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The Bachelor's Corinne Defends Her Topless, Interrupting Behavior on *That* Group Date

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If you watched last night's episode of The Bachelor, you probably have thoughts on Corinne. Not only did she take her top off in a pool photo shoot with Nick, but she also took interrupting the other girls' conversations with the Bachelor to a whole new level. Corinne has clearly placed a target on her back, and it's already having consequences off-camera.

Taking on the haters who flocked to social media to give the bachelorette a piece of their mind, the nanny-loving contestant clapped back at those who didn't approve of her behavior.

Posing with a donut pillow, Corinne captioned her Instagram post, "Haters, I [do not] care. I was confident and I was me. Yes I seemed a bit aggressive in last night's episode but I've been through a lot in my life and I did not want any time wasted." 

She continued, "It takes guts to be in that situation and you will see the inner me unravel quite soon. If I bother you that much please just don't look at my social media and keep the mean comments to yourself. I'm only human. Xoxo."

No matter what your opinion of Corinne is, she certainly doesn't deserved to be slut-shamed for taking off her clothes. While it was a bold move, it was Corinne's choice to make, and it is not America's place to comment on it.


Chris Pine Could've Been Rory's Boyfriend on 'Gilmore Girls'

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In a recent interview with W Magazine, regulation hottie Chris Pine casually revealed that his very first professional audition was for Gilmore Girls. Actually, he referred to it as “The Gilmore Girls,” but we’ll let that one slide.

The 36-year-old shared that his dad helped him land a reading with genius GG casting director, Mara Casey, shortly after he graduated from college. As Pine put it, “Nepotism at its best.”

Though he ultimately didn’t land the role, that doesn’t mean I can’t take the time to fantasize about what could’ve been. Chris can't remember exactly which part he auditioned for, but he believes it was for "a boyfriend." Which means he most definitely would've played one of Rory Gilmore's infamous suitors. But WHICH ONE?

Pine graduated from Cal Berkeley in 2002, and Gilmore Girls premiered in 2000, so his earliest appearance would have been in season three. With Jess and Dean already cast, Chris would've had to be reading for the part of Logan. Or maybe Marty? Oy, how different that role would've been.

Thanks to Pine's terrible memory, we may never know what role he could've played in the Gilmores' lives. But hey, there's still a chance for him to appear in a (merely rumored) second season of A Year in the Life.

6 Things You Need to Know Before Dyeing Your Hair a Crazy Color

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Your hair can reflect a lot about your personality, and if you take notes from celebrities like Katy Perry and Bella Thorne, sometimes that means looking to the rainbow for inspiration. If you’re thinking about straying away from ‘natural’ colors like blonde, black, ginger and brown, you have to be ready to commit. So before you pick up the magenta hair dye or call your local hair salon, make sure you know all of the facts before taking the rainbow hair plunge.  

1. Make sure your new hair color is acceptable for the workplace

You may think getting hot pink highlights is cool and trendy, but your conservative workplace may not agree. Check your employee or intern manual to see if your company has any policies about unnatural hair colors before you get to working on your new color. You may think the new social media startup you just landed an internship with will be cool with a rainbow ‘do, but they might think it’s unprofessional. Even if you find yourself at straight-laced company, get creative with how you can slip some funky tones into your hair!

Sophia Walker, a senior at Bowdoin College, was able to have a little fun without coming off unprofessional. “What I did was to put in some well-placed highlights (I have very dark hair) and then dye my entire head purple with a dye that I could reapply by myself as the need to re-dye arose,” she says.

Slipping in a few colorful pieces of hair may be okay with your boss, but it’s always better to double or triple check when your career and paycheck are at stake. If you don’t see it written down anywhere, ask your manager or someone in the human resources department just to be sure.

2. Getting your dream color may take a while

Rome wasn’t built in a day and your hair isn’t going to go from jet black to pastel purple in one session! Depending on the color of your hair and your hair’s previous exposure to dyes and bleaches, achieving the color you want doesn’t happen right away.

“For example, if you have blonde hair whether it be virgin or highlighted, most crazy colors will take on it,” says Macaria Pabon, a hairstylist at Charise’s Salon in Pittsburgh. “But if you have black hair it would require several lightening processes before you could apply any crazy color. “This can all be determined in a consultation between you and your stylist.”

If you’re trying to stay within a price range when converting your hair to a crazy color, visit your hairstylist and see how many sessions and the possible cost of getting your rainbow ‘do.

3. Bleach may be involved, and it’s not always a good thing

If you have dark hair or even dirty blonde hair, your hair will probably have to get bleached in order to get a vibrant, rich color like bright orange or cobalt blue. But bleach can be harmful to your hair by breaking it or drying it out, so make sure your hair can handle the coloring and bleaching process.

Kristen Tajili, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, says ,“If you do a poor enough job bleaching your hair it can fall out, which happened to me in certain parts of my head after I had to re-bleach some of my dark spots. The second time I bleached it I wanted to go silver but got kind of freaked out from bits of my hair falling out so I was left with orange hair.”

Save yourself the embarrassment and stress and shell out the money for a salon visit. Not only are hairstylists trained in making you look good, but they also are trained in keeping your hair healthy and determining what your hair can take in terms of chemicals.

Pabon says, “Lightening your hair should always be left to a professional. A professional should look over your hair and know your hair color history to determine if your hair is healthy enough to lighten.”

Just remember that your hair is not a science experiment and head to the professionals and get the advice you need so that you don’t have to spend time dodging Snapchat stories because you hate your hair.

