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College List BuildingUC Berkeley Common Data Set
Sifting through a college’s Common Data Set can take a lot of time. Instead, we’ve gathered the most important information from UC Berkeley’s most recent Common Data Set to provide you with the information you need at a quick glance. This guide contains key information from UC Berkeley Common Data Set 2025-2026. Berkeley Common Data…
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College List BuildingNew Programs Offer Financial Aid for Middle-Income Families
For many middle-income families, covering the rising costs of college feels overwhelming. They often earn too much to qualify for traditional need-based aid but not enough to pay tuition without financial strain. Recognizing this, several colleges — including Pomona College, Colby College, Rice University, and Liberty University — have launched targeted aid initiatives to help…
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AdviceDear Roadie: Should I Tell My Daughter She’ll Flounder at Her ‘Reach’ Schools?
Dear Roadie, My daughter has her heart set on several colleges that I consider “reach schools.” Even if she gets in one, I fear she may not be able to keep up. I’m concerned that she will end up miserable and ask to transfer. Then we’ll have to start a fresh round of applications, which…
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College List BuildingThe Hidden Ivies: Is One Right For You?
The “Hidden Ivies” are a group of prestigious but lesser-known colleges and universities in the United States. This article will explore the qualities that make these institutions distinctive and help prospective students decide whether one of these schools might be the right fit for their college journey. What Are the Hidden Ivies? The term “Hidden…
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ApplyTop Music Schools and Colleges by Excellence, Financial Aid, and Value
Choosing a top music college means balancing educational rigor, financial support, and overall value. Whether you’re pursuing classical performance, music production, or composition, this guide highlights the best U.S. music schools and colleges for undergraduates in these areas. Excellence and Affordability at U.S. Music Schools and Colleges Music schools and colleges across the U.S. offer…
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AdviceDear Roadie: Should I Buy a House for My Child Instead of Paying for Room and Board?
Dear Roadie, We have a couple of real estate investments already, and we’re considering adding another one in the same town where our daughter will attend college as an alternative to paying for room and board. We read that it may also save us money on tuition by allowing her to acquire in-state residency. Is…
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AdviceDear Roadie: My Son Wants To Get Married for More Financial Aid. Bad Idea, Right?
Dear Roadie, My 19-year-old son wants to get married so Uncle Sam will “kick in more scratch” for his girlfriend’s financial aid. They’ve been together since middle school, and they insist they’re certain they will get married at some point, so why not move up the date and reap the rewards of more financial aid?…
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AdviceDear Roadie: Will Commuting to College From Home Harm My Son’s Growth?
Dear Roadie, We don’t have the money to help our son pay for college, so he is choosing to make the smart choice and live at home at first while attending a local community college. I know it’s the right thing to do financially, but will this prevent him from being successful, especially socially? I…
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ACTDear Roadie: Should My Homeschooler Bother Taking the SAT or ACT If She Has Dual Enrollment Credit?
Dear Roadie, Should my homeschooled daughter take the SAT or ACT if she also has dual enrollment credit? She’s been homeschooled since elementary school and isn’t used to taking standardized tests, so she’s afraid she won’t do well even though she is a good student. It seems like a waste of time given that she’s…
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AdviceDear Roadie: Should My Daughter Write About Her Mental Health In A College Essay?
Dear Roadie, Is it appropriate to write about any kind of mental illness or eating disorder in a college essay? This is what my daughter wants to focus on, but I’m not sure it’s such a good idea. I don’t want colleges to look at her differently. — Worried About The Essay Dear Worried About…
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AdviceTop U.S. Art Schools by Value and Academics
Choosing the right art school can be daunting. You want a program that not only nurtures your creative talents but also offers solid academic foundations, strong financial support, and long-term value. Let’s explore some of the top undergraduate art schools in the U.S. and why they’re worth your consideration. Also, follow our steps on how…
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AdviceDear Roadie: Should We Tap Our Twins’ College Savings To Pay Unexpected Medical Bills?
Dear Roadie, Due to health issues, our family’s income has been dramatically cut, but we already told our twins we’d be paying for college. I’m a teacher and my husband works in IT, but we never expected to have to cover college and healthcare costs at the same time. Other than college savings, we don’t…
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AdviceDear Roadie: I’m Struggling With An Unmotivated Senior
Dear Roadie,I just took a second job to pay for my daughter’s dream school. This will have me out of the house until 9 p.m. several nights per week and working all day Saturday for a total of 60 hours a week. You’d think she’d be doing her part. Instead, I’m arguing with her constantly…
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AdviceDear Roadie: My Daughter Wants a Pricey College and Told Us to Butt Out. Should We?
Dear Roadie: Our daughter is steadfast in her belief that she can do anything, including going through the college application process all on her own. The problem is that she has her sights set on very expensive schools, and her dad and I are worried she’s not even looking at other schools that have just…
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AdviceDear Roadie: Is It Wrong Not To Pay My Son’s College Tuition If I Make $500,000 A Year?
Dear Roadie, After putting myself through school, surviving a difficult divorce, and raising two kids on my own, I’m finally at a place where I don’t have to worry about money. It took a long time to get here, and my sons are enjoying the fruits of my labor. I bought my oldest a nice…
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Financial aidWhy You Should Fill Out FAFSA Even if You Don’t Qualify for Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves more purposes than most people realize, and you may miss out on financial aid if you don’t submit it. Parents constantly ask whether they have to fill out a FAFSA form, so we prepared this Q&A to answer that question fully and account for different scenarios.…
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College List BuildingThe Seven Sisters Colleges: Is One Right For You?
The Seven Sisters Colleges are a group of historic women’s colleges in the Northeastern U.S. known for their strong academics and supportive communities. If you’re considering college options and wondering if one of these schools could be a good match, this article will help you explore what they offer and how they might align with…
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AdviceDear Roadie: My Daughter is Dumbing Down Her College Choice Because of a Guy
Dear Roadie: I’m deeply concerned about my daughter’s upcoming college choice. She wants to attend the same school as her boyfriend, but he’s not as academically gifted as she is. He’s a nice young man and has treated her well the two years they’ve been dating, but I’m afraid my daughter will attend a lesser…
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SeasonGuess How Much Parents Are Spending on Dorm “Essentials”?
Holy dorm dollars! Hang on to your wallets, parents. The National Retail Federation predicts 2024 back-to-college spending will hit $86.6 billion this year, which may sound like a lot, but it’s actually down from last year. The average spend per family hovers around $1,360. Depending on where you live, this is equivalent to at least…
