Senior year looms. You have college applications on your mind–and you may be thinking about applying early. What you may not have on your mind, though, is a clear idea of what “applying early” really means: the differences between early action and early decision, when deadlines are, and what you should do to get yourself […]
Your Summer SAT and ACT Reading List
Students with excellent reading and comprehension skills find the verbal sections of the SAT and the reading test on the ACT much easier to attack. Classic literature offers you a chance to practice reading typical SAT and ACT passages and to expand your vocabulary.
Top Free Vocabulary Resources
While the College Board claims the SAT is not a vocabulary test, there is no denying that a broad vocabulary is required for a high Critical Reading score on the current test. But there is no reason to invest in expensive vocabulary books, flash cards, or computer programs. The internet has everything you need to […]
How to Prepare for the PSAT
Motivated sophomores and juniors who are looking to prepare for the PSAT are often surprised by what they find—or don’t find—on the shelves at the local bookstore and in the course catalogs of test prep companies. While the market seems flooded with SAT prep material, PSAT offerings—especially prep courses—are limited. Even the College Board, the […]
Paying for College 201: A Break for Family-Owned Businesses
Throughout this series, we teach you a significant amount about how you can properly position your assets to receive the maximum amount of financial aid legally possible. If you haven’t read the previous posts, we recommend you do so! Hopefully, you now know to avoid putting too much money in the student’s name and how […]
How to Start Studying for the SAT
We can procrastinate no longer. June is over. Independence Day is past. It’s time to return our blog and our attention to the SAT. I know, I know—I’m not happy about it, either. We were having so much fun last month, and now we have to refocus and get serious. But I’ll start slow. Rather […]
Do Colleges Use the Optional ACT Writing Test Score?
When it comes to the ACT, colleges come in two varieties: those that require or recommend that you take the optional ACT Writing Test, and those that say that the test is not needed. How is it used, and how will it affect how your ACT score is viewed?
How do I Cancel my ACT Score?
So you took the ACT, and you have a sinking feeling that you didn’t do as well as you wanted to. In fact, you’re so sure you didn’t well that you want to make sure no one ever sees your score other than you. You can’t travel back in time and tell your past self […]
How to Beat Senioritis and Make Your Last Year of High School Count
Ah, Senior Year. You’ve waited for it, pined for it, ached for it—and now it’s almost here! That last year before you go off to college; those last few months before you get to be on your own. Understandably, it will feel like it drags on forever. And ever. After a while, you may lose […]
Paying for College 101: What You Need to Know About 529s
If you have been looking to save for college, you have probably heard of a 529. Let’s define it. A 529 is a college savings plan that allows the owner to avoid Federal capital gains tax on the growth in savings when using the funds for college. Many plans also avoid state tax. These plans […]