Related: 5 Ways to Style Dirty Hair

4. Pick a color that looks good on you

Dyeing your hair any color is hard to reverse, so make sure the color you pick works well with your skin tone and wardrobe. For example, you may want pastel pink hair, but it could wash you out if you’re on the paler side. Likewise, girls with dark brown skin can make their skin tone pop with colors like bright yellow and red, while those with olive toned skin may not find orange and yellow as a good complements to their skin tone, but could totally rock pinks and purples.

“Please think long and hard about it and make sure it fits you,” says Pabon.

A unique hair color can bring change in your life or make you feel more confident. The last thing you want is to do the opposite. If you’re shy and don’t like the spotlight on you, dyeing your hair all of the colors of the rainbow may bring unwanted attention. On the contrary, if you’re someone who loves the attention, choosing which color will get you the most Instagram likes may end up being the ultimate struggle.

5. Find out color maintenance practices that work for you

If you’re spending major bucks on making your hair a rainbow hue, make sure it lasts too!

“Any shampoo I've ever tried causes the color to bleed or run. Conditioner does not. If you can, only wash your hair with shampoo once or twice a week,” says Samantha Burke, a senior at Siena College.

Keeping your hair away from water and shampoos doesn’t mean avoiding a shower altogether. Instead, use a shower cap.

Pabon says, “There are plenty things you can do to at home to get the most out of your color. You can even ask your stylist about a colored conditioner to deposit color on your hair at home with every wash.” Don’t waste your money or your stylist’s hard work by letting your color fade, make sure you can keep your color vibrant!

6. You’ll be a regular at the salon

Deciding that you want to have bright red hair forever is a bold decision, but keeping that color for long periods of time is no joke. Only washing your hair a few times a week and using color-depositing shampoo will keep your color from fading, but when your roots start growing in, you’ll need to make a hair appointment. The same goes for when you’re tired of your rainbow hair and want to go back to au naturale. Avoid the awkward growing out process and call your stylist.

“Expect fading, and expect a line of demarcation,” says Pabon. “Most of all expect a trip to the salon to get your hair back to its natural color if you are just tired of seeing the crazy color.”

Skip the bad hair days and see what your stylist has to say. You don’t have to be stuck with roots or a color you don’t want anymore when there are trained professionals there to give you their expertise. Depending on your color history, you could be visiting the salon every 4-6 weeks. Make sure you talk to your stylist about this before you commit to your new color so you’re not surprised if it starts fading.

If you want to dye your hair all of the colors of the rainbow, make sure your hair can handle it and pick a color (or colors) that will make you feel bold and confident! A bold hair color can turn a new leaf and mark the start of a big change in your life. Take the dive and seek inspiration from your childhood crayons.

15 Signs You're the Broke One of Your Friend Group

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If you're a college student, you know what it's like to be pretty broke. Whether you have a part-time job or are just getting by on what little cash your parents are willing to give you, you've likely had a day or week when you decided to cut your spending. Sometimes it seems like no matter how much you save, you still feel like you have no money. If you're the broke one of your friend group, you'll totally get this. 

1. You have to tell yourself you have no money so you won't spend your savings

2. When your friends want to go out, your first question is "Who's buying?"

 Not it! 

3. You're eating stuff in your pantry that's been there since the last time your parents came to visit and bought you groceries

4. You realize that there isn't anything to do on the internet other than online shop

But you have no money! So you can't buy anything. Yay!

5. You become super savvy at saving every penny

Playing the system. 

6. You love to brag about the deals you get 

They were on sale, so I got 15 of them! 

7. And you'll do anything to get something for free

This includes: switching jackets, doing multiple transactions and coming back to the store after shift change. 

8. You know that "buy more, save more" is a con

"If you spend $200, you get 20 percent off!" Um, I'm still spending $200 though? 

9. You start skimping on the important things

One-ply toilet paper is good, right? 

10. You become a human leech

Your ex's Netflix account. Your parent's Amazon. You'll take a ride from any of your friends no matter where they're going. 

11. All of your "fun" nights are you watching movies at home

Can't go out because you have no money. Can't wander aimlessly around the mall because you have no money. 

12. You refuse to give anyone a ride or drive a mile more than you have to

I'll give you a ride if you pay for the gas, sure. 

13. You start figuring out every way possible to get money 

You can catch me recycling my empty wine bottles, selling old textbooks and cleaning out my closet. 

14. Your most used phrase is "What's the wifi password?" 

As if I'm trying to use my data right now. 

15. You learn how to spice up your closet without shopping

There's a reason I wear all black—so I never have to match anything. 

Dylann Roof Has Been Been Sentenced to Death for Charleston Church Massacre

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Dylann Roof, the white supremacist who killed nine people in a tragic shooting at the historically black Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina in June 2015, has been sentenced to death, according to the New York Times.

The jury of 10 women and two men, who found him guilty of 33 different counts last month, deliberated for only three hours before sentencing him in a unanimous verdict.

22-year-old Roof represented himself throughout the sentencing proceedings, and not only confessed to the killings and called no witnesses, but also denied any question of his mental health. The New York Times also reports that the sentence seemed largely inevitable due to the way Roof frequently insisted that he felt no remorse for the killings.

In a statement, Roof's relatives said they will "always love Dylann" but will "struggle as long as we live to understand why he committed this horrible attack, which caused so much pain to so many good people."

