A College Counselor's Guide for University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh may steal your heart. The city surprises many first-time visitors with over 400 bridges, three rivers, and some areas with houses perched on hillsides like European cities. It has a strong immigrant tradition rooted in its history. Pittsburghers are known for their integrity, work ethic, and innovation. Pittsburgh has all the big-city amenities such as three professional sports teams, an amazing restaurant scene, and a world-class symphony, but retains a personalized mid-size city feel. 

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Showing Off Syracuse: A Guide for Family Weekends

Family Weekend is such a fun time every year for parents & their students to reconnect. For freshmen, it usually falls right at that time where they’ve have been on campus long enough to learn their way around and also are maybe feeling a little homesick. So you’ll want to capitalize on this quality time and make sure you show your family the best of Syracuse!

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My Eating Guide to Middletown, CT 

By Daytripper Ambassador Gabby Guzdek of Honestly Gabby


Are having plenty of options to eat close to campus an important factor in your college decision-making process? If so, and if you’re looking at Wesleyan University, you’ve come to the right place! Located in Middletown, CT, Wesleyan has an array of delicious food options all close to the university! Most places are within walking distance on Main St, and all are affordable. Whether you’re looking for a good cup of coffee, a quick bite, or a sit down vegan meal, this guide has you covered.

Best Coffee : Qawa Coffee Co. 

Qawa is still pretty new to CT (less than a year old) but it’s made its mark on Middletown. The coffee is delicious, the people are friendly, and the cafe is full of natural light and a dream study space. My personal favorite is the Yemeni Latte, made with almond milk, vanilla, and cardamom...it’s delicious and super unique. Pair it with their Ricotta Toast and you’re good to go! I also recommend the drip coffee if you like your coffee simple. 

Best High-End : Esca

The Wild Mushroom Flatbread and the Tiramisu are two favorites off the menu here. The restaurant is nicer than most of Middletown dining spots and more expensive, but it’s a great option for when you need a classier dining experience. 

Best Quick + Casual : Brewbakers

Brewbakers is perfect for grabbing a quick bite or grinding out some homework on the weekends. The local breakfast and lunch cafe serves egg sandwiches, pastries, coffee, lunch sandwiches, soups, salads, and more! I love the Garden Veggie Burger, which is loaded with caramelized onions, tomato, and pesto aioli. For coffee, check out the Cookie Jar or Berry White specialty lattes! 

Best Late-Night Grub: Whey Station 

The Whey Station food truck (parks near Fisk on campus) and it’s newly opened store front on Main Street offer tons of cheesy goodness! Grilled cheese is their specialty. At the truck, get the Channing Tater or the Ella. At the brick and mortar restaurant, get the raclette (bonus points for getting it over tater tots!) 

More Late Bites: Mamoun’s Falafel Truck 

A Wesleyan staple. Parked outside Exley Science Center most Thursday-Saturday nights, the truck serves both Middle Eastern food and American food! The mozzarella sticks are delicious, and I’ve heard the Falafel Wrap and Steak + Cheese Wrap are also delicious. 

Best Sweet Tooth: Durham Dari Serve 

Worth the drive. Super cheap and super delicious ice cream! The shop is seasonal, so take advantage when it’s open. I love their flavors of the day, but the chocolate soft serve with rainbow sprinkles is always a staple. 

  Best Takeout: Asian Restaurant  

Asian Restaurant has super cheap and deliciously large portions of whatever Asian food your heart desires! My go-to is the Pad Thai with Tofu...yum! My friends recommend the Lo Mein and the Hibachi Shrimp. Asian Restaurant is definitely my top contributor on Grubhub! 

Personal Favorite: Ion  

This all vegan restaurant has been up and running for 30+ years, and there is a reason to its success! The food is delicious, and my non-plant-based friends also love it. ION uses the freshest ingredients (local when possible!), focuses on sustainability, and emphasizes quality. Everything is scratch-made, so it takes a while to get you food, but it’s worth the wait. I genuinely would recommend everything on the menu, but some of my favorites include the Southern Fried Tofu, the Classic Cheeseburger, the Nachos, and the Cajun Gumbo. You MUST finish your meal with the Coconut Cake...the cake is incredibly flavorful and has an almond frosting. I’m not a massive fan of either coconut or almond desserts but this cake single handedly changed my perspective...it’s that good. 




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**Hi, I'm Gabby! I'm in the Class of 2022 at Wesleyan University, double majoring in Biology and Science & Society! I am on the Wesleyan Field Hockey Team, and am passionate about health and wellness. Follow along with me at honestlygabby.com or @honestly_gabby on Instagram! :) 

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DAYTRIPPER UNIVERSITY

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

It’s normal to be in a bit of a funk after dropping the kids off at school whether you’re new to the empty nest or an old veteran. We know of no better way to chase the doldrums away than to turn the music up loud and dance, its hard to cry when your feet are moving and your arms jingling. So grab your spouse, your friend, or even your dog, key up your favorite playlist and channel your inner Meredith and Cristina from Grey’s Anatomy and dance it out! 

