Blue Train College Prep

06/08/2026

Blue Cast Episode 3: Former Blue Trainer and (MIT) Junior Derek takes us into the world of engineering "Courses", campus life, underground tunnels, and much more!

Blue Cast Ep 3: Down-to-earth Derek tells us about his coursework a...

05/31/2026

In Blue Cast Episode 2 we get to hear from Magnificent Maggie as she tells us what it is like to go to school on a campus on a coastal hilltop in a redwood forest at UC Santa Cruz

Magnificent Maggie tells us about the ten college system, her Legal Studies major, forest raves, and much more!Explore more schools @ thebluelist.comLearn mo...

03/13/2026

After interviewing over 200 counselors from over 30 countries, Lumiere Education selected our very own, Scott Simonsen, as a Finalist in the Excellence in Lifetime Counseling award. We are honored to be honored among such a strong pool of independent counselors and admissions officers (over a dozen from the Ivies.) Put simply, the Blue Train student-first ethos, along with the tools that we have created for our families, stood out to the judges. We have gratitude not only for our amazing Blue Train team, but also our amazing Blue Train families who truly make this job a joy and a privledge!

10/24/2023

For those who missed our Open House in which we go through the timeline of a healthy and successful college process!

Helpful and informative overview of the entire college process from the perspective of Blue Train, Southern California's leading voice in college prep. Creat...

04/14/2022

A nice little write up about Blue Train and our approach to the college process in South Bay Magazine's "All About Kids" issue.🙂

In 2001 Scott Simonsen cofounded Blue Train College Prep to help clients manage all aspects of the college process. Today Scott and his team have guided thousands of students and their families in ACT and SAT test prep, college list-building, filling out applications and writing essays. How did you....

07/10/2021

With the shifting landscape in admissions, this town hall addresses "What Do the UC's Really Want?" Easy going, informative, empowering!

04/24/2021

As May 1st approaches, aka College Decision Day, many families are racing the musical chair music to consider and commit to their school of choice. Watch our town hall recording to hear some tips and insights regarding this process.

03/28/2021

Covid has put college admissions in a bit of a free fall. In this town hall, we help families understand the overabundance of waitlisting as well as many other things to think about before May 1st Decide By Day.

12/09/2020

Looking to compare your scores on the ACT vs SAT? Need to figure out which test you're better suited for so you can make a balanced testing timeline? Join us this weekend for a free virtual diagnostic. Get on track and get happy again! :)

**Students who missed last Saturday's test will be able to make it up before the Town Hall review on Dec. 16th.**

ACT vs SAT "The ACT is way too fast! I have no idea what the Science section is even asking me. But the SAT math is too hard and the reading passages are so

11/18/2020

Supplemental essays, perhaps the only thing more oppressive than a global pandemic for current high school seniors. Fear not, some of our essay specialists got together recently to discuss some quick tips on how to approach and streamline the process.