College applications take a lot of work. You’ve got to fill out the form in addition to writing essays and getting letters of recommendation. You’ve got to manage deadlines and document your activities. Almost everyone is aware of those requirements, but what’s often overlooked—due to either carelessness, hastiness, or laziness—are the little details.

PrepMatters has just released the 2018-2019 edition of its Top Colleges Requirements Chart. Having prepared and presented it for a decade or so, it would be easy to look at it and think it’s the “same old, same old” -- but not so. Although the columns have remained largely the same, it nonetheless bears witness to a number of changes in the college admissions scene. Over the years, the most notable change we’ve seen is in the number of colleges and universities that no longer require standardized testing of any kind as a requirement for admission.

We’re not saying you should be starting your college search right now! In fact, we’re firm believers that high school should be and is more than just pre-college. But there will come a time in the not-too-distant future when you’ll be really wanting some help from that college counselor – and so will pretty much everyone else in your grade.

How to adult: concrete advice for money, mental health, and friendship as high school seniors transition from to college.

How one of America’s bravest voices teaches us to nail the dreaded personal statement

For many, the college application process requires a more expansive application strategy. Many colleges have multiple deadline options, which presents the opportunity to consider the implications of ED, early action (EA), rolling admissions, regular decision, and other deadlines.

Stuck on where to begin writing your college essays? Take a look at some of our favorite supplemental essay prompts and get those creative juices flowing.

The SAT has ANOTHER score for me? How to make sense of the news about a new look at adversity and context in standardized testing.

English teachers often require students to write college essays as a classroom assignments. Consider a

This coming Wednesday, May 1, is National College Decision Day. This is the annual deadline by which almost all college applicants must choose an undergraduate school. Here are a few pointers to remember, now that you’ve likely made your decision about college.