As part three of our blog series, Crafting Your College List, now it’s time to narrow down the list of schools you will apply to, and ensure that your list is balanced in a way that is right for you. The ultimate goal is not only to be accepted, but to succeed and thrive at the college you choose to attend!
In part two of our step-by-step guide to Crafting Your College List, we will help you narrow down a list of schools for you to research further, and then visit, either in-person or virtually. You will start to see your preferences emerge more clearly with each visit, and your college list will come into focus!
When crafting your college list, consider your personality and preferences and how they relate to the features of each college you are considering. Use these "best-fit" features to help you determine at which colleges will you be most able to grow academically, socially, and personally.
Why should students take the time to set up a college applicant portal? Read on to find out more about the functionality of these online platforms and why it’s important to follow through and set up your account.
Read our tips for crafting an impressive resume for your college applications and internships. Follow these do’s and don’ts to showcase your leadership skills and experiences.
Strong teacher recommendations for college applications personalize and differentiate you and place you within the context of other students. Select teachers who can create a picture of you as an individual, share your unique qualities, and tell the colleges how you will contribute to the academic world. Read our tips for choosing recommenders and suggested responsibilities for students.
When your college application is considered, your transcript is evaluated side-by-side with your high school profile. This blog post will discuss the information included in the profiles, including GPA, grade and test score distribution, rigor of curriculum, and special programs. To illustrate how this information is shared, we will draw from the examples of five school profiles at public and private secondary schools.
Colleges view your academic performance in high school as the strongest predictor of your academic success in college. Find out which grades matter the most and why colleges weigh them so heavily in assessing your application. Read our tips for optimizing your academic coursework in high school as a foundation for successful college admissions.
Congratulations on submitting your college applications! Now, when will you learn your admissions results? See our list of regular decision notification dates for many selective schools for the Class of 2028 application cycle.
Read our overview of the AP program, which can help navigate its complexities and explore its potential benefits. Find out how you can use AP scores to distinguish yourself from other applicants, for advanced placement (skipping over entry-level courses), for college credit, for the satisfaction of distribution requirements, and/or for early graduation, depending on the school.