While your performance and potential as a student are most important for post-secondary admission, colleges also care about who you are outside the traditional classroom setting. In fact, they want to see evidence of how you’ve engaged outside of your coursework, whether it’s through sports, volunteering, clubs, or jobs, as this can be a reflection…
Applying to college is exciting, but it can also be stressful. Deadlines, essays, tests, and decisions can feel overwhelming. Mental health matters not just during application season but also when students begin college. Learning to manage stress and recognize warning signs early can make this transition smoother and support long-term well-being. Parents play a key…
It’s your junior year of high school, and you’ve probably been told to start looking at colleges. But what does that mean? It’s an overwhelming task with very little guidance on where to start. In the US, the choices are enormous. There are more than 4,000 colleges and universities, ranging from public and private institutions,…
Spring break is here. Your last bit of downtime before graduation. As the sun hits your face and you’re soaking it all in before hitting that final stretch of senior year, you’re struck by the most nerve-racking thoughts. “Where are my college decisions?” “I heard back from the University of Pittsburgh, but why hasn’t UPenn sent…
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…
The short answer is No. In most cases, colleges do not prefer the SAT over the ACT or vice versa. Virtually all U.S. colleges accept both exams, and admissions committees evaluate them equally. Students should choose the test that best reflects their academic strengths. However, standardized testing policies have evolved significantly in recent years.During the…
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…
The personal statement is the most important part of the college application, and yet many applicants today continue to make mistakes in tone, content, or even topic. The video guide below covers the key components of a perfect essay, the common mistakes in content and style made by applicants, and how to craft a unique…
According to NCES (IPEDS), about 16.2 million undergraduates were enrolled at Title IV degree-granting U.S. institutions in fall 2023 (provisional), 19.4 million students total. (Source) For rising seniors who aspire to become college students, the journey–the process of applying to colleges– is about to begin. So, whether you’re a first or fourth generation college-bound student,…
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…