12 Articles

Public Ivies 2026: The Original 8, the Full List of 30 and What It Means for Your Child

The Public Ivies explained for parents: Richard Moll's original eight from 1985, the Greenes' list of 30 flagship universities, how the label differs from the New Ivies, and how to use it.

October 5, 20267 min read

Hidden Ivies: All 63 Colleges on the List, by Region, and What It Means for Your Child

The 63 Hidden Ivies from the Greenes' guide, grouped by region with links to each school's admissions page, plus how the list compares with the Little Ivies, Public Ivies and New Ivies.

October 5, 20266 min read

AP Scores Playbook: When They Come Out, What to Do

When do AP scores come out? Find out the 2026 release date, how to read the 1 to 5 scale, and how to send, withhold, or cancel scores wisely.

June 7, 202611 min read

Forbes New Ivies 2026: The 20 Colleges Employers Prefer

Forbes named the 2026 New Ivies. See all 20 public and private colleges that hiring executives prefer over the Ivy League, and what it means for your kid.

April 18, 202611 min read

How to Build a College List: The Complete Guide

Learn how to build a balanced college list with the right mix of reach, target, and safety schools. Expert guidance every parent needs for college planning.

March 30, 202616 min read

Summer Before Senior Year: What Matters for Admissions

What should rising seniors actually do the summer before 12th grade? Skip the overpriced programs and focus on what college admissions officers truly value.

March 29, 202611 min read

How Many AP Classes Do You Need for College?

Discover how many AP classes colleges actually expect, what the research shows about course rigor, and how to build the right schedule for your child.

March 22, 202612 min read

What Colleges Actually Look for in Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities make up 30% of college admissions decisions. Learn the tier system, the spike strategy, and what selective colleges truly value.

March 21, 20267 min read

Early Decision Results Are In — What Juniors Do Now

Class of 2030 early admit rates hit record lows at Yale (10.9%), MIT (5.5%), and more. Here's the month-by-month plan every junior's family needs now.

February 22, 202611 min read

sat-act

SAT vs ACT in 2026: How Parents Can Pick the Right Test

The SAT and ACT both changed in 2025. Compare formats, timing, scores, and superscoring to help your student choose the right college admissions test.

February 16, 202612 min read

sat-act

SAT and ACT Scores Are Required Again: What Parents Must Know

SAT and ACT scores are required again at over 50 colleges, and test submissions are up 11%. Here are the schools that require tests and a prep timeline.

February 15, 202611 min read

Top 10 College Majors for 2025: Salaries, Jobs & AI Impact

Explore the 10 most popular college majors for 2025 with salary data, job outlooks, and AI impact ratings to help your student choose the right career path.