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Find the latest college admissions news, tips, resources and more.

Early Admissions Results for Empowerly Students: Class of 2026

Our Class of 2026 celebrates early admission success: 95% acceptance rate, $2M+ in annual scholarship funding, and admissions to top institutions nationwide.

College Admission Headlines: January 2026

What’s the latest in college admission headlines? Get caught up to speed with a skimmable roundup of policy updates, news, and trends in January 2026.

How to Request Additional Letters of Recommendation in January or February

Even after submission, you may need updated supplemental materials for college. Here’s how to request additional letters of recommendation in January.

FAFSA vs. CSS Profile: What’s the Difference?

Confused by college financial aid? Learn the key differences between FAFSA and CSS Profile to maximize your grants, scholarships, and loans.

Weighted vs Unweighted GPA and How Colleges View Them

The discussion of weighted vs. unweighted GPA has risen to the top of many minds. COVID has brought grading schemes under the microscope, once again. 1) in the classroom through letter grades, and 2) through Grade Point Average, or GPA. You're likely familiar the grading from A-F, but colleges are interested in overall performance—”with a quick glance of your unweighted GPA which will fall between 0.0 and 4.0. Colleges could also be interested in a weighted GPA which applies more proportional weight to more difficult classes. However, more and more classes are also offering P and NP. Wondering what that means? Read on for a breakdown of how this plays out today.

What to Expect from a Counseling Session with Empowerly

Sheelah explains what you can expect from a counseling session with Empowerly, and why each element matters so much. We talked to Sheelah Bearfoot, one of our fantastic counselors, to get the scoop.

College Counseling Helping San Mateo Students Get Ahead

Students are still feeling lost facing the college admissions process. Where do the best resources for college counseling in San Mateo come from? Yet with a launchpad as great as this one, students are still feeling lost facing the college admissions process. Cookie-cutter in-school support resources aside, where else do they turn for help?

Pre-Med Opportunities This Summer Staying Safe

Volunteering at the local hospital is a no-go, and research programs at colleges are generally canceled. Pre-med summer options? So what are your options if standard pre-med activities usually involve direct contact with people?

What an Admissions Expert Has to Say About AP Tests

It's AP season, so we talked to one of our wonderful counselors, Jennifer Liepin, about her own advice on AP tests. Read her thoughts below about: why you should take AP classes, how they help with college applications, how to prepare for the test, and what you should do if you don't do well.

Internships vs. Externships

Luckily, a lot of internships and externships have switched over to being remote, decreasing risk of exposure. But what are externships and what makes them different from internships?

How to Get to Know a College Campus from Afar

College tours canceled? Here are some tips to virtually scope out the campuses to finalize your college list from home.

7 Must-Do’s to Ace Virtual Interviews

Should you prepare differently? What's the etiquette like? Where should you sit? Keep reading to find out seven things you must know to ace your virtual first impressions.

My SAT Was Cancelled. What Do I Do Now?

You find yourself faced with the question: to take or not to take? Is it even worth my time and effort if some colleges no longer require it? Can I juggle the work that I need to put in to prepare, as well as the added pressure of studying online? Let's dive in, and answer all those questions and more.

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