While researching colleges, you may have heard the phrase "holistic admissions process." Many students wonder what that means. Does it mean grades do not matter? Are extracurricular activities more important than academics? How do colleges actually make decisions using holistic review?

The reality is that holistic admissions are designed to evaluate students as complete individuals, not simply as numbers on a transcript.

The total of the tuition and other expenses is called the “Cost of Attendance”. Understanding the total cost of attendance, including less obvious expenses, can help families build a realistic budget, compare colleges more accurately, and avoid financial surprises down the road.

When students think about college planning, their sophomore year often gets overlooked. Freshman year is finally over, junior year still feels far away, and college applications seem like a distant concern. Because of that, many students assume this summer does not really “count.”

A few intentional choices now can make high school feel more manageable later while also helping students better understand themselves and their future goals.

For most high school students, junior year is the most academically demanding year. Advanced coursework, extracurricular commitments, leadership roles, college visits, and standardized testing all begin to intensify.

That’s why the summer before junior year matters more than many students realize.The summer before senior year is one of the most important seasons in the college admissions process. While free time, travel, jobs, camps, and time with friends should absolutely be part of your summer plans, this is also an ideal opportunity to begin preparing for college applications.

This post will provide you with practical guidance on how best to determine if business is the major for you and then how to prepare for it.

The summer before senior year is one of the most important seasons in the college admissions process. While free time, travel, jobs, camps, and time with friends should absolutely be part of your summer plans, this is also an ideal opportunity to begin preparing for college applications.Business is an increasingly popular major among high school students as they plan for college. I always encourage my students to explore the many interesting ways to pursue business careers. This post will provide you with practical guidance on how best to determine if business is the major for you and then how to prepare for it.

Business is an increasingly popular major among high school students as they plan for college. I always encourage my students to explore the many interesting ways to pursue business careers. This post will provide you with practical guidance on how best to determine if business is the major for you and then how to prepare for it.

The transition from high school to college is one of the most meaningful shifts in your academic journey, bringing greater independence, new expectations, and exciting opportunities for growth. At the same time, it can feel unfamiliar or even overwhelming.

Summer break isn’t just a pause from school; it’s an opportunity for high school students to develop skills, explore interests, and strengthen future college applications in ways that simply aren’t possible during the busy academic year.

If you’re wondering how to make the most of your summer, here are meaningful ways to spend your time

STEM careers are growing rapidly, but admission to competitive STEM programs requires more than just strong grades. If you are interested in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, intentional planning should start as early as freshman year.

This guide shows students how to prepare for STEM majors in college, what admissions offices look for, and how families can support their journey.

For many families, thinking about the cost of college can feel overwhelming. Headlines about rising tuition and student debt often create the impression that a college education is financially out of reach. 

Understanding the key steps to college affordability can help families make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary financial stress.