Category: Choosing a College
How to Get Into UC Berkeley: All You Need to Know
The University of California at Berkeley, or Cal, as it’s lovingly called, is a legendary institution of higher learning located in charming Berkeley, California, on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. Read on to find out more about UC Berkeley, how to get in, and how to improve your applicant profile to increase your chances of admission.
10 Best Pre-Med Schools in the U.S.
Students who plan to go to medical school generally spend their undergraduate years pursuing a pre-med course of study to prepare them for a career in medicine or other health fields. But what exactly is pre-med, and what courses are you expected to take? If you’re thinking of attending medical school, keep reading to learn more about pre-med requirements and which schools in the U.S. offer the best programs.
How to Get Into Tulane: All You Need to Know
Tulane University offers classic southern charm and intellectual rigor with the unique cultural landscape that only New Orleans can offer. A strong school spirit and a singular sense of place pervade the campus at this mid-sized, private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana.
How to Get Into Penn: All You Need to Know
The University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League university located in Philadelphia. “Penn,” as it’s colloquially known, was the first university established in the U.S. Originally founded in 1740 as a charity school and church, Benjamin Franklin proposed in 1749 to turn it into an institution of higher education after publishing his famous essay, Proposal Relating to the Education of Youth. The university has come a long way since then, becoming one of the most prestigious
USC vs. UCLA: Which College Is the Right One for You?
Students interested in attending college in Los Angeles often prioritize two schools: the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). While they are both located in the same geographic area, they differ in a few significant ways that may impact which school you choose. If you’re considering both schools, it’s helpful to take a deeper dive into their similarities and differences.
USC is a private research university that is particularly renowned for its academic programs in technology, business, and arts. UCLA is a public research university with high-ranking programs in engineering, business, medicine, and law. Both schools are known for their athletics and share an intense rivalry. Read on to learn how these schools compare so you can decide which institution is right for you.
The Success Stories of Brown University’s Most Notable Alumni
As an Ivy League institution, Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the top universities in the U.S. Founded in 1764 as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, it is also one of the nation’s oldest universities and the first one codified to admit and instruct students regardless of religious affiliation. The college changed its name to Brown University in 1804.
The school attracts students from all over the world and boasts many distinguished alumni — known as Brunonians — who have made their mark in the world through politics, fashion, entertainment, academia, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. Keep reading to learn about some of the most influential people who attended Brown University.
How to Write the Brown Supplemental Essays
Brown is at the top of plenty of students’ best-fit lists, so it’s no surprise that most prospective applicants want to do everything they can to stand out in their applications. While grades and course rigor carry the most weight in admissions decisions, students also need to write compelling essays that demonstrate their interest in attending the college.
In addition to the personal statement, students must prioritize the Brown University supplemental essays when compiling their application. Keep reading to learn more about the supplemental essays that Brown requires, as well as what it takes to write a top-tier personal statement.
What Essays Does Brown Require?Like most colleges, Brown University requires applicants to submit a personal statement as part of the Common Application. Students can choose from the Common Apps’ list of prompts and compose a response of approximately 650 words.
Brown University has a series of supplemental essays that students must answer in addition to the required Common App essay. For first-year applicants, there are three questions, and each response should be approximately 200-250 words. For students applying to Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME), there
How to Get Into UVA: All You Need to Know
The University of Virginia is one of the most competitive and exclusive public universities in the country. It was famously founded by one of the Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, in 1819 in the beautiful city of Charlottesville, Virginia. UVA boasts a beautiful and sprawling campus that those in the know lovingly call “Grounds.” A campus quad is located within Grounds, known as “the Lawn,” where students attend classes, participate in student activities, and keep UVA traditions alive.
With 12 schools, from the McIntire School of Commerce to the School of Nursing, applicants have many excellent academic options to choose from. Known as a bastion of high quality, public education, UVA has become an increasingly popular college for applicants from across the country, though about 68% of students who enrolled in the fall of 2022 hailed from Virginia.
