June, 2025

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5 Challenging Trends Facing the Class of 2026

Sara Harberson

Yesterday I had back-to-back meetings with high schools across the country. I spoke to both public and private high schools who want me to speak to their communities or help them with college counseling support. In one meeting, I asked the school counselors about the biggest challenges they face working with their students. Everything they said was exactly what I am seeing in my day-to-day work.

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AP Comparative Government and Politics Exam 2025: Study + Test Tips

AdmissionSight

<p class="ai-optimize-6 ai-optimize-introduction"><strong>In 2024, <a href="[link] students</a> took the <a href="[link] Comparative Government and Politics Exam</a> The average score was 3.18, and 73% of test-takers earned a 3 or higher.</strong> That’s the benchmark many colleges use for passing, but fewer than 41 percent scored a 4 or 5.

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Top 8 Priorities Every Admissions and Marketing Director Should Tackle This Summer

Enrollment Catalyst

Recently, I shared 10 always‑on strategies every private school admissions and marketing director should build into their systems—year-round habits that drive consistency. This post isn’t about those long-term routines. Instead, it’s about summer action, taking advantage of a quieter season to wrap up this year well and prepare for a strong fall launch. 1—Review and Refine Your Admissions Funnel Summer is the perfect time to analyze your admissions funnel from inquiry to enrollment.

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The Three Crucial Relationships to Get Right at College

Grown & Flown

In another endless season of rankings and scorecards, I marvel at how often we measure everything except what seems to matter most for student learning. Too often, debates about education focus on the components: courses, books, majors, co-curricular activities, and strategic plans. But it would be a mistake to reduce colleges to these parts. Students who get the most from college develop important relationships.

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The College Planning Playbook

Ruffaloni

What Works (and What Gets Ignored) According to Real Students See what students told us in the 2025 E-Expectations report. If you work in enrollment or financial aid, you’ve probably asked yourself: What actually helps students figure out college, and what just adds to the pile? For the 2025 E-Expectations survey , we went straight to the source—nearly 1,600 high school students themselves—and the answers are refreshingly straightforward.

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Standardized Testing Guide for First Gen and/or Low Income Students

College Essay Guy

This probably won’t come as a surprise to you, but standardized testing (as in, the SAT and ACT) can have disparate negative impacts on first generation and/or low income (FGLI) students compared with wealthier students. Add to that that there are a lot of misconceptions about test scores and admissions, and if you're a first generation and/or low income student, the whole SAT/ACT situation might feel like navigating a maze blindfolded.

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Smart Enrollment Marketing: 10 Proven Tactics to Convert Prospective Students

HEM (Higher Education Marketing)

Reading Time: 12 minutes Today’s prospective students aren’t waiting for a glossy brochure to arrive in the mail. They’re researching schools on their phones between classes, watching campus tours on YouTube, and chatting with peers online to compare experiences. They’re digital-first and impatient, and expect the same seamless experience from a college as they would from Netflix or Amazon.

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Demystifying Admissions: Insights from a Former Admissions Officer about the Knowns and Unknowns Behind the College Process

Simply Admissions

We’ve all heard the stories– and maybe even seen the headlines. College admissions can feel like a high-stakes game of poker: part strategy, part luck, and often cloaked in mystery. Even in the best of circumstances, it can seem like the cards are stacked against you. Questions like “How can I stand out?” and “What do colleges really want?” are common– and for good reason.

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The Common Data Set Explained: GPA, Test Scores, and What Colleges Really Want

Emerging College Consulting

Skip to main content Hit enter to search or ESC to close Close Search facebook linkedin youtube google-plus instagram search Menu search Menu Home About Services College Planning Services Academic Services The Parent Community Events Upcoming Events Speaking Engagements Blog Podcast Resources Contact College Admissions College Prep Parents Resources The Common Data Set Explained: GPA, Test Scores, and What Colleges Really Want By Emerging Educational Consulting No Comments What is the Common Dat

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Transitioning to College: Six Tips for a Productive First Year

Princeton College Consulting

About Us Our Team Student Admissions Map Client Testimonials Frequently Asked Questions PCC In the News Counseling Services Counseling Services Overview College Admissions Athletic Admissions Counselor on Retainer Prep Admissions Graduate Admissions Online Courses Resources Resources College Admissions Index Calculator The Savvy Applicant Blog ACE Your College Admissions Essay Letters of Recommendation Insiders Guide to College Admissions Community Education CONTACT For media inquiries Client Lo

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How Your Study Skills Build Real-World Hard and Soft Skills

Peterson's Blog

You may be taking some general ed classes in college or are in high school rounding out your last few courses before graduating, and you may be thinking, “When will I use this material I learned in the real world?” Whether you do or not, the way you study can make an impact on your real-world skills. You may have heard of hard/technical and soft skills in the workplace, and maybe you think you harness these skills solely once you get into your career.

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Letter to My Freshman Self: Nine Regrets I Have From College

Grown & Flown

As I celebrate graduation from college, I look back with joy and realize that there are a few things I wish I had done differently. Even though I had a lot of fun during college and truly enjoyed it, I have some regrets and hope that sharing them might keep someone else from making them. I wish I would have put myself out there right from the beginning.

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Harvard Acceptance Rate: Admissions Statistics

AdmissionSight

Harvard University has announced that it will not release admissions statistics for the Class of 2029 until Fall 2025. However, for the Class of 2028, the acceptance rate was an exceptionally low 3.6%. Based on historical trends, it’s likely that the numbers for the Class of 2029 will be similar or possibly even lower. But don’t panic! In this blog, we’re breaking down what Harvard’s acceptance rate actually means, how it’s shifted over the years, and what you can do to boost your odds of gettin

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The 7 Best Channels for Advertising Your School

Niche

Lawn signs have had their day in the sun (literally). Now, there’s so much more that K–12 schools can—and must—do to attract families. For starters, today’s parents are digital-first and mobile-obsessed. They are not afraid to comparison-shop, and they expect personalized, fast, and relevant communication. If you can deliver that, then you’ll find students and families who will thrive in your school’s community.

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Guide to Virtual College Tour Websites

Expert Admissions

The college visit is a longtime tradition where rising sophomores and juniors get in a car or board a plane with their parents and visit prospective college campuses. Since the outbreak of COVID, virtual college tours have become more prominent. Today, they continue to stay relevant as students who can’t travel to colleges for reasons such as distance, finances, or illness can easily access college tours virtually.

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2025/2026 College Admissions Trends

North Star Admissions Consulting

Welcome to week 2 of my college admissions advice column ! Today, I will answer one of the most common questions that I get this time of year: “ What college admissions trends are you seeing?” Tests are back. Although the majority of schools are still (technically) test optional , there is definitely a notable shift towards the submission of standardized tests.

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Magnet High Schools: An Edge in College Admissions?

Top Tier Admissions

When considering high school options, families often weigh the pros and cons of traditional public schools, private schools, charter schools, and magnet high schools. Magnet high schools, in particular, stand out for their specialized focus on academics, arts, or sciences. But what are they exactly, and how do they impact college admissions? WHAT ARE MAGNET HIGH SCHOOLS?

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My 2025 Step-by-Step Guide to Building the Best College List for You

Admissions Mom

A few summers ago, I was in Colorado and getting a whoooooole lot of messages from anxious students about how to create a college list. It’s a daunting task even under the best of circumstances, and it can feel overwhelming. One night, I looked up and saw the huge mountain nearby filling up the night sky, and in that moment, it occurred to me that trying to craft a college list might feel a little like climbing that mountain in the dark.

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AP Italian Language and Culture Exam 2025: Study + Test Tips

AdmissionSight

<p class="ai-optimize-259 ai-optimize-introduction"><strong>In 2024, <a href="[link] students</a> took the <a href="[link] Italian Language and Culture Exam</a> The average score was 3.30, and 72.4% of test-takers earned a 3 or higher.</strong> That’s the benchmark many colleges use for passing, but fewer than 40% scored a 4 or 5.

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6 Strategies to Enroll Late-Cycle College Applicants

Niche

Every year, thousands of students defy the traditional college search timeline. Their reasons can range from changes at home to growing financial uncertainty. For enrollment marketers and admission teams, these potential future applicants present both a challenge and an opportunity. On the one hand, they do not progress predictably through the carefully curated admissions funnel.

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504 Plans vs IEPs: Key Differences Parents and Students Should Understand

College Essay Guy

Introduction to 504 Plans and IEPs You know your child needs support, but the path forward seems foggy at best. You're sitting in a meeting room with school administrators, but with the acronyms and jargon being used, maybe you feel as though you’re speaking different languages. Been there? You're not alone. Navigating the world of educational accommodations can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's cube blindfolded (And sure, some people can actually do that—but it shouldn’t be the standard way o

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4 top takeaways from the 2025 CampusESP Summit

CampusESP

This May higher ed leaders converged in Philadelphia for the 2025 CampusESP Summit. With live demos, real-world results, and customer-led strategy sessions, one message echoed loud and clear: Family engagement isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s a strategic necessity. And the energy? Unmatched. 80 institutions in the room. 18 presenters on stage. Our customers didn’t just attend, they led.

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Navigating the UC Application: Your Guide to Standing Out

Top Tier Admissions

Thinking about applying to a UC? Good choice! The University of California (UC) system is a super famous network of ten public universities, all spread out across California. Each one offers a unique vibe and a lively campus. You’ve got options: from the buzzing city life at UCLA and UC Berkeley (they’re known for amazing research and tons of different programs) to the beautiful coastlines of UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego (hello, marine science!

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My Great Big Folder of College Lists for 2025

Admissions Mom

Y’all might already know this — my second favorite part of college admissions after the personal essay is helping create college lists. It combines my love of travel, research, learning about culture and people, and education. I love throwing out suggestions for students to explore and go off on their merry little way as they lose themselves (in a totally good way) in a world of college research.

