The joys of opening offers of admission from colleges are sometimes tempered by the challenges of reading financial aid packages that fall short of your hopes for support. Many families read aid packages and are dismayed to see their Student Aid Index (expected family contribution) number to be more than they had anticipated or budgeted for. If this describes your situation, know that there is one more step you can pursue: an appeal. When you appeal your financial aid package

Most students hear the words crop and soil science and picture farms and tractors. But the field is far broader and more interesting than many people realize. It connects to professional sports, environmental sustainability, space exploration, and even the foods and drinks people enjoy every day. Take professional sports. When millions of people watch the World Cup, the focus is on the athletes and the goals scored. Few viewers think about the field itself. Yet the playing s

In a time when college admissions can feel like a competition, it’s easy to think every activity needs to “look good” on your applications. Community service often falls into that trap, reduced to logging hours or checking a requirement. The truth is, most colleges don’t require community service. The true value of service is the impact on your community and on yourself. During adolescence, your ability to understand other people’s perspectives is growing, along with your des

During early May, high school students across the country sit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams. For students carrying a heavy AP load, that can mean four or five exams in two weeks, an intense stretch at the end of an already demanding year. The AP program, run by the College Board, provides curriculum frameworks so teachers can align their courses with exam expectations. At some schools, students in AP classes are required to take the exam. Even when it’s optional, it usual

If you're the parent of a high school senior navigating college costs, welcome to an expensive reality. Today's world of college financing breaks down into two categories: "great or free money" and "not-so-great money." Free Money - Free money includes grants and scholarships that never need repayment. Two types exist: need-based aid and merit-based aid. Need-based aid amounts are determined by the FAFSA and, in some cases, the CSS Profile . Merit-aid tuition reductions, gr

Think about your grandparents for a minute. Or an older neighbor. Or even the people you see volunteering, working, traveling, and staying active well into their seventies and eighties. In fact, one in five Americans will soon be over 65. That shift is creating new careers, new challenges, and real opportunities for students who want to make a difference. In today’s rapidly aging society, careers that focus on older adults are essential. That shift is changing everything from

Most students add a few "likely" colleges to their list almost as an afterthought. They focus their energy on "reach" schools and assume the likely colleges will simply be there if needed. But that mindset misses the point. A well-chosen likely school should never feel like a backup plan. It should feel like a place you would be genuinely excited to attend. Start by identifying the characteristics you are seeking in your college experience. Are you looking for strong academic

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