Uncategorized Archives

Georgia Tech Drops The Main Common App Essay, Emory Will Superscore, More Colleges Go Test-Optional

It’s been another busy week in college admissions. Here’s the weekly round-up: There were more test-optional announcements, from large state universities like the University of Texas-Austin to private universities like Emory and Syracuse (Emory will now also superscore the ACT). Check out our list of post-Covid test-optional schools (updated daily). A statement from Syracuse’s Dean of Admissions underscores that test-optional doesn’t mean test-blind: “It’s important […]

This Week in College Admissions: Test-Optional Updates, US News Rankings Change, and Fall Reopening

It’s been a busy week in college admissions. Here’s the weekly round-up: ACT Section Retesting is being delayed to 2021. ACT says it’s to accommodate all the rising seniors who need to take the ACT in light of 2020 testing cancellations and disruptions. Princeton, the last Ivy to go test-optional for 2020-2021, also announced that […]

How to Have a Productive (and Relaxing!) Summer.

If you’re a high school student, you’re probably gearing up for finals right now. But before you know it, summer vacation will be here. Summer is certainly a time for relaxing, socializing, and recharging. After all, you work hard during the school year and deserve a break! However, the summer is also a great opportunity […]

Changes to the Common Application

This fall, a small, but significant change has been made to the Secondary School Report section of the Common Application. Historically, the form has included a comparison chart for college counselors to rate a student relative to other students in their class, and then provide a written evaluation or recommendation. This application cycle, counselors will still be expected […]

What if I Can’t Visit Colleges?

While it’s important to visit colleges to help you understand the schools better and decide where you want to apply, sometimes you simply can’t visit in person. However, with some creative research, you can still learn a lot about different colleges and their personalities without a physical visit. Here are some alternatives that don’t involve […]

College Visit Planning

If you’re applying to college this fall or next fall, you may still have some college visits planned for the coming months. Visiting colleges before you apply, and certainly before you’re admitted, is important for several reasons. First, you won’t really know how you feel about a place until you’ve been there. College is an […]

Recommendation Letter Advice for Rising Juniors

Junior year of high school can be a pivotal year in the college application process. You’ll probably take the SAT or ACT for the first time, begin searching for colleges, and go on your first college visits. In addition to these college application milestones, junior year is also an ideal time to identify which teachers […]

Tips for Choosing a Personal Statement Topic

Whether you apply to college using the Common Application, Universal College Application, or individual institutional applications, you will most likely need to write a 400-650 word college essay or personal statement. The prompts for these essays are intentionally broad and open-ended to make it easier for you to find a topic that is personally meaningful. […]