Applying to College
How to build a perfect college list
By Paige Feldman, College Inside Track Creating a college list can feel overwhelming. With over 2,500 four-year institutions in the U.S., the competition is fierce —top colleges are attracting more applicants each year, driving acceptance rates even lower. So, how do you craft a college list that’s perfectly balanced: not too vast, not…
Read More8 things to consider for prospective college athletes
Having a student as a prospective college athlete is an exciting opportunity that also expands what you need to consider when finding the right college fit. College Inside Track’s Cozy Wittman, whose daughter played college athletics, shares important things to consider: Always keep eyes on the major and the educational piece It can…
Read MoreCollege application trends
At College Inside Track, we regularly track emerging college application trends, and there are a few that we believe all students and their families should consider when compiling their final college list. Test Optional Fact: Test Optional policies continue to be in flux. Some schools are truly test optional; some are test…
Read MoreDoes a College’s Acceptance Rate Matter?
Students and parents often fixate on the admission rate for a college as an indicator of the school’s education quality. But does the admission rate really matter? Over the past decade, the college admission process has evolved into a multifaceted and often perplexing journey. Families often seek a shortcut to identify a college or university…
Read MoreNew ACT changes
Following the lead of the recent SAT changes, ACT announced new changes going into effect starting in April 2025. The changes will first only apply to national online test dates in April 2025, then will be rolled out to hard copy tests in September 2025, and finally school-day tests in Spring 2026. Here’s a…
Read MoreCollege is not a costume party
Heading into application season, we liked the following advice from MIT admissions: “Some students feel so much pressure to get into the “right” college that they want to make sure they do everything right—down to their extracurricular activities. Fortunately, the only right answer is to do what’s right for you—not what you think is…
Read MoreHigh Point Looks to the Future
By CIT Consultant Lessa Scherrer “The “great disruption” in skills is underway. According to BCG and Emsi Burning Glass, over one-third of the top 20 skills in job postings for the average job has changed since 2016. … while technical skills remain highly valued, the top five most sought-after skills that employers are seeking today…
Read MoreList Building for LGBTQ+ Students: Living-Learning Communities, with CIT Consultant Stephanie George
To create an especially comfortable, safe, and hospitable environment for LGBTQ+ students, some colleges have created LGBTQ+ living-learning communities. I’ve written about the strong beneficial qualities of living-learning communities (LLCs) in other posts, but here I want to offer five great LGBTQ+ examples that offer particularly inclusive, gender-neutral environments with compelling academic and social opportunities. …
Read MoreMajor changes to the college process in 2024
This past year has resulted in some of the most significant changes to the college planning process in decades. Admission trends have changed how colleges admit students, there are substantial changes to the FAFSA and college financial aid that may make college more expensive for middle class and affluent families, but also provide attractive…
Read MoreWhat is ABET accreditation and does it matter?
Written by CIT Consultant Marit Lunstad I’m thinking about declaring engineering as my college major. . What is ABET accreditation, and why do I care? To what extent should accreditation factor into my decision making, as I construct my college list? Let’s begin with the question of what accreditation is. Accreditation is, essentially, a seal…
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