UVA students are proud Cavaliers who are just as likely to be found cheering on their football team at Scott Stadium as they are to be volunteering in one of the many service projects run through the university’s service center, Madison House. It takes a smart, engaged, critical thinker to excel at a place like UVA. Do
How to Get Into Georgetown: All You Need to Know
Georgetown is known for its strength in the fields of international relations and political science, so it’s not surprising that many diplomats and politicians have passed through its doors. It’s the perfect location to steep yourself in the necessary knowledge to pursue careers in these fields.
In fact, the Walsh School of Foreign Service offers more specialized undergraduate majors in this field than most universities, including majors in culture and politics; global business; international economics; international history; international political economy; international politics; regional and comparative studies; and science, technology & international affairs. Georgetown also offers many other programs of study in its four other academic colleges, the College of Arts and Sciences, the McDonough School of Business, the School of Health, and the School of Nursing.
If you are a curious, strong student who sees yourself living and studying in the nation’s capital, Georgetown should be on your radar. Read on to find out everything you need to know to apply to Georgetown.
How to Get Into Bowdoin College: All You Need to Know
Bowdoin College is a small liberal arts college in Brunswick, Maine, just northeast of Portland. It does not offer professional track majors but has robust liberal arts offerings including a renowned environmental studies program. It is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 liberal arts colleges in the country by U.S. News and World Report.
Bowdoin is only a 30-minute drive from Portland and a few miles from the ocean. Beyond its main campus, Bowdoin also has the Schiller Coastal Studies Center, a center for research and recreation located a few miles away on Orr’s Island.
Read on to learn best practices that applicants should use to increase their chances of admission to Bowdoin College.
Good Extracurriculars for College: Why They Matter and How to Choose Yours
When preparing students for the college admissions process, we place a lot of emphasis on identifying and developing students’ interests in addition to good grades and test scores. As we’ve said before, students’ interests are important because it helps colleges make admissions decisions and build well-rounded classes.
However, developing students’ interests isn’t just about getting into college—they’re a key factor in helping students succeed during their four years and after graduation.
How to Get Into Northwestern: All You Need to Know
Northwestern is a top research university and liberal arts institution just outside of Chicago in the town of Evanston, Illinois. It’s known for its world-class school of journalism, Medill, as well as its top-notch, innovative programs across disciplines.
The university was founded in 1851 to serve the Northwest Territory, then a new part of the United States. Though it started with just 10 students, it has grown significantly—it now has over 8,000 undergraduate students in its 12 schools and colleges. Though it is well known for the Medill School of Journalism, it boasts many excellent majors within the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
Northwestern is a member of the Big Ten athletic conference, and the Northwestern Wildcats play sports at the highest level, NCAA Division I. Beyond sports, students have access to a huge array of extracurricular activities, adding to a vibrant student and campus life.
Read on to find out what you should do to prepare for admission to Northwestern University.
How to Find Accurate College Acceptance Rates
Every year we hear about “record-low college acceptance rates” for a number of already highly-selective colleges and universities. With more students applying to more colleges, it’s no surprise that many schools across the US are seeing their admission rates drop; however, that’s not always the case for every institution. When building your balanced college list, it’s important to understand how your profile stacks up against the most recently admitted class and the overall college acceptance rates for each school to which you plan to apply. There are a number of places to find this information, but it’s not always easy to find, so we’ll break it down for you:
5 Ways to Narrow Down Your College List
Finalizing your list of best-fit schools is one of the most important steps of the college application process. Between writing supplemental essays, finalizing personal statements, and requesting letters of recommendation, there’s a lot that students need to prioritize – and often, they put off the difficult task of narrowing down their long list of best-fit schools. Keep reading to learn more about what you should keep top of mind so that you can narrow down your college list and stay ahead of the game on all of your applications.
How to Get Into Brown University: All You Need to Know
As a leading research university and a member of the Ivy League, it’s easy to see why many students have their sights set on Brown University. The school has many top-tier programs, in addition to a dual degree program with neighboring Rhode Island School of Design.
Since Brown University has a stellar reputation and receives thousands of applicants each year, students must go the extra mile to get a seat in the upcoming class. Read on to learn the best practices that applicants can utilize to increase their chances of admission and what sets Brown University apart.
