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Find guidance on applications, academic choices, international admissions, and planning for college.
Essays and applications
Testing and academic profile
- What are test-optional college admissions policies? And should you still take the SAT and/or ACT? (2026 Update)
- The “Hidden” Transcripts: Every Academic Record College Applicants May Need to Report (And How to Use Them to Your Advantage!)
- How to Maximize Your Extracurriculars for College Applications (Guest Post)
- AP Exams: Here’s how to study and prepare for AP Exams.
International admissions
College planning
- Juniors, it’s time to start making your college lists. Here is how to build a balanced list of reach, target, and safety colleges.
- Planning a college visit? Here is how to make the most of your time on campus.
- The Significance of Choosing the Right Major: Aligning Interests and Authenticity in College Admissions
- A Beginner's Guide to Navigating Financial Aid for College (Guest Post)
- Budget for College Now: Start Planning Your Finances Early
Yale Ends Test-Flexible Admissions: SAT or ACT Is Now Required
Yale has ended its test-flexible experiment. Beginning with the 2026–27 admissions cycle, every first-year and transfer applicant must submit the SAT or ACT. Here is what changed—and what applicants should do next.
Caltech Is Auditing Applications: What Its “Fraud Squad” Means for Students
Caltech has formalized one of the most rigorous application-verification systems in selective admissions. Here is what it checks, how students can prepare, and why honest applicants should not panic.
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