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Find guidance on applications, academic choices, international admissions, and planning for college.
Essays and applications
Testing and academic profile
- What are test-optional college admissions policies? And should you still take the SAT and/or ACT? (2026 Update)
- The “Hidden” Transcripts: Every Academic Record College Applicants May Need to Report (And How to Use Them to Your Advantage!)
- How to Maximize Your Extracurriculars for College Applications (Guest Post)
- AP Exams: Here’s how to study and prepare for AP Exams.
International admissions
College planning
- Juniors, it’s time to start making your college lists. Here is how to build a balanced list of reach, target, and safety colleges.
- Planning a college visit? Here is how to make the most of your time on campus.
- The Significance of Choosing the Right Major: Aligning Interests and Authenticity in College Admissions
- A Beginner's Guide to Navigating Financial Aid for College (Guest Post)
- Budget for College Now: Start Planning Your Finances Early
The 2027–28 FAFSA Is Already Open to Some Students: Should You Join the Beta?
FAFSA Beta 2 opened Aug. 25, 2026. Learn who can request access, what counts as a real FAFSA, how to prepare, and whether early participation helps.
New Student Visas Fell 23%. What International T20 Applicants Need to Do Before Admission Turns Into a Travel Problem
New data shows student visa issuances fell 23% in 2025. International applicants should plan the F-1 process earlier and separate admission from travel readiness.
You Could Get Into College Before You Apply: How Common App Direct Admissions Changes the Strategy
Common App expanded Direct Admissions to 234 colleges. Learn how offers work, what they do not guarantee, and how to use them in a selective-college strategy.
The Common App Split: International Applicants Fall 10% as U.S. Demand Keeps Rising
The newest Common App data shows two admissions markets moving in opposite directions: international applicants fell sharply while domestic access indicators rose. Here is what the split does—and does not—mean for applicants.
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