The end of the school year brings a well-deserved sigh of relief. While the summer months are primarily a time to rest, recharge, and step away from the daily academic routine, they also offer a quiet window to look ahead. …
Every summer, families face a familiar tension: how to let students enjoy a well-deserved break from the classroom while ensuring they don’t lose the hard-earned academic progress they made over the past nine months. The phenomenon often referred to as …
For most kids, a messy desk or a missed deadline is not an uncommon occurrence. Usually, it’s not enough to warrant worry. But as tutors, we’ve realized over the years that starting smart study habits when you’re young and there’s …
We’ve all heard the standard advice: ask early, ask nicely, and provide a resume. But in a landscape where great students are everywhere, a standard “Student A got an A in my class” letter doesn’t move the needle anymore. If …
Junior year has a reputation for being the pressure cooker of high school, and for good reason. At Mulholland Prep, we often hear the same panicked question from students and parents: “Is it true that junior year grades are the …
Winter can feel like an odd limbo for seniors. The applications are submitted, the essays are done, recommendations are in, and yet the process isn’t finished. Instead, students are left waiting, often with more questions than answers. This post is …
For many parents, “SAT prep” brings up PTSD memories of flashcards. The SAT and ACT test vocabulary very differently than they used to, but a strong vocabulary is still a major advantage on both exams. On the SAT, vocabulary isn’t …
Being waitlisted can feel like the most confusing decision of all.You weren’t admitted. You weren’t denied. You’re… paused. For many students and families, the waitlist brings more questions than clarity:Is this a good sign? A polite no? Should we be …
Summer programs can play an important role in a student’s college application, but many of the most impactful opportunities have early deadlines, often between January and March. Below is a curated list of well-regarded summer programs, with brief summaries, deadlines …
In a world where artificial intelligence can write an essay, compose a song, and even pretend to be your best friend, it might feel tempting to ask: What if it could also get me into college? Let’s be clear — …










