College Planning

Pressure to be successful is constant—academically, professionally, and personally. This persistent weight can emerge in many forms, whether self-inflicted, through a parent, workplace, or even schools. Some of us are questioning, where is the pressure relief valve? It’s a high-stakes world, yet there are tools to help our students navigate it effectively. College and career readiness tunes students’ direction toward what they genuinely want out of their future while rising to the unique challenges of being a young adult. Effective test prep is not merely about achieving a score; it’s crucial to developing the skills and confidence necessary for long-term college and career success. This blog will discuss how test prep can boost students’ college and career readiness and how it is, i...

  There’s been a lot written lately about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, especially when it comes to students completing their assignments. But AI is becoming a hot topic in college admissions, both in terms of students using AI to create their applications and colleges using AI to help choose students for admission.  Today, we’re going to bring you up to speed on how both students and universities are using AI in the admissions process and what that means for you.  Let’s dive in.  (more…)

You’re not cookie-cutter—although, sometimes, in middle and high school, it can feel that way. If you feel like you’re on a conveyor belt toward adulthood without much knowledge about the next step in the production process, know that you’re not alone!  Many teenagers wonder about the next steps after high school, and these thoughts often intensify as they progress from freshman to sophomore year, sophomore to junior year, and junior to senior year. Over the course of your education, you may have experienced glimmers of hope for the future and what it might hold regarding college and career一or perhaps you have NO CLUE what you want to do. Whichever camp you are in, let’s break free from the mold, analyze the steps of production toward adulthood, and supercharge your path to buildi...

DSST testing population refers to the population that takes the DANTES Subject Standardized Test or DSST. DSST exams help individuals earn college credits by testing them on information they are familiar with. Accepted or administered at more than 1,900 colleges and universities nationwide and approved by the American Council on Education (ACE), the DSST program enables individuals to use the knowledge they have acquired outside the classroom to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Credit-by-exam options assist in degree acceleration. Students can get a semester’s worth of credits by taking an exam, potentially allowing them to go on to other subjects for their degree sooner if they score adequately. So, who takes these exams? Origin of DSST Testing Population DSST...

The CLT is a standardized test gaining popularity in education across the United States and abroad, meaning that more and more students wonder, “What Does CLT Stand For​?” Florida is the first state to pass legislation in 2023 for Florida students to use CLT scores “to apply to Florida state universities, earn Bright Futures scholarships, satisfy graduation requirements, and earn dual credit. Florida State also funds all school districts to administer the CLT to 11th graders,” according to the CLT Official Website. Since this test is closely linked to SAT and ACT, we must dive into CLT meaning and how to best prepare for this newer test with a CLT prep course. What Does CLT Stand For​?  The CLT stands for Classic Learning Test, an alternative to standardized tests like the SAT and...

Standardized test scores, like the SAT and ACT, determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. Scores grant entry to schools with specific requirements, award scholarships, and determine areas of strengths and weaknesses within a student’s academic career. While it may be beneficial to take both tests, this blog will answer the question, “Do you need both ACT and SAT for college​?” Regardless of whether you take all or one of these tests, right now, Peterson’s will be offering an ACT and SAT special, six months of test prep for $135—99 dollars off, so that you can walk into either test confidently. What Are the ACT and SAT? While both are standardized tests, there are a few key differences between them. The ACT includes a science section and an optional writing s...

ACT and SAT scores decline across the U.S. year after year according to recent data. Standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, are used to determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. Scores grant entry to schools with specific requirements, award scholarships, and determine areas of strengths and weaknesses within a student’s academic career. In this blog, we will cover the current data on scores year after year, factors associated with the changes, and how to best approach these standardized tests in light of recent data. This month, Peterson’s will be offering an ACT and SAT special, six months of test prep for $135—99 dollars off, so that students can walk into their test confidently. Current Data on ACT & SAT Scores Decline ACT—In 2024, average ACT co...

