U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings Considerations
The annual US News Best Colleges edition is out. Here is how they compile the list – along with some important considerations for your own student.
The Simplified FAFSA Changes – The Good and The Bad
The simplified FAFSA is significantly shorter, and the Expected Family Contribution number is now a thing of the past.
Best Resources for College Admission
Obviously, I like to think that my own website is the best resource for anything college admissions-related. And, I promise there is a lot of information here. But, in practice, families doing a college search often need even more information. And, they often want different information at different times throughout the admissions experience. And, there…
6 Common App Mistakes to Avoid
If your student is finishing up their college applications on the Common Application platform, congratulations! Before hitting “Submit,” your teen might want to review some of the most common, Common App mistakes to make sure their application is ready to go. And if your senior has not yet begun working on their applications, it might…
The 8 Best Ways Parents Can Offer College Admissions Help
I’ve said before that not everyone needs to hire a college admissions consultant. I stand by that. The information you need to know is all out there (even on this website) for those families that want to save some money and are willing to do the work themselves. But sometimes, the challenge is actually that…
Bachelor of Science vs Bachelor of Arts – Is One Better?
As your student considers colleges for their list, they are likely also looking at what majors those colleges have that are of interest to them. And once they begin to dig a little deeper, they may note that sometimes, they’ve also got to consider whether they prefer a Bachelor of Science vs Bachelors of Arts…
Which College Size is Best? Small, Medium or Large?
It is true that college size matters. A small college feels very different than a college in the large category. And sometimes, students hope that they can have the best of both worlds at a medium-sized school. Before going into more detail, it’s important to break down the numbers for each size, for comparison. Small…
“A Rigorous High School Curriculum”- What Exactly Does That Mean?
Colleges advise students to take a rigorous high school curriculum, but don’t always explain what that means. Here’s the scoop.
Making the Final College Choice
You’re on the homestretch of your teen’s senior year in high school. You’ve survived a tough year that likely included virtual and in-person college tours and time spent nagging about college essays, on top of your student’s usual academic load. Acceptances are beginning to roll in. Maybe more than even anticipated (yay!). Or maybe there…
Are Selective Summer Programs for High School Students Worth It?
Each year, thousands of high school students are flattered when they receive an invitation in the mail to apply to various competitive pre-college summer programs. Or maybe they’ve even gotten an email from the college itself, suggesting that they should apply to their summer program. And each year, I am left to explain to families…