🔎 FINDING SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS
Embedded Files
Seniors, RSVP for FAFSA Night!
TOP SEARCH PLATFORMS: 4- & 2-YR COLLEGE
TOP SEARCH PLATFORMS: 4- & 2-YR COLLEGE
Appily: Comprehensive college, career, and financial aid planning
Big Future: Comprehensive college, career, and financial aid planning
CollegeVine: Comprehensive college, career, and financial aid planning
College Scorecard: Helps you compare colleges based on key data, like alumni salaries and much more
Overgrad: Platform for organizing postsecondary process; available to BRYC Fellows and advisees
PSEO Explorer: Find earnings outcomes for any Louisiana public colleges based on major / academic program
Washington Monthly 2025 College Guide and Rankings: Rankings of schools based on what they do for the country
TOP SEARCH PLATFORMS: NON-COLLEGE PROGRAMS
TOP SEARCH PLATFORMS: NON-COLLEGE PROGRAMS
Animation Mentor: Online training and mentorship to launch a successful career in digital arts and animation
Build Your Future: Powerful platform for accessing careers in construction
CollegeVine: Comprehensive college, career, and financial aid planning
Louisiana Apprenticeships: List of active apprenticeship programs in Louisiana
PropelAmerica: Tuition-free training for healthcare careers
Overgrad: Platform for organizing postsecondary process; available to BRYC Fellows and advisees
SkillUp: Louisiana Programs: Database of highest-quality short-term (<1 year) workforce training programs in Greater BR
Workforce Almanac: comprehensive, open-source directory of short-term training providers across the United States
TOP CAREER PLANNING PLATFORMS
TOP CAREER PLANNING PLATFORMS
Career Village: Nonprofit that helps high school students get career advice from real-world, well-established professionals
Class Central: Huge database of online courses targeting specific skills to launch a career in your field of interest
Climb Hire: Helps students launch careers by building their technical skills and professional network
Goldi: AI-driven career coaching
Louisiana Star Jobs: Helps you find high-wage, high-demand jobs in Louisiana, many requiring no college degree
Louisiana Workforce Commission Career Clusters Dashboard: See which careers are high-wage, high-demand in Louisiana
My Life, My Way: Another platform to help you find careers in Louisiana
ONET: Comprehensive help with career assessments and discovery
SkillUp AI: Nonprofit that provides AI-driven career coaching
Reach University: For students interested in pursuing an apprenticeship degree (college degree plus workforce training)
NON-COLLEGE PROGRAMS FOR TECH CAREERS
NON-COLLEGE PROGRAMS FOR TECH CAREERS
CompTIA: Helps you launch a career in technology without a college degree
General Assembly: Program that helps you prepare for a career in technology
IBM Skills Build: Free courses and credentials, delivered by technology giant IBM
Merit America: Program that helps you prepare for a career in technology
Optimum Career Path: Helps you launch a career in healthcare IT
Per Scholars: Program that helps you prepare for a career in technology
RESEARCH RESOURCES
RESEARCH RESOURCES
Post-High School Menu: What can you do after high school? Will it lead to a return on investment?
Postsecondary Research Worksheet: Make a copy of this worksheet. Use it to record notes from your research.
✅ APPLICATION SUPPORT
COMPLETING THE COMMON APPLICATION
COMPLETING THE COMMON APPLICATION
Overview
The Common Application (commonapp.org) is accepted by more than 1,100 colleges.
How-To Videos: Section by Section
Activities Section
Writing / Additional Information Section
For more help on these sections, see the "Writing Support" section of this website
Additional Resources
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Overview
Many colleges require you to secure one or more recommendation letters from teachers in order to apply.
How-To Resources
FAQs: Requesting Recommendation Letters and Counselor Materials
Video: How to Request Rec Letters and Counselor Materials on Common App
Written Guide: How to Request Rec Letters and Counselor Materials on Common App
Email Templates for Requesting Rec Letters and Counselor Materials
Recommender/Counselor Info Worksheet: Helps you think through which teachers, coaches, mentors, etc. to ask.
