The Medical School Admissions Cycle: A Month-by-Month Guide
Mar 28, 2023
“Regarding letters of recommendation: students should ideally obtain letters from different sources,” Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of admissions consulting firm H&C Education, wrote in an email. “Medical schools usually require 2-3 letters from science faculty members who have taught the student in letter-grade courses such as biology, chemistry, physics, or other related sciences. Some schools also require a letter from a non-science professor who has taught the student in a letter-grade humanities or social science course.”
The dos and don’ts of college essays, according to the pros
November 17, 2022
“The college essay is the hardest part of the application process,” said New Haven, Conn.-based Pierre Huguet, CEO of H&C Education .
“It’s also one of the most important elements of your application. For many students, it’s difficult to get going, feeling pressured to sum up everything they’ve accomplished, everything they are, in 650 words. So where to begin? And, for many students, it can be just as difficult to conclude — how do you know when you’re done?”
How to Perform Well on SAT, ACT Test Day
Feb 16, 2023
"You should have already done just about all of the heavy lifting over the past three-to-four months by focusing on any academic weakness prior to the test," Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of admissions consulting firm H&C Education, wrote in an email. "Students should focus on lowering their stress level as much as possible at this stage. That isn't accomplished by actively focusing on 'not stressing' but rather by proactively engaging in activities that will take your mind off the test."
What the GRE Test Is and How to Prepare
Feb 7, 2023
"Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, an admissions consulting firm, advises at-home test-takers to go through the ETS equipment and environment checklist and equipment check tool to ensure that they are set up to take the GRE at home. "Students should read the fine print and make sure they have the right equipment before registering for the at-home exam," Huguet wrote in an email."
How Much Should You Trust College Rankings?
September 29, 2022
Pierre Huguet, who is the CEO of H&C Education, says that many college rankings put too much focus on measuring the prestige of a school vs. its actual performance. In the meantime, rankings of actual programs matter a lot more than overall rankings since they track and compare specific degree programs to one another.
If you want to get a sense of the strength of a specific school, Huguet says you should be sure to look at rankings for specific majors and not just overall rankings.
"You may be surprised by some of the top 10 lists for particular majors," he says, adding that the best academic programs for you may not all be Ivy League schools.
What Is Graduate School and Should You Apply?
May 13, 2022
"Graduate school can mean many things," Pierre Huguet, CEO of the H&C Education admissions consulting firm, wrote in an email. "There's a big difference between starting an M.S. or M.A. program, going to law or business school and embarking on the five- to seven-year journey that is a Ph.D."
"If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, for example, you will need to continue your education past college," says Huguet. "Additionally, certain post-graduate programs, such as MBAs, often provide students with important networking opportunities that can be as important professionally as the education students receive at business school. If you want to go into academia or conduct advanced research, you will most likely need a Ph.D."
How to Find a High School Internship
March 2, 2022
To find the right internship, start with a list of your interests, talents and passions, says Pierre Huguet, chief executive officer and co-founder of H&C Education, an educational consultancy focused on college admissions. “Play to your strengths,” he says. “Which academic subjects and extracurricular activities come naturally to you? What qualities or abilities do your classmates, coaches, teachers, mentors, friends and family value most in you?”
Don’t be afraid to explore interests outside of school like video games, street art or building robots, Huguet says. “Often, the things we love doing are those we are naturally good at,” he says. “In high school, however, your passion for baking or skateboarding may not be fully appreciated by your teachers. Your internship should be an opportunity to explore things you are truly passionate about and can't learn in school. With a little creativity, you can always find a way to pursue impressive projects at the intersection of your talents and passions.”
What College GPA Is Needed for Med School?
December. 3, 2021
Leadership is the best way for premeds to compensate for a low GPA and differentiate themselves, suggests Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of the H&C Education admissions consultancy.
"Students should pursue genuine interests and passions that aren't necessarily related to medicine," Huguet wrote in an email. "In the relatively homogeneous med school applicant pool, students should explore activities that will make an impact in the admissions process: founding and running a club or a non-profit, or publishing in a peer-reviewed journal, for instance, is far more impressive than passively following a doctor in the hallways of a hospital."
