Webinars and Events

Check out our upcoming events and watch our on-demand webinars on US university applications.

The ACT test is changing: Should it now be your first choice over the SAT?

Free webinar

Fewer sections, fewer questions, more time – the new ACT format coming in September 2025 is looking very likely to be a preferable option for candidates applying to US universities. On the surface, the ACT now looks like the go-to test.

This webinar will show students how to -

Harness the new, slower pacing of the ACT to maximise your score
Optimise their section scores with key test strategies
Strategise preparation with super-scoring

It will also cover how to decide whether to take the now optional Science section – a key decision depending on your prospective major.

21 August 2025 | 06:00pm BST

A strong university list is the core strategy behind your entire application. It sets your targets, shapes your workload, and determines your odds. The right Regular Decision shortlist turns your academic profile, interests, budget parameters, and priorities into a plan you can execute: balancing risk across reach, match, and likely choices while protecting time and energy for high-impact tasks.

Drawing on A-List Education’s experience guiding students who apply to broad sets of universities, we’ll share practical, pattern-driven best practices that reflect what works across diverse profiles and subject interests.

Agenda

This webinar will equip students with:

A step-by-step method to move from a longlist to a final shortlist
When and how to use Early Decision 2 and Early Action 2 alongside Regular Decision
A precise way to define reach, match, and likely safety schools using current admissions data and context
Fast fit checks tailored by intended major, course structure, testing policy, and campus environment
How to plan December work efficiently, including supplemental essay sequencing and key form timelines without duplicating effort

US university admissions place significant weight on long-term development, which means students benefit by beginning their planning from Year 10. This is when core academic foundations, early testing timelines, first leadership experiences, and emerging interests start to take shape - all of which later feeds into application essays, teacher recommendations, and university choices. Starting early gives students time to explore, build confidence, and make informed decisions without last-minute pressure.

For families, understanding this landscape early ensures smoother navigation of key milestones: course selection, meaningful extra-curriculars, and the SAT/ACT journey. Early awareness also helps parents support their child’s wellbeing by avoiding bottlenecks in Years 11–13, when academic demands grow.

Agenda

This webinar will provide a clear roadmap so parents know exactly what matters, when it matters, and how to guide your child effectively:

An overview of the US admissions ecosystem and why it values multi-year development
How subject choices and academic habits formed in Year 10 affect competitiveness
Early exploration of extra-curriculars: breadth, leadership, impact
Building early intellectual interests: reading, courses, competitions, summer plans
How US universities evaluate character and personal qualities
Balancing US applications with GCSE commitments and wellbeing
When to begin working on university lists and how to guide early research
Common pitfalls when families start too late — and how to avoid them
What A-List support looks like from Year 10 onward (services, planning tools, advising structure)

How students score 1500+ in the SAT - and what they do differently

The SAT is getting harder than ever. Yet every test sitting, a small cohort of students manage to reach a score of 1500 or above. This equates to above 90% across the sections. What are their rechniques to achieve this level of accuracy?

The ACT test is changing: Should it now be your first choice over the SAT?

This webinar showed students how to harness the new, slower pacing of the ACT to maximise their score and strategise preparation with super-scoring. Charlotte McKechnie also unveiled how to decide whether to take the now optional Science section – a key decision depending on student's prospective major.

Admissions Panel and Application Hints

Listen to Mark Blaweiss having a Q&A and admissions panel with representatives from top universities in the US. Hear from the admissions teams at Duquesne University, Florida State University, and the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Global MBAs: How to Successfully Apply

Listen to Ashley Cole who shares her experiences as an Ivy League admissions reader on what it takes to be a successful MBA applicant. Ashley will share insights on leading business schools in the US, but also around the world in key locations within the UK and Europe.

Using Supplemental Essays

Are you ready to elevate your US college applications to the next level?Gain valuable insights that could make all the difference in your journey to studying in the US.

Got In - Stay In: Keys to Student Success

Holding an offer to university? Join us for a rundown of top tips to success at university and how best to transition from school to higher education.