J. Duszak, Author at Avalon College Advising

College Admissions Trends

At Avalon, we keep a close eye on the shifting landscape of higher education to ensure our students have a competitive edge. The latest Common App data (for the 2025–26 cycle) gives some insight into how the admissions world is evolving. As of March 1, 9.4 million applications were submitted through the Common Application—a 5%…

How to Prepare for Early Applications: Essays, Recommendations, and Strategy

Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) deadlines come quickly—often in early November, and sometimes as early as October. While the application components are usually the same as those for Regular Decision deadlines, the earlier timeline means you have less time to collect and perfect your materials. The payoff? You can boost your chances of…

Dialogue Portfolios: A New Tool in the College Admissions Office Toolbox?

A new tool has been introduced to the college admissions process: the Dialogues Portfolio. Developed by Schoolhouse.world, a nonprofit founded by Sal Khan of Khan Academy, the dialogue portfolio offers a new way for students to showcase their interpersonal and communication skills to college admissions offices. What are Dialogues Portfolios? The Dialogues are small, facilitated,…