If you’re a high school student in the US today, you’ve been taking standardized tests since you were in the third grade. Maybe you sometimes have nightmares about Scantron bubbles; maybe you relish finishing early and getting extra quiet reading time. However you feel about standardized testing, these tests are a big part of how both the American education system and the college admissions systems work. But these tests are…

Most people have heard about the Ivy League, at least in passing. These eight schools– Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University– are known for their highly selective admissions practices and excellent graduate outcomes.  But they aren’t the only selective schools with impeccable reputations in the US. In fact, the most selective top university in the US isn’t even…

If you’ve got your sights set on the Ivy League, you probably already know that expectations are beyond high. These schools are known for academic excellence, incredible opportunities outside of the classroom, a long list of successful alumni… and extremely selective acceptance rates. But one of the most common questions we hear is also one of the most important: what SAT score do you need to get in? The answer…

Getting into medical school isn’t easy! It takes a lot of hard work and careful preparation to gain the knowledge and skills you need to build a strong application and succeed on the MCAT. But, you can accelerate your journey and establish a strong foundation for medical school by making sure you take the right courses during your undergrad years. Every year, thousands of college students say that they’re “pre-med,”…

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,…