College Application Guides & Tips | High School to College Advice

College Admissions

Passion Projects: How to Get Into Your Dream School Post-COVID

Getting into college in the post-COVID era — in a world shaped by test-optional policies and the rise of AI — is harder than ever. With fewer standardized benchmarks and a growing reliance on personal statements and extracurriculars, admissions officers are faced with the challenge of identifying student potential beyond test scores and GPAs. Pre-COVID, your application’s strength might have rested on strong SAT/ACT scores, grades, and a thoughtful essay. But today? With AI tools like ChatGPT raising concerns about essay authenticity, and testing increasingly optional, colleges are placing more weight on students who stand out by going above and beyond what’s required. That’s where passion projects come in.

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College Admissions

UC Applications: Everything You Need To Know

The University of California (UC) application consists of several sections applicants must complete. This guide explains how to complete each section. Understanding these concepts will ensure an easy application process and help you submit your best application possible!

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College Admissions

UC Colleges Ranked - Which California Schools Are Best?

The University of California system includes some of America's best public universities. In this post, CC mentor Akithma Moraes ranks the UCs and offers information to help you figure out which UC is the best fit for you!

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College Admissions

How do I Apply for College? Step-by-Step Guide

College Contact Mentor Holly McDonald offers a step-by-step guide on the college application process. She explains how to get started, tips for along the way, resources to help you, and overall suggestions to help you stay on track to submit amazing college apps.

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How to Write UChicago’s Uncommon Essay: Guidance from a Current Student

Learn how to write standout essays for the University of Chicago, including the famous Uncommon Essay and the “Why UChicago?” prompt. Using insights from Maddie, a current student, this guide helps you craft authentic, creative essays that highlight your personality and passions.

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Application Tips

How to Get into Emory: Tips on Essays, Activities, and Transfers

Learn how to craft a standout application to Emory University with insights from Hara, a human health major who shares her personal journey as both a first-year and transfer student. From essay tips to extracurricular advice, discover how to showcase your unique personality and passion to impress admissions officers.

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Does Financial Aid Cover Summer Classes?

College Contact Mentor Ethan Lin provides information on summer class possibilities available through financial aid. He shares what circumstances allow financial aid for summer classes and the processes involved in how to be granted aid.

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Why You Should Submit Your FAFSA As Soon As Possible

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your key to lowering your cost of college. This guide delves into the reasons you should prioritize early submission and provides actionable tips for a smooth FAFSA process.

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5 Best Colleges for Pre-Med Students

Gaining entry into medical school to become a doctor is a huge accomplishment. Students, for the most part, must take the MCAT, maintain a high GPA, and garner extracurricular activities in order to be competitive for medical school admissions.

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College Admissions

5 Important Questions to Ask a College Advisor

Attending college can open the door to a plethora of resources. However, most students don’t take advantage of this one resource enough to the point where it changes their college journey forever: college advisors. Advisors are there to help guide your education, but it is up to you to drive those discussions in the right direction.

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Best Ways to Start a College Essay

College Contact Mentor Ethan Lin provides information on the best methods for starting to write a college essay. He shares what colleges may look for and which topics students should focus on.

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What to Put in the "Date of Entry" Box on the Common App

College Contact Mentor, Naya Weems, offers guidance on completing the “Date of Entry” section in the Common App. She explains what colleges are looking for and how to find your exact start date while providing tips to ensure students input the information correctly when applying to college.

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Parthenia Tawfik

5 Best Colleges for Architecture

Choosing the right college for an architecture degree is a crucial decision that can shape your future career in the field. Here are five of the best colleges for architecture in the United States, each offering unique programs and opportunities for aspiring architects.

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FASFA Delays or Issues? Here's What You Can Do

If you’re experiencing issues with your FAFSA application, don't worry- there are many methods you can take to get back on track. FAFSA complications can affect your ability to receive financial aid on time, so understanding common challenges and how to persevere through them is important. Here's how to identify issues, take the right course of action, and solidify your financial support.

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Charles Konkolics

Pros and Cons of ACT Test vs. SAT Test - Which to Take

It’s test time! But how do I know if I should take the SAT or ACT? While the SAT and ACT both test similar skills, they differ in their structure, focus, scoring, and timing. Here are the pros and cons of the SAT vs. the ACT!

