--- title: "The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions | Christine Kenyon" description: The official blog of College Coach, a division of Bright Horizons. Our expert view on all things college admissions. --- [![College Coach - Your College Admissions Experts](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/hub/146790/file-1518948603.png "College Coach - Your College Admissions Experts")](http://www.getintocollege.com/) - [Blog](https://146790.hs-sites.com/blog) - [Contact](https://146790.hs-sites.com/contact) - [Login](http://passport.getintocollege.com/Account/Login) # The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts ## Christine Kenyon ### Recent Posts ## [Why You Shouldn’t Stress About the National Merit Scholarship | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365190/Why-You-Shouldn-t-Stress-About-the-National-Merit-Scholarship-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Christine Kenyon](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/christine-kenyon) on Tue, Mar 01, 2016 @ 04:15 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3147600137-jpg/images/img_78771.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365190/Why-You-Shouldn-t-Stress-About-the-National-Merit-Scholarship-College-Coach-Blog) If you have a student in eleventh or twelfth grade, chances are you’ve heard of the [National Merit Scholarship](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365183/So-You-re-a-National-Merit-Finalist-Now-What-Part-1-College-Coach-Blog).  All test takers in their third year of high school are automatically considered for the National Merit Scholarship when they take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT), as the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a co-sponsor of the exam. This non-profit organization recognizes students with the highest [scores on the PSAT](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365095/What-does-my-PSAT-score-mean-College-Coach-Blog) each year with a scholarship.  In fact, the alternate name for the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/365190/Why-You-Shouldn-t-Stress-About-the-National-Merit-Scholarship-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Admissions Consulting](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) ## [Should I Apply Restrictive Early Action? | College Coach Blog](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364719/Should-I-Apply-Restrictive-Early-Action-College-Coach-Blog) Posted by [Christine Kenyon](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/author/christine-kenyon) on Thu, Oct 22, 2015 @ 12:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://info.getintocollege.com/hs-fs/file-3147600137-jpg/images/img_78771.jpg) ](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364719/Should-I-Apply-Restrictive-Early-Action-College-Coach-Blog) [Read More](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/bid/364719/Should-I-Apply-Restrictive-Early-Action-College-Coach-Blog) Tags: [College Applications](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) [All Posts](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/all) ### Need help with the Common Application?  [![common application help](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/146790/cb1db37b-0d15-41e3-988b-213bb2724008.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/146790/cb1db37b-0d15-41e3-988b-213bb2724008) ### Get the Insider Advantage  College Coach experts, all former senior admissions and financial aid officers, are available to work privately with your student to achieve admissions success. [![Learn More](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/146790/bc12ce26-16f4-405a-b49f-f4443fbba468.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/146790/bc12ce26-16f4-405a-b49f-f4443fbba468) ### About this Blog *The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts *is where College Coach experts weigh in on the latest college admissions topics.  We cover everything from application timelines and strategies to tips on financing your child's education. ### Subscribe via E-mail ### Follow College Coach ### Latest Posts ### Posts by category - [College Admissions Consulting (93)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-admissions-consulting) - [College Applications (49)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-applications) - [Applying for Financial Aid (39)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/applying-for-financial-aid) - [How to Pay for College (30)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/how-to-pay-for-college) - [Choosing the Right College (24)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/choosing-the-right-college) - [College Essays (21)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-essays) - [College Coach Mentionables: News & Events (20)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-coach-mentionables-news-events) - [College Entrance Exams (19)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-entrance-exams) - [College Loan Advice (18)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-loan-advice) - [Finding Scholarships (17)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/finding-scholarships) - [Meet an Admissions Counselor (10)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/meet-an-admissions-counselor) - [College Visits (8)](https://info.getintocollege.com/blog/topic/college-visits) © 2016 Bright Horizons Family Solutions LLC - [Blog](https://146790.hs-sites.com/blog) - [Press](http://preview2012.getintocollege.com/about-college-coach/press) - [Contact](https://146790.hs-sites.com/contact) - [Customer Login](https://vlc.getintocollege.com/vlc/login) - [Privacy Policy](http://preview2012.getintocollege.com/Privacy-Policy) - [Terms of Use](http://preview2012.getintocollege.com/Terms-Of-Use) - [Trademark Policy](http://www.brighthorizons.com/home/trademarks.aspx)