Learn how to write your extracurricular activities so they show your hard work. There are tips and tricks to writing this section, give it the time it deserves to tell colleges about all your passions and interests.

There are many different types of application deadlines: early decision, early action, regular decision, and rolling. Determining the best deadline for you means considering all the application requirements including creative supplements, as well as your financial aid requirements as different deadlines have different implications for aid.

We all hate bragging about ourselves, but sometimes you have to do it. Here are four great tips for writing a brag sheet and getting strong counselor recommendations, and ideas for your personal statement! A win-win for you!

Visual arts portfolios are often judged based on: concept, use of color, craftsmanship, composition/design, and observational drawing. Each college has their specific requirements for portfolios based on these characteristics.

There are good reasons to set up a college specific email to allow you to read important emails related to your applications, however, you have to remember to check it. If you don’t want to manage two separate emails then you might be better sticking with just one.

The Common Data Set provides an array of important information about colleges including acceptance data, graduation statistics, and financial aid information. It is a must have piece of your college research. Read this blog to learn more about it and how to find it for each school.

FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is your gateway for receiving aid from college as well as being able to apply for Federal loans. This blog also acquaints you with other financial aid terms you need to understand to determine the cost of the colleges to which you are applying.

The supplemental prompts on college applications can be as important as the personal statement and other materials. Spend the time to write responses that show colleges who you are and that you support their values.

RISD looks for students with exceptional technical skills and those that show successful risk taking. RISD loves curious students, you need to show that thirst to understand and problem solve in your portfolio. Your application is more than your artwork and we suggest you pay very close attention to the sequence in which you present your art, the descriptions which accompany each piece, and your personal statement in the Common Application.

What are your experiences? What are your hopes and dreams? Who is your treasured community? What makes you come alive? Start answering these questions and you’ll be brainstorming your college essay.

Submitting test scores is a nuanced decision, depending on where your scores fall with respect to other applicants at a college. There is no right answer, but we give you some thoughts and data from the last few years to help your decision.

Have fun over the summer, but squeeze in time to do some of these college application tasks and your fall will be less stressful, and you’ll feel so accomplished!

6 Tips to learn how to use your social media to your advantage both to research schools and to let them know you care about them.

A key part of your college application is your recommendations. This year probably more than before, those recommendations will be an integral way a college will learn about how you will contribute to their academic and social environment.

You want to research the academics, and also the culture and physical aspects of the college. These are all the pieces to making your four years successful and a good ROI.

Learn how to select schools who award merit aid and how to craft your applications to receive this great aid.

Are you hoping to apply to film school? There are some great programs at USC School of Cinematic Arts, Chapman Dodge College, Emerson College, and UCLA. There are also programs at traditional art conservatories such as Rhode Island School of Design, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Pratt. Starting early in high school is key to being prepared to submit great applications.

Admissions reads everything, what can you add to your academics and activities so they learn about the whole you?

It’s hard to know when a college list is complete. Your neighbor tells you about her nephew’s college and it sounds amazing, and you start to wonder, do the colleges on my student’s list have the interesting majors, great facilities, career focused internships, social life, and financial aid packages we’re looking for? When is your list complete?

Your portfolio might be the most important part of your BFA college application. Here are some tips for how to create your portfolio so you highlight your personal artistic narrative and stand out from other applicants.