Brains and Brawn Blog

Taking a test soon? Find out tips for what you should do so that you can be prepared. 

Now that many of you are nearing the end of junior year, it is nearly time to think about college applications and how we will begin preparing for the beginning of senior year. It is extremely important to get ahead of college applications and this is why I have a 3-pronged approach to getting ahead before it is time to apply to schools. 

Advanced Placement (AP) classes are college-level courses that you can complete during high school. There are several perks to taking APs, such as boosting your GPA, showing colleges you can tackle rigorous coursework, and earning college credit that could save you thousands in tuition! Typically, you enroll and take AP classes that are offered at your school and then sit for the AP exams in May. However, some schools don’t offer the APs you want, you may not have room in your schedule, your school might not offer AP at all, or you may be homeschooled. Many students wonder whether they can take AP exams if they can't take the class, and the answer is yes!

College is most young adult’s first big financial decision. This choice that students make at 17 or 18-year-olds can affect them financially for decades to come. 

The Reading sections on the ACT and SAT can be daunting. You have to read and comprehend several passages, understand the questions, watch out for trick answers, make sure your answer is supported by the passage, and also keep an eye on the time! The last part, time, often gives many students trouble. One reason for this is that they don’t know the difference between “reading” and “skimming.” It’s important to figure out which method works best for you so that you can finish in time and get the right answer. 

Use this tip to dramatically improve your memory retention after studying!

There are many misconceptions about public vs private universities. Many students think that private universities are the same as private high schools and tend to stray away from them. I am here to clarify the difference between the two and help you decide which type of university is right for you.

The SAT and ACT are both accepted standardized tests for admission to every college in the US, so we highly recommend that you figure out which test is best for you! One way to do that is to compare the math sections and figure out which one complements your strengths the most. You could take practice tests from each test and try to figure it out on your own. Or you can read on to find out some of the major differences between the SAT math and ACT math!

The SAT is an extremely daunting test and everywhere you look there are different recommendations for the best way to get a great score. In reality, the best way to do that is to build a schedule that fits your personality and lifestyle and STICK TO IT! Here are a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to building your SAT study schedule.

An explanation of what need-based aid is and how it affects your college decision process