Get Into Your Dream College.
You don't have to figure it out alone. Learn from students who've already been where you want to go, and let them help you get there.
How Do Regular Students Get Into Top Colleges?
Everyone tells you to "just be yourself," but nobody shows you what that actually looks like on paper. What essay got someone into Stanford? What extracurriculars mattered at MIT? What made one application stand out over thousands of others?
The students who got in already have the answers. We got them to share everything: their essays, their stats, their strategy, and what they'd do differently if they could apply again. We call these case studies.
Each case study is a complete application profile: the real essays, the numbers, and an honest look at what they did to stand out.
From Cadet to Cornellian: How Olivia Engineered Her Application Journey
Olivia Jung’s path to Cornell shows how uncertainty, doubt, and even feeling like an outsider can become strengths in the college process. She didn’t know her exact major when she...
Read by 22 students
5.0 rating
acceptances
Sara Mastered Grit and Curiosity to Earn Admission into MIT
For Sara Wilson, swinging on a flying trapeze wasn’t just a hobby—it was a metaphor for her mindset. While most applicants shy away from discussing failure, Sara leaned into...
Read by 54 students
5.0 rating
acceptances
Xander Used Poetry, Existential Curiosity, and a Leap of Faith to Earn Admission into UChicago
Xander’s case study offers a bold example of how creative risk-taking, literary voice, and deep self-reflection can redefine what a college application looks like. His...
Read by 215 students
4.8 rating
acceptances
Sometimes You Need More Than a Case Study
Reading a case study shows you what worked. But sometimes you have questions no essay or stat sheet can answer. What's the campus actually like? How did they choose between schools? What do they wish they had known before applying?
That's why you can message these students directly. We call them Scholars. They've been exactly where you are, and they're ready to help you figure it out. Think of it like having an older sibling at every school on your list.
Meet Our Scholars
Niko
Harvard/2023
Ask me about essays
Ian
Stanford/2024
Ask me about interviews
Xander
UChicago/2024
Ask me about Scholarly
Sara
MIT/2021
Ask me about STEM apps
Niko
Harvard/2023
Ask me about essays
Ian
Stanford/2024
Ask me about interviews
Xander
UChicago/2024
Ask me about Scholarly
Sara
MIT/2021
Ask me about STEM apps
Jude
Stanford/2025
Ask me about athletics
Matthew
Cornell/2026
Ask me about research
Mario
UPenn/2025
Ask me about campus life
Allie
Johns Hopkins/2029
Ask me about pre-med
Jude
Stanford/2025
Ask me about athletics
Matthew
Cornell/2026
Ask me about research
Mario
UPenn/2025
Ask me about campus life
Allie
Johns Hopkins/2029
Ask me about pre-med
Nicolas
Stanford/2029
Ask me about financial aid
Jeanine
Harvard/2020
Ask me about supplements
Margaret
Princeton/2023
Ask me about gap years
Pranith
Northwestern/2029
Ask me about engineering
Nicolas
Stanford/2029
Ask me about financial aid
Jeanine
Harvard/2020
Ask me about supplements
Margaret
Princeton/2023
Ask me about gap years
Pranith
Northwestern/2029
Ask me about engineering
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College Application Help: Your Questions, Answered
Whether you're just starting to think about college or you're deep in application season, here are the questions we hear most.
What are the best college essay examples?
The best examples come from real students who were admitted to top schools. On Scholarly, you can read full college application case studies including the actual essays, stats, and strategies that worked.
Browse case studies →
How do I get into a top college?
Start by understanding what your target school values. Study real applications from admitted students, identify patterns, and build your application around your unique strengths. Scholarly lets you see exactly what worked at specific schools.
Explore schools →
Can I talk to real college students for advice?
Yes. On Scholarly, you can message students (called Scholars) who were admitted to top universities. Ask about their experience, get essay feedback, or learn what campus life is really like.
Meet our scholars →
When should I start preparing for college?
The earlier the better. Students who start exploring in 9th or 10th grade have more time to build meaningful extracurriculars and develop their story. Take our archetype quiz to discover your strengths and stand out in your applications.
Take the quiz →Is Scholarly free?
It's completely free to read case studies and learn how real students approached their college applications. To message scholars directly for personalized advice, scholars set their own rates using rubies (our in-app currency).
Get started →Talk to a Scholar Today
Find a student at your dream school and start a conversation. Real advice from real students. No expensive consultants, no generic tips.
Browse Scholars
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- Every case study with real essays, stats, and strategies
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