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…

For students starting the college search, thinking about where to go to school can be a truly daunting task. After a while, every brochure looks the same: smiling faces, a sunny day on the quad, engaged students, and promises upon promises of extracurriculars and opportunities. Sometimes it feels like everything just starts to blur together, and eventually, many start wondering about whether or not it really matters where you go.…

When you’re making college decisions, you have a lot to keep in mind. Your college experience isn’t just the four or so years that you’re there; the decisions you make about where to go to school will impact your career, family life, and really, your entire future. It’s an extremely important decision– the first real adult decision that many students will make. You need to make an informed decision and…

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…

One of the most important things to understand about the SAT is that it doesn’t just give schools an additional opportunity to see your academic performance; it also gives them a way to compare you to other students. What makes you a better choice over another student? Colleges have to ask themselves this question every time they choose someone to admit, and an SAT score in the top percentiles provides…

If you’re preparing for the SAT, part of setting yourself up for success is understanding why you’re taking the test, and what you need the test to do for you. It’s not like you’re taking the SAT for fun, after all– you need a high score to help highlight how competitive of a student you are. If you put in the work to merit a place at a competitive institution,…

What do you need to prepare for college? You might think you need things for your dorm, your textbooks, your class materials. And you do need those things, but before any of that– before you take any tests, before you submit a single application, you need to have goals. And what’s more, these goals need to be specific. You need to know your why. On its own, getting into a…

Are you considering a career in healthcare? If so, did you know there are ways to kickstart your career path and start building the skills you need while you’re still in high school? It’s true! We’ve put together a list of 4 extracurricular activities that high school students can use to learn what it’s like to work in healthcare, gain hands-on experience, and lay the groundwork for crafting competitive applications…

When you take the ACT, there are two language arts sections: Reading and English. While the Reading section tests your ability to synthesize new information, make inferences about the text and the author’s intent, and interpret statements, the English section is more about the mechanics of grammar and writing. It requires you to have a good understanding of the rules of written English, and the questions can be challenging and…

It really seems like everything is important for today’s students, doesn’t it? From extracurriculars to the ever-increasing challenge of schoolwork, you’re told from the first day of your first year that everything you do counts. And that includes your test scores! Not just your academic exams, but your standardized test scores. While it is true that many schools dropped SAT and ACT requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also…