Applying to colleges can be a long and difficult process. You have to fill out a bunch of applications, write long essays, get letters of recommendation, and so many other things. It's almost impossible to keep track of everything. That's why we've put together this handy infographic full of helpful tips and pointers. Find out just how difficult it is to apply to colleges, where you should focus your attention, and learn how to avoid the most common mistakes. We want to give you the best shot at getting accepted to you top-choice colleges, so continue reading and get a jump start on your application!

Image via College Board.

The SAT was revamped in March 2016 in an effort to make it more modern and accessible. If you’re a current high school student, you’ve probably heard about this change.

If you’re a current senior (Class of 2017) or junior (Class of 2018) this raises some questions. What if you took the SAT before it changed last spring? Will colleges still accept scores from the "old" SAT? Or will they require you to take the new SAT? This has big implications for how you prep, when you take the tests, and possibly even whether you should switch to the ACT.

In this exclusive, first of its kind breakdown, we personally spoke to admissions counselors from dozens of colleges to get some real answers on how they will handle the transition. 

I’m a dad. I give advice. It’s what I do.

You can’t fight nature. When it’s time to go, you go. When it’s time to advice, you advice.

So, it’s natural, really the divine order of things, that when my kids went off to college, I gave them advice. I was just doing my job.

I told them just two things.

Did you know that some colleges do not require an SAT Writing score on the old SAT? It's true. As you're deciding which colleges to apply to, you should have a clear understanding of the admissions requirements for each school. If you're particularly worried about your SAT Writing score, perhaps this article can alleviate some of your stress.

Which colleges do not require SAT Writing? We will provide you with a complete list, broken down by state. But first, an important note about the new version of the SAT.

If you’re applying to college soon, you might have heard about the Universal College Application, a service that allows you to apply to multiple colleges with one application.

So which colleges are on the Universal College Application? And is it worth using? We will give the complete list and also weigh the pros and cons of the UCA.

Don't get lost in the crowd.

Do you want to stay close to home for college, but don’t want to get lost in the crowd of a large state school? Or do you want to know how to make the most of your experience at large university?

It’s possible to get a selective, small college experience at a large university, through programs like honors colleges and merit scholarships.

But how can you find these programs, and how can you ensure you'll be considered for merit scholarships and honors colleges? We will give you the info you need to make sure you don’t miss out on opportunities near you.

The ACT is rising rapidly in popularity, but students and parents have a good question -- do colleges accept ACT tests as much as they accept SAT tests?  Do colleges mark you down for taking the ACT?

What’s the point of the essay?

Put yourself in the admissions officers’ shoes. They’ve got hundreds, maybe thousands of data sets to review, one for each potential student. Imagine the big conference table where these folders are spread out under the fluorescent lights. You’re just one folder in a pile, and the essay is their one window into who you are.