High school is about more than grades and test scores. Activities give students the chance to discover new interests, refine skills, and grow into themselves. They also play a major role in how admissions officers evaluate applicants. When colleges review applications, they read activities alongside transcripts, test scores, essays, and recommendations. The goal is not to see who did the most, but to understand who a student is and what they might bring to a campus community.  Every student will have a different path, and every activity list will look unique. The key is not to try to “game” the system, but to build a record that reflects genuine interests and growth. Let’s take a closer look at how activities are read in admissions and what families should keep in mind as students shape their high school years.

The new year is a time for fresh starts, and what better way to start the year off right than by making some resolutions for yourself as a parent of a teenager applying to college?

Attending the University of Texas is a goal for 9th & 10th graders, particularly those who have family members who attended and who grew up cheering for the Longhorns. The best way to prepare to have a strong UT application is to actually focus on having a great high school experience, academically and extracurricularly. Here are 4 ways to ensure you get the most out of your high school years.

At College MatchPoint, we believe parents are partners in the journey to launching students toward college success. We also understand just how stressful, ambiguous, and nerve-wracking the college planning process can be, for students and parents alike. The college planning and application process is also hard work. To alleviate the element of the unknown for parents, especially if this is your first college application rodeo, read on for 6 tips to support students through the process.

To #BeALonghorn, UT Austin recommends students submit an expanded resume to bolster their application and provide more information for the holistic review process. 

Students are finishing up the school year, and this summer will be a chance to finally get back to a few “normal” activities. We hear students saying they're looking forward to hanging out with friends and getting off the computer. And it makes sense—after almost a year and half of online or hybrid school, students are weary.

In addition to classes hosted by colleges, there are several online platforms that deliver course material for independent learners to work at their own pace. Each platform addresses different niches and levels of expertise. Below we have provided a sampling of courses from five learning platforms -- Coursera, edX, Udemy, Udacity, and Khan Academy -- and have organized them by area of interest. Keep in mind that some courses are school-sponsored, such as courses available from Harvard on edX, while others are not, such as those available on Udemy. You will want to explore each platform to see the breadth of offerings.

For high school students, service hours and volunteering are often seen as a way to give back to their community and make a positive impact. However, many students also see them as a way to boost their college applications. While both service hours and volunteering can demonstrate a student’s commitment to community service, there are essential differences between the two that can impact how they are viewed by college admissions officers.

As summer approaches, many students begin making plans for camps, internships, and enrichment programs. But one of the most impactful and flexible options is often overlooked: the self-directed project. For motivated students, especially those considering highly selective colleges or competitive majors like business, engineering, or computer science, a self-directed project is not just a creative outlet—it’s a strategic move.