The Better College Essay: From Start to Finish is published!

“The strategies and tips provided in The Better College Essay are practical, relevant, and most importantly, student-centered. It is a great resource for experienced counselors looking to add to their college counseling toolkit or for individuals new to supporting students through the college admissions essay writing process. The wide variety of real essay examples included throughout the book are fantastic for demonstrating how an excellent essay idea can emerge from conversations and lived experiences that students might otherwise overlook."

Julio Mata , Director of College Counseling, Francis Parker School

Former Associate Director of Admission, Miami University

New book on college essays by Campanile team!

We’re very excited to announce the 2nd edition of The Better College Essay: From Start to Finish will be published by City Limits Publishing (Nashville) later this year! This edition, with all new essay examples and enhanced chapters, will be co-authored by Elizabeth Stone PhD and Meredith Joelle Charlson (Director of Writing at Campanile). The foreword is by Jonathan B. Williams, Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions at New York University.

Campanile teaches Essay Writing for UC Berkeley and around the world!

Elizabeth Stone, Campanile’s Executive Director, and Meredith Joelle Charlson, Director of Writing, are teaching writing courses locally and internationally to new and seasoned college counselors. Our method, “Editing Without a Pen,” was taught throughout the summer in several virtual workshops with students attending from across the United States, India, Colombia, and China. We are honored to be teaching in the UC Berkeley Certificate Program in College Admissions and Career Counseling. Our workshops on the essay writing process, and our accompanying curriculum, are in high demand, and we will continue to provide professional development workshops to college admissions professionals in mid-August through September. Please contact us for the workshop schedule. Dr. Stone’s book, The Better College Essay: Fitting In and Standing Out, can be ordered directly by emailing estone@campanile us or online through Amazon.

Campanile's Oral Communications Specialist Interviewed for "GET Schooled" Podcast

Doria Charlson, PhDc, Campanile’s Oral Communications Specialist, joined Dr. Stone in Chico, CA to provide volunteer services to high school students following the fires in Paradise. Listen to Doria’s interview on Campanile’s outreach work in Paradise.

Campanile becomes an SSAT Test Flex Center

Beginning January 2020, Campanile College Counseling will be providing individual and small group private testing of the SSAT, the Secondary School Admissions Test. This test is accepted by private middle schools and high schools around the world. Campanile is the only SSAT Flex Test Center between San Mateo and Los Altos, CA.

The SSAT is administer by the Enrollment Management Association, a non-profit member organisation that supports independent school admissions.

Students can take the SSAT on eight designated National Test Dates, but many families choose to participate in private testing on more convenient dates, if their child needs test accomodations, or if students need to re-take the test to meet an admissions deadline and can’t wait for an upcoming National Test Date.

To learn more about testing at Campanile, click HERE.

Dr. Stone Interviewed for Dance Spirit Magazine

Dance auditions can complicate the college application process. Read this article about coordinating Early Action and Early Decision deadlines with preparing for college dance auditions.

Overview and Resources for College Transfer Students

There are many reasons students choose to transfer to a new college.  Whether it is a community college transfer or a lateral transfer, great opportunities lie ahead!  Preparing for a transfer major is a bit different than applying as a freshman.  Colleges have different rules on how many units are transferable.  They want to know if you are prepared to commit to a major and have the prerequisites for a smooth transition.  Your old SAT or ACT scores may be required - or maybe not! Residential housing may have dorms specifically for mature transfer students, and other campuses may not guarantee housing.  If you are wishing to explore a transfer, be sure to speak with a transfer expert who can guide you through this process. 

For information on transfer into the University of California system, take a look at their admissions data by major.  Then give Campanile a call to review your academic profile and guide you through the application process.