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September 24th Webinar at 6:00 pm CDT
Jumpstart Your Fall: Priorities for College-Bound Success
As the school year kicks off, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything your student could be doing to prepare for college. In this timely webinar, our expert counselors will help you focus on what actually matters this fall — from college list strategy and testing timelines to activity planning and major exploration.
We’ll break down the top priorities for each grade level, offer tips for staying organized, and share tools to help your student make meaningful progress without burning out.
Whether your teen is a rising sophomore, junior, or senior, you’ll leave with a clear, stress-reducing plan to guide your family through the busy fall season.
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Activity Planning
The most successful college applicants have engaged in activities that are based on their interests, aptitudes, and motivations. This guide presents our i4 framework and walks you through how your student can optimize their interest, involvement, initiative, and impact to successfully engage during high school and develop into a strong college applicant.
We have a unique approach at ESM Prep College MatchPoint. It all begins and ends with our ultimate goal: for our students to thrive in their selected college.
The college application process can feel overwhelming, no matter how strong the student. But at ESM Prep College MatchPoint, we believe it should be organized, personal, and even fun, and we provide a framework that reduces the stress throughout the journey.
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For students who love the outdoors, sustainability, or agriculture, a college orchard can be much more than a pretty backdrop. Orchards serve as living classrooms, research hubs, and community resources where students study biodiversity, sustainable farming, and food systems in real time. They also connect campuses to their local regions, often donating produce to food banks or selling fruit to support community initiatives. These five U.S. colleges highlight how something as simple as an apple orchard can enrich education and campus life:
For students passionate about global affairs, human rights, and diplomacy, the United Nations can feel like the ultimate classroom. While many schools offer international relations programs, a select few in the United States stand out for their direct connections to the UN. These colleges and universities provide unique access to briefings, internships, and academic programs tied to the UN’s mission, giving undergraduates a front-row seat to international policy in action. Here are 5 U.S. colleges and universities with strong ties to the United Nations:
For some students, food is more than a quick bite between classes—it’s part of the college experience. From iconic local specialties to campus dining programs that emphasize sustainability and creativity, these colleges stand out for offering meals worth remembering. Whether you are drawn to global flavors, farm-to-table dining, or legendary local eats, these campuses give food lovers plenty to savor. Here are 8 colleges for hardcore foodies:
For students passionate about becoming future educators, the best preparation often happens at colleges that take innovation seriously. These schools combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences, interdisciplinary coursework, and strong community partnerships. Beyond the well-known names in teacher education, there are hidden gems across the country offering creative, impactful pathways for students who want to make a difference in schools and communities. Here are 10 hidden gem U.S. colleges and universities with innovative education programs:
Every year on September 10, the world pauses to observe World Suicide Prevention Day . It is an important reminder of the collective responsibility we share in supporting young people who may be struggling with despair, hopelessness, or thoughts of suicide. For adults who work with teenagers—whether as educators, coaches, mentors, or youth leaders—the day carries an added weight. You are often among the first to notice subtle signs that something is wrong. You are also uniquely positioned to offer care, connection, and guidance in a moment that could make a profound difference.
For students dreaming of medical school, the undergraduate experience can be just as important as the MCAT score. Families often assume Ivy League or flagship universities are the only path, but many smaller or lesser-known schools provide outstanding preparation for future doctors. These colleges stand out for their quality advising, research opportunities, access to clinical experiences, and strong medical school acceptance rates. Students at these schools often benefit from smaller class sizes and closer faculty mentorship, making them excellent hidden gems for pre-med success. Here are 10 hidden gem colleges with strong pre-med preparation outside the Ivy League: