There are always some mixed emotions about visiting a college or university that you’ve been daydreaming about when you’re supposed to be paying attention to...

Have your written your first college/university admission essay draft yet? Yes? Great! You’re in the right place.

Step One: Sleep On It

Editing directly after...

There are any number of formulas out there for writing personal statements for undergraduate applications. Some encourage you to stick to the traditional opening-body-conclusion ...

Ah, standardized testing. We hardly look forward to it, but, in the American education system, there’s a heavy emphasis on taking them. The ACT and...

Good question. I mean, obviously, the tests change every year, but we can logically look at each section, as well as previous tests and give it...

It’s crunch time. The last four years? They’ve been leading up to this. “This” being applying for college. You can feel the pressure with...

Colleges and university campuses take every form you could imagine, from compact city buildings to spread-out rural campuses. Living in an entirely new environment is...

If you aced high school, will graduate with a stellar academic record and have top test scores, should you aim for elite schools? Plenty of high...

These insider tips can help you ace undergraduate interviews for highly selective colleges and universities.

Optional Interviews Aren’t Really Optional

Even if an interview is...

Every summer, high school students choose between internships, jobs and volunteer opportunities. All of these can be rewarding, but many students wonder what colleges and...

Are you applying to wrong schools for the wrong reasons? It happens all the time. A third of students at four-year colleges and universities transfer...

Small colleges and universities, or institutions with 1,000 students or less, offer students a more intimate experience. Classes are small and less likely to be...

If you're able to stay overnight at a campus you are interested in, that is a great opportunity to really imagine yourself living and studying there. Accordingly...

What is a legacy student, why does it matter, when does it matter and what should you do if you aren't one? Read on to learn...

A college or university tour will highlight the best things that a campus has to offer. You should ask questions beyond what’s presented in order to get...

Writer’s block can hinder even the best ideas for a college or university admissions essay. This is understandable, as there is a lot of pressure associated...

Getting into your top choice isn't impossible, but it will be challenging. To make the process easier, read these 12 tips to improve your odds...

Your vision of your undergraduate experience might differ from that of your parents. This disconnect can be a source of contention as college and university...

As high school juniors and seniors begin to craft lists of colleges and universities they’d like to attend, it’s important to remember that not every...

Students spent an estimated $470 million on application fees for undergraduate admissions in 2015, based on data from Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The...

You’ve got a lot going on. The last thing you have time for is searching through a bunch of different sites looking for schools and...

Do you have questions about SAT Subject Tests? If so, you are in the right place. Here are 10 things you need to know about SAT Subject...

Whether you’re an incoming freshman looking to make some extra spending money or a rising high school junior hoping to get some experience in a...

By the end of your junior year or the beginning of your senior year of high school, you'll need to ask one to three...

The following is a short list of colleges and universities that are well known for the strength of their transfer programs. Additionally, these institutions consciously...

For decades, anxious teenagers and their parents complained about the inability to take the SAT and ACT in summer. Finally, the test makers listened. Now...

Many high school students wonder about the importance of Advanced Placement (AP) classes and test scores when applying to an undergraduate program. The answer largely depends on...

During your junior year of high school, you probably are starting to think about going to a college or university. Although most of the...

It’s not uncommon for students with a learning disability to earn an undergraduate degree. One in five freshmen (22%) in a nationwide UCLA survey said...

College fairs are a great opportunity to meet with representatives of many schools all at once. But you will get more benefits from a fair if...

Some students receive noncommittal letters in the mail from colleges or universities. Although they are positive, these likely letters often leave students confused and unsure...

Summer is a great time for high school juniors to impress colleges. Here are a few activities that students can do to add some...

One of the most common high school rumors is the myth that there is only one perfect school for each student. So it is...

College admissions officers are now spending less time reviewing college applications. Admissions officers working in teams of two used to spend 12-15 minutes with an application, but...

Some colleges and universities offer a college admissions interview, which allows applicants to visit with admissions officers or alumni interviewers and discuss why they are...

