Blog Posts

Great essays provide insight into a student’s values, unique experiences, and ability to tell a focused, engaging story. While there are innumerable great topic possibilities, there are also overused topic choices that are best left to the rest of the herd. This blog post outlines what NOT to write about in college essays.

Rising 9th grade students and Parents: There are many things to keep in mind when planning for high school. In this blog post, Bonnie Kleffman, M.Ed, GCDF provides helpful ideas and pro tips for the exciting year(s) ahead.

Do letters of recommendation still matter for college admissions? Learn what Austin students need to know about UT Austin, A&M, and selective colleges—plus when to ask and who to choose.

What undergraduate majors do UT students seek most? Which ones are the best preparation for the MCAT? And, what is the best strategy for leveraging the first four college years? Bonnie Kleffman unpacks a few of the most popular majors for aspiring doctors, and discusses a few pros and cons in this informative blog post.

The best summer activities require planning far in advance! It is never too early to begin planning for a meaningful, enriching summer. Learn more in this informative blog post by Access College America.

College Pro Tips for gaining an advantage with college admissions and securing invitations to the hippest parties in town. This blog post covers topics such as Demonstrated Interest and Yield Rate, plus FAQs!

Students who thoroughly research AND visit college campuses will make the most informed decisions when it comes to college fit. Learn how in this informative blog post by Access College America.

Is the PSAT just as important as the SAT or ACT? What do we need to know about the test as parents, and what will my student gain by taking it? This blog post provides everything you need to know about the PSAT/NMSQT.

How can students make the most of the college fair experience? Shopping for schools begins here - so it is important to prepare for the college fair beforehand so that you know which model is right for you. This blog post provides our best tips and tricks.

In this blog post, Bonnie Kleffman, M.Ed, GCDF helps parents and teens learn all the ins and outs about preparing for the senior year.

When applying to the University of Texas at Austin, providing concise, relevant and insightful information is always a winning strategy. The Expanded Resume’ is a beautiful opportunity for students to showcase their fit to major, intellectual curiosity and community engagement. Learn more.

Big news in College Planning this week: The Common Application Main Essay prompts have come out and they are the same as last year! Read on>

For high school seniors, often the ‘home stretch’ of applying to any college is the Short Answer Questions portion of the application.

Access College America provides some helpful Holiday college planning advice for teens in this informative blog post.

Deferred from your dream college? Learn what deferral means, why it happens & key steps to improve your chances in regular decision round.

Your A student is not exceptional or gifted. Simply earning a 4.0 GPA does not signal what it used to. Learn why in this new Blog Post.

Applying to a University of California school as an out-of-state student? Learn about admissions, UC application deadlines, and more...

This blog post answers questions about writing your main college essay and choosing your college major.

Extracurricular Activities pro tips for high school students planning for college.

College planning tips for out-of-state students with UC system schools on their college list.