Let's be honest, most college tours are standardized. The tour guides, though students, are most likely employed by the admissions department at the college and therefore are given instructions on what to do and say on the tours. While the information on tours is helpful, there is so much more to know about a school, especially if you’re seriously thinking about ...

The campus tour – your time for Q&A, to learn everything you have ever wanted to know from an insider that actually attends the college you’re thinking about. Keep in mind that this isn't an interview. They aren't deciding your fate; it’s really for your benefit. The tour is to see if you can actually see yourself living and learning on ...

January, February and some of March aren’t just dull months in terms of weather but also in the admissions process. After months of standardized testing, campus visits and arduous applications it feels a bit odd to sit and do nothing. But your applications are in – what can you do?! You can start by filling out the FAFSA. This first “to-do” ...

You've got a lot of pressure to do well on the SAT - it's one of the biggest exams of your life. You know you need to prepare, you know you need to study, but you don't know exactly how to go about doing it. Don't stress, here are five easy ways you can approach the exam preparation process:[gate] 1. Practice ...

Pacing yourself during standardized tests can be a difficult task. Your adrenaline is at an all-time high, not to mention your nerves. So how do you keep your cool during this difficult task to show what you really know and complete such lengthy exams? Here are some helpful timing tips to help guide you along during the process of standardized test-taking:[gate] ...

There's a reason college applications are comprised of more than your GPA and test scores. Admissions officers utilize all aspects of the application to assess if you’re right for the school you’re applying to. Who you are and the qualities you possess are important because you’ll become a part of the school, bringing any unique aspects of your individuality along with ...

Preparing for the college admission tests while eating potato chips and drinking cola? You may not be as ready for the SAT or ACT as you think. We talked to dieticians about an important part of test preparation that often gets ignored: food. [gate] Food to Help Your Brain “For optimal brain function, you can’t rely on a single [food] or ...

Hopefully, you’ve already been studying for your upcoming standardized tests for many weeks and months. But even hours of preparation can be undone on test day by forgetting a calculator or losing the testing center’s address. Mapping out the details beforehand (i.e. what to bring and what not to bring) will ensure you do your very best on test day. Here’s a ...

ACT, SAT, PSAT - little words that cause big anxiety. If you're getting ready to apply for college, then you know what these tests can mean to your applications. Follow these simple test-taking strategies to get your angst under control. [gate] Know your test. Make sure you know the format and scoring standards of your test ahead of time. Take a ...

Test day is almost here, but there's still time to study. Whether you're well-prepared, semi-prepared or not at all prepared, we have several last-minute prep strategies that can help you boost your score. [gate] Note: SAT deducts points for incorrect answers but there is no penalty for questions left blank. The ACT does not deduct points for incorrect answers. What this ...

There are many parts of a successful college application, the most important of which is high school grades. The second most important part is the SAT score. The SAT is typically taken in junior and senior years (it is typically taken twice). The key to getting a higher SAT score is working early, slowly, and consistently. No student should have to ...

Have you ever been at the store practically drooling over an outfit that is just way out of your price range? Or coveting that latest sports car model that seems to have it all? Trust me, we’ve all been there. What would you do if a sales associate walked over to tell you that the perfect outfit or new car was ...

So many schools! So many choices! Take it step by step to find the right college for you. Step 1: Develop your ideal college profile You can't find your perfect college until you figure out what you want. Start by breaking it down. Make a list of the characteristics you want in a college. Think about: Size: Large schools can offer ...

Choosing a college is stressful and making sure you make the right decision can often feel like a daunting task. To help out with the process, here are some common mistakes to avoid along the way: [gate] 1. Rushing the process. Finding the right college takes time and effort, not to mention research and an often lengthy application process. Waiting until ...

Once you’ve spent time on a wait list, you might find yourself wishing instead for a flat out rejection from your top choice school. While there is hope that you’ll move off of the list and into the admitted pile, it’s a long, tedious process with no guarantees. A new report released by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) ...

There’s a saying that if you visit a campus in the fall, you’re sure to “fall for it.” While that may be true, the chance that you might sell your soul to a school too early shouldn’t keep you from visiting college campuses. In fact, the fall semester is the best time to visit, whether you’re a junior or senior in ...

The ACT does more than just provide students with a standardized test score to use in the admissions process. Each year, it’s looking for key indications of college readiness on the whole. Last week, the ACT unveiled the results from last year’s testing. Once again, the results showed that only one in four students are meeting all college readiness benchmarks in ...

Last spring, we identified the must-dos for students in high school at all grade levels, and what better way to start the new school year than similar guidance for the fall. The start of the school year provides a clean slate – so brush off last year if it wasn’t so stellar or build off of it if it was particularly ...

On July 31, the Common Application became available to students all over the country applying to college for the 2013 – 2014 school year. According to the Common Application website, the application was launched four hours ahead of schedule, and within 30 minutes, approximately 300 individuals had set up an account. The Common Application enables prospective students to fill out one ...

When August and September roll around, it’s just as difficult to say goodbye to your furry friends as it is Mom and Dad. Unfortunately, the majority of college campuses don’t permit students to house pets in on-campus housing, but some colleges across the country are breaking the mold and merging pet life with student life. After all, pets are known to ...