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How to Request Waitlist Testing for SAT

Mentor at College Contact, Olivya Grandy, provides direction on how to request waitlist testing for the SATs along with some helpful tips to consider when submitting said request.

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Mihika Kuchkulla

How to Write a Winning Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) if You’re Waitlisted

College Contact Mentor, Mihika Kuchkulla, provides guidance on writing a letter of continued interest when waitlisted. She shares points on what to consider when writing this letter and the guidelines you should follow.

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Can You Get Into UCLA Without Taking AP Classes?

College Contact Mentor, Lara Martin, provides insight to the importance of taking AP Classes when applying to UCLA and whether not having them on an application is a deal-breaker. She shares general perspectives and recent trends to help students tailor their schedules and strengthen their applications.

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College Admissions

What is a Liberal Arts College?

A Liberal arts college is a type of higher education institution that prioritizes a well-rounded curriculum for students. They are known for their smaller class sizes, close professor-student relationships, and focus on holistic undergraduate education.

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Jonathan Torres-Tomas

College Admissions

Can you Submit College Applications After the Deadline?

College Contact mentor Jonathan Torres-Tomas provides answers to the age-old question of whether it is possible to submit college applications after the deadline. He provides information on general policies, potential ramifications of doing so, and what to do in such an event.

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Application Tips

UC PIQs: An Overview of Personal Insight Questions

The Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) offer UC applicants a chance to share their unique qualities and experiences in short, 350-word essays. College Contact mentor, Madelyn Hidde, provides prompt-specific advice, emphasizing the importance of specificity, personal growth, and connecting each story to future goals.

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How to Craft the Best Parent Statement

A college app parent statement can highlight your child's dedication, personality, and dreams to admissions reps. In this blog, we’ll explore parent statements, why they matter, important tips for crafting an intriguing statement, examples, and mistakes to avoid.

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College Admissions

12 Tuition Free Colleges for the 2025 School Year

College Contact Mentor Ethan Lin provides information on what colleges are tuition-free for the 2025 school year.

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Kathryn Codiamat

How to Get the Common App Fee Waiver

College Contact mentor Kathryn Codiamat offers information about how to obtain the Common App Fee Waiver. Though college and college applications can be costly, the Common App Fee Waiver can help alleviate some of the financial burden for those who qualify.

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Annabelle Boatwright

Extracurriculars

Extracurricular Activities for a Resume and College Application: Dos and Don’ts

A guide on extracurricular activities: why they are important, which ones count, and how to include them on your resume and college applications.

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College Admissions

14 Best Colleges for "B Students"

Many high school students struggle to determine which colleges to aim for, especially if they want a top-ranked school but have B grades. Keep reading as College Contact mentor, Shir Eilam, discusses some of the best colleges for B students!

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Parthenia Tawfik

5 Best Colleges for Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace engineering is a cutting-edge field that combines the excitement of flight and space exploration with advanced technology and innovation. For aspiring aerospace engineers, choosing the right college can make all the difference in their future careers. This guide highlights five of the best colleges for aerospace engineering in the United States.

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College Admissions

5 Best Colleges in the Pacific Northwest

These are the 5 best colleges in the Pacific Northwest, ranked according to factors such as prestige, acceptance rates, and student life.

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Charles Konkolics

When to Start Touring Colleges: Should I Tour Colleges Before Or After I'm Admitted?

You can never pick a bad time to start college tours. Visiting schools will provide lots of helpful information that guides your application process. Touring early can help you understand the different types of colleges, and will inform your preferences in a school. Here are the best times to start touring colleges.

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What are BAD college essay topics?

College Contact Mentor Ethan Lin provides guidance for which essay topics should be avoided when writing for colleges. He shares criteria to help you decide what essay topics to avoid in college applications.

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Danielle Bellamy

Best Colleges for Investment Banking Recruitment

College Contact’s Danielle Bellamy, a student at University of Michigan who has frequented the nuances surrounding Ross, provides information regarding IB recruitment alongside the top schools for the Investment Banking field.

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College Admissions

The College Counseling Crisis: How Near-Peer Advising is Revolutionizing Student Support

College Contact Mentor Ethan Lin provides insight into how near-peer advising is revolutionizing student support. He shares data regarding the college counseling crisis and how it correlates with near-peer advising.

