Resources

The team at College MatchPoint has developed a set of tools and resources to help students and families successfully navigate the college admissions process. We are committed to helping all students thrive in their selected college, and the first step is reducing the stress of the admissions process for students and parents alike.


With that in mind, we've used our team's expertise—developed over years of working with students, parents, and college admissions officers—to create a library of free resources that you can use as you navigate the college journey.

Guide to Applying to the University of Texas at Austin


It's hard to believe that a school as large as the University of Texas at Austin actually reviews every part of every student's application. But it does: UT is deeply committed to the holistic review of its applicants.The 2023 edition of this guide covers all required essays, as well as providing detailed information on the expanded resume, letters of recommendation, and evaluating fit-to-major and honors programs.

Guide to Applying To
Texas A&M University


This year, we’re excited to share the first edition of our College MatchPoint Guide to Applying to Texas A&M. The school has seen more than 20% increase in applications over the last 3 years, with engineering majors assuming a national profile.  This guide covers all required essays, as well as providing detailed information on the resume,  evaluating fit-to-major, and honors programs.

Guide to Activity Planning


The most successful college applicants have engaged in activities that are based on their interests, aptitudes, and motivations. This guide presents our i4 framework and walks you through how your student can optimize their interest, involvement, initiative, and impact to successfully engage during high school and develop into a strong college applicant.

Guide to Highly Selective Colleges


Applying to a highly selective college can be daunting, but if your student has their heart set on one, there are some guidelines they can follow to help them stand out from the crowd. This guide discusses what highly selective colleges look for in students, how to achieve "depth" in activities, and the importance of having a specific application strategy for the most selective schools.

Guide to College Readiness for Neurodiverse Students


Supporting a neurodivergent student through the college admissions process can feel overwhelming, but with proper planning and the right college fit, your teen can thrive in higher education. This guide helps you understand how to evaluate your teen's college readiness, navigate the transition from high school to college support systems, and find the best college environment for their unique learning needs.

Guide to High School Course Selection


Students want to challenge themselves, but they also want classes that will allow them to thrive. This guide will help students evaluate what classes to choose for the coming academic year, and includes information on evaluating class rigor, the differences between curricula, and decisions on classes that are crucial in the college admissions process.

Guide to Campus Tours


Touring colleges can be a great way to get a feel for what a specific school is like, but because these visits are brief, it's crucial to go into them prepared. In this guide, we provide a college tour checklist, a list of not-to-be-missed campus destinations, and tips for making the most of your college visits. With this guide in hand, you can focus on taking advantage of this special time together with your student.

Guide to Summer Planning


For many of today's college-bound high school students, the summer is no longer nine weeks of total relaxation, but rather an opportunity to spend time actively working, learning new skills, or diving deeper into an area (or areas) of interest. This complete guide to summer planning walks you through the various types of summer opportunities — from volunteer work to independent projects, and everything in between — and offers tips for how your student can take their involvement up a notch during the summer.

Guide to Researching Colleges


The college research phase of the process is so crucial: it’s an opportunity for students to explore outside their existing knowledge and discover the breadth of options available to them. This guide includes suggestion for developing a college criteria, top list-building resources, using the college website and social media for research, and suggestions for family discussions of the college list.

Guide to Exploring College Majors


Choosing a major is an exciting journey, and it's one to go into prepared—the choice of major will not only determine what they study for the next four years, but also has the potential to impact the rest of the student's likelihood of admissions to many schools. This guide offers suggestions for how to navigate the process, important stats about majors and their career tracks, information about how a major choice will affect your student's high school years, and much more.

Guide to College Planning For Rising Juniors


Colleges consider junior year important for admissions because it's the last full year they see on a transcript and can evaluate academic preparedness and potential success. This guide for parents of rising juniors offers valuable insights to help you and your student make the most of this time. It covers all the essential areas to set your student up for success

Guide to Demonstrated Interest


This guide explains what demonstrated interest is and why it matters in college admissions. The guide provides tips on effective ways to show interest such as visiting campus, meeting professors, interviewing, attending college fairs, and communicating with admissions. It also includes a worksheet to help students track their demonstrated interest activities for each college.

Guide to College Athletics Recruitment


Understanding the landscape of college athletics is an important first step in moving forward in seeking your best-fit college experience. This guide walks you through creating a recruitment plan throughout high school, tips for communicating with college coaches, creating athletic resumes and highlight reels, and an overview of the governing bodies of athletic recruitment

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