College Admissions Made Easy

Students should plan to take all 5 core academic subjects (English, math, science, history/social studies, foreign language) all 4 years of high school if possible. Requirements for individual colleges may be lower – some colleges only require 2 or 3 years of foreign language – but maximizing your core academic classes is a great way to stand out on your application and get ready for college-level academics.

This depends on your goals and the requirements of the colleges you’re applying to (as well as the typical profile of accepted students there). Students should confirm admission requirements for each college they’re applying to and make sure that they’re pursuing as rigorous a course load as possible while maintaining strong grades.

This depends on your goals and the average GPA of students admitted to the colleges you are applying to. You should confirm admission requirements for each college you’re applying to and make sure that you are pursuing as rigorous a course load as possible while maintaining strong grades.

Taking all 5 core academic subjects all 4 years of high school, along with pursuing rigor in the classes you take (honors and AP-level courses when possible) will help strengthen your transcript for college admissions. Students can also pursue electives in their areas of interest (i.e. engineering, journalism, etc) and consider taking dual enrollment classes online or at a local community college.

Many colleges don’t need to see students taking AP classes to admit them. However, most of the more selective colleges will expect to see AP classes on students’ transcripts. There isn’t a specific number or list of AP classes that will guarantee admission, but colleges will be looking to see that you maximized opportunities available at your high school, and that you pursued a rigorous course load relative to those opportunities and compared to your classmates.

Notably, students who are interested in pursuing an engineering major at a selective college should aim to complete AP Calculus and AP Physics.

Colleges accept the SAT and ACT equally, so students should submit scores for whichever test is a better fit for them. Most students score similarly on the SAT and ACT, but some students do much better on one of the tests. Students should at least take a timed practice test for both the SAT and ACT, and consider taking both tests officially. Keep in mind that the ACT is faster-paced, so students who struggle to complete tests on time may find the SAT to be a better fit.

While there are great publicly available prep materials for the SAT and ACT, a test prep tutor can help you efficiently focus on weaknesses and quickly improve your score. We recommend starting to meet regularly with your tutor a few months before your test date and planning to take at least 3-4 full-length timed practice SATs or ACTs.

Think of your tutor like a personal trainer – while it’s possible to prepare for these tests or get in shape yourself, it helps to have an expert in the field to hold you accountable and recommend focused practice specifically for you.

It depends on the colleges you’re applying to. Some colleges are truly test-optional and don’t need to see SAT or ACT scores, although strong scores can help strengthen your application. Other selective colleges, whether they require scores or strongly recommend them, want to see relatively high SAT or ACT scores. A good ballpark estimate is to look at the median score for admitted students at each college and see how your score compares.

Yes, students should take the PSAT when possible. Colleges don’t see your PSAT score, but taking the PSAT is excellent practice for taking the official SAT. If your PSAT scores are high enough, you may also qualify for National Merit recognition or scholarships. Most students take the PSAT in the fall of junior year, but you may also be able to take it in the fall of sophomore year if your school offers the PSAT to 10th graders.

If your PSAT selection index score is high enough, you may qualify for National Merit recognition and eventually a scholarship (although the PSAT score itself is only one part of that process). Some colleges offer scholarships to National Merit finalists, ranging from a small scholarship to full tuition.

If you’re enrolled in an AP class, you should plan on taking the AP exam for that class. While AP scores aren’t the most important piece of your college application, a high AP score can help confirm the grade you got in the class and demonstrate your understanding of the course material. Your AP score may also get you college credit or place you into more advanced classes in college.

Preparing for college begins in 9th grade! Freshmen and sophomores should think carefully about course selection, academic interests, extracurricular activities, and leadership opportunities in order to set themselves up for success throughout high school and with college applications. High school is also the time to explore intellectual interests and hobbies outside of school, and to focus on your study skills and executive functioning to help with the transition to college.

In general, college applications are due in the fall and early winter of senior year. Early action and early decision deadlines are often in October and November. The UC and CSU deadline is typically November 30. Many other regular decision deadlines are in December and January. Some colleges have rolling admissions and may accept applications throughout the fall and into the spring of senior year.

Students typically hear back from colleges in the spring of senior year if they applied under a regular decision deadline. UC decisions usually come out in March. Early action and early decision applicants hear back in December and January. If students applied to a college with rolling admissions, they may hear back within a few weeks of application submission.

Students should follow their high school’s process for requesting college application recommendation letters. If possible, ask teachers in the spring of junior year if they’ll be able to write recommendation letters for you, and then follow up with them in early fall of senior year to see if there’s anything they need from you.

It depends on the college. Some colleges, like the UCs, don’t accept letters of recommendation. Other colleges, especially very selective ones, value letters of recommendation to understand how the student functions in the classroom and contributes to the academic environment. Students should assume that they will need letters of recommendation for at least some of their college applications, so they should focus on fostering strong relationships with teachers and participating actively and thoughtfully in class, especially during junior year.

