Hi, Reader!

Last week, I helped my daughter move into her first post-college apartment.

There were lots of feelings. Pride, mostly (both of us). Some tears (happy and sad). Several trips up and down an elevator with boxes and suitcases that weighed more than anyone expected.

She was so excited, and rightfully so. Watching her step into her next chapter made me think about all the rising seniors right now, standing at the edge of their own adventure that's not too far off.

Often, I hear the college application process get talked about like it's something to survive. But for a lot of students, it’s also something to get genuinely excited about. New cities, new people, new opportunities, new versions of themselves.

That excitement is real. And I want you to embrace it. So this summer is when you start building toward it. And I want to help take some of the stress out of the process!

Common App Updates!

Good news: the Common App isn’t throwing us any curveballs for 2026-27.

The updates are modest this year (compared to last year’s overhaul), which means students can get started now without waiting to see what changes will be made. Create an account if you haven’t. Explore the system. The earlier students are in there, the less overwhelming it feels come August. (Here’s what you can get started on now vs. what you should hold off on filling in until after the refresh on Aug. 1.)

I walked through everything that’s new (and what stayed the same) over on my blog (linked below).

One thing to watch separately: individual school prompts. Some schools are eliminating supplemental essays entirely this cycle. Others are adding Early Action or Early Decision pathways. Neither of these shows up in the Common App announcement — you have to check each school on your list.

Happy Writing!

Julia

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