If I told you there were easy things you could do to move your application from the “rejected” pile to the “admitted” one, you’d take those steps right away, no? Well, “Demonstrated Interest” is exactly that! This post explains WHAT Demonstrated Interest is in college admissions—AND gives you nine ways to show that interest to the schools on your list.
Submitting the Common App: Your 6-Step Checklist
There’s more to calling your Common Application complete than dotting every I, crossing every T, and catching every typo. My six-step checklist will have you hitting submit with confidence!
How to Stay Calm during the SAT & ACT: Page-Turn Zen
All the SAT and ACT prep in the world won’t matter if you get so nervous on exam day that you can’t remember what you’ve learned. That’s why I like to teach my SAT and ACT-taker clients this technique: Page Turn Zen. Read on for the deets on how this simple practice can help you stay calm—and increase your score by hundreds of points.
The Best Strategy for ACT "Fork" Questions
The "fork question" is my term for a particular question form on the ACT that can waste your time and induce unnecessary errors...unless you see it coming. Read on for the lowdown on how to conquer this tricky question type.
Is There Still a COVID Question on the Common App?
In recent years, the Common Application has featured an optional question asking about students’ experience during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Is this question still on the Common App? And if not, what’s taken its place?
When Should You Take the Digital SAT and ACT? Four Timelines
Okay, so you know you need a Testing Timeline—but where do you start? I’ve got you covered. One of these four basic Testing Timelines should get (almost) every high school Junior on the path to SAT or ACT success!
How to Write Your Common App Activities List
Everyone knows that the Activities List is a super important section of the Common App…so why do so many people flub the chance to maximize its impact? Let me show you how to avoid that pitfall with these six steps to a winning Activities List.
10 Things *Not* to Do in Your College Applications
I get it: college admissions is a pressure cooker, and it’s tempting to take some shortcuts to success. But there are some supposed “hacks” that backfire big-time. Here's what NOT to do when you're applying to college.
Guide to Diagnostic Testing for the ACT & Digital SAT
You might already know that you need to take a diagnostic test in order to set up a successful test-prep process. But did you know that HOW you take it really matters? I’m explaining what to do and what NOT to do in order to get the best results from your diagnostic SAT or ACT test.
Improve Your SAT or ACT Score with the "Things to Remember" Hack
My students who make the most astounding improvements on the SAT or ACT have one thing in common. It's a simple study technique I call the "things to remember list," and I can teach it to you, too.
How to answer Big-Picture Questions on the ACT Reading
Both the SAT and ACT ask “big picture” reading questions, so lots of tutors and test prep companies try to prepare you to answer them. In this post, I’m reviewing the strategies that you’ve probably heard before…and sharing the simple and effective one that works for my students, which I bet you haven’t!
Transition Words on the ACT and Digital SAT
Transition words account for a surprisingly high number of points on the SAT and ACT! But what are they and how do they work? Here’s the most complete guide to transition words you’ll find.
How to Improve Your College Apps with an Organizing Principle
So you know you need an Organizing Principle to show your dream school who you are…but how do you find yours? Especially on your own? I’m giving you a road map to articulating the hidden sense of self that will help you show colleges who you are.
Making Your College List: Factors to Consider
Before you start applying to colleges, you need to figure out which ones you’re applying TO. Sounds simple, right? But there are so many factors to consider that making a college list can seem intimidating. Don’t worry! This week I’m giving you a straightforward five-step guide to drafting your list of dream schools….so you can start working on getting INTO them.
How to get the most out of College Visits
If you approach your college visits proactively, you can come home from them WAY further along in your application process than you left. Here's how.
Common App Updates: 2025-2026
The Common App is the cornerstone of most students’ college application process. And it’s about to undergo some notable updates come August 1! Read on to find out exactly what’s changing…and what isn’t.
My Top Strategy for ACT English Add/Delete a Sentence Qs
If the ACT is your test of choice, you’ll have to navigate quite a few questions about language, grammar, and writing. In this post, I spotlight one type of question that always appears on the test—the “add/delete a sentence” question—and spell out my failsafe tactic for figuring out the right answer. If you’re hunting for a quick and easy way to rack up points, read on!
Americans Applying to Australian/New Zealander Colleges: Test Score Requirements
U.S. high schoolers considering studying outside of America for college…can find the application process confusing. This week, I’m demystifying Australian and New Zealander university admissions so you understand which tests you need to take AND which scores you need to get.
How to Cancel an ACT Score
SHOULD you cancel is one question (and I’ve written about it!), but once you’re sure you want to, there’s another question: HOW do you cancel your ACT score? This post walks you through it step by step.
Canceling Your SAT Score: Instructions and Advice
IF canceling your scores is really necessary, it can save your application! But how do you cancel your Digital SAT scores? Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough, for use in emergencies only!
