college applications

Gap Year: Ways to Improve College Applications and Readiness

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022

We’ve talked a bit about gap years before in the context of Should I take a gap year? The focus this time around is how to make the best of a gap year before applying to colleges. Or maybe you’ve been accepted into a school, but have deferred enrollment for a year. Whatever the case, …

ACT & SAT

What You Need To Know About The PreACT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Students have been told to take the PSAT for several years and was often used as a primer for both the ACT and SAT, even though the testing formats are different. Now, however, students can take the PreACT to prepare for the ACT test. Allows For Early Practice Taking the PreACT is a great way to …

ACT & SAT

Avoid These ACT/SAT Exam Day Mistakes

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

When it comes to taking either the ACT or the SAT (or both), you should take advantage of every kind of preparation. Studying, taking practice tests, and attending review sessions are a few excellent ways to prepare, but there are other, subtler things that can also help—especially when it comes to the big day itself. …

college applications

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your College Applications

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

There certainly is a lot that goes into an application: a cover letter, grade transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, an essay, letters of recommendation, and so on and so forth. It can be a bit tricky cobbling all of the materials together without a single mistake. We’re here to help you discover common mistakes you want to …

questions & answers

Your Guide to Reapplying to College After a Rejection

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 4, 2023

Did you not receive an acceptance letter from your dream school?  Don’t fret! Reapplying to college after rejection may be an option. But, here are a few things to keep in mind and to do in the upcoming months before reapplying to college after rejection. Can You Reapply to a College After Being Rejected? In …

college admissions

What Families Need to Know About Sending Their First Child to College

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Sending your child to college can be a stressful time, both for you and them. There are a lot of things to take care of from selecting the school itself to making sure all the correct books are purchased. Here are a few tasks you may have forgotten before your firstborn leaves the nest. Filing …

ACT & SAT

Managing Test Anxiety for the ACT / SAT

By Julia WassonLast updated on December 22, 2022

Researchers estimate that between 10 and 40 percent of all students experience some test anxiety. According to Morgan Grotewiel, Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty in the University of Missouri-St. Louis Department of Counseling and Family Therapy, “Test-anxious people perceive testing situations as personally threatening, and they respond with intense emotional reactions.” This can range from little more …

college admissions

The Pros and Cons of Being a Transfer Student

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

Transfers are more common than you might think; in fact, it’s estimated that nearly 1/3rd of all college students transfer at least once during their higher education. The National Student Clearing House Research Center found that 37.2% transfer at least once within six years. As with every decision, there are pros and cons. Each upside …

ACT & SAT

Should I Take the ACT or the SAT?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

As you well know, there are two major college entrance exams—the ACT and the SAT. Some students take one over the other based on where they live (certain areas of America seem to have a different preference), and others simply take both. But if you’re asking yourself the question: which should I take? Ask yourself …

college admissions

How to Nail a College Interview

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022

There are many elements to impressing a college during the application process—your GPA, ACT/SAT scores, essays, extracurricular activities, honors, the application itself. But there’s another way you can boost your chances—nail a college interview. If you’re very interested in a specific college, you can meet with an admissions officer during your visit and have a …