Dewey Smart

Admissions Insights & Resources

A teacher helps a student while others take a test in a classroom.

February 13, 2026

SAT/ACT Prep Timeline for Brookline Juniors (2026 Month-by-Month Plan)

When should Brookline juniors start SAT or ACT prep? See a clear 6–9 month plan, month-by-month schedule, and realistic score expectations.

A group of women, some wearing hijabs, are seated around a table with papers, engaged in a discussion in a room with stone walls.
HOW-TO

How to Start a High School Club: A Guide for College Admissions

Learn how to start a high school club that builds leadership, impact, and admissions strength with strategic planning, structure, and long-term execution.

Children and an adult in a gymnasium, one girl practices rhythmic gymnastics with a red ribbon.

February 12, 2026

Top 20 Most Unique Extracurriculars for College Applications (2026 Edition)

20 unique extracurricular examples ranked by impact, initiative, and risk—plus how to build a standout college resume in 2026.

Aerial view of the Brooklyn Bridge with the Manhattan skyline in the background.

February 12, 2026

Top Questions for Ivy League Tutors in Brooklyn

Practical questions Brooklyn parents should ask Ivy League tutors about Digital SAT prep, admissions experience, and mentorship fit before investing.

A bustling university campus quad with a large, domed neoclassical building and students walking on wide steps.
HOW-TO

The College List: Researching Schools the Smart Way

Learn how to build a balanced college list with smart research, financial aid planning, and strategic school selection for long-term success.

A large, ornate red brick university building with gabled roofs and many windows, overlooking a grassy quad with bare trees.
HOW-TO

College Fit Factors: How to Choose the Right School for You

What are college fit factors? Learn how size, location, cost, and school type shape your college experience, and how to build the right list.

Distant New York City skyline, including the Empire State Building, seen over residential buildings and trees on a hazy day.
HOW-TO

How to Find an Ivy League Tutor in Brooklyn

Looking for an Ivy League tutor in Brooklyn? Compare local options with structured online Ivy League coaching and see which path fits your student best.

An American University Building

February 11, 2026

Creating the Perfect College List

Build a smarter college list with reach, target, and safety schools—using data-driven strategy to maximize acceptances, fit, and future opportunity.

Hands hold a tablet displaying "College Applications Made Simple" and related icons in an office setting.

February 11, 2026

What is the Common App?

Discover how the Common App simplifies college applications, organizes deadlines, and guides students through activities, essays, and multiple portals.

A student takes notes during an online tutoring session on a laptop, with a scenic view of Beverly Hills in the background. Text: TOP-RATED TUTORS BEVERLY HILLS.

February 10, 2026

Top-Rated Tutors in Beverly Hills: 5-Step Parent Guide

Find top-rated tutors in Beverly Hills with this 5-step guide. Vet credentials, compare options, and match your child with expert Ivy League mentors.

A graphic comparing the UC Application (20 activity slots) to the Common App (10 activity slots), centered around a resume with the question 'Is Your Resume Ready?'.
HOW-TO

Common App vs UC Application: How to Build a Winning Activity List

Learn how to build a high school resume that works for both UC (20 activities) and Common App (10), identify gaps, and showcase your impact effectively

A woman smiling while building a resume on a tablet, with a university campus in the background and text "Craft Your Story. Your Future Awaits."
HOW-TO

How to Build a High School Resume for College Applications

Build your college‑ready resume early — it boosts applications, streamlines activity lists, and connects to strategic planning for admissions success.