Getting Started on Your College Essays
It's not easy to write about yourself. But colleges really want to understand what makes you tick. Here's how to get started.
Applying
6 Major Things COVID Changed About the SAT and ACT Exams
There’s nothing standard about standardized testing this year. Keep up with rapidly changing testing policies.
6 Ways the Pandemic May Influence College Admissions Trends
Here are six admissions trends to be aware of as you’re applying to and enrolling in college.
5 Expert Study Tips to Help You Pass Your AP Exam
Pros share their top study tips to help develop the confidence and tools you need to pass your AP exam.
QUIZ: Should You Go to a Trade School Instead of College?
Depending on your goals, trade school may be a better choice for you than college.
5 Unique Schools to Consider If You Want to Be an Engineer
Impressive engineering schools that stand out for merits other than a tippy top ranking.
5 Colleges for Serious Video Gamers
If video games are more than just a casual hobby for you, add these schools to your college list.
5 Fine Arts Majors Share Their First Jobs and Salaries
Proud BFA holders share their first gigs and annual incomes to help you decide if a fine arts degree is for you.
QUIZ: Is Your College List Ready to Go?
Putting together your college list is an important task. Find out if your list is spot on or needs to be tweaked.
I Went to My Reach School. Here’s What Happened.
Students share their experiences of navigating the pros and cons of going to the schools at the very top of their college lists.
5 English Majors Share Their First Job Experience
Get some career inspiration from the first job experiences of these proud English major grads.
5 Lawyers Share Their College Major and Whether It Helped Their Careers
If you’re unsure what major can serve your goal to be a lawyer best, check out what these lawyers say about their college majors.
I Majorly Improved My SAT Score. Here’s How.
Increasing an SAT score takes time, commitment and whole lot of work. Here’s how one student did it.
7 Schools to Consider If You Don’t Test Well
If you know that standardized tests aren’t an accurate reflection of you as an applicant, here are seven schools to consider adding to your college list.
QUIZ: Is an Out-of-State College Right for You?
A basic, but helpful, criterion to consider while whittling down your college list is location — out-of-state versus in state. Find out if out-of-state makes sense for you with this quiz.
The Latest Trends in College Application Essays
Stay up-to-date on college essay trends so you craft your essay to make the best impression with potential schools.
The Question: What About Going Off to College Excites You the Most?
There’s something thrilling about embarking on a new chapter. We asked these college-bound students what they’re looking forward to when they start college.
How to Prepare for an Overnight Stay at a University
If you’re heading off to an overnight stay on a college campus soon, here are few tips on how to make the most of your time.
6 Ways to Improve Your SAT Score That Aren’t Studying
Admission experts and educators share their non-study tips that could boost your SAT test score.
How to Go to College With Your High School Friends and Still Meet New People
Students who attended college with friends from high school share tips for how to maintain old relationships while meeting new friends and taking advantage college.
The Question: What Are You Most Nervous About When It Comes to College?
Students weigh in on what scares them the most about going off to college.
I Didn’t Go to Freshman Orientation
College grads reflect on their decisions to skip their orientation and pre-move-in day events.
7 College Packing Tips for Your Freshman Move
Expert tips on how to make your packing and move-in day as organized and seamless as possible
How to Prepare If College Is Your First Time Away From Home
There are things you can do right now, before you leave for school, that will help you cope with flying solo for the first time.
6 Questions to Ask Your Roommate Before You Move In
College RAs and current college students share their advice on what exactly you should be asking when you talk to your future roommate.
Freshman Roommates: What It’s Really Like to Live With a Total Stranger
Before you take the plunge of living with a complete stranger, find out what it’s really like from these recent grads.
5 Freshman Move Challenges I Totally Didn’t Expect
To help you expect the unexpected, current students and recent grads share the unforeseen challenges they wish they’d prepared for.
How to Find Alumni and Talk to Them
Itching to know everything possible about your upcoming college experience? Talking to alumni and current students should be your next move.
The Debate: To Roommate or Not to Roommate
There are benefits to living with a roommate and to living on your own freshman year. Here, students share their thoughts on roommate living.
How to Maximize a Campus Tour Over a School Break
Even with emptier campuses, you can get all the information you need to make the best college list decisions possible.
What to Do If You Don’t Like Your Freshman Orientation
The point of orientation is to ease your transition into college life. But what if you don’t like your orientation? College experts weigh in on your options.
5 Students Share Why They Love Their City Campuses
Meet current students and recent graduates who chose city campuses in New York, Boston and Chicago and graduated with zero regrets.
7 Uniquely LGBTQ-Friendly Campuses
If you’re committed to supporting a spectrum of sexualities, genders and identities, why not look for a college that promotes those values as well? Here are seven with inclusive and supportive programs, groups and classes.
Why Community College Was the Best Choice for Me
A recent college grad shares her success story of starting at community college, transfering to a four-year university and graduating debt-free.
7 Unexpected Campus Tour Questions That Are Really Helpful
Don’t be afraid to ask unexpected questions on your campus tours. These are the type of questions that help you figure out if a school’s a fit for you.
How to Get the Most Out of Every Campus Visit
There are many ways to research colleges these days, but there isn’t much that can replace planting your own two feet on campus.
9 Eco-Friendly Campuses to Consider for Your College List
If you’re going to college because you want a bright future, it makes sense to want your college campus to be contributing to a bright future for the planet.
What Your Counselor Wishes You Knew Before Creating Your College List
Experienced counselors weigh in with exactly how you should prepare for your first college list-making meeting.
Big City vs. College Town: The Debate
Real students share their personal pros and cons of city schools vs. college town campuses.
