The Washington Post recently published an article on choosing a college major titled “The most consequential, and least informed, decision that college students make.”  The crux of the article is that major selection is often influenced by unimportant, or seemingly random, unrelated factors.  Additionally, some studies show as many as 50% of freshman enter college without having

Do you dream of spending less time studying and still getting great grades?  Turn your phone or device into a study machine!  There are great resources available to turn all that time you spend on your phone into something productive.  You may find a favorite that you’ll continue to use in college! Here are 10 apps you can

Seniors, are you worried about your upcoming finals?  Reduce stress and ace your tests by using these study tips from a graduate student. Find a study space that suits you. For students who need a bit of chaos while they work: coffee houses usually have the perfect amount of chatter and noise while also having private

Seniors, you are almost there!  What are your next steps? Finish strong! Strive to get your best grades this semester.  All college acceptances are CONDITIONAL.  They are based on the expectation you will finish strong.  If you do not, your admissions offer can be rescinded. Plan your room and board. Complete the forms to request a dorm, select a meal plan, and

Seniors, Congratulations!!  May marks the end of the application process.  And although senior year is not quite over, at least you can feel relaxed in knowing where you will be in the fall. As you wind down in your last few weeks of senior year, take time to acknowledge the people who have made a difference

As you explore which colleges are the right match for you, consider the size of the student body.  How many undergraduates attend the college?  This can make a big difference in your experience on a college campus.  Think of college sizes in these four categories (based on undergraduate student attendance only). Boutique Size (<2000)  Over 500 colleges in

Summertime!  Dreaming of sleeping in, hanging out with friends and producing YouTube videos?  Time is precious!  Plan now to use your summer time to explore careers, build upon your extra-curricular experiences, learn new skills or have new experiences.  Here are some summer ideas. Take up a new form of exercise (swimming, biking, running, etc.) Volunteer

Seniors, enrollment decision made? Check! College housing selected? Check! Credit card for college – What?!  Should I get a credit card? Before you leave for college, be prepared to budget your money.  This could mean having a credit card – or not.  Here are 6 money management tips for you to consider as you prepare to go off to

How do you describe where you live? City? Suburb? Country? As you explore colleges, one thing to consider is the location of the college. Location can make a significant impact on your college experience. Think about where you want to go to school. Here are terms and definitions used in college “locations”: • Major City:

Hoping to get a great recommendation letter for college admission or a scholarship or even a summer program?  It’s hard to write a recommendation for someone you don’t know.  You need to have strong relationships with your teachers and counselor.  Here are 3 tips to building good relationships.  Face Time!  No – not that kind of FaceTime.  This face

Do you have what it takes to play sports in college? Many students do – either at the varsity level, or in clubs and intramural sports. Each athletic division has their own athletic and academic eligibility requirements. More competitive divisions may want to see videos of your events. It’s a good idea to keep a

It’s almost here!  The National Candidates Reply Date for U.S. colleges is May 1.  As a senior, this is your enrollment decision deadline.  If you did not do an Early Decision application, you may still be weighing your options.  How do you approach this final, important decision?  Cyndy McDonald, college counseling expert, shared some tips in a webinar, “Now What? Making the Final Decision.”  Preparation

How do you know if you need to take College Board SAT Subject tests?  Some colleges require or strongly recommend that you submit subject test scores (often two tests in subjects related to the major you are interested in – i.e. Math and Science for Engineering majors).  Review the requirements of the colleges you are

When looking at financial aid awards from the schools you’ve been admitted to, one offer may appear better than others.  But is it really?  How do you know?  Once you have your financial aid offers in front of you, you can compare awards.  Ask yourself the following questions: Comparison Questions  Percent of need met:  Is the school meeting more than 50% of your need?  Average