Study Abroad Blog
Curated guides, test prep tips, and application insights to help you make the best academic decisions
ED2 / EA / REA / RD Deadline Overview: Key December Milestones for the 2026 Application Cycle
Which of the five application rounds, ED / ED2 / EA / REA / RD, should you use or avoid? What do Binding and Non-Binding mean? The key November, December, and January milestones are all covered here, with a real Yale REA + Cornell RD combination broken down step by step.
Recommendation Letters: Who to Ask, How to Ask, and How to Follow Up (2026 Consultant Field Guide)
Recommendation letters are the one document in the Common App that you **cannot fully control** - but you can control who writes them, what information you give teachers, and how you follow up. This article breaks down 12 strategic decision points from 15 years of hands-on experience.
IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Do the U.K., U.S., Australia, and Canada Prefer? How Applicants Should Choose (2026 Complete Comparison)
TOEFL and IELTS both prove English proficiency, but their design, scoring, and country preferences differ greatly. For U.S. applications, 90% choose TOEFL; for U.K. applications, 90% choose IELTS. But can you take just one test and use it worldwide? This article gives you the answer.
The Complete TOEFL 110+ Prep Path: Reaching a High Score in 6 Months (2026 Consultant Field Guide)
TOEFL 110 is the "no-penalty" threshold for Ivy international applicants, while a perfect 120 is an advanced option. Drawing on 15 years of consulting experience, this article breaks down score-improvement strategies for the four sections, Taiwanese students' pain points in Speaking, and the key changes after the 2023 TOEFL update.
IB Predicted Score vs Final Exam Strategy: Which Score Do You Apply With? Do You Need 42+, or Can 38 Still Get You Into Oxbridge?
IB applicants to U.S. and U.K. universities apply with a Predicted Score. Oxbridge commonly expects 38-42, while Ivy-level schools often look for 40-44. Drawing on 15 years of experience, this article explains how predicted scores are calculated, final exam strategy, and the 45-point structure of 6 subjects + core components.
AP Course Selection Strategy: 5 Principles + How Many APs Are Enough in 11th Grade (2026 Consultant Insights)
AP (Advanced Placement) is a key way top U.S. universities evaluate your course rigor, but more is not always better. Drawing on 15 years of experience, this article breaks down 5 principles for AP course selection, how many APs you need for Top 20 applications, and the most common mistakes Taiwanese students make.
How to Prepare for ACT 33+: A Full-Score Breakthrough Path Across the 4 Sections (2026 Consultant Field Guide)
ACT 33+ is not only for geniuses, but it is harder than SAT 1500 because of **speed**. This article draws on 15 years of experience to break down score-improvement paths for the 4 sections, the Reading speed problem that most often hurts Taiwanese students, and what the Science section really tests.
How to Prepare for SAT 1500+: Dr. G.'s 9,637-Question Practice Path for the 2026 Digital SAT
SAT 1500+ is not a target only geniuses can reach. It is an engineering project built on "**the right method + 300 hours of work**." Using practical data from Dr. G.'s 9,637-question bank, this article gives you a replicable 6-month preparation path.
SAT vs ACT: Complete 2026 Comparison and Selection Strategy (Featuring Dr. G.'s 9,637-Question Practice Bank)
Should you choose the SAT or ACT? There is no "standard answer" to this question, but there is an answer that fits you. Using Dr. G.'s 9,637 SAT practice questions and dual-test experience from 200 students, this article breaks down the differences, test-selection strategy, and the current testing situation in Taiwan.