College Admissions & Essay Guides

What We Learned at the UC Counselor Conference: First-Year Admissions and Majors

UC Conference Updates 2026, what it means for families, UC Admissions Insight

All About The Why Major Essay

How to construct a why major essay, and the different types you may come across

What Actually Happens When a UC Reader Opens Your Application

How do UC Readers evaluate a UC application from start to finish

Freshman and Sophomore Year: Why Getting Involved Now Actually Matters

What to do as a freshman and sophomore

How to Start a Common App Essay Without Sounding Cliché

Want to know how to write your common app without sounding cliche? Let our counselors at Wavescholar give you some insight as to how to set your essay up to sound meaningful and unique.

Do You Need a College Counselor? (And What to Do If You Can't Afford One)

Do you really need help to apply to college?

Test-Required vs. Test-Blind: What Every Family Needs to Know for 2026-27

All about test scores, when to send, when to not, and when you have no choice!

Does Your Major Affect Your Odds? Admit-by-Major vs. Admit-by-College, Explained

Does your major impact your chances?

Your Kid Is Already Using AI On Their College Apps. Here's Why That's Not the Problem You Think It Is.

The ethical usage of AI on college applications!

UC PIQs, Explained: How to Actually Write These Things

How to write UC PIQ's!

Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware Admissions: What It Actually Means for Your Family

Need Blind vs. Need Aware what you as a parent need to know!

All About The Personal Statement

EA, Rolling, REA, ED1 or ED2 How To Actually Choose

How to choose a deadline for college admissions