How to Get Into Harvard: All You Need to Know
When it comes to college acceptances, many applicants view Harvard as the gold standard for admissions success. While the Ivy League college may not be a best-fit option for every student, there’s no doubt that plenty of future applicants are eager to gain a seat in Harvard’s next class of admitted students. So what does it really take to get in?
How to Get Into Harvard University: Table of Contents
When to Apply to Harvard University How Hard Is It to Get Into Harvard: Early Prep How Do You Actually Get Into Harvard: The Application Class Profile What Makes Harvard University Unique? When to Apply to Harvard UniversityGetting into Harvard is a major accomplishment and it doesn’t happen overnight. Gaining a seat at the top-tier institution takes time, hard work, dedication, and some careful planning. If you’re a student asking yourself “How do I get into Harvard?” or a parent wondering how to prepare your child for college, the first step is to develop an in-depth understanding of what goes into the application process and when you need to get started. Generally, students submit their undergraduate applications to Harvard
How to Get into Princeton: All You Need to Know
Princeton tops many students’ lists for dream schools to attend. Like most other Ivy League colleges, the university is known for its rigor and increasingly competitive applicant pool. As competition for a seat at the top-rated college intensifies, most future applicants are asking themselves the same question: what does it really take to earn admission to Princeton University?
Making Your Own College Rankings
A constant concern of universities, and many college-bound families is the next list of college rankings. Where will an institution land on a list with other “top” colleges, and which schools will be a surprise top 5? But do rankings really matter? The short answer is: no!
Columbia Interview Questions: What to Expect
Note: Starting with the 2023-24 application season, Columbia University is no longer offering alumni admissions interviews.
For students who dream of attending an Ivy League university in a big city, Columbia University is often their top choice school. The college is renowned for its academic rigor and its core curriculum, which is the cornerstone of a Columbia education. Given these factors, it’s no surprise that gaining admission is exceptionally competitive.
Students need to do well in every component of the application process in order to stand out, and that includes the interview. Keep reading to learn more about Columbia interview questions, so you can be prepared to stand out and ace your interview.
What Is a Columbia Admissions Interview Like?The first step to excelling during the Columbia University interview is understanding exactly what goes into the process and what makes it unique. You should know that you will be speaking with a regional alumnus and not a member of the admissions office. Interviews are meant to be more informational than evaluative, so they tend to have a relaxed tone. You will typically be assigned to an alumnus who
Princeton University Transfers: Acceptance Rate, GPAs, Deadlines
As a member of the Ivy League and an institution known for its academic rigor and impressive alumni network, it is easy to understand why Princeton University earns a spot on many students’ best-fit lists. Every year, the school receives tens of thousands of applications from high school seniors and current college students interested in transferring.
While there are many similarities between the first-year application process and the transfer admissions process, there are also several key differentiators that students need to know if they’re interested in switching schools. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Princeton transfers.
Princeton Transfer: Basic RequirementsRegardless of when you’re applying, getting into a highly selective university like Princeton is a multi-step process that requires plenty of hard work, research, and self reflection. When it comes to learning more about how to get into Princeton, the first step students need to take is making sure they have all of the materials that will be required during the admissions process.
These materials include a handful of important documents including your high school transcript, essay
NYU vs Columbia: Which School Is the Better One?
Students interested in going to school in New York City often prioritize two colleges: New York University (NYU) and Columbia University. Although these institutions are located in the same metropolitan area, New York City, there are several key differences between them.
Given each school’s unique characteristics, it can be challenging to compare NYU vs Columbia and choose one as the better option. Read on to learn more about how these two colleges stack up against each other and to learn what you should keep in mind when applying to either one.
Is It Easier to Get Into Columbia or NYU?Both NYU and Columbia are top-tier universities that place a heavy emphasis on academic excellence. Each institution receives thousands of applications per year, and unfortunately, both need to turn plenty of promising students away. While both schools are competitive, Columbia is more selective than NYU. For the class of 2026, the admissions rate at Columbia was just 3.7% versus the admission rate of 12.2% at NYU for the same year.
Is NYU a Good School?Though NYU may be less selective than Columbia,
