Devon Blog

Author: devon

  • 🩺 Hiring! MCAT Tutor & Pre-Med Peer Advisor (Remote, Part-Time, Consultant)

    Position Type: Part-Time, Remote
    Commitment: Flexible Hours (~3–8 hrs/week)
    Compensation: Competitive hourly rate with performance bonuses

    💡 About the Role

    Are you on the pre-med track or currently in medical school? Did you master the MCAT and navigate the competitive, confusing path into medicine with strategy, discipline, and drive?

    Pathways is hiring MCAT Tutors and Pre-Med Peer Advisors to mentor high school and undergraduate students who are exploring medicine, BS/MD programs, or applying to med school. If you’ve scored in the 90th+ percentile on the MCAT or gained admission into a U.S. MD/DO or BS/MD program, you can now help the next generation do the same.

    This is a high-impact, flexible, and paid remote opportunity to provide guidance in MCAT prep, application strategy, clinical experience planning, and more.

    ✅ Key Responsibilities

    🧠 MCAT Tutoring (Optional)

    • Provide personalized support for MCAT preparation across all sections (CARS, CP, BB, PS).
    • Create study plans, track progress, and teach high-yield strategies.
    • Review AAMC practice tests and third-party materials (Kaplan, UWorld, Blueprint, etc.).

    📋 Pre-Med Strategy & Mentorship

    • Advise on key milestones: coursework, GPA strategy, shadowing, clinical volunteering, research, and leadership.
    • Coach students on timeline planning for med school or BS/MD pathways.
    • Help students identify impactful summer programs, internships, and gap-year opportunities.

    📄 Application Coaching

    • Guide students in preparing AMCAS/AACOMAS or BS/MD applications, resumes, and activity descriptions.
    • Help students draft and revise personal statements, activity entries, and secondary essays.
    • Provide interview prep, including mock MMIs and traditional interviews.

    🩻 Academic Advising for STEM Students

    • Help high school and early college students select appropriate pre-med coursework (bio, chem, orgo, physics).
    • Share insights on course sequencing, GPA repair strategies, and honors/accelerated pathways.

    🤝 Peer Mentorship

    • Be a relatable, high-integrity source of advice. Share your journey, setbacks, and successes.
    • Provide honest, empathetic support while helping students stay organized and accountable.

    🎓 Who Should Apply?

    Must-Have Qualifications:

    • Scored ≥515 on the MCAT OR admitted to a BS/MD, MD, or DO program in the U.S.
    • Deep understanding of the pre-med journey, including application mechanics and holistic review.
    • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
    • Empathetic, organized, and genuinely interested in supporting younger students.

    Preferred:

    • Experience mentoring pre-med or high school students.
    • Familiarity with early assurance, BS/MD, post-bacc, or linkage programs.
    • Able to explain complex material in simple, digestible ways.

    🚀 What You’ll Gain

    • Paid experience as a medical college admissions coach and MCAT mentor.
    • Impactful relationships with high-achieving mentees across the U.S.
    • A platform to grow your voice as a mentor, educator, and future physician.
    • Recommendation letters and career references from senior education staff.
    • Access to a high-performing team of advisors across medicine, law, STEM, and more.

    Start your application to be an advisor on Pathways👉
    Questions? Write to us using the contact us section of our website

  • 🎓 We’re Hiring! College Prep Peer Advisor (Remote, Part-Time, Consultant)

    Position Type: Part-Time, Remote
    Commitment: Flexible Hours (~2–6 hrs/week)
    Compensation: Your consultation rate is determined by the exclusivity of your profile and experiences.

    About the Role

    Did you navigate college admissions with a spreadsheet, a dream, and no idea where to start? Want to pay it forward by helping high schoolers avoid stress and burnout in their college prep journey?

    Pathways is hiring College Prep Peer Advisors—college students from top-tier universities who want to mentor high schoolers (grades 9–12) through the college application, pre-professional, and extracurricular planning process.

    This role is ideal for students at highly selective colleges (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Duke, UChicago, Vanderbilt, etc.) who remember the grind—and want to give real, tactical advice to the next generation. You’ll act as a college admissions mentor, extracurricular strategist, and application coach—all rolled into one.

