College Admissions Blog
Your go-to resource for admissions insights, essay strategies, scholarship guidance, and financial aid tips—written by expert college consultant Bethany and the Stand Out College Prep team.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a world-renowned institution, known for its cutting-edge research, rigorous academic programs, and exceptional faculty. Each year, thousands of ambitious students from around the globe dream of becoming part of the MIT community. However, with a highly competitive admissions process and a low acceptance …
Winning a scholarship is a great accomplishment, and it’s important to show gratitude to the organization or individual who awarded it to you. Writing a thank you note not only shows your appreciation but also helps to build relationships and potentially opens doors for future opportunities. Here’s a guide on …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Mississippi scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Mississippi students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Michigan scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Michigan students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Nevada scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Nevada students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Massachusetts scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Massachusetts students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Texas scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Texas students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Missouri scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Missouri students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of New Hampshire scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for New Hampshire students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Illinois scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Illinois students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of North Carolina scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for North Carolina students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Georgia scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Georgia students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Montana scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Montana students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Nebraska scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Nebraska students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Ohio scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Ohio students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Minnesota scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Minnesota students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
The purpose of this detailed listing of New Jersey scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for New Jersey students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Louisiana scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Louisiana students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Wisconsin scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Wisconsin students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Iowa scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Iowa students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of New Mexico scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for New Mexico students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Washington, D.C and Maryland Students scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Washington, D.C and Maryland Students students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Oklahoma scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Oklahoma students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of West Virginia scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for West Virginia students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Indiana scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Indiana students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Idaho scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Idaho students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Rhode Island scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Rhode Island students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Wyoming scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Wyoming students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
The purpose of this detailed listing of North Dakota scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for North Dakota students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of South Dakota scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for South Dakota students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Maine scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Maine students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Kentucky scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Kentucky students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Washington scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Washington students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Virginia scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Virginia students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of South Carolina scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for South Carolina students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Tennessee scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Tennessee students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Oregon scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Oregon students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Utah scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Utah students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Kansas scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Kansas students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Vermont scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Vermont students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Pennsylvania scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Pennsylvania students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Delaware scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Delaware students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Hawaii scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Hawaii students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Florida scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Florida students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Connecticut scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Connecticut students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of California scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for California students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Colorado scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Colorado students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
The purpose of this detailed listing of Arkansas scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Arkansas students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if a deadline …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Arizona scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Arizona students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Alabama scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Alabama students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Important Note: The purpose of this detailed listing of Alaska scholarships for college is to help you plan your scholarship search throughout the year. Please find information below about scholarships specifically for Alaska students. Some of the deadlines may be from prior years. Scholarship deadlines are cyclical, so even if …
Start here if you seek to apply for financial aid from colleges and universities in the United States. The form you need to complete is called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. After you complete the FAFSA form, you’ll get an Expected Family Contribution or EFC. Your EFC …
Introduction HBCU’s offer more than just higher education. With HBCU’s come the history of segregation, and the acknowledgement that during a time where African Americans were denied admission, these HBCU’s provided an alternative. In hand, this created a very nurturing environment for people of all backgrounds, and has an overwhelming …
If you missed the traditional college application deadlines, don’t worry! There are still plenty of colleges that offer rolling admissions, meaning they accept applications throughout the year. This can be a great option for students who need more time to decide or who have had a change of plans. Check …
If you’re a U.S. high school student looking dreaming of attending college, paying for college can be overwhelming. But there’s good news! By filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can get financial help to cover your education costs. Now, you might be wondering, “What’s the …
If you’re a high school senior who is worried about paying for college, financial aid can be a true lifesaver. Once you’ve received your acceptance letter, financial aid packages should arrive in the following weeks. However, if you still haven’t received your package by then, don’t hesitate to contact the …
Congratulations on receiving your financial aid award letter! This is an exciting time as you plan to transition to college next fall. No matter where you are heading, your financial aid award letter is a crucial document that can make or break your decision to attend a particular college or …
