2023-24 Common App Supplements
Many schools utilize the Common App as their primary application form, and school-specific supplements allow every institution to customize this universal application in order to build a well-rounded first-year class. From asking about a student’s favorite snack to designing their dream seminars, many colleges are getting creative with their supplement questions so that admissions officers can learn as much about applicants as possible.
Crafting a Winning Why Dartmouth Essay: Tips and Tricks
One of the most stressful parts of the admissions process for many students is writing the college essay. After all, the essay carries so much weight because it provides more insight into who you are, how you think, and whether you’re a good fit for the school. Because the essay is so stressful, many students put it off until the last minute. However, the trick to writing a winning essay is to prepare in advance.
Knowing what to expect can help you feel more confident about how to respond to the essay prompts. If you’re interested in attending Dartmouth, you will be expected to write the “Why Dartmouth?” essay. Read on for some tips and tricks to write a winning essay that will get the attention of the admissions committee.
The Ultimate Guide to Finding & Applying for Merit Scholarships
For most students, financial aid is an important part of the college admissions process. You will likely complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is useful for receiving need-based financial aid, but that isn’t your only option. There are countless merit scholarships available if you take the time to seek them out.
Let’s look at how to find and apply for merit scholarships.
High School Classes: What to Choose to Prepare for College
While college may feel like a distant challenge on the horizon, it’s important for high school students to choose their classes carefully to begin preparing for their next academic milestone. Admissions officers will review the courses students take from their freshman year of high school onwards, which is why it’s crucial to be selective about the classes you’re taking to ensure they align with your long-term goals. Although choosing high school classes may feel overwhelming at first, students who do their research will feel confident in the choices they are making when it comes time for course selection.
Medical School Admissions: Guide to the AMCAS Application
If you’re considering applying to medical school, you’ll likely be using the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) to apply to your best-fit medical school programs. This can be a challenging process, but knowing what to expect ahead of time and formulating a strategy to complete the AMCAS will help the process go more smoothly.
How to Prepare for College-Level Academia and Homesickness Before Going Off to College
While students often think of their junior year of high school as one of the most overwhelming periods of their academic career, the first year of college can also be a particularly stressful time. College freshmen must adjust to advanced-level courses, in addition to navigating new living situations and increased independence. This transition marks an important milestone in a student’s growth and development, but it also comes with a handful of challenges that should be considered well before college begins.
The Ins and Outs of Need-Blind Admissions: What You Need to Know
Figuring out the college admissions and financial aid processes can be stressful and complicated for both students and parents. It can be especially difficult if you’re afraid your financial situation puts a college education out of reach. After all, some schools take financial aid needs into consideration when evaluating applicants.
However, many colleges offer “need-blind” admissions that give students from all economic backgrounds a chance to further their education. In this article, we’ll explore what need-blind admissions means and how it may impact your chances of admission.
What Are Need-Blind Admissions?What does it mean when a college has a need-blind admission policy? It means that the student’s ability to pay tuition is not factored into the college’s admission decision. Need-blind schools typically admit more students who need financial aid than colleges that don’t have this policy. However, some schools have limits to this policy and may not offer need-blind admissions to transfer or international students.
What Is the Difference Between Need-Blind and Need-Based?As we explained, a need-blind admissions policy means that a student’s financial need won’t put them at a disadvantage in the admissions process. Need-based refers to a type
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
7 Summer Activities to Boost Your College Admission Chances
Summer break is here for many students, but that doesn’t mean all learning has to stop! It’s important for college-bound students to spend their summers wisely, but they don’t have to participate in a fancy college summer program to do it.
Colleges want to know what students are doing in their spare time, and that includes the few months that students have off during the summer. A productive summer can help you better explore your interests and ultimately strengthen your applicant profile when it comes time to apply to college. Spending your summer wisely is an important college prep strategy and can go a long way toward helping you achieve your college admission goals.
What Is an Internship and How Does It Work?
Internships offer valuable experience and can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door in a particular field. But what exactly is an internship, and how does it work? Let’s take a closer look at internships and discuss what they are and how college students can get the most out of them.
What Is an Internship?An internship is a valuable work experience that provides students with an opportunity to explore and develop their professional interests while learning essential new skills. It is a short-term form of employment that is the perfect way to gain real-world experience in the job market, make professional connections, and build a solid resume or CV. Opportunities are available throughout the year, whether you want to intern during an academic term, winter break, or the summer, though internships that occur over school breaks often require the same hours that full-time jobs do. While interns are typically college students, there are also internship programs for high school students.
