ConnectPrep

09/24/2026

Catholic high school entrance testing changed this fall. If your child is applying for 9th grade in fall 2027, here is what to know.

The TACHS is now taken online at home, with no test sites. iPads are not allowed. Accommodation requests are due October 2, and registration closes October 28.

New Jersey's Newark and Paterson schools switched to the HSPT this year. Regis and Fordham Prep use the HSPT for scholarships. And in the Diocese of Bridgeport, students get one HSPT attempt across all the schools.

Our new guide has every 2026 test date by diocese, how each test is scored, and the schools that break the pattern:

https://www.connectprep.com/hspt-vs-tachs/

09/23/2026

Thinking about law school but can't quit your job or move? You have more options than ever.

As of September 2026, 23 ABA-approved law schools offer a JD you can earn mostly or entirely online, and 8 of those programs never require you to set foot on campus. We checked every one against the ABA's official list and each school's website, then put it all in one place: which programs are fully online, how much campus time the hybrids really require, 2026-27 tuition, which schools accept the GRE or JD-Next, and the bar exam rules to know before you apply (New York is the big one).

Read the complete list: https://www.connectprep.com/aba-approved-online-jd-programs/

Questions about applying? Our law school admissions counselors and LSAT and JD-Next tutors can help. Book a free consultation at connectprep.com/contact

09/06/2026

"I got accepted to a college I never applied to. Is this a scam?"

We are hearing this from parents every week right now, and the answer is no. It is real, and 234 colleges are doing it this fall.

But a direct admission offer only settles one thing: whether you are admitted. It says nothing about what the school will cost you, and it does not clear honors colleges or direct entry programs like nursing and engineering.

We broke down what these offers actually mean, plus all 22 state programs and who qualifies for each.

https://www.connectprep.com/direct-admissions-2026/

06/24/2026

Not sure how to actually calculate your GPA? You are not alone. Most students are never taught the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA, yet it is one of the first numbers colleges look at.

Our new guide breaks it all down in plain English: the 4.0 and 5.0 scales, how to convert letter grades to grade points, and full worked examples you can follow along with.

Read it here: https://www.connectprep.com/how-to-calculate-your-gpa-weighted-vs-unweighted-with-examples/

College Admissions Guide How to Calculate Your GPA: Weighted vs. Unweighted A clear, no-nonsense guide to understanding your GPA, with formulas, worked examples, and what it really means for your college applications. Your GPA is one of the first things colleges look at, but most students have never...

06/12/2026

You no longer need the LSAT to apply to a top 20 law school.

Over 65 ABA law schools now accept JD-Next, including Georgetown, Vanderbilt, Boston College, and Fordham. It is an 8-week online course modeled on a real 1L Contracts class, followed by a 4-hour exam. $299 all-in, about an hour a day.

Students who complete it even earn higher first-year grades, about a 0.2 GPA boost on average.

ConnectPrep runs the most comprehensive coached JD-Next program: weekly case-briefing reviews, practice on every module, essay feedback, and a final exam simulation, integrated with full law school admissions advising.

Learn more:

ConnectPrep: one of the nation's leading JD-Next prep programs. Largest curriculum of content, practice questions & tests. Expert 1:1 coaching. 30+ ABA schools. Live online nationwide.

06/12/2026

The first job market did not close. The door just moved.

35% of entry-level jobs now require AI skills, yet hiring for the Class of 2026 is UP 5.6%. The grads winning offers are running a new playbook:

1. AI fluency is the new spreadsheet literacy. Use the tools, verify the output, explain your process.
2. Junior hires now supervise AI work instead of producing it. Judgment is the skill.
3. Polish stopped mattering. Specifics win: real projects, real numbers, honest lessons.
4. One 15-minute alumni conversation beats 50 online applications.
5. Small businesses will hire nearly 1 million new grads this year. Look beyond the big names.

Graduating this year or planning a pivot? Our career coaching team builds AI-era resumes, interview stories, and search strategies that convert:

Personalized career coaching for college students, graduate students, and senior professionals. Strategy, structure, and support at every stage.

04/02/2026

Choosing the right books at the right stage can make a major difference in how students build vocabulary, reading stamina, comprehension, and confidence over time. Our latest K–12 reading list breaks down strong book recommendations by grade level and gives parents a practical framework for helping students grow as readers from elementary school through high school.

https://www.connectprep.com/k-12-reading-list-by-grade-level/

04/02/2026

ACT vs. SAT 2026–2027: Which Test Is Right for You?
The ACT and SAT have both changed. Compare formats, timing, and scoring for 2026–2027 to find the right test for your student.

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