Starting college is a major life transition. While it's liberating not to have anyone telling you when to go to bed or when to study, you're now responsible for yourself. As you handle problems with professors or roommates on your own, you'll gain real confidence in your ability to manage your life. You will meet a lot of smart, accomplished students, and this can be intimidating. But remember: admissions officers turn down thousands of well-qualified students. If you've been

When it comes to paying for college, most families think of two options: federal financial aid and big-name private lenders. However, there is a third option that is often overlooked: state-based nonprofit student loan lenders. For parents navigating the complex world of college financing, understanding this option could save your family thousands of dollars. State-based nonprofit lenders are organizations often created or sanctioned by state governments, whose mission is to

Ask twenty people what they think about the term "liberal arts education," and you'll likely get twenty different responses, and those responses will probably contain as many misconceptions as facts. Let's clear up the myths: All liberal arts students are politically liberal. False. Students of all political beliefs graduate with liberal arts degrees. The word "liberal" in liberal arts has nothing to do with politics. It's rooted in the Latin term "artes liberalis," in which

Summer does not need to be packed with expensive camps or prestigious programs to be meaningful. It is a rare stretch of time when students can pause and ask a question that gets lost in the school-year rush: What do I actually care about? Before thinking about programs or internships, start there. Genuine self-knowledge shapes every decision that follows, including, eventually, the college search itself. Ask yourself some honest questions. What activities are you already inv

By the end of our Zoom meeting, only the top of her eyebrows and hair remained visible on my screen. She had started perfectly composed, sitting upright against a pink headboard, framed by a wall of gray flowers behind her, looking every bit the polished, prepared rising senior. As we talked, however, she began the slow, seemingly unconscious slide familiar to anyone who has spent time around teenagers. Meanwhile, she was telling me about a fundraiser she had organized for lo

After years of structured schedules, deadlines, and pressure, it's not surprising that many students arrive at the end of high school feeling burnt out. A gap year gives students the chance to reset, gain real-world experience, and build the independence they'll need to succeed in college. That can look very different depending on the student. Some stay close to home and work, save money, or take a class, while others pursue internships, volunteer, or explore interests that w

Applied mathematics is the study of mathematical methods and how they're used to address problems in science, engineering, business, and other fields. It sits between pure mathematics and the applied disciplines that use math as a tool. Students build skills in calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, probability, and computational methods, then learn to apply those to real-world problems. Most programs encourage students to develop depth in a second subject. This gi

As college application season approaches, a familiar pattern often emerges: parents want to help their teenagers succeed, so they begin stepping in to manage parts of the process. The motivation is understandable. Applying to college can feel overwhelming, and parents naturally want to reduce stress for their child. But there is an important difference between supporting a teenager and taking over the process. Researchers have begun studying what is often called “overparentin

A is for the checking account you’ll want to open. If possible, choose a bank with locations near both home and campus, and make sure parents can easily transfer money when needed. This makes day-to-day spending much easier to manage. B is for budget. Create a realistic one that includes everyday spending and a cushion for unexpected expenses. C stands for credit rating. Be careful about carrying balances that are hard to repay. Ideally, pay off your credit card in full each