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 is created and updated each year by the counseling office. Its purpose is simple: to gi

Picture a student who dreams of studying oceanography but lives in a landlocked state—or one living in California, Texas, or Florida, competing for limited seats at their state’s public universities. Both want to explore out-of-state college options. Both are concerned about cost. And both are great examples of students who could benefit from tuition reciprocity programs  that make certain public colleges more affordable. What Are Tuition Reciprocity Programs? Tuition recipro

One way to gain the benefits 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 valuable perks such as: • Preferential class registration • Special honors courses • Enhanced academic advising • Enrichment opportunities and community-building events Honors classes attract top professors who enjoy teaching bright, motivated students. Most programs don’t require student

Perhaps you’ve realized that you won’t qualify for need-based aid after running net price calculator tools or an SAI tool. That can be discouraging. The good news is that many colleges award merit aid, which is money given for achievement rather than financial need. Understanding how merit aid works, how it differs from need-based aid, and how to find generous colleges can make a difference. Merit Aid vs. Need-Based Aid • Need-based aid  depends on your financial situation, a

When preparing and submitting college applications, proper planning and preparation can streamline the entire process. Start by carefully...

When high school seniors start tackling college applications, one of the most common and tricky questions they face is some version of...