myUsearch blog

It’s ironic that the ACT (American College Testing) exam was created back in 1959 by a group of educators who hoped that it would replace the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) because it would be better.  But like a lot of things intended to make life better for students, the test actually made things a bit worse, because now most students take both tests and submit the results of the one that makes them look stronger.

Actually, taking both tests just to see how well you do is not a bad strategy. But when you look at the ACT vs. SAT question, you discover that you really could be likely to score better on one test than on the other. Each test favors certain types of test-takers and here’s a quick rundown of how the tests differ:

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Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  Just fill out the application and hit “send” before midnight on the day it’s due.  As many students discover too late, there can be quite a bit more to meeting a college application deadline than that.  Here are some steps you can take to avoid missing those deadlines.

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You’ve taken your PSATs, worked hard to get your grades to where you want them to be, and built a strong resume of extracurricular activities. It’s time to get into college! That’s exciting, but a little intimidating too, right? Simply follow these easy steps, and you’ll be well on your way to your dream college:

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It’s just minutes before your SAT test is about to begin. You’re nervous. You’re anxious. “Will my test preparation methods pay off?” “Will my scores be high enough to be accepted to my first college choice?” Those feelings are standard for any student, but some new studies explain why some SAT test prep methods might be outdated. The study calls for students to step up their test prep game and here are just a few ways to do it. (more…)

Contrary to popular belief, constant stress is not a required part of the college admissions process.  In fact, it’s quite possible to get into college without it.  It may take a little extra effort, but most people will agree it’s worth it – especially when it means you will likely  have more time to enjoy your senior year. (more…)

So, you’re filling out your college application and the grades on your transcript are lower than you’d like. Wondering how you’ll get into college with a low GPA? Don’t fret! Coming from somebody who was accepted to their first choice with less than stellar high school grades, getting into college with a low GPA is very possible. It’s all about knowing what college admissions officers are looking for, and improving your odds in those areas. Here are four non-grade related ways to boost your college chances:

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Writing a 500 word college essay is a part of the college application that lots of students postpone and obsess about.  Don’t.  Here are some ways to make your college essay more fun and creative, and position yourself to get into your dream college. . .

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It’s easy to see that some high schools have more and better resources than others.  While that may make the path to college a little easier for their students, it is not a guarantee.  The truth is that the vast majority of students who get into college are there because of their commitment to getting there and not because of the high school they attended. (more…)

The world is full of smart people who weren’t high school stars. When the race to get into college starts, they find themselves behind other smart people who had higher GPAs. But the good news is, lots of colleges understand this and are willing to admit smart, motivated people with less-than-stellar grade point averages.

Here are a few ways to put that ho-hum GPA behind you . . .

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As a general rule, universities will accept either of these exams, but how do you know which test is best for you? (more…)

Today we have a guest post by Jennifer Cohen, President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com, a great resource for SAT and PSAT vocabulary prep.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of those students – the ones with great GPAs and killer SAT scores.  You’ve got your eyes on the prize, so here are a few ideas to help you get into the top US colleges:

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Let’s be clear about this from the start. The majority of universities in the United States are not reserved only for high school valedictorians. There are thousands of universities willing to accept students with lower GPA’s and lower scores (if any).  (more…)

Most students have heard the phrase, “Senior year is a time to take it easy” at some point in their high school career.  However, nothing could be further from the truth.  If you’re a student who seriously wants to get into college, you need to make sure the classes you choose to take senior year show you are doing everything you can to succeed in college.

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Today we have a guest post By Jennifer Cohen, President and Chief Word-Nerd at Word-Nerd.com, a great resource for SAT and PSAT vocabulary prep.

Ask anyone this question, and they’ll answer “YES” so fast it could make your head spin like Linda Blair’s in The Exorcist.  SAT preparation is a billion-dollar industry, and the big test prep companies prey on the anxieties of parents and students.  You might hear the wailing of these poor souls, fearful that a score less than 1800 will mean that no college will accept him or her.  Thankfully, the insanity isn’t really based in reality, and a high SAT score may not be as critical as you think.

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Though people to continue to debate the value of standardized testing in making college admissions decisions, it is still an important part of the college admissions process.  Faced with the need to submit scores from these tests, students must tackle the quandary of  ACT vs SAT.  Here is some information that may help you decide what  your personal test taking strategy should be. (more…)

How hard can it be to write a college essay?  Well, it doesn’t have to kill you, but if you want to get into college, you’re going to need to put some effort into it. 

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Every year, the question arises: Will it be tougher to get into college?  Each year the process is assumed to be more difficult and this coming year will be no different. Unless every student decides to limit his/her college applications to an average of 3 or 4 vs. the current 5 to 7, there will be no change……except it will be MORE COMPETITIVE. (more…)

If you want to get into college, this is a great time to focus your resolutions and energies on things that will help you achieve that goal.  Here are 10 New Years resolutions that every college bound student should make:

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