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Popp & Associates is dedicated to providing expert college admissions guidance to students and their families. We welcome the opportunity to assist you with your college counseling needs.
Popp & Associates
354 Washington Street
Suite 225
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
781-859-9116 phone
781-203-0019 fax
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February 2025

5 Priorities to Keep in Mind

for High School Course Selection



Many high school students are currently reviewing their course options for the 25-26 school year. Course selection is a very popular topic in our client meetings during the winter, so we wanted to share a few helpful tips to guide families during this process.


  1. Choose at least 5 core academic classes from the following departments: English/humanities, science, history/social studies, foreign language, and math. If you don't plan to cover all 5 bases, you should double up and take 2 classes from one of the remaining 4 academic areas.
  2. Students should maintain their current level of academic rigor in their classes or increase it. However, if a student is struggling in a class, they should consult with their teacher and school counselor regarding the most appropriate course option for next year.
  3. Listen to your teachers! They know the curriculum best. If they have reservations about recommending you for a class, pay careful attention to their feedback.
  4. Do not choose classes just to be with your friends. Select courses that are a good fit for your needs and abilities and prioritize challenging yourself academically. Lastly, keep in mind your school's graduation requirements and make sure you are on track to fulfill them as you choose your classes.
  5. If you have questions or concerns about a course and whether or not it will be a good fit for you, speak to your current teacher(s), an academic department chair, your school counselor, and other students who have taken the class. Do your research and make sure you understand what the class entails as far as coursework, grading policies, etc. before you make a final decision.



Need assistance finalizing your course selection for next year? Please get in touch. We are happy to help!

News For High School Families

P&A is happy to share news about college admission, financial aid and other topics of interest for high school families. Here are some of the articles recently mentioned in our social media:


"College tuition has fallen significantly at many schools" from The Associated Press


"Which Of America's Top Colleges Limit AP and IB Course Credit?" from Forbes


"Common App Welcomes Community Colleges" in Inside Higher Ed


"Legacy admissions tumbled dramatically over past decade" in Higher Ed Dive


"Current Student Loan Interest Rates 2025: What You Need to Know" in Business Insider


"SAT adds new September test date for 2025" from ArborBridge

2024-2025 ACT and SAT Dates

We are including a helpful chart of ACT and SAT test dates for this academic year so that families and educators can help students determine their ideal test taking timeline. To learn more about our recommended test preparation services, please see here.


In addition, we are sharing a helpful guide from the College Board that addresses common questions about the digital SAT, including when scores will be available, how to interpret score reports, etc.

Upcoming Events for Families

The word Events in cut out magazine letters pinned to a cork notice board. Events may refer to news


In the coming weeks and months, valuable FREE workshops and other outreach events for high school families will be offered. All events are open to the public.


The directors and deans of "Eight of the Best Colleges" join forces to provide college-bound students and their families with information about eight top colleges in the United States. The 90-minute program provides valuable insights on the distinctions of the individual colleges and the opportunity to speak with their admission staff. Events will be held on February 25 and May 17-20.


TeenLife is offering virtual summer opportunities and gap year fairs in March and April. Registration for the events is required. To learn more, click here.


Ashland High School will host the MetroWest College & Career Fair on March 15. Students will be able to meet with college admission officers as well as representatives from various professions.


Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School will host a college fair on March 16. Students and families will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from colleges, as well as gap year and internship programs. To learn more, click here.


NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) is hosting free virtual and in-person college fairs during the winter and spring. These fairs are very well attended by colleges located throughout the country and abroad. They provide an ideal opportunity for students to learn more about their schools of interest. The NACAC National College Fair will be held in Boston on March 27-28. To register for a college fair, please click here.


GO Overseas is hosting free webinars this semester. Attend an event and learn about diverse gap year opportunities available for teens. To learn more, click here.


Coalition for College is offering multiple panel discussions and workshops this winter and spring covering a wide range of topics related to the college search and application process. All events are free. Parents and students are encouraged to attend.


MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) is offering events for both parents and students. Learn about college financing options, college admission and more.


Website Pick of the Month


Summer Internships for Teens


If you are exploring summer options for your teen in the Boston area, please check out The Education Cooperative (TEC) which hosts a fabulous internship program for high school students. Participants work with employers in various industries and gain valuable skills while learning about careers of interest. To learn more and apply, please read here.

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