Colleges send out lots and lots of bulk mail Not all colleges can afford to mail every student Most mailings are not very targeted If you haven’t started to get piles of brochures from colleges yet–just wait. Most high school juniors and seniors receive more college mail than they know what to do with. It’s …
Holiday Crunch: 8 Tips for College Applicants on Winter Break
It’s that time of year. Yeah, it’s the gift season, but it’s also frantic college application frenzy season. As deadlines for many college applications loom just around the corner, many students are now in what we call “Holiday Crunch” mode. If you’re a student–or a parent of a student–like most, who plan to use the …
Myth: Applying to Fewer Colleges Boosts My Chances of Acceptance
Generally speaking, colleges don’t share admissions information with each other. The only way a college might figure out how many colleges you’re applying to is through your FAFSA, where you list each of the colleges you wish to receive a copy of your financial aid application. The number of colleges listed on a student’s FAFSA …
When to Apply to College: Early Decision vs. Early Action vs. Regular Decision
Once you have decided which schools you will apply, you now must decide which application deadline option is best for you: early decision vs early action vs regular decision. Here are the options and the good, the bad (and the ugly?) of each. Applying to college early decision Things to keep in mind when you apply …
What Do Colleges Look for From Students?
Colleges look for more than just grades and test scores. Of course, high school grades and standardized test scores are important. But there’s also your extracurricular activities, your course selection, and some other things we detail below. What else do colleges look for from students? Preparing for college is a lesson best learned backward. Look …
Is Early Action Right for Me?
A number of colleges give prospective students the option to apply early action. Early action (EA) is a non-binding program which allows students to receive admissions decisions in December rather than April. Unlike early decision, applying early action is not a commitment to a single college. Is EA right for you? Applying Early Action can …
Should I Apply Early Decision to College?
Prepared students with a single first choice college may consider applying early decision. Early decision is binding–meaning if you apply and are accepted early decision to a college, you are expected to go there, with almost no exception. There are a lot of reasons students apply this way. Many believe it’s easier to be accepted …
How to Build a Great College Application List
How many colleges should prospective students apply to? What if a student isn’t accepted to any of the schools on their list? One of the most important parts of the college search process is building a college application list. Why should you make a list? It’s critical that students create a balanced college application list …