Do You Need To Take The SAT or ACT Optional Essay?
Today I’m addressing an old topic, but with a newly revised answer. “Do I need to take the written essay on the SAT or ACT?” My answer to this question has changed. My old advice was, “Yes, you must...
View ArticleSometimes the Right Academic Advice Isn’t Popular
It seems like I’m always the one having to deliver bad news. I meet with clients who often want me to give them “permission” to take a ridiculously light course load or assure them that they can easily...
View ArticleUC System Drops SAT / ACT– How does this impact you?
I’ve received multiple calls, texts, and emails since the University of California announced yesterday that it was phasing out the SAT and ACT. What does this decision mean for students? What do you...
View ArticleAdvice for 2020 Seniors
A couple weeks ago I wrote an article advising 2020 juniors on ACT and SAT testing. Thank you to everyone who contacted me and shared the article with your friends, neighbors, and school groups. If you...
View ArticleAdvice for Fall 2020 ACT / SAT Testing
I wish I wasn’t writing another article dealing with the COVID-19 impact on school, testing, and college admission. But as the situation continues to develop, we need to adjust and make plans. Today...
View ArticleWhy Was There An Extra Experimental Section on My SAT / ACT?
You took the SAT or ACT and instead of four sections, you had five. Why? What happened? You were ready for four timed sections and this extra caught you by surprise. Don’t Panic First, don’t panic....
View ArticleAre My SAT / ACT Scores Good Enough?
Most students (and their parents) want “good” scores, but the problem comes in defining exactly what that means. Sure, most people would agree that a 1500 (out of 1600) on the SAT is good, so is a 34...
View ArticleShould You Take the December ACT or SAT?
Should You Take the December Test? A number of juniors should give serious thought to taking the ACT or SAT in December. Good reasons to take the test and not wait for spring: Participation in spring...
View ArticleYou Got Your PSAT Results — Now What?
This week College Board started releasing scores from the October PSAT. Many families are looking at the results thinking “now what?” Here are the five things I would suggest you do once you receive...
View Article2021 Priorities for High School Juniors
Today I am going to outline what you should be considering if you have a current high school junior. Towards the end I give a rough outline of the college admissions timeline. I know this will be...
View ArticleMajor College Board News: Subject Tests & Optional Essay GONE
This week College Board announced an immediate end to SAT Subject Tests and the optional written essay. You can read the full news story here:...
View ArticleYou Can’t Ride Two Horses at Once
In the past month I’ve had a number of situations where families were trying to follow too many different approaches and didn’t understand why they weren’t seeing results. It may seem like more...
View ArticleWhen Should We. . . ? (ACT/SAT, campus visits, essays, and more)
The timeline for college admissions has changed. It is different than it was 10 years ago and completely different than what I did when I applied to college (back when we used typewriters to complete...
View ArticleShould We Retake the SAT / ACT?
This month I’m going to share answers to some of the common questions clients have asked this spring. Today— should we retake the SAT / ACT? The decision to make another attempt at the ACT or SAT is...
View ArticleTest Optional: Should I Send My ACT / SAT Scores?
For many families the choice to send or not send test scores is new. We have gotten used to submitting ACT / SAT scores, even if we didn’t love our results, so the idea of choice can add another layer...
View ArticleHow Should 9th and 10th Graders Prepare for the SAT / ACT?
It is summertime. (Yea!!!) Many families are looking for activities to help students get ahead academically, or at least not turn into computer or tv watching zombies. Rising seniors should be working...
View ArticleUC System Drops SAT / ACT– How does this impact you even if you weren’t...
I’ve received multiple calls, texts, and emails since the University of California announced yesterday that it was phasing out the SAT and ACT? What does this decision mean for students? What do you...
View ArticleWe Need to Adjust Our Timelines: Regular College Planning Advice Doesn’t Work...
Ugh! I like to plan ahead. I want to follow though on plans I’ve made. The coronavirus has made this impossible. Approaching this summer and next fall with the same timeline and college planning...
View ArticleWhy Was There An Extra Experimental Section on My SAT / ACT?
Why Was There An Extra Experimental Section on My SAT / ACT? You took the SAT or ACT and instead of four sections, you had five. Why? What happened? You were ready for four timed sections and this...
View ArticleAre My SAT / ACT Scores Good Enough?
Most students (and their parents) want “good” scores, but the problem comes in defining exactly what that means. Sure, most people would agree that a 1500 (out of 1600) on the SAT is good, so is a 34...
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