    ✅ Key Responsibilities

    🎯 Academic & College Advising

    • Help students identify their academic interests, course plans, and summer enrichment goals.
    • Guide students in building a competitive yet authentic college application profile (GPA, test prep, course rigor, honors, and awards).

    🏆 Extracurricular Planning & Talent Development

    • Work with students to select and deepen extracurricular activities, internships, and research programs.
    • Support students with application research, deadlines, and program strategy (BS/MD, pre-med, STEM, pre-law, business, etc.).

    ✍️ Essay Brainstorming & Draft Support

    • Help students brainstorm, outline, and refine personal statements, supplementals, and summer program essays.
    • Provide feedback that elevates the student’s voice—no ghostwriting or writing-for-hire.

    📅 Productivity Coaching

    • Track student progress, manage deadlines, and build action plans using Notion, Trello, or Google Sheets.
    • Be a “college coach” meets accountability buddy who helps them stay on track with tasks like resume building, college list refinement, or shadowing program research.

    📣 Mentorship & Empathy

    • Build real relationships. You’ll be a sounding board, a motivational voice, and a source of encouragement during a high-pressure time.

    🧠 Who We’re Looking For

    Must-Have Qualifications:

    • Current undergrad (Class of 2025–2028) at a top-ranked U.S. university (Ivy+, Top 30).
    • Deep personal experience with college admissions, Common App, essay writing, and building a standout extracurricular profile.
    • Strong communication skills—both verbal and written. You know how to meet students where they are.
    • Empathy, patience, and the ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds.

    Nice-to-Have:

    • Experience mentoring high school students (e.g., tutoring, RA work, nonprofit programs, summer programs).
    • Familiarity with specific admissions pathways (BS/MD, pre-med track, STEM summer programs, QuestBridge, HBCUs, etc.).
    • Passion for education, youth mentorship, or ed-tech.

    📈 What You’ll Gain

    • Paid experience as a college admissions peer mentor.
    • Flexible, remote work that fits your student schedule.
    • Build your profile and brand
    • Access to a vibrant team of peer mentors from across the U.S.
    • Build a side income while you pay-it-forward

    Start your application to be an advisor on Pathways👉
    Questions? Write to us using the contact us section of our website

  • Is It OK to Incentivize Customer Reviews? What the FTC Really Says — And How TrustEngine Keeps You Compliant

    If you’re a small business owner — plumber, café owner, office space provider, contractor — chances are you’ve asked yourself:

    “Can I offer a discount or freebie for a customer review?”

    Short answer: Yes — but only if you do it right.
    Let’s unpack what’s legal, what’s risky, and how trustEngine helps you collect more reviews while staying 100% FTC-compliant.

    What the FTC Actually Says About Reviews

    The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates how reviews are collected and used to prevent deceptive advertising. Here’s the breakdown:

    ✅ You can ask for reviews.
    ✅ You can offer incentives — BUT…
    ❌ You must disclose any incentive clearly.
    ❌ You cannot require the review to be positive.
    ❌ You must treat all customers the same, not just happy ones.
    ❌ You cannot suppress negative reviews.

    Example of a compliant ask:

    “We’d love your honest review. As a thank-you, here’s a $5 coupon — regardless of whether it’s positive or negative.”

    What You Shouldn’t Do

    • Never pay for fake reviews
    • Don’t condition incentives on 5-star ratings
    • Don’t selectively ask only happy customers
    • Don’t hide negative reviews

    Violating FTC guidelines can lead to fines, lawsuits, or platform bans on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and Amazon.

    So What’s the Right Way to Collect Reviews?

    ✅ Ask every customer

    Use the same script, card, or terminal with all customers, regardless of how you think they feel.

    ✅ Make disclosure automatic

    Let customers know up front if they’re getting anything in return — even something small like a chance to win a gift card.

    ✅ Avoid review gating

    Don’t ask people to fill out a satisfaction form first and only show the review option if it’s positive.

    How TrustEngine Helps Small Businesses Stay Compliant — Automatically

    TrustEngine is built from the ground up for small business review collection that’s safe, effective, and FTC-compliant.

    Here’s how:

    🟢 Universal Review Flow

    Every customer sees the same interface — no cherry-picking.

