College Application Resources
At Marks Education, not only do we help students find “best fit” college picks, but we also specialize in guiding families to make educational choices that are right for them. Over the past two decades, our team has helped thousands of students through the admissions process, drawing on expert experience as admissions readers at elite schools, educators, and counselors.
Our tailored services allow us to meet students where they are, but it also allows us to recognize where they generally struggle the most. That was the motivation behind this college resources page, to provide free student resources to simplify applying to college and answer your most frequently asked questions.
We post a new blog every week relating to relevant college admissions and professional tutoring topics, but if there is something you’d like to see us discuss, please use the form at the bottom of the page to submit it! Our team would love to hear from you and answer what questions we can through our blog.
Getting Started:
With college applications, it can be hard to know where to start. There are lots of moving pieces and a successful, holistic application isn’t built in a day. Check out some of the blogs we’ve written on…
- building your college list,
- drafting your activities list,
- navigating standardized testing requirements,
- writing your essays,
- securing letters of recommendation,
- filling out the Common Application (Common App),
- demonstrating interest,
- & more.
Building a College List
Where you decide to go to college is a decision that should be motivated by your unique goals, but most of all, your social, academic, and professional preferences. It’s common that students choose big name schools or Ivies thinking they have to go there to find a great job or receive an exceptional education, but the truth is that there are hundreds of amazing programs out there to compliment your goal set, you just have to know how to look beyond what’s right in front of you.
List building is an important part of the college application process. We recommend that students develop a list balanced with a combination of safety, target, and reach schools. However, most of all, we hope you build a list where you’d be excited to go to any one of the schools you apply to. While you’ll undoubtedly have favorites, it’s important to have options that interest you.
Check out our resources on college list building and college research!
College Fit Assessment: 20 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing the Right College
Holistic Application Prep
If you’re applying to colleges in the U.S., you’ve probably heard of the term “holistic admissions process” before. Basically, what that means is that colleges are looking at multiple pieces to make a decision on the whole. Admissions readers are looking at your transcript, letters of recommendation, activities list, standardized test scores, essays, and other supporting documents to understand how you spend your time in and out of the classroom.
Colleges that conduct holistic reviews are looking to find out not only what kind of student you’re likely to be on their campus, but also, what kind of roommate, club member, or leader you might be alongside your peers. There are many ways to show them these traits and develop these qualities throughout high school!
Check out some of the blogs we’ve written on how to submit a great holistic application.
Things Your College Counselor Wishes You Knew About The College Application Process
Comprehensive Guide to Filling out the Common Application
Have you ever heard of the Common Application– often referred to as the Common App? The Common App is an online college application platform used by over 900 colleges and universities worldwide. It allows students to apply to multiple schools using one centralized application. It’s meant to save time and streamline the process of applying to multiple colleges.
Despite its convenience, however, the Common App is still quite demanding with the information it requires and therefore can be quite daunting to families or students who have never gone through it before. All of those pieces of a holistic application that we’ve been talking about, (essays, transcripts, test scores, activities list, recommendations, etc.), are all submitted through the Common App, and Rome wasn’t built in a day!
Summer Activities
There can be a lot of pressure surrounding summer activities and finding ways to impress colleges over the summer, but we wanted to take a moment to remind you that as long as you’re doing something that gives you the ability to develop new skills, (no matter how “small”), there is no “wrong” way to spend your summer.
Parents and students tend to think that pricey summer programs at a big fancy school will give them an edge, but in reality, colleges are looking for consistent interest more than flashy names. That’s not to say these programs won’t impress them, just that, what’s most important is that you’re furthering your interests outside of the classroom.
It’s not uncommon for students to forget that furthering their interests and developing new skills outside of the classroom can look many different ways! Check out some of our summer resources to help you learn more about what is available to you out there.
Standardized Testing
With many elite schools returning to requiring test scores, it’s worth considering how testing fits into your college application plans. We tell students that it’s always easier to take the test and decide you don’t want to submit scores, than to make it all the way to senior year, then decide you want to submit scores. However, there are many ways to demonstrate to colleges that you have a solid grasp of foundational concepts, and we’ve written several blogs for you to check out below about just that!
Marks Education’s team of expert tutors offer several levels of support for test prep tutoring. We recognize that every student is different and have experience working with students initially scoring in the top and bottom 1% on both major standardized tests.
What your AP scores mean from a college admissions perspective
How to write a college essay
The essay section of your college application is your chance to shine and showcase who you are beyond grades and test scores. It’s an opportunity to share your story, your interests, and your unique perspective with admissions officers. However, writing a compelling essay can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of the application process, as it allows you to highlight what makes you stand out in a sea of applicants.
Explore our blogs and guides for expert advice on writing essays that reflect your authentic self. We cover everything from how to get started to tips for polishing your essay. Plus, check out our list of personal statement examples from top colleges below to help you get started.
How to Start your College Essay: 5 Tips For Your Personal Statement
College Essay Examples
There is a limit to how useful past “successful” essays can be, since the number one rule of a great college essay is that it speaks uniquely about you and only you. Still, this is a different kind of challenge than the essays you likely have written in high school, and it can help to get a general feel for what seems to work.
Tufts Past Essays by Admitted Students
Johns Hopkins Past Essays by Admitted Students
Purdue University Successful Personal Statements
Connecticut College Essays That Worked
NYU Personal Statement Essay Examples
Hamilton Personal Statement Essays That Worked
Wesleyan Application Essay Examples
St. John’s College Application Essay Examples
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Successful Personal Statement Essays
10 Successful Harvard Application Essays (2023)
Considering College Counseling?
What to Expect from Our Advising Sessions
Our college advising sessions are tailored to meet your unique needs and aspirations. Whether you’re starting your college search, refining your college list, or working on applications, our experienced counselors are here to guide you every step of the way. You can expect:
- Personalized Attention: Our counselors take the time to understand your strengths, interests, and goals to help you identify colleges that are the best fit for you.
- Expert Guidance: We provide insights on every aspect of the application process, from presenting courses and extracurriculars to writing compelling essays and preparing for interviews.
- Strategic Planning: Our team helps you create a timeline and plan for your applications, ensuring that you meet all deadlines and have ample time to produce high-quality work.
What to Expect in a Session with a Marks Education Essay Specialist
What to Expect in College Counseling Sessions at Marks Education as an International Student
Have something you want us to write about?
Results
The Marks Education team is so proud of our students! Each year they reach new heights and we love celebrating their wins together!
What’s especially satisfying about our results pages is the knowledge that the students who will be attending these selective universities are doing so with a sophisticated understanding of “best fit” college admissions. Our team encourages students to find universities that complement their goals, give them the tools to be successful, and are social fits where the student can form lifelong bonds.