Is It Time To Ignore College Rankings? Experts Weigh In
September 27, 2021
Pierre Huguet of H&C Education agrees that choosing a college should be about more than the brand name. Students need to make sure they'll be happy on a campus that meets their extracurricular, academic, and personal needs, he says.For example, a student who lives for hiking, canoeing, fishing and other outdoor activities may not be happy at a college in an urban setting no matter how high the rankings are."On the other hand, if you’re all about visiting museums and writing a food blog, a school in New York or Chicago may be the right fit for you," says Huguet."
‘Excited’ and ‘Ecstatic,’ Students Return to Full Capacity Campus
September 1, 2021
"Even though I moved in on the day that Hurricane Henri was supposed to be in Boston, the process was very easy,” Ahmad Alsheikh ’24 said. Many undergraduates said they were looking forward to returning to normal school activities, such as attending sporting events and in-person classes."
How to find an effective career counselor
August 12, 2021
"As Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, a premier educational consultancy focused on college and graduate school admissions and career coaching, says, “Career counselors can help students, and professionals, plan their careers and figure out the right path for their specific situations. Understanding how to choose the person best suited to help you advance on your career path is key."
21 Places Worth Seeing on College Tours
June 8, 2021
Pierre Huguet, CEO of the H&C Education consulting firm, suggests that prospective undergraduates think about whether they'd prefer to attend an urban school.
"If the activities that give meaning to your life are hiking, canoeing, and fishing, you probably won’t want to go to college in an urban setting," he explained in an email. "On the other hand, if you’re all about visiting museums and writing a food blog, a school in New York or Chicago may be perfect for you."
What is a 3-year college degree program and how much does it cost?
June 04, 2021
"The amount you can 'save' depends on many factors," said Racquel Bernard, a former assistant director of admissions at Dartmouth and currently master admissions counselor at H&C Education Consulting, a college admission consulting firm. "Often, the cost difference does not exist. Students often pay the same amount just within a more condensed period of time. They may 'save' by skipping the fourth year, and therefore, missing the fourth year of increased tuition costs (given the overall upward trend in tuition costs for U.S. colleges)."
Top Undergrad Majors at the Best Medical Schools
June 04, 2021
Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of the H&C Education consulting firm, encourages premeds to explore their nonmedical academic interests and discover connections between those interests and the medical profession.
"The possibilities are endless, and they range from sociology and anthropology, to art and the humanities, and even to sports and video games," Huguet wrote in an email, adding that med school hopefuls with a nonmedical "passion" can distinguish themselves. "Most applicants tend to look the same, so finding some unconventional interests is always a great way to stand out in the admissions process."
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Pierre Huguet of H&C Education: I Am Living Proof Of The American Dream
April 25, 2021
"My own path informed the approach I designed at H&C: we provide each of our clients a unique roadmap for success in high school and beyond and help our students harness their entrepreneurial spirit, develop coherent academic and extracurricular profiles in line with their passions."
Read more about the experience and vision of H&C Education CEO and founder, Pierre Huguet, in a new interview with Authority Magazine.
What to do if you didn't get into medical school
April 22, 2021
The most important thing to remember is that you want to substantially improve your application before reapplying. "Resubmitting the same application will, most probably, lead to another rejection," Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of H&C Education says.
What the GRE Test Is and How to Prepare
April 1, 2021
Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of H&C Education admissions consulting firm, advises at-home test-takers to go through the ETS equipment and environment checklist to ensure that they are set up to take the GRE at home. "Students should read the fine print and make sure they have the right equipment before registering for the at-home exam," Huguet wrote in an email.
SAT and ACT scores may be optional in college applications this year, but many top schools still rely on them
March 26, 2021
Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, a Boston-based educational consulting firm, told me that “admissions officers relied pretty heavily on the SAT or ACT to evaluate the academic profile of a student. They were already looking at the academic results, the extracurricular profile, the letters of recommendation, but now they have to find ways to quantify some of these soft skills, and mostly the extracurricular profiles. So, it takes a lot of time. Now on top of that, they received lots of applications.”
College majors with the highest and lowest unemployment rates
October 21, 2020
Pierre Huguet, CEO of admissions consulting firm H&C Education, described political science as “one of the most versatile degrees in terms of job opportunities.” This is because political science majors cultivate analytical and rhetorical skills that can translate to essentially any industry. However, students of this discipline tend to work in political and legal environments, and often find jobs as diplomats, lobbyists, political consultants, and lawyers.
What Happens If Your College Campus Closes Again This Fall?
September 1, 2020
If you are worried about college campus closings and having to make last minute accommodations, you shouldn’t wait and see what happens. According to Pierre Huguet of H&C Education Consulting, a college consultancy firm, the absolute best step you can take is to start planning now.
“Do not wait until school officials announce they’re closing dorms or won’t be delivering food to your dorm,” he says. Students and families should come up with a concrete plan that would fit their finances and be logistically realistic in the event of a last-minute closure. This includes lining up access to food and lodging so they can adapt to online learning as smoothly as possible if campuses and dorms close.
Grad School During a Recession: Is It Worth It?
July 14, 2020
"Students who are passionate about research and want to go to graduate school should be aware that it will be very complicated for students with non-professional degrees to find research or tenure-track positions in the next two years, at the very least," said Pierre Huguet, CEO of educational consulting agency H&C Education.
But a professional degree like a JD, MD or MBA will still make you more marketable, recession or not.
"While a professional degree isn't a magic formula when it comes to finding employment, it can certainly help students, provided that they've spent enough time building their resumes by pursuing impactful activities during their education," Huguet said.
What the GRE Test Is and How to Prepare
August 6, 2020
Ian Curtis, co-founder and former director of academic development at H&C Education admissions consulting firm, notes that grad program admissions officers often care more about GRE section scores than overall GRE scores.
"Ph.D. programs are generally interested in highly specialized applicants, so a low math score, for example, won't necessarily hurt your chances of acceptance to great humanities and social sciences programs," Curtis wrote in an email. "I recently worked with a student who was accepted to a top history Ph.D. program with a math score in the 40th percentile. He had numerous publications and extensive teaching experience, the benefits of which far outweighed his poor performance in math."
What Is Graduate School and Should You Apply?
February 15, 2019
"Graduate school can mean many things," wrote Pierre Huguet, who is [...] the CEO and co-founder of the H&C Education admissions consulting firm. "There's a big difference between starting an M.S. or M.A. program, going to law or business school and embarking on the five- to seven-year journey that is a Ph.D."
Dilemma behind opting for Ivy League schools in COVID-19 times
July 7, 2020
In an interview with Forbes, Pierre Huguet, CEO of H&C Education, said that online education is often far from the experience students hoped for and paid for, and this is true no matter how hard schools try to alter their programs. With that in mind, he expects some schools to adjust their pricing for the coming school year.
How to get a student loan for community college
June 26, 2020
As Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder at H&C Education, an educational consulting agency in the New York City area, puts it: “Distance learning is definitely not the ultimate college experience. Many of my students keep telling me, ‘This isn't what I signed up for!’ and they’re right. Remote learning just isn't as exciting or fulfilling as a campus experience that allows students to interact with peers and faculty.”
He also says, since the process behind remote learning is largely the same, no matter which institution you choose to attend, many of the families he works with are balking at the idea of paying full tuition.
The Class of 2021 Could Change College Admissions Forever
June 19, 2020
Colleges claim to value a student’s character in the admissions process. “It’s not enough just to be smart at top schools,” says Angela Dunnham, former assistant director of admissions at Dartmouth College. “Students must also show that they’ll be good classmates and community builders.” If this were truly the case, then an applicant’s essay and extracurriculars would hold equal or more weight than a test score or G.P.A. After all, there’s nothing about a multiple choice test that showcases a student’s creativity or versatility.
Top Undergrad Majors at the Best Medical Schools
June 16, 2020
Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of the H&C Education consulting firm, encourages premeds to explore their nonmedical academic interests and discover connections between those interests and the medical profession.
"The possibilities are endless, and they range from sociology and anthropology, to art and the humanities, and even to sports and video games," Huguet wrote in an email, adding that med school hopefuls with a nonmedical "passion" can distinguish themselves. "Most applicants tend to look the same, so finding some unconventional interests is always a great way to stand out in the admissions process."
