The OnToCollege College Application Guide It's College Application Time! In addition to OnToCollege College Planning Materials in the College & Career Readiness course, these resources can help answer college application questions: How Many Colleges Should I Apply to?...
Applications & Interviews
Recommendation Letters: How to Prepare, Write, and Format (for educators)
So, a student asked you for a recommendation letter. Now what? How do you write a high-impact recommendation letter? Recommendations are critical for securing scholarships and admission. A 2019 survey from the National Association for College Admission Counseling...
Resources for Summer College Prep
These resources for students and families can help with college prep during the summer months. While summer is fun, it’s also the best time for students to build skills and push themselves to reach their goals. Register and Prepare for June and July ACT® Tests and/or...
Choose a Financial Safety School
When you choose a Financial Safety School, you pick a school that allows for financial freedom, not future debt. Avoid Extensive Student Debt The average debt for college graduates is $35,210 as of March 2026. College should create financial freedom, not indebtedness....
What Is the Common App?
As senior year approaches, you have a lot on your plate. The Common Application is a helpful resource to save you time in the college application process. But what is the Common App, and how does it work? What is the Common App? The Common Application (Common App) is...
Personal Statements That Pop (9-minute video)
Ask John Anything! Personal Statements That Pop. John discusses the importance of the personal statement on the Common Application and offers his five best tips to help you perfect yours. A personal statement is an account of your achievements, talents, interests, and...
Write a Great College Essay (+ Examples)
How do you write a great college essay that makes colleges notice you? Use these five keys to spice up your college essays. Admissions counselors receive application after application and want to know if you will fit in well at their school. To do this, they look to...
What Do Colleges Look For: Three Keys to Success
What do colleges look for in future students? And how do you make sure you show your top colleges what they want to see? While each college’s requirements are different, most boil down to a few keys for success. #1 What Colleges Look for: GPA Your grade point average...
Don’t Make Common Mistakes on the Common App
The Common App is a single college application you can use to apply to over 1,000 public and private colleges and universities.