Additional Resources from The Common App
Rec Letter Guide for Teachers and Counselors: Gives recommenders tips for a stronger letter
Writing Effective Letters of Recommendation: Gives recommenders tips for a stronger letter
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONS
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONS
Overview
Many colleges and programs require you to explain your involvement in extracurricular activities. Having a sharp extracurricular résumé makes this process faster. You can also share your résumé with recommenders to help them writing better letters.
Step 1: Long-Form Résumé
BRYC Résumé Template: Make a copy of this template for yourself. Fill it out, adding all relevant information about activities you have done throughout high school, including school clubs/sports, after-school activities, jobs, etc.
Run your activity descriptions through ChatGPT or another AI tool to sharpen them up. Copy the sharpened writing into the résumé template, and clean up the document.
Now you have a long-form résumé to send to recommenders. You also have your outline for what you will put on college applications.
Step 2: Activity Descriptions
Many college applications require you to list and describe all the activities you participated in during high school.
You already did this on your long-form résumé from Step 1. Now, use AI to shorten your responses to the required character count. For example, the Common App only allows 150 characters for each activity description.
Resources
Videos
Activity Description Examples
FLY-IN PROGRAMS
FLY-IN PROGRAMS
What is a fly-in program?
A fly-in is when a college “flies you in.” They cover all expenses for you to visit their school, including lodging and food. It is like a mini college tour.
What do I do while I’m there?
The school plans these weekends just for students like you. They put together a special itinerary (example) where you get to experience the school and meet current students.
Why would I do this?
A fly-in lets you experience a school firsthand and get a taste of college life. Also, if admitted to the fly-in, your chances of admission to the school increase dramatically.
What if I feel uncomfortable traveling alone?
That would be understandable. For many students, this might be their first time flying alone or flying at all. BRYC is here to help you understand your itinerary and navigate air travel.
Have other BRYC students been on fly-in programs?
Yes! Dozens of BRYC Alumni have taken advantage of fly-ins in the past, and we would be happy to connect you with them to learn more about their experience.
How can I learn more?
Check out this list of fly-in opportunities! Talk to your BRYC counselor/advisor for support.
✍️ WRITING SUPPORT
COMMON APP PERSONAL ESSAY (CAPE) EXAMPLES
COMMON APP PERSONAL ESSAY (CAPE) EXAMPLES
NOTE: All essays are provided with student consent.
Overview
The Common Application Personal Essay (CAPE) is an approximately 650-word essay in response to one of six prompt options (plus one open-ended one). Those prompts are below with corresponding exemplary essays.
Example Essays – Prompt #1: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Example Essays – Prompt #2: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Exemplary Essays – Prompt #5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Exemplary Essays – Prompt #6: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Exemplary Essays – Prompt #7: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY EXAMPLES
SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY EXAMPLES
Gates Scholarship
Jackie Robinson
Torch Scholarship
Local Scholarships
SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY EXAMPLES
SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY EXAMPLES
Overview
Some schools require that students write extra essays that are specific to that school. These are called supplemental essays, and while they vary greatly from school to school, below are some of the more commonly-asked supplemental essay questions.
One Activity: Briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences.
Why Us?: Why do you want to attend this school?
Design a Class/a Major
Tell Us About Your Major
Diversity-in-Community Essay
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SECTION
💰 FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
COLLEGE AID PRO: ALL-IN-ONE FINANCIAL AID PLATFORM
COLLEGE AID PRO: ALL-IN-ONE FINANCIAL AID PLATFORM
Q. What is College Aid Pro (CAP)?
CAP is a financial aid tool that helps students and families plan college costs, analyze aid offers, and find scholarships.
Q. Who has free access?
BRYC Fellows and Advising students can access a free premium MyCAP account as part of their work with BRYC.
Q. How do I set up an account / log in?
Request access by completing this form.
Q. What else does CAP offer?
Once students set up an account, they will have access to monthly webinars, drop-in office hours, and other resources delivered by some of the top financial aid experts in the nation. For example, check out this step-by-step FAFSA walkthrough video.
