College Applications

College applications are perhaps the biggest anxiety-inducers of your entire high school career. But if you commit the right amount of time and learn some strategies for showing off your best self in your apps, you'll no doubt get through it with flying colors. Learn all the nitty gritty details of admissions applications, from how to find the time to do them, compiling all of its elements like recommendation letters and transcripts, and why each college has their own college application rules.

Recommendation Letter Breakdown Letters of recommendation are the easiest part of the college application process, right? It takes just five minutes to ask some random teacher or counselor to jot down some stuff about you that you'll never see. Sure ... no problem. Until you send off your apps and start wondering what was written (or not written) on those mysterious pieces of paper. College Recommendation Letters That Sell Movie studios do it. Car manufacturers do it. Even deodorant companies and presidential hopefuls do it. It's called public relations. Simply put, it's a way of presenting a persona or image in the best light. And that's exactly what your college recommendation letters should do for you. Unraveling the Mystery of College Admissions You've heard it a trillion and one times -- so-and-so has a 4.89 GPA, a letter in five varsity sports, is involved in every club (including chess), spends weekends buying groceries for the elderly, but still didn't get in to Yale. Maniacal myth or honest-to-goodness truth? Bulk Up Your College Applications in the Summer Gone are those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer -- at least for those of you savvy college-bounders. And your college applications will thank you for it. Admissions Office Q&A: Sending Updated Transcripts Matthew Whelan, the director of admission at St. John's University, discusses whether you should send your updated transcript to prospective colleges. Standing Out During College Admissions College experts and admissions officials discuss how you can make your college application stand apart from the rest. College Application Angst: Will One Bad H.S. Semester Sink Me? Will a bad semester affect my college applications that much, and my chances of getting into my dream school? Which Type of Admission is Right for You? Before you send off your college applications, you'll have to decide what type of admission -- early decision, early action, or regular/rolling -- is best for you. Read on for to learn more about each... Admissions Office Q&A: Applications and Waitlists Larry Rideaux and Ma Esther Francis, dean and assistant dean of student development at Tomball College/North Harris Montgomery Community College District, discuss college applications and being wait-listed. Admissions Office Q&A: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision College officials discuss whether Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision is right the choice for you.