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Continue reading →: Final Steps After Submitting College ApplicationsTo many high school students, submitting college applications feels like the final step in a long process. After years of hard work and months of essay writing, clicking “submit” often brings a huge sense of accomplishment. Students need to remember that there are still some steps they must take to…
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Continue reading →: Top Resources for Writing Strong UC PIQsFor many California high school seniors, the UC Application is a familiar endeavor. In addition to completing personal background information, documenting A-G courses, and crafting an extended activities list, students must write responses to four Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). Each of these essays is a maximum of 350 words and…
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Continue reading →: Three Reasons High School Juniors Should Take the PSATThe PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a standardized test administered by The College Board for 8th-11th grade students. There are different versions of the test intended to capture benchmark scores for students in grades 8/9, 10, and 11. While there can be compelling reasons to take the PSAT in each of…
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Continue reading →: Five Helpful Tips for Writing a Compelling Common App EssayIn the post Preparing for the Common App, we outlined the background information that students must include in their college application when using the popular Common Application. Absent from that article was any information addressing the Common App essay, the most challenging part of the application for most students. If…
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Continue reading →: Mastering College Application Deadlines: A Complete GuideNavigating college application deadlines can be complex, as there are multiple types of timelines—each with their own dates, requirements, and implications. Understanding the terminology and distinctions between each type of deadline is essential for determining the best application strategy for you. The Four Main Types of College Application Deadlines: Rolling…
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Continue reading →: College Application Writing SupplementsThe college application season starts in August for high school seniors, requiring careful preparation for personal essays and supplemental writing. Common themes include “why us” and “why this major” essays, offering students a chance to showcase individuality. Organization and early brainstorming are vital for success in this application process.
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Continue reading →: Top Tips for Finalizing Your College ListAs July draws to a close and the new school year quickly approaches, rising seniors who are planning to go to college after graduation should be finalizing the list of schools to which they plan to apply. (Haven’t even started making a list? Study Smarter’s College Application Strategy package is…
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Continue reading →: Preparing for the Common AppThere’s no denying it: college applications are a lot of work! Many students know that writing college essays will be time consuming, but they don’t often plan for the time investment necessary for other components of the application. In this blog post, we will look at the information students need…
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Continue reading →: College Planning for Students with DisabilitiesDid you see our recent blog post about Understanding Disability Accommodations in College? If you’re a family who has a student for whom these accommodations are necessary, make sure you understand the expectations of college students in securing and communicating academic support needs. Identifying Colleges with Strong Disability Services If…
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Continue reading →: Understanding College Accommodations for Students with DisabilitiesIf you are a college-bound student who has received accommodations in high school for a documented disability, you may be eligible to receive accommodations in college as well. Before starting the college search, students and their parents need to be aware of the differences in accommodations between high school and…
We are excited to share our experience and knowledge about the college admissions process. Each student’s journey to college is unique, and we hope this blog will help empower students and their families to make informed decisions for themselves.
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