Gerald Bradshaw – Page 3

People walk by the arch on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston on March 31, 2025. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Bradshaw: Elite college admissions is now a game of chicken that most don’t know they’re playing

August 1, 2025 at 1:54 p.m.

The truth is, top-tier admissions today is less like applying for a job — and more like a high-speed game of chicken. Colleges want to admit students who are almost...

People rally at the University of California, Berkeley campus to protest the Trump administration Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Bradshaw: Writing as your secret admissions weapon

July 17, 2025 at 5:05 p.m.

Strong writing showcases not just skill with language, but depth of thought, originality, and self-awareness. When I was a student at UC Berkeley, I wrote for the Daily Cal, covering...

The Purdue University campus on Oct. 8, 2020, in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Erin Hooley / baiduhai_

Bradshaw: What international admissions mean for Northwest Indiana

July 3, 2025 at 3:51 p.m.

More than ever, international students are setting their sights on public universities — especially top-tier flagships like Purdue, Indiana University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. These institutions offer...

Ryan Enos, a government professor at Harvard University, speaks at a protest against President Donald Trump’s recent sanctions against Harvard in front of Science Center Plaza on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Leah Willingham)

Bradshaw: College classrooms remain spaces for ideas not ideology

June 20, 2025 at 12:23 p.m.

At the end of the day, what top colleges want most is not an ideology — but a mind that’s awake.

Brookings Hall is lit up ahead of a presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. (Jeff Roberson / AP)

Bradshaw: Use summer before college to relax, foster connection

May 27, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.

You don’t need to be busy every day. You do need to be present. Use this summer to get good sleep, enjoy quiet time, travel if you can, and reflect...

FILE - In this photo taken Jan. 17, 2016, a student looks at questions during a college test preparation class at Holton Arms School in Bethesda, Md. The SAT exam will move from paper and pencil to a digital format, administrators announced Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, saying the shift will boost its relevancy as more colleges make standardized tests optional for admission. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Bradshaw: Test-optional policies can expand access, obscure data

May 1, 2025 at 1:53 p.m.

Test-optional admissions policies may expand access for some students. But they also obscure the data families need to make informed decisions. Without clear performance metrics, applicants must read between the...

People walk past the John Harvard statue in Harvard Yard, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Bradshaw: Public school students increasingly competitive in top college admissions

March 21, 2025 at 5:32 p.m.

If you attend a public institution that prioritizes academic rigor and incorporates innovative tools like AI tutoring and adaptive learning platforms, you can certainly compete with applicants from top private...

The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Kristopher Kettner /Shutterstock)

Bradshaw: Debating between business, economics major can influence career

February 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

Both economics and business majors offer valuable pathways, each with distinct emphases.

Joshua Borak, right, of Orland Park, reacts after rolling dice during a recent gathering of the Dungeons and Dragons Club at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. Gerardo Yanes of Chicago, left, was dungeon master during this session. The club has several student games and one staff game. (Matthew Grotto/Moraine Valley Community College)

Bradshaw: Clubs, activities can help ease transition to college

February 6, 2025 at 12:05 p.m.

The transition to college is a significant milestone, and it’s natural to feel apprehensive. However, by actively engaging in campus life, attending orientation events, and finding activities that align with...

DePaul students and veterans George Murad, left, and Mike Baumann stop before a business calculus class on Aug. 5, 2019, to analyze a map hanging in the university's veterans services office that shows where DePaul University students have served. (Camille Fine / baiduhai)

Bradshaw: Military experience can give grad school applicants an edge

January 14, 2025 at 10:10 a.m.

Your military service provides a strong foundation for success in business school and beyond. With careful preparation, you can leverage your unique experiences to gain admission to a top MBA...

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