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My Daughter's College Admission Journey

After a year plus-long process of preparing for the SAT and ACT—numerous visits to U.S. News & World Report’s ranking site, writing and rewriting the application essay, and securing letters of recommendation from the teachers who know her best—my daughter made her choice of what college to attend. In the fall, she will be part […]

How Involved Should I Be In My Child's College Admission Process?

If you’re a parent of a future college applicant, or your child is about to start hearing back from the colleges to which he or she applied, college admission officers have some advice for you: Let your child sit in the driver’s seat. In a recent Kaplan Test Prep survey of admissions officers from over […]

The Transition from Living at Home to College

It can be difficult to watch your child/children leave home for college, especially when it seems like kindergarten was yesterday. The transition from living at home to living at college is a big one for both parents and children, filled with many mixed emotions. Here are some tips to help you and your child get […]

Top Tips to Make the Most of High School

While high school can be overwhelming at times, it is also the start of an exciting new chapter in your life. The earlier you start planning ahead and getting into the mindset to succeed, the more enjoyable and stress-free your high school experience can be. Freshman year, you don’t have to worry about admissions tests, look […]

What's the Difference Between Community College and University?

As you’re thinking about your post-high school plans — yes, high school will end someday — you might be wondering whether you should attend a community college or a university. There are lots of choices you’ll need to make soon, and that’s a good thing. Having choices means you’ll be able to find the path […]

What is the IB Programme?

The International Baccalaureate, or IB, programme is a set of 4 programmes designed for students ages 3 – 19. For high school, most students participate in the longest-running IB programme: the Diploma Programme, first offered in 1968. The Primary Years Programme was first offered in 1997 and is available for students age 3 – 12. […]

Make Your Teens More Competitive in College Admissions

College admissions committees are swamped with qualified applicants. Many students apply with the same test scores and GPAs (there are only so many combinations of numbers!). So how do you help your teen stand out? Learning how to present a college application package will make your child more competitive to admissions officers, as well as […]

What to Expect When You’re Expensing College Education

Many students will feel an emerging sense of independence as they forge ahead in the direction of their aspirations for higher education. Surprisingly, the realization of the ongoing need for family support throughout the college financial planning process becomes an unexpected revelation. How does college tuition get paid? What length of time are parents obligated […]

Tips for Motivating Your Child to Start Studying for the ACT/SAT

The SAT and ACT tests are important pieces of the college application puzzle. Even “test optional” schools will consider scores, if submitted, meaning less weight (and pressure) on the other parts of the application (like GPA and essay). There are colleges that do not use these tests as part of their application process, but it […]

UC Admissions Guide: Top Application Tips

The University of California Application or UC Application is the common application for all 8 universities in the University of California system: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. Whether you are applying to one UC university or all 8, you will complete a single UC application. All […]