Beat the Summer Learning Gap With Science
Quick answer: Students can beat summer learning loss by treating motivation as a system rather than a trait. Set one specific, personally meaningful goal, break it into small steps with visible progress, keep a light weekly routine with regular check-ins, and build in rest. A project your student cares about keeps skills and momentum growing […]
Boston University’s Most Notable Alumni
Quick answer: Boston University notable alumni include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who earned his PhD in systematic theology at BU in 1955, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Helen Magill White, the first American woman to earn a PhD. BU graduates have also led in law, science, medicine, public service, and education. Founded in 1839 by […]
3 Essential College Admissions Books to Kick Off Summer
Quick answer: Three college admissions books worth reading this summer are Admissions Confidential by Rachel Toor, Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be by Frank Bruni, and The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinberg. Together they show how decisions are really made and remind families that there is no secret formula for admission. As summer begins […]
The Role of Passion Projects in Building a Compelling Narrative
Quick answer: A passion project can anchor a college application’s narrative by showing a student’s interests, values, initiative, and voice through work they chose and built themselves. Unlike club titles or award counts, a sustained project reveals how a student thinks and grows, giving essays, activities, and recommendations a shared story. Ask any parent or […]
What Are the Little Ivy Schools and How Do They Compare to the Ivy League?
Quick answer: The Little Ivies are small, highly selective liberal arts colleges in the Northeast, most often Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Wesleyan, and Haverford. The term is unofficial. These colleges offer Ivy League-level academics with small classes and close faculty contact, and the most selective admit fewer than 1 in 10 applicants. […]
2026–2027 Standardized Test-Optional Colleges: What You Need to Know
Quick answer: Most US colleges remain test-optional for students applying for fall 2027 entry, and test-optional colleges still far outnumber schools that require scores. A growing list of selective universities requires the SAT or ACT, including Harvard, MIT, Yale, Stanford, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, and Johns Hopkins. Princeton, Notre Dame, and Columbia will require scores […]
From Middle School to Lifelong Leadership: Why Now Is the Moment to Build Your Child’s Future
Quick answer: Middle school leadership skills, such as curiosity, consistency, communication, and contribution, are easiest to build during the middle school years, when the adolescent brain is especially responsive to practice. Students who practice these habits in authentic ways enter high school ready for challenging courses, meaningful activities, and real responsibility. Middle school doesn’t always […]
Harvard’s Federal Funding Lawsuit: What It Means for College Admissions
Quick answer: Harvard’s federal funding lawsuit began in 2025 after the government froze more than $2.2 billion in research grants. In September 2025, a federal judge ruled in Harvard’s favor, most funding was restored, and the government appealed. Applicants should follow developments but keep Harvard on their list if it fits their goals. Is Harvard’s […]
Colleges With No Application Fee: 115 Schools to Consider
Quick answer: Many colleges with no application fee are highly selective, including Colby, Bryn Mawr, and Wellesley. If a school on your list does charge a fee, you may still qualify for a waiver through the Common App, which your school counselor confirms, or through the college itself. Always check each school’s current policy before […]
Science Olympiad Summer Tournament 2025 Recap
Quick answer: More than 2,000 students from 120 high schools competed at the 41st Science Olympiad National Tournament at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on May 23 and 24, 2025, in events from anatomy and forensics to bridge building and flight. InGenius Prep, a Science Olympiad partner, supported students and families on site. This past weekend, […]