Barbara Sams, Managing Partner It’s that time of year again. The leaves are falling, pumpkin spice is everywhere, and college-bound students are… quietly (or not so quietly) freaking out. For some families, October isn’t spooky because of ghosts or goblins; it’s FAFSA forms, essay drafts, and application deadlines lurking around [...]

By Barbara Sams, Managing Partner When my friends began to have children, I discovered the book We’re Going on A Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen. It quickly became a favorite. With apologies to Mr. Rosen, and an acknowledgment that my mind and nerves are a bit frayed as we get [...]

By ArborBridge College admissions testing in 2025 is more complex than ever. While headlines often focus on whether schools are “test optional” or “test required,” the truth is more nuanced and changing quickly. At ArborBridge, we’re seeing new trends emerge every month as colleges fine-tune policies, digital testing continues to [...]

Barbara Sams, Managing Partner Standardized tests are a widely debated part of a college application. Institutions that once required testing moved have moved to a test-optional model during the Pandemic, and since then, many have stayed test optional. However, we are seeing a shift from some of the most selective [...]

Barbara Sams, Managing Partner October brings cooler air, changing leaves, and the anticipation of the months ahead. For high school sophomores and juniors, though, October also marks the start of college testing season with the College Board’s PSAT. Like many transitions, this step can come with both excitement and a [...]