These questions are aimed to get a better sense of your skills, qualities, values, interests, and (maybe) life challenges. They want to learn more about who you are beyond just the grades and test scores. But what are UC admissions looking for, specifically?

One of the ways colleges get to know you is through your personal statement — a 650-word essay that shows who you are, what you value, what you could bring to the college community, and in some ways, whether you and the school fit together. 

Since writing a list is so simple, some students rush ahead with the task without really thinking it through. You only get a limited number of characters. How do you make the most of them? 

The first hurdle often is just finding the right colleges to apply to, and the sheer range of educational institutions in the US can make it really difficult to be aware of the options available.

Failure doesn’t mean you’re broken or that nothing will ever be good again. It might mean things are just different. It’s a process for you to discover who you are and what you want to pursue.

Starting in March 2023 for international students (and those taking the test outside of the United States or its territories), bubble sheets will be a thing of the past.

Exploring new and existing interests, developing new skills, and learning more about yourself are critical to college application down-the-road.

First year of college can be both liberating and frightening, and may stand in the way of academic success. 

A spike usually comes up in your extracurriculars, and can manifest in many ways.

Top colleges, including the Ivy Leagues, are looking for a very specific kind of student.