College Admission — Articles

Write your best college admission essay with expert tips on planning your story, finding support, avoiding pitfalls, utilizing your resources, and more.

Considering applying to college Early Decision? Before you do, learn more about this binding program, the difference between ED I and II, and more.

An independent consultant could be a game changer for you in the admission process. Here's a look at five firms in the US to consider on your journey.

We have one more item for students to add to their college admission to-do lists: Clean up your social media! Here’s why it’s important and what to review.

More and more students are searching for environmentally responsible colleges. Learn what eco-friendly really means and how to find a campus that cares.

Extracurriculars can give you an edge in college admission, but unique activities can really make your résumé stand out. Learn how to pursue them here!

Extracurriculars in emerging fields are a great way to impress colleges, but what opportunities are available? Let's discuss what you can do to stand out.

It’s vital for colleges to foster culture and create space for everyone. Here’s how to find welcoming, supportive campuses for Jewish and Muslim students.

Many colleges and universities place high value on educating the next generation of environmental activists. These 10 will help you make a global impact!

Why do you have to wait to go abroad in college? Many schools think you shouldn't! Learn about new study abroad programs now offered to incoming students.

Supplemental essays are time-consuming. Maximize your admission chances by applying to colleges that don't require them—including the 85+ listed here.

The Ivy League isn't the end-all, be-all of admission. But if you're driven to seek out top-tier schools, here's how you can get the keys to the Ivy gates!

College and scholarship applications are overwhelming. The best thing you can do is digitize and organize to stay on top of all your documents. Here’s how!

These comprehensive colleges and universities in the Northeast offer impressive academic options and advantageous locations for professional development.

Direct admission is the latest movement in making college more accessible to all. If you're thinking of pursuing this option, here's what you need to know.

A comprehensive college or university could be your ideal academic home! Start searching with this list of public and private schools in the Western US.

Searching for great colleges in the South? Check out these private comprehensive options with extensive academics and mild weather during the school year.

If you’ve read too many letters from colleges that start with “We regret to inform you,” all hope is not lost! Here’s what you can do to make a new plan.

The Midwest is a great region to go to college, especially if you're considering a liberal arts school. Start exploring some great options with this list.

Interested in pursuing specialized fields like health care, aviation, or Bible studies? Check out this list of great undergraduate colleges in the Midwest.

Public colleges are fairly priced for residents and offer a lot to any student. Check out these comprehensive and liberal arts options in the Northeast!

Still haven't applied to college as a senior? No problem—it’s not too late! These colleges are still accepting applications for next semester.

Looking for the quintessential liberal arts college experience? Look no further than these great colleges and universities in New England!

Comprehensive universities offer everything you need for a complete college experience. Explore these great schools in the South to kick off your search!

The Midwest is home to many comprehensive colleges that offer something for everyone. Explore and connect with some of our featured public schools here!

Finding a great school for research is important for many students. To start your search, check out these colleges in the Northeast that prioritize research.

Campus size and location are important to your future happiness at college. Consider these options for the next four years of your education.

If you’re looking for that quaint Southern charm in your college search, look no further than this list of undergraduate liberal arts schools down South.

Institutes of technology are highly specialized schools with a lot to offer all students. Here's why a tech institute could be the right choice for you.

Searching for a school with specialized fields like Aviation or research opportunities for undergrads? Add these colleges in the Western US to your list!

If you’re looking for a well-rounded liberal arts education, look no further than the colleges and universities on this list of schools in the Northeast.

When it comes to college and financial aid applications. a lot of words are thrown around that you may not know yet. Use this list to help you stay on track.

Looking for a comprehensive college that offers everything from bachelor’s degrees to doctoral programs? Check out these great options in the Midwestern US.

If you're looking for specialized career training or a plethora of research opportunities during undergrad, look no further than these schools in the South.

Looking for vocational education that focuses directly on a particular field of interest? Learn more about these specialized colleges in the Northeastern US.

College admission can get confusing with so many school types, applications, deadlines, and faculty members to keep track of. This handy glossary can help!

Explore amazing public and private colleges and universities in the Western US that offer the great liberal arts foundation you’re looking for.

Research institutions invest a lot into—you guessed it—research! Learn about some of the best top-tier research universities in the Midwestern US right here.

Explore amazing public and private colleges and universities in beautiful New England that offer comprehensive academics and resources for students like you.

