Blog
State of Test-Optional College Admissions in Texas for 2026-2027
For Fall 2027, Rice University is test-optional, but recommends sending test scores. In 2020, the majority of US higher education institutions adopted a test-optional policy for their admission process - meaning applicants were not required to submit ACT or SAT [...]
Favorites
Our Latest News, Research, and Analysis
When Should Houston Students Start Preparing for the ISEE Test
Houston families are starting ISEE prep earlier than ever. For most of the past five years, students typically began tutoring in August of the year they applied to private school, [...]
How to Maximize Your GPA For Automatic Admission to Texas Universities
What is Automatic Admission at Texas Universities? Texas high school students who excel relative to the rest of their graduating class have the opportunity for automatic acceptance into top [...]
The Best Cooling Neck Fans to Beat the Heat
Only commercialized within the last few years, thermoelectrically-cooled neck fans promise to keep you comfortable indoors and outdoors. They look like a pair of nice headphones draped around the neck [...]
What is Executive Function and How Students Can Improve It
Executive functions are the suite of cognitive abilities that allows students to plan, focus, manage tasks, and regulate behaviors. Developing these skills is necessary for both academic success and lifelong [...]
Academics and Elementary Learning
Houston’s Major School Holidays and Test Dates 2025-2026
Whether you are planning out your timetable for extracurricular [...]
Dianna Hutts Aston, Houston Children’s Book Author
As part of our efforts to include local, Houstonian [...]
What Can a Private Tutor Do for Me – Benefits, Mentorship & Test Prep
What Does a Private Tutor [...]
Erica Henderson, Houston Children’s Book Author
Erica Henderson, Houston Children's Book Author As part of [...]
Houston’s Major School Holidays and Test Dates 2024-2025
At General Academic we're constantly aware of and alerting [...]
Test Prep
Houston’s National Merit Semifinalists for 2023-2024
Houston's Graduating Seniors are Smart The 2024 National Merit [...]
ISEE Test Dates in Houston for 2023-2024
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is the most popular [...]
Houston’s National Merit Semifinalists for 2022-2023
Houston's Smartest Seniors Brush Aside Pandemic to Ace the [...]
Houston Schools
Houston Private School Tuition 2025-2026
For the 2025-2026 school year, Houston private school tuition costs [...]
What to Consider in Choosing a New Houston School
Every child is unique, and families want to make [...]
Houston’s Best Elementary and Middle Schools by STAAR Scores 2024
T.H. Rogers is both the best elementary and middle [...]
College Counseling
Balanced College List Template for Applying to College
Choosing where you will spend the next four years is [...]
Should You Hire a College Admissions Consultant?
Applying to college gets tougher every year, with constantly shifting [...]
College Essay Tips – Common App, Supplemental Essays, and More
The fall semester can be an exciting and stressful time [...]