Students who excel at one sport, hobby or club are more desirable to elite colleges and universities than students who join many activities. Admissions...

So you found an undergraduate school that you think would be a good match, went for a tour and maybe even spent the night with a...

For high school students who want to earn some academic credit before college, taking summer classes at an established university is a great way...

If you'll be a junior or haven’t yet finished your junior year, follow our advice for using this time to impress colleges and universities.

Challenge...

Applicants who are dealing with difficult situations at home, such as a chronically ill parent or family hardship, should tell the admissions office about...

In that anxious period of time leading up to the release of college acceptance letters, students often wonder if they should contact the colleges...

Many colleges offer or require an admissions interview as a part of the application process. Many students, however, don’t realize that in addition to confidently answering...

You will be able to apply for a visa after you have been admitted to a college or university and accepted the offer of...

In March, college admissions officers make their final decisions, seal the envelopes and mail them to all of the eagerly awaiting applicants. Most students spend half of...

U.S. colleges and universities are a popular destination for international students seeking to further their undergraduate and graduate education.

More than 1 million international...

Admissions decisions arrive in the spring for students who applied regular decision or who were deferred from the early admission pool. This marks a...

Last year, more than 170 colleges from Harvard to Kalamazoo College pledged to consider service as a larger part of their application.

“Too often...

If you always dreamed about attending one of the eight prestigious colleges that make up the Ivy League, you probably already know that admission to...

An analysis of government data finds that high school seniors who meet with school counselors are more likely to file the Free Application for...

As you prepare for your college applications, it may feel like there are so many new terms to learn and countless admissions decisions to navigate...

The Simplified Needs Test and Auto Zero EFC are simplified versions of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that are available to...

Internships provide out-of-classroom knowledge that is useful for college admissions and the professional world. Students who complete internships show initiative to future employers and colleges. Here...

College admissions committees value genuine interest in a few activities, or even just one that stands out. You don’t have to be involved in 15...

College-bound high school students (and their parents) are fascinated by college rankings, but college rankings do not help students find the right college for...

One of the most common tools used by students to choose a college is a ranking system. College admissions counselors, however, warn students against...

Before setting foot on campus, there are often application fees. Check these best practices to make sure you’re getting the most out of the...

Every year, one of the most rigorous parts of the college application process happens on Saturday mornings, the SAT and ACT test. Many students, however...

Juggling multiple college application requirements, deadlines and fees just became a lot easier. Cappex has created the Application Manager to simplify the college admissions process, saving...

Our college expert Mark Kantrowitz answers your questions about college and financial aid.

Q: What should I do during my college visits to get...

Our college expert Mark Kantrowitz answers your questions about college and financial aid.

Q: Some of the colleges I'm interested in require prospective students...

Our college expert Mark Kantrowitz answers your questions about college and financial aid.

Q: Some of the colleges that I'm looking at require an...

As you're getting ready to apply to college, you'll hear a lot about your transcripts. This can be a little intimidating, especially as most high...

If you're worried about all the words you don't recognize during the college application process, our admissions glossary is here to help. Review the glossary...

Our admissions glossary is here to make your application and enrollment as easy as possible. Be sure to review our complete glossary as you continue...

Need help better understanding all the complicated terms related to college admissions? Be sure to check out our full admissions glossary after you review G-I. 

GPA...

Are you confused about the words you see as you apply to college? Here are some terms you'll need to know below, and be sure to review...

All of the various components of the college application process can be complicated. So read on for terms and definitions from A-C! This will ensure...

You probably planned a lot of fun activities with friends for the summer and maybe even a vacation! But don't let all the warm weather and outdoor...

There are multiple ways to earn a bachelor's degree and one of these options is to enroll in a community college following high school graduation. Once you’ve completed...

How much do you know about letters of recommendation? Many colleges and scholarships require them with your application. So it’s time to brush up on the basics and...

There’s a lot you’ll need to do before you send off your college applications. What if you forget an important requirement and don't get into...

The Cappex College Admissions Counseling Survey asked counselors about the number of college admissions applications they recommend students submit and the actual number of applications...