If you're planning your college search with a chronic illness, here’s what you should look for, helpful resources, and schools that are especially supportive.

Do you dream of winning a Nobel Prize? Consider attending one of these prestigious universities that have produced some of the most Nobel Laureates.

Supplemental essays are an important part of your college applications. Here are the different types of writing themes and the best ways to prepare for each.

Not sure where to start with the college admission process? Check out our favorite articles to help you work on your college applications from start to finish.

LinkedIn can help you find feeder schools and build a college list. Learn what feeder schools are and how to use this valuable tool to your benefit here.

The best way to complete your college applications is by having an application strategy. Here are three key steps to understanding and building your game plan.

If you're interested in serving in the military after college, there are five federal service academies to consider attending. Learn all about them here.

It's your first year of high school! To help you adjust to ninth grade, read our best advice on getting involved, improving your time management, and more.

Calling all 10th graders! Check out this collection of our best advice to help you start the scholarship search, take the PSAT, and more.

Getting ready to start 11th grade? Simplify your life and plan ahead with our best articles and advice on test prep, the college search, and more.

Is it really senior year already?! We've rounded up all the best advice we have on CollegeXpress to help you get through 12th grade with ease.

The life you've been waiting for may be out to sea! Learn more about maritime colleges and see if one of these specialized schools could be right for you.

There's a lot we've learned about college admission from the pandemic. Here's a look at the top 10 lessons to carry with you from this application cycle.

Writing a college application personal statement is about infusing yourself into your writing. Student writer Natalie has advice to help you do just that.

In honor of Black History Month, we're shining a spotlight on these seven great colleges that are known for supporting Black students.

Many students send college application essays that were written for an English class. Most earned A's, but they're not often college app ready. Here's why!

The college admission and application process can be stressful. But with this step-by-step guide, you can get organized and apply to colleges with ease.

Many students still feel pressure to submit test scores even if a college is test-optional. Here's how to decide what to do based on your socioeconomic status.

If you know what you want to study in college, choosing the right school just got easier. Here's how to choose based on your intended major or minor!

Finding a college that makes you feel like you belong is a long process, but it shouldn't be a scary one. Use this advice to guide you along your way!

Having trouble deciding where to spend the next four years? Here are our top articles on how to make your final college decision, all in one place.

Colleges can be incubators of change and leaders in environmental sustainability. Here's how to find schools that take this critical issue seriously.

If you're interested in service learning and community outreach, here's a look at the amazing opportunities colleges and universities offer to help others.

Knowing what colleges want to see in your application is how you present your best self to admission officers. Here are our best tips for figuring it out!

You'll hear a lot of advice during the college application process, but it won't be all good! Here's what you should listen to and what you can ignore.

There's a lot of misinformation out there surrounding the college admission essay. Consider these myths and facts before you get started.

Applying to college got easier with the Common Application, but the application can still be daunting. Here's a step-by-step guide to the Common App.

Do you have the college search scaries? Squash those fears and see what mistakes to avoid so the admission process and applying doesn't haunt you.

No one wants to be just another piece of paper in the college admission process. Here are a few ways to make your application stand out from the crowd.

If sustainability is important to you, check out these universities that are consistently ranked by UI GreenMetric for their epic environmental efforts.

Which college application platform are you using? There are many, including the Common, Coalition, and Cappex Applications. Learn more about them here!

The college essay can help your application or hurt it. You want to stand out in a good way, and these admission experts know how you can do just that.

The college search process isn't easy, and it's hard to know what to do and what mistakes to avoid. Here are the top search do's and don'ts you need.

Writing a strong college admission essay can be challenging, but avoiding these common pitfalls will help you create an essay that stands out.

Summer is a great time to work on the college search and admission process. Here's how to prep whether you're a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior!

Dual enrollment is great for bringing academics to the next level. Here's how you can get ahead by taking college-level courses for credit in high school.

There are many factors to consider during your college search to find the right school. These are some of the most important to consider before applying!

College can be a culture shock for homeschooled students. If you're homeschooled, use this guide to help you through the college search process a little easier.

So you got the thin envelope. Fortunately, your case isn't always closed upon that rejection letter. Here are a few ways you could change their minds.

The college search isn't about brand-name schools that will impress the most people. Here's the secret to learning what matters to you in a college.

