Choosing the college that matches your needs (and wants) can be a challenge, especially in the era of admissions scandals and runaway student debt.
The most important — and difficult — part of the decision is knowing where to look for information.
On Course provides guidance from school counselors, education consultants, students and colleges to help lead you through one of life’s biggest decisions.
Keep scrolling to view the wealth of stories included in the Fall 2019 edition of On Course, including tips for students on applying for early action admission, getting letter of recommendations and a year-by-year college-prep guide and more.
What college applicants are getting wrong
It was an easy mistake — small print, lots of application balls in the air at once and a teenager who had never managed a complex process before.
8 study tips successful college students live by
The study habits you developed in high school may not be as effective in college.
Letters of recommendation: Yes, they really matter. How to get good ones
For colleges, recommendation letters offer one more way to understand who an applicant is. Here are tips for whom to ask — and how.
8 pieces of wisdom for parents sending a child off to college
Your student will experience bumps, but most of the time those challenges will be part of the normal growth of a young adult. Have faith. Your kids really can do it.
Myths vs. facts: SAT and ACT prep
Nearly 2 million U.S. high school students in the class of 2018 took the SAT, and 1.91 million took the ACT.
Going to college? Take their advice
The New York Times asked readers about their college experience and what they wish they had known sooner both inside and outside the classroom.
Opportunities abound in college: Seize the moment
Students who engage in undergraduate research will demonstrate to potential employers their ability to work independently, solve problems, think logically, and contribute to a team’s success.
Should you apply to college ‘early action’? Check these FAQ
For students ready to jump into the college application process, there’s no need to wait until January for some schools in Washington — and beyond.
5 factors college admissions officers really care about
Everyone knows that grades are key in college admissions, and at most schools, scores on the SAT or ACT play an important role as well.
Some Washington colleges step away from standardized tests
Evergreen State College, Whitworth University and University of Puget Sound are among those that do not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores.
Tap the career potential of college clubs and organizations
For Alex Ratcliff, a college science fair led to hands-on experience that opened the door to a career in sustainability.
Navigate the college admissions process without losing your mind
A lot has changed since today's parents went through the college application process.
Goal-oriented networking helps land a dream job at Xbox
Ben Madlena took steps to connect with professors and mentors who could help him develop the skills and experiences he’d need.
Parents are now using tracking apps to watch their kids at college
Life360 is either a safety precaution or a tattletale, depending on your perspective.
You can’t go to college with your kid. But you can pretend on Facebook.
Whether they are an inevitable sign of hyper-connected times or something closer to next-level helicopter parenting, Facebook groups for parents of college students are on the rise.
10 things I wish I’d known before going to college
Ready for 'adulting': Despite how often your kids may have insisted they're adults over the past few years, most quickly realize there are many things they don't really know how to do.
‘She can eat during passing period’: How college pressures are causing serious anxiety problems in students
For high school students with dreams of reaching top colleges, the pressure to prove they can handle a punishing academic schedule can have devastating effects.
Classes without textbooks? More colleges are giving it a try
When Natalie Flynn surveyed students in her Temple University intro to physical geology classes, she found half weren't buying the textbook she used.
5 majors that almost guarantee a job
Want a great job offer before you've even crossed the stage at graduation? It's possible.
Students in high-achieving schools are now named an ‘at-risk’ group
The competitive environment of top-ranked schools can come at a psychological cost to those attending them.
Clock is ticking on the FAFSA federal aid form
Oct. 1 marks the beginning of what can be the toughest part of applying for college, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
3 FAQ about borrowing money for college
America’s student debt is growing more slowly, but borrowing remains a fact of life for most students.
College won’t be fun if you’re not healthy. Take this advice about health insurance
Are you among the 2.9 million freshmen nationwide who have just started college, or are about to?
Cliches to avoid when writing your college admissions essay
College admissions counselors are always on the lookout for unique, memorable essays to give them a better picture of the applicant's personality.
Counting on a college sports scholarship? That’s a long shot
Lots of kids (and their parents) dream of getting a scholarship to play sports in college.
A year-by-year college-prep guide for high schoolers (and their parents)
A Cliff’sNotes version of the process, so parents and teens can both survive the experience with minimal emotional scarring.
Aspiring college students know very little about financial aid, survey finds
U.S. student loan debt now tops $1.5 trillion, an amount that has doubled in less than a decade.
Commentary: No, parents can’t ‘just relax’ about college
When I take stock of all the anxious teens and parents I encounter at my kids' school and coming through my therapy office, I wonder if we're not all being done wrong by the admission process itself.
Rejected by your dream college? Spoiler: There are other paths to success and happiness
The country's most selective colleges have acceptance rates around 5 percent, and many state universities, once viewed by some as fallbacks, are getting pickier too.
Will 10 APs get you ready for Yale? Yes? No? Maybe?
Research: Greatest gain comes from taking just one or two Advanced Placement classes and exams.
The new tax law changed things for the parents of college students
How the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 affected exemptions, gifts and deductions.
7 tips for first-year academic success in college
Puget Sound-area schools share strategies for dealing with common freshman woes.
A good fit: Finding the college that’s right for you
The challenge: The ‘good-fit seekers’ are high school kids who may not know what they want to do next weekend let alone the next four years.
Rejection hurts: How to help your child during college-acceptance season
This spring, many high school seniors learn that, despite their best efforts, they did not get into their dream college.
Soft skills for a solid future: Why communication skills are key to career success
Most soft skills rely on what are conventionally perceived as communication abilities.
How 3 colleges are helping students handle student debt
Using no-strings-attached student loan payoff-assistance programs, college loan alternatives and annual student debt letters, these three universities are doing their part to curb college debt.
Building bridges, with the help of college scholarships
From a small Washington town to one of the world’s largest cities, Caleb Huffman is on a quest to connect with others.
What I want high school students to hear loud and clear, after the celebrity college-admissions scandal
Where did we veer so spectacularly off-course when it comes to the entire point of college?
3 reasons to choose a college based on price
Among other things, it will give your parents a break.
When applying to college, this character trait may mean more than grades
There is a common theme among personal essays with the best results.
Following a dream around the world
Nam Nguyen studied on seven continents and brought back inspiration.
Savvy hacks for cheap college textbooks
College students spend an estimated $1,200 on books and materials every school year.