FINANCIAL AID 101
FINANCIAL AID 101
FAFSA
FAFSA
SCHOLARSHIPS 101
SCHOLARSHIPS 101
TOP SCHOLARSHIP PLATFORMS
TOP SCHOLARSHIP PLATFORMS
College Aid Pro: (email your BRYC counselor/advisor about setting up a free account)
Overgrad (accessible by BRYC Fellows and BRYC Advising students)
Chafee Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Program (for students who have been in foster care)
Murry Family Education Encouragement Award (for Baton Rouge Magnet High School Students)
BRYC-EXCLUSIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
BRYC-EXCLUSIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
Health Fellows: $5,000, one-time scholarship for students pursuing careers in healthcare
Jones Walker Pre-Law Scholarship: $2,500, one-time scholarship for student pursuing careers related to the legal field
Tammie Phillips: Excellence in Business Scholarship: $2,000, one-time scholarship for students pursuing careers in business
🍎 ACADEMIC SUPPORT
ACADEMIC RESOURCES
ACADEMIC RESOURCES
1:1 Tutoring: BRYC Fellows have access to free tutoring in every academic subject. Make an appointment today.
TheaAI: Thea is an incredible AI tool through which students can turn any course material into study kits. It's currently free.
📱 PLATFORMS AND APPS
Overgrad
Overgrad
Q. What is Overgrad?
A. Overgrad is the platform all Senior Fellows at BRYC will use weekly to organize their post-high school planning process. Overgrad offers searchable college, apprenticeships, and other career pathways, as well as a scholarship database, financial aid tracker, and personalized insights to help you make informed decisions.
Q. How will Fellows use it?
A. Each Fellow has an Overgrad account they will use weekly to keep track of their progress. Fellows can add applications and update statuses; compare financial aid award letters; and much more. In Overgrad, each semester is organized into major "Milestones," which Fellows fulfill by completing tasks assigned by their counselor.
Q. How do I set up an account / log in?
A. BRYC will walk Fellows through this process during Senior Startup. Once the account is activated, Fellows can log in anytime.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. Overgrad is free for BRYC Fellows and Advising students.
Thea
Thea
Q. What is Thea?
A. Thea is designed to help students master any subject with ease. Powered by AI, Thea adapts to individual learning needs, offering personalized study paths and resources for everything from math and science to history and literature.
Q. How will Fellows use it?
A. BRYC encourages all Fellows to "study smarter" by using Thea as a go-to study tool. Beyond the classroom, Thea can also help you prepare for interviews, practice a foreign language, and much more.
Q. How do I set up an account / log in?
A. Create your Thea account today.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. Thea is free for individual users for now.
College Aid Pro (MyCAP)
College Aid Pro (MyCAP)
Q. What is College Aid Pro?
A. College Aid Pro is a financial aid and college planning platform that helps families and students navigate the complexities of college admissions and financing.
Q. How will Fellows use it?
A. Fellows (including advisees) and families are encouraged to use College Aid Pro (aka MyCAP) in addition to Overgrad, but we will not focus on MyCAP during program.
Q. How do I set up an account / log in?
A. First, review the MyCAP Profile Creation Guide, then create your account.
Register for:
Monthly Webinars/Office Hours (free drop-in sessions)
MyCAP Academy (free courses)
Q. How much does it cost?
A. There is no cost for Fellows to use MyCAP.
UWorld
UWorld
Q. What is UWorld?
A. UWorld is the worldwide leader in online learning to prepare for high-stakes exams. BRYC provides UWorld's ACT platform to all juniors and some seniors for the purpose of ACT prep.
Q. How will Fellows use it?
A. Junior Fellows use UWorld in program to practice for the ACT. Seniors can request access to UWorld if they are planning to take the October or December ACT and use it on their own time.
Q. How do I set up an account / log in?
A. Talk with your BRYC counselor about getting set up with UWorld.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. There is no cost for Fellows to use UWorld. However, BRYC pays for each UWorld account, so seniors who request access are expected to demonstrate that they are making full use of it.
Report abuse