Occidental College and Washington University are introducing Early Action for Fall 2027 applicants, giving students more flexibility in the admissions process. This article breaks down what these changes mean, why colleges are embracing Early Action, and how students can use this new option to their advantage.
Many students assume college admissions are all about grades and test scores, but the reality is much more complex. This article explores the key components of holistic admissions, including extracurricular involvement, personal essays, recommendations, and life experiences, helping students understand how to build an authentic and compelling application.
The senior year of high school is a whirlwind for students applying to college. Between managing applications, writing essays, visiting campuses, and keeping up with academics and extracurriculars, high school seniors often feel like they’re being pulled in many directions at once. As a parent, you can help them navigate this process, ensuring that they have the best senior year possible.
In an age dominated by rapid technological change and specialization, the liberal arts are sometimes dismissed as impractical or outdated. However, they have never been more relevant. Far from being a luxury, a liberal arts education provides an intellectual foundation and the adaptive skills necessary for long-term success — in professional and personal lives.
For many families, paying for college can feel overwhelming, but there is an important tool available to make higher education more affordable. It’s called the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The form is currently used by the Department of Education to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid. Understanding how it works and when to submit it can unlock significant financial aid opportunities.
It’s hard to dispute the fact that artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a concrete force in reshaping real-world systems. This includes the way students apply to college. From streamlining application processes to providing personalized guidance, AI has begun to play a big role in one of the most important transitions in a young person’s life. But like any technology, it brings both opportunities and challenges.
Over the past several decades, universities in the Southern United States have experienced extraordinary growth. Once viewed primarily as regional institutions serving local populations, many are now nationally recognized for their research, rising enrollment, and economic impact. Driven by population growth, competitive tuition costs, and major investments in research infrastructure, Southern universities are reshaping the landscape of higher education in America.
Considering whether to take AP (Advanced Placement) classes is a key concern for many high school students. These rigorous courses allow students to earn college credit and possibly skip some general course requirements in college. AP courses are offered in a variety of subjects — including English, science, social studies, math, computer science, and many foreign languages. The classes cover more than normal high school courses, exploring complex topics and requiring a significant amount of work outside of class — much like college courses.
Campus visits are often a big part of the college search process. Walking across the quad, sitting in on a class, or grabbing lunch in the dining hall gives prospective students insight into what campus life is like. But what if you can’t make the trip? What if distance, cost, scheduling conflicts, or other obligations are inhibiting you from visiting a campus? Don’t worry. This won’t put you at a disadvantage. In fact, with the right approach, you can still gather the information you need to make an informed decision.
This time of year, high school seniors who applied to colleges by early deadlines are receiving admissions notifications. While we are thrilled for those who have already been admitted, we are equally excited for those who await further admissions updates. Whether you're eagerly anticipating responses or considering your next steps, we want to remind you that this part of your journey isn’t over until you accept an offer, and Moxie is here to guide you all the way.
Thanksgiving is a time for expressing gratitude and enjoying the company of family and friends. The holiday is especially important for high school seniors, and should include a mix of rest, reflection, and preparation for what’s to come. It’s the perfect chance to recharge and be productive without feeling overwhelmed.
So you’ve written your Common App Personal Statement. Now you have to crank out more essays? It’s true: supplemental essays are often the hidden workload of the application process. But the good news is that you don’t always have to start from scratch. There are ways to use existing supplemental essays to simplify what can sometimes feel like a daunting task. With careful planning, you can recycle these essays to save time and reduce stress.
Summer is starting to wind down. With the start of the new school year, many high school students feel both excited and overwhelmed. This is especially true for Seniors. College applications, leadership roles, and the final stretch of high school are on the horizon. As students start considering important questions and decisions about their future, one tool that can help bring clarity and direction is a Summer Reflection Scorecard.
The Common App (or Common Application) is a platform used by millions of students each year for college admissions. It was designed to simplify the college application process by allowing students to apply to multiple colleges and universities using a single application. It streamlines the process of applying to college by enabling students to enter personal information, academic history, and extracurricular activities once, and then share that information with participating schools
It’s hard to believe it, but the college application season is upon us. If you haven’t already, you may feel overwhelmed at some point — especially when it comes to writing essays. Writing personal statement, supplemental, and scholarship essays is challenging, and it’s easy for even the most motivated students to hit a wall. Burnout is a real thing — but it’s also manageable. Here's how to recognize it and push through without losing your sanity.
Congratulations! Graduating from high school is a huge milestone, and you’ve made it. One chapter of your life is wrapped up, and you are about to dive into the next. For those planning to start college in the fall, you have numerous opportunities to make the most of your summer. Remember, this isn’t just any summer — it’s your summer.
When applying to colleges, most students tend to focus on grades and standardized test scores. While this is obviously important, admissions officers want to see more than strong GPAs and impressive SAT or ACT scores when evaluating prospective students.
Applying to college is a huge undertaking, with many things to consider—prepping for standardized tests, taking and excelling in the right high school courses, participating in meaningful extracurricular activities, crafting the perfect personal essay, and more. With all of this in mind, it’s easy to overlook another important component that can carry a lot of weight: the recommendation letters.
As the school year winds down, many juniors are setting their sights on college applications. While focusing on grades, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars is certainly important, there is one piece of the college application that can make a huge difference –– especially with the competition to get into schools being so high. That is essays. But just how important are they?
Many people think a college search and decision ends with acceptance into a university. But that’s not necessarily true. What happens when your chosen university has multiple colleges within it? This is the case with most large universities, which are divided into smaller colleges, schools, or departments. Each focuses on specific academic disciplines and opportunities.
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