Receiving an Early Decision acceptance is a huge milestone—congrats! But before you kick back and celebrate, there are a few critical steps to wrap up your college application journey. From updating your school’s admissions office to withdrawing applications from other colleges, we guide you through it all.

The 2024-25 FAFSA introduces significant updates that families should be aware of, including the shift from the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to the Student Aid Index (SAI). We’ve broken down the changes into manageable sections to help you prepare.

The growing emphasis on character in college admissions reflects a broader shift toward holistic applicant evaluation. By understanding what colleges value and thoughtfully presenting their unique traits, students can enhance their applications and contribute meaningfully to their future college communities.

Duke University's recent adjustments stand out as a beacon for how institutions are reimagining the process. The changes, particularly in the review of essays and the role of standardized testing, reflect a nuanced approach to evaluating potential students.

Certainly, academic summer enrichment programs offer valuable experiences, but they can be quite costly. Fortunately, there are numerous affordable or even free alternatives for high school students to explore their interests and gain experience during the summer months.

Aspiring engineers have a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity, skills, and passion for engineering through a Maker Portfolio. Learn more about what goes into the process, the type of projects you can make, and why it can be such an impactful asset in your application.

Social media platforms have become a treasure trove of educational content, offering diverse and interactive ways to learn. Beyond the conventional platforms, here are some other examples where you can find educational content and learning communities.

These platforms offer a wide range of summer academic enrichment programs, providing students with numerous options to explore their interests and enhance their educational experience.

As the college admissions process becomes increasingly competitive, students and parents are feeling the pressure. With select colleges receiving thousands of applications from qualified (and even over-qualified) applicants, it’s no longer a matter of whether or not an individual is academically prepared for a particular school—it’s about which applicant has a small edge over their peers.

When it comes to creating your college list, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your college list should be tailored to your individual needs and goals. However, while many students think they know exactly what they want in a college—from size and major offerings to campus atmosphere—it’s not until they actually visit the campus that their vision begins to crystalize. A college visit can be the deciding factor in helping you build a strong college list.

In a special online session on September 15th, meeting with admissions representatives from Cornell University, we gain unique insights into their admissions process as well as general university updates. Read more in this blog to catch a recap of important points.

This spring when most “competitive” colleges released notifications to applicants, simultaneously the institutions also unleashed the reality of shrinking acceptances rates. Only 1,954 high-achieving applicants were offered admission to Harvard University out of a pool of 61,220 worthy, hopeful students. This shocking number equates to an admit rate of 3.19 percent.

After years of planning, the College Board has finally transferred the SAT into a digital format. No more spare pencils and extra sheets of loose leaf paper!

Over the years there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of volunteerism as applicants are considered for possible admission to colleges and universities. For numerous, positive reasons, being aware of the world around you and being an active participant in helping others enriches a student and benefits local and global communities. 

Following significant job opening reductions during the most active period of the Covid-19 pandemic, employers are now eager to fill jobs and move companies forward again, according to Phil Gardner who is the author of the Collegiate Employment Institute Annual Recruiting Trends survey. Gardner states, “Add to this the historically high quit rate, and many employers are eager to find new talent.”

Where will this year’s applicant pool apply? Will students avoid universities located in states that have a reputation for being lax in handling Covid-19? Fearing statistics, will parents dictate the applicants’ choices? How will the current Coronavirus spike impact institutions such as Emory University or Loyola University New Orleans that typically attract students from all over the country?

Where will this year’s applicant pool apply? Will students avoid universities located in states that have a reputation for being lax in handling Covid-19? Fearing statistics, will parents dictate the applicants’ choices? How will the current Coronavirus spike impact institutions such as Emory University or Loyola University New Orleans that typically attract students from all over the country?

When researching college choices, it’s highly important to review the list of academic majors that are offered. This advice is especially critical for students who want to focus on specialized majors such as engineering and architecture that are not offered at all colleges and universities.

One of the hinge pin hurdles of the college admissions process is for the student to create a smart college list. The collection of school possibilities needs to be “smart” for several key reasons.

High school students and transfers who visit a campus are more likely to apply and enroll. Pre-pandemic, most colleges offered multiple tours and information sessions Monday through Friday, and sometimes on Saturdays. Now, for those institutions currently with tours, the offerings are much smaller than before Covid-19 and are mostly outside.