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Vignesh Gunaseelan

When should I start the Common App?

College Mentor Vignesh Gunaseelan addresses how to prepare to start your Common App and the appropriate time to start.

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Is Hiring A Private College Counselor Worth It?

College Contact Mentor, Shir Eilam, dives into the pros and cons of paying for private college counseling. She breaks down some key factors to help you decide whether this is the right step in your college journey.

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Where to Put National Honor Society (NHS) on the Common App

College Contact Mentor, Dhriti Suresh, offers advice on mastering the Common App, with a special focus on one of the most popular activities among high school students nationwide—the National Honor Society (NHS).

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Michael Korvyakov

How Long Should a College Application Essay be?

Deciding the length of an essay is about balancing two things: being concise and telling the full story. Generally speaking, the goal is to write an essay within 10% of the maximum word count. But is this always true? And what do you do if there is no word limit? Read on to find out!

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Colleges with No Application Fee in Florida

For students who are looking to save money on application fees, this article offers a list of universities in Florida with no application fee. Noah Meyer covers both public and private FL universities without fees in this guide.

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College Admissions

Direct Admissions: Get Into College Without Applying

College Contact Mentor, Nina Rossi, provides guidance for getting into college without applying through Direct Admissions Programs. She provides information on how to enroll and who benefits from these programs.

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How to Find Local Scholarships

College Contact Mentor, Holly McDonald, shares insight for students to find local scholarships within their communities. This guide covers the benefits of applying for local scholarships as well as the different organizations that may offer scholarships in your area.

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Vignesh Gunaseelan

These Community Colleges Have On-Campus Housing

College Mentor, Vignesh Gunaseelan, addresses a common question among students interested in attending a community college. Specifically, he showcases the community colleges that have on-campus housing and its contribution to their campus life.

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ApplyTexas or Common App: Which Should I Use?

College Contact Mentor, Morgan Peace, provides guidance for choosing which platform to use for college applications: the Common Application or Apply Texas. She shares criteria to help you decide which is the right fit depending on your application situation.

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Do Colleges Check for AI in College Essays?

College Contact Mentor Ethan Lin provides insight into the idea of colleges checking for AI in college essays. He shares whether colleges check the essays for AI and guidance on how a student should move forward considering this technology.

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College Admissions

Do Colleges Care if you Graduate Early from High School?

College Contact mentor, Ivy Baugher, addresses a commonly asked question from especially eager students – do colleges care if you graduate early from high school?

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Do D3 Schools Give Athletic Scholarships?

College Contact Mentor, Shir Eilam, provides guidance on navigating athletic scholarships in Division III colleges. She answers the question: what options do students in search of athletic scholarships to Division III schools have?

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Julia Shuttleworth

How to Correctly Fill in GPA Scale Reporting on the Common App

College Contact Mentor, Julia Shuttleworth, explains what exactly a GPA scale is, and how to ensure you enter the correct one for your school on the Common Application.

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Can you Use Contractions in College Essays? (and Should you?)

Writing college essays may feel tedious, with several unwritten rules and guidelines to follow. College Contact mentor, Amrutha Reddy, discusses the use of contractions in college essays, and whether they may be acceptable for college essay writing.

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Important Questions for Parents to Ask on College Tours

College contact mentor, Anna Holk, provides suggestions for questions to ask while on a college tour, as well as insight into making the most of college visits and how parents can support their students throughout the tour process.

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Is Writing an Immigrant Parents College Essay a Good Topic Idea?

College Contact Mentor, Dhriti Suresh, provides guidance for crafting your admissions essays. She shares criteria for navigating the immigrant narrative: a frequently sought-after essay topic.

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College Admissions

Honors College Requirements: How they Differ

Understand how Honors College requirements differ, including variations in coursework, GPA expectations, and the unique opportunities each program offers.

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How to Write a Personal Statement for Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to get some money for school. This blog takes you through writing the personal statement on your scholarship applications, from research to submission, from someone who has won five figures in college scholarships.

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College Admissions

When do College Applications Open for the Class of 2025?

One of College Contact's mentors shares insight into the 2025 cycle of college applications. She provides tips on how to get started before the application opens, how to navigate the process, and breaks down sections of a college application.

