As early as the 10th grade. Cassidy College Coaching is still accepting students from the graduating class of 2025 & 2026

We will typically meet with each student 4 - 5 times every semester plus additional time over the summer months. Meeting duration and frequency is likely to increase during the fall of the senior year.

For students in the Bay Area, a hybrid approach works best. It’s nice to have in-person meetings when possible and utilize the flexibility of Zoom as needed.

If your child lives in another city/state, we can meet fully via Zoom for the entirity of the relationship.

While colleges certainly like to see As, they also value a student’s willingness to challenge themselves with difficult classes. It’s a matter of balance; push whenever possible, but not to the point where your ability to be successful is undermined.

There is inconsistency in how colleges view the GPA. Some use an unweighted version, but make note of the number of semesters of honors and AP work the student has done, while others use the weighted version. Some calculate the GPA based only on 10-12 grades, while others look at the entire four years. There are colleges, too, that only recognize the grades from core subjects: English, math, social studies, science and foreign language.

Although some colleges ask you to send either the SAT or ACT, most are now test optional. (Visit www.fairtest.org for the list.) It is best to review the test policy listed on each college’s admission website

The SAT is a reasoning test that asks the student to use material learned in classes in a new way. It consists of two sections: evidence-based reading and writing along with math. A possible score of 800 can be earned on each subtest. A perfect score is 1600. Some schools require students to take the optional essay portion. 

The ACT is more closely aligned to a student’s curriculum and is a style that feels familiar to many test-takers. A possible score of 36 can be earned on each of four subtests - English, math, reading and science - with a composite averaged from the four. A perfect score for the entire test, then, is 36. A fifth test, writing, may be added and is often required when submitting the ACT to top colleges.