The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts

So you’ve just submitted your application and you’re patiently waiting to hear a response when – beep! – a surprise email lands in your inbox. “Greetings!” the email begins. “My name is Mary Jones, and I’m the alumna assigned to conduct your interview for Grand University.” Whether the idea of an alumni interview puts you completely at ease, or if you’re feeling nauseous at the prospect of impressing an alum, here are six secrets you should know to best prepare for your alumni interview.

At the start of this year’s application season, we released a series of articles on what to expect with the 2014-2015 Common Application. In response, we received many great Common App questions from our readers and thought it might be helpful to share the most frequently asked questions to help you put the finishing touches on your applications.

Update: Read the latest tips for the 2015-16 Common App.

Update: Read the latest tips for the 2015-16 Common App.

Update: Read the latest tips for the 2015-16 Common App.

Universal College Application Tips: Alternate Versions and How to Request Letters of Recommendation

You’re in the home stretch! Now that you’ve filled out the Universal College Application, just a few steps remain. Read on to learn about creating alternate versions of your application, as well as how to request letters of recommendation from your guidance counselor and teachers. And stay tuned for our insider’s view to using the Common Application. Expert tips on completing the Common App will be posted in August.

On Saturday, we shared our first set of tips for students who want to get a jump start on their applications by registering for the Universal College Application (UCA). If you’re unfamiliar with the UCA, look no further than our blog. Today we share three more steps to help you make the most of your UCA, which can save you time and stress as you begin filling out your applications this summer. Be sure to check back here next week when we round out our top 10 steps for users of the UCA!

Rising seniors: anxious to get a jump start on applying to college? Can’t wait until the Common App goes live on August 1? If you plan on applying to Brandeis, Colgate, Cornell, Duke, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Rice, Tulane, the University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, or any of the other 33 other U.S. colleges and universities that use the Universal College Application, you’re in luck. The Universal College Application launched July 1.

This month, many high school students from across the country will receive a well-deserved respite from the rigors of academic life. While I wouldn’t deny anyone the opportunity to spend some of their break in front of PlayStation 4 or simply hanging out with family and friends, high school juniors should seriously consider using at least a few vacation days for university and college visits. Even sophomores can get into the action; starting early to determine your most basic college likes and dislikes can help ease some of the pressure as you near senior year.