Collegewise

Good luck to everyone taking the SAT tomorrow! You’ve studied, practiced, and prepared. Now it’s time to trust yourself and do your best. You’ve got this! ✨

What actually makes a college application stand out? 📁

Join Collegewise for a free webinar to walk through real examples of successful Common App and UC applications. We’ll show what works, what doesn’t, and how students can make stronger choices before application season begins.

You’ll learn how to:
• Understand the key differences between the Common App and UC application
• Present your student’s activities, awards, and recommendations with more impact
• Choose essay topics that feel authentic and strategic

📅 Tuesday, June 9
⏰ 4 PM PT | 7 PM ET

🎟 Register now through the link in the comments!

Is UC Irvine on your teen’s college list?

With more than 124,000 first-year applications last year, UC Irvine is one of the more selective campuses in the UC system. But the overall acceptance rate does not tell the full story.

The latest data shows:
🏠 22% acceptance rate for California residents
✈️ 44.5% acceptance rate for out-of-state applicants
🎓 29% overall acceptance rate

Why is there such a large difference? And does applying from out of state actually make admission easier?

Our latest blog takes a closer look at the numbers and explains what families should know about GPA expectations, major selection, PIQs, transfer admissions, and the factors that may shape a student’s chances.

👉 Read the full blog here:

https://collegewise.com/blog/uc-irvine-acceptance-rate?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a2177bd4d07bed0b62a4389

Not sure how to help your teen get started on college essays? Begin here. ✍️

Join Collegewise Founder and Chief Education Officer, Kevin McMullin, for a free webinar designed for parents of rising 11th and 12th graders. Kevin will share what admissions readers are really looking for, how successful essays take shape, and how students can write with authenticity.

You’ll learn:
• How college essays differ from traditional school writing
• What makes a personal statement stand out
• The pros and cons of using AI tools in the writing process

🎁 Bonus: Attend live and receive a free copy of our Writing the Best College Essays guide.

📅 Monday, June 8
⏰ 4 PM PT | 7 PM ET

🎟 Register now through the link in the comments!

📊 Join us for two free webinars designed to help families make smarter and more strategic college admissions decisions. From uncovering hidden admissions clues in college data to understanding the key differences between US and UK universities, these sessions will give families practical guidance for building a stronger college plan.

🎯 We’ll cover:

💡 How to use the Common Data Set to compare colleges and find admissions insights
💡 What admission data can reveal about selectivity, priorities, and student fit
💡 The key differences between the US and UK admissions systems
💡 How families can make strategic application decisions for each pathway

🔗 Reserve your spot through the link in the comments!

🎓 Chapman University has announced several updates to its first-year application for the Fall 2027 cycle. The changes include:

• Students will no longer need to manually enter Courses & Grades in the application. Instead, Chapman will rely on official transcripts, removing a time-consuming step that many students and counselors have long found redundant.
• The addition of an Early Decision II option with a January 15 deadline, which provides another binding early-admission option.
• The introduction of ACT superscoring and the continuation of test-optional. For students who do submit scores, Chapman will make self-reporting easier through a form in the applicant portal rather than requiring a screenshot or PDF of the score report.

Counselors in our network called out the significance of these updates, especially the move toward a “leaner, more purposeful application.” During a senior year that is already busy and stressful, changes that reduce unnecessary friction can make a real difference.

Overall, this is a student-friendly update: fewer redundant tasks, more flexibility, and a clearer path through the application process.

School’s almost out… and your teen’s summer plans might still be a work in progress. ☀️

The good news? Summer doesn’t have to be packed with expensive programs or resume-perfect activities to be meaningful for college admissions.

It can be a part-time job. A volunteer role. A class. A personal project. A chance to explore what your teen actually enjoys.

Download our free Summer Planning Guide that helps families find smart, flexible ways to make the most of the months ahead. Inside, you’ll find:

🔎 How to start researching summer activities
🎓 Program ideas by interest area
💼 Tips for finding part-time jobs
🌱 Ways to build extracurriculars with purpose

Download the free guide here:

https://go.collegewise.com/summer-planning-guide-2026?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a184f1456c7fc7564aecdbc

Counselor Spotlight: Meet Ian Parker! 👋

Too many students build college applications that leave them looking and sounding like everyone else. Ian helps them do the opposite. With a teacher’s heart, a counselor’s care, and a knack for finding what makes each student’s story stand out, Ian brings a partnership of authenticity and positivity to the college process.

Swipe through to learn about Ian’s journey from teaching and tutoring to college counseling, the impact he’s had on students and fellow counselors alike, and what he loves to do outside of Collegewise.

👉 Ready to start your college journey with an expert like Ian? Click the link below to learn more about our counselors!



https://shorturl.at/Oj0AS?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a170cf2ebb66d26423a5baa

Next week, we’re hosting two exclusive webinars for parents to help you support your teen with more confidence, whether they’re navigating the Common App or wondering how to stand out to colleges beyond their GPA.

Join us to learn practical strategies on how to:

🎓 Help your teen highlight their strengths beyond academics
🤝 Support your student without adding extra pressure
📝 Avoid common mistakes on the Common App
🔎 Identify college options that truly fit their goals

Reserve your spot through the link below:


https://collegewise.com/seminars?utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=sked_6a10cd8802972c68b5bbafd6