Direct admissions programs on the Common App are programs where colleges offer admission to qualified students before they even submit an application. For Illinois residents, there is an Illinois One Click College Admit program that simplifies admission to certain Illinois public universities by eliminating essay, letter of recommendations, and application fees. Eligibility for this program…
How to have a competitive high school transcript? Remember two words: breadth and depth. Most competitive colleges want to see all 5 core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Science, and Foreign Language for all 4 years of high school. And students need to challenge themselves, preferably taking the sequence of classes that ends up in…
Direct admission is a process that enables students to gain entry into a college without undergoing traditional admission procedures, such as comprehensive application reviews, entrance examinations, or interviews. Instead, students are accepted based on predetermined academic criteria, including grade point average (GPA), standardized test scores, or class rank. Notably, this process can occur even before…
AP Exams are almost behind us, summer is ahead—and now is the perfect time to prepare for it. Whether you’re just starting high school or heading into your senior year, summer offers a unique opportunity to focus on personal growth, exploration, and preparation for the college admissions journey. Here’s how students at each stage can…
When applying to college, it’s important to make several strategic decisions, one of which is selecting application deadlines carefully. You need to determine whether to apply during the early admission cycle or the regular admission cycle. Applying early can significantly increase your chances of acceptance. For instance, in the last admissions cycle, Harvard had an…
There are two nationally recognized standardized tests for college admission and scholarship consideration: the ACT and SAT. Colleges accept scores from either the ACT or SAT; there is no advantage to taking one test over the other. Both tests generally cover the same topics and measure similar abilities, but they are not the same. Differences…
Common Application Essay, or Personal Statement, is a 650-word essay that you will submit to schools that use the Common App. Think of it as your opportunity to reveal the person behind the numbers presented in other parts of your application, to show them the “real” you. To write a successful essay: Preparing your essay…
What are extracurricular activities? Essentially, they encompass everything you do outside the classroom. Your list of activities can enhance your college application and help you stand out among other applicants. When selecting activities, prioritize quality over quantity. It’s more valuable to engage in 2-3 pursuits that genuinely interest you, where you can showcase your initiative…
