Karen Handler Ryan 11/12/24 Karen Handler Ryan 11/12/24

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities for High Schoolers

The holidays are a perfect time for students to volunteer for (or lead) service opportunities. Here are some ways students can get involved with their communities.

Karen Handler Ryan 11/12/24 Karen Handler Ryan 11/12/24

What College Admissions Officers Are Looking for When Reviewing Grades

Whether a junior is starting to research colleges or a senior is working on applications, it is important to understand what college admissions officers are looking for when they review high school grades.

Karen Handler Ryan 11/11/24 Karen Handler Ryan 11/11/24

Understanding Your Child’s PSAT Score

Here is a breakdown of how to read the PSAT score report, why your sophomore/junior should take the PSAT, and who doesn’t need to take it.

Karen Handler Ryan 10/3/24 Karen Handler Ryan 10/3/24

Are a Student’s Chances for Admission Affected if a Number of Students from their High School Apply to the Same College?

I get asked this question a lot. Certain colleges tend to be popular at different high schools. The answer is generally no (with a little bit of context).

Karen Handler Ryan 10/3/24 Karen Handler Ryan 10/3/24

Tips for College Admissions Interviews and Videos

Here are tips for a successful college admissions interview.

Karen Handler Ryan 9/9/24 Karen Handler Ryan 9/9/24

Fall To-Do Lists for High School Students

Here is My Fall To-Do Lists for High School Students.

Karen Handler Ryan 7/22/24 Karen Handler Ryan 7/22/24

How to Build a Successful College List

Here are tips to help your child create a college list that will maximize their chances for a successful admissions process.

Karen Handler Ryan 7/22/24 Karen Handler Ryan 7/22/24

Changes to ACT Test

Changes to the ACT test were announced earlier this week. Here is what the changes include.

Karen Handler Ryan 6/13/24 Karen Handler Ryan 6/13/24

Parent Checklist for the Summer Before Your Child Leaves for College

Here is a parent checklist for the Summer before your child leaves for college.

Karen Handler Ryan 6/13/24 Karen Handler Ryan 6/13/24

How to Complete the Activities Section of the Common App

Here is a guide for how to complete the activities section of the Common App.

Karen Handler Ryan 5/7/24 Karen Handler Ryan 5/7/24

Strategies for Parenting High Schoolers Through the College Process

Here is a list of strategies for parenting high schoolers through the college process.

Karen Handler Ryan 3/12/24 Karen Handler Ryan 3/12/24

2024 - 2025 Common App Essay Prompts

It’s a great time to write the Common App essay!

Karen Handler Ryan 3/11/24 Karen Handler Ryan 3/11/24

High School Grade Inflation is Real

A break down on why not all GPAs are equal, why college admissions offices are having a harder time relying on GPAs, and what courses are recommended for the best admission chances.

Karen Handler Ryan 1/10/24 Karen Handler Ryan 1/10/24

Class of 2028 Early Decision Trends

Here is a summary of early decision trends for the class of 2028.

Karen Handler Ryan 12/7/23 Karen Handler Ryan 12/7/23

Class of 2028 Early Decision and Early Action Notification Dates

Take a look at the provided table for estimated notification dates to help you plan for the next steps.

Karen Handler Ryan 9/26/23 Karen Handler Ryan 9/26/23

Admission Trends for Out-of-State Students at the University of California Schools

Here are highlights of the trends from last year’s admissions cycle to guide out-of-state students applying to the University of California schools (UCs).