Roof will be the first hate crime defendant ever to be sentenced to death. He will be the 63rd person ever placed on federal death row, and the most recent since Dzhokar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bomber, NBC reports. However, it will likely be years until Roof is actually put to death, due to controversy surrounding the use of lethal injections and possible appeals. Roof also faces a second trial in the state of South Carolina, a date for which as not yet been determined.

Win Rory Gilmore's Dream Getaway!

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Ahh, the Gilmore Girls. We've binge-watched all 7 seasons more times than we care to admit, glued ourselves to the Revival for 6 hours straight, fantasized and agonized over the Gil-boys (Team Jess FTW!) and still... we can't get enough. Pathetic? Hardly. 6 boxes of pop-tarts dissapearing in a single sitting - that's pathetic. This is a beautiful love affair that will keep us hanging on for as long as Netflix streams. And we know you feel the same. That's why we are giving away a Rory Gilmore-inspired weekend getaway to - where else? Yale, of course!

Enter to win the Read & Relax Giveaway and live like our (first? second? third?) favorite Gilmore Girl for the weekend. This trip includes a two-night stay at the Study at Yale, a full year of Literary Boxes from Quarterly.co, $500 in airfare credit courtesy of Riffle Books and LitHub and a copy of First Women by Kate Andersen Brower courtesy of Bookperk

Enter Here To Win!

If you need us, we will be getting cozy and dreaming of this *perfect* Winter getaway.

Here’s What Happened When I Followed My Horoscope for a Week

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I’ve always viewed horoscopes as a fun, tongue-in-cheek way to pass time — never as a way to realistically live my life. I used to read my horoscope every day when I was younger, but I stopped paying attention to it as I got older. I thought it might be fun to start reading them again, so I decided to spend a week living by my horoscope. I was looking to see how accurate my horoscope would be, and how applicable it was to my everyday life. I kept a daily dairy about the specifics of the horoscope, comparing it to what actually happened during my day. I started by doing a little research on my sign.

I was born on July 26, so my star sign is Leo. According to astronomers, a typical Leo is a boisterous, confident, outgoing person who is a natural born leader. Already there were problems with me being able to relate to my horoscope. I would describe myself as a shy introvert who occasionally takes charge, but only if I have to (like in a much-dreaded group project situation). However, there are some traits of Leo I can relate to. According to that website I linked earlier, I get upset if I’m not treated like a queen, which is a sentiment I can agree with. Regardless, I was anxious to see how accurate my horoscopes would be.

Sunday

On Sunday, my horoscope said that I would conquer any hurdles that I had been facing. One thing that I immediately noticed is that horoscopes are very vague; they can mean anything. Sundays are usually the days when I get my homework done or any other tasks that need to get done, so the horoscope applied in that sense. The horoscopes I read during the week also suggested that I wear certain colors to ensure good luck. It suggested that I wear red on Sunday – but I don’t really own anything red, so I assumed the worst. However, my day carried on like normal.

Monday

As for Monday, my horoscope said I would be wanting to hang out with friends, which was true. I had caught up with my old roommates a couple days earlier, but being busy with school can really put a damper on your social life. My horoscope also said that I needed to refrain from spending money for a while, especially since I had recently splurged on some things. While there’s no way the authors of the horoscope could have known about my personal spending habits, I had spent some money on a new coat and a pair of boots. They were right about the spending, but that’s also true for almost every week of the year (I love to shop, what can I say?). The horoscope said that I should wear yellow today, but alas, I do not own anything yellow. My luck was going to be bad this week, apparently. Most of my clothes are black.

Tuesday

For Tuesday, my horoscope said that I would be sorting out some personal issues. I had an appointment with my academic advisor on Tuesday, so that much was true. I also think that every day involves sorting out personal issues of some sort, but I’ll give credit where credit is due. My horoscope suggested that I wear purple today. I’m pretty sure I wore something black, grey, or white today. Oh well.

Wednesday

On Wednesday, I was actually able to wear the color my horoscope suggested – navy. It’s a neutral color, so it wasn’t hard to pick out what to wear. My horoscope also told me that I shouldn’t slack today, and I should really try to get some work done. I, like many college students, tend to procrastinate. I was glad my horoscope whipped me into shape – I did have a lot of work to get done.

Thursday

My horoscope said that I should be focusing on my personal relationships on Thursday, as well as focus on time management. Since I’ve been commuting to campus this semester for the first time, time management has been essential. Ironically, because I’ve been having to manage my time, I haven’t been able to spend a lot of time with friends and family. My horoscope seemed to be conflicting on Thursday. It told me to wear yellow again, so I was once more at an impasse.

Friday

For Friday, my horoscope told me to not sweat the small stuff. That was probably the most obscure horoscope of all, and it could’ve meant anything. It’s good advice nonetheless, especially if you’re a college student. When you’ve got three papers to write and a test to study for, everything else can be put on the back burner. My horoscope told me to wear orange today, which was NOT happening.

Saturday

On Saturday, my horoscope told me to focus on work and to look at the big picture. Since I’m getting closer to graduation, I’ve been focusing on “the big picture” of where my career is going to go after I graduate. It’s still a rather general piece of advice, but I’ll taka it. My horoscope told me to wear white today, which I was able to do since it’s again a neutral color (even if it is after Labor Day).

Sunday

My last horoscope said to focus on things close to home, such as organizing my personal space and amending my daily schedule. It's certainly good advice. Coming full circle, my horoscope told me to wear dark red, but my closet still has mostly black clothes in it, so things are still the same in that regard.

