Finalizing Your College Choice: Beyond Fit – Comparing Financial Aid & Career Outcomes
College Applications and AdmissionsCongratulations! You have college acceptance letters in hand. That’s a huge accomplishment. Now comes the fina... Read More
The Parent’s Role During Decision Time: Supporting Your Child Through Acceptances, Rejections & Waitlists
College Applications and AdmissionsThe college application process is intense, but waiting for decisions can be even more nerve-wracking – for bo... Read More
Making the Most of College Fairs (Virtual & In-Person): Prep, Questions & Follow-Up
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege fairs, whether huge bustling events in a convention center or online gatherings you attend from home, ... Read More
Anatomy of a Great Supplemental Essay: Analyzing “Why Us?” and “Community” Examples
College Applications and AdmissionsBeyond the main Common App essay, many colleges require shorter supplemental essays. These often ask specific ... Read More
Decoding College Rankings: Using Them Wisely (and When to Ignore Them)
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege rankings seem to be everywhere. Lists published by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and others ge... Read More
The Transfer Student Application: Key Differences from First-Year Apps
College Applications and AdmissionsThinking about switching colleges or moving from a community college to a four-year university? Applying as a ... Read More
Applying with a Low GPA or Test Scores: Strategies for Highlighting Your Strengths
College Applications and AdmissionsSeeing average GPA or test score ranges for colleges can be stressful, especially if your numbers aren’t... Read More
How Your Social Media Footprint Can Impact College Admissions (The Good & The Bad)
College Applications and AdmissionsYou share photos, connect with friends, and follow trends online every day. But have you ever stopped to think... Read More
Submitting Standardized Test Scores: A Deep Dive into Score Choice & Superscoring Policies
College Applications and AdmissionsNavigating standardized test scores for college applications can feel complicated, especially with many school... Read More
Impact of High School Course Rigor: AP, IB, Dual Enrollment & College Admissions
College Applications and AdmissionsWhen planning your high school schedule, you probably hear a lot about taking tough classes like Advanced Plac... Read More
Demonstrated Interest in the Digital Age: Beyond Campus Visits
College Applications and AdmissionsColleges want to admit students who genuinely want to attend their school. “Demonstrated interest”... Read More
Asking for Recommendation Letters: A Timeline & Etiquette Guide for Students
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege recommendation letters are a crucial part of your application. They offer a personal perspective on yo... Read More
The College Essay Brainstorming Playbook: Techniques to Uncover Your Best Story Ideas
College Applications and AdmissionsStaring at a blank page trying to come up with the perfect college essay topic can feel overwhelming. You know... Read More
Financial Safety Schools: How to Identify Them & Why They’re Non-Negotiable
College Applications and AdmissionsWhen building your college list, you probably think about “safety schools” – places where you̵... Read More
Understanding Holistic Review: How Colleges REALLY Evaluate Applicants Beyond Numbers
College Applications and AdmissionsYou hear the term “holistic review” thrown around a lot in college admissions. But what does it ac... Read More
Navigating College Waitlists: The Do’s and Don’ts of the Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
College Applications and AdmissionsGetting waitlisted by a college can feel confusing. It’s not a yes, but it’s not a no either. One ... Read More
College Application Red Flags (From an Admissions Officer’s POV)
College Applications and AdmissionsYou spend months perfecting your college applications. You want everything to be just right. But sometimes, sm... Read More
Applying to Liberal Arts Colleges vs. Large Universities: Key Application Differences
College Applications and AdmissionsChoosing where to apply to college involves big decisions. Beyond location and size, the type of institution m... Read More
The “Additional Information” Section: Friend or Foe? When & How to Use It Wisely
College Applications and AdmissionsThe Common Application has a section called “Additional Information.” It sounds inviting, right? L... Read More
Dissecting the Common App Activities Section: Strategy, Character Limits & Impact Verbs
College Applications and AdmissionsThe Common Application asks about your activities outside of class. This section is super important. It shows ... Read More
Tackling Tricky Supplemental Essays: Prompts Decoded & Examples Analyzed
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege applications can feel like a huge task. Supplemental essays are a key part. They let colleges see who ... Read More
Applying Undecided: How to Frame Your Application When You Don’t Know Your Major
College Applications and AdmissionsMany students feel pressure to pick a major before college. But what if you’re unsure? It’s perfec... Read More
Letters of Recommendation: Choosing Your Recommenders & Helping Them Write the Best Letter
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege applications need great letters of recommendation. A good letter shows colleges who you are. It highli... Read More
The “Optional” Application Pieces: When Should You Submit Art Supplements, Research Abstracts, or Extra Essays?
