--- title: "The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions | College Applications (2)" description: College Applications | The official blog of College Coach, a division of Bright Horizons. Our expert view on all things college admissions. (2) --- [![College Coach - Your College Admissions Experts](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/hub/146790/file-1518948603.png "College Coach - Your College Admissions Experts")](http://www.getintocollege.com/) - [Blog](https://146790.hs-sites.com/blog) - [Contact](https://146790.hs-sites.com/contact) - [Login](http://passport.getintocollege.com/Account/Login) # The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts ## [Top 2 UC Application Essay Mistakes | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363917/Top-2-UC-Application-Essay-Mistakes-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Becky Leichtling](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/becky-leichtling) on Tue, Jul 14, 2015 @ 10:43 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3168596850-jpg/images/writing-bed.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363917/Top-2-UC-Application-Essay-Mistakes-College-Coach-Blog) ### Part Three of a Three Part Series Over the last few weeks I’ve shared a few tips on mastering the UC Application (be sure to read [Part 1](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363796/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-UC-Application-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog) and [Part 2](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363858/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-UC-Application-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog)). To close out this series, today I’m sharing two of the most common essay mistakes I see UC applicants make. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363917/Top-2-UC-Application-Essay-Mistakes-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) ## [6 Tips for Mastering the UC Application: Part 2 | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363858/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-UC-Application-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Becky Leichtling](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/becky-leichtling) on Tue, Jul 07, 2015 @ 12:50 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3168596540-jpeg/images/palm_trees.jpeg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363858/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-UC-Application-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog) ### Part Two of a Three Part Series Last week I shared [six of the most common questions](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363796/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-UC-Application-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog) I receive about developing credentials for the University of California application process. Today, I continue this series with six more FAQs. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363858/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-UC-Application-Part-2-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) ## [6 Tips for Mastering the UC Application: Part 1 | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363796/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-UC-Application-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Becky Leichtling](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/becky-leichtling) on Tue, Jun 30, 2015 @ 06:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3168596280-jpg/images/landmark-bridge-metal-architecture-small.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363796/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-UC-Application-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog) ### Part One of a Three Part Series I never hear from juniors in May – they’re way too busy with finals and tests. But after they settle into summer, many of these rising seniors start thinking about their college applications. And since most of my students here in California will be applying to at least a handful of UC campuses, I get a lot of the same questions from all of them. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the University of California application process, from seniors and underclassmen alike. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363796/6-Tips-for-Mastering-the-UC-Application-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) ## [10 Biggest Changes to the 2015-16 Common Application | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363704/10-Biggest-Changes-to-the-2015-16-Common-Application-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Elyse Krantz](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/elyse-krantz) on Tue, Jun 23, 2015 @ 12:30 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3168596110-jpg/images/person-woman-desk-laptop-small.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363704/10-Biggest-Changes-to-the-2015-16-Common-Application-College-Coach-Blog) Earlier this month the Common Application introduced the first in a series of webinars focused on best practices and [tips for completing the Common Application](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/354095/Tips-on-Colleges-that-Accept-Common-App-College-Coach-Blog). Like all presentations in the series, the first webinar, titled “What to Expect in the 2015-2016 Common Application,” was geared specifically for guidance counselors.  But why should guidance counselors have all the fun? We'd like prospective applicants and their parents to get in on the Common App action, too! Unless you’re desperate to sit through a recorded webinar on the ins and outs of the revised 2015 Common App, allow [the experts at College Coach](http://www.getintocollege.com/our-experts/college-admissions) to happily summarize the details for you. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/363704/10-Biggest-Changes-to-the-2015-16-Common-Application-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) ## [11th Grade: College Application Process | Staying Ahead of Your Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/360636/11th-Grade-College-Application-Process-Staying-Ahead-of-Your-Applications) Posted by [Alexandra Santiago](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/alexandra-santiago) on Tue, Feb 03, 2015 @ 09:10 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-1392720864-jpg/images/coco_130820_03092.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/360636/11th-Grade-College-Application-Process-Staying-Ahead-of-Your-Applications) ### Staying Ahead of Your Applications | Part 1 As we ring in the New Year and juniors begin the spring semester, the [college application process](http://www.getintocollege.com/why-college-coach/understand-the-admissions-process) kicks into high gear. With so much work in such a short period of time, many students struggle with what to do and how to do it. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/360636/11th-Grade-College-Application-Process-Staying-Ahead-of-Your-Applications) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) ## [Common App: 4 Frequently Asked Questions | College Coach](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/357577/Common-App-4-Frequently-Asked-Questions-College-Coach) Posted by [Elyse Krantz](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/elyse-krantz) on Thu, Nov 06, 2014 @ 02:16 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-2037428151-jpg/images/img_8205.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/357577/Common-App-4-Frequently-Asked-Questions-College-Coach) 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](//info.getintocollege.com/common-app?&__hssc=&__hstc&hsCtaTracking=cb1db37b-0d15-41e3-988b-213bb2724008|51509ef2-7627-4eb2-8fbf-5f12380d64b3). 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. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/357577/Common-App-4-Frequently-Asked-Questions-College-Coach) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) ## [Applying to Colleges: How Many is too Many? | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/357121/Applying-to-Colleges-How-Many-is-too-Many-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Elizabeth Heaton](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/elizabeth-heaton) on Sun, Oct 26, 2014 @ 04:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-1944442413-jpg/images/coco_130820_02291.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/357121/Applying-to-Colleges-How-Many-is-too-Many-College-Coach-Blog) Have you ever wondered why students shouldn’t apply to too many colleges? Or how many is too many? College Coach admissions expert [Elizabeth Heaton](http://www.getintocollege.com/our-experts/college-admissions/college-admissions-experts/elizabeth-heaton) recently spoke with Peter Howe of NECN’s [Money Saving Mondays](http://www.necn.com/news/business/Money-Saving-Mondays-Applying-to-College-279003741.html) to answer these questions. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/357121/Applying-to-Colleges-How-Many-is-too-Many-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) ## [Use Additional Information on the Common App | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/355446/Use-Additional-Information-on-the-Common-App-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Amy Alexander](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/amy-alexander) on Sat, Sep 20, 2014 @ 02:20 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-331167262-jpg/images/coco_130820_0252.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/355446/Use-Additional-Information-on-the-Common-App-College-Coach-Blog) #### How to Use Additional Information on the Common App It’s the time of year that most seniors are starting to complete their **[Common Application](https://info.getintocollege.com/common-app)**, and if you’ve signed up for an account, you’re probably already aware that you must submit an essay of 250 to 650 words in response to one of five prompts. In addition to the personal statement, many colleges also require you to write responses to supplemental essays or questions. While these writing assignments are relatively clear and straightforward, there is also an Additional Information section offered on the bottom of the writing page that creates confusion and uncertainty among many **[college applicants](http://www.getintocollege.com/why-college-coach/how-college-coach-works)**. What exactly do you use this space for? [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/355446/Use-Additional-Information-on-the-Common-App-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) ## [Tips on Colleges that Accept Common App | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/354095/Tips-on-Colleges-that-Accept-Common-App-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Elyse Krantz](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/elyse-krantz) on Wed, Aug 27, 2014 @ 02:40 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-305472147-jpg/images/img_7995.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/354095/Tips-on-Colleges-that-Accept-Common-App-College-Coach-Blog) #### What’s New With the Common App?: Tips and Facts for Your Applications Every year around this time, we gather [college essay deadlines](http://www.getintocollege.com/for-parents/parent-timetable) and supplemental essay questions for the 200+ colleges that are most popular with our students. We then take this information and make it available to you through [AppView](http://www.getintocollege.com/AppView), which emails school-specific deadline and essay information directly to you. [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/354095/Tips-on-Colleges-that-Accept-Common-App-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) ## [What to Know About the Common App 2014-15 | Part 3 | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/352887/What-to-Know-About-the-Common-App-2014-15-Part-3-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Elyse Krantz](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/elyse-krantz) on Sat, Aug 09, 2014 @ 09:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-1403902105-jpg/images/coco_130820_0244.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/352887/What-to-Know-About-the-Common-App-2014-15-Part-3-College-Coach-Blog) ****Update:**** Read the latest tips for the [2015-16 Common App](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364141/What-to-Know-About-the-2015-16-Common-App-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog). [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/352887/What-to-Know-About-the-Common-App-2014-15-Part-3-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) [Previous Page](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications/page/1) [All Posts](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/all) [Next Page](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications/page/3) ### Need help with the Common Application?  [![common application help](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/146790/cb1db37b-0d15-41e3-988b-213bb2724008.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/146790/cb1db37b-0d15-41e3-988b-213bb2724008) ### Get the Insider Advantage  College Coach experts, all former senior admissions and financial aid officers, are available to work privately with your student to achieve admissions success. 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