Conclusion

Reading and (trying) to follow my horoscope for a week was a positive experience. It added a little more structure to my day and schedule that I certainly needed. As I suspected, the horoscopes are very vague, and can apply to almost any situation, so you can take their accuracy with a grain of salt. I can’t say I’ll be checking my horoscope every day, but it was nice to have encouraging advice to keep in the back of my mind regardless.

 

Ariana Grande & John Legend Will Have a Duet on the Beauty & the Beast Soundtrack

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The more we learn about the upcoming remake of Disney's Beauty and the Beast the more excited we get about seeing it when it hits theaters this March.

The lastest update? According to E! it looks like Ariana Grande and John Legend will be teaming up for a duet for the movie's soundtrack. On Tuesday, Ariana took to Instagram to announce the duet, posting a picture of herself in the studio (complete with an emoji rose caption) and tagging John Legend. The official Beauty and the Beast account even reposted it - so it has to mean SOMETHING!

 

A photo posted by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on

While the song choice hasn't been revealed yet, if we had to guess, we'd go with the classic "Tale as Old as Time" from the original film. (Perhaps it'll be what plays when the credits roll?) The original version was sung by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson - and if you know anything about Ariana Grande's Celine Dion impersonation capabilities, you know it's going to be good. 

As if we needed one more reason to be even more obsessed with this movie!


President Obama Said Everything We Needed to Hear in His Farewell Address

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Tuesday night, President Obama gave the official final speech of his presidency in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, and as expected, it was an emotional affair.

Throughout the speech the President covered everything from ISIS, to the unrealistic assumption that his presidency would bring about a post-racial America, to immigration, as he rejected discrimination against Muslim-Americans to thunderous applause.

Despite an election season that has been both tumultuous and divisive for much of the country, President Obama's main message was a much-needed one of unity. As part of his final (and perhaps most loudly-cheered) remarks, he encouraged America to come together in the coming months, instead of remaining as divided as it was throughout the election.

"We weaken those ties when we allow our political dialogue to become so corrosive that people of good character are turned off from public service; so course with rancor that Americans with whom we disagree are not just misguided, but somehow malevolent," he said. "We weaken those ties when we define some of us as more American than others."

As if that weren't enough to get us teary-eyed, he also ended the speech with heartfelt thank-you's to Michelle, Malia and Sasha, his staff, and of course Vice President Biden.

"Michelle: for the past 25 years, you've been not only my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend," he said. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and with grit and with style and good humor... You've made me proud. You've made the country proud."

Just before leaving the stage after the powerful, hour-long speech, he gave a final chill-inducing nod to his original campaign, chanting, "Yes we can. Yes we did. Yes we can."

While there has been a mood of uncertainty amongst Americans regarding what the next few years may hold, hopefully the country can take comfort in the President's farewell message of positivity and unity.

Watch the full speech below:

This Brand Makes a Pair of Nude Shoes for Every Skin Tone

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Unfortunately, when it comes to the color, "nude," we still have one specific shade in mind, despite the fact that there are hundreds of skin tones - and shoes and lingerie in "nude," usually cover only a handful of those. Luckily, a shoe brand called Kahmune is looking to change that.

The brand offers both a heeled sandal and a pump style in a range of 10 different "nudes," while most other brands that have attempted to do something similar, like Christian Louboutin, have only stopped at half that number. Each shade of nude is named for a different city, and is displayed on the brand's website with corresponding foundation shades so customers can easily match their perfect pair. (This brand has seriously thought of everything.)

The line was founded by Ghanaian-American Jamela Acheampong, who started it out of necessity after spending hours shopping online to find "nude," clothing and accessories that would actually match her deep skin tone. 

Acheampong told Elle, ""From the beginning, it's been about providing an option for all women," she said. "The idea of diversity, and more importantly, inclusivity, is still a huge problem in the beauty and fashion industries."

Kahmune's sandals and pumps will be available for pre-order starting in February, with the first pairs shipping in March - making a pair an amazing spring investment piece that solves a long-overdue issue in the fashion industry.

8 Things Juniors Should Be Doing Right Now to Get into Their Dream College

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As an aspiring collegiette, getting admitted into the college of your dreams is probably one of the highest priorities (if not the highest) in your life right now. To ensure your best chances at getting into your dream school, you should start early to make your application really stand out.

We’ve reached out to experts and students on college campuses that experienced and conquered the stressful college app season to give you eight easy tips to get you thinking about your dream college. In junior year, you don’t have to start applying yet, but you definitely need to be preparing your academic and extracurricular portfolio.

1. Learn about the college

Figure out why your dream school is your dream school. Even if you think you already know, write it down and validate it with your words. Is it because it’s got an amazing program that’s exactly what you want to do? Or maybe you’re obsessed with the football team? If you understand why you want to go there, you can pinpoint whether it’s really the school for you. Don’t focus on just your dream college, though –– broaden your interests so you have a wide variety of schools to choose from. That way, you can understand whether your dream school is really unique for you or not.

Judi Rubinovitz, certified educational planner and founder of Score At The Top Learning Centers & Schools, encourages pre-collegiettes to start thinking early. “Whatever her dream college is, whether it’s Ivy League or highly selective or moderately competitive, she will need to have already started her academic path and be willing to challenge herself at the appropriate level for that college," Rubinovitz says. "If, at junior year, she says she wants to go to Dartmouth, or Duke, or Georgetown, or Vanderbilt, and hasn’t already laid the foundation academically and extracurricularly, then she needs to dream elsewhere. Junior year is too late. Ninth and tenth grade matter significantly.”

