College Application

UCs and the Common App

By Jessica Rabalais / 10/06/2023

When applying for college, students will use the Common or Coalition Application to apply to most of their college list. These application systems house most of the private schools in the US, making the application process more streamlined and allowing you to apply to up to 20 schools (with the Common App) with only one…

How to search for the right college

By Frank Sierra / 09/22/2023

“So… where do you want to go to college?” This question can either send a chill down one’s spine or create a sense of excitement to share their plans. Regardless of one’s reaction, searching for an ideal college can prove to be difficult. The choices are endless, the pressure constantly grows, and soon, they all…

Why Extracurricular Activities Matter in College Admissions

By Philana Tenhoff / 09/15/2023

Students spend hours, weeks, and even years committing to activities they hope will make them stand out in the college admissions process. Does it really make a difference if you play soccer, volunteer as a math tutor, play the piano, serve as president of the student council, or write for the school newspaper? As a…

How Do I Get into a Law School in the United States?

By Solomon Team / 08/18/2023

So, you want to be a lawyer? Congratulations! Attending law school – and eventually practicing law – is a fantastic way to expand your strengths, enrich your academic life, engage in meaningful dialogues, connect with pressing, modern-day issues, and ignite your intellectual spark, all while working to change the future in meaningful ways. The first…

Why should I consider attending a liberal arts college?

By Philana Tenhoff / 08/01/2023

Most of my clients are looking for brand-name schools, you know, the ones you see on TV or where everyone’s had a distant cousin, a co-worker, or a neighbor attend. They prefer name recognition, and let’s be honest, parents want to tell their friends that their child is attending ‘that’ school. But the reality is,…

What Exactly is the Common Application?

By Solomon Team / 07/28/2023

The Common Application is a centralized platform utilized by over 900 colleges to collect general information, input supplements & essays, and submit applications. Gone are the days of applying to seven colleges using seven different applications. Gone are the days of filling out each application via pen and paper. The Common Application is tool students…

Differences Between Early Application Plans

By Solomon Team / 07/21/2023

So, you are applying to college and decide to create a calendar for application deadlines. In your exploration of college websites, you come across terms like early decision (ED), early action (EA), and restrictive or single-choice early action (REA or SCEA). Do all these admissions decision plans confuse you? Are you asking yourself why there…

A Guide to Recommendation Letters for College Admissions

By Solomon Team / 07/05/2023

“Be nice to your college counselor – we write your letter of recommendation.” These words stood out in bold white letters on a bright red coffee mug that sat on my office desk for years. The cup’s blunt advice always received a chuckle from students and parents, likely because the suggestion was a gentle reminder…

What’s a Good SAT/ACT Score for Applying to College?

By Solomon Team / 06/29/2023

In addition to the usual application materials, like transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays, students are often asked to submit standardized test scores from either the SAT or ACT exam when applying to college. Top schools do not recommend one test over the other; students are allowed to submit whichever one they prefer. SAT/ACT scores…

College Application Timeline: Defining the Deadlines

By Solomon Team / 06/16/2023

For many months, students have been working on their college process. From searching for colleges to visits, to writing a personal statement, there has been substantial commitment toward their future. And as they approach the final leg of the process, an equally important decision emerges: When do I apply? It is essential to have a…