Test Optional. A phrase that, ever since its rise to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic, has left many students feeling nervous and confused. In 2025, Test Optional isn’t a new term. High school counselors and admissions officers alike are regularly having conversations with students around the world, educating them on what exactly Test Optional…
Do you have a test coming up? A paper due? A big presentation, perhaps? No matter what you have on your plate, developing good study habits can be the foundation you need to succeed. The five helpful tips in this article focus on a variety of areas related to your learning. Utilize one, two, or…
In the world of college admissions, there are nearly infinite methods and rubrics that universities use to evaluate applications. While the review process is holistic, considering academics, extracurricular activities, and more, many schools feel the need for a universal measure or evaluation tool. Is an ‘A’ at your high school equivalent to an ‘A’ at…
What you need to know about the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) – updated to include the structural changes implemented in August 2024. The LSAT is the test required for admission to every law school in the United States. It is a time-intensive test consisting of four sections of multiple-choice questions: Logical Reasoning (2 sections),…
Faculty Frustration with High School Curricula Having spent the majority of my career in enrollment management positions, the question of standardized testing’s impact on college admissions arises more frequently than you might expect. Collegiate faculty often express frustration with high school curricula, particularly the lack of courses that encourage students to think critically or synthesize…
Debunking the myths To submit testing, or not to submit testing, that is the question on every student’s mind, but how much do colleges even care about standardized scores? Even though most colleges today use a holistic review that considers various factors to determine admission, standardized testing is often still considered to be the greatest…
Did you know that there are over 1,830 colleges and universities that have switched to test-optional over the last few years? According to Forbes, many of these schools did so to help combat the effects of COVID, but as COVID cases have been on a drastic decline schools are standing by this policy for a…
No, college admissions is not solely about perfect GPAs and testing. While good grades and high test scores can certainly help, there are many other factors that colleges consider when evaluating applicants. First, it might be helpful to understand the difference between holistic and non-holistic college admissions. Holistic Admissions Holistic college admissions is an approach…