    🟢 Built-in Disclosure Notices

    If you offer an incentive, trustEngine displays the correct FTC-compliant language automatically.

    🟢 No Review Gating

    We don’t screen reviews or steer customers toward private vs. public reviews.

    🟢 Multiformat Collection

    Use a QR code card, a video review terminal, or a tablet handoff — all on-brand and ready to go in under 24 hours.

    🟢 Ethical Reminders + Smart Nudges

    Our platform reminds your staff to collect reviews consistently — not just when things go well.

    The Real Advantage: Trust You Can Show Off

    Authentic reviews — even the occasional 3-star one — build credibility.
    Consumers can spot fake, forced, or curated reviews from a mile away.

    trustEngine helps you showcase real customer feedback in their own voices, with:

    • ⭐ Text reviews
    • 🎥 Video testimonials
    • 🔊 Audio quotes
    • 📊 SEO-boosted review landing pages

    You don’t just meet FTC guidelines — you turn them into a competitive edge.

    The Bottom Line

    You don’t need to risk your reputation with sketchy review tactics.

    With TrustEngine, you can:

    • Collect up to 3x more reviews
    • Offer ethical incentives with built-in disclosure
    • Stay 100% FTC-compliant
    • Capture reviews in-person, when customers are most likely to say yes
    • Create real trust that fuels growth

    Plans start under $100/month, including your custom QR code cards, NFC terminals, or in-store tablet systems.

    👉 Book a TrustEngine Demo
    👉 Start your free trial

    Let me know if you want this article in .md format, repurposed for social posts, or tailored by industry.

  • Are You a Local Tastemaker? Join The Service Bridge as a City Expert

    • Build public-facing profiles showcasing your expertise, social presence, and reviews
    • Be discoverable by event planners, travelers, brands, or businesses
    • Be hired to consult, recommend, or review services, places, or events
    • Help others experience cities like a local would — with nuance, taste, and insight

    In a world full of options, people don’t just want to buy — they want to choose well.

    Whether it’s where to eat, how to plan a weekend in a new city, or which venue to book for an event, they want real recommendations from real people who know the town.

    That’s where you come in.

    We’re inviting local experts, lifestyle tastemakers, and low-key influencers to join The Service Bridge (TSB) — not as anonymous reviewers, but as visible, bookable community voices. Build your profile, market your services and monetize your expertise on The Service Bridge

    What Is a Local Expert on The Service Bridge?

    You’re someone who:

    • Knows your neighborhood like the back of your hand
    • Posts honest reviews on Instagram, TikTok, or Google Maps
    • Gets asked for suggestions by friends, coworkers, and out-of-towners
    • Has a knack for curating great experiences — whether it’s food, travel, fashion, or local events

    If this sounds like you, TSB gives you a place to build a public profile, link your social handles, showcase your credibility, and make yourself discoverable to people who want to hire your insight.

    💼 Who Hires Local Experts?

    You’d be surprised:

    • 🎉 Event planners wanting a local to suggest the best venues or vendors
    • ✈️ Travelers or tour operators trying to design authentic city experiences
    • 🥂 Couples planning a special date or a proposal in your town
    • 🛍️ Local businesses or brands seeking someone to try their product/service and speak honestly about it
    • 🗺️ Relocators looking for a guide on what to do and where to live

    Your knowledge becomes your offering — and TSB is the marketplace where it can be discovered.

    🛠️ What Can You Do on TSB?

    • Build a TSB Expert Profile showcasing your expertise and content
    • List categories you’re open to advising in (food, travel, date night planning, venue scouting, etc.)
    • Be booked for short consults or reviews
    • Accept paid gigs for business reviews, trip planning, or event scouting
    • Grow your influence, visibility, and client base

    You’re not “just another reviewer.” You’re a connector, a curator, a community guide.
    TSB helps people find you — when they need you most.

    🔍 Why It Matters

    Finding a credible, neutral, experienced local expert today is harder than it should be.
    People want to experience cities through the eyes of someone who really knows it — not just another aggregator list.

    With TSB, we’re making local expertise searchable, accessible, and bookable.

    ✅ Ready to Join?

    Create Your Local Expert Profile on TSB
    Your city needs a voice like yours. Let’s make it easier for the world to find it.

