SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Carnegie Mellon is ranked among the top 25 universities in the nation, so you’ll need to have an impressive application—with stand-out essays, of course!—in order to get admitted. Applicants must submit a total of four Carnegie Mellon essays, three of which comprise the Carnegie Mellon supplement.

Keep reading to learn what the current Carnegie Mellon essay prompts are, what topics you could write about, and what qualities make for a great Carnegie Mellon essay.

Rice is one of the top 20 universities in the nation, and to get in, you need more than just awesome grades and test scores—you need a compelling Rice essay. The Rice application requires several essays depending on the school you’re applying to at the university. So what should you write about for each Rice essay to make your application as strong as it can be?

We'll explain what the Rice supplement is and go over the Rice University essay prompts you’ll see on your application. After, we'll give you expert tips on how to answer each essay prompt so you’ll have an even better shot at getting accepted to this prestigious university!

Gaikokugo ga suki desu ka? That’s Japanese for “Do you like foreign languages?” If your answer is a resounding yes, then a foreign language major might be for you.

In 2013, I graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in Japanese. Though I sometimes doubted whether I should major in Japanese, I ultimately knew it was the right choice because being able to understand and use Japanese was a skill I wanted to have for the rest of my life. Moreover, I didn't just enjoy learning Japanese but also loved getting to know Japanese culture. 

These are the reasons I chose to major in Japanese. That said, a language major isn’t for everyone. So should you major in a foreign language? What are the reasons you should? And what are the reasons you shouldn't?

If you're submitting a college application through the Coalition Application, you likely already know that you'll have to write a personal essay. The purpose of the Coalition Application essay is for you to showcase a side of yourself that colleges don't get to see through your transcripts and test scores alone. There are five Coalition essay prompts to choose from. So which one should you pick?

In this article, we go over what the Coalition Application essay is and take a look at all five Coalition essay prompts. For each prompt, we give you potential topics you can write about and key tips for answering it effectively.

Keep reading to learn which Coalition essay prompt might be the best fit for you!

You’ve probably heard of a double major, but have you heard of a dual degree? In a dual degree program, you’ll study two academic fields at once, earn you two separate degrees.

Below, we explain what a dual degree is and show you several examples of the different types of dual degree programs available. We also go over the pros and cons of getting a dual degree, and give you tips to help you decide whether a dual degree is right for you.

Before you envision yourself getting settled in at Georgia Tech, you must get through the hurdle of writing the Georgia Tech essays. The Georgia Tech supplement requires you to write two short essays. So what are the possible essay prompts? And how should you answer them?

Keep reading to learn exactly what the Georgia Tech essays are, what kinds of topics you can write about (and what kinds of topics to avoid), and how to ensure you’re submitting a quality essay.

Got a passion for more than one field of study? Then you might be interested in studying two fields simultaneously with either a double major or dual degree. What is the main difference between a double major and a dual degree? And how can you figure out which option will be a better fit for you?

In this dual degree vs double major guide, we go over the fundamental difference between the two academic paths, define each option in detail, and take a look at the most important similarities and differences between the two. We also offer you some tips to help you determine whether a double major or dual degree will work better for you based on your preferences and goals.

Northwestern University is an excellent choice for college, but can you easily explain just why you want to go there? If you're planning to apply to Northwestern, you’ll need to submit a "Why Northwestern" essay—a supplemental statement that describes why you’ve chosen to apply to this school and what you think Northwestern can offer you in terms of your future goals.

In this article, we’ll go over what this kind of college essay entails as well as why you're required to submit a "Why Northwestern" essay. We'll also cover various topics and tips you can use to craft a compelling Northwestern supplement essay.

Most people have at least heard of the Ivy League, but not everyone knows which schools belong to the venerable group. Is Stanford Ivy League? Is Duke Ivy League? Is MIT Ivy League?

In this article, we'll answer these questions and more as we take a look at which schools comprise the world-renowned Ivy League and which schools are most often mistaken for Ivy League institutions. We'll also explore what being in the Ivy League means for schools and how Ivy League schools compare with those not in the Ivy League in terms of national rankings and selectivity.

When it comes to college applications, you have a few options for how you can apply. Two of these are the Common Application (or Common App) and the Coalition Application (or Coalition App).

In this extensive guide to the Coalition vs Common App, we’ll go over the major features of the two application systems and take a look at their biggest pros and cons. We’ll then review the colleges that don’t accept either application system, and offer you tips on whether you should choose the Coalition or Common App.

Aiming for the world-renowned Harvard University? As part of the application to this prestigious Ivy League school, you'll have the option to submit a supplemental essay. But what should you write about for your Harvard essay? What are the different Harvard essay prompts to choose from, and how should you answer one so you can give yourself your best shot at getting in?

In this guide, we give you advice for each Harvard essay prompt as well as tips on whether you should choose a particular prompt. But before we look at the prompts, let’s go over what Harvard actually requires in terms of essays.

Got your heart set on Princeton—the #1 ranked university in the US? Then you’ll need to learn how to write amazing Princeton essays for your Princeton Supplement, a key part of your application for admission.

In this detailed guide, we go over the different types of essays you’ll be required to write for your Princeton application and provide you with some expert tips on how to write your most effective and unique essay possible.

SAT and ACT scores are common admission requirements for college. But what if I told you that you could get into a great school without taking either of these exams? Behold test-optional colleges. Colleges that are test optional don't require you to submit SAT or ACT scores but will consider them if submitted.

In this guide, we’ll explain what "test optional" means for different schools before providing you with a comprehensive list of test-optional colleges and universities in the US. The first two lists will cover the best test-optional colleges and universities (i.e., those ranked in the top 100), and the last list will include all other test-optional colleges in the country.

Along the way, we'll also give you a few key tips on when you should and should not send your SAT/ACT test scores to schools.

As some people are preparing for summer, others are preparing for the SAT. If you’re a junior thinking of taking the SAT before senior year, the June SAT can give you a chance to raise your scores and get a head start on the college application process.

In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about the June SAT, including when it is, when its registration deadlines are, and when scores are expected to come out. We’ll also give you a detailed list of the pros and cons of the June SAT to help you decide whether this test date is ultimately right for you.

Most colleges offer a communications major. In fact, you probably know at least a few people who plan to major or are currently majoring in the field. What exactly does a communications major entail in terms of coursework and skills? And what kinds of jobs and salaries can you expect with a communications degree?

Read on to learn what a communications major is, what the most popular jobs for communications majors are, and what the job outlook is for each major job option. We’ll also provide you with some tips on how to determine whether a communications major is the right path for you.