The Smarter Path to College
Helping students make their way to college with free tools and advice from certified counselors.
Latest Articles
Khan Academy SAT Prep – Better Than Paid Services?
Every year, millions of high school students in the United States take the SAT, a three- to four-hour standardized test to demonstrate...
Top 10 No Essay Scholarships for 2019
Scholarships are a good way to fund college tuition, but they often require essays to apply, something high school seniors usually aren't...
College vs University – What’s the Difference and How Do I...
Choosing an educational pathway after high school can be an exciting but daunting challenge for students and their families. Understanding the key...
SAT vs ACT – What are the Differences and How Are...
Most colleges in the U.S. require high school applicants to take one of two standardized tests: the SAT or the ACT. Although...
Common App Essay Prompts for 2019-2020
When you look at the Common App essay prompts for 2019-2020, you should heave a sigh of relief. Yes, writing the Common Application...
Top 10 Easy Scholarships for 2019
So you're headed to college, but you're a little concerned about how to pay for it. You're not alone. One financial aid...
Here’s How to Send SAT Scores to Colleges
Most colleges require an SAT score from applicants, so it's critical that you send your best scores to your preferred colleges well...
What is an Ivy League School?
You’ve heard the boasts – “I (or they) went to an Ivy League school!” You may not have been quite sure what...
How to Ask Your Teacher for a Letter of Recommendation for...
You've done the hard work at school, and you've made a good start on your college applications. But you're not done yet. Now you...
Trade School vs College – How To Choose
High school is often a blur of friends, fun, sports, extracurricular activities and the occasional book thrown in for good measure, but at some...
Why You Need a Brag Sheet for College
What is a Brag Sheet?
A brag sheet, basically, is a compilation of all your high school achievements from academic honors and merit to community...
Kaplan Test Prep vs Khan Academy for the SAT
The SAT test is the pinnacle test of high school- everything you have gained in your last few years, from knowledge to work ethic,...
Tips For Writing a Great College Admission Essay
In theory, writing a college admissions essay should be simple. If you've spent any time talking with your guidance counselor or English teacher, then...
What if I Don’t Want to Go To College?
As you approach the end of high school, the pressure can be strong to go to college. Sometimes that seems like the safest choice....
Khan Academy vs The Princeton Review for SAT Test Prep
Doing your best on the SAT test is one of the most important steps of your high school career, so the obvious goal is...
High School Honors and AP Classes – Do I Need to...
One of the most important decisions a high school student must make is whether to take honors and Advanced Placement classes. These classes involve...
College Planning 101: How to Choose, Apply and Get Into College
If you are a high school student, then the many college possibilities for you can feel intimidating and overwhelming. Since you have unique interests...
Gap Year Ideas and Options Before College
Ok. So, you worked hard in high school and you aren’t ready to go to college. You feel like you need to take a...
College Sports and NCAA Eligibility – What You Need to Know
Are you a competitive athlete hoping to play your sport in college? To have the opportunity to play college athletics, it is important that...
SAT Scores – What’s Good, What’s Bad and How Do You...
The SAT can be one of the most daunting tests of your high school career. Mainly because it determines the options you have for...
How Can I Earn College Credits in High School?
Earning college credits while still in high school has a lot of benefits, making it an important option to look into during the latter...
What is a Weighted GPA and How Do You Calculate It?
High schools sometimes provide you with both a weighted and unweighted GPA. Knowing the difference between the two, and knowing which one is more...
What Are AP Classes and Should I Take Them for College?
AP classes launched in 1956 with just 11 available subjects, and now a wide variety of classes are available that benefit students no matter...
What Are Extracurricular Activities for College?
As you're preparing your college applications, you may be ready to upload those carefully honed essays and to discuss what you've learned in your...
How To Calculate Your GPA with Easy Steps
What Is a GPA?
A GPA is a grade point average. This average takes your grades from all of the classes you've taken and calculates...
Top 15 College Interview Questions and Answer Strategies
As part of the college application process, you may have to go through several interviews, either in person or on the phone. While the...
What is a Pell Grant and Am I Eligible?
Should Pell Grants be Part of Your College Financing Strategy?
If you're trying to figure out how to pay for college, it's important to consider...