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15 Unique Courses at UCLA

AdmissionSight

<p class="ai-optimize-143 ai-optimize-introduction">College is a great time to explore new and old interests. The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) has <a href="[link] for GEs</a>, diversity, and foreign language, giving you the perfect chance to satisfy your curiosity on various subjects. In this article, we’ve listed 15 unique courses at UCLA you might be interested in.</p> <ul> <li class="ai-optimize-144" aria-level="1&

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5 American Colleges with the Most Grueling Standardized Testing Requirements for First-Year Applicants

Admissions.Blog

The 2025-2026 college admissions process is almost upon us. This means it’s an important time for members of the high school Class of 2026 – especially those who want to run the gauntlet this admissions cycle – to be aware of the the five colleges with the most grueling standardized test requirements for first-year admission. My selection is based on institutions with rigorous and in-demand STEM or academic programs, mandatory test submission policies, and high score thresholds

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Yale Grad to College Students: 14 Ways to Improve Study Habits

Grown & Flown

Editor’s note: In college, it took me three semesters to outgrow my awful study habits from high school, and I had to do it the hard way. Here are some tips from a Yale alum on his way to a Ph.D. on how to study effectively in college and ensure your success. My experience in those first three semesters: I rarely pulled all-nighters, but I got 3 or 4 hours of sleep many nights, which is close to nothing.

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Scholarships for High School Sophomores

HelloCollege

With the cost of college rising annually and recent changes to the FAFSA decreasing the number of families that qualify for need-based aid, scholarships are becoming more important to college planning than ever before. At HelloCollege , we encourage starting early on many parts of the college research and application processes ( testing , essays , etc.) to reduce stress down the road.

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Boarding School Applications: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Top Tier Admissions

For families thinking strategically about college admissions, boarding school can be a transformative stepping stone. Many of the nation’s most selective colleges draw disproportionately from a small number of top private secondary schools (think Groton School, Deerfield Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy), what some call “feeder schools.” These institutions not only offer rigorous academics and creative, interdisciplinary curricula but also foster close, mentored relationships with faculty, an as

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Having the College Money Talk with Your Child

The College Pod

College is changing fast—and so are the costs. With shrinking scholarships, less aid available, and tighter loan limits, many families are realizing that talking to your child about paying for college is no longer optional—it’s essential. But having the college money talk with your child is not easy. Unfortunately, I still see too many situations where a student chooses a college based more on preference or peer pressure, and the parents quietly agree to borrow whatever is needed—without fully w

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Is Princeton Test-Optional? Requirements + Tips

AdmissionSight

Is Princeton test-optional? Yes, for the 2025 admissions cycle , you can apply without SAT or ACT scores and still be fully considered. Test scores won’t hurt your chances if you don’t submit them. This guide explains Princeton’s testing policy, what you need to know about submitting scores, and tips to help you decide if sending your results will strengthen your application.

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Top Ten Colleges for Catholic Students in 2025

Admissions.Blog

University of Notre Dame from above For many high achieving Catholic students, selecting a college in 2025 means finding a mainstream institution that offers an outstanding college experience, supports their Catholic faith, and empowers them to reach their academic and personal potential. These students seek campuses with vibrant Catholic ministries, access to parishes for Mass and sacraments, and welcoming environments free from hostility toward their beliefs, all while providing rigorous acade

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Tips for Parents in the College Admissions Process

Great College Advice

It’s entirely normal for a parent to want to be part of the college admissions process. But there is a difference between participating and taking the lead. Remind yourself that ‘we’ aren’t applying to college. This is your teenager’s experience. However, you can play an important role as the key supporter during this adventure. Communication will be vital as your student will need plenty of reassurance to take the leap during this self-discovery process.

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HelloCollege in the LA Times: The Role of AI in College Admissions

HelloCollege

We’re excited to share that the Los Angeles Times featured an article from HelloCollege that explores one of the most talked-about topics in education today: the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in college applications. As AI tools become more widely accessible, college-bound families across the country are asking the same question—is using AI to help with college applications smart or risky?

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How the Class of 2026 Is Redefining the College Search: 3 Trends to Know

Niche

This spring, nearly 2,400 high school juniors shared how they’re navigating the college search process and what’s keeping them up at night. From affordability and AI to values and application burnout, the Class of 2026 is making one thing clear: the traditional marketing playbook needs a rewrite. Here’s a closer look at three standout findings from the 2025 Niche Spring Junior Survey , and how higher ed teams can evolve their strategy in response. 1.

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Common College Freshmen Fears: How Parents Can Support Their Teens

Grown & Flown

I’m about ready to send my third child off to college. We have spent well over 2 years researching and visiting universities. We spent the summer shopping for dorm necessities and completing the “to-do” checklist for incoming freshmen. We’ve planned, prepared, discussed, advised, and sent two siblings before him. We’ve been counting down the days, all excited for this next chapter to begin.

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How to Choose the Best Academic Competitions for College Admissions

AdmissionSight

Joining academic competitions can give your college application a serious edge. From proving subject mastery to showing initiative beyond the classroom, these challenges offer admissions officers something specific to consider. Choosing the right ones shows you’re ready to take on tough challenges and compete at the next level. Serious about getting involved?