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Common College Essay Questions and How to Answer Them

2026-06-24 00:00:00

The college essay is one of the few parts of your application where you get to speak directly to the admissions office. Your GPA and test scores tell them what kind of student you are. The essay tells them who you are.

Most colleges use one of a handful of standard essay prompts. Once you know what they are really asking, you can put your energy into writing a great answer instead.

At My College Companion, we want to see you get into the college of your dreams. Check out My College Companion’s blog for more useful advice about applying to colleges and universities. Then, be sure to visit our scholarship page for useful information about finding and applying for scholarships.

The Common App Personal Statement

The Common App is used by more than 1,000 colleges and universities. It includes seven essay prompts you can choose from, and your response should be between 250 and 650 words. Different universities and applications have different length requirements, so be sure you check that carefully.

How Many Colleges Should You Apply To?

2026-06-12 00:00:00

It’s tough to know how many colleges and universities you should apply to. You don’t want to do too few, but there’s a limit to how many are genuinely useful. Why? Well, for one, it usually costs money to submit each application, and a good application takes a lot of time. If you’re planning to pay for school using scholarships, each school has their own scholarships, and those take time to apply for as well.

There is no universal right answer for how many schools to apply to, but most college counselors suggest applying to somewhere between 8 and 12 schools. That range gives you enough options to be accepted somewhere you are genuinely excited about, without burying yourself in application fees, essays, and deadlines you can’t manage.

Before you start applying to schools, My College Companion can help you develop a strategy for choosing which schools you’ll apply to and why. And when you’re ready, we can help you find scholarships, too.

College Application Roadmap: What You Need to Do and When You Need to Do It

2026-05-27 00:00:00

Applying to college can feel overwhelming. There are applications, essays, recommendation letters, financial aid forms, scholarships, campus visits, and deadlines. With so much to do and keep track of, where do you start? What can you do when it feels like they all need to be handled at the same time?

At My College Companion, we have good news: Applying for college becomes much easier when you break it into steps and start early. Students who get organized and plan ahead are much less likely to miss opportunities or scramble at the last minute. If you are planning to apply to college soon, here is a basic roadmap for what you should be doing and when you should do it.

Junior Year of High School: Start Checking Out Colleges

A lot of students wait until senior year to think seriously about college. But your junior year is actually the best time to start researching schools and figuring out what you actually want from college.

Should You Make Your Social Media Private When You Apply for Colleges?

2026-05-12 00:00:00

When you apply to college, your application tells one version of who you are. You’ll work hard so that your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and essays are all carefully put together to make a strong impression. There’s another version of you that admissions officers can see with a quick search – the one that shows up on your social media profiles and other parts of the internet.

How much do you want an admissions officer to see? Should you make your social media profiles private in your 2026 college applications, or leave them open so anyone can see who you really are? Everybody will have a different answer to this question, but you should at least ask yourself – especially if you’re applying for a competitive academic program or scholarships. My College Companion is here to help you think this through.

Do Colleges Actually Look at Your Social Media?

A survey by Kaplan Test Prep found that nearly 70 percent of college admissions officers believe it’s fair game to look at applicants' social media profiles as part of the review process. For competitive programs and schools where the difference between being accepted and getting waitlisted can come down to very small details, a quick search of your name costs an admissions officer nothing and only takes a couple of minutes.

What Sports Are Easiest to Get College Scholarships For?

2026-04-22 00:00:00

Paying for college is one of the biggest challenges students and families face. Athletic scholarships can be a meaningful way to offset the cost. But not all sports offer the same scholarship opportunities; some are way more competitive than others. If you’re a talented athlete who hopes to go to college on a sports scholarship, learning how the system works can help you make smarter decisions about where to focus your time and energy.

At My College Companion, we want every student to have an affordable, fun, educational experience at college or university. Whatever the future holds in store, we believe you can achieve your dreams – and however we can, we’re here to help.

How Do College Athletic Scholarships Actually Work?

Before diving into specific sports, it helps to understand the basics of how athletic scholarships are structured. The National Collegiate Athletic Association, known as the NCAA, governs most college sports programs and sets rules on how scholarships can be awarded. Schools are divided into Division I, Division II, and Division III, and the rules are different at each level.

5 Ways to Find Student Discounts in College

2026-04-13 00:00:00

College in 2026 is expensive and it feels like costs are always rising. Between tuition, housing, textbooks, and everyday expenses, figuring out how to pay for everything can be a major source of stress.

What many students don’t realize is that being enrolled in college comes with a hidden perk that can save you real money throughout the year: student discounts. In 2026, businesses of all kinds, from software companies to restaurants to streaming services, offer reduced prices specifically for all types of college students. You just have to know where to look and My College Companion is here to help.

Where Do You Find College Student Discounts?

The most common reason students miss out on discounts is that they just don’t ask. Many businesses offer student pricing without advertising it. Here are five practical ways to track down savings while you are in school.

Developing Financial Literacy for the First Time in College

2026-03-20 00:00:00

For a lot of young adults, college is the first time money feels real. You are paying for many different expenses, watching your balance, and making decisions that actually have consequences. Nobody hands you a manual for this and it can be very difficult to figure out on your own.

The cost of college continues to rise, and the gap between students who understand how to manage money and those who do not can have lasting effects long after graduation. The good news is that financial literacy is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned in 2026 with a variety of free resources. Scholarships, internships, jobs, and a strong FAFSA application can also help.

My College Companion is here to give you some ideas for managing your money in college.

When Does it Make Sense to Think About Transferring to Another College or University?

2026-03-10 00:00:00

Transferring colleges is more common than most students realize – up to one in three college students transfer to a different school before finishing their degree. If you have been wondering whether your current school is still the right fit for Fall 2026 semester, you’re not the only one.

The good news is that both traditional and non-traditional students have more transfer options and resources than ever before. The question is knowing when it actually makes sense to make the move. My College Companion shares a few things to think about if you’re considering transferring to another school.

What Are the Most Common Reasons University Students Transfer to a New School?

There is no single right reason to transfer. The single most important question is whether your current school is helping you reach your goals and meet your academic capabilities. Some of the most common reasons students decide to transfer include:

What to Expect at University Orientation

2026-02-23 00:00:00

It’s the end of February, which means university acceptance letters are on their way and orientation is right around the corner. Most students are busy applying for scholarships and FAFSA, and even starting to take a look at student housing options. For a lot of new students in 2026, orientation is the first real taste of college life, and it can feel like a lot is being thrown at you all at once.

The good news is that once you know what to expect from university or college orientation, it is a lot less stressful and a lot more fun. Here is a breakdown of what most university orientations look like and how to make the most of yours.

What Actually Happens During College Orientation?

Orientation is your school's way of helping you go from "admitted student" to "actual college student." It usually runs anywhere from one day to an entire week, depending on your school. Some programs are in person, and some schools now offer a mix of online and in-person sessions.

What Does a College Guidance Counselor Do?

2026-02-09 00:00:00

If you are planning to go to college in fall semester 2026, your high school guidance counselor will be one of your most valuable resources. Many students do not realize how much their guidance counselor can help them navigate the college application process.

Your counselor is not just there to fix your schedule or write a recommendation letter. They have the training and experience that can make your path to college much smoother. They can help you find and apply for scholarships and figure out your FAFSA application. They can help you compare colleges and make tough decisions.

Understanding what your guidance counselor does and knowing the right questions to ask can make a huge difference in your college plans. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, students who meet with their guidance counselors are more likely to enroll in a college and to complete financial aid applications like the FAFSA on time.