Commencement Speeches

Featured

Pharrell Williams, University of Virginia 2019

Pharrell Williams, University of Virginia 2019

Oprah Winfrey, Colorado College 2019

Oprah Winfrey, Colorado College 2019

Tara Westover, Northeastern University 2019

Tara Westover, Northeastern University 2019

Michael Bloomberg Rice University 2018

Michael Bloomberg Rice University 2018

Ronan Farrow Loyola Marymount 2018

Ronan Farrow Loyola Marymount 2018

Tim Cook Duke University 2018

Tim Cook Duke University 2018

Mark Zuckerberg, Harvard University 2017

Mark Zuckerberg, Harvard University 2017

Oprah Winfrey, Agnes Scott College 2017

Oprah Winfrey, Agnes Scott College 2017

Donovan Livingston, Harvard Graduate School 2016

Donovan Livingston, Harvard Graduate School 2016

Lin-Manuel Miranda, University of Pennsylvania 2016

Lin-Manuel Miranda, University of Pennsylvania 2016

Sheryl Sandberg, UC Berkeley 2016

Sheryl Sandberg, UC Berkeley 2016

William Foege, Emory University 2016

William Foege, Emory University 2016

David Brooks, Dartmouth College 2015

David Brooks, Dartmouth College 2015

Natalie Portman, Harvard University 2015

Natalie Portman, Harvard University 2015

Mary Karr, Syracuse University 2015

Mary Karr, Syracuse University 2015

Jennifer Lee University of New Hampshire 2014

Jennifer Lee University of New Hampshire 2014

John Legend, University of Pennsylvania 2014

John Legend, University of Pennsylvania 2014

Admiral William McRaven, UT Austin 2014

Admiral William McRaven, UT Austin 2014

Neil Gaiman Philadelphia University of the Arts 2012

Neil Gaiman Philadelphia University of the Arts 2012

Aaron Sorkin, Syracuse University 2012

Aaron Sorkin, Syracuse University 2012

Stephen Colbert, Northwestern University 2011

Stephen Colbert, Northwestern University 2011

CONAN O'BRIAN, Dartmouth 2011

CONAN O'BRIAN, Dartmouth 2011

Anderson Cooper, Tulane University 2010

Anderson Cooper, Tulane University 2010

Ellen DeGeneres, Tulane University 2009

Ellen DeGeneres, Tulane University 2009

Oprah Winfrey, Stanford University 2008

Oprah Winfrey, Stanford University 2008

JK Rowling, Harvard University 2008

JK Rowling, Harvard University 2008

Steve Jobs, Stanford University 2005

Steve Jobs, Stanford University 2005

David Foster Wallace, Kenyon College 2005

David Foster Wallace, Kenyon College 2005

Bradley Whitford, University of Wisconsin 2004

Bradley Whitford, University of Wisconsin 2004

Anna Quindlen Villanova 2000

Explore More Resources

Parent Advice

Sleepless in December - Waiting for the Early Decision Notifications

Sleepless in December - Waiting for the Early Decision Notifications

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The “Dirty” Secret of the Empty Nest: It’s a lot of Fun

The Beautiful Maddening Contradiction of Teenagers

The Beautiful Maddening Contradiction of Teenagers

Getting Comfortable with Discomfort: How My Child and I made it Through Freshman Year

Getting Comfortable with Discomfort: How My Child and I made it Through Freshman Year

Things Not to Bring on the College Tour

Things Not to Bring on the College Tour

The Empty Nest Blues: Feel Good Songs To Bring A Smile Back To Your Face

The Empty Nest Blues: Feel Good Songs To Bring A Smile Back To Your Face

How to Make College Touring Fun: Tips for Your Trips

How to Make College Touring Fun: Tips for Your Trips

Eating Alone on the College Tour

Eating Alone on the College Tour

WHAT I WISH I KNEW DURING THE COLLEGE PROCESS—The Male Perspective

WHAT I WISH I KNEW DURING THE COLLEGE PROCESS—The Male Perspective

What I Wish I Knew During the College Search Process

What I Wish I Knew During the College Search Process

The Wildly Unsurprising College Admissions Scandal

The Wildly Unsurprising College Admissions Scandal

Student Advice

Students Speak: Why I Chose My College

Students Speak: Why I Chose My College

Five Apps You Need To Use During The College Application Process

Five Apps You Need To Use During The College Application Process

Student to Student - Advice to My Freshman Self

Student to Student - Advice to My Freshman Self

COLLEGE BOUND ADVICE - STUDENTS RECALL THEIR PARENTS' WORDS OF WISDOM

COLLEGE BOUND ADVICE - STUDENTS RECALL THEIR PARENTS' WORDS OF WISDOM

How to Tour Colleges As A Prospective Athlete

Showing Off Syracuse: A Guide for Family Weekends

Showing Off Syracuse: A Guide for Family Weekends

FIVE STEPS TO TACKLE STANDARDIZED TESTING

FIVE STEPS TO TACKLE STANDARDIZED TESTING

How To Make The Most of Your Summer Internship

How To Make The Most of Your Summer Internship

Student to Student - How to Get Along with Your Roommate

Student to Student - How to Get Along with Your Roommate

THE TURNING POINT: A GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL JUNIOR YEAR