If you’ve only just now decided to try for an Ivy League school as a junior and haven’t been pursuing the rigorous coursework required, it might be wise to look at other options. If you’ve been aiming for your dream college throughout your high school career, you have a much better shot at acceptance. Keep that in mind as you learn about your college.

2. Visit its campus

The best way to experience the atmosphere of a campus is to go there. If it’s far, bug your parents for a summer trip, and if it’s close, visit often to get a feel of what it’s really like. College visits give you a glimpse of both academic and student life, and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to see if your dream college is for you.

Rubinovitz notes that colleges take visits into consideration during the admissions process. “You really need to visit to show demonstrated interest," she says. "Many colleges say how visits play a positive role in admissions.”

Perry, a sophomore at the University of Florida, agrees. “Visiting the campus is definitely a good way to show desire to go to that college, and later in interviews, you can cite your experience when they ask why you want to go there,” Perry says. See? It’s a win-win.

3. Connect with current students

It’s hard to know what living on a college campus is like if you’ve never done it before. Contact people who attend your dream school and ask them some questions. If you don’t know anyone who attends, ask around your family and friends if they know anyone you can get in touch with. Even lurking around on Facebook can get you results ––message a friend of a friend of a friend who goes to your college and see if they’ll respond. Most people won’t mind if you express that you genuinely want their advice.

If still no luck, search around on your college’s home page and you’re sure to find some email addresses to contact. Most students would be more than happy to give you advice.

4. Find out the school’s specific admissions requirements

As you’re liking the college more, it’s time to start thinking about applying. While as a junior, you don’t have to start writing your applications just yet, it’s important to understand what GPA and standardized test scores will increase your chances of admission to your dream school. Look online and you can find the score range that makes up the majority of the students your school admits. Here’s a helpful site with SAT score ranges for 360 different colleges

Start studying for the SAT and ACT and continue to do well in your classes, so you can be comfortably in the score range for your school.

5. Build your resume

Apart from academics, extracurricular activities and work experiences can really beef up your resume ––especially if you’re a little shy of the score range that your school prefers. While you don’t have to join every club at your high school, choose a few extracurricular activities that you can shine in and definitely pick up some leadership positions along the way.

Rubinovitz emphasizes that pre-collegiettes really need to hone in on a few extracurricular activities. “She needs to be seeking leadership roles in one or two extracurricular activities, and she needs to be consistent with her commitment in those activities ––not be all over the place and suddenly join sixteen clubs," Rubinovitz says. "She needs to be focused on just a few extracurriculars where she feels she can have an impact on either the organization or the people affected by the organization. She also needs to be able to take initiative so that she can show that she is a collaborator.”

Look for work or internship experiences that you can snag as well. If you’re not sure where to start, ask your teachers.

6. Look for high school programs that your dream school offers

Many colleges offer programs for high school students that allow them to obtain college credit by taking a few classes on their campus, whether over the school year or the summer. It’s a great opportunity to get a feel of what studying on your dream school’s campus is like. If you’re interested, look online to see if your dream college offers a program like that. However, these programs can often be costly, and it’s up to you to decide if it’s really worth it. 

Rubinovitz notes that it can be beneficial, but not for the reason most people think. “Going to Duke for the summer is not going to help you get into Duke, and going to Stanford’s pre-college program is not going to help you get into Stanford," she says. "What I will say is that students need to have very productive summers, where they can demonstrate learning from that experience. It’s the idea of keeping your brain engaged, perhaps by checking out a potential major. It doesn’t help you get into either of those universities, but definitely helps you decide that you want or don’t want to major in something. It improves your chances at college admission, but not necessarily at that particular college.”

Don’t expect to have a better chance at admission to your dream school because you paid thousands of dollars to attend their summer program. However, it will beef up your resume in terms of productivity over the summer. Choose whatever you think will help your application the most.

7. Consider early decision

It’s a huge decision to completely commit to one school. However, if it’s really the school of your dreams, then follow it, girl! In case you didn’t know, early decision is different from regular decision in two ways: you need to apply earlier, and if you get in, you are required to attend the college.

The applicant pool is significantly smaller and the college knows that only the most dedicated of students are applying, so you definitely have a higher chance of admission when going for early decision. It’s a difficult choice, so weigh all your options before jumping the gun.

Rubinovitz agrees that it provides a huge advantage to students committed to the school. “If I looked at the statistics this year from early decision at the highly selective schools, many of them admitted close to or more than half of their class already from early action and early decision," she says. "If you don’t apply early, you definitely lessen your chances.” Think it through and decide what's right for you.

Related: How to Deal with Early Decision News, Good or Bad

8. But rememer: It’s okay if you don’t get in

Just a friendly warning ––don’t go overboard with all this “dream college” stuff. If you don’t get in, no sweat. No matter where you go to college, you can still get a great education and have tons of opportunities to stand out. In fact, attending a less competitive school can even make you stand out more in your classes in the long run. Big fish in a little pond, right?

Iesha, a sophomore at the University of Florida, agrees. “I had the University of Florida as my dream school, but I didn’t think I’d get in,” Iesha says. “In the end, your college fate is in your own hands and it’s important not to measure your self-worth by which colleges accept you or not. If you worked hard, you are already exceptional. Make the most of wherever you go because in the end it’s you who will contribute to your future and college can only facilitate that success.” Great advice! Don’t let yourself get down over what a college thinks of you.

Keep your head high and do your best, future collegiette – anywhere you go you can find fulfilling college experiences. Best of luck!

