What to Do Before College Orientation: A Checklist
Forms, deadlines, and logistics are piling up before move-in day. Here's your complete checklist covering admin, academics, finances, and packing so nothing gets missed.
Read moreWhat Is an RA in College? Roles, Responsibilities & Benefits
Not sure what an RA does or whether it's worth pursuing? Here's what the role involves, what RAs get in return, and how it fits into your overall college cost picture.
Read moreStarting College Strong: A Guide for First-Year Students
Practical tips for navigating academics, campus life, and newfound independence.
Read moreHow to Build a $200,000 College Fund Without Changing Your Budget
How redirecting everyday baby expenses into a 529 college savings account can build serious college savings without changing your lifestyle.
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So You Want to Be a Doctor: MCAT Prep in High School
Becoming a doctor takes years of dedication, but the journey begins long before college. The choices you make in high school, what classes you take, how deeply you engage with science, and whom you seek out for guidance, shape not just your college applications but the curiosity, discipline, and resilience that will carry you through medical school and beyond. Along the way, you will eventually encounter the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), an exam that measures your understanding of science, reasoning, and communication skills. While you will not take the MCAT until college, understanding it early helps you see how your current coursework and study habits create the foundation for future success.
What R1, R2 and R3 Mean for College Admissions
Research classifications affect more than funding. They shape class sizes, professor availability, and your odds of admission. Here's what to know before you apply.
Private Colleges Cost Less Than You Think: A Student's Guide to Talking with Parents
You've picked your first-choice school, and now it is time to show your parents it is worth the investment. This guide gives you the facts: private colleges often cost less than they appear. The published tuition is not what most families actually pay, as merit aid and financial aid typically cut it in half, making private schools comparable to, or even more affordable than, many public universities. Private college students also graduate in four years at nearly twice the rate of their public peers, saving one to two years of tuition and lost income. When you compare the total cost to earn a degree, private colleges often deliver greater value through smaller classes, closer faculty relationships, and stronger career outcomes that lead to higher lifetime earnings.
The Ultimate College Visit Question Guide
Here are 30 sample questions that you may want to ask on your college visits.
College Application Fees
A guide to understanding and reducing the costs of applying to college.
Financial Aid vs. College Funding
A practical guide to understanding aid, covering funding gaps, and planning for college costs.
The FAFSA Form & CSS Profile
A clear guide to understanding and completing the two most important financial aid applications
The Five Common Myths: FAFSA
In this article, we dispel some of the most common myths about FAFSA.
10 Ways to Afford the College You Love
Here are 10 smart ways students can make their dream college more affordable.
Ten Minute Professor: A Private College May Cost Less Than You Think
Private college may cost less than you think. Learn how net price, four-year graduation rates, and scholarships can make private education surprisingly affordable.
From the archives
Ten Minute Professor: A Private College May Cost Less Than You Think
Private college may cost less than you think. Learn how net price, four-year graduation rates, and scholarships can make private education surprisingly affordable.
Read more
A Family's Roadmap: Planning for College Year by Year
College planning doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Here's what families should focus on, year by year, from freshman fall through senior spring.
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From Support to Success: The Role of Grandparents in College Readiness
Grandparents play a vital role in the transition to college. Learning how to best support grandchildren during this exciting time in their lives and prepare them for college and beyond.
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