Blog

May 16, 2025
How to Get the Best Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation can be a powerful part of your college application. They offer a glimpse of who you are beyond grades and test scores. But how do you make sure your teacher recs truly reflect your strengths? Choose Thoughtfully Pick teachers who know you well—not just the classes where you got the highest grades. […]

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April 16, 2025
How to Build Leadership Skills

If you’ve listened to enough college info sessions, you’ve likely heard about them looking for leadership qualities. But what does “leadership” really mean when you’re still in high school? Spoiler: You don’t have to be the student body president or start a nonprofit to show colleges that you’re a leader. Colleges want students who will […]

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March 17, 2025
Honors Programs vs. Honors Colleges - Are They Worth It?

Whether you’re a high achieving junior researching colleges or a senior seeing the admission decisions roll through, you’re potentially considering honors colleges and honors programs. But do you know the difference between an honors program versus an honors college? Or, do you know if you know if you should be taking honors opportunities into consideration […]

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February 14, 2025
The ABCs of the ACT Changes

Some of you may have already heard that the ACT will be implementing significant changes in April. Let’s break down what those are:  Optional Science Section: Students can now choose whether to include the Science section in their test. The core Composite score will be calculated based on the English, Mathematics, and Reading sections. If […]

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January 15, 2025
Making the Most of Your Summer

Summer is a fantastic time to relax, recharge, and dive into activities that fuel your growth and interests. For high school students, it’s also an opportunity to strategically plan for your future. Whether you're just starting high school or approaching senior year, here’s a guide to help you maximize your summer. Freshman Summer: Exploring Interests […]

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December 16, 2024
How to Handle Deferrals

Receiving a deferral from a college can feel like being stuck in limbo. While it’s not the acceptance you hoped for, a deferral gives you an opportunity to take action and strengthen your case for admission. Here’s how to handle a deferral effectively and maximize your chances of turning it into an acceptance. Step 1: […]

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November 15, 2024
When to Start Preparing for College Admissions

Navigating the college admissions process can be daunting, but with proper planning, students can ease stress and maximize their chances of success. Here's a general timeline for freshman to junior year that will help you stay focused:  Freshman Year: Laying the Foundation Sophomore Year: Exploring Options Junior Year: The Critical Planning Phase Starting early and […]

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October 15, 2024
Nailing College Admission Interviews

While most colleges don’t require, or even offer, admission interviews, those that do use them to learn more about you as a person — beyond your grades, test scores, and essays. It’s an opportunity to showcase your personality, passion, and potential fit for the college. With a little preparation, you can walk into your interview […]

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September 13, 2024
Time Management Tips for High School Juniors

Junior year is often considered the most important and challenging year. Between tough classes, preparing for standardized tests, creating your college list, and participating in extracurricular activities, finding balance can feel overwhelming. The key to success is effective time management. With the right strategies, you can excel in both academics and extracurriculars without burning out. […]

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August 15, 2024
Stand Out Supplementals

August 1st is behind us, which means that the Common App is open for the upcoming admission season! And that means it’s time for students to begin writing their supplemental essays. While the Common App essay often gets the spotlight, supplemental essays play a critical role in showcasing a student’s personality, interests, and fit for […]

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