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College Admissions

Best Questions to Ask a College Admissions Counselor

College Contact Mentor, Holly McDonald, walks students through various topics and questions to address when talking to a college admissions counselor. If you have a meeting booked, the counselor will provide you with resources! Take advantage of the knowledge and guidance they can provide about your university of interest.

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How to End a College Essay: Conclusion Guidance

College Contact Mentor Evan Farnping provides quick guidance on concluding a college essay. We will explore effective strategies for ending your essay, along with specific and general advice on what to avoid, what to aim for, and more.

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Kathryn Codiamat

Colleges with No Application Fee in Texas

For students who are looking to save money on application fees, this article offers a list of universities in Texas with no application fee.

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How to Pay for College Without Parents' Help

Have no one helping you afford college? This blog walks you through how to pay your way through college with advice from someone who did the same thing. You’ll learn about summer work, working during school, scholarships, loans, and budgeting.

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College Admissions

How to Write an Email to a College Admissions Office

Reaching out to college admissions offices via email can help demonstrate your interest, get your questions answered, and make a memorable impression. This guide will provide tips and example emails to help you craft effective communications.

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Colleges that Don't Require Essays for Admission

Depending on your needs, pathways, and finances, applying to colleges with zero essay requirements may save you considerable time, effort, and money.

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Common App Honors Section: What You Need to Know

College Contact Mentor, Morgan Peace, provides guidance on how to fill out the Common App honors section. She shares information on the honors section and how to complete it to showcase your accomplishments.

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Application Tips

Can You Submit College Applications Before Teacher Recommendations?

Get a head start on your college applications! In this blog, College Contact mentor Priya Patel will walk you through the letter of recommendation process, how and when to ask, and how submitting applications early can help streamline your journey.

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When to Start Applying for College Scholarships

It’s never too early to apply for scholarships! College Contact mentor Holly McDonald walks you through your scholarship search, from the different kinds of scholarships offered, how they are used, and how to search effectively for scholarships relevant to you.

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College Admissions

Insider Tips For Getting Into An Ivy League: Advice From A Current Ivy League Student

College Contact Mentor & student at Brown University, Evan Farnping, gives his tips for getting into Ivy League Universities.

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College Admissions

Common App Confusion? The 7 Sections Explained.

Need help with your Common Application? This post explains the 7 sections of the Common App and provides guidance about how to complete each one.

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What is a Public Ivy?

College Contact Mentor, Alinor Smith, explains what a Public Ivy is and shares her experience attending one, the University of Virginia.

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College Admissions

What are the UC Essay Prompts?

College Contact Mentor, Miriya Huie, explains the University of California essay prompts and her advice on completing your PIQs.

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College Admissions

My Experience with College Interviews

College Contact Mentor, Diya Gupta, shares her experience navigating College Interviews

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A Concrete Guide To Obtaining Strong Letters of Recommendation

College Contact Mentor, Evan Farnping, shares his guide to getting letters of recommendation that will improve your college applications.

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Alexander Laredo

College Admissions

Why I applied EA to the University of Virginia

College Contact Mentor, Alex Laredo, shares his experience applying Early Action to the University of Virginia and reflects on the considerations one should take when deciding to apply Early Action or Early Decision.

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Should you take AP Classes?

College Contact staff member, Alexis Payne, provides advice for deciding if you should take AP classes or not. She shares information about what APs are, how they work, and the pros and cons of enrolling in them during your high school career.

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Maximizing Your College Visit at UCSD

College Contact Mentor, Miriya Huie, gives you the inside scoop on how to maximize your visit to the University of California San Diego!

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Why Starting College Planning as a Freshman in High School is Crucial for Success

College Contact Mentor, Camryn Brown, shares her college prep tips for high schoolers in their freshman, sophomore, junior, AND senior years.

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Making the Most of Your College Visit at UVA

College Contact Mentor, Diya Gupta, shares her tips for making the most of your college tour at UVA. As a UVA Guide herself, she has the inside scoop on how to maxmize your visit to grounds!

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College Admissions

Is Test Optional Really Test Optional? Submit or Not to Submit: The Ultimate Debate

College Contact Mentor, Dhriti Suresh, provides guidance for submitting ACT & SAT scores to colleges. She shares criteria to help you decide if you should submit your standardized test score when applying to college.

