Blog Posts | College Application Advice

Admissions Deans Send A Message, Fall Semester Concerns, and ACT Cancels July Dates

While there were fewer test-optional announcements this week (we’re looking at you, Michigan and the SUNY system), other news dominated college admissions. Here’s the weekly round-up: More than 300 college admissions deans signed a statement urging students to first prioritize self-care during these unprecedented times. The statement, “Care Counts in Crisis: College Admissions Deans Respond to COVID-19,” also emphasizes that they understand that […]

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 […]

Course Selection

Spring semester is time to start thinking about what courses you’ll be taking next year. One of the most important components of the college application process is your high school curriculum. In fact, the courses you take in high school can be as important as your grades in those courses. With that in mind, no […]

How to Ask Questions

No matter where you are in the college application process – about to get your admissions decisions, or at the very beginning of your college search – you will have questions. Whether in person or via e-mail, admissions counselors always appreciate when a student communicates well. As you make your way through your college search, […]

How to Handle Admissions Decisions

You’ve put a lot of effort into your applications, and hopefully you’re hearing good news from colleges. That said, you’re likely receiving a mix of decisions from a variety of schools. Here’s some advice on how to get through the coming weeks, as the college application process begins to wind down. 1) Celebrate your acceptances! […]