Every spring, after the last decision letters have landed and another class of seniors head toward campus, I look back at what actually happened during this admissions cycle. What I'm seeing in 2026 is a landscape that has shifted more dramatically — and more quickly — than I thought possible. Two forces dominate: the messy, contested role of artificial intelligence in student writing, and the return of standardized testing at selective institutions. But these aren't isolated

Every year, I watch students open their college acceptance letters with tears of joy—finally admitted to their dream school! But then comes the financial aid package, and sometimes those tears take on a different meaning. As an independent educational consultant, I'v guided countless families through one of the most emotionally charged decisions they'll ever make: Is attending that dream school worth taking on significant debt? Let me be direct: there's no universal answer. B

As an independent educational consultant, I frequently work with students and families navigating one of the most anxiety-inducing decisions in the college process: selecting a major. The pressure is real—students wonder whether they're taking the right courses, whether their chosen field will lead to viable employment, and whether their investment in higher education will pay off financially. Here's what I want you to know: the landscape of work has fundamentally changed, an

Junior year represents a pivotal moment in your high school journey. While you're navigating challenging coursework and increased...