. government (Department of Homeland Security SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program), every student visa decision is a national security decision and that’s why there is an extensive screening process for each applicant.  Over 30 percent of students who apply for F1 are rejected annually!  A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.  A visa only allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. 

The Student Visa Process involves 3 parts: 

Part I.  Form I-20: Before applying for a student visa (F1), you have to be accepted at a college or university and have to receive Form I-20 from the U.S. school.  This of course means that you have to understand nuances of the application process. Ivy League and highly selective colleges/universities and their corresponding graduate schools (and BS/MD programs) are extremely competitive.

Part II. Visa Application:  This includes payment of the SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) fee and completion of the DS-160 online Visa Application Form.

Part III.  Visa Interview:  After the student has completed part I and II, the next step is scheduling an appointment for a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.   You will be interviewed by a consular officer in English.  And you must establish to the consular officer that you are qualified to be issued a student visa.  By answering personal questions regarding your plans for studying in the U.S. The consular officer focuses on 4 factors during the interview: (1) Who are you, what are your ties what is your story? (2) What do you want to do and where do you want to study? Why do you study that major or subject? (3) How will you finance your education? How will you pay for the entire length of your study? (4) What do you want to do when you finish your study?

A visa interview lasts for only a few minutes so you need to be prepared!  You don’t want to be denied a student visa because of mistakes in your interview.

Interviews are extremely important. Don’t walk into your visa interview unprepared.  We offer mock interview sessions and counseling and feedback.  As an admissions consultant and career expert, I have provided interview preparation for over 23 years and can help you with satisfactorily refining your visa interview.  ACE your F-1 Student VISA Interview with Dr. Paul Lowe.

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We interface with families, embassies, consulates and immigration law firms to help our clients successfully navigate the F-1 student visa process. Dr. Lowe attends conferences and symposia where he meets decision-makers from embassies of countries at the forefront of international student mobility.

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Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.

Affiliates that help International students include: International Admissions Advisors and International Student Career Advisors.

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Helping international students with college and boarding school admissions.
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Helping international students with career planning and development.

Early Decision and Early Action Notification Dates For 2021-2022 College Applicants

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

It’s the 2021-2022 Early Decision and Early Action season!   Competition to Ivy League and highly selective colleges remains high.  Therefore, expect many applicants with high SAT/ACT scores, high grades and seemly perfect applications and personal statements to be rejected or deferred to the regular decision pool.

Here are some early decision and early action notification dates for Ivy League and highly selective colleges and universities:

  • Barnard College:  December 14
  • Boston College:  December 15
  • Boston University:  December 14
  • Brown University:  December 17
  • Cal Tech:  December 13
  • Carnegie Mellon University:  December 12
  • Columbia University:  December 15
  • Cornell University:  December 17
  • Dartmouth University:  December 16
  • Duke University:  December 18
  • Georgetown University:  December 13
  • Hamilton College:  December 15
  • Harvard University:  December 17
  • Johns Hopkins University:  December 11
  • MIT:  December 19 (EA)
  • New York University:  December 15 (ED I); (February 15 ED II)
  • Northwestern University:  December 18
  • Purdue University: January 15, 2022
  • Stanford University:  Mid-December 12
  • Swarthmore College:  December 15
  • Tufts University:  December 15
  • University of Michigan:  Late January 2022
  • University of Notre Dame: December 16
  • University of Pennsylvania:  December 16
  • Yale University:  December 16

“Admissions is a competitive sport!  Why gamble with uncertainty?” – Dr. Paul Lowe

“Parents hire us because they choose to pay an admissions expert who will help them avoid making mistakes.” – Dr. Paul Lowe

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges.  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.  For colleges and universities that recommend or require videos: College Admissions Video Productions.

Ivy League Ranking – Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings 2022

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Harvard University is the highest-ranked Ivy League school in The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Ranking 2022 (WSJ/THE College Rankings 2022), followed in order by Yale University, Brown University and Princeton University.

Here is a list of The Ivy League – Ranked

The WSJ/THE College Rankings takes a different approach as compared to other rankings; it emphasizes the return on investment students see after they graduate. Schools that fare the best on this list have graduates who generally are satisfied with their educational experience and land relatively high-paying jobs that can help them pay down student loans.”  These two factors are clearly why our clients retain us as admissions advisors who specialize in Ivy League admissions:  Ivy League Admissions Advisors and seek the personalized superior admissions advice from Dr. Paul Lowe.

