9.27 Deadline today!

Are you hoping to improve your SAT score in time for Early Decision? Do you still need to take SAT Subject Tests? The deadline to register for the October SAT is today, September 7, 2018.Athena AdvisesIf you are applying to college in the "early" round this year, you need specific information about the last test date that will be considered by your first-choice university. Don't rely on generalizations, or what your friend said is sure to work. Check carefully on that school's website, or call.

If you are a year or two away from applying to college, think this through now. Many students tell themselves that waiting until October, November or even December of twelfth grade will "give them time" to study and get their best possible score.

No one will "give" you time. You have to take it. Take the time to plan a reasonable test-taking schedule that produces "usable" scores by the end of eleventh grade.If you wait, you'll find yourself as surprised as the young man in the photo. "What? It's already time to register for the SAT?"Another problem is that you won't know your October test score until just a few days before your "early" application is due. What if your test score is far from what you expected? You'll find yourself facing a difficult decision: whether to go ahead with applying early to a university that generally admits students with higher test scores than yours; or change your plans under duress, and with little time to create a new application to a different school.We wish you the best of luck on your standardized tests!

Dr. Marlena CorcoranFounder and CEOAuthor of Year by Year to College, on amazon.com, amazon.de and many national amazon sites