Incoming Seniors: Get Started on Your College Essays Now Learn More
spark-admissions-logo

Menu

Free Consultation

Spark Admissions
Blog

Select a category

A street sign promoting 'Harvard' and 'Yale' terrace.

Ivy+ Acceptances in 2022: Another Year of Record-High Applications—and Record-Low Acceptance Rates

Read More
A female student at her school desk taking a test on a scantron form.

Which Colleges and Universities Will Be Test-Optional in 2022-2023?

Here is an up-to-date list of every school that will be test-optional, test-flexible, or test-blind in 2022-2023.

Read More
A closeup image of a pencil laying on a multiple-choice answer form.

The New Digital SAT – What It Is and What It Means for College Admissions

The College Board recently announced an entirely new format for the future of the SAT. What will it look like, and how will it affect you?

Read More
Two pencils resting on top of a completed scantron form.

Ivy League Schools Go Test-Optional Again for 2022-2023 – What This Means for College Admissions

Harvard, Stanford, and other top universities are extending their temporary test-optional policies. What does this mean for the college admissions landscape?

Read More

Drastic Changes in College Acceptance Rates in Recent Years

Read More

Ivy League Acceptances in 2020-2021: Just How Hard Was It?

Read More

College Admissions Trends, 2020-2021

Read More
Smiling high school girl of Indian descent wearing graduation cap and gown with classmates in background

Which Colleges Consider Legacy Status?

Read More
A young student erasing an answer from a standardized testing answer sheet.

Some Boston-Area Private Schools Have Dropped Standardized Testing Requirements: UPDATED

Read More
A graduating senior in her cap standing in front of a chalk board covered in question marks.

Early Decision (ED) I and Early Action (EA) Notification Dates for the Class of 2025

Read More
Two pencils resting on top of a completed scantron form.

What Colleges and Universities Will Be Test-Optional in 2021-2022?

Read More

A Helpful Checklist to Prepare for Your Senior Year of High School

Read More
A woman taking notes in a notebook while working on a laptop.

Tips for Writing a Great College Essay

Read More

What Is the GRE, and How Can It Help Me?

Read More
A student hidden behind a stack of AP and IB textbooks.

AP or IB Classes: Which Is Right for You?

Read More
Two Macbook Pro laptops on a desk transferring data from one to the other.

6 Tips for Success with Online Classes

Read More
Scholarships vs Grants vs Loans

Scholarships vs. Grants vs. Loans: What’s the Difference, and What Will Work for You?

Read More
An overhead view of a set of walkways cutting through a grassy quad between several large university buildings.

Which Colleges Will Meet in Person This Fall?

Read More
A student expressing frustration while studying at a laptop.

Further SAT and ACT Disruptions and What They Mean for You

Read More
The entrance to one of the buildings at the University of California.

How the University of California’s Standardized Testing Decision Will Change College Admissions

Read More
Students sitting in a lecture hall during a university class.

What Will College Admissions Officers Care About in the Age of COVID-19?

Read More
A graduating senior with the LGBTQ flag on her graduation cap.

College Admissions for LGBTQIA+ Applicants

Read More
A student laying down, surrounded by textbooks, study electronics, and notebooks as she holds her head in stressful frustration.

How to Make Applying to College Less Stressful

Read More
A female pulling her yellow rolling suitcase across a town square in a foreign city.

What Colleges Are—and Aren’t—Saying About Gap Years

Read More
students lined up for high-school graduation in their cap and gown.

Scholarships for Senior High School Students

Read More
A female student of Asian descent studying hard at her laptop while taking notes in a notebook.

Making the Most of Virtual College Tours

Read More
Three students, two female one male, presenting something to a group from across a conference table.

What Do I Need to Get into Business School?

Read More
The inside of an empty classroom with a chalkboard and wooden-topped desks.

List of Colleges and Universities That Became Test-Optional for 2020-2021 [UPDATED]

Read More
A man filling out a paper application, while sitting in front of a laptop that states "Send your application now!".

How to Approach the Common Application’s New Coronavirus Prompt

Read More
The exterior of several stone-faced buildings at dusk, just as the lights are coming on.

Ivy League and Other Top Universities Still Want to See Your Test Scores During COVID

Read More
A woman working in front of a laptop, surrounded by papers, colored pens, and an external hard-drive.

Creating a New College Prep Routine During COVID-19

Read More
A 2020 graduate in her cap and gown wearing a yellow protective face mask.

Recent Developments in College Admissions Due to COVID-19

Read More
Looking down the walkway of a college library with shelves on the right and reading desks on the left.

Will Colleges and Universities Be Open in Fall 2020?

Read More
A graphical illustration of what the Corona virus looks like.

How Coronavirus Affects Applying to College

Read More
Two pencils resting on top of a completed scantron form.

How Colleges Becoming Test-Optional Due to Coronavirus Will Affect You

Read More
A graduating senior in her cap standing in front of a chalk board covered in question marks.

How to Choose a College or University

Read More
A female sitting on a couch across from an interviewer.

Common Private School Interview Questions (High School)

Read More
A blackboard with numbers 1-3 to list pros and cons.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Standardized Testing?

Read More
A broken pencil on a multiple-choice test form.

Complete List of Test-Optional Colleges and Universities

Read More
A medical professional sitting with a notebook on her lap and a stethoscope around her neck.

Medical School Admissions Requirements: A Complete Guide

Read More
A female student preparing to enter a large stone-fronted university building.

