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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.

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.

Before You Submit: 7 Last-Minute Essay Mistakes to Catch

Catch last-minute essay mistakes to strengthen your college application. In this article, we’ll show you how to fix 7 sneaky errors before you submit.

CU Boulder vs. Colorado State University [2026 Comparison]

CU Boulder vs. CSU: Compare academics, cost, student life, and career prospects to find your best fit between Colorado’s top universities.

Who You Should Ask for a Letter of Recommendation: A 5-Step Plan

A well-written letter of recommendation from the right person may tip the scales in your favor towards admittance, so consider who will write yours.

Should I Apply To BSMD Programs?

They go by many names. 8-year programs, direct med school, guaranteed medical school, etc. BS/MD programs allow high-achieving high school students committed to a career in medicine to lock down their track towards becoming a doctor. While few in number, many applicants latch onto these programs as an opportunity to streamline their way into medical school.

How Much Do Alumni Interviews Really Matter?

Someone who has some inscrutable amount of control over your future with that college. How much do alumni interviews really matter, after all?

The Pros and Cons to Declaring a Major on Your Application

What does this mean for you? To provide clarity, we'll review the pros and cons to declaring a major on your college application.

Organizing Yourself To Meet College Application Deadlines

There are a lot of dates to remember when you're applying to college, and it can be difficult to keep track of everything. Therefore, organization is key to a successful college application process. There's no need to feel overwhelmed though; with just a little planning and the right tools, you'll be ahead of the curve.

Making the Most of Senior Year

What else can you do, to make sure you're making the most of senior year?

Social Factors in Choosing a College

Less commonly discussed, though, are the social factors in choosing a college. Let's fix that.

A Parent’s Role in the College Application Process

It can be difficult to know how to best help your child. A parent's role in the college application process, while critical, doesn't need to be so black or white.

Should You Start a New Club?

You look at your extracurriculars. "No, it’s not enough," you worry. "Maybe I should start a new club. Environmental Club? Knitting Club?"

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