I suggest planning to begin as early as sophomore year, but no later than the beginning of junior year. This is optimal because you can still make changes to your high school curriculum and extracurricular activities.

Test optional policies vary by each institution, there is no one size fits all. But traditionally, test optional means a student does not have to submit a test score for admittance. There are over 1,800 colleges that are now test-optional. BUT that does not mean a college is test-blind. I recommend that all students try to take an SAT or ACT and give it your best shot.

No, colleges do not care which test you submit and most colleges and universities today will let you super score your submission.

Try to get assessed to see which test is a better fit for you. Some students prefer one over the other.

The FAFSA forms typically open on October 1st each year. There are a lot of changes coming for the 2023-2024 application cycle so visit this website for assistance: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Grant money is free money a college will give a student to help them pay for their school regardless of academics. It is based on a student’s ability to pay. Merit money, while also free money, is generally based on academics or is used as an enrollment tool to get a family to choose their college over another college. It is also known as a” discount”.

A student should take the most rigorous courses offered at the high school they attend and be particularly aware of keeping a traditional curriculum. More is not always better, it depends. Each student is different and has different goals and learning styles. And, each high school is different. Not all high schools offer an AP curriculum and that is ok.

That depends on the student’s abilities, what is offered at the student’s high school, and any goals or other that the student has set for him/her/they. The student should take a challenging curriculum that they feel they can handle. BUT more is not always better. It is the quality of an application vs. the quantity in an application. Colleges want to see that a student challenged themselves in the 4 years of high school.

That depends on when you are applying for college meaning are you applying early decision? Early action? Or regular decision? Colleges have different deadlines depending on the answer to this question.

Colleges and universities want to know the real you! Please schedule your complimentary 30 minute consultation to learn more about High Five College Prep and how I can help you and demystify the college application process.