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Admissions

Admissions guides

Holistic review, timelines, course rigor, college lists, ED vs EA, recommendations, interviews.

10 guides.

  1. 01

    Foundations of College Admissions

    Holistic review is the dominant model used by selective US colleges. The College Board's reference paper for higher-education admissions describes it as a…

    67 min read

  2. 02

    Timeline & Process

    A parent new to US college admissions often imagines the process as a senior-year project. Timeline & Process — a parent-friendly guide.

    59 min read

  3. 03

    Academics & Course Rigor

    Every trusted source converges on the same finding: the high school transcript — grades in the context of course rigor — is the single most important factor…

    57 min read

  4. 04

    Testing Strategy

    The pandemic-era shorthand of "test-optional vs required" no longer captures the landscape. Testing Strategy — a parent-friendly guide.

    57 min read

  5. 05

    College List Strategy

    First, it ensures at least one admission to a school the student wants to attend. This is the floor — the non-negotiable outcome of the process.

    60 min read

  6. 06

    ED/EA Decision

    US colleges that offer early admissions use one of four distinct pathways, and the differences matter. ED/EA Decision — a parent-friendly guide.

    61 min read

  7. 07

    Recommendations And Counselor Letter

    A recommendation letter gives the admissions reader something the transcript, essays, and activities list cannot: a trusted adult's direct testimony about…

    62 min read

  8. 08

    Interviews And Demonstrated Interest

    A college admissions interview is a one-on-one conversation between an applicant and a representative of the college, designed to give admissions readers an…

    69 min read

  9. 09

    Transfer And Non-Traditional Paths

    Transfer admission is the process by which students enrolled at one accredited postsecondary institution apply to and enroll at another. Two main pathways:

    35 min read

  10. 10

    Major-Specific Application Strategies

    Most US universities admit students directly to a specific school within the university (College of Liberal Arts, College of Engineering, College of…

    29 min read

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