You may have seen a lot of news in the past few years about closed colleges. It's true; many colleges have shut down in the past decade, and some sources estimate that roughly one college closes down each week. Which colleges have closed, and why? And should you be concerned about the school you're interested in or attending closing? Read this guide to learn which colleges have closed down since 2015, what happens when a college closes, and why there have been more closed colleges in recent years.   What Does It Mean for a College to Close?  When a college closes, it ceases to exist: it doesn't enroll students, classes shut down, it doesn't award degrees, etc. There are two main scenarios that occur when a college closes: it either completely shuts down and fully ceases to exist with the...

By Kelly Rosinger and Dominique J. Baker  Colleges and universities nationwide turned to test-optional admission policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, our research team at the College Admissions Futures Co-Laborative set out to examine test-optional implementation during the pandemic, how colleges varied in test-optional policy implementation, and the implications of test-optional admission for college selectivity and enrollment at selective colleges and universities. We defined selective colleges and universities as those that admitted fewer than half of applicants over three consecutive years, on average. For these 186 public and private, not-for-profit four-year institutions, we spent two and a half years collecting...

In 2024, several elite colleges dropped their test-optional admissions policies and returned to requiring SAT/ACT scores as part of the admissions process.  This is a major change in college admissions–and one that may be adopted by other colleges and universities in the future. With more college admissions changes potentially on the horizon, how can you plan your college application process? How do you know which colleges are test optional and which colleges require SAT/ACT scores? Our expert admissions counselors are weighing in and giving you the tips and insider knowledge you need to know so you’re prepared for a changing college admissions landscape. Keep reading to learn more! Colleges are bringing back testing polices...kinda like this enthusiastic Labrador playing fetch.   Why A...

  In February 2024, Dartmouth and Yale — two Ivy League universities — announced that they were returning to their previous policies of requiring SAT or ACT test scores as part of their admissions processes. Brown followed suit in March 2024, announcing their decision to return to requiring standardized tests as well.   For the past few years these schools have been “test optional,” meaning students could choose to send test scores, but they weren’t required for admission. This signals a major shift in the college admissions landscape as other U.S. universities weigh if they should follow suit.  So how does this change impact students applying to Brown, Yale, or Dartmouth? And does this signal a larger trend in the admissions landscape?  Let’s find out.  Dartmouth is one of...

SAT and ACT scores are common admission requirements for college. But what if I told you that you could get into a great school without taking either of these exams? Behold test-optional colleges. Colleges that are test optional don't require you to submit SAT or ACT scores but will consider them if submitted. In this guide, we'll explain what "test optional" means for different schools before providing you with a comprehensive list of test-optional colleges and universities in the US. The first two lists will cover the best test-optional colleges and universities (i.e., those ranked in the top 100), and the last list will include all other test-optional colleges in the country. Along the way, we'll also give you a few key tips on when you should and should not send your SAT/ACT test scor...

  As the college application season kicks into high gear, parents of college-bound students may find themselves trying to figure out which of the various deadline options are best for their student. Two of the most common application deadlines are Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA). Understanding these options, their differences, benefits, and important deadlines is crucial to help your student make informed decisions about their college journey. In this article, we’ll break down the distinctions between Early Decision and Early Action and provide you with the key dates to keep in mind.   Early Decision (ED): The Binding Commitment Early Decision is a college application process that offers a unique advantage and, at the same time, requires a significant commitment. Here’s what you...

In many ways, the most labor-intensive part of your college application process is the essay. It’s not just about forwarding transcripts or entering a list of extracurricular activities—you have to craft something personal and compelling to show the admissions committee who you are beyond your resume. (more…)

There are many scholarship dollars available to college applicants. You expect they will ease the burden of paying for college, but beware: the hard work you put into researching and applying for outside scholarships may not ultimately be beneficial if the college to which you are applying  practices “scholarship displacement.” It is important to understand why scholarship displacement is an element of the college application funding process and how it may impact you and your parents. You also need to know potential ways to avoid its ramifications. What is scholarship displacement? Scholarship displacement is when a  school reduces, or “displaces,” the financial aid they have awarded you by the amount of an outside scholarship. Let’s say your award letter says you are eligible for $10,000...