The 2026 AP exams run May 4–8 and 11–15, with finals week falling between May 18 and June 5. The recommendation is to prioritize finals and start reviewing for them immediately after AP exams end. Finals have a major impact on GPA, while AP scores are mainly used for college credit. Plan your time wisely and avoid overextending your review schedule.

Part-time work is common among high school students in the U.S., but it doesn't directly boost an application on its own. Working can reflect a student's family responsibilities and resilience, making it more meaningful for first-generation college students or those from limited financial backgrounds. However, holding a job requires a significant time commitment, so students need to weigh it carefully against the demands of academics and extracurricular activities.

The education evaluation platform Niche has officially released its 2026 rankings of the best school districts in the U.S., and California once again delivered a strong showing! The state claimed 5 spots in the national Top 25, with 2 of them breaking into the national Top 12.