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And at all costs stay away from country music channels and under no circumstance listen to Alan Jackson’s Remember When, Then they Do by Trace Adkins, My Little Girl by Tim McGraw, and Ready, Set, Don’t Go by and Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus. 

DIY Mudcloth Pillows For Your Dorm

Dorm rooms are an opportunity for a fresh start. They come bare-bones, usually including a small bed, simple desk and white walls. By personalizing this space on move-in day, not only will you begin to feel more at home, but you’ll meet new people who are impressed with your decor.

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

InGenius Prep outlines here exactly what is considered high and low in terms of GPA and SAT scores, what kind of SAT scores top schools look for, how having a high GPA but low SAT scores is evaluated in college admissions, and how you can still pick yourself up and not lose all hope when it comes to getting accepted into a great school.


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Michigan Game Day Itinerary

 
 

Parents weekend, 3:30 pm football game

From the perspective of current Michigan student, Sarah Teich '18

Over 100 College Tour Itinerary Guides
University of Michigan
8:00 AM

8:00 AM

Get up and get dressed: it’s game day! If you’re lacking apparel, make sure you head over to the M Den on state street before Saturday to get in the spirit. Pick out a shirt that is the color maize (a fancy term for the color yellow) because that is what all the Michigan students wear to the games.

Tip: The M Den is always super crowded on game day weekends, especially parents weekend. Avoid some of the crowds by checking out the M Den in the nearby Briarwood mall or online.

8:30 AM

8:30 AM

Eating breakfast on game day is a MUST. The Midwest is known for having the worst bagels in the country, but stop by Panera or Breugers bagels for a quick breakfast pick me up. If you are a caffeine addict don’t fear, there are two Starbucks and two local coffee shops called Espresso Royale on campus. If you have more time to sit down for breakfast, Angelo’s is the way to go before a big game day. Make sure to carb load with some of their famous home-made toast.

9:30 AM

9:30 AM

If you don’t already have your necessary tailgating beverages, stop by a liquor store on the way to the tailgates. If you’re walking from the hill area, stop by Strickland’s market where you can get mini Ciroc shooters to stay classy at the tailgates.

10:00 AM

10:00 AM

Head over to the tailgates! Your kids will pull you towards all sorts of different locations so make sure that you’re wearing shoes that you don’t mind ruining and dress for the weather. If it’s even the slightest bit chilly, layering is key. Get ready to question why you let your kids come to a school where these sort of activities are considered normal, and prep yourself for dancing on an elevated platform.

2:00 PM

2:00 PM

You’ll be surprised how quickly time flies on game day, but by the afternoon you will definitely be hungry. Depending on what time the game is you’ll need to fuel up accordingly. Any options on South University are quick and easy to grab.

If you’re in the mood for Thai food check out No Thai. If the lines are too long at these popular spots, try Belly Deli which is a casual Asian deli with a great chicken stir-fry salad.

3:00 PM

3:00 PM

If the game is at 3:30 pm, you’ll want to start heading to the Big House! The best way to get there is to walk because uber charges sky rocket on game days. The walk is 30 minutes, but you’ll be thankful for the exercise after a day of partying and eating like college students. Plus, it always seems shorter because of the excitement for the game.

3:30 PM

3:30 PM

Once you get to the Big House you’ll enter through a different section then your child, who will enter through the student section. Be sure to take a picture together in front of the trademark M right when you walk into the stadium before you head to your seats. If you really want to feel part of the Michigan community, google the Michigan fight song before the game and join in with the crowd to sing “hail to the victors”!

5:00 PM

5:00 PM

No game day is complete without a visit to Pizza House and an order of feta bread. Feta bread is a cheesy bread topped with a mixture of feta and mozzarella, and it is must for Michigan students after the game.

If you want more of a meal, get a chipati. A chipati is another favorite of students, especially on game days, and consists of a salad in a warm whole wheat pita with special chipati sauce (Ann Arbor’s twist on thousand island dressing). While Pizza House is a great place to get one, another spot is Pizza Bobs. Pizza Bobs is closer to the stadium, and arguably has the best chipati in Ann Arbor.

6:00 PM

6:00 PM

After your late afternoon snack, a nap is an important part of game day for kids and parents alike. Once you wake up and take off your letter M face sticker, you may be hungry for a more substantial meal.

If you want something casual head to Zingerman's deli and pray that the line isn’t horrendous. If it is, know that a famous Zingerman’s sandwhich is absolutely worth the wait. If you want something traditional, the Zingerman’s Rueben is the way to go. If you’re not a fan of that, check out their great turkey sandwich with avocado spread.

8:00 PM

8:00 PM

If you want to have a nicer meal, opt for a later reservation and book it way in advance. Your family will want to eat later anyways because everyone will be tired after game day, and there will be more availability. Some of the best nicer restaurants in Ann Arbor are Aventura, which has Spanish tapas, or Vinology on main street, which lends a gourmet twist on classic American dishes.

10:00 PM

10:00 PM

Your kids may still want to go out after leaving you at dinner, but trust me you will be ready to fall asleep and dream about your amazing game day experience. Sweet dreams, and go blue.