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Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars

College Contact Mentor, Isabela Motta, shares her advice for balancing academics & extracurriculars as a college student.

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A Guide to Navigating Internships in College from a UCLA Student

College Contact Mentor, Jackson Hartz, shares his tips for UCLA students looking to secure jobs & internships. He shares the resources UCLA students have as well as tips for preparing for your career from freshman through senior year of college.

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How Brown University Helps Students Obtain Internships

College Contact Mentor, Evan Farnping, gives a detailed overview of the resources Brown Students can use to obtain job & internship opportunities. He covers resources unique to Brown as well as resources that any college student can use to find employment.

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College Admissions

You will get into college AND get a degree...even after a C!

College Contact Mentor, Alinor Smith, explains that you can get into college even if you got a C in high school. She busts the myth that grades are everything when applying to college and shares her opinions about the value students can gain from struggling in a high school course. She also explains how to use the Additional Information section in the Common App to explain extenuating circumstances that led to poor grades in high school.

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College Admissions

The College Planning Journey

College Contact Mentor, Jillian Tabone, shares her tips for preparing for college as a freshman, sophomore, junior, & senior in high school. Use these tips to stay on track for college success during your high school career!

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College Admissions

Deferred or Waitlisted? Here's What You Can Do!

College Contact Mentor, Cutter Jones, gives advice about what to do if you are waitlisted or deferred by a college. He explains what a letter of continued interest is and how it can help you get off the waitlist!

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College Admissions

What is a College List and How Do I Build One?

College Contact Mentor, Camryn Brown, provides guidance for building an awesome college list full of best-fit schools for you or your student.

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College Admissions

How to Prepare for College Interviews

College Contact Mentor, Miriya Huie, gives tips & tricks to help you ace your college interviews!

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Representation and Inclusivity at Stanford

College Contact Mentor, Chhavi Nahata, reflects on the inclusivity and representation at her college, Stanford University.

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Representation and Inclusivity at Duke University

College Contact Mentor, Anya Gupta, reflects on the inclusivity and representation at her college, Duke University.

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Tips and Insights for International Students Seeking to Study in the United States

College Contact Mentor, Chhavi Nahata, shares her survival guide for attending college as a international student. Chhavi reflects on her experience as an international student from India studying at Stanford University and offers tips about how to succeed as an international student studying in the US.

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College Admissions

Navigating the Post-Application Rollercoaster: Your Guide to Scholarships and Interviews

College Contact Mentor, Jackson Hartz, explains what to do after hitting submit on your college applications. He covers general tips about next steps as well as the scholarship search & application process.

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Finding Internships & Jobs as an NC State Student

College Contact Mentor, Rohan Dodda, shares tips & tricks for finding job opportunities as a student at NC State.

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Maximizing your College Visit at the University of Arizona

College Contact mentor Jillian Tabone gives the inside scoop on how to maximize your college visit at the University of Arizona. As a current student, she has all the tips & tricks to make your college visit worth it!

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How to Start Building Your College List

This post provides a guide for building a well-balanced college list full of best fit schools for you!

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Maximizing Your College Visit at UNC Chapel Hill

College Contact Mentor, Dhriti Suresh, gives her tips and tricks for making the most out of your college tour at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She provides the inside scoop on the best way to tour campus!

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College Admissions

Don’t Do It Like I Did: Why I Applied Early Decision to NYU Tisch Film & TV

College Contact mentor, Ashley Kim, explains what early decision is, how it works, and how you can decide if early decision is right for you. She also reflects on her experience applying early decision to New York University to study Film & TV.

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Maximizing your College Visit at The University of Texas at Austin

Hear from UT Austin student, Leilani Garza, about how to make the most of your campus visit and get a feel for college life.

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How to Craft the Perfect Resume

This post provides a step by step guide for crafting an amazing resume for colleges, job applications, and other uses.

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Princeton vs Harvard vs Brown vs Cornell....The Great Ivy League Debate

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College Admissions

Why I Applied ED to Duke University

Any Gupta describes her experience applying early decision to Duke and reflects on the pros and cons of submitting an early decision application.

