With COVID-19 precautions forcing the cancellation and postponement of large gatherings of people, standardized tests like the ACT and SAT are finding themselves in similar situations to the NCAA Tournament and Coachella, weighing decisions to postpone or cancel certain test administrations in the name of public safety. And like most airlines and cruises, most testing agencies are relaxing their cancellation and rescheduling policies so that those concerned about coronavirus have the option to postpone their tests, penalty-free. Wondering what’s happening with a standardized test that you’re planning to take this spring?  Her ... Read More About COVID-19 Updates: List of Standardized Test Changes (Current as of March 20, 2020)

While December is often cited as the “most wonderful time of the year,” for 12th graders staring down college application deadlines, that isn’t always the case—especially if you still have a lot of work to do on your college essays. If you’re still working hard on those essays deep into December, chances are you’ve run into some combination of writer’s block, procrastination, and just plain old thinking you have a lot more time than you really do. Whatever your reasoning, here are five tips for avoiding college essay writer’s block this December.  (10th and 11th graders, don’t close t ... Read More About 5 Tips for Avoiding College Essay Writer’s Block This December

When it comes to getting into college, there’s no magic formula for crafting the perfect college application. However, there are several things you can do to strengthen your college application and to make getting into your dream schools easier. You can strengthen your college applications this school year by applying early, getting high-quality letters of recommendation, and writing a stand-out college essay.  Are you applying to colleges this fall and hoping to submit the strongest application possible? Keep reading to learn four small ways to strengthen your college applications this school year.  1. Strengthen your colleg ... Read More About 4 Small Ways to Strengthen Your College Applications This School Year

Your college admissions essay is a key component of your college application. Unlike standardized test scores and grades, your essay gives your application a more human element. The power of a well-crafted college essay is not to be discounted, so use it to let your personality and background shine through. Here’s how to write a great college essay: To write a great college essay, begin with brainstorming Before drafting any portion of your essay, commit your ideas to paper. Jot down all the topics that come to mind for a potential essay—even those that may seem a bit outlandish.  Next, let some time pass (at least 24 hours ... Read More About How to Write a Great College Essay

As you embark on the college application process, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the multitude of application requirements and the sheer volume of colleges you could apply to. A college shortlist is a list of approximately six to 10 colleges that will help you target your search and streamline the application process. Creating a college shortlist helps you organize your list of potential schools, encourages you to narrow down your choices, and prompts you to identify schools to further communicate with. Eager to find ways to focus your college search? Keep reading to learn more about college shortlists. A college shortlist can aid ... Read More About What is a College Shortlist?