https://vimeo.com/1134742878 Why Filing the FAFSA Early Still Matters—Even During a Government ShutdownBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® When the federal government shuts down, it doesn’t just halt national parks or delay agency operations. For millions of students, it directly impacts something far more personal: their ability to pay for college. With FAFSA processing stalled and families unsure whether their applications will be reviewed anytime soon, it’s…

https://vimeo.com/1134742937 How the Government Shutdown Impacts California Students — And What Families Can DoBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® The government shutdown has officially tied for the longest in U.S. history, and while the headlines focus on political gridlock in Washington, its ripple effects reach much further, to students across California and the nation who are trying to afford college. As federal employees remain furloughed, questions…

Did you know that you can’t rely on your GPA and test scores alone to secure your place at a great school? Your GPA and test scores are important, but they don’t tell your whole story. Today, college admissions offices have embraced holistic admissions, meaning that they want to see you as a whole package– not just numbers.  According to data collected by the National Association for College Admission Counseling…

https://vimeo.com/1134743062 File FAFSA Early — Especially During a Government ShutdownBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® As the government shutdown stretches into one of the longest in U.S. history, millions of families are left wondering how it will affect financial aid. The truth is that while Pell Grants and federal student loans remain funded, the people who process those applications are not all on the job. That…

When you sit for the ACT, you join a club that has millions of members. The ACT, first launched in 1959, is a college admissions test that has the advantage of being over thirty years younger than the comparable SAT– which means that since its inception, it’s been designed around the pitfalls of the SAT, making it more advantageous for some students. But why do we need two college admissions…

The SAT turns 100 next year! While it might seem hard to believe, given the modern version of the test students get today, the SAT predates sliced bread (1928), the ballpoint pen (1931), and TV (1927). And while the name is the same, the test has changed substantially in both its purpose and content areas. In order to understand where the test is going, it’s important to know its history–…

Homeschooling gives families more freedom to design learning experiences that reflect their values and goals. It can provide an academic challenge for the kids who need it, and a more accessible learning experience for students who need a more flexible environment. Yet that flexibility sometimes raises questions about standardized testing, especially the SAT and other standardized tests. For many homeschool students, the SAT is an important bridge between home-based education…

Since its introduction in 1959, millions of hopeful college students have taken the ACT. Today, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic kickstarting test-optional policies, many students question whether or not the test is still worth taking. But honestly? The answer to that isn’t just a resounding yes, it’s “Yes, and it’s actually more important now than ever before.” With the rise of grade inflation, the increasing difficulty of college…

https://vimeo.com/1122908364 Early Decision Deadlines: What Families Should Know Before Making the CommitmentBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® As fall approaches, high school seniors and their families face one of the most important choices in the college admissions process: whether to apply Early Decision (ED) or wait for Regular Decision (RD). With deadlines fast approaching, many in late October or early November, this decision can shape not…

Challenge Ved Kandula approached SAT prep with skepticism. He expected “just a bunch of boring SAT tips” and wasn’t convinced a course would make a real difference. He needed instruction that felt dynamic, practical, and more insightful than a standard prep book, and a structure that would push him to master timing, vocabulary, and math under pressure. At first, I thought it would just be a bunch of boring SAT…