There's a sweet spot between humble and prideful, and it's the exactly where you want to be while writing your college essays. Here are tips to find it!

Senior year is college go-time! Here's what you should be doing every month, including when you need to step on it and times you can take it slow.

What should you write your college admission essay about? Which topics should you avoid? Check out some of the best (and the worst) college essay topic ideas!

Ready to dive into your college search? These websites are great resources to bookmark (when you're done browsing CollegeXpress, of course!).

Sorting through all your colleges of interest can be daunting. Follow these tips to organize your college search and keep your sanity.

From campus visits to admission tests, low-income, first-gen, or other disadvantaged students can use this advice to be confident in their college search.

Luckily, admission counselors are usually really nice, and it's easy to chat with them in person or over email. Here are helpful tips for doing both!

Summer is the perfect time to recall special memories (or make new ones) that you can use to write your best Common Application essay. Learn more now!

Even if you have a low high school GPA, you can still make your college dreams a reality. And these study and application tips can help you get there!

What exactly is the "Ivy League," and what makes these schools so special? Learn all about these institutions and everything they have to offer here!

Prestigious colleges send "likely letters" to their most coveted students to entice enrollment. Here's what to know about this unique admission experience.

Attention freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors: This is what you can and should do each year of high school to make your college search easier!

Finding your best-fit college may not be easy, but starting the college search doesn't have to be hard. Here are five easy ways to get going!

Stressed about an upcoming college admission interview? These top strategies will help you rock the meeting and impress admission officers at any school.

Extracurriculars are a surefire way to beef up a college application, but how are your extracurriculars perceived by your colleges of interest? Find out here!

What does declaring your major on your college applications mean and, more importantly, should you do it? Let's look at the pros and cons of declaring or not.

You already know how to write an academic essay. Now forget all that, because learning how to write the college application essay is totally different.

How can you make your college applications rise to the top of the heap? Here's some expert advice from an admission insider who break the process down.

This guide has everything you need to find the right college(s) for you. Learn when to start your search, how to find your perfect college match, and more!

The college admission process is already difficult—don't make it more stressful on yourself by making these common mistakes the experts have seen before.

You ever hear something about college and you aren't sure whether or not to believe it? We've got you covered! Here's the truth about some common beliefs.

It's time to write your application essays, and these five brainstorming games are going to help you do it. Try them out by yourself or with friends now!

Many students have questions about volunteering and how it affects their college applications. Here are some answers from an experienced student volunteer.

So you've been accepted to your dream college and you can relax now, right? Wrong. Here are a few ways to lose an acceptance you should be sure to avoid.

The college search journey can be intimidating, but when you break it down into easy steps, you'll find the process more enjoyable and rewarding.

Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision! There are so many choices for college application deadlines. Here's a breakdown of the top five you should know.

Everyone has different college priorities and preferences, but these four key traits are some of the most important. Find colleges that fit your needs now!

Panicking over your college application essay? You won't be for long. Check out these five tips for choosing a topic to help you get started!

Should you choose an urban or rural campus? Far from home or nearby? With so many college search factors to consider, this quiz will help you figure it out.

Not sure how to navigate the college search? Here's an inside view of college admission and financial aid, plus strategies to make your process successful.

We've gathered our best blogs and articles on writing your college application essay. Learn how to start, get insider tips on what NOT to do, and more!

College is when parents start to let go...in theory. Some parents will hold on tighter and make the process more stressful. Here's how to get through it.

What do you know about college admission interviews? Enough to nail it? This college admission counselor spills his top tips for knocking their socks off.

You've heard a lot about the college search over the years, and we guarantee a lot of it isn't true. Here are nine common admission myths cleared up.

Some college application essay ideas are bad, and you may not know which ones are. Here are some essay ideas that don't work and potential alternatives.

Everyone has strengths, even if you can't think of any right now! Here's how to identify your best and write about them in your college admission essays.

You may have heard the terms match, reach, and safety to refer to colleges, but what do they mean? Here's what you need to know to build your college list.

Not all college advice is good or helpful, so you must learn what tips to dismiss. Here's the best and worst college advice from real students to help you!

What do you do when an admission interviewer throws you a curveball? Find out what the hardest admission interview questions are and how to answer them!

You can be excited about college and still have lingering doubts and fears. Ease your mind with these real-world answers to what you're too afraid to ask.

