Estrela Consulting Blog

At first glance, the Activities List seems like a straightforward section of the Common Application; a simple place to list up to 10 extracurricular activities and describe your personal involvement and contributions. In reality, it is one of the unique opportunities for an admissions committee to gain an understanding of who you really are as a person and to see beyond your GPA and test scores. ...

ED, EA, RD…the alphabet soup that describes college application plans can be confusing. Let’s dive into what you need to know about each, and more importantly, how to determine which plans are the right ones for you.

If you’re turning 18 before November 3rd, 2020, this will be the first time that you’re eligible to vote in a presidential election! While voting is an awesome way to make your voice heard, it can be a challenging process, especially during a pandemic. It might seem confusing or difficult to register to vote, to know how to approach voting if you attend school in a different state than you live ...

There is something special about being first. First in space, first place contest winner, first in line at the DMV. Being first is exciting and something to celebrate (cue Kool and the Gang)! Although, there are also times when being first can feel a little intimidating; like an explorer stepping out into the great unknown.

It feels like not a day goes by right now that an announcement isn't made about a college or university becoming "test-optional." Some have announced temporary plans that apply solely to the class of 2021 or even 2022, while others have decided to remove testing requirements indefinitely. However, there is one question that we keep hearing from students and parents: Does "test-optional" really ...