  • What Is The Service Bridge? A New Way to Connect People with Skills to the People Who Need Them

    Imagine a world where getting help — whether it’s a math tutor, a home chef, a software troubleshooter, or a DJ for your wedding — is as seamless and structured as hiring a professional through a formal procurement process. But lighter. Faster. Smarter.

    That’s the world The Service Bridge (TSB) is building.

    At its core, TSB is a bridge — not just in name, but in purpose.

    For Skilled Service Providers: A Distribution Engine for Your Talent

    If you have a skill — whether it’s teaching, repairing, designing, building, or managing — finding clients can often be harder than delivering the service itself.

    The Service Bridge changes that.

    It acts as a distribution engine, helping skilled individuals and businesses surface in front of high-intent clients looking for precisely what they offer. Instead of chasing leads or relying on generic listings, providers can tap into an environment where client needs are already structured and clearly posted. You don’t pitch cold — you respond to defined opportunities.

    For Clients & End Users: Rethinking How Services Are Procured

    Hiring someone shouldn’t feel like throwing a dart in the dark.

    With TSB, end users can finally procure services in a structured, organized, and efficient manner — no endless calls, no ghosting, and no miscommunications.

    We enable what is essentially a lightweight, RFP-style procurement process:

    • You describe what you need.
    • Providers respond with quotes or proposals.
    • You review, compare, and choose — all through a streamlined flow.

    No stress. No confusion. Just clarity and control.

    For Businesses Seeking Skilled Providers Across Geographies

    Whether you’re expanding into new markets or supporting remote operations, TSB connects you to a distributed network of skilled providers across wide geographies. From tutors to transport specialists, caterers to content creators, we enable businesses to scale their access to skilled labor without needing to reinvent sourcing workflows for each city or vertical.

    TSB brings standardization, simplicity, and searchability to business procurement — without heavy onboarding or vendor management overhead.

    The Bridge That Works Both Ways

    TSB isn’t just a marketplace. It’s infrastructure.
    It bridges the gap between skill and need, between talent and opportunity, between the fragmented service economy and the people who depend on it.

    If you have a skill — or need one — The Service Bridge is where the conversation starts.

  • How to Set Up a Video Review Collection Terminal at Your Business Location

    The Fastest Way to 3x Your Customer Reviews — Without Chasing Anyone

    If you run a coffee shop, barbershop, co-working space, or any local storefront business, you already know the power of word-of-mouth. Today, that word-of-mouth lives online — in the form of customer reviews.

    But most business owners struggle with one big issue:
    Customers rarely leave a review once they’ve walked out the door.

    That’s where setting up a video review collection terminal at your location can completely change the game — especially when you use a reviews collection partner like trustEngine.

    In this guide, we’ll show you exactly:

    • How to set up a trustEngine Terminal in your shop
    • What hardware you need (spoiler: very little)
    • Why a DIY approach will cost you more in time, money and tons of missed opportunities
    • How much it costs (hint: under $100/month for most businesses)
    • What you’ll gain in SEO, trust, and customer engagement

    Why Set Up a Video Review Collection Terminal?

    Your customers are happiest in the moment — right after a great coffee, a smooth cut, a helpful session, or a great experience at your workspace.

    The best time to capture a glowing review isn’t later through a follow-up email. (following up for a review later – you are bothering the user, they’ve moved on)

    The right time? It’s right there in your space, while the customer is still smiling.

    A video review terminal lets them:

    • Leave a review in under 30 seconds
    • Speak naturally (video or audio)
    • Share their experience authentically
    • Help your business earn trust publicly — on your site, your social feed, your YouTube channel and Google too (all with trustEngine)

    Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a trustEngine Review Terminal

    🔧 What You’ll Need:

    ItemDetails
    Tablet (iPad or Android)8–11 inch recommended for better visibility
    Tablet Stand or Counter MountLockable or weighted for public use
    Wi-Fi AccessStandard business connection works fine
    TrustEngine AccountGet started here for free and harness its full power (including the terminal) for under $100/month

    🛠️ Step 1: Create Your TrustEngine Business Account

    • Visit trustengine.cc and sign up.
    • Choose the Growth Plan ($49/month) or Pro Plan ($149/month).
    • Connect your brand name, location, and logo.
    • Set your review questions (customizable by industry).

