Hott off the Press
A blog about college insights and more.

Bucknell blends liberal arts, pre-professional pathways
By Karen Hott, March 2025
I visited Bucknell University along with about 50 other independent educational consultants on a cold and blustery day in late March. Despite the inhospitable weather, we were welcomed warmly by Chrissy Findlay, associate dean of admissions, and a panel of articulate students. Three colleges, one unified experience Bucknell, with nearly 4,000 undergraduates, is a little larger than many liberal arts
Penn State Cultivates Opportunities
By Karen Hott, March 2025
Penn State is big. Racing from site to site with two dozen other independent educational consultants and one little tour guide on a blustery, snowy day in late March, I envied the students waiting for the shuttle to pick them up. The numbers are big: The spirit of community If you’ve watched any Penn State game, you’ve heard the echoing
Dickinson cares for community, earth
By Karen Hott, March 2025
The light grey limestone buildings of Dickinson College and the red Dickinson flags on lampposts connect the campus and give it a feel of oneness. Quarried locally, the limestone also gives a nod to the school’s commitment to sustainability. Seth Allen, the vice president for enrollment, noted that Dickinson is a warm community, and faculty care about the students and

Franklin & Marshall College: It’s about the ‘and’
By Karen Hott, March 2025
The ampersand Franklin and Marshall, or F&M, is all about the ampersand. At F&M, you don’t have to be just an athlete, or a dancer, or a CS major. You can be any of those things, but you can be that—and whatever else you want to be. That’s why there’s a giant metal sculpture of the “and” symbol on the

Villanova means ‘new home’ for undergrads
By Karen Hott, March 2025
News flash March 30, 2025: Villanova’s struggling basketball team is getting a new coach! Kevin Willard will leave the University of Maryland to join Villanova this year. Augustinian heritage One of only two Augustinian institutions in the U.S., Villanova’s motto is “Veritas, Unitas, Caritas.” They believe in truth through education, community, and charity. Villanova literally translates to “new home.” St.
Bryn Mawr creates female leaders
By Karen Hott, March 2025
“We’re creating the next generation of female leaders,” said Nicole Reynold, dean of undergraduate admissions at Bryn Mawr College outside of Philadelphia, PA, speaking to a group of around 50 independent educational consultants. Only 2% of undergraduates attend a women’s college, but those who do are seven times more likely to major in STEM, and they learn to navigate those
American U. leans into mission, values
By Karen Hott, March 2025
Intro and Mission While higher education faces funding cuts and pressure from the federal government to disband DEI efforts, American University has decided to lean into their values and mission. Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion is a core value; their mission includes “empower[ing] lives of purpose, service, and leadership.” Leadership Vision The new president, Jonathan Alger, wrote to students this
Lynn U. reverse-engineers core curriculum
By Karen Hott, March 2025
I can give you the data about Lynn, show you the new recreation center or the butterfly garden or the auditorium that hosted the Obama-Romney debate in 2012. But what makes Lynn special isn’t the buildings or the Florida sunshine. What makes Lynn special is the remarkable intentionality that goes into its curriculum. Stefano Papaleo, executive director of undergraduate admission,
A B.S. in law at Nova Southeastern
By Karen Hott, March 2025
Webinar presented on March 13, 2025, by Yvonne Cherena-Pacheco, dean of admissions at NSU law school, and Jessica Garcia-Brown, director of undergraduate law. B.S. in law Only seven colleges in the U.S. have undergrad law programs. NSU is one of only a few programs with law professors teaching undergraduates, in the building of the law school. Alongside your B.S. in
Compass Prep on March 8 SAT Glitch
By Karen Hott, March 2025
Go to this link for Adam Ingersoll’s excellent explanation of what happened and what you should do if you were affected.