Blog

You are currently browsing the College category.

Twelve Reflections on Teacher Recommendations

College Teacher Recommendations: How to Choose the Right Recommenders

Teacher recommendations are an essential part of your college application, and most schools require one or two letters supporting your candidacy. These recommendations provide additional insights into your personality, intellectual curiosity, and potential impact on your college community. These letters of recommendation (LORs) are only one element of your application and probably won’t make or …

Read More

Three Ways Writing About Obstacles Strengthens Your Application Essays

When crafting application essays – whether for graduate school, business school, or any other competitive program – candidates often focus on highlighting their accomplishments. And it’s easy to understand why. Most applicants want to showcase their significant achievements, such as leading a groundbreaking project, making a meaningful impact through research, or spearheading a successful community …

Read More

Six Last-Minute Common Application Tips – 2025-2026

It’s November, and we are starting down the home stretch of the college application season. As we enter the regular admissions cycle, additional deadlines are looming. Congratulations if you applied Early Action or Early Decision using the Common App. Now you can turn your attention to Regular Decision deadlines, which will vary somewhat over the …

Read More

University of California System: Tips for 2025-2026 Personal Insight Questions

high school student writing personal insight questions on her laptop for the California University system

The University of California (UC) system consists of nine campuses that all use the same application. They are UC Berkeley (Cal), UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Merced, UC Santa Barbara, UC Los Angeles (UCLA), UC Irvine, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego. If you are applying to one or more of these campuses, you …

Read More

Four Mistakes Successful College Applicants Avoid

High school age boy in yellow shirt at desk applying to college

The preparation for a successful college application does not happen overnight but is instead the culmination of years of work throughout high school. However, not all aspiring college students take the correct steps leading up to, and during, the application process.   Here are four mistakes successful college candidates don’t make and that you should avoid, …

Read More

Picking an Undergraduate Major: 16 Important Considerations

High school girl with books thinking about college

Choosing your undergraduate major is a big decision. Before you settle on one, consider these suggestions to help you identify the right choice for your personality, skills, and aptitudes.  College Courses Career Exploration Activities, Jobs, and Internships After investing in this research and some of these activities, you will feel confident that you have chosen …

Read More

University of Pennsylvania Supplemental Essay Tips and Timeline [2025–2026], Class Profile

The University of Pennsylvania, or Penn, was established in 1790 and is one of the oldest universities in America. This prestigious Ivy League school is known for its top-notch research as well as its undergraduate programs that focus on practical applications grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation. It accepts the Common App or the …

Read More

Tips for Yale University’s Short-Answer and Supplemental Essay Prompts 2025-2026

Not surprisingly, Yale University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. It accepts the Common Application, Coalition Application, and QuestBridge Application. All three applications require a personal statement essay plus additional Yale-specific short answers and a Yale writing supplement. This prestigious Ivy League school prides itself on providing undergraduates with an exceptional …

Read More

Tips for Answering the 2025-2026 Stanford Supplemental Essay Prompts

a photo of plants shaped like the Stanford University logo

With an acceptance rate of under 4%, Stanford University could fill its freshman class with valedictorians and students with perfect 4.00 GPAs and test scores several times over. That’s why, in addition to your Common App personal essay, your responses to Stanford’s short questions and short essays play a significant role in determining whether you …

Read More

Your Free, 30-Minute Consultation

Sign up for a free consultation to ask your most pressing admissions and application-related questions, get a profile evaluation, and find out how our team of professional admissions consultants can help you get accepted.

Start Now!