All Getting in Articles

A chalk drawing of a clock, with text next to the right that says "how many credit hours should you take?"
questions & answers

How Many Credit Hours Should I Take?

By Liz SkogerboeLast updated on December 22, 2022
When I was an orientation leader for the University of Iowa, I worked with our campus academic advisors to help new students build their class schedules. This is one of the questions I was asked the most by students. Many new students come in with an outline of a schedule that they (or their parents) …
Take these steps to increase your college readiness
college applications

How to Increase Your College Readiness

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
We’ve done a post on what college readiness means. Now it’s time to address how to increase your college readiness so that you are as prepared as possible for your new life chapter. And remember, the skills that will get you by in college will also be used in the workplace. So maybe we should …
Even if you're a nontraditional student, you're still like any other student at the end of the day.
questions & answers

What Makes a Person a Nontraditional Student?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Depending on your chosen college, you might hear quite a bit about “nontraditional” students. These are students who are considered to be outside the “normal” parameters for college students. And believe me, it doesn’t take much to be outside those parameters. If your typical college student is full-time, straight out of high school into college, …
Are you considering taking both the ACT and SAT? There are ACT and SAT pros and cons
ACT & SAT

Pros and Cons: Taking Both the ACT and SAT

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Typically, a student will take either the ACT or the SAT as their college entrance exam. However, a growing trend shows that more and more high schools students are taking both tests. Are you considering taking one or both the ACT or SAT? If you’re thinking about the latter, here are some ACT or SAT …
Like this flexible pencil, there's also such thing as test-flexible and test-required
questions & answers

What Does Test-Flexible and Test-Required Mean?

By Allison WignallLast updated on December 22, 2022
Though the names themselves might be somewhat self-explanatory, many are surprised to hear that some colleges don’t actually require incoming students to submit ACT / SAT scores. Yes, you read that correctly. With all the emphasis put on ACT / SAT prep, test day, and results, it might seem strange that some colleges don’t actually …
How can an independent college counselor help you?
questions & answers

What is an Independent College Counselor?

By Liz SkogerboeLast updated on December 22, 2022
Maybe you’ve heard of them, and maybe you haven’t. Sometimes referred to as Independent Educational Consultants, these counselors are frequently self-employed, or otherwise, work for consulting businesses. Independent College Counselors work to help students and their families navigate the college search and application process. Who do they work with? Counselors typically work with families that …
A black and white alarm clock next to an open notebook.
ACT & SAT

When Should Students Take the ACT / SAT?

By Ellen AndersenLast updated on December 22, 2022
Now, I know what you might be thinking. Students generally take the ACT or SAT in the spring of their junior year. Why should you consider taking it earlier than that, or multiple times? The truth of the matter is that you are almost guaranteed to increase your score by taking the test a second …

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