All Posts

To help you map out your college apps, I went ahead and grabbed all the important deadlines for you. (still in progress)--> Make sure to bookmark this post and check back for updates! Last Updated: October 2026 We have been verifying application deadlines directly with each university's admissions website. Because colleges occasionally change their deadlines, we recommend confirming them on each university's official admissions website before submitting your application. Coll

1. Test-Optional vs. Self-Reported Scores Under a test-optional policy, applicants decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Students who feel their results strengthen their application can include them, while those who prefer to be evaluated on other merits can withhold them. It is important to distinguish between policy type and submission method: Test-Optional: Determines if standardized test scores are required for admissions. Self-Reporting: Refers to how scores are su

1. Test-Optional / Self-Reported Scores Under a Test-Optional policy, colleges allow applicants to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. Students who believe their test scores strengthen their academic profile may choose to submit them, while those who feel their scores do not reflect their academic abilities can choose not to. Some colleges allow applicants to self-report their scores directly on the application without sending official sco

Here is the definitive guide and reference table for the Top 50 Universities regarding their policies on Additional Letters of Recommendation (often referred to as "Other" or "Optional" recommendations beyond the standard counselor and teacher evaluations) for the 2026–2027 application cycle. Understanding Additional Recommendations on the Common App Common App Limit: The Common App allows you to invite "Other Recommenders" (such as mentors, employers, research supervisors, o

What it is: A Texas statewide initiative (created by Senate Bill 2231) requiring all public colleges and universities to waive undergraduate application fees for Texas residents applying via ApplyTexas. (not thru Common app) When it is (2026 Dates): October 12–18, 2026 (runs Monday–Sunday during the second full week of October). Applications must be fully submitted by 11:59 p.m. CDT on October 18, 2026. Who can participate: Texas residents applying for undergraduate programs

The Common App Requirements Grid is an essential reference guide published annually by the Common Application. It aggregates the specific admissions policies, application deadlines, testing requirements, and required recommendation letters for all 1,000+ participating colleges and universities into a single downloadable database. Where to Find the Official 2026–2027 Requirements Grid PDF Download: You can view or download the complete official 2026–2027 Requirements Grid PDF

Applying to colleges through Early Action comes with several advantages: you can submit your applications sooner, receive admission decisions earlier, and potentially improve your chances of getting accepted. But can you apply Early Action to multiple schools? The answer isn’t entirely straightforward. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Early Action, including how it works and how to make the most of its benefits. Princeton University’s single-c

Most high school seniors hand their teachers a generic checklist when asking for a college recommendation letter. It usually lists their GPA, test scores, and a few bullet points about their extracurricular activities. There’s just one problem: teachers don’t need to know your resume—they need to know how you learn. When college admissions officers read a teacher recommendation, they aren’t looking for a list of achievements that are already on your application. They want to

The University of California (UC) has officially delayed any decision regarding the return of the SAT or ACT until June 2027. Before any policy changes can occur, the UC Academic Senate must issue a formal recommendation, which then requires a vote of approval from the UC Board of Regents. Why the Timeline Shift? This new schedule follows the cancellation of a previous two-year review plan that faced heavy pushback from both sides of the standardized testing debate. UC leader

Version 1 - updated on July 2026 UC GPA Calculator Guidelines UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA ADMISSION REFERENCE This calculator is designed to help students estimate their University of California (UC) GPA based on official UC undergraduate admission policies. Please review these essential guidelines before entering your coursework. Course Eligibility & Term Formatting UC-Approved A-G Courses • California High Schools: Only include courses that appear on your school's offici

Big news in ed-tech! Fresh off the BETT conference, Google has introduced a major upgrade for students preparing for college applications. Gemini was already useful for creating flashcards and summarizing messy class notes — now it’s taking things further: you can complete full-length SAT practice tests for free directly inside the AI. And this isn’t just AI making up questions. Google partnered with The Princeton Review to ensure the material mirrors the real exam, so you’re

The University of California announced a record 301,093 students enrolled for fall 2025, the largest student body in system history. More than 200,000 undergraduates are California residents, marking the tenth straight year of in-state enrollment growth and highlighting sustained demand for a UC education. While total enrollment increased, the share of nonresident undergraduates fell to 15.6%, continuing a multi-year decline as UC prioritizes access for California students. U

1. FAFSA: Generally Always Worth Submitting Even if a student isn’t “qualified” for need-based aid: Eligibility for federal student loans: Some unsubsidized loans don’t require financial need. FAFSA is required to access these. Merit scholarships: Some colleges use FAFSA data to verify eligibility for merit-based scholarships, even though those aren’t need-based. Financial safety net: Family finances can change (job loss, medical bills, etc.). If FAFSA is on file, it’s much e

Here’s a curated list of highly selective, research-focused summer programs for high school students, with details on duration, acceptance rates, and costs. Many of these offer incredible experiences — and some are free! Elite & Highly Competitive Programs - Research Science Institute (RSI) – MIT / CEE Length: 6 weeks Acceptance Rate: <1% (extremely competitive) Cost: Free (hosted at MIT) Notes: Often considered the most prestigious high school research program in the U.S. St

Stay on top of every college’s decision release date for the Class of 2030 (Admission Cycle 2025–2026)! This chart is updated daily wit h Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision notifications — helping you plan ahead for acceptance letters and celebrate your next chapter! Please open this blog post on your computer so you can see the notification table clearly. #CollegeAdmissions #Classof2030 #CollegeDecisionDates #EarlyAction #EarlyDecision #CollegePrep #Regular

Having a music résumé ready is a smart and strategic move, even if music materials are listed as “optional” in the college application. Even if you’re not applying to a conservatory, keep your résumé concise (1 page) and focused on musical highlights — like private instruction, ensembles, recitals, and key achievements. Pair it with a short artistic statement or performance video, and you’ll present a complete, impressive picture of your artistic growth. Why You Should Submit

What to Do After Submitting Your College Applications : A Post-Submission Checklist by GetInColleges.com Applying to college can feel overwhelming. Between strict deadlines, the pressure to stand out, and the emotional ups and downs of waiting for results, it’s no wonder many students describe it as the most stressful time of their academic life—especially while managing their final year of high school. Why You Should Keep Checking Your College Portals Submitting your college

UNC announcement: The School of Data Science and Society (SDSS) and the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) will merge into a new school focused on artificial intelligence. Faculty notification: Both schools’ faculty were informed at separate meetings on Wednesday; the public announcement followed via email Thursday at 1:04 p.m. from Chancellor Lee Roberts and Interim Provost Jim Dean. Timeline: A formal timeline for the consolidation is not yet set, but no chang

[Summary] Overview of Direct Admissions Definition: Direct admissions allow colleges to admit students automatically—before they apply—based on criteria like GPA. Goal: Increase college enrollment, especially among students unsure about applying or unaware they qualify. Nationwide Trend: At least 15 states now use direct admissions, including California, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Washington. Minnesota’s Program Launched in 2022; about half of public high schoo

Let’s compile a list of all colleges and universities that have Early Action deadlines before November 1 and Regular Decision or Priority Scholarship deadlines before January 1. Early College Application Deadlines Prior to January 1 – Organized by Date Top 50 Universities: SECA, EDI, EDII, EA, and RD Deadlines and Detailed Application Requirements : Please refer to this article 2025-2026 Early Application Cycle : Which schools allow you to apply early at the same time? Ple