Over the past several years, hundreds of colleges have adopted test-optional , test-flexible, and test-blind admissions policies. For many students, that shift has brought relief. For others, it has created confusion. If colleges don’t require test scores, why take the SAT or ACT at all? The reality is more nuanced. Test-optional does not mean test-blind, and for some students, submitting scores can still be an advantage. For others, skipping the test is the smarter choice. T

College decisions are being made in a very different environment than they were a generation ago. Costs have increased significantly, outcomes vary widely by major and institution, and families now have access to more data than ever before. As a result, return on investment, or ROI, has become a more common part of the college conversation. ROI is not a single number in education, and it is not a verdict on whether college is “worth it.” It is a framework for understanding pa

If you care about climate change, clean water, protecting wildlife, or creating healthier communities, environmental majors offer real ways to turn that concern into a career. Students interested in preserving natural resources and addressing environmental challenges often find themselves choosing between two closely related majors: environmental science and environmental studies. While the names sound similar, the focus of each program is different, and the best fit depends

Course registration can feel exciting, overwhelming, or somewhere in between. You’re being asked to make decisions that seem like they matter a lot, and in some ways, they do. The good news is that you don’t need a “perfect” schedule. You need a thoughtful one that fits you. Start by understanding your graduation requirements. Every high school has specific courses students must complete to earn a diploma and be eligible for college admission. Checking in with your school cou

High school seniors sometimes believe that because they have worked so hard throughout high school, they have earned the right to slack off in their senior year, especially in the last few months. By now, mid-year grades are on their way to colleges, and students may have already been accepted at their favorite school. Why not kick back and enjoy life? We refer to this syndrome as “senioritis.” However, an offer of admission is conditional, and students are expected to mainta

You’ve opened the email, logged into the portal, and there it is: your student has been admitted and offered a financial aid package. Relief and excitement last about thirty seconds. Then you start scrolling. Numbers appear. Some seem promising. Others are confusing. Loans and grants blur together, unfamiliar acronyms pop up, and suddenly you’re wondering whether this school is truly affordable or whether you’re missing something important. You’re not alone. Financial aid awa

When most people hear "film major," they picture a student holding a camera or directing a scene. But today's film and media programs cover far more than that. Colleges now offer majors in creative producing, film and media studies, digital arts, screenwriting, entertainment marketing, and even the business side of Hollywood. If you're interested in storytelling, whether through movies, TV, animation, social media, or something new, there's likely a program designed for your

When families think about college applications, they focus on essays, test scores, activities, and transcripts. But there's another document that plays a major role in how colleges understand a student's accomplishments, and most students never even see it. It's called the School Profile, and it accompanies every transcript your high school sends to colleges. This one to two-page document provides an overview of your high school and is created and updated each year by the cou

One way to have the advantages of a small college while attending a large university is through an honors program. Many public and some private universities offer honors programs that provide great benefits, including preferential class registration, special honors classes, enhanced advising, and enrichment programs.  Honors classes attract top professors who enjoy teaching bright, motivated students. In most programs, students are not required to take all honors courses and