The Common Application is a website that allows over 2 million students to apply to over 900 colleges each year, using one platform. It requires one general Common App essay that is then sent to any colleges using the app. Students chose from seven different prompts to write this one essay. Update February 2023: The Common Application prompts will stay the same for the 2023-2024 application season. Common Application Instructions and … [Read more...]
Spring To Do List For Juniors
While most seniors are happily done (or almost happily done) with completing and submitting their college applications, now it’s time for juniors to get engaged. Below is a checklist of some of the things that juniors and their families should be thinking about, discussing and doing over the next few months. Start talking! If you haven't already, now is the time to start conversations about the next steps after high school. … [Read more...]
Does the PSAT Matter? Should You Prepare?
The PSAT will be given to area high school juniors (and younger students in some districts) on Wednesday, October 16. But does this test really matter? Should you take it seriously? Is it something students should prepare for so that you do well? Do Colleges Care About the PSAT? The PSAT is not used directly by colleges and universities when they make their college admissions decisions. Your acceptance or rejection into college … [Read more...]
Apply Texas College Essay Prompts for Class of 2023
The Apply Texas application is a common application form for most Texas public universities. It allows students to input their information for several different colleges at once. ApplyTexas college essay prompts for class of 2022 are: Essay A: Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?Essay B: Some students have an … [Read more...]
Creating Your Student Resume for College Admissions
When you apply to college, admission officers look at more than just your grades — they also take note of what you have done outside the classroom. Your extracurricular activities, such as jobs, sports, clubs and volunteer work, give colleges a better sense of who you are and show them what you can bring to their campus community. Remember that college folder you were supposed to be collecting throughout high school? The one stuffed with … [Read more...]
10 Things to See and Do on a College Tour
Students and parents should plan college tours starting in 9th grade. That should give high school students enough time during freshmen, sophomore and junior years to visit several different college campuses, take the official college tour, and narrow down their preferences and final college list before senior year. Most colleges offer daily walking campus tours during the week and some also offer these on weekends. You can search "visit" plus … [Read more...]
5 Things to Do the Summer Before Going Off To College
Congratulations! You've just graduated from high school and have been accepted to a university (or several!) You've worked hard and should enjoy your last summer at home before going off to college. You may feel like being "lazy" before classes and your busy freshmen year begins; by all means, relax, but there are several things that you should concentrate on over the summer, while you still have time! 1. Get organized. If you don't already … [Read more...]
How to File the FAFSA
8 Steps to Filling Out the FAFSA Form Need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form but don’t know where to start? I’m here to help. Let’s walk through the process step by step. 1. Create an account (FSA ID). Student: An FSA ID is a username and password you need to sign the FAFSA form online. If you don’t have an FSA ID, get an FSA ID here. It takes about 10 minutes to create an FSA ID. If this will be your … [Read more...]
Rising “Hidden Costs” for College
More and more Americans are going to college. According to data from the Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in 1980, 50% of high school graduates between the ages of 16 and 24 were enrolled in college; in 2016, it was 70%. In 2016, 19.3 million undergraduate students were enrolled in higher education institutions. 70% were enrolled at public schools, 23% at private non-profits schools and 7% at private … [Read more...]
College Resources
College is an expensive investment that requires teenagers to make very important decisions. Want more information or resources? Two books I've personally read and highly recommend are: How to College: What to Know Before You Go (And When You're There) The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us BestColleges.com partnered with CampusPride.org to share resources that will benefit students who identify as LGBTQ+. These … [Read more...]
