The average GPA for high school students in the United States is at an all-time high. However, research indicates that this average might not be on the rise for the right reasons. Students don’t seem to be learning more as their grades increase. Rather, as shifts in grading, curriculum, and learning scales occur, students’ grades are artificially increasing, meaning that transcripts no longer reflect true academic ability. This phenomenon is…

The admissions process is vastly different for all students. Some may have little to no idea which school they will end up choosing and end up applying to a wide variety of options across the country. Others have had their dream school in mind for years and plan to apply there along with only a handful of backup safety schools. For the latter pool of students, restrictive early action may…

If your heart is set on moving or staying out east for college, you may want to consider attending Columbia University in New York.  Columbia’s renowned research programs, high quality faculty, top notch academic programs, and proximity to some of the top cultural experiences in the nation have rightfully made Columbia one of the most prestigious schools in the Ivy League. However, while Columbia is ranked as one of the…

When college admission officers evaluate applicants, they look for students who are the total package. Sure, they want to admit students with high cumulative GPAs and great standardized test scores, but they also pay close attention to recommendation letters, volunteer experiences, and extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, students often hurt their chances of admission because they don’t pay enough attention to their participation in extracurricular activities. While almost every student knows that…

Diet is important when it comes to learning. Besides knowledge, you do need actual “brain food” to keep the mind sharp, improve your attention span, and be cognitively flexible. When it’s time for you to take the SAT, the foods you eat that morning and the night before can make a big difference as you’re testing. While you’ll also want to spend months studying and know critical SAT test day…

Although Duke is not a member of the Ivy League, it is a highly prestigious school with a low acceptance rate, making it one of the most competitive schools in the nation.  According to Duke University’s independent news organization The Chronicle, the acceptance rate for the class of 2026 was only 6.2%. While Duke is highly selective, if you have been dreaming of being a Blue Devil, you don’t have…

So, you’re thinking about applying to Cornell, and you’re curious about your chances of admission. Well, we’re here to help! If you’ve heard anything about Cornell, you’ve probably heard that it is highly selective. In fact, for the class of 2026, Cornell had an acceptance rate of just 8%. As admission rates continue to decline at many Ivy League schools, including Cornell, students are going to have to work increasingly…

Every year thousands of college students label themselves “pre-med” and declare majors like biology, chemistry, psychology, and biochemistry. While the world always needs more people to work in the medical field, many of the people who use the term “pre-med” do so without fully understanding what the term means or the requirements necessary to accomplish this goal. In fact, only 16.5% of students who intended to be a pre-med student…

Like many other high school students, you may feel like your chances of getting into Yale are slim to none. After all, Yale is one of the most selective schools in the country, and the way people talk about Yale makes it seem like admittance will take nothing short of a miracle. However, despite Yale’s declining admissions rate (6.3% for the class of 2022 and 4.4% for the class of…

What exactly are ACT score percentiles? How do they work? Believe it or not, these percentiles play a role in what school you’ll get into eventually. Let’s discuss why. Interested in knowing the average ACT score in your home state? What Are ACT Score Percentiles? Your ACT score percentile rank is a metric that compares your ACT score with everyone else who took that test administration. Your percentile zeroes in…