The summer between junior and senior year of high school is a great time to start working on college application essays. Common App personal statement prompts typically don’t change much from year to year and should be confirmed by that time. UC personal insight questions should also be available to draft by the summer as well. Students should wait until later in the summer and fall to draft their responses to college-specific supplemental essays, which often aren’t released until August.

Early Decision is a binding agreement to attend the college if accepted. Students should only apply via Early Decision if they’re sure the college is their number one choice, and if they will be able to afford the college regardless of what the financial aid package may look like. Early Action is non-binding and also allows students to get an earlier decision on their application. There’s no significant downside to applying Early Action, unless the student won’t have time to put together a great application or they’re trying to strategically hold some applications until fall grades are available.

Early Decision (ED) is a binding agreement to attend that college if they accept you. Students can only apply to one college Early Decision. Early Decision is less flexible, but some colleges accept ED applicants at a higher rate, so an ED application can make strategic sense. Early Action (EA) is non-binding but still allows students to get an earlier application decision.

There are other variations on ED and EA, like Restrictive Early Action (REA) and Early Decision I and II timelines, so students should research early application policies at each college they’re interested in.

Finding the best school for you involves considering several factors. Begin by identifying strong academic programs that align with your interests. Consider the location. What setting do you prefer: city, suburb, or rural? Ask yourself how important it is to be close to home.

Reflect on the size of the college. Learn more about the school’s culture. College is about more than the classes; it’s about having a social atmosphere and extracurricular opportunities that appeal to you. Financial aspects, including tuition, financial aid, and scholarships, may also play a significant role in your decision. Visiting campuses can provide invaluable insight, helping you gauge whether a particular school is a good fit.

You can find information about colleges in many places. Start with the official websites of the colleges and universities that interest you, and click through department pages. Also, look at colleges’ social media posts, and use resources like College Board’s BigFuture, which offers comprehensive details on various colleges, or Niche, which provides reviews and rankings based on student feedback.

U.S. News & World Report is another excellent resource, known for its annual college rankings and detailed profiles. Your high school counselor or a private AJ Tutoring college counselor can also provide information and personal insights.

We recommend several college handbooks and guides. The Fiske Guide to Colleges and The Princeton Review’s Complete Book of Colleges are great places to start. The College Board’s College Handbook is also reliable, offering information on admission requirements, costs, and more. We also recommend the K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences. It is a great resource for finding colleges with supportive programs for neurodiverse students and students with learning differences.

To find upcoming college fairs, check with your high school counselor or visit the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) website for a schedule. Many fairs now offer virtual options, making them more accessible.

A variety of prestigious schools have accepted recent students from AJ Tutoring, including:

University of California Berkeley

University of California Davis

Boston University

Stanford University

Harvard University

The University of Southern California

Santa Clara University, and

CSU campuses and private colleges across the country.

You should try to ask teachers who know you well and can speak to your academic abilities and character. Ideally, you’d ask teachers from your junior year of high school in core academic subjects. Your school counselor will also comprehensively view your high school career and personal growth. In some cases, you might also consider asking a coach, employer, or club advisor who is familiar with your strengths and achievements.

During a college interview, you may be asked personal questions about your background, interests, and goals, and academic questions about your favorite subjects, teachers, and academic challenges. Be prepared to answer college-specific questions about why you are interested in that particular institution. Your interviewer will also likely offer you an opportunity to ask questions; your questions should demonstrate your interest in learning more about the school.

College admissions officers look for authenticity, character, personal growth, and insight into how you’d contribute to campus culture in application essays. Clarity, structure, and depth are important. This is your chance to tell a cohesive story and to showcase how your experiences have shaped who you are and your interest in the school.

We highly recommend taking a tour and leaving some time to explore independently. If you know someone from your high school who attends the college, consider contacting them. Pay attention to academic facilities such as classrooms, libraries, and labs during campus visits. Check out the housing and dining options, investigate student life by looking into clubs and organizations, and explore support services like academic advising and career services. Additionally, consider the surrounding area to see what the local community offers.

Missing deadlines: be vigilant about deadlines and ensure all sections of your application are complete. Plan on submitting your application at least a week before the deadline.

Not tailoring your essay and application to the college to which you’re applying: you should tailor each supplemental essay to the specific college and proofread all materials thoroughly to avoid grammatical errors.

Lack of focus: make sure your application tells a cohesive story about who you are, and avoid appearing unfocused.

Admissions officers value depth over breadth in extracurricular activities. Focus on a few activities you are actually interested in over many different activities. Demonstrate leadership roles and personal initiative, and show a long-term commitment to your activities. Use activities to tell a story — highlight the impact your involvement has had on you and the community.