ICC Blog

Photo illustrating Common App essay tips for writing college essays.

Nine Common App Essay Tips to Get Your Student Writing

The “Common App Essay,” the “Personal Statement,” the “College Essay” – no matter what you call it, the 650-word essay required by most colleges plays a pivotal role in a student’s application. All students can use Common App essay tips. While a student’s transcript remains the most important aspect of a college application, the essay…

This teen represents the college application process.

Help! How Do we Reduce the Stress of the College Application Process?

Many families hire International College Counselors with the sole intention of helping reduce college application process stress and anxiety. Three ICC team members recently attended The Southern Association for College Admission Counseling Conference (SACAC) in Jacksonville, FL, and heard a common theme among college admissions representatives: Students and parents are more stressed out about the…

A photo which illustrates a college advisor South Florida at International College Counselors offering information and tips for filling out the 2024–25 FAFSA.

How FAFSA Changes Will Impact Families in 2024-25

Federal Student Aid (FSA), an office of the U.S. Department of Education, is changing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-25 academic year. The FAFSA determines families’ eligibility for federal grants, work-study, low-interest student loans, and some scholarships. The good news is that the FAFSA itself will be simplified. The application…

A photo of a Stanford campus tour to illustrate tips for college visits.

Important Tips for College Visits

Here are some tips for college visits. While virtual tours and information sessions are available for most universities, no college search is truly complete without an in-person visit; there’s just no substitute for firsthand experience. Most colleges offer tours that include a general admissions information session and a walking tour of the campus. Touring different…