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Passion Projects: How to Get Into Your Dream School Post-COVID

Getting into college in the post-COVID era — in a world shaped by test-optional policies and the rise of AI — is harder than ever. With fewer standardized benchmarks and a growing reliance on personal statements and extracurriculars, admissions officers are faced with the challenge of identifying student potential beyond test scores and GPAs. Pre-COVID, your application’s strength might have rested on strong SAT/ACT scores, grades, and a thoughtful essay. But today? With AI tools like ChatGPT raising concerns about essay authenticity, and testing increasingly optional, colleges are placing more weight on students who stand out by going above and beyond what’s required. That’s where passion projects come in.

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UC Applications: Everything You Need To Know

The University of California (UC) application consists of several sections applicants must complete. This guide explains how to complete each section. Understanding these concepts will ensure an easy application process and help you submit your best application possible!

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UC Colleges Ranked - Which California Schools Are Best?

The University of California system includes some of America's best public universities. In this post, CC mentor Akithma Moraes ranks the UCs and offers information to help you figure out which UC is the best fit for you!

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How do I Apply for College? Step-by-Step Guide

College Contact Mentor Holly McDonald offers a step-by-step guide on the college application process. She explains how to get started, tips for along the way, resources to help you, and overall suggestions to help you stay on track to submit amazing college apps.

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5 Important Questions to Ask a College Advisor

Attending college can open the door to a plethora of resources. However, most students don’t take advantage of this one resource enough to the point where it changes their college journey forever: college advisors. Advisors are there to help guide your education, but it is up to you to drive those discussions in the right direction.

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What is a Liberal Arts College?

A Liberal arts college is a type of higher education institution that prioritizes a well-rounded curriculum for students. They are known for their smaller class sizes, close professor-student relationships, and focus on holistic undergraduate education.

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Jonathan Torres-Tomas

Can you Submit College Applications After the Deadline?

College Contact mentor Jonathan Torres-Tomas provides answers to the age-old question of whether it is possible to submit college applications after the deadline. He provides information on general policies, potential ramifications of doing so, and what to do in such an event.

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12 Tuition Free Colleges for the 2025 School Year

College Contact Mentor Ethan Lin provides information on what colleges are tuition-free for the 2025 school year.

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14 Best Colleges for "B Students"

Many high school students struggle to determine which colleges to aim for, especially if they want a top-ranked school but have B grades. Keep reading as College Contact mentor, Shir Eilam, discusses some of the best colleges for B students!

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5 Best Colleges in the Pacific Northwest

These are the 5 best colleges in the Pacific Northwest, ranked according to factors such as prestige, acceptance rates, and student life.

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The College Counseling Crisis: How Near-Peer Advising is Revolutionizing Student Support

College Contact Mentor Ethan Lin provides insight into how near-peer advising is revolutionizing student support. He shares data regarding the college counseling crisis and how it correlates with near-peer advising.

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Direct Admissions: Get Into College Without Applying

College Contact Mentor, Nina Rossi, provides guidance for getting into college without applying through Direct Admissions Programs. She provides information on how to enroll and who benefits from these programs.

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Do Colleges Care if you Graduate Early from High School?

College Contact mentor, Ivy Baugher, addresses a commonly asked question from especially eager students – do colleges care if you graduate early from high school?

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Honors College Requirements: How they Differ

Understand how Honors College requirements differ, including variations in coursework, GPA expectations, and the unique opportunities each program offers.

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When do College Applications Open for the Class of 2025?

One of College Contact's mentors shares insight into the 2025 cycle of college applications. She provides tips on how to get started before the application opens, how to navigate the process, and breaks down sections of a college application.

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Best Questions to Ask a College Admissions Counselor

College Contact Mentor, Holly McDonald, walks students through various topics and questions to address when talking to a college admissions counselor. If you have a meeting booked, the counselor will provide you with resources! Take advantage of the knowledge and guidance they can provide about your university of interest.

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How to Write an Email to a College Admissions Office

Reaching out to college admissions offices via email can help demonstrate your interest, get your questions answered, and make a memorable impression. This guide will provide tips and example emails to help you craft effective communications.

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Insider Tips For Getting Into An Ivy League: Advice From A Current Ivy League Student

College Contact Mentor & student at Brown University, Evan Farnping, gives his tips for getting into Ivy League Universities.

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Common App Confusion? The 7 Sections Explained.

Need help with your Common Application? This post explains the 7 sections of the Common App and provides guidance about how to complete each one.

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What are the UC Essay Prompts?

College Contact Mentor, Miriya Huie, explains the University of California essay prompts and her advice on completing your PIQs.

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My Experience with College Interviews

College Contact Mentor, Diya Gupta, shares her experience navigating College Interviews

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Alexander Laredo

Why I applied EA to the University of Virginia

College Contact Mentor, Alex Laredo, shares his experience applying Early Action to the University of Virginia and reflects on the considerations one should take when deciding to apply Early Action or Early Decision.

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Is Test Optional Really Test Optional? Submit or Not to Submit: The Ultimate Debate

College Contact Mentor, Dhriti Suresh, provides guidance for submitting ACT & SAT scores to colleges. She shares criteria to help you decide if you should submit your standardized test score when applying to college.

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You will get into college AND get a degree...even after a C!

College Contact Mentor, Alinor Smith, explains that you can get into college even if you got a C in high school. She busts the myth that grades are everything when applying to college and shares her opinions about the value students can gain from struggling in a high school course. She also explains how to use the Additional Information section in the Common App to explain extenuating circumstances that led to poor grades in high school.

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The College Planning Journey

College Contact Mentor, Jillian Tabone, shares her tips for preparing for college as a freshman, sophomore, junior, & senior in high school. Use these tips to stay on track for college success during your high school career!

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Deferred or Waitlisted? Here's What You Can Do!

College Contact Mentor, Cutter Jones, gives advice about what to do if you are waitlisted or deferred by a college. He explains what a letter of continued interest is and how it can help you get off the waitlist!

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What is a College List and How Do I Build One?

College Contact Mentor, Camryn Brown, provides guidance for building an awesome college list full of best-fit schools for you or your student.

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How to Prepare for College Interviews

College Contact Mentor, Miriya Huie, gives tips & tricks to help you ace your college interviews!

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Navigating the Post-Application Rollercoaster: Your Guide to Scholarships and Interviews

College Contact Mentor, Jackson Hartz, explains what to do after hitting submit on your college applications. He covers general tips about next steps as well as the scholarship search & application process.

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Don’t Do It Like I Did: Why I Applied Early Decision to NYU Tisch Film & TV

College Contact mentor, Ashley Kim, explains what early decision is, how it works, and how you can decide if early decision is right for you. She also reflects on her experience applying early decision to New York University to study Film & TV.

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Why I Applied ED to Duke University

Any Gupta describes her experience applying early decision to Duke and reflects on the pros and cons of submitting an early decision application.

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Vignesh Gunaseelan

These Community Colleges Have On-Campus Housing

College Mentor, Vignesh Gunaseelan, addresses a common question among students interested in attending a community college. Specifically, he showcases the community colleges that have on-campus housing and its contribution to their campus life.

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What is a Public Ivy?

College Contact Mentor, Alinor Smith, explains what a Public Ivy is and shares her experience attending one, the University of Virginia.

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Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars

College Contact Mentor, Isabela Motta, shares her advice for balancing academics & extracurriculars as a college student.

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How Brown University Helps Students Obtain Internships

College Contact Mentor, Evan Farnping, gives a detailed overview of the resources Brown Students can use to obtain job & internship opportunities. He covers resources unique to Brown as well as resources that any college student can use to find employment.

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Representation and Inclusivity at Stanford

College Contact Mentor, Chhavi Nahata, reflects on the inclusivity and representation at her college, Stanford University.

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Representation and Inclusivity at Duke University

College Contact Mentor, Anya Gupta, reflects on the inclusivity and representation at her college, Duke University.

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Tips and Insights for International Students Seeking to Study in the United States

College Contact Mentor, Chhavi Nahata, shares her survival guide for attending college as a international student. Chhavi reflects on her experience as an international student from India studying at Stanford University and offers tips about how to succeed as an international student studying in the US.

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Princeton vs Harvard vs Brown vs Cornell....The Great Ivy League Debate

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Rethink the College Process

The college admissions process does not need to be difficult or stressful. Our near-peer advising model facilitates better connections and relationships, so that students can excel in the application process and thrive on campus thereafter.

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