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege applications often have “optional” pieces. Art supplements, research abstracts, extra essa... Read More
First-Gen & Proud: Navigating the College Application Process (Tips & Resources)
College Applications and AdmissionsApplying to college can be tough. It can feel even tougher as a first-generation student. You’re paving ... Read More
International Students Applying to US Colleges: Key Differences & Essential Tips
College Applications and AdmissionsApplying to US colleges is exciting! But it can be different for international students. You may face unique r... Read More
The Student-Athlete Pathway: Understanding the Recruitment & Application Process
College Applications and AdmissionsPlaying college sports is a dream for many. The student-athlete pathway can be tough to navigate. It has rules... Read More
Handling College Rejection: It’s Not Personal, It’s Strategy (How to Cope & Move Forward)
College Applications and AdmissionsGetting a college rejection letter is tough. It can feel like a punch to the gut after all your hard work. Hou... Read More
Considering a Gap Year? How it Impacts College Admissions (Pros, Cons & Planning)
College Applications and AdmissionsConsidering a gap year college admissions is a big decision. A gap year is a break between high school and col... Read More
College Admissions Myths vs. Reality: Don’t Fall for These Common Misconceptions
College Applications and AdmissionsThe college admissions process can feel confusing. There are lots of college application rumors floating aroun... Read More
Finding Your “Fit”: How to Really Tell if a College is Right for You (Culture, Values, Learning Style)
College Applications and AdmissionsFinding the right college is more than just looking at rankings. It’s about college fit. What’s a colleg... Read More
How College Admissions Have Changed (and What It Means for Gen Z Applicants)
College Applications and AdmissionsHow have college admissions changed in recent years? It’s a lot! Test optional impact, an increased focu... Read More
The Ultimate Guide to College Applications: A Step-by-Step Timeline for Students
College Applications and AdmissionsThe college application process can feel overwhelming, but with careful planning and a clear timeline, student... Read More
Counselor Corner: Streamlining the College Application Process for Your Students
College Applications and AdmissionsSchool counselors, you are the superheroes of college application season! You guide countless students through... Read More
Decoding College Admission Rates: What Those Numbers Mean?
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege admission rates. You see them everywhere. College websites show them off. Rankings lists shout them ou... Read More
The Ultimate College Visit Checklist: Questions to Ask, Things to See, and How to Make the Most of Your Trip (Virtual or In-Person)
College Applications and AdmissionsGoing on college visits? Awesome! College visits are a super important step. They help you see if a school is ... Read More
Beyond the Brochure: Uncovering the Real College Culture (Student Panels, Social Media, and More)
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege brochures look amazing, right? Green quads, happy students, shiny buildings – perfect! But college bro... Read More
Early Action vs. Early Decision: Advanced Strategies for Maximizing Your Admission Chances
College Applications and AdmissionsEarly Action and Early Decision. You hear colleges talk about them all the time. “Apply early!” they say. But ... Read More
Crack the Code: Write a “Why College X” Essay They’ll Actually LOVE
College Applications and AdmissionsThe “Why This College?” essay. Ugh. Just hearing those words can make students sweat. It’s a key part of so ma... Read More
Navigating Test-Optional Admissions: Your Guide to Test Score Choices
College Applications and AdmissionsTest-optional. You hear colleges say it all the time now. It means you don’t HAVE to send your SAT or ACT scor... Read More
Decoding the Hidden Curriculum of College Applications
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege applications. They give you a list of what they want, right? Grades, test scores, essays, activities. ... Read More
Your College Application Timeline: From Junior Year to Senior Fall
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege applications can feel like a giant storm cloud. So much to do! So many deadlines! So much stress! But ... Read More
Common App vs. Coalition App vs. School Apps: Your Platform Picker Guide
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege applications are online now. That’s good! But it also means…platforms. So many platforms! Common App. ... Read More
The Parent’s Guide to the College Application Process: Support Without Stress
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege application time. It’s a big deal for your teen. And let’s be real, it’s a big deal for parents too! Y... Read More
Applying to Highly Selective Colleges: Your Guide to Standing Out
College Applications and AdmissionsSo, you’re aiming for the top. The super selective colleges. The ones with crazy low admission rates. You’re r... Read More
College Application Essays That Shine: Decoding the Secrets of Success
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege application essays. They can feel like a mystery. What do colleges REALLY want to read? What makes an ... Read More
The Art of Demonstrated Interest: Showing Colleges You’re Truly Keen (The Right Way!)
College Applications and Admissions“Demonstrated interest.” You hear colleges talk about it all the time. It means showing colleges you REALLY wa... Read More
A Step-by-Step Guide to the College Application Process (Because It’s Not as Scary as It Seems!)
College Applications and AdmissionsApplying to college can feel like trying to solve a 500-piece puzzle with no edge pieces, but don’t stress—I g... Read More
How Do I Decide Which College to Attend (Because, Yeah, It’s a Big Deal)
College Applications and AdmissionsSo, you got into multiple colleges—major win! But now comes the real challenge: picking the one. And let’s be ... Read More
Rolling Admissions: Your Guide to the “Apply Now, Hear Back Sooner” College Path
College Applications and AdmissionsRolling admissions. You see it listed on some college websites. “Rolling Admissions – Apply Anytime!” Sounds g... Read More
After “Submit” – Your Post-Application Game Plan for Success
College Applications and AdmissionsYES! You did it! You hit “submit” on your college applications. Take a deep breath. You deserve a pat on the b... Read More
Decoding College Financial Aid Award Letters: Your Guide to Understanding College Money Offers
College Applications and AdmissionsYES! You got accepted to college! Time to celebrate! And then… the mail comes. Not just acceptance letters, bu... Read More
College Rejection or Aid Too Low? Your Guide to Appeals
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege decision day. You open the letter (or email). And…it’s not the “yes” you were hoping for. Rejection. W... Read More
From Acceptance to Enrollment: Your Post-Acceptance Checklist for College Success
College Applications and AdmissionsYES! You did it! That acceptance letter arrived. All your hard work paid off. Take a moment. Do a happy dance.... Read More
When Should I Start Preparing for College Applications? (Spoiler: Sooner Than You Think!)
Resume and Portfolio BuildingStarting early with your college applications can save you tons of stress later on. Whether you’re a freshman,... Read More
SAT vs ACT: What’s the Difference? Should I Take Both? (Let’s Decode the Test Drama)
College Applications and AdmissionsSo, you’re gearing up for college apps and trying to figure out whether to take the SAT or ACT—or both. ... Read More
Do Colleges Accept Late Applications? Â (Or Are You Out of Luck?)
College Applications and AdmissionsMissing a college application deadline can be stressful, but you still have options. Many colleges accept late... Read More
What College Admissions Officers Actually Look for (and How to Stand Out)
Resume and Portfolio BuildingApplying to college? Admissions officers review thousands of applications, and let’s be real—they don’t have t... Read More
Early Decision vs. Regular Decision: Which One is Right for You?
College Applications and AdmissionsWhen applying to college, one of the biggest decisions students face is whether to apply Early Decision (ED) o... Read More
How to Write a College Essay That Actually Stands Out
College Applications and AdmissionsLet’s be real—writing a college essay can feel like a lot. You’re supposed to sum up who you are, impress admi... Read More
How to Stand Out in Competitive College Applications
Resume and Portfolio BuildingWhy Standing Out Matters in College Admissions Process Let’s be real—With college acceptance rates at top scho... Read More
How to Secure Strong Letters of Recommendation for College
College Applications and AdmissionsWhy Strong Letters of Recommendation Matter Your GPA, test scores, and extracurriculars are solid, but they do... Read More
Do AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment Classes Help My College Application? (Short Answer: Yes, But Let’s Break It Down)
College Applications and AdmissionsAre AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), or dual enrollment classes actually worth it fo... Read More
Should I Apply to a College Even If I Don’t Meet the GPA or Test Score Requirements? (Spoiler: Yes!)
College Applications and AdmissionsSo you found your dream school, but there’s one tiny problem—your GPA or test scores aren’t quite hitting thei... Read More
How Many Colleges Should I Apply To? (Because 1 Feels Too Risky and 20 Feels Like Overkill)
College Applications and AdmissionsSo, you’re gearing up to apply to colleges, and you’re probably wondering: How many schools should I even appl... Read More
12 Tips for Mastering AP Exams
College Applications and AdmissionsIf you’re taking one, two, or even three AP Exams in the next few weeks, chances are that you’ve scoured the i... Read More
You’ve Been Rejected from a College: Now What?
