Blog Posts | College Application Advice

UMiami Adds An Essay, Reed Goes Test-Blind, and the Ivy League Cancels All Fall Sports

This week we’ve got one college eliminating testing altogether and another adding a supplemental essay. We also got some updates about tuition reductions for those learning remotely and the fate of fall sports (and beyond). The University of Miami will have a supplemental essay question for the first time starting this year. In testing news, Reed College tweeted they will be test-blind for […]

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 […]

Deferred Early Applications?

You may have recently received a defer decision from one of your early application colleges, and you might be wondering what that means, and what you can do about it. This blog post should clear a few things up, and help you plan for the future. What does it mean that my application was deferred? […]

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 […]