    You can also define review types:

    • 📹 Video reviews
    • 🎙️ Audio reviews
    • 📝 Text-based (optional fallback)

    🧱 Step 2: Install the trustEngine Terminal App

    • Download the trustEngine Terminal App from the App Store or Google Play.
    • Log in using your business credentials.
    • The app will automatically configure for kiosk mode, disabling other tablet features.
    • Plug in your tablet to a power source and set it to “always on” mode.

    🖼️ Step 3: Set Up the Tablet on Your Counter

    • Choose a location with good lighting and visibility, near checkout or exit preferably.
    • Use a stand that keeps the tablet secure and angled for customer use.
    • Add a small sign (optional). The screen can have this message
      “Loved your experience? Leave us a 30-second review — no login needed!”

    Customers tap once. Speak once. Done.

    🔒 Step 4: Set Moderation & Privacy Settings

    TrustEngine lets you moderate:

    • Reviews before they go public
    • Flagged or inappropriate content
    • Anonymous vs. verified reviews

    You control what gets published and where it shows up.

    📈 Step 5: Embed Reviews on Your Site & Share

    trustEngine automatically creates for you:

    • A review widget you can embed those reviews on your website
    • SEO-rich structured data (great for search rankings)
    • TrustEngine-hosted review page for your business that you can link in your bio, SMS campaigns, and ads

    Pricing Breakdown

    PlanCostFeatures
    Growth$99/monthUp to 500 text reviews, 1 terminal, video/audio/text, SEO-ready
    Pro$179/month1500+ text reviews, multiple terminals, advanced analytics and more
    Tablet/Hardware$150–300 one-timeUse your own or buy a preconfigured device from TrustEngine

    Most SMBs go live for under $100/month with no technical setup required.

    Why Not DIY It?

    Trying to build a DIY review terminal (with Google Forms + iPad + Zapier + review moderation + embed tools) will cost you in:

    • Time to build + debug
    • Low-quality UX for your customers
    • Zero video review functionality
    • No moderation or SEO enhancements
    • Privacy and compliance risks
    • No analytics, integrations, or support

    DIY = fragmented.
    trustEngine = purpose-built for SMBs.

    The Result: 3x More Reviews, 10x More Trust

    Businesses using TrustEngine review terminals report:

    • 3x the review volume in the first 30 days
    • Shorter sales cycles for new customers
    • Better SEO performance due to rich content
    • Increased word-of-mouth traffic from authentic customer voices

    You don’t need a marketing agency or tech team.

    You just need to let your happy customers speak.

    Start Collecting Video Reviews This Week

    ➡️ Sign up for TrustEngine
    ➡️ Get the trustEngine Terminal App

  • BS/MD vs. Traditional Pre-Med: Which one is the better route?

    For high school students committed to a career in medicine, the decision between a direct-entry BS/MD program and the traditional pre-medical route is more than just academic — it’s a choice that can shape the next decade of their lives.

    Each path comes with its own structure, opportunities, and pressures. Making the right decision requires more than ambition; it requires insight, clarity, and often, the kind of mentorship that isn’t always easy to find.

    Understanding the BS/MD Track

    BS/MD programs—offered by a select group of universities—allow students to secure provisional admission to medical school straight out of high school. These combined programs typically span 6 to 8 years and require stellar academic records, extensive extracurriculars, and, in many cases, performance-based guarantees such as maintaining a minimum GPA.

    For students who are unequivocally committed to becoming doctors, the BS/MD route removes much of the uncertainty that characterizes the traditional medical admissions process. It allows students to focus on academic enrichment and clinical exposure rather than preparing for and applying to medical school during undergrad.

    The Traditional Pre-Med Path

    The more common route to medical school involves pursuing a four-year undergraduate degree, completing pre-med requirements, sitting for the MCAT, and applying through AMCAS to dozens of medical schools. While more flexible, this path is also more competitive and uncertain.

    Students can explore different majors, discover new interests, and develop more holistically as individuals. But it also comes with higher risk: an underwhelming GPA or MCAT score can derail plans, and many applicants take one or more gap years to strengthen their applications.