THE TURNING POINT: A GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL JUNIOR YEAR

Students Voted for Their Top Ten Backpacks

Students Voted for Their Top Ten Backpacks

Emerging Adulthood: Navigating The Expectations And Realities Of Post-College Life

Emerging Adulthood: Navigating The Expectations And Realities Of Post-College Life

An Interview with a First-Generation College Student

Freshmen Tell All: Reflections on Their First Semester

Freshmen Tell All: Reflections on Their First Semester

A Rising College Freshman's Tips on Travel Planning

A Rising College Freshman's Tips on Travel Planning

Overcoming Being Waitlisted, Deferred and Rejected

Overcoming Being Waitlisted, Deferred and Rejected

A High School Senior's Tips On Maximizing Your College Visits

Interview with my College Counselor

Interview with my College Counselor

Expert Advice

Gap Year

Teacher Recommendations: Choosing A Teacher

Teacher Recommendations: Choosing A Teacher

10 College Interview Tips

10 College Interview Tips

Waitlist....Now What?

Waitlist....Now What?

Juniors Start Here

Could Early Decision Ever Go Away?

Colleges That Change Lives

ARE THE COLLEGES THAT CHANGE LIVES ‘GOOD’ SCHOOLS?

What Are Holistic Admissions?

What Are Holistic Admissions?

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Five Tips for a Great Campus Visit

Writing the Essay: Sound Advice from an Expert

Writing the Essay: Sound Advice from an Expert

10-Step Campus Culture Quiz

10-Step Campus Culture Quiz

A Résumé…Do I Really Need One for My College Application?

A Résumé…Do I Really Need One for My College Application?

How to Write A Compelling College Essay: College Counselors Advice and Tips

How to Write A Compelling College Essay: College Counselors Advice and Tips

High GPA but Low SAT Score - What's Next?

Four Qualities of An Amazing College Essay

Four Qualities of An Amazing College Essay

What Makes a Safe College Campus?

What Makes a Safe College Campus?

When Should You Do Summer College Visits?

When Should You Do Summer College Visits?

Seven Tips for Writing College Admissions Essays

Seven Tips for Writing College Admissions Essays

The Best Colleges for Baseball Fans

The Best Colleges for Baseball Fans

DENIED! DISAPPOINTMENT HURTS

DENIED! DISAPPOINTMENT HURTS

Finding College Scholarships

Finding College Scholarships

It's Going to be Okay

It's Going to be Okay

America’s Three True ‘Basketball Schools’

America’s Three True ‘Basketball Schools’

The Top Ten Tips for Effective College Visits

The Top Ten Tips for Effective College Visits

Touring Colleges On a Budget

Touring Colleges On a Budget

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Is For You?

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Is For You?

Choose AP Classes Wisely: They May-Or May Not-Help in College Admissions

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How Do You Look at a College’s Alumni Network?

Tips for Your Winter Campus Visits

Tips for Your Winter Campus Visits

Six True ‘College Football Schools’

Six True ‘College Football Schools’

College Touring Tips

Can’t Make it to the College Tour: Explore Schools Without Leaving Home

Can’t Make it to the College Tour: Explore Schools Without Leaving Home

10 Best Podcasts for Your Next Road Trip

10 Best Podcasts for Your Next Road Trip

Lessons From A College Tour

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GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CAMPUS TOUR GUIDE

Take Personal Campus Tours of Your Short-List Schools

Take Personal Campus Tours of Your Short-List Schools

Tips for College Touring

Tips for College Touring

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Five Tips for a Great Campus Visit

College Planner

College Planner

Summer College Visits - To Tour or Not to Tour?

Summer College Visits - To Tour or Not to Tour?

How to Tour Colleges As A Prospective Athlete

Things Not to Bring on the College Tour

Things Not to Bring on the College Tour

Podcasts: If You Liked Dirty John You Will Like....

Podcasts: If You Liked Dirty John You Will Like....

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Ten Tips to Make Your College Road Trip Amazing

How to Make College Touring Fun: Tips for Your Trips

How to Make College Touring Fun: Tips for Your Trips

Eating Alone on the College Tour

Eating Alone on the College Tour

The Hair Pulling Madness of the Campus Tour

The Hair Pulling Madness of the Campus Tour

A Tour Guide Tells All: The Best Questions for Students to ask on the College Tour

A Tour Guide Tells All: The Best Questions for Students to ask on the College Tour

The Top Ten Tips for Effective College Visits

The Top Ten Tips for Effective College Visits

Highlights of a Weekend in Philadelphia: Where to Stay, Eat, and the Best Things to Do in the City of Brotherly Love

Highlights of a Weekend in Philadelphia: Where to Stay, Eat, and the Best Things to Do in the City of Brotherly Love

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How Do You Look at a College’s Alumni Network?