How to Get into College: Tips to Help You Apply & Get Accepted

Read More
A young student taking notes in a notebook from information gained on his laptop.

How to Get Good Grades in High School

Read More
A group of private school students around their chemistry teachers desk.

Getting into Private School: A Complete Guide

Read More
A female perusing through many books stacked on a wall full of bookshelves.

The Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities

Read More
A man playing tennis up close to the net.

How to Get Recruited for Tennis

Read More
Two soccer teammates passing the ball in the middle of a soccer match.

How to Get Recruited for Soccer

Read More
A Crew team practicing on a body of water with the focus on their oarlocks.

How to Get Recruited for Crew

Read More
Mixed letter blocks with a handful that spell out Dyslexia running through the middle.

College Admissions Advice for Students with Dyslexia

Read More
A red marker checking off a box in a list.

College Admissions Advice for Students with ADHD and EFD

Read More
Two graduates next to large numbers saying '2020' backlit by a fiery sunset.

2020 Regular Decision Trends at Ivy League Schools and Other Top Universities

Read More
An application form that has been stamped as "ACCEPTED".

How to Apply to Colleges: A Complete Guide

Read More
A pencil laying on a standardized testing answer form.

What Is a Good SAT Score? What Do I Need for College?

Read More
A grade scale explanation table from a standardized testing form.

What Is Considered a Good GPA for College?

Read More
Several students taking tests on a long white table.

Colleges That Require the SAT Essay (2020): A Complete List

Read More
A woman walking on a path with an arrow pointing both forward and to the left.

Transferring Colleges: A Detailed Guide

Read More
A professional businesswoman extending her hand.

The Best Questions to Ask Your College Interviewer

Read More
A closeup image of a pencil laying on a multiple-choice answer form.

Spark Best SAT Reading Tips

Read More
A teacher writing formulas on a chalk board.

Best Colleges for Pre-Med

Read More
Female hands typing on a laptop.

2020-2021 Common App Essay Prompts (Tips & Examples)

Read More
A street sign promoting 'Harvard' and 'Yale' terrace.

Acceptance Rates at Ivy League Schools and Other Top Universities (Just How Hard Is It to Get In?)

Read More
An entry gate to one of Harvard's side gates.

Harvard Acceptance Rate & Admission Requirements (Complete Guide)

Read More
One of the pathways through a a massive stone building on the Princeton campus.

Princeton Acceptance Rate & Admission Requirements (Complete Guide)

Read More
An overhead drove perspective of the main fountain on the Stanford campus.

Stanford Acceptance Rate & Admission Requirements (Complete Guide)

Read More
A sundown view of the buildings on the Yale University campus.

Yale Acceptance Rate & Admissions Requirements (Complete Guide)

Read More
A couple and their young daughter sitting and talking with a consultant.

What Does a Private School Admissions Consultant Do?

Read More
The large stone face of one of the massive buildings in Massachusetts.

Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts

Read More
Private school students going up and down a school staircase.

Do Private School Students Need an Independent College Counselor?

Read More
Someone standing on a chalkboard covered in question marks.

Finding the Right Private School for You

Read More
A wooden signpost that mark 'This Way', 'That Way', and 'The Other Way'.

How to Select the Best College Admissions Consultant

Read More
Lightbulbs whose internal filaments seem to write 'help', 'support', 'assistance', and 'guidance'.

Is Hiring a College Admissions Consultant Worth It?

Read More
A metal six-pointed 'Star-of-David'.

Best Colleges and Universities for Jewish Students

Read More
A green signpost with arrows saying 'public' and 'private'.

Private vs. Public High Schools: Which Option Is Better for You?

Read More
A grassy stretch between some of the buildings on the historic Harvard University campus.

2020 Early Acceptance Rates at Ivy League Schools and Other Top Universities

Read More
Historic Sather Gate at the University of California at Berkley.

How Important Are Supplemental College Essays?

Read More
A young student erasing an answer from a standardized testing answer sheet.

Unpacking the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT)

Read More
A female student smiling while in a lecture hall with many other students.

How Applying Early Affects Students

Read More
a high-school boy in a blue sweater standing outside his local library.

Early Decision and Early Action Applications Surge in 2018-2019 College Admissions

Read More
three high-school girls studying in their school library.

Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) Notification Dates for 2018/2019 (College Class of 2023)

Read More
A collection of squash equipment.

Playing College Squash Without Getting Recruited

Read More
Two squash players with their equipment gathered around a laptop computer.

How to Get Recruited to College for Squash

Read More
A stack of books with a graduation cap on top and the text 'National Merit Scholarship' in the negative space to the left.

Understanding the National Merit Scholarship Program

Read More
A sprinting track on a school's sports field.

College Sports Recruiting Tips, Part II

Read More
A collection of various sports equipment.

College Sports Recruiting Tips, Part I

Read More
A student taking a test at a classroom desk.

Compare New SAT Scores to Old SAT & ACT: Conversion Chart

Read More
A report card's grade column.

Do Colleges Count Unweighted or Weighted GPAs?

Read More
The tips of yellow pointed shoes in front of two chalk arrows pointing both left and right with a question mark between them.

Everything You Need to Know About ED II (vs. ED I)

Read More

What Personality Traits Do Colleges Want?

Read More

Subscribe to our newsletter for college admissions news

We have more 5-star Google reviews than any other college consulting firm.

Contact us to learn more about our admissions consulting services.

Schedule Your Free Consultation