If you’re trying to figure out what your SAT or ACT score is telling you, the first thing to understand is that it isn’t measuring the same thing as a report card. Almost 85% of first-year college students now report having earned an A- average or better in high school....

What Are Reach, Target, and Safety Schools? Every family we talk to eventually asks some version of the same question: “Is our student’s score good enough?” It’s a natural question, but it’s also the wrong one. A test score isn’t good or bad...

The Conversation More Families Are Having I’ve met with two families in the past few weeks who shared a similar experience. Both had been told by another test prep company that their students were “behind” and should already be planning to take the August SAT. So I asked a couple of...

PSAT Scores Are Coming: Now What? PSAT testing has already begun at many schools, and scores will start rolling in as early as October 23rd. Whether you’re a sophomore seeing the PSAT for the first time or a junior aiming for National Merit, here’s what to do once your scores come...

For the first time ever, Texas students will be able to apply to all public universities in the state for free. Free College Application Week in Texas runs October 13–19, 2025, and it’s an unprecedented opportunity for families to save money and speed up the college admissions...

Most families don’t realize the single most useful admissions resource is publicly available — for free. It’s called the Common Data Set (CDS), and it’s the “most helpful three words” you can learn as you start the college search process. The CDS is a goldmine of admissions data: how...

Building a thoughtful college list—one that balances aspiration with realism—can save stress, increase options, and even reduce costs.

In the age of artificial intelligence, students have unprecedented access to tools that can assist with their academic work. While these tools offer numerous benefits, a growing concern is emerging: students are increasingly relying on AI to complete assignments, leading to a decline...

In today’s competitive college landscape, many parents are surprised to learn that top grades and high test scores alone no longer guarantee admission. Colleges and universities are increasingly turning to a holistic college admissions process to evaluate applicants. But what does...