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Pathways to Elite Colleges

Navigate the journey to higher education with expert guidance. From academic preparation and testing to applications and financial planning, explore tailored insights to ensure a seamless transition from private school to elite institutions.

View the most popular articles in Pathways to Elite Colleges:

Get Your Act Together!

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Get Your Act Together!
We take a look at the other college admissions test and offer some resources for test preparation.

Get Your ACT Together!

What is ACT?

The answers that question as follows:

The ACT test is designed to assess a high school student's general educational development and ability to complete college-level work.

How do colleges use ACT?

Many colleges use the ACT results as one factor in the admissions process. ACT, a non-profit organization, has developed the test administered in locations around the world.

This video explains ACT.

What does the test cover?

From the :

"The ACT test covers four subject areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Each subject area test receives a score ranging from 1 to 36. The composite score is the average of all four subject area test scores. Many colleges and universities use ACT scores as one factor in making admissions decisions."

When can you take the test?

The ACT is administered here in the United States seven times a year. International testing takes place five times a year. Be sure to consult ACT's website to confirm upcoming test dates and register. Don't wait until the last minute to register.

How much does the test cost?

In 2021 for the test and the writing component. If you cannot afford the test, you can apply for .

What if I am homeschooled or require special accommodations?

Homeschooled

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Contract Cheating

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Contract Cheating
Contract cheating is more common than most of us realize. Finding somebody online to write essays or term papers is fairly easy to do. The way we parents counter immoral behavior like this is to discuss it frequently with our children.

The 2019 college admissions scandal proved that cheating is endemic throughout the secondary and tertiary levels of education. Cheating is not restricted to college admissions tests and applications. We find examples in the classroom, on term papers, projects, and more. I will omit a discussion of cheating in elementary school in this essay and cover it in another article.

In 2011, when I read about students paying another person to take their SATs, I was appalled. What were they thinking? And how did they pull it off? Looking back on my high school and university years, I realize now that . That was because all of my examinations required us to write out our answers in pen. We didn't have multiple choice exams. No punch cards. I did occasionally hear of students who wrote out formulas on their palms or who looked over at a neighbor's answer book. But that was about it. Fast forward to the age of smartphones, and cheating has gone digital.

This video explains what contract cheating is and how it works.

Our role as parents

I will confess that I was, and, indeed, still am, a somewhat naive parent. I assume good things will happen. I also believe that my children will do the right thing. For the most part, and I can say this after long years

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Corporal Punishment Still Exists

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Corporal Punishment Still Exists
Did you think that corporal punishment in our schools was extinct? Sadly, it isn't. Here are some facts and some suggestions as to what you can do to help eliminate corporal punishment once and for all.

I have been writing about corporal punishment in K-12 schools since 1999. Frankly, I am appalled that 19 states in 2019 still permit corporal punishment in their public and private schools. As of 2019, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming have not banned corporal punishment. The United States does not have a federal law prohibiting corporal punishment in public or private schools, much less in the home. State and local laws govern education in almost every respect. Local and state taxes fund public education. Therefore, it has been the local and state authorities which make the rules regarding how students are disciplined.

What is corporal punishment?

UNICEF defines corporal punishment as 鈥渁ny punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light. Most involve hitting (鈥渟macking鈥, 鈥渟lapping鈥, 鈥渟panking鈥) children, with the hand or with an implement "

How many children are involved with corporal punishment?

"A total of 163,333 children were subject to corporal punishment in these states鈥 public schools during the 2011鈥2012 school year.

What are the negative consequences of corporal punishment?"

posits that corporal punishment still exists because administrators and teachers think it does some good. They base their decision to use corporal punishment not on any evidence drawn from research but rather from their own opinions and feelings.

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College Prep: Are SAT & ACT Necessary?

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College Prep: Are SAT & ACT Necessary?
Are the SAT and ACT essential for college admissions? The answer to that question depends on many things, not the least of which is your own personal philosophy of education. Some more answers here.

Should you send your child to a school which prepares its students to take either the SAT or ACT? That's a decision which you will face when you evaluate schools on your shortlist. At that point, you will have to choose schools which teach to the test or progressive schools which do not.

Schools which offer SAT or ACT preparation spend two or three years preparing their students to take those examinations in their senior year. In addition, most of these schools will offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Progressive schools prepare their students for college with experiential learning and the development of portfolios demonstrating academic accomplishments. Naturally, each educational approach has its proponents and its opponents.

Some people think that good test scores on standardized admissions tests are the only way to get into a competitive college such as Harvard or Princeton. The reality is that these days, college admissions departments look at much more than test scores when determining which applicants to admit.

Background: History of the SAT and ACT

The SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test as it used to be called, has been around since 1926. explains how the SAT evolved from an Army IQ test to a college admissions test. The original idea behind that college admissions test was to level the admissions playing field by evaluating scholarship students seeking admission to Harvard. Back in the early part of the 20th-century, the elite New

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How To Enrich Your Child's Education

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How To Enrich Your Child's Education
Discover modern ways to enrich your child鈥檚 education with 2026 trends, programs, and expert strategies for academic and personal growth.

Parents today are looking beyond traditional academics to provide a more comprehensive and engaging educational experience for their children. While strong core instruction remains essential, enrichment opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, play a critical role in shaping well-rounded, adaptable learners.

In 2026, enrichment is no longer viewed as optional. It is a central component of student success, influencing everything from college readiness to emotional intelligence. This guide explores practical, research-informed ways to enrich your child鈥檚 education while incorporating the latest trends and developments.

What Does 鈥淓ducational Enrichment鈥 Mean Today?

Educational enrichment refers to learning experiences that extend beyond standard curricula. These experiences deepen understanding, spark curiosity, and develop skills that traditional instruction may not fully address.

Modern enrichment includes:

  • Experiential and project-based learning
  • STEM and emerging technology exposure
  • Arts and creative expression
  • Global and cultural awareness
  • Social-emotional learning (SEL)
  • Leadership and service opportunities

Recent research from the highlights that students engaged in enrichment activities demonstrate higher academic persistence and improved critical thinking skills.

Why Enrichment Matters More in 2026

Several recent developments have elevated the importance of enrichment:

1. Increased Focus on Whole-Child Education

Schools are placing greater emphasis on developing not only academic skills but also emotional resilience, collaboration, and adaptability.

2. AI and Technology Integration

With artificial intelligence tools becoming more common in classrooms, enrichment now includes digital literacy, ethical technology use, and problem-solving in tech-driven environments.

3. College Admissions Shifts

Colleges increasingly evaluate students holistically. According to the

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Pathways to Elite Colleges

ACADEMIC READINESS
This section covers various standardized tests required for college admissions, offering insights into preparation strategies and the role these tests play in the application process.
COLLEGE PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING
This section offers advice on choosing the right college, financial planning for higher education, and making informed decisions about the college experience.
STANDARDIZED TESTING AND ADMISSIONS EXAMS
This section covers various standardized tests required for college admissions, offering insights into preparation strategies and the role these tests play in the application process.