college applications

Submitting an Early Action Application: Early Decision vs. Early Action

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 17, 2025

Key Takeaways: Early Decision is a binding early application cycle. Early Action is also an early application cycle but is not binding and students can generally wait until May 1 to make their decision. Both ED and EA are due Nov 1 or 15, but applicants should confirm by visiting the Colleges’ website. Early decision …

student life

6 College Resources for Students with Learning Disabilities

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 24, 2025

Colleges want all of their students to succeed. Just like high schools, colleges and universities in the United States have resources for students with disabilities, including learning disabilities. From note-taking services to extended time on tests, exact services can depend on the school in question. Below, we’ve outlined six examples of college resources for students …

tips tools & advice

The Internet and Social Media in Education

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on September 12, 2024

Social media has significantly impacted society since the introduction of the internet. While first seen as a way to connect friends and family online, both locally and on a global scale, it has exploded into what it is today and has gone beyond just the “post an update for your friends” purpose. Social media is …

tips tools & advice

How High School and College Students can Set S.M.A.R.T Goals

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on January 2, 2024

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. SMART goals help high school students, college students, and even employees design realistic goals. Setting these types of goals can potentially increase the chance of achieving them. SMART goals could be exactly what you need to meet your newest goals or resolutions you set this year! …

college applications, questions & answers

What is the Coalition Application?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

You’ve probably heard of the Common Application, but what about the Coalition Application? It came out a few years ago, and it may be worth your time to explore the differences. Here’s what you need to know about the Coalition Application, its pros and cons, and how it stacks up against the Common App. What …

college majors & minors

Can I Switch College Majors? Should I?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 28, 2023

All students are welcome to change their majors in college. However, there are hurdles to changing areas of study including increased costs, delayed graduation dates, and limited availability of certain majors. Students shouldn’t change their majors simply on a whim or because of outside pressure as this can lead to burnout and other problems. Those …

questions & answers

What is the National Merit Scholarship?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 22, 2024

The National Merit Scholarship is an award given to students who score very well on the PSAT and meet the requirements to be named a National Merit Scholar. All students who take the PSAT are automatically entered into the program, but only a select few will be named Finalists and earn money to put towards …

scholarships

6 Scholarships for Theater Majors

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on April 17, 2023

There’s nothing quite like a night at the theater. But what the audience may not know or always remember is all of the hard work, dedication, and people it takes! Actors, playwrights, set designers, lighting specialists, stage managers, costume designers, technicians, sound designers, directors, composers, conductors, and more make a show come to life. A …

myths

Myth: The Second Half of My High School Senior Year Doesn’t Matter

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on November 26, 2024

After you submit your college applications, it can feel like it’s time to finally relax. And many do just that – they fall into the trap of feeling like the second half of their senior year in high school simply doesn’t matter. After all, the colleges have your grades, your SAT/ACT scores, your extracurriculars – …