What It’s Like Going to a College That Doesn’t Give Traditional Grades
Education and grades may seem inextricably linked. But, there actually are some schools that opt for narrative assessments in place of traditional letter grades.
How to Get Over Writer’s Block
Writer’s block is common, but there are tricks for getting past it.
How to Revise and Proofread Your College Essay
What’s one of the biggest secrets of great writing? Revise, revise, revise.
Quiz: Should You Consider Community College First?
As you wait to hear back about your applications, it may be worth considering the merits of doing time at a community college.
The Debate: Are Rankings the True Measure of a College’s Worth?
It's tempting to focus on a seemingly straightforward measure like college rankings when deciding where to apply. But it’s worth digging deeper.
What Makes a Good College Essay Topic?
Not sure what topic to choose for your college essay? These tips can help you get started.
6 Things to Do If You’re Dreading the SAT Verbal Section
Even if you consider yourself 100 percent a math person, you can conquer this.
How I Drastically Raised My ACT Score in Six Months
Jaclyn Barr got to work, and the payoff was an ACT score more than five points above the national average.
The ACT and SAT Exams Are Optional — Should You Still Take Them?
And if you choose not to submit them, are you handicapping yourself?
SAT Advice for Students Who Don’t Excel at Math
Once you banish this self-defeating mentality, you are more than capable of conquering the test.
Prep for the ACT and SAT Exams with This Learning-Style Quiz
Are you a visual, auditory or a kinesthetic-tactile learner? The answer can make the difference in how you prep for the SAT® and ACT® exams.
Everything You Need to Know to Conquer the SAT Essay
What you need to know before you decide to take the optional SAT essay section and how to score your best.
7 Ways to Make Your College Application Essay Stand Out
When comparing students with similar scores and extracurriculars, a good essay can lift an application to the top of the pile.
Quiz: What College Club Should I Join?
Whether you want to try new things or meet new people, clubs are a great way to bolster the college experience.
How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?
When it comes to college applications, more isn’t necessarily better.
Private College vs. State College: The Debate
Look at what private colleges and state schools can offer. Which is best for you?
College Meal Plan vs. No Meal Plan: The Debate
Stumped on which meal plan to sign up for while in college? Let’s weigh the pros and cons.
How to Know If a School Really Cares About Diversity and Inclusion
Do the colleges and universities on your list prioritize diverse voices and representation?
Are Legacy Applicants Really More Likely To Get Into A College?
If your parent went to the college you’re applying to, it very well could help your chances of getting in.
How to Get the Real Story About Campus Life
There’s more to learning about your dream college than guided tours. Find out what campus life is really like using these tips.
Best Study Tips from Successful College Students
Want to succeed in college? Take a study tip from these ace students.
The Essay That Got Me Into College: My Summer at the Mall
You don’t have to solve world peace to write a winning college essay. What truly sells you? Honesty.
College Housing: Should You Live Off Campus or On Campus?
To live on campus or off campus? That is the question for incoming college students. We weigh the pros and cons.
QUIZ: What Type of College is the Best Fit for Me?
Not sure which college is right for you? Take our quiz for inspiration on where to apply.
The Mixed Emotions of High School Graduation
The end of high school can be a bittersweet time for both students and their parents.
How to Work with Parents on Planning a High School Graduation Party
From invitations to finding the perfect venue, there's a lot of preparation that goes into planning a graduation party.
4 Ways to Raise the Bar For Your Second Semester
First semester was tough, but you are 100 percent capable of making that second semester easier — and better.
5 Ways to Stay Close To Your Best Friend Before Leaving for College
Leaving your best friend when you go off to college can be one of the most difficult realities you face. But don’t worry — there are several ways to stay connected as long-distance best friends.
5 Expert-Approved Tips for Networking at a College Fair
How can you stand out and make the kind of impression that leaves admissions representatives eager for you to apply?
Is a College Degree Necessary for Success?
When you're facing tuition costs and potential loan debt, you may wonder if a college degree is necessary. Here's what to consider before you apply.
SAT or ACT: Which is Right for You?
Since all US colleges accept both tests, the key is to take the test you’ll do best on. The trick is to figure out which one that is.
How to Choose Your College Essay Topic
Whether you have to write an open-ended personal statement, a school-specific topic or you're answering a question from the Common Application's essay prompts, deciding what you will write about is often the most challenging part.
How To Get the Most Out of a College Fair
Preparation may just be the key to productivity.
How to Balance Senior Year and College Applications
If you take charge and prioritize your time, you can find a balance between applying to school and managing your other commitments.
How to Study for Your Final Exams Like a College Student
Freshman students are often thrown for a loop when they start taking college exams. Get some practice before you begin college.
Senior Year: How to Make the Most of It
From after-school clubs to attending a dance, here are a few ways to make your senior year a memorable one.
7 Ways to Prepare for the ACT and SAT Exams
When should you start test prep? Which test should you take? Is it worth enrolling in a class, or should you just buy a book?
Staying in the Loop: How to Connect with Friends Who Go Away to School
Saying goodbye to your friends is never easy — but it can be especially tough if you’re staying local and your friends are moving away.
9 Tips You Need to Know Before Your College Visit
College visits allow students and their parents to get a "feel" for a campus — something that a website or view book might not always be able to fully capture.
8 Ways to Start College Stress-Free
No need to panic, nervous students will soon grow to love life on campus. Here's how.
College Orientation 101
College orientation is like a dress rehearsal for your new life as a college student.
4 Ways to Break the Ice with Your College Roommate
Intimidated about living with a stranger freshman year of college? Don't be. These tips can help you get to know them.
Feeling Indecisive? Here’s How to Make (and Trust) Your Decisions
Decision-making is no easy task. There are a few strategies you can use. Here are six ways to help eliminate anxiety and tackle major decisions.