Congratulations on completing the biggest and most crucial step in your college preparation journey! For the last few months, you have spent a significant amount of time and effort crafting the perfect college application. The anticipation and excitement leading up to the moment when you finally hit the Common App’s …
If you’re reading this post, it’s likely because you want to appeal your financial aid award. Flash back to a few months ago when you filed the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form, sponsored by the U.S. State Department of Education, provided your family with the …
Getting admitted into a top college can be a daunting task for any college-bound student. However, there is one crucial aspect that can make all the difference: demonstrating your interest in a particular school. Admissions officers want to see that you are genuinely interested in attending their institution and that …
If you are looking to play for a Division 3 school, you won’t be eligible for division 3 scholarships. The NCAA’s rules regarding division 3 scholarships are as follows: ” “[to] provide an integrated environment for student-athletes to take part in competitive athletics while pursuing their academic interests with rigor …
Visiting colleges is an exciting and important part of the college preparation process. It’s a chance for you to check out the campus, discover what the college can offer you, immerse yourself in campus life, and ask essential questions to learn more about how the college stacks up against others …
If Binghamton University is one of your dream schools, you’re probably really curious about how to get in. In this post, we cover everything you need to know about getting into Binghamton University, including what to include in your application, different admissions types, and how to submit your application. You’ll …
Both SAT and ACT are exams taken by high school students for college admission. While there are colleges that are test-optional, students still took either exam last year. Before you decide whether you should take the SAT, ACT, or both, it’s worth educating yourself on the exams. For example, you’re …
Key Takeaways Merit scholarships are awarded based on academic or extracurricular achievements. Colleges award merit scholarships to cover educational expenses. Read on to discover tips on how to maximize your merit scholarship offers in 2023. Table of Contents What are Merit Scholarships? Okay, so you have submitted your college application. …
A winning scholarship essay is the pinnacle of your application. It’s your chance to make a case for why the sponsor should fund your college education. However, writing a winning scholarship essay may be very daunting for you. You may be challenged by one of the four issues I hear …
If you’re applying to college soon, now is a great time to start collecting college recommendation letters. College recommendation letters are important in the college admissions process. For the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, with many schools still being test-optional, emphasis is highly placed on recommendation letters. Therefore, you must ask the …
What is the FAFSA age limit? If you’re planning to attend college, you may be wondering what age you must be to qualify for financial aid. In this blog post, we’ll go over what FAFSA is and why it’s crucial for high school students to know about it. We’ll also …
There are 101 historically Black colleges and universities, also known as HBCUs, in the United States. Many of the best HBCUs were founded between 1837 and 1870. The first HBCU created was Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, which opened in 1937. A Quaker named Richard Humphries founded Cheyney. Founders opened HBCU …
Start here if you seek to apply for financial aid from colleges and universities in the United States. The form you need to complete is called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. After you complete the FAFSA form, you’ll get an Expected Family Contribution or EFC. Your EFC …
Table of Contents With the costs of college on the rise, you are probably thinking about how to pay for college. You are right in your question. According to its 2019 Survey, Trends in College Prices, today’s college education will cost families approximately $25,590 for an in-state public college and $53,980 …
When you’re looking for money to pay for college, it’s hard to know if a scholarship is legit. It’s a big waste of time to apply for scammy scholarships that don’t lead to any wins. There are many scholarships disguised as marketing efforts by companies who want your private information. In …
In previous posts, I wrote about how to find scholarships. Also, I showed you the tools, technology, and systems that you need to organize and grow your scholarship efforts. You may have followed all of these tips. Now you’re submitting a lot of scholarship applications. But, unfortunately, after all that …
If you remember anything from this year, building a balanced college list is important. A balanced college list is 8 to 10 schools that fit what you’re looking for in your education. Beyond the rankings, a good college is one where you’ll learn, be engaged, thrive, and speak highly of …
It’s June, and you may be wondering how you will stay busy this summer doing activities that impress colleges. There’s plenty of time over the next two months for hanging out in your room, the beach, or the pool. But if you’re in high school, you should also make time …
The college essay is a personal narrative. The cornerstone piece of your college application, the college essay you write should share your life’s story, experiences, learnings, and growth. As much as the college essay is your story, it’s important to remember that your narrative is in progress. What write your college …
Table of Contents Over the next month, I will present the stories of students I worked with during the 2020-2021 school year. While I can never be 100% sure about why my students were admitted into their top choice colleges, I will highlight what I think worked. Collectively, you can …
Table of Contents The first step to get ready for college is getting organized. Suppose you have impressive grades and test scores but don’t have a plan or process for finding colleges, applying to college, or navigating the financial aid process. In that case, you’re going to struggle with overwhelm …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0uQmbxOENY No time to read the text? Watch this video for tips on preparing for a virtual college fair. Table of Contents Now that it is spring, we are in college fair season. Unfortunately, we’re still in a pandemic, so the traditional college fair hosted at a huge convention center …
Table of Contents As we go into spring break, this is a great time for students to apply for scholarships. Recently a parent asked me why she and her teen should look for scholarships. She said that another college expert had told her that most financial aid would come from …
Table of Contents Volunteering in high school during COVID-19 You don’t need me to tell you that volunteering is challenging this school year. Last December, I asked my children, Sydney and Heath, what they wanted for gifts, they both paused and gave me blank stares. Even after prodding, they couldn’t …
Table of Contents Getting accepted to college will be the first of many great accomplishments in your life. After crafting the perfect application – taking SAT exams, preparing for interviews, and writing essays that best captures you — the hard work paid off. But what comes next? Celebrate and share …
Table of Contents Last week, a mom emailed me asking if it was okay that her son does not know what he wants to study in college. She shared her experience visiting a college campus where a tour guide asked each student in the group to say their name and …
Table of Contents Introduction As you know, 2020 was a mess for college admissions and reporting test scores. And unfortunately, 2021 may be the same. Many colleges have announced test-optional admissions policies for the fall 2021 cycle. But it’s still unclear, without admissions data, how many test-optional students colleges admitted into …
Table of Contents Can I Demonstrate Interest After Submitting the Application? A student recently asked me if there was anything he could do to influence a college admission decision after submitting the application. When a student interacts with a school or shows interest in the school via several activities, this …
Table of Contents How to Win Scholarships {Part 2} You learning how to organize the scholarship search is part two of the How to Win Scholarship series. Every year American students leave $100 million in unclaimed free money for college. After surveying parents in my Facebook group, I learned that …
Table of Contents When you hear the word resume, what do you think about? You probably think about a tool to help in the job match process. Or that it is something that you don’t have to worry about until you get to college. Guess what?! Many people agree with …
In the school year of COVID-19, there will be limited opportunities to participate in in-person, socializing-type extracurricular activities, including volunteering. However, if you are a college-bound teen, this doesn’t mean that you should do nothing. While virtual, there are many things you can do in your community and beyond to …
Last week, a mom emailed me asking if it was okay that her son does not know what he wants to study in college. She shared her experience visiting a college campus where a campus tour guide asked each student in the group to say their name and what they …
High college costs are commonly a pain point families are tormented by when planning their student’s future. Start a 529 Plan. A 529 Plan is an investment account that you can use to save for higher education expenses.