50 Blog Posts Every College Applicant Should Read

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Online, in special issue magazines, and in indexed books and manuals, high schoolers and their parents can find everything they need to know to confuse them about the college admission process. From financial aid, to majors to residential life to class size to selectivity, there’s a lot that college applicants have to sort out before they even visit the guidance counselor. Finding the best university that fits your academic, social and career-prep needs isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be quite so trying either. Whether you’re starting the college search process or have a specific question about recruitment, financial aid or the Common App essay question, try reading these easily digestible blog posts first.

School Research

Here you’ll find tips from bloggers about researching schools and picking the best ones for your personality and goals.

  1. 5 Major Tips — Find the Right Fit: This post explains why choosing the right college involves more than finding corresponding majors and class sizes.
  2. Princeton Review Ranks 286 "Greenest" Colleges: If going to a green college is important to you, learn about green ratings and the Princeton Review’s list here.
  3. Top 40 Colleges That Facebook: Follow a college’s Facebook page to learn more about the everyday events and news on campus.
  4. American Institute for Economic Research — Best College Towns: If you want a lively college town, read this post for rankings of the best.
  5. Why I Like Liberal Arts Colleges to Prepare for Medical School: If you want to go to medical school or another type of graduate school, you might think that attending a big-name research school is your best option. This post will ask you to think differently.
  6. The First Step in College Selection: Self-Analysis: Full of insider tips, this post encourages you to think about your rank, your interests, and your personality type.
  7. Finding a Great College in Your Region: If you want a school that’s closer to home, read this post for tips on finding the best colleges in your region.
  8. How to Choose the Right College: This post is a good start for students just beginning the college search, and it lists several questions to consider before applying.
  9. College Recruiting Process: How to Find the Right Colleges: Athletes hoping to play in college can learn how to pick schools and make contact with coaches here.
  10. Community Colleges Offer More Than Associate’s Degrees: Here you’ll learn that community colleges can still be a valid education option for you, especially if you’re having trouble scraping up the cash for a larger university in the beginning.

Financial Aid

Find out how to pay for school with the help of these blog posts.

  1. 15 Financial Aid Resources for College Students: Find government resources, scholarship vaults and more.
  2. How to review and compare your college award letters: Find out which school is really giving you the best deal when you learn how to compare award letters.
  3. 9 Financial Aid Questions to Ask Before Choosing a College : This very detailed, easy-to-read post should help you prioritize financial need and understand the different kinds of aid.
  4. Use an Aid Calculator to Get the Real Cost of College: Don’t start applying for financial aid until you understand the real cost of college.
  5. Tips on evaluating your financial aid award: SimpleTuition.com’s blog outlines what you need to know to evaluate your need and your awards.
  6. Tips to Win the Scholarship Game: Here you’ll learn to think outside the box when it comes to funding your education.
  7. Four Tips to Be Prepared for Next Semester’s Tuition Bill: Also a good resource for incoming freshmen, get tips on paying off credit cards, budgeting total college expenses, and controlling student loan debt.

Strategy

Find out which classes you need to take when, how to get noticed by admissions, and more.

  1. College Preparation Action Plans: Find out what you need to start doing by 8th grade and each year in high school with this well-organized chart.
  2. Private vs. Public-How Different Types of Colleges View Admissions: Rank, grades, essays and other admitting factors aren’t necessarily held to the same standards at public universities as they are at private colleges, and vice versa.
  3. Don’t hide, Get noticed by colleges: This post outlines "your college contact strategy" and will help you meet student representatives, plan a college visit, and more.
  4. Will a Consultant Get You into Top US Colleges?: Here you’ll consider the pros and cons of a consultant, and if that’s the edge you really need.
  5. SAT vs ACT: Applerouth Tutoring Services’ blog has created this must-read post for anyone wanting in-depth comparables on the SAT and ACT.
  6. How to Get into College with a Low GPA : You can still get into college with a low GPA, but you have to know how to pitch yourself the right way.

Applications

Get help filling out your applications correctly and on time.

