Win a $5,000 Scholarship

Campus Life

Prepare for college life with tips on campus tours, college majors, and living on and off campus.

High school female volleyball team in action.

Quiz: What Club Should I Join in College?

Whether you want to try new things or meet new people, clubs are a great way to bolster the college experience.

7 Schools That Don’t Require Freshmen to Live on Campus

Portrait of teen outdoors

How to Maximize a Campus Tour Over a School Break

Student sitting on their bed with a laptop researching how to choose a college without visiting it

How to Choose a College Without Visiting It

Lawyer speaking on behalf of their client in a courtroom

5 Lawyers Share Their College Major and Whether It Helped Their Careers

High school student holding a coffee cup talking to a college alumni about their college experience

How to Find Alumni and Talk to Them

Two high school students holding textbooks excited for an overnight college visit

How to Prepare for an Overnight Stay at a University

Two college students carrying boxes as they move into college housing

College Housing: Should I Live On Campus or Off Campus?

What are the Pros and Cons of Having a College Roommate?

Professor watching college students studying in classroom

What It’s Like Going to a College That Doesn’t Give Traditional Grades

College student eating in their dorm room contrasted by another college student eating dinner in a dining hall

The Debate: College Meal Plan vs. No Meal Plan

Multiple students raising their hands in a classroom ready to answer their teacher's question

Can’t Choose a College Major? It’s Okay to Go Undeclared

College student wearing earbuds and watching a video on their phone in a hallway

I Went to a Commuter School and Loved It

College Visit Checklist: 10 Tips for College Campus Tours

Mother and teenage daughters sailing on lake

How Parents Can Turn a College Tour Trip Into an Actual Vacation

Students talking in classroom

How Important Is It to Be Taught by Tenured Professors?

College student examining a piece of pottery in an arts studio

5 Fine Arts Majors Share Their First Jobs and Salaries

Many college students walking to class with backpacks on and one student riding their bike

How to Get the Real Story About Campus Life

College athlete playing tennis

Student Athletes Share the Pros and Cons of Playing Sports in College

Teacher holding tablet in auditorium in front of class. Student with raised hand

Helpful Questions to Ask on College Tours

University students taking exam at classroom

How to Know If a School Truly Cares About Diversity and Inclusion

Three professionals smiling while sharing their college experiences

English Majors Share Their First Jobs and Salaries

Schoolgirl in UK studying outside

5 Schools With Degrees and Courses That Require Travel Abroad

Smiling woman on the street.

5 Real Students Share Why They Love Their City Campuses

6 Tips to Prepare for a College Fair

Frequently Asked Questions

All US colleges accept both the ACT and the SAT exams. Taking a practice test of both can help you decide which one may be the best one for you. That said, more and more colleges are making standardized testing optional. Talk with your guidance counselor about your college list and come up with a testing strategy together.

 

SAT® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site.

 

ACT® is a trademark registered by ACT, Inc., which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this site.

Early action and early decision are college application methods in which you get an acceptance decision before standard admissions decisions are sent out in the spring. In general, early decision is binding: You have agreed to attend the college, unless there is a financial reason you’re unable to do so. Early action is not binding: You know your acceptance status but do not have to commit until spring.

Deciding how many colleges to apply to is a personal decision. A rule of thumb is anywhere between 5 and 8, but your guidance counselor can help you come up with a target number that’s right for you. In general, it can be a good idea to include at least one safety school (a school you’re likely to get into) and a “reach” school (a competitive school that has a low acceptance rate, or a school whose admissions requirements may be at or above your high school résumé). Remember, there are a lot of materials to submit when applying to college, so having too many on your list may feel overwhelming.

college essay is a chance for the admissions officer to see a side of you that they may not see on your transcripts and résumé. It can be about anything important to you, and the moment you write about doesn’t have to be groundbreaking. Even writing about a summer job can be a great topic. Above all, the essay should be well-written, insightful, and express your true personality.

Rolling admission means colleges review applications as they are submitted. That means that you may receive your decision from them before you hear from other colleges. Rolling admissions applications still typically have a deadline for the last day materials are due.

Communicating with an admissions officer can be beneficial. Not only can they answer any questions you might have about their school, but communicating with them can express your interest in the college, which can reflect positively in your admissions folder. Come up with questions you are curious about before a tour or a college fair. Asking about programs, study abroad opportunities, and campus life are all great places to start.