25 Things I Learned About Life In Cuba (After 53 Years of Fidel Castro Rule)

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This article has been syndicated to Her Campus from Sher She Goes, an InfluenceHer Collective member. Read the full post here. 

This is a sponsored post by Fathom.

When I boarded Fathom’s small ship to head off to Cuba for a week, I had no idea what to expect. I thought perhaps the people might have an aversion to Americans suddenly flooding the country. Perhaps the American / Cuba political thaw might also extend to the people.

It just so happened that the week I spent in Cuba (November 27th – December 4th) was just days after Fidel Castro passed away and the entire country plunged into official mourning for 9 days. This meant no music, no alcohol, no dancing, no nightlife and instead the Cuban people paid their solemn respects and farewells to one of their country’s longest leaders.

What attracted me most about seeing Cuba with Fathom Travel was the opportunity for an immersive, People to People experience where we as tourists would have chance to visit, speak and spend time with local Cubans to understand their daily life and history. Here’s a compilation of what I learned and experienced on that journey.

Life in Cuba

POLITICS

1 Cubans (in Cuba) by and large like and support Fidel Castro. While the Cubans in Miami threw a jubilant celebration, those who remained in Cuba come from a different socioeconomic class and strata of society and were sad at his passing. The exodus of Cubans in the 50s were primarily the rich and supporters of Batista. Meanwhile, the poor, disenfranchised and Castro supporters remained. Today Cubans have the right to free education (including post graduate education), universal free healthcare and a guaranteed job and are by and large grateful to Fidel for establishing such birthrights.

2 During the 9 day mourning period, an official ban was placed on alcohol, music and dancing. This meant the once harmonious streets were silent and beer, mojitos and wine were conspicuously absent from meal times. That being said… if you wanted to find a drink, you could. Here’s my food & drink recommendations for Havana.

3 When Fidel transferred power over to his brother Raoul in 2008, Raoul opened up the economy slightly by allowing people to hold 2 jobs and permitting the privatization of homes for hotel rooms and restaurants. Private homes for rent are called casa particulares in Cuba and typically are slightly better kept than the government run hotels. For $30-40 a night (you can book on AirBnB in advance or show up and ask around) you’ll get a small, clean room and Cuban breakfast (fresh fruit, coffee, ham) in the mornings. Private restaurants are called paladars and typically offer better service than their government counterparts. If you prefer a hotel, here are my best Havana hotel recommendations.

4 During the 9 day mourning period, Fidel Castro’s ashes went on a country wide procession from Havana to his final resting place in Santiago. When we stopped in Cienfuegos, we noticed a long square wrapping line of students waiting for the procession and in Santiago, many students went to the town square to sign the memorial book.

5 Raoul Castro is 85 years old. Transfer of power is not expected to pass on to his son or relative and locals thought there might be a vacuum while the country waited for a new dynamic leader. Cuba of course, is a one party state.

CURRENCY AND MONEY

11 I’m sure many people know that Cuba has two currencies (I briefly explained the two in this earlier post, How to Travel to Cuba as an American). I thought the CUC would be pronounced “see-you-see” as in the letters, but it’s actually pronounced “kooks” with a hard c, sounded out. It’s roughly 25 pesos nacional (local currency) to 1 CUC (tourist currency).

12 The average Cuban makes 12 CUCs a month (roughly 12 euros, or 12 American dollars due to the 10% tax on American currency). While this is extremely low for our standard of living, you have to keep in mind that Cubans receive a guaranteed job, free education including post secondary education, free rent and free healthcare – so their expenses are quite minimal.

(Because Cuba offers universal healthcare, its required of travelers to have their own health insurance before arrival. They used to check at the airport and port entry points although they did not seem to check for me when I went. If you want to get travel insurance with trip cancellation / gear protection/ medial coverage, I recommend World Nomads)

Read the full post here. 

18 Signs You're a Cat Lady for Life

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Many collegiettes are focused on having a great career, a loving spouse and a house full of kids—but not you. No; when you imagine your future, you see yourself sitting on a couch being swallowed by tons of cats. If this sounds like a dream to you, then you already know it: you are a cat lady for life. If you’re still on the border about whether or not you are part of this special club, here are some signs that you might very well be a certified cat lady in the making.

1. You have an uncomfortable amount of cat pictures saved

2. You own too many random items with cats on them

3. As soon as you buy your first apartment, you will reward yourself with a cat

4. Your cat sweater collection is intense

5. Every time you see a cat it’s like you’ve won the lottery

6. You treat your cat like he's pretty much your boyfriend

7. You plan to have your cat(s) in your wedding

8. Everyone knows you as "the cat girl"

9. Your ringtone is a chorus of cats meow-ing

10. You would rather hear a cat purr than loud music at a club

11. There’s no one else you’d rather cuddle with at night than your cat

12. Your cat has heard every single one of your problems, and always listens with diligence

13. It doesn’t bother you when boys ignore you because you’re used to being ignored by your cats

14. When you think about your future, you don’t imagine yourself with kids, but rather with a house full of happy kitties

15. You have already started crocheting sweaters for your cats

16. Your cat has a nicer bed than you do because you treat her like a princess

17. You’ve ended relationships by ditching your date to spend time with your cat

18. If the love of your life is allergic, you will dump them because cats > all

15 Signs You DGAF About Valentine's Day

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Ah, Valentine’s day. Love is in the air. The birds are singing; the flowers are blooming, and you—Well, you literally couldn’t care less. Here are 15 signs that you DGAF about Cupid’s holiday!