    Tradeoffs, Pressure Points, and Maturity

    BS/MD programs offer a level of security that’s increasingly attractive in today’s hyper-competitive admissions environment. But that security comes with strings attached—strict academic requirements, limited flexibility to explore interests outside of medicine, and in some cases, restrictions on applying to other med schools.

    The traditional route offers time—time to grow, explore, change course. But that flexibility often comes at the cost of more stress, higher testing pressure, and delayed entry into medical school. In some cases, students take extra years and spend thousands more to eventually reach the same destination.

    So, Which One Is Right for You?

    There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. What’s needed is honest reflection, guidance from those who’ve walked the path, and reliable insight into how each route aligns with a student’s goals, maturity, and resilience.

    That’s where Pathways comes in.

    Our peer advisors include current medical students, successful BS/MD applicants, and even former admissions officers who’ve read thousands of applications. We help students go beyond the statistics and rankings to ask the right questions: Are you ready to commit to medicine this early? What kind of learning environment brings out your best? How do your strengths align with the demands of each pathway?

    Through personalized advising, candid mentorship, and step-by-step support, Pathways helps students make informed, strategic decisions—whether that’s pursuing a BS/MD program or preparing for the long game of traditional pre-med.

    Final Takeaway

    Both BS/MD and traditional pre-med tracks can lead to a successful medical career. But the right path depends on far more than ambition. It requires strategic planning, self-awareness, and trusted guidance.

    If you’re a student—or the parent of one—grappling with this choice, don’t do it alone. Pathways is here to help you navigate these crossroads with confidence, clarity, and experience-driven advice.

  • How to Turn Every Handshake Into a Relationship

    In business, your network is your net worth—but most professionals treat it like a drawer full of forgotten business cards.

    You meet someone, shake hands, exchange contact info… and then? Radio silence. No context, no follow-up, no real connection.

    Turning handshakes into relationships isn’t about luck—it’s about process.

    And that’s where SnapCard changes the game.

    👋 The Problem: Most Contacts Die at “Nice to Meet You”

    Let’s be empirical. According to HubSpot, 80% of sales require 5+ follow-ups, but 44% of professionals give up after just one. Why?

    Because the tools we use to manage relationships—email inboxes, paper cards, and default phone apps—aren’t built for relationship building. They’re built for information storage.

    Without context and consistency, a connection fades fast.

    🚀 The Solution: SnapCard Turns Introductions Into Intentional Follow-Up

    SnapCard is more than a digital business card. It’s a mobile-first personal CRM that ensures every handshake leads to a relationship, and every interaction builds toward something meaningful.

    Here’s how:

    FeatureHow It Helps You Build Relationships
    Instant QR SharingShare your digital card in 1 tap—no app download needed for the other person.
    Auto-Save + Smart TaggingSnapCard logs the who, where, and when—tag contacts by event, priority, or project.
    Add Notes InstantlyCapture “met at CES, discussed partnership on retail app” in 10 seconds.
    Smart Follow-Up RemindersNever forget to circle back—SnapCard nudges you to reconnect.
    Auto-Updating InfoChanged jobs or numbers? Your network stays current—automatically.

    You don’t just collect contacts—you build a network that remembers.

    💡 Real-World Use Case: From Trade Show to Deal Flow

    Imagine this: You meet 12 new leads at a conference. With SnapCard:

    • You scan and store their info with personalized tags like Investor or Lead.
    • You jot quick notes: “Interested in demo,” “Follow up next week.”
    • SnapCard reminds you three days later to reconnect.
    • You send a personalized message while the interaction is still fresh.

    No Excel sheets. No manual entry. Just momentum.

    🧠 Pro Tip: Relationships Are Built on Context + Consistency

    SnapCard gives you both.

    • Context: You know who they are, where you met, and why it matters.
    • Consistency: Smart nudges and CRM tools help you stay in touch—without the guesswork.

    This is how you turn:

    • A handshake into a follow-up.
    • A follow-up into trust.
    • Trust into opportunity.

    🌐 The Future of Networking Is Intentional

    Traditional business cards are passive. SnapCard is active relationship management—in your pocket, on your phone, working quietly in the background to make sure no contact fades into the void.