Do You Get Paid in the Internship?Internships are not always paid, particularly if the
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.
Why SAT and ACT Scores Still Matter as Test-Optional Choices Rise
In the past several years, testing policies have varied wildly across the U.S. admissions landscape. While it was once a given that applicants would submit their test scores with their college applications, students now may be wondering whether it is still worthwhile to take the ACT or SAT exam. Keep reading to find out why it is in many applicants’ best interest to submit a standardized test score — even if the school does not require it.
Test-Optional Doesn’t Mean Test-BlindWhile it is true that a fair number of schools have retained test-optional admissions for the upcoming application cycle, that doesn’t equate with being completely blind to applicants’ test scores. Instead, the role that SAT or ACT scores play in a student’s chance of admission has evolved: while scores are no longer a requirement at many colleges, that doesn’t mean that they won’t have an impact on students’ admissions odds. In fact, admissions officers are likely to look favorably upon applicants with compelling SAT or ACT scores. SAT and ACT scores that fall within or above your best-fit colleges’ desired score range will continue to
STEM Education: Everything You Need To Know
Are you looking for the perfect way to boost your college admissions? If you are passionate about technology and find your math and science classes interesting, STEM education is a great way to do just that. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math, and it is becoming increasingly important in today’s world.
By focusing on these four areas of study, students can gain important skills to help them excel in college and beyond. Keep reading to learn more about pursuing a STEM education.
What Is STEM Education?STEM education is a curriculum that focuses on four main subjects: science, technology, engineering, and math. By focusing on these topics and developing skills in each area, students can gain an understanding of how the world works and how they can use their knowledge to solve real-world problems. Students also develop essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Students who study STEM disciplines in college generally show an aptitude for these subjects in high school. Therefore, high school students who wish to pursue a STEM education should do what they can to expand their knowledge and
What Is College Life Like?
For many young adults, college offers the first taste of independence, an opportunity to make lifelong friendships, and a chance to learn important life skills. However, college life isn’t the same for everyone. Every student will have a unique college experience, but certain elements of campus life are universal.
What Is College Like?Academics are obviously the main reason for attending college, but there is more to it than scholarly pursuits. You have the chance to explore various options for your future; participate in clubs, societies, sports, and other extracurricular activities; meet people from all walks of life; gain valuable skills and experience; and expand your worldview. These are aspects of college that most students, regardless of background, can experience and benefit from.
What Is the Best Part of College Life?The best part of college life for many students is growing more independent. College will expand your independence whether you live at home and commute to campus, live in one of the residence halls, or share campus-area housing with other students. You control your own schedule, learn effective time management skills, and
How to Write a College Application Essay That Makes an Impression
If you’re under the impression that grades and standardized test scores are the only admissions criteria that really matter, think again. While it is true that these types of hard factors carry significant weight throughout the admissions process, well-written essays that reveal your true personality are also extremely important.
When it comes time to start writing your personal statement and supplements, you need to work diligently and develop several drafts so you can create content you are genuinely proud of.
Keep reading to learn more about the importance of application essays and what you can do to stand out!
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.
The Essential Guide to Acing the College Application Process
While the application process may seem intimidating at first, every student’s college admissions journey is an opportunity to discover more about themselves and their academic goals. With the right strategy, all students will be able to identify their own best-fit schools and showcase why they deserve a spot on campus.
How to Get Into Boston University: All You Need to Know
Boston University, or BU as it’s known, is a top private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. The university has 10 undergraduate schools and colleges to choose from, as well as dual degree and double major options.
Boston University has become increasingly competitive throughout the last few years, receiving record-breaking numbers of applications from across the country and around the world. Read on to learn the best practices applicants should use to increase their chances of admission to Boston University.
A Complete Guide to Choosing a College Major
You have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to choosing which colleges to apply to, and one factor that might influence your balanced college list is choosing a college major.
Some students already know what they want to major in, and this may influence which colleges they apply to. For other students, the choice of undergraduate major may be a bit less certain. If you’re undecided about a major, it won’t hurt your chances of admission. However, you still need to decide on a major once you’re enrolled.
