When you apply to colleges as a transfer student, letters of recommendation serve a different purpose than when you applied to college as a first-year student. That purpose is to show admissions officers that you can handle college-level work right now. Here is what you need to know about getting strong recommendation letters to accompany your transfer applications. 

Keep in mind that while many colleges require a transfer essay, some schools make it optional. Always check each school’s requirements first. But if an essay is requested (or strongly encouraged), it’s your best opportunity to show admissions officers why you want to transfer and how their school fits your future. 

Whether you’re transferring from a community college or finding a school that better fits your goals, mastering your application timeline is the key to a smooth transition. Unlike first-year admissions, transfer deadlines run on multiple cycles and depend on how many credits you’ve already completed. Here is how to keep your application on track.

As you research and apply to colleges, you may hear the term demonstrated interest without much explanation. Understanding what it means—and what it doesn’t—can help you focus your time and energy in ways that are actually useful. 

Many college applications will ask you some version of, “Why do you want to attend this college?” At first, it can feel straightforward, but students often find it’s one of the hardest questions to answer well. 

Admissions counselors aren’t looking for perfect answers or praise about the institution. They’re looking for thoughtful, specific reasons that show you’ve taken time to understand the college. 

Admissions counselors understand that this is new territory. The goal isn’t to ignore AI—or assume misuse—but to help students approach the college essay with honesty, integrity, and confidence.

If you’re  considering taking a break after graduating high school and before starting college, you’ve probably heard about gap years. A gap year is a break — usually a year — between high school and college to explore interests, gain experience, or prepare for the next step in life. But how do you know if a gap year is right for you? Let’s break it down.

Applying to college, while exciting, can feel overwhelming. Staying organized is the key to reducing stress and staying on track during the college application process. Whether you’re just starting your college search or preparing to hit “submit” on applications, these tips will help to keep you organized through the process like a pro.

If you’re considering a career in law, your undergraduate years are an important first step. While there’s no single formula for getting into law school, the choices you make about your major, college, and extracurricular activities can lay a strong foundation for success. Here's what you need to know.

If you’re dreaming of one day becoming a doctor, the first major step is choosing the right college, major, and program for an undergraduate degree. These choices will set the foundation for your journey to medical school. Here’s what to consider as you start your college search. 

So you’ve finished the first draft of your college essay (often called “the personal statement”)? Congratulations!  This is an important milestone in your college process.

BUT, did you notice the phrase, “first draft?”

Starting to plan for college shouldn’t just be focused on your senior year. In fact, you’ll be better set up for success and less stressed the earlier you begin. Here’s a checklist of all of the things you can do each year in high school to prepare for a successful college search and application process.

There are thousands of colleges out there for you to search through. This can be overwhelming, so we put together a list of the different categories of colleges that you may come across to help you narrow down exactly what you are looking for.

Wondering how to use the Additional Information section of the application and what to include in this open-ended space?

Transferring colleges is a major milestone, but navigating credit evaluations, financial aid, and application requirements can feel confusing. Having a clear roadmap helps you stay organized and confident as you take the next step in your education. Here are the core areas every transfer student should focus on, along with resources to guide you through each one.

As you begin to think about applying to colleges, you may wonder: What do colleges look for when they review applications? This is one of the questions that admissions representatives receive most frequently when we meet students and their families. Many selective colleges practice an admissions process that looks at the applicant as a whole person.

Cómo escribir un currículum

When it comes to answering your college essay questions, you might feel unsure of how to begin. That’s OK! Nearly every high school student gets stuck when it comes to writing their essay. So, how do you get unstuck?

When do I apply to college? Good question!

Simply put: You’ll apply to colleges in 12th grade, and it’s a good idea to be ready to apply by Nov. 1 of your senior year. 

A resume is a summary of your academic and personal experiences, including before- and after-school activities, volunteer work, and/or jobs. Most colleges and employers want to see your resume when they’re considering whether or not to admit or hire you.