College Touring Tip Sheet

Tips for Your Winter Campus Visits

Tips for Your Winter Campus Visits

Three Days, Three Tours—Visiting Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and How We Did It

Three Days, Three Tours—Visiting Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and How We Did It

The Inside Scoop On How I Plan a Trip

The Inside Scoop On How I Plan a Trip

Athletic Campus Visits: Unofficial Visits

Athletic Campus Visits: Unofficial Visits

Touring 101—A College Counselor’s Tips

Touring 101—A College Counselor’s Tips

Dorm Room

6 DIY Dorm Decorating Tips

6 DIY Dorm Decorating Tips

DIY Mudcloth Pillows For Your Dorm

DIY Mudcloth Pillows For Your Dorm

Dorm Room Style: A Designer’s Best Tips

Dorm Room Style: A Designer’s Best Tips

Dorm Room Extras - Things You Wouldn't Think About

Dorm Room Extras - Things You Wouldn't Think About

Dorm Room Checklist

Dorm Room Checklist

Great Dorm Room Style

Great Dorm Room Style

Decorating On A Dime

Decorating On A Dime

College Essays

Applauding Mediocrity

Applauding Mediocrity

STANDING TALL

"Let Your Life Speak"

"Let Your Life Speak"

Shark Tank

Adrenaline

A Life of Non-Required Reading

A Life of Non-Required Reading

Passion and Perseverance

Passion and Perseverance

Living in the Moment

Living in the Moment

Eloise

Unafraid

Perception

Comma Essay

page 217

My Store(-ies)

How To Write A Killer College Essay

How To Write A Killer College Essay

Silent Voices

Study Abroad

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Studying Abroad Scotland: St. Andrews and Edinburgh

Study Abroad: Ultimate #eeeeeats Guide to Rome

The Abroad Bible

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ADVICE ABROAD: TOP 5 REASONS TO STUDY ABROAD IN LONDON

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Study Abroad: Where to Go While Visiting Your Child in Paris

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ADVICE ABROAD: THE BEST (AND CHEAPEST) TRAVEL THROUGH EUROPE

The Study Abroad Top Ten: How to Make the Most of Your Semester Abroad

The Study Abroad Top Ten: How to Make the Most of Your Semester Abroad

Students Voted for Their Top Ten Backpacks

Students Voted for Their Top Ten Backpacks

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Study Abroad: BERLIN

Top Ten Gifts for Your Study Abroad Student

Top Ten Gifts for Your Study Abroad Student

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STUDY ABROAD: THE BEST THINGS TO DO AND WHERE TO EAT IN COPENHAGEN

The Best Travel Pillows

The Best Travel Pillows

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Study Abroad:Salamanca

Our London Cheat Sheet

Our London Cheat Sheet

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Study Abroad: Stockholm

Study Abroad-Falling in love with Madrid

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Study Abroad: Tel Aviv

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STUDY ABROAD: THE TEL AVIV & JERUSALEM RESTAURANT LIST

Study Abroad: The Ultimate Guide to Copenhagen

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Study Abroad: Australia - Port Lincoln

Study Abroad: Tasmania

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Study Abroad: The Australian Outback

ADVICE ABROAD: HOW TO LIVE LIKE A LOCAL IN LONDON

STUDY ABROAD LONDON: A QUICK TRIP ITINERARY FOR WHEN YOUR PARENTS COME TO VISIT

Empty Nest Fun

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Jan 25, 2020

The “Dirty” Secret of the Empty Nest: It’s a lot of Fun

Jan 25, 2020

Jan 25, 2020

The Empty Nest Blues: Feel Good Songs To Bring A Smile Back To Your Face

Sep 7, 2019

The Empty Nest Blues: Feel Good Songs To Bring A Smile Back To Your Face

Sep 7, 2019

Sep 7, 2019

ST BARTHS: NEW FINDS AND OLD FAVORITES

Apr 11, 2018

ST BARTHS: NEW FINDS AND OLD FAVORITES

Apr 11, 2018

Apr 11, 2018

PARIS FAVORITES: A GIRL’S WEEKEND

Apr 11, 2018

PARIS FAVORITES: A GIRL’S WEEKEND

Apr 11, 2018

Apr 11, 2018

CUBA: TOP THINGS TO DO IN HAVANA

Apr 11, 2018

CUBA: TOP THINGS TO DO IN HAVANA

Apr 11, 2018

Apr 11, 2018

HAVE CAMERA, WILL TRAVEL: A PHOTO WORKSHOP IN SAN MIGUEL

Apr 11, 2018

HAVE CAMERA, WILL TRAVEL: A PHOTO WORKSHOP IN SAN MIGUEL

Apr 11, 2018

Apr 11, 2018