College Applications and AdmissionsThe reality of college admissions is that sometimes you’re accepted and sometimes you’re waitlisted. But then ... Read More
Here’s What’s Next After Being Accepted to a College
College Applications and AdmissionsOnce the initial excitement wears off, students can be asking themselves and their parents: Well what’s next? ... Read More
Welcome to SAT/ACT Season (If You Decide to Take the Tests)
College Applications and AdmissionsHappy testing season! With SAT and ACT testing approaching, it can be a stressful time for parents and student... Read More
College Application Checklist 2021
College Applications and AdmissionsHappy New Year! We’ve finally left 2020 behind and most are ready and eager to see what the new year has in st... Read More
Understanding College Admissions: Early Action vs. Early Decision
College Applications and AdmissionsIf you’re reading this, you are most likely in the midst of applying, or preparing to apply, to colleges all a... Read More
FAFSA is Now Available: Here’s Why YOU Need to Care
College Applications and AdmissionsWhether you’re a high school student or parent, you need to know about Free Application for Federal Student Ai... Read More
Standing Out: How to Make Your College App Pop as Standardized Testing Fades Away
College Applications and AdmissionsEarlier this year, Cirkled In CEO Reetu Gupta wrote for Puget Sound Business Journal about one of the far and ... Read More
Welcome to Your Senior Year, Class of 2021!
College Applications and AdmissionsHere at Cirkled In, we’re so excited to welcome students into their senior year of high school. We know things... Read More
Eight Quick SAT/ACT Tips to Boost Your Confidence
College Applications and AdmissionsWith SAT and ACT testing approaching, it can be a stressful time for parents and students. That’s why we’ve ga... Read More
Clean Up Your Social Media in 3 Easy Steps
College Applications and AdmissionsAccording to 2018 Kaplan Test Prep survey, about 25% of college admissions officers review applicants' social ... Read More
The College Admissions Process – The Finish Line or the Starting Point?
College Applications and AdmissionsThe college application process is usually experienced by both parents and students as a nightmare period of s... Read More
VIDEO: 12 Ways to Survive Freshman Year of High School!
College Applications and AdmissionsNervous for your freshman year of high school? Cirkled In has 12 tips to help you through ... Read More
How to Pick the Best College For You
College Applications and AdmissionsThere are so many factors that go into finding the right college for you. A few things that you need to consid... Read More
12 Steps on Your College Application Timeline
College Applications and AdmissionsApplying to college is a long, multi-step journey that high schoolers embark on starting their junior year. He... Read More
14 Things to Add to Your High School Bucket List
College Applications and AdmissionsHigh School: it’s 4 years of your life, but it goes by quicker than you think! It’s important to s... Read More
College Applications: A Journey of Self-Discovery
College Applications and AdmissionsThe college application process is often viewed as a huge burden put on high schoolers from the moment they en... Read More
We asked 6 Questions to College Admissions Officers and Here’s What They Said
College Applications and AdmissionsCollege application season is rapidly approaching. During these summer months, rising seniors spend much of th... Read More
Common Application Prompts: Question 6
College Applications and AdmissionsQuestion 6: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. ... Read More
The Secret to College Applications? Confidence.
College Applications and AdmissionsGrades can be frustrating. You’ve worked especially hard in a particular class, and yet, the grade your teache... Read More
4 Steps to Planning Your College Visit
College Applications and AdmissionsThe flower buds are blooming, the morning frost is gone, and high school juniors are frantically researching c... Read More
4 Rules for Summer College Visits
College Applications and AdmissionsWe all know that summer is one of the most popular times for students to visit colleges. High school juniors a... Read More
Common Application Prompts: Question 5
College Applications and AdmissionsQuestion 5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a ne... Read More
Common Application Prompts: Question 4
College Applications and AdmissionsQuestion 4: Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intell... Read More
Common Application Prompts: Question 3
College Applications and AdmissionsQuestion 3: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking?... Read More
Common Application Prompts: Question 2
College Applications and AdmissionsQuestion 2: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount ... Read More
Common Application Prompts: Question 1
College Applications and AdmissionsQuestion 1: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe ... Read More
What Type of Volunteer Work is Right For You?
College Applications and AdmissionsVolunteer work is a popular activity for middle school and high school students alike for many reasons. First ... Read More
Finding Colleges That Call Your Name
College Applications and AdmissionsYou’ve done the legwork, you’re ahead of the game and all your applications were in before the dea... Read More