Key Insights from the First Round of College Decisions As we near the end of the 2025-26 admissions cycle, it’s time to review results from the early application rounds and analyze the data that’s available so far. The Class of 2030 continued to break records with an astonishing number of applications to a wide array of schools. Similarly, we saw a continuing trend of dropping acceptance rates, with almost every school becoming more competitive. Overall, the data shows only s

What You Need to Know Before Finalizing Your Testing Schedule Standardized test scores from the SAT, ACT, or AP/IB exams provide a metric that colleges use to more easily compare academic preparedness across all students. Additionally, test scores are a helpful supplement to a student's GPA and academic history, and can either back up strong grades or demonstrate that students may not be prepared for the rigor of college-level classes. Don't rely solely on a strong rank or G

Having trouble keeping up with everything you should be doing to become a competitive applicant for college admissions? Mid-year is the perfect time to assess your progress in 5 key areas to ensure you finish the second semester strong! Freshman Year:   Explore and Settle In! Academics Don’t underestimate how difficult the transition from middle school to high school is, especially if you are taking Advanced Placement courses. Set academic goals for the second semester to imp

Winter Break is here and the final round of college application deadlines are less than a month away! When the pressure is on and Regular Decision deadlines seem imminent, it might feel like you need to complete your application materials as quickly as possible, especially when it comes to application portals. However, it is crucial that you take your time when providing your information in portals and carefully review all responses to confirm that you are ready to hit submit

Does your family have an academically-gifted middle schooler? Are you looking for a high school experience that will challenge them and provide them with the unique opportunities they need to build skills essential to college success? Texas boasts some of the nation’s most rigorous academic programs—including four high schools ranked in the top 40 nationally and the nation’s first early college entrance residential program. In today’s post, we’ll walk you through the applicat