College Admissions Resources

Preparing for the college admission process

High school counselors are tasked with preparing their high school students for the college admission process. We've compiled college admission resources here for you to use in your advising meetings and to share with your students. Check back periodically, as we will continue to add resources. 

Cornell College student speaks with admission counselor

College application essay tips

Writing a college essay for a college application can be daunting. We’ve compiled some college essay tips from two admission professionals who read college essays every year and help determine who to admit to Cornell College.

Get professional college essay tips

College-bound checklist for the high school senior

Three years down. One to go. Get the month-by-month breakdown of what a high school senior should be doing in their final year to prep for college. Learn what they should do in the summer, fall, winter, and spring of their senior year.

Month-by-month senior to-do list

Cornell College student in a classroom
A student meets with a Cornell College admission counselor to discuss the application process.

Tips and tricks for academic success

The transition from high school to college can be daunting, especially if you don’t know what to expect. But don’t worry. We’re here to help. We’ve compiled a small list of tips to keep you on track for success. And, yes, we use these too!

Use these 5 success tips

A Cornell College tour guide leads a group of prospective students around the Mount Vernon, Iowa, campus.

High school juniors' summer bucket list

Before your juniors take off for the summer, help them come up with their own personalized bucket list of important college preparatory activities that they can accomplish (and feel proud of) before they even start their senior year of high school.

Do these 4 things

A student talks to an admission counselor about Cornell College at a college fair.

High school senior countdown

Graduation is around the corner. Big and exciting changes are taking place and maybe your students can't wait to start or maybe they have some anxiety about leaving home for college.

Give your seniors some advice

Cornell students in a biology classroom participate in a lab experiment.

Prep for college-level STEM courses

Do your students dream of careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, computer science, or mathematics? We’ve compiled our top six tips for how your students can be prepared to succeed in STEM courses in college before they even arrive on campus.

Share these STEM prep tips early

A student meets with a Cornell College admission counselor to discuss the application process.

AP testing tips from Cornell professors

Some Cornell College professors score AP exams. Since they read and grade exams, we thought they would be a great resource for providing tips for AP exam test-takers. Here are their top tips:

Share these 4 testing tips

A Cornell College tour guide leads a group of prospective students around the Mount Vernon, Iowa, campus.

Advice on selecting a college major

How do you select a major (or even majors!) when in college? What should you consider? How much flexibility is there to change majors?

Major advice from those in the know

Have students interested in Cornell?

Share these application links with your stuents and let them know that they will automatically be considered for a merit scholarship when they apply.

Chris Ndjungu, Cornell College Class of 2008
"Having a liberal arts education is very important, not just for my career but because of how it enhances your life with being able to hold discussions about social issues, and I’m very grateful for that."
Trang Hoang
Economist for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors
Ph.D. in economics from Vanderbilt University
Washington, D.C.

Still have questions?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our admission team. We’re always available to answer any questions you or your students may have about the Cornell College application process, One Course At A Time, or financial aid options.

Contact the Office of Admission