Your college essay is more than just another box to check off on your application; it’s your one shot to stand out among thousands of applicants with similar GPAs, test scores, and extracurricular activities. A great essay can set you apart, while a weak one might leave you lost in the crowd. So how do you ensure your essay leaves a lasting impression? Let’s break it down.

Why Does the Essay Matter?

Admissions officers read thousands of applications, and after a while, numbers and statistics can blur together. That’s why your essay is so critical—it’s your chance to showcase who you are beyond grades and test scores. It’s the one part of your application that lets you speak directly to the people making decisions about your future. Your essay reveals your personality, your values, and your ability to think critically, making it a make-or-break moment in your college journey.

What Should You Write About?

The biggest mistake many students make is trying to write about what they think admissions officers want to hear. Authenticity is key. Admissions officers are not looking for perfection—they’re looking for you. A personal story that highlights your growth, challenges, passions, or a unique perspective will resonate far more than a generic essay about a topic you don’t care about.

Be specific. Instead of writing, “I learned that hard work is important,” talk about a time when you stayed up all night practicing for a debate tournament or rewriting a paper. What did that experience teach you? How did it shape you? Specific examples make your essay more compelling and memorable.

The Power of Reflection

Colleges aren’t just interested in what you did; they’re interested in how what you did changed you. Reflection is crucial. After you describe an experience, dig deeper into how it impacted your outlook on life, relationships, or even your goals for the future. Did a summer job teach you patience and problem-solving? Did a difficult family situation teach you the value of empathy or resilience?

Remember, the essay is not just about listing accomplishments. It’s about showing the admissions committee that you are mature enough to learn from your experiences and grow from them. By Loren Francis

It's almost time for college students to move into their dorms and get ready for the upcoming school year. If that's you and you haven't checked "submit my FAFSA" off your to-do list, take care of that ASAP.

As of July 5, less than half of the high school class of 2024 had submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, according to the National College Attainment Network's analysis of Federal Student Aid data. FAFSA submissions from this class are down about 11% compared to last year's, NCAN finds.

It's not just incoming freshmen, though. Returning college students need to submit a new FAFSA every year to be considered for aid.

While it may have been difficult for students and their families to submit a FAFSA at the beginning of this year's application cycle, most of the technical issues have been resolved by now. 

"Fill out the FAFSA. Just fill it out," Jill Desjean, director of policy of analysis at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, tells CNBC Make It.

The deadline to apply for federal aid for the 2024-25 school year isn't until June 30, 2025. But if you're starting school in August or September, you'll probably need to get your school bills — and any applicable aid — figured out by then. 

Wishing you an enriching and rewarding summer ahead!

There’s a pattern to the way the media, as a whole, covers college admissions. A typical year of coverage for most—that’s most—media outlets goes something like this:

Mid-September—The US News rankings come out, and everyone clamors over the top-ranked college. It’s typically the same top-ranked college from last year; if isn’t, one of the top five from last year climbed the pile, which is seen as a real shocker. Like we’d never heard of that college until now, and this suddenly makes it a better school.

Late September/Early October—Coverage turns to the upheaval of applying to college, with every article featuring seniors discussing the anxiety of applying to Brown, Yale, Smith, or one of the only 25 colleges mainstream media acknowledges as existing.

Late March—Admissions decisions are out, and in a paean to the principles of mathematics, every media article cites increased application numbers at The Big 25, and—wait for it—decreased admission rates at all of them as well. Not a single one of these articles points out that the former is the cause of the latter—but that involves math, so there we are.

What’s wrong with this picture?

College Lists The media spotlight on the Top 25 launches many parents into action, for all the wrong reasons. If these are the best colleges, why isn’t my child applying to them? This upends a wealth of work done by the student and (one hopes) their school counselor; it also upends the self-esteem of more than one student who knows these schools are bad fits. But arguing with Mom and Dad’s “let’s see what happens” is a tough hill to climb, so off they go to apply, much like Faramir’s efforts to recapture Osgiliath in Return of the King.

