You've completed your activity list, answered every question, and tweaked your essays to fit each application. But there's one you can't fudge: the "why this school?" essay! It's a lot of pressure, right when you need to really shine. I'll walk you through it.
Finding a Theme for Your College Essay
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.
How to answer Big-Picture Reading Questions on the Enhanced ACT
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!
Break Through Common App Writers’ Block with these 15 Questions
Totally pulling a blank as to what to write about for your main college essay? These 15 prompts will help you find the perfect topic for you.
Can You Cram for the SAT or ACT?
Cramming doesn't work: the human brain just doesn't work that way. But that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the time you have left...even if there's not as much of it as you might like!
The Best Way to Choose a Common App Essay Topic
An excellent college personal statement needs an organizing principle—a guiding light that tells colleges who you are and displays your self-awareness and maturity. So what exactly IS an organizing principle? Let me explain.
Packing Checklist for the SAT & ACT
You’ve studied for months, and now the big day is finally here: you’re about to take the Digital SAT, SAT or the ACT. But all of that hard prep work will be wasted effort if you show up to the testing room without the supplies you need to rock the test! Never fear: I’ve made you a checklist of the 7-9 essential items you should bring with you when you take the ACT or SAT, now with updated info on what you should bring to the Digital SAT, too.
The Five Best SAT Reading + Writing Hacks
Strategy goes a long way on the Reading and Writing section of the Digital SAT. Here are my top five.
The Best Guessing Strategy for the Digital SAT and ACT
If you’ve taken a few SAT or ACT practice tests (or even a round or two of the actual test), you may have found yourself running out of time on a section or two. What should you do when you don’t have time to actually think through those last few questions? Will it help or harm your score to guess—and if you should guess, what are the smartest strategies for doing so? Read on.
2026 Guide to Superscoring on the Digital SAT and ACT
What’s a “Superscore”? If you’re applying to colleges—or if you’re a parent of someone who is—it’s essential you understand how this scoring system works and how it affects your college applications. I’m breaking down the details of super scoring on the Digital SAT and Enhanced ACT in this post!
What SAT/ACT Score Do I Need?
Everyone should be aiming for a perfect score on the SAT/ACT, right? Not necessarily. It’s a way better strategy to aim for a target score calculated to get you into YOUR specific dream schools. Use this post to calculate yours!
Common App vs. Coalition App: Which Is Best for You?
If you’re a high school Senior (or younger), the Common App and Coalition App can save you a TON of time on your college applications. But what are the differences between these two options, exactly—and which is the better fit for YOU? This blog post brings you the answers.
What Are the Common App Essay Prompts in 2026?
The Common App essay prompts for this admissions season are here! Read on to see your seven options for your 2026-27 Personal Statement.
What Should I Write My Common App Essay about?
7 Tips for Using Your Summer to Get into College
Worried about how to make the most of those crucial summers during the college process, sophomore through junior year? Worry no more—this post lays out a road map to what you need to keep your eye on.
SAT and ACT Dates, 2026-2027
When can you take the SAT or ACT in academic year 2026-27? And when will scores be released? Here’s the full list of dates.
Don’t Fall for These Top Two ACT Grammar Errors
Nervous about the SAT or ACT?
What is test anxiety? How can it impact your SAT or ACT score? And most importantly…how do you get out from under its yoke and get the scores your hard work deserves? Not to worry: expert advice on how to conquer test anxiety is just a click away.
Score Choice: What It Is and How to Use It
Score Choice can be confusing…especially for parents who didn’t have it as part of their own college process! So what is Score Choice and how does it affect your decisions about your SAT and ACT scores and college applications? I’m laying out everything you need to know about Score Choice right here.
Guide to Getting a Perfect Score on the SAT Math Section
If you’re applying to the most competitive colleges out there, it’s possible you’ll need a perfect ACT or SAT score to get in. How can you set yourself up to nail the math half of that 36 or 1600? Here’s your eight-step roadmap.
