To make applying to college even more confusing, so much of the information that families are bombarded with is only half-true—or just straight-up false. Thankfully, there is an objective source of standardized, verifiable admissions information available for hundreds of U.S. colleges and universities. 

Congrats! You have an amazing SAT or ACT score that you definitely want to send to colleges. How do you actually do that?

The short answer is no. It’s not a legal contract and you won’t be thrown into College Admissions Jail if you break the agreement.  HOWEVER (and this is a very big HOWEVER)...

Nothing strikes panic into the heart of a college applicant (and their parents) than figuring out how to deal with a disciplinary infraction on a college application.

Luckily, the answer to this question is easy. If your scores are in reported range, send them. If they are not in range, do not send them.

FAFSA is a form that you need to complete if you are applying for need-based financial aid. But if you are one of those stuck-in-the-middle families, is it even worth it for you to fill out the FAFSA?

As if college admissions were not stressful enough, there’s a whole set of confusing abbreviations to learn!

You’re not the only one worried about public humiliation. Colleges are afraid of this too. They don’t want to get turned down by the students to whom they have offered admission.

Transcript is king in the college admissions process. The rigor of the classes you take—and your performance in them—is the most important part of your college application.

I love gap years and think they are a wise choice for many students. True, there are organizations that specialize in pricey gap year programs, but if done right, a gap year might help you save money.

Your college essay isn’t about checking off a list of required tasks. It’s about showing and sharing who you are. How you think. What you care about. How you engage the world.