College Prep Tips & Resources for Every Grade

Too often, students list highly selective, “name-brand” schools as their dream colleges without determining if these schools are a good fit.

Junior year is a busy time for students, and arguably one of the most critical college prep years. There’s only a little bit of time left before summer break and juniors are suddenly rising seniors and ready to start applying to college. There’s a lot that juniors can do between now and then to prepare and get on track with their college prep.

AI can be a useful tool, but it’s important to use it the right way when it comes to college prep.

While strong grades and test scores clear the academic bar, they rarely differentiate applicants at highly selective institutions; qualitative components play a central role.

It can be difficult to choose where to go to college, and it sometimes happens that a student realizes their current school isn’t working for them. Or perhaps a student starts out at a community college before continuing to a four-year school to finish their degree. Whatever the reason, transferring to another school is always an option. If you’re considering a transfer to another school, you are not alone.

After a busy fall term, it’s important to take some time to recharge during your winter break. However, that doesn’t mean you should press pause on your college planning. Without the stress of juggling classes and after-school activities, you can spend more relaxed, focused time working on tasks or diving deeper into your interests.

While many schools have since reinstated testing requirements, thousands of schools remain test-optional or test-blind — some have even made it permanent. Learn more about test-blind and test-optional policies and how they may impact your admissions strategy.

The college admissions landscape is often shrouded in mystery, and admissions trends seem to change every year. But one aspect of the process that seems here to stay is holistic admissions. What does this mean for applicants beyond the surface-level explanation that it looks at more than just grades and test scores? Keep reading to learn what colleges genuinely assess when they commit to a holistic review of student profiles.

Interviews, especially college admissions interviews for top-tier colleges like Princeton, can be stressful. Many students are eager to gain a seat at the university, which historically has low acceptance rates. A strong interview can definitely help applicants stand out for all of the right reasons. So, what does it take to ace the Princeton interview and set yourself apart from the pack?

Most students applying to college understand the importance of high school grades. After all, your grades are the most critical part of your college application — and the first factor admissions officers review.