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You’ve heard it all - “a well-rounded student;” “you need to have a SPIKE;” “unique talents;” “a passion project” - but what are colleges actually looking for in an application? In this post, we’ll break it down so you can understand how the application works from an admissions perspective. Academics If you've heard that top colleges prioritize academics, you’ve heard right! This is one standard that hasn’t changed much over the years. Research individual colleges for their e

Don’t find yourself in a bind when acceptance letters arrive; give yourself the highest chance of success by applying to a balanced list of colleges. In this blog post, we’ll break down how to identify the best colleges to apply to so that when spring comes around, you’ll be satisfied with wherever you end up. Step 1: Brainstorm a list of must-haves Is location important? Academic offerings? Financial aid? If you want to become a biomedical engineer and apply to colleges with

Most students start preparing for college too late. Learn why it’s best to begin college prep as early as 9th grade and how Persimmon Admissions can help you plan each step. When Do Most Students Start College Prep? Many school counselors recommend students begin preparing for college at the end of their junior year, when it's time to ask teachers for letters of recommendation. However, the ideal time to prepare for college starts much earlier . Ideally, you should be prepari

Confused about which Common App essay prompt to answer? Try the Persimmon Method for picking the perfect prompt and learn the secret question admissions officers are really asking. For the 2025-2026 application season, the Common App has released seven prompts to choose from: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.