The Compass Academics Blog
Resources Designed for Academic Growth
Superscoring and the New ACT
With the ACT announcing significant changes to its test, many students, parents, and educators are wondering how, exactly, the new scoring system will impact Superscores for college admissions. Beginning in April 2025, all students taking the National Online ACT will...
ACT Updates 2025: All You Need To Know
ACT announced its first major redesign this year, and it takes effect for both online and paper-based National test takers this September. In 2025, significant changes are being implemented to the ACT to enhance the testing experience for students. These changes are...
The Benefits of Block Schedules
Does the traditional semester course load of six classes seem overwhelming? Some students can find it difficult to sustain both attention and enthusiasm when they are pulled in many different academic directions at the same time. If a student struggles with...
Freshman Year Survival Tips
Congratulations on starting college! Here are some tips to help you make the most of your freshman year: 1. Get organized: College life can be overwhelming with multiple classes, assignments, and extracurricular activities. Develop good organizational habits by using...
How to Avoid Procrastination
Procrastinators are the leaders of tomorrow. This may be true, but how do you get things done today? With an overwhelming number of commitments, responsibilities, activities, and deadlines, college students often find themselves in a cycle of duty deferral. Once you...
Maximizing Financial Aid
Negotiating college financial aid packages can be a proactive way to potentially secure more favorable terms and reduce the burden of college expenses. Here are some steps you can take to negotiate your college financial aid package: 1. Understand the initial offer:...
How Do Colleges Use Test Scores?
Universities use ACT and SAT scores in a variety of ways to evaluate the academic preparedness and potential of prospective students. Not only are they often used in admission decisions, but they are used to determine merit-based scholarships. The higher the test...
You’ve Been Deferred: Now What?
If you’ve gotten a deferral notice, it’s important to take a step back, breathe, and assess your next steps. While a deferral for your college application can feel like a huge blow, it’s not the same as a rejection, and what you do next can have a huge impact on your...
The ACT is Digital, too! What Does it Mean for You?
The ACT was first introduced in 1959, and it’s safe to say that many things have changed since then! Over the years, the test has been updated and adapted to reflect the norms of the current educational landscape. For students taking the test in February 2024 and...
Will Standardized Tests Make a Comeback for College Admissions?
In July 2021, Smithsonian Magazine ran an article capturing a question on the minds of many prospective college students and college administrators alike: “Has the Pandemic Put an End to the SAT and ACT?” In that article, Amber Dance points to the closure of testing...
Tuition-Free Colleges: What You Need to Know
College for free? For many American students, it sounds too good to be true (though there are plenty of places abroad where free tuition is the norm). While it might not be the standard practice in the United States, there is a growing list of schools who provide free...
Safe Dating on Campus
As you unpack the boxes in your dorm room or apartment and get settled in for the next year of college classes, there’s a good chance you’ll be making new friends. For many students, there will also be romantic sparks flying. Dating during college can be a thrilling...
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