Updated Information on All Things College Admissions

For years, May 1—College Decision Day—was the final buzzer in the college admissions process. Students submitted their deposits, posted their decisions on Instagram, and turned their focus to graduation and move-in day. But in 2025, the buzzer sounded—and the game kept going. This year, college admissions has gone into overtime.

When it comes to preparing for college, summer doesn’t need to be expensive to be impactful. In fact, many of the most powerful growth opportunities are free. Whether it’s volunteering, launching a creative project, or taking on a self-directed learning experience, what matters most is how a student engages with the experience. A thoughtfully chosen summer activity can help a student discover their interests and clarify what they might want to study in college. It can also provide the kind of story colleges remember—one that shows curiosity, initiative, and heart.

When it comes to college application essays, there's a lot of speculation and misinformation out there. High school students often agonize over their essays, trying to craft the perfect piece that will magically win over admissions officers and secure their spot at their dream school. But the reality of how admissions officers actually evaluate essays may be quite different from what many students and parents expect. In this post, we'll debunk five of the most common myths about what college admissions officers look for in application essays.

For many families, the Common Application marks the beginning of a high-stakes journey—the college admissions process. And while the platform has long promised to make applying to college more streamlined, the truth is that navigating it can still feel overwhelming, especially when things change. This year, there are several important updates coming to the Common App that parents of rising seniors should know about. Some will make the process easier and more intuitive for students. Others may catch families off guard if they aren’t paying close attention. Here’s what’s changing—and what it means for your teen.

Summer offers a fantastic opportunity for high school students to explore their interest in nursing and gain valuable hands-on experience without any financial burden. By participating in free nursing-related activities, students can better understand what a major in this field entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career goals. These practical experiences not only provide valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. By engaging in these experiences, students can gain valuable insights into the nursing profession without the need to spend money.

For many LGBTQ teenagers, the college journey is about more than academics. It’s about finding a place where they can live authentically, safely, and fully—where their identity is affirmed, their rights are protected, and their community is celebrated. Choosing the right college can shape not only their academic path but also their mental health, sense of belonging, and personal development. This guide is designed to help LGBTQ teenagers and their families identify colleges where students can find safety, support, and community. It spotlights 20 campuses that have consistently shown up for queer and trans students—in policy, programming, and culture.

When it comes to UT Austin admissions, many parents assume that getting in requires expensive summer programs or flashy résumé boosters. But the truth is this: free, strategic summer activities—when aligned with your teen’s academic interests—can be just as powerful.  UT’s admissions process doesn’t reward perfection or prestige. It rewards purpose. And for students outside the top 5% of their class, showing fit to major—through summer experiences, courses, and personal projects—can be the difference-maker.

If your teen isn’t in the top 5% of their class, you’ve probably heard some version of this: “There’s no way they’ll get into UT.” It’s a myth we hear all the time—and it’s simply not true.  Yes, UT Austin is more competitive than ever. With over 90,000 applicants for the Class of 2025 and an admit rate of just 24% , the numbers tell a clear story. And for students who are not in the top 5% , the odds drop even further: the admit rate for non-auto-admit students was just 11% .

With over 90,000 applicants this year, the University of Texas at Austin has firmly positioned itself among the most selective public universities in the nation. But behind the headlines and big numbers lies a more important truth for families: getting into UT takes more than strong grades and a good test score. It takes strategy, intentionality, and alignment—starting early.

The 2025 admissions cycle revealed something parents and students can no longer afford to overlook: colleges are not just evaluating students. They are building classes that reflect a carefully designed set of institutional priorities. While your teen may have done "everything right," the schools they applied to were also weighing factors well beyond grades and test scores. Understanding these factors is key to helping families navigate the process with less stress and more clarity.

Summer may seem like the perfect time for your rising senior to relax and unwind after a hectic year, yet it's also an opportunity to get a head start on their college applications. Making headway during the summer months can significantly reduce the pressure come September when they'll need to focus on their studies and senior year activities like homecoming. Planning and working on their applications now can pave the way for a smoother, less stressful senior year, ultimately leading to a more successful college admission process.

Many parents are still trying to make sense of what just happened in the 2025 admissions cycle. Why were students with top scores and strong resumes turned away from schools that once felt like solid options? The truth is, this year rewarded clarity, timing, and strategy more than ever before. These four takeaways offer a clear lens into what changed, why it mattered, and how families can help their students navigate the journey to college with more confidence and less stress. 📈 Application Inflation Changed the Odds: A 6% rise in Common App volume reshaped which schools felt predictable and which became unexpectedly competitive. 🎯 SELECTIVE MAJORS SHAPED ADMISSIONS OUTCOMES: Selective majors—like Business and CS—had far lower admit rates than the colleges themselves. 🗓️ Early Decision Applications Made The Difference: Many top schools filled over half their freshman class through binding Early Decision plans. 👩‍💻 Test Scores Quietly Returned to Power: Submitting a strong SAT/ACT score gave students a measurable advantage—even at test-optional schools.

Artificial intelligence is changing everything—from how students learn to how colleges make decisions. But while AI may be helping your teen plan a summer program or outline a personal statement, it’s also quietly reshaping how admissions officers read and review applications. If you’re a parent of a high school student, understanding these shifts is essential.

Did you know that choosing between in-state and out-of-state schools can significantly impact both your acceptance chances and your wallet? While flagship state universities often heavily favor in-state applicants (with acceptance rate differences as high as 30%), the cost difference can be staggering - we're talking up to $33,000 more per year for out-of-state students! But don't cross out-of-state schools off your list just yet. Many public universities offer generous scholarships to attract top out-of-state talent, like the University of Oklahoma's Award of Excellence which provides $80,000 over four years. When building your college list, consider factors beyond just cost and acceptance rates - think academic programs, campus culture, and career opportunities.

