Author: Roger MARTHAN

How to Describe Family Responsibilities on the Common App: A Guide to Avoiding the “Chores” Trap Let’s get real. College applications are a minefield. You’re expected to write eloquently about your passion for astrophysics while simultaneously juggling a dozen extracurriculars, all while maintaining a GPA that would make Einstein jealous. But amidst the whirlwind of academic achievements and extracurriculars, there’s a often-overlooked aspect that can make your application truly stand out: family responsibilities. Answering the Question: Yes, You Can (and Should) Include Family Responsibilities The short answer is YES, family responsibilities absolutely deserve a spot on your Common App. The…

Read More

The Great Race-Changing Caper: A Guide to Editing Your Race Identity on College Board (and Why You Probably Shouldn’t) So, you’re staring at your College Board account, and you’re wondering, “Can I just, like, change my race here?” Well, let’s just say you’re not the first person to have this thought. Believe me, we’ve all been there, staring at those little dropdown menus, wondering if we can pull a quick switcheroo and become a different ethnicity for the sake of, well, maybe getting into a better college. Hold up! Before you go full-on “identity theft,” let’s have a quick reality…

Read More

The Common App PDF: Your College Application’s Digital Doppelganger (And How to Not Screw It Up) You’ve poured your heart and soul into your Common App, meticulously crafting essays that would make even Shakespeare jealous, and meticulously filling out all those forms that make you feel like a human spreadsheet. Now, you’re ready to hit that “Submit” button, but hold on! Before you unleash your application into the wild world of college admissions, there’s a crucial step you might be missing: the PDF preview. Think of it as a pre-launch check-up for your application – a chance to catch any…

Read More

How to Remove Self-Reported Test Scores From the Common App: A Guide for the Perplexed So, you’re knee-deep in the Common App, meticulously crafting your essays and showcasing your extracurriculars, and then BAM! You realize you’ve self-reported test scores that you’d rather not show to every college. Don’t panic! We’ve all been there. It’s like accidentally sending a text to your mom about how you secretly enjoy watching reality TV – you just want to hit the delete button and pretend it never happened. The Good News: You Can Remove Those Scores The Common App, thankfully, is not a one-way…

Read More

Should I Use the Recommended Password for the Common App? (Spoiler Alert: It’s Complicated) So, you’re applying to college, and the Common App is staring back at you like a judgmental, slightly-too-serious-for-its-own-good high school guidance counselor. You’re clicking through the application, and then BAM! The dreaded password field appears. Your inner monologue starts to sound like a particularly intense episode of “Law & Order: SVU.” “Should I use the recommended password? Will it be strong enough? Will it make me look like a total tech noob? Will hackers laugh at me and steal my identity?” Calm down, future college student.…

Read More

Syncing Your Naviance with Guided Path: A Love Story (Or at Least a Somewhat Less Dramatic Guide) Okay, let’s be honest, “syncing Naviance with Guided Path” doesn’t exactly scream “romantic comedy,” right? More like “navigating the labyrinthine world of college applications with a touch of existential dread.” But fear not, dear reader, because this blog post is here to rescue you from the depths of application-induced despair. We’re going to break down the process of syncing these two platforms and, dare I say, make it fun. The “How” and the “Why” of Naviance and Guided Path Think of Naviance as…

Read More

Does Texas A&M Use Naviance? The Great Transcript Mystery Solved! So, you’re on the cusp of applying to Texas A&M, and you’re wondering if you can just send your transcripts through Naviance, like you’ve done for every other college application under the sun. You’re thinking: “Naviance, my old friend, why would this be any different?” Hold your horses, my friend. The answer to the burning question, “Does Texas A&M use Naviance?” is… drumroll… it’s a bit more complicated than that. Let’s dive into the exciting world of electronic transcripts, where the lines between Naviance, TREx, Parchment, and a whole host…

Read More

Where to Find Supplemental Essays on the Common App: A Guide to Navigating the Labyrinth of College Applications Ah, the Common App. The digital gateway to your dream college, the platform where you pour your heart and soul into showcasing your academic prowess and extracurricular brilliance. But wait, there’s a catch! Remember those supplemental essays? The ones that feel like a secret code only the chosen few know how to crack? Don’t worry, my friend. You’re not alone in this quest for supplemental essay enlightenment. It’s like searching for the Holy Grail, except instead of a cup, you’re hunting for…

Read More

How to Craft a Killer Common App Introduction: A Guide to Winning Over Admissions Officers Ah, the Common App essay. That dreaded beast that lurks in the shadows of every college application, ready to devour your precious free time with its demands for introspection and self-reflection. But fear not, young scholars, for I, your trusty guide, am here to help you conquer this beast – one killer introduction at a time. The Secret Weapon: A Hook That Catches More Than Just Fish You know the saying, “First impressions matter”? Well, in the world of college applications, that saying takes on…

Read More

Does the Common App Only Allow One Entry of ACT Scores? A Deep Dive into College Application Shenanigans Alright, future college students, let’s talk about the Common App. It’s like the Hogwarts Express of college applications – a magical portal that whisks you off to your dream university. But just like any magical journey, it has its quirks and rules. One question that often pops up is: “Does the Common App only allow one entry of ACT scores?” Well, hold onto your wands, because the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. The Short Answer No, the Common App…

Read More