Many community college students end up enrolled way longer than anticipated: the dreaded seven-year plan. Here's how to avoid a long academic journey.

With online education being so popular, it's easier than ever for scammers to get students to pay for illegitimate degrees. Look out for these red flags!

When you're facing personal and financial obstacles, your best-fit school can seem really far, far away. Make your college dreams a reality with this advice!

The best way to maintain your course toward college is to create a schedule and break it down over your four high school years. Here's how!

It's coming down to the wire on choosing the college you're going to attend. Time to make a tough decision! This advice will help you make a good choice.

Not every college is a perfect fit for you. So how do you figure out which one is? Find out by investigating these four elements.

We have even more college admission essay examples if you're still stuck on what to write about, how long it should be, and more. Check them out now!

Worried about writing the "perfect" college application essay? Guess what: admission officers don't want perfect! One admission insider explains.

Creating a video can be a great way to enhance your college application and stand out from the crowd. Here's how to make yours shine for admission.

We've got a couple more college application essay examples for you to see what kind of stories impress college admission committees. Happy reading!

Getting stuck writing your college essays? Try reading some examples of successful papers that got students admitted to get ideas for your own essays!

As you search for colleges, questions are bound to come up. But are you asking the right ones? Here's a comprehensive list of questions you need to ask.

Wondering how to make your college application essay rise to the top of the heap? These five tips straight from admission officers will help you stand out!

Many colleges and universities offer a "Why us?" essay prompt on college applications. Do you know the best way to approach it? Find out with this advice.

What parts of your story are you supposed to share in your college application essay--and how? Find out now on CollegeXpress!

The typical college path isn't for everyone, and some students can't wait to start college. Ever considered an early college program? Here's what to know!

Admission officers are swamped. They want to be wowed by hopeful students' applications—including their admission essays. Try using dialogue to stand out!

How can you come up with the basis for a standout college application essay when you have no idea where to start? Here are some tips to try freewriting.

Reaching out to college admission representatives is an important part of the college process. Here's some advice on how to correspond with them the right way.

Do you want to know the truth about all-women’s colleges? These common myths are simply false of these empowering and supportive academic environments.

There's no one right fit when it comes to college. There can be many! Here's how to curate a full list of colleges that fit you and your academic goals!

What should be at the top of your college applications to-do list? Getting your recommendations lined up. Learn more about asking for letters here!

Do you feel lost in trying to begin your college search? You're not alone. Learn more about when and how to start your college admission process now.

A gap year is a chance to explore the world while considering "Who am I?" and "What do I want to do with my life?" Learn more about gap year programs here!

The college application process is going to fly by faster than you'd think. Here's a college search timeline to help guide you through your junior and senior year.

What does it mean if your college applications are assessed "holistically"? An admission insider explains everything that goes on behind these reviews.

Receiving multiple college admission offers is a wonderful thing...until you can't choose between them! Don't stress. Check out our insider tips!

The hotly debated college rankings aren't the final say in college success. This higher ed professional shares how they should stack up in your search.

Getting a college rejection letter can feel like the end of the world when it comes to your dream college. So, what can you do about it? Find out here!

The college search is daunting if you're unsure of what you're looking for. Understand the whole process and find colleges that fit you with this advice.

The essay section of your college application can seem tough. What's the best approach? And what will make you stand out? We asked some experts for the answers.

So you're looking at colleges, but how do you know which is the right one for you? Here's some of our best advice for narrowing down your college options.

The college admission interview may be the first interview you've ever participated in, but it's not as scary as you might think! Here's how to ace yours.

Starting your college search is half the battle! Here are four broad but smart things you need to do in the process to build your list and applications.

Looking to stand out from the crowd in the college admission process? Try a pre-college summer program! Here's how they can help improve your chances.

Being eco-friendly is all the rage—and for good reason! Get inspired and see how these 10 colleges have led the way when it comes to going green on campus.

Too often "best" in the college search means "most prestigious." Here's how to find a school you'll love that can also help you thrive and succeed.

Brought to you by the experts behind Colleges That Change Lives, here's some great advice on choosing a college that's best suited to your needs and goals.

It's only a few sheets of paper, but when it comes to attending your dream college, your college application is the most important document in the universe.

Junior and senior year are the big years in your college planning journey. Check out this handy timeline so you know what to do and when to do it.