Unnecessary Panic More than a few seniors are indeed intimidated by the college application process in mid-September. That’s normal, since they’re just getting started. If I handed a student a plumber’s wrench on September 15 and said “show me how it works”, that too would be stressful. Now, if I came back in a week and asked, “How’s it going?”, they would have mastered the thing with ease, because they had time to understand what they were doing. Huh.

Those “Other” Schools The media myopia pays a big price on the other 2000 colleges that serve all kinds of students in personalized and appropriate ways, but now appear to be second rate. This keeps students from looking at some schools just right for them, because—well, you know…

To be fair, not all media outlets treat college admissions like a celebrity sighting, although Varsity Blues hasn’t helped. Eric Hoover writes moving human stories about the real challenges some students face in this process, stories so good they have led to admissions policy changes. Inside HigherEd isn’t a household name, but their coverage of the entire range of colleges is nothing short of inspiring.

Still, the best-selling papers run up the same limited coverage of college admissions every year, and their effect is palpably bad on the college plans and psyches of far too many students. A modest step in the right direction would be running an October story that returns to the freaked out students of September, revealing they’ve largely got the hang of things right now. Even better, interviews with students applying to a great school like Northern Michigan, where the application takes a whopping 25 minutes to complete and the admit rate is 65%—a reminder that the current media lens on college admissions is clear, but too tightly focused.

Like many new beginnings, your freshman year of college may feel both exciting and confusing. From getting accustomed to living on your own to keeping up with advanced-level courses, there’s no doubt that a student’s first few months on campus are a major transition.

Rather than stressing out, students can make the most of their college experience from the start by preparing in advance and coming in with a game plan. Here are some tips for navigating your freshman year and starting off your college career on the best note possible.

Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone

Your college campus is going to be filled with different clubs, activities, and student groups. Avoid sitting on the sidelines and instead, be proactive about joining in and trying new things. Most universities offer a much greater range of activities than a typical high school, so freshmen might feel a little overwhelmed by all of their new choices. Aim to select activities that you have always been interested in, and don’t worry about what your friends or roommates are doing. Signing up for activities is an excellent way to expand your social circle, develop new skills, and discover passions that you can continue to pursue.

Sit in the Front Row

You might be tempted to hide in the back of the class during your first semester, especially if you’re on the shyer side. However, choosing to sit in the front will help you stay focused from the very beginning. Instead of online shopping on your laptop, you will be in direct view of your professor, which can help eliminate distractions and keep you engaged. Over time, you will naturally begin to build a rapport with your professor, which can be particularly beneficial for future recommendation letters and research opportunities.

Get a Job on Campus

Working on campus can be a win-win for students. Not only do you make some spending money, but you’ll also have the opportunity to meet some of your peers and get more familiar with your institution. If possible, aim to find a position that aligns with your interests and long-term professional goals. For example, if you’re interested in literature and pursuing a degree in education, you might want to apply for a job at your college’s writing center so that you can help your peers take their essay skills to the next level.

Check Your Graduation Requirements

Most colleges will have a list of courses or areas of study that students must complete to earn their degrees. Rather than waiting until sophomore or junior year to assess your progress, make sure that you’re on track to graduate on time from your freshman year onwards. If you’re not sure what you want to major in, start by completing some of the general education requirements so that you’ll have plenty of time to devote to classes for your major by the time you’re a sophomore or junior.

Stick to a Schedule

Many freshmen struggle to adapt to the way college courses are structured. Instead of taking the same classes every day, your lectures and seminars will likely take place just once or twice a week. While this might sound like a dream come true, students can’t use the extra free time to slack off. Instead, professors will expect you to independently work on major projects, such as papers and presentations. Stay on top of your coursework by creating a detailed schedule and keeping track of deadlines for each class that you’re enrolled in.

While freshman year may seem a bit overwhelming, it’s also filled with exciting opportunities and new challenges. If you’re looking to make the most of your college experience, our team of experts can guide you throughout your journey.