Have you ever wondered to yourself, “What do college applications look like?” You’re not alone! 

For many students, the college application process can feel overwhelming, especially when they see all the different forms, sections, and essay prompts. 

But here’s the good news: most college apps have a similar structure. Once you understand the basics, the entire process of applying for college becomes much easier!

In this article, we’ll break down each part of a typical college application to give you a better idea of what to expect when you begin writing your own. Think of this as your personal roadmap through the application process—by the end, you’ll know exactly what colleges are looking for and how to complete each section with confidence.

Let’s get started!

College admission is growing more competitive every year. That means high school students need to seize every opportunity to make their college applications stand out. 

One of the smartest moves? Summer test prep! 

Summer test prep isn't just about filling those long days when you're not in school. It also gives you a competitive advantage,  which matters when you're trying to get into your dream school! 

In this guide, we’ll give you the top 5 reasons you should start your SAT and ACT prep over the summer, as well as give you a few tips to help you make the most of your time.

There’s been a lot written lately about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, especially when it comes to students completing their assignments. But AI is becoming a hot topic in college admissions, both in terms of students using AI to create their applications and colleges using AI to help choose students for admission. 

Today, we’re going to bring you up to speed on how both students and universities are using AI in the admissions process and what that means for you. 

Let’s dive in. 

People are using artificial intelligence (AI) large language models, or LLMs, for everything from helping write emails to refining the lists of collegesthey’d like to apply to.

However, using artificial intelligence to help you craft your college applications can cause problems. 

Colleges want to make sure they’re admitting students who can be successful on their campuses, so they use the application as a way to assess students’ skills and preparedness. In fact, most colleges require students to attest that they have been truthful and honest on their applications when they submit them! 

That’s why some schools are starting to run students’ applications through software that checks for the use of AI and flags applications that it suspects have used AI to generate some or all of the text. In this article, we’re going to explain what you need to know about how colleges are using AI scanning software and how it can impact your admissions prospects. 

Let’s get started. 

Extracurriculars are one of the most important parts of a college application. They help showcase your unique passions, talents, and your engagement with your community. But are some extracurriculars better than others? What are the best extracurriculars for college applications?

In this article, we’re going to break down exactly what kinds of extracurriculars colleges are looking for so you can choose activities that make your application stand out. We’ll also answer the most frequently asked questions about extracurriculars, including how to choose the right ones for you.

Let’s dive in!

This just in: changes to ACT testing are coming! The CEO of the ACT announced in July 2024 that students can expect major ACT changes beginning in spring 2025. 

So, what exactly will the biggest ACT test changes be? In this article, we’ll share everything we already know about the ACT exam changes, including:

• When the upcoming changes in ACT testing will go into effect 
• How the test will be shortened, including adjustments to reading passages 
• Which sections are becoming optional 
• How experimental questions are being added to the test
  
  

Let’s dive in!

In 2024, several elite colleges dropped their test-optional admissions policies and returned to requiring SAT/ACT scores as part of the admissions process. 

This is a major change in college admissions–and one that may be adopted by other colleges and universities in the future. With more college admissions changes potentially on the horizon, how can you plan your college application process? How do you know which colleges are test optional and which colleges require SAT/ACT scores?

Our expert admissions counselors are weighing in and giving you the tips and insider knowledge you need to know so you’re prepared for a changing college admissions landscape. Keep reading to learn more!

In February 2024, Dartmouth and Yale — two Ivy League universities — announced that they were returning to their previous policies of requiring SAT or ACT test scores as part of their admissions processes.

Brown followed suit in March 2024, announcing their decision to return to requiring standardized tests as well.  

For the past few years these schools have been “test optional,” meaning students could choose to send test scores, but they weren’t required for admission. This signals a major shift in the college admissions landscape as other U.S. universities weigh if they should follow suit. 

So how does this change impact students applying to Brown, Yale, or Dartmouth? And does this signal a larger trend in the admissions landscape? 

Let’s find out. 

The 2023-2024 college application season is in full swing, which means you’re probably taking standardized tests. Will your scores get you accepted to your top colleges? And if your scores aren’t high enough, what can you do to give your SAT scores an added boost?

We’ll walk you through how to decide if your SAT scores are good enough for your college admissions goals. We’ll:

• Answer the question, “What is a good SAT score for 2024?”
• Explain everything you need to know about overall average SAT scores in 2024
• Show you how to figure out if your SAT score is high enough

Ready? Let’s dive in!

If you’re taking the ACT, you know waiting for scores can be stressful. Wondering how your scores compare to those of other students is common, but how do you know what’s considered a good ACT score? More importantly, how do you decide what ACT score to shoot for in order to get accepted to your top colleges? 

We’ll tell you how to determine whether your ACT scores would be considered “good.”(Spoiler alert: it’s tricker than you think!) From there, we’ll explain how to set a target ACT score that helps you achieve your college admissions dreams. As a bonus, we’ll help you put your ACT scores in context by looking at how what qualifies as a good ACT score has changed over time. 

Let’s get started. 

If you’re reading this it’s because you’re considering taking Advanced Placement (AP) high school classes or you’re already enrolled in AP classes. That’s great! AP courses are a great way to prepare for college, raise your GPA, and even earn college credit.

But in order for you to get the full benefit out of your AP classes, you’ll need to make sure you know how to prepare for AP classes. That can be tricky: AP classes are designed to be harder, so you’ll need to be proactive about learning class material if you want to earn As.

We’re here to help. This article will help you develop the skills and tools you need to excel in every AP class you take. We’ll discuss:

• What an AP class is, and why they’re beneficial
• A quiz to help you identify your biggest pain points when it comes to succeeding in AP classes
• Specialized study tips customized to show you how to do well in an AP class
• A hypothetical weekly schedule designed to show you how to manage AP classes

There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started!

This fall, the ACT surprised us all by rolling out a digital exam option for December 2023. With just a few months till exam time, how do you decide if the digital ACT option is right for you?

NOTE: This article is about the December 2023 Digital ACT pilot. Check out our guide to the new digital ACT changes for more info on the 2024-2025 version.

In this article, we’ll tell you everything we know about the December digital ACT right now, including: 

• Why the ACT is offering a last-minute digital exam option
• The timeline of dates and deadlines to the December ACT digital test
• What to expect from the digital ACT and how this change will affect you
• How the digital ACT compares to the digital SAT

Let’s get started!

Choosing whether to take the SAT or ACT for college admissions has always been tough. But now that the SAT is switching over to a digital format, there’s even more to consider! 

In this article, we’ll give you the info you need to choose the best college entrance exam option for you. We’ll: 

• Explain how the transition to the digital SAT, or DSAT, impacts your decision-making
• Provide a complete comparison between the DSAT and the ACT (nifty chart included!)
• List the reasons you might prefer the ACT over the DSAT, or visa versa 
• Give you a quick, five question quiz to help you decide whether the DSAT or ACT is right for you

Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

Note: The ACT Education Corporation is running a small pilot in December 2023 to test out a digital version of their test, so some of this is subject to change and will be updated as we know more. The ACT is currently set to be offered in both paper and online versions but otherwise stay the same.

The SAT suite of exams is officially switching from a paper-and-pencil format to a new, digital format in 2024. That means big changes are in store for educators and students. 

In this article, we’ll answer your questions about the digital SAT so you’ll know what to expect from the new format. We’ll cover:

• A complete timeline for when the new digital SAT and PSAT will be implemented in schools
• How the digital SAT and PSAT will be different in terms of content and format
• How the digital exams will be scored, and how it’ll be different from the paper versions
• Materials students will need to take the digital SAT and PSAT

Let’s get started!