1. The only thing you’re counting down are the days until all that chocolate goes on sale

2. You get confused for a second when your friends start talking about the upcoming holiday

They know Easter isn’t for a while, right?

3. People complaining about needing a date annoy you

4. You’re excited to binge watch Netflix roommate is gone for the night...

5. ...Or you’re dreading the upcoming sexile

But hey, you can always take your pajamas and laptop to the library!

6. Valentine’s-related Twitter and Instagram hashtags are lost on you

Pretty much the only trending tag that fully makes sense to you right now is #NationalPizzaDay

7. You’re pretty sure you're more excited for President's Day

8. You know a last-minute Tinder Valentine's Day date isn't something you want to try out

A Valentine's date seems like a lot of pressure to put on a stranger. 

9. Taking a page from Leslie Knope, your Galentine’s Day preparations are well underway

10. With all the pressure already on you because of midterms, you’re glad you don’t have to go out and buy a gift or plan a date

11. If you’re in a relationship, you and your S/O are glad to be chilling out super casually this weekend

12. The overly pink and heart-themed designs everywhere, from the mall to the drugstore, and it’s making you feel a little bit Scroogey about the holiday

13. You’re still wishing Cupid’s arrow would land on someone... Like maybe the entire financial aid department at your school

14. You don’t bother ordering flowers for yourself today. You treat yourself on the regular

...Buuut maybe it would be nice to splurge a little extra today)!

15. Pity party? More like pizza party

Can everyone stop with this “Single Awareness Day (S.A.D.) nonsense already?!

Selena Gomez & The Weeknd Were Spotted Kissing & I Have So Many Questions

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Selena Gomez has been out of the public eye for a while, coping with anxiety and depression. We've heard rumblings of her multiple trips to Texas Roadhouse, but never did I imagine Selena was spending some of her time cultivating a new (maybe?) relationship.

Us Weekly reports that Selena was spotted kissing The Weeknd last night—and yes, they do have the pictures to prove it! The two musical superstars were photographed leaving a Santa Monica restaurant together, and they seemed pretty cozy. *insert cheesy joke about Selena not being able to keep her hands to herself*

Sources tell Us Weekly that the two are making music together and "are just getting to know each other better." 

Those of you who keep up with squad happenings will recall that The Weeknd previously dated Gigi Hadid's sister Bella. Gigi and Selena are both elite members of Taylor Swift's girl squad, but it's not unlike this group to swap guys.

Only time will tell if this is a legit relationship or just a bit of friendly flirting. But it couldn't hurt to ogle the pics, could it?


The New Too Faced Highlighters Will Bring You So Much Joy

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It's at a point now where if a Too Faced product didn’t have me internally screaming and sprinting to the nearest Sephora, I would be confused. From the eyebrow pencil that smells like brownies to the palette inspired by peanut butter and jelly, the brand never ceases to amaze me with its whimsical, stunning ideas.

On Tuesday night, the mastermind behind the brand, Jerrod Blandino, teased fans with a photo of brand new highlighters, that, from the looks of it, will not disappoint.

 

TURN ON YOUR LOVE LIGHT  March 2017 #toofaced #comingsoon

A photo posted by Jerrod Blandino (@jerrodblandino) on

All that has been revealed so far is that these babies will be released in March 2017, which seems eras away for any highlighting fanatic who can’t wait to try out the new glow. Blandino captioned the photo "turn on your love light,” which many are speculating may be the name of the product.

In a time when you’re basically considered naked unless you have a blinding highlight, Too Faced is relatively late to the game. Previously, the brand only offered the Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo, which, while beloved by customers, has been described in reviews as “natural” and “not highly pigmented.” While this is perfect for an everyday look, fans of the brand have been after a highlight that will allow them to glow to the gods.

More recently, with the launch of the Sweet Peach collection, the brand released a Sweet Peach Glow Palette. While this product is relatively new, it has already been garnering positive reviews—demonstrating to us that, while Too Faced may not be the first brand to release a line of highlighters, with their cute packaging, names and awesome pigmentation, it may not be long before this new glow is one of your all-time favorites.

No swatches have been released yet, so keep checking in on Too Faced and Blandino on Instagram to keep up to date with news on these anticipated products.

Season 7 Might Not Be the End of 'Pretty Little Liars'

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Alert all citizens of Rosewood: the upcoming final 10 episodes of Pretty Little Liars may not be the end of the show after all. At a panel for the Television Critics Association press tour, PLL showrunner I. Marlene King said that a revival for the show is something she would be open to. Yeah, we're screaming too.

PLL will air the second half of its seventh and (supposedly) final season starting Tuesday, April 18 on Freeform, but King claims, “We’ll find a way to bring these characters and this world back at some point in time. I don’t think it’ll be in two years, but at some point in time.” Whether it takes five years, ten years or more, we're relieved to know that this isn't goodbye, but more of a "see you later."

With that in mind, we're still excited for #PLLEndGame and cannot wait to finally get the answer to the question we've all been dying to know: Who tf is A.D.? 

Kat Von D Is Releasing Lip Liners to Go With Her New Liquid Lipsticks

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As a self described makeup junkie, lover and hoarder, I’m not sure whether to be elated or terrified with all of the new product launches that brands have been teasing for 2017. As I hear my bank account crying and begging me not to spend any more money, I can’t help but be excited for all of the new makeup (and trends) that are starting to ~formulate~ for the upcoming year.

One brand that is already planning big things for 2017? Kat Von D. We’re not even two weeks into the new year, and Kat has revealed so many new products that I’m shook. One product that already has fans of the brand saving up their pennies is the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick. This product is already a cult-favorite with its longwear formula and beautiful colors, so when Kat teased fans with photos of 25 new shades, the excitement was overwhelming.

