college admissions

What To Expect at Parent Orientation

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on May 29, 2025

Key takeaways: Some colleges offer parent orientation, which highlights valuable information for parents to help their students make the most of their college experience. Sessions during orientation can cover financial aid, campus life, health and safety, academics, and more. Parents can sign up for their orientation online, through the student’s college portal. Colleges usually require …

student life

What To Do After College Orientation

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Summer is drawing to a close and many of you have already attended your college freshman orientation. If you haven’t already, it’s most likely on the horizon. There are a few things you’ll want to do after orientation and before school starts: Select Your Dorm Some colleges have you select your dorm at the orientation, …

careers & internships

Questions to Ask the Person You’re Job Shadowing

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you have a job shadowing appointment coming up soon, you’ll absolutely want to take a few minutes ahead of time to plan. This includes coming up with questions for your contact. Here are just a few general questions you’ll want to ask. What is a day like in this position? This is one of …

tips tools & advice

Words of Wisdom for Parents of College Bound Students

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

If your child is heading off to college, especially if it’s your oldest, you know it’s a life-changing experience and can be nerve-wracking. You’ll have advice for your children, of course, but here are some words of wisdom for you as well as they head away from home. Keep in Touch But Don’t Helicopter You’ll …

ACT & SAT

Pro Tip: NEVER Leave an Answer Blank on the ACT/SAT

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

If your SAT or ACT exam is coming up, we’re sure you’re studying hard! By this time, you’ve heard quite a few test-taking tips regarding each of them, which may have included “never leave an answer blank”. Here is how you should approach more difficult questions and why you should never leave them blank. Skip …

tips tools & advice

Best Pieces of Advice for Incoming College Freshmen

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

If you’re heading to college this fall as a freshman, there is no doubt that you’ve received dozens of pieces of advice from everyone! This includes your parents, older siblings, teachers, co-workers, and neighbors. A lot of it will be good tidbits. Just in case you haven’t heard though, here are some college tips for …

student loans

Are There Student Loans That Go Directly to You?

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on July 7, 2025

Key Takeaways: Most federal and private student loans go directly to the college. After the college balance is paid, any leftover loan money can be transferred to the student. Only direct-to-consumer private student loans are sent directly to the student to cover education-related expenses. Many students need loans to cover the cost of college. While …

majors & industries

Undergraduate College Majors to Consider to Work for NASA

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on December 22, 2022

Dream of working for NASA? Your undergraduate major matters if you’re going to apply to the agency after you graduate college. Engineering Engineering is a broad category and major, but definitely one you’ll want to think about if you’re dreaming of working for NASA. You have plenty of options when it comes to engineering and …

financial aid

Use Summertime to Search for Financial Aid Opportunities

By Hilary CairnsLast updated on March 25, 2025

Summer is a great time to relax, catch up on your reading list, play a few video games, or take on a part-time job. Before college starts up again though, you may want to consider using some of your summer to expand your search for financial aid opportunities. Here are a few things you should be …