Clair Blog

Practical guidance on college admissions, applications, and essays to help you make informed college decisions.

• How to Stand Out in a College Video Introduction or Recorded Interview — Learn why some schools now require a video component and how you can use this to your advantage.
• University of Michigan Changes Its Admissions Process: What High School Seniors Need to Know — Apply to the University of Michigan? New changes to the application process could affect how your application is considered.
• Does Legacy Still Matter in College Admissions? — Before you build your college strategy around legacy status, find out what your college actually considers.
• 6 Key Takeaways from the 2027 U.S. News College Rankings — The 2027 college rankings just changed the game. Here are 6 things students and parents need to know.
• Tips for Writing Your College Personal Statement (Once You’ve Chosen Your Topic) — You’ve chosen your college essay topic. Now comes the hard part.
• How to Use the Common App Additional Information Section (and When to Leave It Blank)
• Teacher vs. Counselor Recommendation: What's the Difference?
• Yale Is Requiring the SAT or ACT Again: What Applicants Need to Know
• How to Rank Your Common App Activities
• Leadership Is More Than a Title
• How to Build a College List
• Georgetown Joins the Common App. What Does it Mean for Applicants?
• College Myth: Private Universities Are Better Than Public Universities
• Choosing Which College To Apply To Isn’t Always the Whole Story
• Planning Your Early Application Strategy
• Maximize Your Essays
• Less Writing, More Video?
• The Interview Before the Application
• Tips for Recommendation Letters
• Think November 1 is the Early Deadline? Think Again!
• The Counselor Recommendation
• Demonstrated Interest Matters
• How Colleges Screen Applications