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Tips For Taking The At-Home GRE
June 14, 2020
Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of the college consulting firm H&C Education, says students should read the fine print on the checklist and pay close attention to details such as the requirement that asks students to provide a 360-degree camera view of the room and desk prior to taking the exam.
“This means that if you work at a desktop computer with a built-in camera, you probably won’t be able to show a 360-degree view of the room without either breaking your back or unplugging your computer,” Huguet tells Business Insider.
America Disrupted: Colleges face cash crunch
June 12, 2020
Yahoo Finance’s Alexis Christoforous, Brian Sozzi, and Akiko Fujita discuss what the college education landscape will look like due to the coronavirus pandemic, and speak with H&C Education CEO Pierre Huguet about how students are reconsidering their enrollment.
As Harvard Goes Online, Will Students Pay Top Dollar For Higher Education?
June 8, 2020
Pierre Huguet, CEO of H&C Education, says that online education is often far from the experience students hoped for and paid for, and this is true no matter how hard schools try to alter their programs. [...]
Elite colleges with huge endowments, such as those in the Ivy League, aren’t impacted by the economic crisis in the same way as most colleges, says Huguet. A majority of top-tier colleges, and especially Ivy League schools, are already need-blind as well, which means that applicants are judged solely on their merits irrespective of their ability to pay for tuition.
“These schools meet 100 percent of the financial need demonstrated by their students,” he said. “They do not rely on tuition the same way most colleges do.”
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Impact Of Coronavirus (COVID-19) On College Tuition And Finances
June 3, 2020
“At the moment, much remains uncertain, but unless a vaccine becomes available in the near future, I would bet that a lot of colleges will remain closed until 2021 and try to move all of their classes online,” said Pierre Huguet, CEO of H&C Education. “The main issue with this scenario is that online courses aren’t as appealing to students as living on campus. So, if this happens, and even if moving instruction online is an expensive process, colleges will have to find real financial incentives to make sure that enough students enroll in the fall.”
What you need to know to prepare for and excel at the online GRE, according to testing experts and instructors
May 5, 2020
Pierre Huguet, CEO and cofounder of college consulting firm H&C Education, explained that a good way to get ready for this is the online practice tests.
[...]
"While we're all living in a very stressful time, a quarantine is also a great moment to start working on a research paper, for instance, and show admissions officers that you've been proactive during your quarantine," Huguet said. "Impactful experiences in your field are much more important than your GRE score alone."
What COVID-19 Means for Graduating College Seniors and Incoming Freshmen
May 1, 2020
"The job market for the class of 2020 looks bleak. The U.S. is facing a possible recession. People are losing their jobs, and no one seems to be hiring right now," explains Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of college consulting firm H&C Education. "Graduating college seniors should expect to spend the next three to six months without any real job or internship opportunities." [...]
Even though times are tough, especially for those making big life transitions, there's still a way to make the most out of this complicated time. "Now is a great time for students to help their communities and build their resumes with meaningful real-world work experiences," says Huguet.
With Decision Day Looming, High School Seniors Face Uncertainty In Their College Choices
March 23, 2020
Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of college consulting firm H&C Education, says that every school’s financial aid offer is different, so you have to spend some time deciphering their offers.
“This means that you need to figure out which parts of your financial aid package are grants or scholarships, and which sections are either work-study, or federal, state, or private loans,” he says. “Pay careful attention to all the details in your financial aid offer—what looks like a generous offer can be a loan in disguise.”
32 Free Online Courses from the Best Colleges and Universities
May 10, 2019
Can one math class make a difference in your academic standing? Curtis sure thinks so, and he has the story to prove it! “I worked with a student who took an online math class over the summer,” he explains to RD.com. “The student could have paid for a certificate, but I told him to save his money. As an added bonus, the student was able to skip ahead a whole year in his high school math curriculum. These achievements count a great deal in the college application process.” Not bad for a single free class!
