Posts in Academics
Q&A: Should my college admissions essay relate to my intended major?

Depends. If your application is for graduate school where you generally already have a field of study chosen, or for direct admission into an undergrad college like X University’s College of Education, you should definitely tie your main application essay into your future major or focus area.

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What is a Holistic Review? All Your Questions Answered

At this point, most US colleges have implemented a holistic approach to their college admissions process. Instead of focusing on a number, admissions committees aim to understand who applicants are as individuals, specifically what they’re going to bring to the classroom and the campus community.

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Everything About the 5 Trends I Keep Seeing in College Applications This Year

In the latest video from our YouTube channel - I break down the 5 trends I keep seeing on applications this year.

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How Universities Make Admissions Decisions: 15 Factors

No matter how strong your grades are or high your SAT scores, admission isn’t guaranteed. There are a number of factors that go into your admissions decision.

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Preparing for the MCAT? 8 Free Resources to Get You Started

If you’re applying to medical school, the MCAT is an essential piece of your application. It tests your knowledge of General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Biology, Biochemistry, Physics, Psychology, and Sociology, along with your critical analysis and reasoning skills. Below, we’ve put together a list of 8 free resources to help you start studying.

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Stand Out to Admissions: How to Increase Rigor in Your Course Schedule

Your high school transcript says a lot about who you are as a student. Beyond the letter grades, your transcript demonstrates your ability to take advantage of your school’s opportunities and explore your academic interests. Do you challenge yourself? Do you step out of your comfort zone? Admissions officers want to know what you’re bringing to the table, and what kind of student you’ll be in college.

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Everything You Need to Know about the SAT Essay (+5 Tips for Success)

If you’re in the process of applying to college, you’ve probably registered for your SAT. Have you thought about whether you want to do the Essay portion or not? Before you decide, we’ve broken down the SAT Essay for you to help you prepare.

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Breaking Down Dual Enrollment: 5 Common Questions Answered

AP courses, IB diploma, CTE programs--there are many different options to consider when you’re trying to challenge yourself academically. There are pros and cons to each of the options, so take a look at our breakdown of dual enrollment to help you narrow things down.

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Starting High School? Here are 4 Tips to Get You Going on the Right Foot

We’re not saying you have to start stressing about applying to college one day. (Please don’t stress! There will be plenty of time for that later). But, it’s much easier to maintain your GPA than it is to bring your grades up. Just like it’s much easier to gradually add responsibilities and activities to your plate, instead of signing up for anything and everything and risking complete burnout.

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The Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad (+ Popular Programs to Consider)

Year after year, the number of students studying abroad continues to increase. Personal and professional development aside, study abroad gives students the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime

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10 Exciting Majors for STEM Students to Consider Pursuing in College

It’s the question everyone dreads. “What are you going to study?” You worry you’ll change your mind; you worry you won’t pick the right choice.  If your answer is “I don’t know, but I know I want to work in STEM,” this article will help you realize there are plenty of options for you to consider.


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Closing the Opportunity Gap: How QuestBridge is Helping Low-Income + “A” Grade Students Beat Admissions Odds

Did you know that the majority of low-income, qualified students don’t apply to top colleges? With high grades and academic achievements, many would be as competitive as their peers at the most selective schools, including Ivy League institutions like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Yet, a number of socioeconomic factors either dissuade or prevent low-income students from applying to these schools. In comes QuestBridge.

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Q&A: Will a High SAT Score Counter a Low GPA?

A: Your GPA is just one factor among a dozen or so colleges use to evaluate applicants. In many ways, I view course rigor and other academic indicators as important, if not more important, than having an incredibly high GPA (3.75+). Still, GPA does matter in the long run.

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College Admissions 101: Introducing 10 of the Top Undergraduate Engineering Programs (+ Acceptance Rates for Class of 2023)

Are you thinking about studying engineering? From mechanical engineering to computer engineering, there are plenty of paths to explore. Plus, the field of engineering is expected to continue growing in the next decade, so you’d be looking at a strong job outlook for the future.

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The Ultimate Guide to Prepping for College: 9th and 10th Grade Edition

As a 9th or 10th grader, it can feel like it’s too early in the game to start worrying about the actual process of applying to college. And you’re right. Your goal in the first two years of high school should really be to lay the foundation for success--focus on doing your best in school and finding the extracurricular activities that you enjoy--so you can develop your interests and grow as a student.

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Q&A: What are some things I can do in high school to help me get into good colleges?

As an experienced admissions file reader, there are some basic guidelines I would give any applicant, that if followed, would make their application profile more competitive for top schools, like the Ivies.

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The Ins and Outs of Asking for Letters of Recommendation: A Step by Step Guide for College Applications

Like your college essay, letters of recommendation allow admissions counselors to gain a better sense of who you are. While your SAT scores and grades give an idea of your academic capabilities, your recommenders can speak to your personality, your work ethic, and what you might bring to the campus culture.

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College 101: Requesting Letters of Recommendation

When applying for college, you’ll most likely need to include one to two letters of recommendation from a high school teacher with your application. Colleges use these letters of recommendation to understand the whole student as a part of the holistic review process. Letters of recommendation allow admissions officers to learn more about your personal background, values, and interests by getting a unique perspective from someone who knows you well.

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