This year, we were lucky to work with some of the most driven, reflective, and self-directed students in the country. Many were admitted to some of the most selective colleges in the U.S.—from Stanford and Yale to UT Austin’s CS and Business Honors programs. These weren’t students who simply checked every box. They were students who built something.  In almost every standout application we read, there was a throughline—a summer capstone project that brought the student’s story into focus.

If your teen is starting to explore college majors, they’re doing so at one of the most uncertain—and opportunity-rich—moments in recent memory. According to LinkedIn’s Grad’s Guide 2025 , the path from college to career is evolving fast. The jobs, industries, and even cities gaining momentum for new grads are not always the ones families expected. For parents, this shift brings both a challenge and an invitation: How can we help our kids choose majors that are both meaningful and market-smart? The answer lies in understanding what’s actually happening in today’s job market—and helping our teens plan ahead with a combination of curiosity, flexibility, and strategy.

In the rush to help our kids succeed, we may be quietly steering them away from the very roles that hold our communities together.  Careers in teaching, social work, counseling, journalism, and the humanities were once seen as noble, purpose-driven paths. But today’s college students are walking away from them in large numbers. And while it’s tempting to celebrate the surge in tech and health degrees, there’s a deeper story beneath the data—one that every parent of a teenager needs to hear.

Summer is the perfect time for high school students to explore their interest in business and gain practical experience without the need to spend money. By engaging in free business-related activities, students can develop a clearer understanding of what a business major entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career aspirations. These hands-on experiences not only provide valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

Summer provides an excellent opportunity for high school students to delve into their interest in health professions and gain hands-on experience without the need to spend money. By participating in free health-related activities, students can better understand what a major in health professions entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career goals. These practical experiences not only offer valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

Summer provides an excellent opportunity for high school students to delve into their interest in psychology and gain practical experience without the need to spend money. By participating in free psychology-related activities, students can better understand what a major in psychology entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career goals. These hands-on experiences not only offer valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

Summer provides an ideal opportunity for high school students to explore their interest in data science and gain practical experience without the need to spend money. By engaging in free data science-related activities, students can better understand what a major in this field entails and determine if it aligns with their passions and career goals. These hands-on experiences not only offer valuable insights but also help students stand out in the competitive college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

Summer provides an excellent opportunity for high school students to explore various engineering disciplines and determine which majors align best with their interests and skills without the need to spend money. By engaging in free engineering-related activities, students can gain valuable insights into the different branches of engineering and make informed decisions about their future college and career plans. These hands-on experiences not only help students discover their passions but also demonstrate their commitment to the field, which can be advantageous in the college admissions process. The best part is that these activities are accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation.

Did you know that encouraging your teen to explore online jobs can help them develop invaluable skills for their future? From web development and graphic design to freelance writing and social media management, there are numerous opportunities for teens to earn money and gain experience in today's digital world. These online jobs not only provide a source of income but also foster essential skills such as communication, time management, problem-solving, adaptability, and entrepreneurship. By supporting your teen's online work efforts and ensuring a healthy balance with their education, you can help them lay the foundation for a successful career journey.

As parents, one of the most valuable gifts we can give our teenagers is helping them develop a strong sense of purpose. Studies have shown that having a clear sense of purpose is linked to increased resilience, happiness, and overall well-being. In fact, according to research, adolescents with a greater sense of purpose are more likely to be engaged in school, have higher self-esteem, and experience less stress and anxiety.

Let’s cut to the chase: Not every college major leads to a job anymore. And some degrees—still widely offered and enthusiastically chosen—are already out of step with the real world. According to the State of Higher Education 2025 report , 37% of top job skills have changed since 2016, and 1 in 5 of today’s in-demand skills didn’t even exist a decade ago. That means your teen could be pouring time and tuition into a degree that’s training them for... well, nothing. If you’re helping your student choose a major or build a college list, this isn’t just a casual consideration—it’s a crucial one.  Here are five signs your teen’s major might already be behind the curve:

Families often ask, “Is college worth the high cost?” With rising tuition and competitive admissions, it's easy to understand this concern. But maybe this isn't the best question to ask. Instead, families should ask: “What is the real purpose of college?” Answering this question first can help students build a college list that truly fits their goals.

If you're the parent of a rising senior, chances are you've already heard the buzz about early applications. Maybe a friend’s child got into their dream school through Early Decision. Maybe your teen is hearing classmates talk about submitting applications by November or registering for the August SAT. And maybe you're wondering: Are we supposed to be doing more right now? Should my teen apply early?  It’s a great—and increasingly important—question. The Class of 2025 admissions cycle revealed just how much the early application landscape has changed. Applying early is no longer just a small boost. At many selective schools, it’s become the main round .

For years, many families considered public flagship universities to be smart safety choices—academically rigorous, nationally respected, and relatively attainable. Schools like the University of Georgia, University of Michigan, and UNC-Chapel Hill offered big-school energy with strong outcomes and, for high-achieving students, a sense of security in the admissions process. That’s no longer the case.  The Class of 2025 admissions cycle confirmed what many parents of teenagers are just beginning to realize: many flagship public universities are now among the most selective options on a student’s list—especially for out-of-state applicants. In this post, we’ll unpack why this shift is happening, what the latest admissions data reveals, and how families can build smarter, more strategic college lists that balance aspiration with access.

If you’re parenting a high schooler through the college admissions process, you’ve probably noticed the shift. It’s no longer just about having a strong GPA or a few standout test scores. Today, especially at large public universities like UT Austin, the University of Michigan, and schools in the University of California system, colleges are asking a new question:  How well does this student’s story align with the major they’re choosing?