"We probably won't qualify for anything, so should we even bother with the FAFSA?"

I hear this every year, and my answer is almost always YES. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the form colleges and many states use to decide financial aid, and some scholarships require it even when they have nothing to do with income. If you want the basics first, start with What is the FAFSA and how is it used?

Here's what to know for this year.

When it opens

The 2027-28 FAFSA is for students starting college in the fall of 2027, which means this year's seniors. It opened on September 23rd (October 1st is their typical target date). Some state and college aid is first come, first served, so plan to file in the first few weeks after it opens rather than waiting until spring. NOTE: Though completing the FAFSA early is important for some colleges/scholarships, I generally recommend giving the form a couple of weeks after opening before completing it in case there are software is...

This is one of the questions I get most often in our live Q&A sessions. Sometimes it comes from a student who loves EVERYTHING: art, biology, history, business, music. Sometimes it comes from a student who shrugs and says, "Nothing really interests me."

Here's the surprising thing: both students need the same first step. They don't need to pick a career today. They need a process for exploring.

If you're interested in everything

Having lots of interests is a GIFT, not a problem. The trick is to look underneath the subjects and find the pattern.

• Look for the common thread. Do all your interests involve creating something? Helping people? Solving puzzles? Leading a group? That thread matters more than the subject.
• Notice how you like to work. Alone or with people? Indoors or outdoors? Big ideas or hands on details?
• Look for careers that combine interests. A student who loves art and biology might explore medical illustration. A student who loves history and business might explore
...

It happens every year. Students come back from winter break feeling recharged and ready to tackle the spring semester. Fast forward a few weeks, and suddenly everything feels harder. Homework piles up. Motivation tanks. The finish line of summer seems impossibly far away.

Sound familiar?

The second-semester slump is real, but it doesn't have to derail your academic success. Here are some strategies that actually work:

Reset Your Goals

First semester is done. You can't change those grades, so stop dwelling on them. Instead, use the fresh start of a new semester to set specific, achievable goals. Not "I'll do better in math" but "I'll spend 30 minutes reviewing math concepts three times a week." Specific goals give you a clear action plan instead of vague intentions.

Eat the Frog First

Remember that quote about eating a live frog first thing in the morning? It means tackle your hardest subject when your brain is freshest. If you're dragging yourself through easy assignments first a...

I received this question recently from a parent:

My son is in 10th grade and his school is offering the PSAT 10. Should he take it? What about the PreACT or CLT 10?

Great question! With so many practice test options available, it can be confusing to know which ones are worth your time and energy. Let me break down your options and help you decide what makes sense for your situation.

What is the PSAT 10?

The PSAT 10 (Preliminary SAT) is a practice version of the SAT exam that's typically offered to 10th (PSAT 10) and 11th (PSAT) grade students. It's designed to give students a preview of what the actual SAT will be like. The PSAT 10 and PSAT are identical, with the PSAT 10 being offered as an option for sophomores to take to prepare for the PSAT, which when taken in their junior year enters students into the National Merit Scholarship competition (which sounds great, but less than the top 1% of students go on to earn scholarships).

The test covers Reading, Writing & Language, and M...

If you're tired of hearing about the SAT and ACT, let me introduce you to a third option that's gaining serious traction: the CLT, or Classic Learning Test. I've been watching this test grow in popularity for years, especially among homeschool families and students who love literature and philosophy. But is it right for you?

The CLT is fundamentally different from the SAT and ACT. Instead of testing your ability to analyze random passages about tree frogs or geometry theorems, it focuses on classic literature, historical documents, and philosophical texts. Think Shakespeare, the Declaration of Independence, and Aristotle rather than modern science articles and data interpretation.

Here's what makes the CLT unique: it assumes you've been exposed to great books and a more classic/liberal arts education. The reading passages come from authors like Jane Austen, Frederick Douglass, and Plato. The grammar section tests your understanding of rhetoric and style, not just punctuation rules. T...

Summer break isn't just about sleeping in and binge-watching Netflix (though there's definitely time for that too!). It's actually the perfect opportunity to get real-world experience in fields you're considering for your future. And I'm not talking about generic "volunteer at the hospital" advice - I mean strategic, intentional career exploration that actually helps you make decisions.

Here's the thing most students don't realize: three days of job shadowing can teach you more about a career than three months of research online. There's just no substitute for seeing what professionals actually do day-to-day, what skills they use, and whether the reality matches your expectations.

But let's be strategic about this. Before you start reaching out to random professionals, take a step back and figure out what you're actually curious about. If you haven't already, grab our Career Prep Challenge - it walks you through personality testing, explores different fields, and gives you the framew...

Let me guess - you want to stay sharp academically over summer, but you also want to actually enjoy your break, right? I totally get it! After working with hundreds of students, I've learned that the secret isn't studying more during summer - it's studying smarter.

First, let's talk about what "maintaining academic momentum" actually means. It's not about doing three hours of math problems every day (please don't do that to yourself!). It's about keeping your brain engaged, preventing the dreaded "summer slide," and maybe even getting ahead in areas where you're passionate.

The biggest mistake I see families make is trying to recreate the school year during summer. That's a recipe for burnout and resentment. Instead, think of summer as a chance to explore learning in a more relaxed, self-directed way.

Here's my approach: the 80/20 summer rule. Spend 80% of your time having fun, relaxing, and doing summer things. Use the remaining 20% for intentional learning. For most students, that...

I'm going to give you some advice that might surprise you: if you're a rising senior reading this in June, you're actually right on time to start thinking about college essays. Not late, not behind - right on time.

Also important to note, you might not need an essay! If you are looking at more open admissions schools (community colleges, many state universities, and some private universities), an essay may not even be needed for the application process. It also might be required for some scholarships you are considering, but not for general admissions. If not required, you can just move on, but if you think there is a good chance you will need to do some writing then keep reading...

Here's why summer is the sweet spot for essay writing. You're not juggling five classes, extracurriculars, and test prep all at once. Your brain has space to think creatively and reflect on your experiences. Plus, you'll have drafts ready when applications open in August, giving you time to revise instead...

Okay, it's June and I’ve received several questions about whether to take the July ACT! As someone who's been helping students nail the ACT and SAT for over 18 years, let me give you some criteria on making this decision.

Take the July test if you:

• Have been actively prepping for at least 4-6 weeks (not just "thinking about it")
• Are a rising senior needing scores for early applications
• Your practice scores are within 2-3 points of your target

Wait for fall if you:

• Just started thinking about test prep this week (seriously, don't rush it!)
• You're a rising junior with plenty of time (the ACT is also changing for the paper test in September, so I recommend holding off)
• Haven't finished Algebra 2 and Geometry yet
• You want My Answer Key (formerly Test Information Release) feedback to guide your prep (available for September, December and February test dates)
• Your summer is packed with travel, camps, or other commitments

Summer is honestly the BEST time for test prep becau...

Homeschool Accommodations for the ACT

I receive requests every year from homeschool families for details on the process to secure accommodations for the ACT, so I thought I would turn this into a blog.

Homeschooling high-school is daunting. In addition to the roles of parent and teacher, you now have to also add in guidance counselor! That can get extra complicated if you have a teen who needs accommodations for the ACT, as you are responsible for navigating that process yourself (and the ACT is not always helpful during that process!

This guide will walk you through the steps of signing up for ACT accommodations, ensuring a smooth and successful test experience.

Step 1: Register and Request

First things first, head over to the ACT website and get registered for the exam. During the registration process, there will be a section dedicated to accommodation needs. Don't skip this! Select "Yes" when prompted.

Step 2: Documentation

Since you're a homeschooler, ACT will need some addi...