"As applications to top schools continue to climb, students are increasingly relegated to waitlists. Colleges ostensibly use waitlists to fill spots that open up when admitted students decline to attend. But the lists have ballooned so much — some are even bigger than the size of a college’s incoming class — that college counselors have grown skeptical of their usefulness."Anna spoke with MarketWatch recently for a piece about waitlists at selective colleges. Read the rest of the piece here. 

So many tests, so little time. When it comes to standardized testing for future college applicants, there are some decisions you have to make before fall of Senior year in high school to help you maximize your options when the time comes to apply. But there are ways to "work smarter, not harder."

Sometimes, even under the best of circumstances, you find an error in your applications after you've submitted them. Ouch. If you do find a mistake after you've already sent them off, don't panic. There are things you can do to set things right again.

Now that your Junior year is well underway, we wanted to lay out some big picture items for you and your parents to think about as you plan out the rest of your school year. 

Early Decision deadlines are coming up, and you’ve probably heard a lot of advice about why it’s a good idea to apply early to college. But there are some circumstances when it’s better not to apply early, and you’re better off applying in the regular round instead.

Check out our latest contribution to the Harvard Crimson: “Stanford University, arguably the most selective institution of higher education in the United States, will no longer report its acceptance rate starting fall 2018, the school announced this summer….”

Are you taking the ACT or SAT? Or have you not decided on which test to take yet? Either way, here are some tips that can help you do well on either of America’s two college entrance exams.

Dear Ivey Coach: Please settle our family debate about the number of APs my son needs to take in 11th and 12th grades. He was in all Honors classes in 9th grade and this year he has taken 2 APs and 4 Honors classes. He attends a big public high school and he could take 6 APs both years for a total of 14 APs by the time he graduates.

Dear Ivey Coach: We just found out that my daughter’s school is eliminating all of the advanced art classes in favor of offering more music classes (the school has a highly reputed school orchestra and marching band, so music always wins). She’s crushed because art is HER THING and now she doesn’t have any good options for electives. Any ideas for her besides adding a study hall?

Anna recently spoke to the Harvard Crimson about Harvard's decision to drop the SAT and ACT Writing Requirements. Read more here. 

Dear Ivey Coach: It’s “choose classes for next year” time for my daughter, who is in 10th grade now, and we’re not sure what to do when it comes to the best science class for her.