https://vimeo.com/1084033351 The Biggest Mistake Students Make Choosing a College—And How to Avoid ItBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® It’s that exciting—and overwhelming—time of year again. High school seniors across the country are opening college acceptance letters, sharing decisions with friends and family, and facing one of the biggest choices of their lives: where to go to college. If you or your child are in the middle…

https://vimeo.com/1083028119 How to Choose the Right College Without the Stress or RegretBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® If your inbox is full of college acceptance letters right now, congratulations. You’ve made it through one of the most competitive application cycles in recent history—and now it’s time for an even bigger decision: Where will you spend the next four years of your life? For many students, this…

As someone who scored a perfect SAT score, built a national test prep company, and has helped over 100,000 students improve their standardized test scores, I’ve spent my career advocating for merit-based opportunity. So when I saw the University of Austin (UATX) unveil its new Merit-First Admissions Policy, I couldn’t help but pay attention. In an age where college admissions have become increasingly subjective, UATX is doing something few others are brave enough to…

https://vimeo.com/1081982487 College Decision Day Is Here—But You Still Have OptionsBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® May 1st is a date etched into the minds of high school seniors across the country—College Decision Day. For most students, it’s the final deadline to accept an offer of admission and lock in where they’ll be headed this fall. But what if you’re still unsure? What if you haven’t picked…

https://vimeo.com/1080963389 Student Loan Collections Are Resuming—Here’s What Borrowers and Families Need to KnowBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® After more than four years of pause, federal student loan collections on defaulted loans are officially returning. Starting May 5th, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) will resume collections on loans that are already in default. If you’re a borrower—or the parent…

https://vimeo.com/1079976521 FAFSA in 2025: What Families Must Know to Get College Aid on TimeBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® Every year around this time, millions of families across America are hit with the same question: “How are we going to afford college?” It’s not an easy answer. College costs are climbing faster than inflation. And while financial aid has traditionally offered a critical lifeline, recent events…

It’s been an odd few years for standardized testing. Between the challenges of the pandemic and universities dropping and then rapidly reinstating testing requirements, many students and families are wondering whether the SAT still holds weight. While some colleges have moved to test-optional admissions, the SAT continues to play a role in various parts of the college application process and beyond. So, how important is it to take the SAT…

https://vimeo.com/1078806129 Why Families Must Rethink College Funding in 2025—and How to Get AheadBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you know one thing is clear: federal education funding can change overnight. Recently, we’ve seen a rapid shift—federal grant and loan programs that millions of students rely on faced a sudden pause, sparking real fear across the country. And…

https://vimeo.com/1078491850?share=copy What Dismantling the Department of Education Could Mean—and What Families Should Do NextBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® President Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. It’s a bold move, one that could reshape how our schools operate, how states fund education—and how millions of students access financial aid. As the founder of Prep Expert® and someone who’s spent…

https://vimeo.com/1079986317 What Happens to FAFSA If the Department of Education Shuts Down? Here’s What Families Need to KnowBy Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert® If you’re a parent or student, you’ve probably heard the headlines: President Trump has proposed dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. While the executive order isn’t final, and any full closure would require Congressional action, it’s left many families wondering—what happens to FAFSA?…