    If your network is your professional currency, SnapCard is how you invest it wisely.

    Start using SnapCard today—for less than the cost of a fancy latte per month.
    👉 Try SnapCard Free

  • Industry Resources that led us to knowing why we need ‘Pathways’

    What is the data saying?

    • Rising Application Numbers and Falling Acceptance Rates: The college admissions process has become significantly more competitive in recent years. Between 2019–2020 and 2021–2022, the number of students applying to college jumped by 21.3%[^8]. Students are also applying to more schools on average—6.22 in 2021–2022 versus 3–4 a decade ago[^8]. At top universities, acceptance rates have steadily declined. For example, Harvard’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was just 3.6%, down from 3.43% in 2025, while UCLA’s rate dropped to 8.8% for the Class of 2027[^1][^3][^5]. Many other elite schools now admit fewer than 10% of applicants[^1][^3].
    • More Applicants, More Applications: The 2024–2025 application cycle saw a 4% increase in the number of applicants and a 6% rise in total applications submitted compared to the previous year, further intensifying competition[^4]. The trend is especially pronounced at highly selective institutions, where the volume of applications has surged while the number of available spots remains relatively constant[^1][^5][^8].
    • Selective Schools Are Especially Competitive:The most selective colleges (e.g., Ivy League, Stanford, MIT) now have admit rates below 5–7%[^1][^3]. Even top public universities like UCLA and UC Berkeley have acceptance rates around 11–12% despite receiving over 100,000 applications each year[^5].

    Why Peer Engagement Is Increasingly Important

    • Changing Application Landscape: The admissions process has evolved rapidly, with new application platforms, test-optional policies, and shifting institutional priorities. Sara Harberson, a former admissions dean, notes that the process is now “drastically different” from what previous generations experienced[^8]. This means that traditional advice from school counselors or older advisors may not fully reflect current realities.
    • Peer Networks as Real-Time Resources: Because the process changes so quickly, students benefit from engaging with peers who have just navigated the admissions cycle. These peers can provide up-to-date insights on application strategies, essay expectations, and the nuances of specific schools’ processes[^8]. The process is described as “incredibly public and incredibly isolating,” making peer support both a practical and emotional resource[^8].
    • Increased Stress and Complexity: The growing use of early decision, waitlists, and holistic review adds layers of complexity. Students are more likely to seek out advice from recent applicants who understand the latest trends and pitfalls, rather than relying solely on traditional advisors whose information may be outdated[^8].

    Summary Table: Recent Trends in College Admissions

    TrendData / Observation
    Application growth21.3% increase (2019–2022)[^8]
    % applying to 10+ colleges Nearly doubled from 8% to 17% in last decade[^8]
    Applications per student 6.22 (2021–2022), up from 3–4 a decade ago[^8]
    Top school acceptance rates Harvard 3.6%, UCLA 8.8%, MIT 4.5%[^1][^3][^5]
    Public university application volume UCLA: 145,904 applicants, 11.6% admit rate[^5]
    Need for peer engagement Process is rapidly changing, peers offer real-time insights[^8]

    Conclusion

    College admissions have become markedly more competitive, with more students applying to more schools and acceptance rates at top institutions reaching historic lows[^1][^3][^4][^5][^8]. The rapid evolution of the process means that engaging with peers who have recently experienced admissions is now a critical strategy for applicants, supplementing or even surpassing the value of traditional advisor guidance[^8].

    References

    [^1]: https://toptieradmissions.com/resources/college-acceptance-rates/

    [^2]: https://www.saraharberson.com/blog/class-of-2025-college-admissions-trends

    [^3]: https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherrim/2025/03/28/the-results-are-in-here-are-ivy-league-and-top-college-admissions-rates-for-the-class-of-2029/

    [^4]: https://empowerly.com/applications/college-acceptance-rates-2025/

    [^5]: https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/most-applied-to-colleges/

    [^6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_admissions_in_the_United_States

    [^7]: https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/college-admissions-statistics/

    [^8]: https://www.vox.com/life/390714/college-applications-early-decision-date-acceptance-admission

  • Garage Door Opens But Won’t Close Until It “Cools Down”? Here’s What’s Going On

    Garage Door Opens But Won’t Close? Here’s some troubleshooting tips. Hopefull you Fix It yourself.

