College Acceptance Letters: How to Decide Where to Attend
Quick answer: Knowing how to decide which college to attend starts with comparing financial aid offers, academic programs in your intended field, graduation and career outcomes, campus culture, and location. Attend admitted students’ events, talk with current students, and submit your deposit to one college by its reply deadline, which is May 1 at most […]
How to Build Relationships with Your Professors
Quick answer: Here is how to build relationships with professors: go to office hours with specific questions, participate thoughtfully in class, ask about their research, take more than one course with them, and stay in touch after the semester. Those relationships lead to mentorship, research roles, and recommendation letters for years to come. Why Learn […]
Want to Major in Business? Here’s What You Need to Know
Quick answer: If you want to major in business, you can apply to a dedicated undergraduate business school, such as Wharton, Ross, or Stern, or study economics, finance, marketing, or a related field elsewhere. Business is the most popular bachelor’s degree field in the US, so competitive applicants show rigorous math coursework, leadership, business activities, […]
A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing Your IB Classes
Quick answer: When choosing your IB classes, take three Higher Level and three Standard Level courses that challenge you, align HL courses with your intended major, check requirements at the colleges on your list, and ask your counselor which courses are most rigorous at your school. Balance rigor with your ability to earn top grades. […]
How to Write the Common App Activities Section: Everything You Need to Know
Quick answer: The Common App activities section lets you list up to 10 activities, each with a 50-character position title, a 100-character organization name, and a 150-character description, plus grade levels, hours per week, and weeks per year. List your most meaningful activities first, and use active verbs and specific numbers to show impact. [1] […]
Everything You Need to Know About the Personal Statement for Law School
Quick answer: The law school personal statement shows admissions committees who you are beyond your GPA and LSAT score. Many schools ask for about two to three double-spaced pages, though limits vary. Tell a specific, reflective story about your experiences, show the qualities you will bring to law school, and tailor each version to the […]
Research Opportunities For High School Students
Quick answer: The best research opportunities for high school students include selective summer programs such as RSI and Simons, reaching out to university labs and professors, and independent projects with a teacher as mentor. Research can happen in any field, and a clear question plus a tangible final product show colleges real curiosity and initiative. […]
Advanced Placement Courses: How to Choose the Right APs for You
Quick answer: When choosing advanced placement courses, weigh your intended major, the rigor your school offers, your ability to earn top grades, the expectations of the colleges on your list, and your overall workload. Colleges want to see that you challenged yourself within your school’s offerings, especially in core subjects and the field you plan […]
High School Students Interested in Creative Writing: How to Build Your Profile
Quick answer: High school students interested in creative writing can build a profile by publishing in literary magazines, entering contests such as the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, joining selective summer programs like the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, leading a school publication, and using their college essays to show a distinct voice. Why Your Writing […]
Top Colleges That Have the Shortest Applications
Quick answer: Colleges with the shortest applications include Bates, Colby, Middlebury, and Northeastern, which require no school-specific essay, plus Vanderbilt, WashU, and Northwestern, which ask for one short response of 250 to 300 words. Shorter applications save time but not selectivity, since several of these schools admit fewer than 15% of applicants. Whether you are […]