My team and I personally visit top colleges three times annually to understand each of their ever changing and unique admissions policies as well as the campus environment.   As a result, we garner and develop our proprietary knowledge to help our clients achieve admissions success. (Why Dr. Paul Lowe Visits College Campuses). 

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Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.

2021 Best New Jersey Private High Schools

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert
New_Jersey_Admissions_Advisors_Dr_Paul_Lowe_Independent_Educational_Consultant

Over the last month or so, our New Jersey affiliate: New Jersey Admissions Advisors has been receiving many calls from parents who reside in New Jersey who are choosing to have their children transfer from public schools and apply to private high schools in New Jersey.

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There is now increased demand and competition for the limited spots at these schools! For that reason, based on our research, knowledge and professional working-relationships; and Niche’s “2021 Best Private Schools Ranking:  New Jersey Private Schools”, we have provided a list below to help these families.

Here are the best private high schools in New Jersey (listed alphabetically) based on Niche and our research team:

  • Blair Academy
  • Delbarton School
  • Dwight-Englewood School
  • Gill St. Bernard’s School
  • The Hun School of Princeton
  • The Lawrenceville School
  • Morristown-Beard
  • Newark Academy
  • Peddie School
  • The Pingry School
  • Princeton Day School
  • Rutgers Preparatory School

My team and I have visited the schools, talked with admissions officers and understand their mission and what they are seeking in applicants,

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group’s Private School Admissions Advisors.  Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions services for U.S. and international students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding and day schools.   Dr. Lowe helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into their top-choice private schools even after they have been waitlisted and rejected.  Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors also visit prestigious and elite private schools where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel.   Dr. Lowe provides parents with the knowledge they need to decide where their children should attend and the admissions strategies they need to be admitted into their top-choice school.

2021 All-Boys Top Private High Schools

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Many parents choose to send their boys to all-boys schools.  Research supports the fact boys learn differently than girls and that the fact that these schools focus entirely on boys and are beneficial to their confidence and learning style.

Based on Niche, our research and assessment, here is a list of  top U.S. all-boys private high schools:

  • Collegiate School – New York, NY
  • St. Albans School – Washington, D.C.
  • Brunswick School – Greenwich, CT
  • Roxbury Latin School – West Roxbury, MA
  • Belmont Hill School – Belmont, MA
  • Haverford School – Haverford, PA
  • Avon Old Farms School – Avon, CT
  • Delbarton School – Morristown, NJ
  • Georgetown Preparatory School – North Bethesda, MD
  • St. Marks School of Texas – Dallas, TX
  • McCallie School – Chattanooga, TN
  • Fessenden School – Newton. MA (ninth grade)

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group’s Private School Admissions Advisors.  Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions services for U.S. and international students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding and day schools.   Dr. Lowe helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into their top-choice private schools even after they have been waitlisted and rejected.  Dr. Lowe and his team of admissions advisors also visit prestigious and elite private schools where they have the unique opportunity of interacting one-on-one with heads of schools, directors of admissions and senior admissions personnel.   Dr. Lowe provides parents with the knowledge they need to decide where their children should attend and the admissions strategies they need to be admitted into their top-choice school.

Happy Diwali!

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

Diwali, the five-day “Festival of Lights”, is one of the most popular and celebrated holidays in India.  The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. Diwali marks a spiritual awakening and symbolizes “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”.

There are several ways to say Happy Diwali:

  • In Hindi: “Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein” or “Shush Deepavali”
  • In Punjabi: “tuhanu Diwali diyan bohat both vadhaiyan”
  • In Gujarati: “Diwali ni mubarak or saal Mubarak”
  • In Tamil: “Deepavali nalvazhthukal”

What is significant and uplifting with respect to Diwali and my firm is that many of our clients observe Diwali as they are enjoying the campuses of their top-choice colleges which include, although are not limited to Brown, RPI, Boston University, Case Western, Cornell, Rice, Harvard, Yale and Dartmouth.  Many are now in the corresponding medical schools of their undergraduate BS/MD programs.

This year, on day four, I was given gifts and invited to participate in Diwali, with clients who are now friends whose children were accepted to Harvard, Brown (undergraduate), Brown PLME, Harvard, Yale, Cornell and Columbia.

