With 58.8 seconds left in this past March Madness Sweet 16 game, the University of Nebraska made an unforgivable mistake: they put only four players on the court. This "unforced error" played a big part in their defeat. College applications, also, too often make unforced errors. Specifically, the "optional" standardized test taking and application essay writing can become make-or-break options to tip an applicant into the admit bucket, instead of being wait listed or rejected. . . . Stay...

"Your aunty Marie tells me you're interested in politics," Harry Duynhoven, the New Zealand Member of Parliament, said during a phone conversation. At the time of this call, Jacina Ardern was just 18 and finishing her first year at college. "Sure, Harry," Ardern replied. "I''ll do it." This began Ardern's government career. By age 37, she became New Zealand's youngest Prime Minister. . . Ardern got involved with politics by recruiting volunteers, knocking on doors, getting out the vote, and...

The last week of February is winter break and the perfect excuse for a college road trip. Just a three-hour drive down Interstate 91 is the Happy Valley of western Massachusetts. Students can visit the Five College Consortium schools of Smith College, Amherst College, The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Hampshire College, and Mount Holyoke College within a 20-minute radius of each other. This Consortium is the oldest and most well-established network of schools for students to expand...