 

25 NEW @katvondbeauty Everlasting Liquid Lipstick shades! They all have different launch dates so I suggest following @katvondbeauty for the best launch updates!  I just wanted to show you some awesomeness coming out to look forward to!  I threw in a few extra in there, too, cuz I love you: •Gold Skool is a metallic, longwear top-coat, that I'll be launching for @katvondbeauty's 10 year anniversary!! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT'S COMING UP?! •XO - is the richest ox-blood I've ever worn and is already available in the #BetterTogether collection at sephora. And if you guys love it, I'll make sure to bring it back in full size form! •Lovecraft is gonna be selling individually this Spring. •Plath and Roxy will be launching in full size in Feb! •and the first shades we are launching will be the last 6 nudes at the end of this vid: Muñeca, Ophelia, Ludwig, Sanctuary, Hawkwind, and Crucifix!! I believe they're launching coming up this next week?? Again, I suggest following @katvondbeauty for official release dates, and WAY BETTER swatches than me!  SONG: "Vision One" by Röyksopp

A video posted by Kat Von D (@thekatvond) on

Just when we thought that KVD couldn’t expand her brand any more, the Queen of Edge went and surprised us again. Along with the beautiful Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks, she will be releasing Lip Liners to match. For those who are pro-lip lining (hello, Kylie!), this is fantastic news.

Kat will also be launching a Saint + Sinner Fragrance and a Shade + Light Glimmer palette, leaving us to speculate what “glimmer” actually is. While it may just be a fun name for an eyeshadow or highlighting palette (as some fans are speculating), who knows with Kat? She’s so creative that she may be teasing us with a whole new makeup product that we’ve never heard of.

All I know is that I’m going to need a lot more makeup storage this year.

Cara Delevingne Clapped Back at This Troll Who Told Her to Get a Real Job

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As if we didn't have enough reasons to love Cara Delevingne, her recent takedown of a Twitter troll is one for the ages. A few days ago, Cara revealed that she was about to do something big.

Later, we found out through Girl Up, a United Nations campaign aimed towards uniting girls to change the world, that Delevingne was on her way to visit refugees in Uganda.

We think what she's doing is amazing. But of course, some Twitter troll had something negative to say. The hater replied to Cara's tweet, telling her that he hoped she was interviewing for a real job and that her "looks will fade." Wow, rude.

It doesn't end there, though. Delevingne clapped back in a series of tweets.

He didn't stop and continued to mock her. After he claimed he was just trying to give her some helpful advice, Cara said her last word on the matter.

And that's how you shut down a troll.

The 30-Something Gang on 'Gilmore Girls' Hits Way Too Close to Home

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The ThirtySomething Gang is more than just the butt of an Amy Sherman-Palladino joke on the newly rebooted Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. It’s a daunting reality for millennials who identify all too well with Rory Gilmore, Wookiee fetish excluded (I think). My affinity for the show has never been an objective one, the very nature of which is oxymoronic. Sherman-Palladino has, without knowing me personally, created a character whose life has strangely paralleled mine for more than a decade now—and I suspect she has also done so for a few thousand other women. These are the women who knew exactly what Rory meant when she said that no one would care that she was pretty if she failed her finals; women who had a Dean, a Jess and a Logan, in that order and were equally indecisive and admittedly selfish when it came to each of these relationships; women with a passion for writing and for sharing unique stories with the world; women who wanted to see the world or just see something.

So how did these intelligent, accomplished women end up dangerously unemployed or woefully underemployed, forced to return home with their tails between their legs, or at least consider it? I’m still trying to figure that out myself, but to those who say Rory is the worst journalist ever or that she is out of touch with reality, I reckon that neither of these is a result of failed realism on Sherman-Palladino’s part. The show, although relatable, has never been positioned as realistic. It is fantastic, literally, and therein lies much of its appeal. Rory Gilmore’s life may loosely reflect my own, but I have never once been to a town knitting festival, much less attended at least one similarly themed communal event on a monthly basis. It should come as no surprise that some of Stars Hollow’s most charming residents seem to have emerged directly from some fictional Narnia-like parallel universe, where ice cream queens are required to honor their commitments or be publicly shunned.

And so I return to the ThirtySomething Gang—criticized by some for being the source of undeserving ridicule, an offensive and demeaning depiction of hardworking, debt-riddled college graduates. I understand this reaction and maybe even share some of the resentment here, if based solely on the fact that Rory very likely did not face half of the challenges her age group does or will. But I also recognize the humor in the bizarreness of it all. This group does exist. They are not lazy or entitled, nor are they unrealistic or pathetic. They do not sit in the corner of vintage soda shops, nodding pleadingly at the likes of similarly unsuccessful Rory Gilmores of the world (okay, maybe sometimes). But they do spend hours tweaking their résumés, offering their professional services free of charge, and only sometimes placing their fate in the mythical powers of a lucky outfit. They do not return home downtrodden (or spit out like stale pieces of gum, as Babette so delicately put it) because they have, over the years, developed some irrational, inflated sense of self. I believe their goals are noble; their desires to contribute something great to the future of the world are less narcissistic than is often suggested. Like every generation before them, they are allowed a coming of age period, even if theirs seems an extended one. If we stray from the problematic case of Rory Gilmore in this instance and think of more realistic Gang members—ourselves and friends and former school colleagues—I think we may find we relate more closely than we thought.

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