College admission essay tips from recruitment specialists
December 18, 2020
Ian Curtis, co-founder and the Director of Writing and Academic Development at H&C Education, added, “Aim for an uncommon and intriguing first line. Avoid beginning an essay by introducing yourself, for example, since your reader already knows what your name is.” He also warns against making broad claims and instead, using concrete examples.
He reminds students that the essay is not an academic paper and doesn’t need to follow the traditional structure, either.
Test-Optional Colleges: What’s The Catch?
October 24, 2018
College admissions tests—and the SAT in particular—have been under scrutiny for many years. Most people who work in higher education have stories about students accepted with relatively-low SAT or ACT scores achieving near-perfect GPAs in college (and, on the other hand, kids with outstanding test results being just average in their college classes).
College Planning Timeline for High School Students
January 2, 2020
For tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of seniors applying to college this year, the admissions process will be one of the most grueling and stressful experiences they’ve had in their lives. If you’re a student or a parent of a student who’s just starting high school, however, we’ve got good news: you can avoid nearly all of the stress of the application process by planning for success early on.
College Consultants Should Do More than Condemn William “Rick” Singer
April 18, 2019
College consultants are not the only ones who need to do better. Public schools (even certain private schools) need more funding for college counseling services. We repeatedly hear the same story from our clients: their child’s counselor is extremely overworked. In 2015–16, a single public school counselor was responsible for 470 students. When we founded our company in the fall of 2018, the New Haven Board of Education had recently cut the number of college counselors in our city by a third.
How To Get Into Top Colleges: Create Your Student Brand
February 15, 2019
With such low acceptance rates at top colleges, families are looking for new ways to beat the odds and stand out in the college admissions process. Creating a student brand will help you hone your talents and passions, and communicate your unique value to admissions officers.
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What Can You Do With a Political Science Degree?
April 22, 2019
Pierre Huguet, the CEO of the H&C Education admissions consulting firm and a Ph.D. candidate at Yale University who took multiple college courses in political science and government as an undergraduate at the University of Montreal, says a degree in political science can be used to obtain a variety of types of jobs.
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What the GRE Test Is and How to Prepare
February 15, 2019
"Ph.D. programs are generally interested in highly specialized applicants, so a low math score, for example, won't necessarily hurt your chances of acceptance to great humanities and social sciences programs," Curtis wrote in an email. "I recently worked with a student who was accepted to a top history Ph.D. program with a math score in the 40th percentile. He had numerous publications and extensive teaching experience, the benefits of which far outweighed his poor performance in math."
How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree?
August 12, 2019
Ian Curtis, a founding partner with H&C Education, an educational and admissions consulting firm [..] says there are several steps involved in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. Students typically need to fulfill course requirements and pass comprehensive exams [...].
Pierre Huguet, the CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, says prospective Ph.D. students should be aware that a Ph.D. is designed to prepare a person for a career as a scholar.
Preparing for College Starts Freshman Year of High School
July 14, 2019
Ian Curtis, independent college consultant and co-founder of H&C Education, encourages students to figure out the subjects they most enjoy and dig deep in those areas. “Use a part of your summer vacations in high school to enroll in academic programs that will help you build your knowledge and experience in a given subject,” he says.
Last-Minute Strategies For Ivy League Applications
December 17, 2018
The college essay is a chance for admissions officers to get to know a student. The essay should tell an applicant’s own unique story. A student should be confident, before submitting his or her essay, that only he or she could have written the piece. Style is not hugely important, but the content should paint a vivid picture of the applicant’s personality.
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What wealthy parents do to get their kids into elite colleges (legally)
March 13, 2019
Huguet hopes this scandal will draw a clearer line between what is acceptable and what is not in the admissions process. "Some parents think they can buy their child a place into top schools," he says. "We have had clients who want us to write the college essays. Who want us to place them. That's not what we do."
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The Ultimate Summer Guide for Rising Seniors
May 3, 2019
"Remember that the college application process doesn’t have to be stressful. Plan ahead, make sure to stay organized, read some great books, and take time to relax and spend time with your family and friends. Keep these tips in mind, and start thinking about admissions now. This will give you plenty of time to ensure that you’re presenting yourself to colleges in your very best light.