  1. Be on Target with College Application Musts: This post explains when you should start writing essays, register for SAT and ACT exams, fill out FAFSA, and more.
  2. Is Early Decision Right for You: If financial aid is a big concern, you might not want to apply as an ED student.
  3. 2010 What Colleges Look for in Admitting Students: You’ll find a breakdown of how colleges rated the importance of things like class rank, counselor recommendation, demonstrated interest, and other factors for 2010.
  4. Paul’s "Paul’s Top Ten Common-Sense College Application Tips": Paul’s mom joked that he was qualified to write a book on the application process once he finished and got into MIT. Here he shares the strategies that worked for him.

Writing the Essay

Get tips on writing creative, honest, stand-out essays here.

  1. Dealing With the Most Common College Application Essay Prompt: Get tips on tackling the "ethical dilemma" prompt.
  2. 10 Tips for Writing the College Application Essay: The Professors’ Guide blog on U.S. News and World Report’s website lists several recommendations for writing a concise, likable essay.
  3. Tips for writing your college essay: Andy from The ACT Student Blog encourages you to start early and to give in to brainstorming, even if you think you already have a good idea.
  4. How Should I Start My College Essay? 6 Essential Tips: Tips here prompt you to remember the competition, and avoid pity parties and famous quotations.
  5. Tip Sheet: An Admissions Dean Offers Advice on Writing a College Essay: Connecticut College’s dean of admissions and financial aid shares tips for stand-out essays.
  6. 4 Tips on Nailing Your College Admission Essay: This post cautions against writing too much and focusing on your awards.

Recommendations

If you’re having trouble finding someone to write a recommendation letter for your application, read these posts.

  1. How to Get Killer College Recommendation Letters : Find out how to get winning recommendation letters from teachers and counselors.
  2. How Many Recommendation Letters Should You Send?: Don’t overdo it, this blogger says.

Interviews and Visits

Find common interview questions, college visit checklists, and more.

  1. Preparing for a College Interview: Find out what to expect for informal and formal interviews, get tips on what to wear, and prep for some key questions.
  2. College Visit: 31 Questions You Need to Ask: Print out this post and check-list to prepare for visits with professors, admissions, financial aid offices, and students.
  3. Recruiting Visits 101: This two-part video series helps families plan for sports recruiting visits — official and unofficial ones.
  4. Acing Your College Interview: Find an ample list of some of the most common college interview questions here.
  5. Why to Schedule Overnight College Visits: Learn why overnight college visits will help you get a better feel for dorm life and the school.
  6. 8 Tips for a Successful College Visit: If you don’t branch out on your own, eat with the other students or take pictures and notes, you might miss out.

Going to College

Start imagining yourself at college as a successful, positive student when you read these posts.

  1. Graduating High School? Don’t Forget to Take Care of the Details!: This post from WiseChoice.com includes a College Enrollment Checklist with list items like "confirm housing deposit received" and "confirm orientation date."
  2. How to get the right college roommate: The Answer Sheet blog helps nervous freshmen figure out how to get a good roommate and approach residential life if you have problems with your first try.
  3. 10 Tips for College Students: Steve Pavlina outlines fantastic tips for college students that inspire success, organization and motivation for incoming freshmen and upperclassmen alike.
  4. Protect Yourself from the Biggest Mistakes First-year College Students Make: Learn how to avoid cutting classes, developing a bad attitude, and becoming too isolated.
  5. What to Expect from College Professors: Professors are pretty different from high school teachers, so don’t expect them to treat you the same way.
  6. Things You Must Do in Your First Week of College: Get lost, claim your study spot, and meet your dorm mates.
  7. 8 Tips for New College Freshmen or How to Survive Your First Day of College: This list should inspire you to eat healthy, use the writing lab, and remember to sleep.
  8. The Freshman 15: Tips for Meeting New People: Even if you already know some people on campus, this post will help you branch out and expand your circle.
  9. What They Didn’t Tell You in College Orientation: You’ll probably gain some weight and will have to watch out for STDs, but you can also find great deals around town.

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