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  • Dr_Paul_Lowe_ivy_League_Admissions_Advisors_Harvard_Yale_Princeton_Brown_Stanford_Columbia_UPenn_Dartmouth_Cornell
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What makes us different?  Dr. Paul Lowe and his team of diverse admissions experts provide unrivaled, unmatched and unparalleled admissions advisory and educational research services for their clients. Most importantly, you work DIRECTLY with Dr. Lowe and get the benefits of his entire team. By working with Dr. Lowe, one-on-one, you work with his reputation, his expertise, his experience and his success!

Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.

2021 Top All-Girls Boarding Schools

~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert

All-girls private high schools have a deep understanding of how girls learn and succeed.  They also provide the resources for girls to reach their full potential.  These schools provide a nurturing learning environment that encourages curiosity and independence and motivates girls to thrive and succeed.

Many international families call my firm to inquire, specifically, about independent, college-preparatory boarding schools for girls. They are seeking advice on which schools will provide an excellent U.S. education as well as placement in elite and prestigious U.S. colleges and universities.

Here is a list for parents seeking to send their daughter to a top U.S. boarding school for girls pursuing academic achievement and success.

  • The Hockaday School – Dallas, TX
  • Miss Porter’s School – Farmington, CT
  • Westover School – Middlebury, CT
  • Dana Hall School – Wellesley, MA
  • Miss Hall’s School – Pittsfield, MA
  • Emma Willard School – Troy, NY
  • The Madeira School – McLean, VA
  • Garrison Forest School – Owings Mills, MD
  • The Ethel Walker School – Simsbury, CT
  • Foxcroft School – Middleburgh, VA
  • Chatham Hall – Chatham, VA

Successful boarding school admissions requires expertise and experience to understand how to manage risks, navigate intricacies, design the right admissions strategies, and most importantly understand the admissions policies and professionals who are making admissions decisions – in other words an admissions expert!

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Paul Reginald Lowe is the managing director and lead admissions expert at Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group’s  Boarding School Admissions Consultants, an affiliate of Private School Admissions Advisors.  Dr. Lowe specializes in providing exclusive concierge-type admissions advisory services for U.S. and international students who are interested in applying to top U.S. boarding schools.  Dr. Lowe helps U.S. and international students gain admissions into top U.S. boarding schools even after they have been wait-listed and rejected.

Dr. Lowe and his team of diverse admissions experts provide unrivaled, unmatched and unparalleled admissions advisory and educational research services for their clients. Most importantly, you work DIRECTLY with Dr. Lowe and get the benefits of his entire team. By working with Dr. Lowe, one-on-one, you work with his reputation, his expertise, his experience and his success!

The Most Valuable College Majors in 2021

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~ drpaulloweadmissionsexpert ~ Leave a comment

When parents begin to consider their children’s college options, they call us. They also want take into account college majors and postgraduation career options. They are, in essence, attempting to determine the “economic ROI” of a college degree.

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According to a recent study by Bankrate, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey,:

The five most valuable college majors:

  • Computer Engineering – median income: $101,000
  • Aerospace Engineering: $100,000
  • Architectural Engineering: $90,000
  • Transportation Sciences & Technology: $86,000
  • Construction Services: $80,000

The five least valuable college majors: 

  • Clinical Psychology: $49,000
  • Composition and Speech: $42,000
  • Drama and Theater Arts: $41,000
  • Miscellaneous Fine Arts: $38,000
  • Visual and Performing Arts: $36,600

As a part of postgraduation life, students should consider which majors will lead to the careers that they feel are most valuable to them. We advise that students should consider their majors as they develop a career plan.

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Our affiliate International Student Career Advisors advises students in career development
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Dr. Paul Reginald Lowe, founder and managing director of Pinnacle Educational Center Admissions Advisors Group, provides comprehensive counseling advice, exclusively for admissions to top private schools; Ivy League and highly-selective colleges/universities; BS/MD programs; graduate and medical schools and top visual and performing arts programs.   The admissions affiliate: Ivy League Admissions Advisors specializes in admissions to Ivy League and highly selective colleges,  Dr. Lowe also specializes in helping students who have been wait-listed, deferred or rejected gain admission into their top-choice schools: College Application Rejected. and student who wish to transfer to another college:  College Transfer Admissions Advisors.