I work with a lot of STEM-oriented students, many of whom are interested in engineering. When we start discussing their college list, it’s a parade of the usual suspects: MIT, Caltech, Georgia Tech, Cornell, University of Michigan, etc. But these schools aren’t right for everyone for various reasons — including size, location, and selectivity — and I enjoy telling families about other options that they have either never heard of or that might not be top of mind for them. Let’s look at four of these schools with strong engineering programs.

Having natural leadership talents, being team-oriented, excelling in high-pressure situations, resolving interpersonal conflict, and effectively engaging diverse audiences are all examples of soft skills that are crucial for success in the workplace and academia. Hiring managers and admissions committees use your resume, cover letter, essays, and interview responses to gauge what types of soft skills you possess. Let’s examine five important soft skills you can build in college and the professional outcomes from utilizing them.

You have it down to a science — you know the best way to get up to speed on class schedules and which clubs to join. Or perhaps this is your first time moving and you’re a little nervous about attending a new school. From a personal perspective, you have so much to consider.

Before you begin your final year of secondary school, it’s important to finalize your college list — a complete list of all the colleges or universities to which you will apply. We recommend a balanced mix of 13-15 likely, target, and reach colleges for this list. But how do you get to this point?

When you’re looking at colleges, you might come across the term “consortium,” which refers to a group of colleges that collaborate to expand the resources and opportunities available to their students. For high school students considering their future college options, it’s important to understand what consortium colleges can offer. Let’s dive into what these consortiums are and highlight some examples to help you see the unique opportunities they provide.

Embarking on the U.S. college application journey as an expat can feel as puzzling as your first day at your new international school — despite your well-developed cultural adaptability, cross-cultural communication skills, and unique global perspective. Having spent my formative years attending an American school in the Netherlands, I felt equally perplexed by the U.S. college admissions process. I was excited at the prospect of living in the U.S. for the first time since I was four years old; however, I was scared to be an ocean away from my family and nervous about how to navigate the process.

Imagine that you’re applying to 10+ schools this fall. You’re spending what seems like an eternity trying to find that one email X college sent you, scrolling endlessly through your inbox. Maybe you can’t remember where you saved your latest essay draft for Y college on your laptop. What a headache!

At IvyWise, we always emphasize the importance of having a balanced list of colleges, and we encourage students to look beyond the “brand-name” schools. Keeping an open mind when it comes to building your college list can often lead to uncovering hidden gems that offer an incredible range of academic programs and social opportunities for students.

Embarking on the college journey feels like stepping into a world full of unknowns. With tests, essays, and recommendation letters swirling around, one important factor often gets pushed to the side — visiting colleges in person. That’s where fly-in programs come in.

You’ve just been admitted to the school of your dreams. You are over the moon, sharing your excitement with your family — until you see the financial aid package. What?! Where did that number come from?