https://vimeo.com/1079986562 Harvard’s Free Tuition for Middle-Income Families: A Bold Move—and a New Era in College AffordabilityBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert We’re witnessing a turning point in higher education. Harvard University—arguably the most prestigious school in the world—just announced that families earning up to $200,000 a year will now qualify for free tuition. Yes, you read that right: $200,000. This isn’t just a headline. It’s a…

https://vimeo.com/1079986670 Choosing the Right College: What Actually Matters MostBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert For high school seniors across the country, this is one of the most exciting—and overwhelming—times of the year. After months of applications, essays, and waiting, acceptance letters have finally landed. Now comes the tough part: deciding where to go to college. I’ve worked with thousands of families over the past decade through…

The word “recession” sends shivers down the spine of many Americans, especially in the wake of recent economic volatility. But while concerns about a recession are understandable, they are often overblown. As someone who has built and scaled a successful education company, Prep Expert, during both booming markets and downturns, I believe recessions are not only survivable but also present incredible opportunities for those who approach them with the right…

https://vimeo.com/1079987058 What the Dismantling of the Department of Education Could Mean for Students and ParentsBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert Recently, the education world was hit with big news—President Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. As someone who works directly with families navigating college admissions, standardized testing, and financial aid, I’ve heard a lot of concern and confusion in…

https://vimeo.com/1079993488?share=copy Why the New Digital SAT Is the Best Version YetBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert The SAT has officially entered the digital age. For the first time in nearly a century, the exam that has shaped college admissions for generations is going from paper to pixel. And in my view—this is the best thing that could’ve happened to students. The Digital SAT: Shorter, Smarter, and…

https://vimeo.com/1079989428 It’s Time to Rethink the Department of Education By Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert Last week, President Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. As someone who has spent the last 15 years in education—helping students prepare for college and succeed on standardized tests—I think this is the bold move our system has needed for a long time. Let…

A high ACT score isn’t just a personal achievement. It’s a valuable tool for your college application because it communicates a great deal of data to the admissions counselors about you as a student. Standardized tests like the ACT examine so much more than your general knowledge; they’re a way for you to tangibly demonstrate skills in problem-solving, working under pressure, making inferences and drawing conclusions from data, and solving…

Today’s high school students have more options than ever before when it comes to class choice. From IB to AP to honors classes, high schools try hard to provide the types of options that set their students up for success. And with the rise of magnet and charter schools, there’s even ways to specialize in a specific pre-college track before you start your university career.  However, this can lead to…

As a teenager growing up in my parents’ small budget motel in inner-city Las Vegas, I learned first-hand the power of meritocracy. I attended public schools in one of the nation’s most underperforming districts – a system with a staggering ~40% dropout rate. Determined to break the mold, I poured hundreds of hours into studying for the SAT. The effort paid off: I raised my score from average to a…

Preparing for the ACT can seem overwhelming, but with the right strategies, you can feel confident on test day. The ACT, an important part of many college admissions, measures skills across multiple areas. In addition to baseline academic knowledge, the ACT tests your ability to reason logically and solve problems– which means it requires a strong strategy, not just knowledge. Today, let’s talk about how you can improve your ACT…