Welcome to your junior year! As you adjust to a new schedule, give yourself some space to settle into a routine. This year will bring academic challenges, extracurricular commitments, and a bigger focus on college planning, but with thoughtful organization, you can keep everything manageable. Your...

The Common App has officially launched for the new application cycle! Whether you’ve already been working on your materials or are just getting started, now is the time to dig in and make meaningful progress before school ramps back up. The more you complete now,...

With school out and your schedule a little lighter, summer is the perfect time to get a start on your college applications—and trust me, your fall self will thank you for it!  This is especially true for the writing you'll be doing. A head start...

You’ve just about made it through what’s often the most intense year of high school, and you deserve a chance to relax and recharge. At the same time, summer is a key opportunity to get a head start on college applications before senior year begins. First...

Whether you’re finishing AP exams this week, preparing for finals, or getting ready for the SAT or ACT, I know this is a high-pressure time. Keep doing your best to finish strong—your performance now helps set the stage for a successful college application process. As your...

A year from now you’ll be finalizing your college decision, and to get to that point with confidence, now is the time to start preparing. Your first priority should continue to be your academics--get the best grades you can in your current classes, and on...

Spring is here, and for juniors that means standardized testing. Some of my students have already taken the SAT or ACT at least once, but even if you’re just getting started, you have plenty of time to meet my recommended goal of completing testing before...

We've passed the midpoint of the year and it’s time to take stock of how things are going. Your grades are the most important factor in college admissions, so if you need extra support, now is the time to seek help. Depending on how your...

I hope you enjoyed your break, and that you're coming back to school with new energy for your academics and activities. You should also be getting more focused on college planning, starting with college research. You can explore the Academics and Student Life sections of...

PSAT scores are out and if you haven't already done so, it's time to finalize your testing plan. Compare your PSAT with a practice ACT score (making sure to use a PSAT comparison chart, not an SAT chart), choose your test and map out your...