College Admissions

What to know before your 1st college visit

By Daniela Garcia / 11/14/2025

I remember the 1st college trip I took with my mom. I was not interested in the school at all, but it was not far from home and a perfect place to test the waters and practice my networking skills. I remember riding in the car in silence, unhappy that my mom was making me…

Research Required to be a Successful Transfer Applicant

Research Required to be a Successful Transfer Applicant

By James Simon / 10/13/2025

Why Transferring to Selective Colleges Requires Strategy Many selective colleges and universities offer the opportunity to apply for fall and spring transfer admission. Transferring to selective colleges is competitive, requiring research, planning, and preparation. This 2024 Forbes article shows how many selective colleges are equally competitive for transfers as first year admissions, with many transfer…

How to Get Accepted to Duke University

How to Get Accepted to Duke University

By Solomon Team / 08/12/2025

Applying to Duke is more competitive than ever. The overall acceptance rate dropped to 4.8% for the Class of 2029. Still, Early Decision offers a relative advantage: applicants admitted through ED saw an acceptance rate of 12.8%, compared to 3.67% for Regular Decision. Below is a video breakdown of how Duke evaluates applicants. We recorded…

3 Advantages of Applying Early Decision

3 Advantages of Applying Early Decision

By Brandi Smith / 07/11/2025

Early Decision is a way to apply to college that gives you a decision by early to mid-December. However, it’s binding, meaning if you’re accepted, you must attend and withdraw all other applications. What Is Early Decision? Early Decision is binding, meaning if you’re accepted, you’re committed to attending that college and must withdraw all…

Successfully Transferring to a Top College

Successfully Transferring to a Top College: Key Strategies

By Aliesha Ibikunle / 05/16/2025

Transferring to a top college is a competitive and challenging process, often more selective than applying as a freshman. With acceptance rates for transfer students at top 20 universities typically ranging between 2% and 5%, students must be strategic and intentional in their approach. Unlike first-year applicants, transfer students are evaluated primarily on their college…

7 tips for a successful college campus visit

7 Tips for a Successful College Campus Visit

By Haley Artime / 04/10/2025

Visiting college campuses can be one of the most exciting and informative parts of the application process. However, with so many students competing for limited tour spots and information sessions, planning ahead is crucial. Many students can only visit a campus once before applying, so making the most of each college campus visit is key.…

Why College Admissions Are Unfair

Why College Admissions Are Unfair

By Anoi Hindle / 02/19/2025

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: College Admissions are unfair. Yep, we said it. In this article, we will outline some of the historical reasons for that, and also describe ways in which you (and all students) can submit your strongest applications within this context. This Article Will Discuss The Following: Imagine…

2024-2025 College Application Deadlines

College Application Deadlines to Keep in Mind for 2024–2025

By Solomon Team / 02/12/2025

There are several different types of deadlines for consideration, and often at least two per institution: Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Rolling, and Priority. While there are general timelines for each type, specific dates vary by institution. These deadlines encompass all required application materials, including the application itself, transcripts, letters of recommendation, résumés, and…

Why Do Universities Defer Students

Why do Universities Defer Students?

By Anoi Hindle / 01/22/2025

You’ve worked hard on your early applications, collected recommendation letters, proofread your essays numerous times, and then finally apply to your dream school, only to hear that your application has been deferred. Often, this comes in the form of a letter from the university where you applied saying they were not able to offer you…

Why Are Some Colleges Test Optional?

Why Are Some Colleges Test Optional?

By Solomon Team / 01/13/2025

The Common Application and Coalition Application have helped mainstream and simplify the application process for students allowing them to apply to multiple schools using the same form versus decades past when students filled out single paper applications for each college. Despite using one (or only a few) platforms to submit your college applications, you still…