All College Applications Articles

College student typing on a laptop.
college applications

How to Write a College Application Essay: 13 Tips

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on August 20, 2024
  Key Takeaway: Writing a college application essay is different from writing a standard paper or assignment. This part of your application requires thoughtful reflection, brainstorming, and careful polishing to stand out and make an impact on the reader. By using these ten tips and having others review your finished work, you can craft an …
Hook on a piece of wood.
college applications

How to Write a Perfect Hook for Your Application Essay

By Lesley VosLast updated on December 22, 2022
Did you know admission officers might read around 50 essays per day during the application season?  A college application essay is not about your grades and scores, but your personality and who you are beyond school activities. You need to breathe life into it. Drawing attention to your writing, as well as making officers read …
Students who submit an early application usually have a higher chance of acceptance.
college applications

College Checklist For Early Application

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
In general, students who submit early applications have a much higher chance of getting accepted in the early round. This is because an early application tells the school that they are your first choice. It shows your interest in enrolling. However, other students also applying to college early may hurt your acceptance odds. Those students are …
Who should you ask for a letter of recommendation?
college applications

The Lowdown On Teacher Recommendation Letters: Who, How, and When To Ask

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
Teacher recommendation letters carry a lot of weight when it comes to college admissions. If done correctly, they provide a unique picture of you that your college admission’s department can’t get from your transcripts and even your personal essay. Your recommendation letter will give them an idea of how hard you work, the progress you’ve …
Here are the 2017-18 Common App essay prompts.
college applications

Common App Essay Prompts for 2024-2025

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on August 13, 2024
The Common App is used by over 1,000 colleges and universities throughout the United States. It allows you to apply to multiple schools at once, track deadlines, easily gather materials, and more. No matter the college you apply to, you’ll be required to write a Common App Essay, also known as a Common App personal …
Don't stress about the college application season with this one tip
college applications

You Can Survive The Stressful College Application Season With This One Tip

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on December 22, 2022
There’s no denying that college application season is stressful, and for some students it can become completely overwhelming. You have to work on that all-important essay and your writing skills, study for the standardized tests in different ways, get in some extracurricular activities, and do all the prep work for getting recommendation letters. While there’s …
What do colleges look for in an application essay
college applications

What Do Colleges Look for in Application Essays?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 29, 2024
Submitting your test scores, grades, achievements, and personal essay is all part of your application checklist. Many believe that the most important factor in the decision process is school grades or admission test scores. And while these are important, your essay holds more value than you might initially think. It’s not just a formality—it’s a …

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