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US Boarding School Guide Feature Image
A full guide to the US boarding school admissions process for domestic and international families, from planning to enrollment.
how to transfer college credit feature image (1)
Learn how college credit transfer works, which credits are at risk, and what determines how many credits follow you to your next institution.
How to Write a College Transfer Essay feature image
Writing a college transfer essay? Here is what to write in each section, what to avoid, and what admissions officers are looking for.
how to prepare for sat test feature image
Learn how SAT practice tests fit into your prep strategy. Discover how to prepare for the SAT, free resources, and tips for building an SAT study plan.
Non-Ivy League Schools to Consider in 2026 Feature Image
When the most ambitious families and students begin building a college list, non-Ivy League schools are sometimes treated as fallback options, institutions to consider only after Ivy ambitions have been exhausted. That...
When we sit down with students at the beginning of the planning process, we do not start with rankings. We start with the student. One of the first questions we explore is...
College Supplemental Essays
Families and students are often surprised to discover that college supplemental essays are not small add-ons to the application, but a core part of how selective universities assess fit and readiness. While...
How-to-Choose-a-College-Major-Feature-Image
Choosing a college major often feels bigger than it needs to. Students are asked to make a decision that sounds permanent, while parents worry about whether one choice could close doors later...
Weighted-vs-Unweighted-GPA-feature-image
Most families arrive at this question with a quiet fear. My weighted GPA is lower than I hoped. My unweighted GPA looks better. Which one will colleges actually care about, and did...
STEM-vs-Humanities-Feature-Image2026
For many families, the question of whether a student should pursue STEM or the humanities begins to surface well before high school course planning is complete. Students hear that they need to...
Choosing among colleges for students with learning disabilities requires more than scanning rankings or assuming that every campus offers the same level of support. In college settings, students’ learning disabilities commonly include...
Choosing between the different types of colleges in the United States is often more challenging than choosing between individual schools. A large research university, a small liberal arts college, and a community...
AP Classes Complete Guide for College Bound Students
AP classes, or Advanced Placement classes, are college-level courses offered in high school and developed by the College Board. They are designed to be more rigorous than standard high school courses and...
From the Smokestack to Spain
I walked into Room 212, where the world language department had gathered. They had been my colleagues for almost a year. I taught Phys Ed, Driver’s Ed, and CPR & First Aid,...
With the holidays approaching and Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to think about those who’ve helped in the past year, and about what they’ve meant to you. In my family,...
For many high school juniors, this winter – and specifically the first two Saturdays in December – will mark their first official sitting for the SAT or ACT.  Whether this first test...
I was raised by a strong woman at a time when strong women weren’t always embraced. Or maybe it was just her. She was brilliant, opinionated, and a little bit zany. As...
She immediately stepped into the wardrobe and got in among the coats. It was almost quite dark in there and she kept her arms stretched out in front of her so as...
For some mysterious reason, many college applications are due on November 1st, the day after Halloween. So, while carefully planning costumes, parties, and maybe some mayhem, some zombie seniors are also clicking “submit”...
It’s that time of year for high school seniors across the country — knocking off supplemental essays for Early Decision and Early Action college applications. Hopefully, students have downed a few of...
With the grace and mobility of a shiny brown beanbag, I watched as the sea lion arf-arffed her way closer to the cool waves. Then a smaller, rounder beanbag appeared beside her....
I field a lot of questions form the families I work with about the college interview process. Parents wonder why they can’t book an interview along with the campus tour and students...
For many students, applying to university through UCAS is one of the most important steps in their academic journey. Alongside grades, predicted results, and the personal statement, the UCAS reference plays a...
I recently revisited some of Harlan Cohen‘s (NY Times Best Selling Author and a great follow on Threads) tips for college, and it made me think about creating a college visit checklist....