    If your garage door opens with a remote but refuses to close again unless it “cools off”, you’re not alone. This is a common but often misunderstood issue with garage door openers. Whether you’re using a LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Craftsman, Genie, or another brand, the symptoms are typically the same — door opens fine, then fails to respond when trying to close, unless you wait a few minutes (sometimes more like 30minutes).

    Let’s break down the possible causes and solutions — in plain, actionable terms.

    Common Symptoms

    • Garage door opens but won’t close with remote.
    • Remote and wall button unresponsive for several minutes after opening.
    • Door closes only after a cooldown period.
    • Wall button works, but remote doesn’t.
    • Sensors blink or show inconsistent LED signals.
    • Door feels heavy or doesn’t glide smoothly.

    1. Overheating Garage Door Motor or Circuit Board

    🔥 Cause:

    Your opener’s motor or logic board is overheating. Many garage door openers include thermal overload protection to prevent burnout. If internal components get too hot after opening the door, the unit may refuse to operate until it cools down.

    🛠️ Solution:

    • Unplug the opener and let it cool for 15–30 minutes.
    • Inspect the motor casing — if it’s unusually hot, it’s a likely culprit.
    • Clean dust from vents and check for proper airflow.
    • If the issue persists, replace the motor or logic board.

    2. Faulty or Misaligned Safety Sensors

    🚫 Cause:

    Your garage door sensors (located near the floor on both sides) may be dirty, misaligned, or failing under heat. These infrared sensors are required for closing the door, but they’re not active during opening — which is why your door opens fine but won’t close.

    🔍 What to Check:

    • Make sure both sensors have solid lights (not blinking).
    • Clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth.
    • Check that they are facing each other squarely.
    • Look for loose or damaged wires.

    ✅ Fix:

    • Realign the sensors until both LED lights are solid.
    • Replace sensors if they work inconsistently, especially after the opener gets warm.

    3. Bad Start Capacitor or Relay Inside the Opener

    ⚡ Cause:

    An old or weak start/run capacitor or relay switch can fail intermittently, especially under heat. This prevents the motor from receiving the initial jolt of power it needs to engage the closing mechanism.

    🔧 Solution:

    • Listen for clicking or buzzing from the opener.
    • Replace the capacitor or relay (usually low-cost parts).
    • These are inexpensive DIY fixes if you’re comfortable with electronics.

    4. Remote Works to Open, But Not Close

    If the remote works for opening but fails to close the garage door, yet the wall switch works — it’s often not a thermal problem, but a signal or logic issue.

    ✅ Check the following:

    • Wall panel lock feature — some panels disable remotes if the “lock” button is on.
    • Radio frequency interference from nearby devices.
    • Reprogram the remote and check for low battery.

    5. Garage Door Balance and Mechanical Resistance

    Sometimes it’s not the electronics — it’s the garage door itself putting strain on the opener. If the door is misaligned, the rollers are dry, or the springs are worn, the opener may overheat trying to move it — especially during closing.

    🧪 Test:

    • Pull the emergency release cord and manually move the door.
    • If it’s heavy or jerky, you have a mechanical issue.

    🛠️ Fix:

    • Lubricate rollers, tracks, and hinges.
    • Have a pro inspect and adjust torsion or extension springs.

    Conclusion: How to Fix a Garage Door That Won’t Close After Opening

    To recap, here are the most common causes:

    ProblemWhat to CheckLikely Fix
    Overheating MotorFeel for heat; observe delayReplace motor/board
    Misaligned SensorsSensor LEDs blinkingClean & realign sensors
    Bad CapacitorClicking/buzzing soundReplace capacitor
    Remote Only Works for OpeningWall panel lock, RF issuesReset/replace remote
    Heavy or Jerky DoorManual test failsBalance/lube/adjust springs

    When to Call a Professional?

    If the door still won’t close after trying these fixes, or if your garage door opener gets hot and stops working repeatedly, it’s time to call a garage door technician. Overheating can eventually burn out the motor or control board completely.

    👉 Post your garage door request for service on OneCall and get matched with local garage door experts providers today.