Choosing a college isn’t about prestige, rankings, or checking boxes—it’s about finding the environment where your child will truly thrive. In this article, Dr. Jennifer Stephan introduces the Deep-Fit™ framework, explains the Four Pillars of fit, and shares real student stories that show how Deep-Fit transforms the college search, the application process, and ultimately a student’s college experience.

When my daughter began her college search, I thought I understood how her college search should go. I was wrong—and what followed shaped the Deep-Fit approach we use at Lantern College Counseling today.

In the age of AI and high-pressure admissions, how do you know what ethical college counseling looks like? This article outlines a practical, student-first framework grounded in experience from the admissions office, the dean’s office, the college classroom, and one-on-one work with families.

We speak geek — and it makes a real difference. With deep roots in engineering and computer science, we help STEM students find their voice, tell their story, and discover colleges where they’ll thrive.

Curious about engineering but not sure which path fits you best? This guide breaks down every major—from aerospace to mechanical to biomedical—and helps you discover which type of engineering aligns with your strengths, curiosity, and goals. Learn how to explore options, choose the right program, and find your best-fit in engineering.

When families ask me about the volatility in tech, I remind them that this isn’t the first time computer science has faced disruption or skepticism. As an engineering dean and former CS professor, I’ve had a front-row seat for these cycles for more than 30 years, and what has always endured are the evergreen skills that technology can’t replace. Learn why the degree remains valuable, how it continues to deliver strong career and salary outcomes, and how students can pursue it strategically to build future-proof skills in a changing tech landscape.

What really happens behind closed doors in a college admissions office? As a former member of Wellesley College’s Board of Admissions who also partnered with the Deans of Admission at MIT and Olin to create selective dual-degree programs, I’ve seen how decisions are made — and why strong students are sometimes denied. In this article, I share the insider lessons I now use to help families cut through the mystery, focus on what truly matters, and guide students toward both acceptance and long-term success.

Is it really possible to get into top colleges like MIT and Harvard while writing a college essay about video games? Yes. See how one Lantern student did it — and why admissions officers care more about the reflection and growth the essay reveals than the subject itself.

It isn’t just the acceptances that make a college search successful — it’s the partnership behind them. At Lantern, we work closely with students and families through our team-based Deep-Fit™ methodology, to help students identify the environments where they’ll thrive — academically, socially, and personally. Read how one student’s journey from setbacks to a joyful “We did it!” moment shows the power of partnership in the college search.

“What should my child be doing for activities?”

It’s one of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions we hear from families eager to give their child the best chance for strong college admissions outcomes. Our answer? It starts with understanding why activities matter in the first place—they’re about helping students develop a deeper understanding of themselves.

Is an AI major right for your teen? Guest blogger Lisa Marker-Robbins recaps our recent conversation on her College and Career Clarity podcast about what it really means to major in AI, how to help your teen decide if it’s a good fit, and why focusing on future-proof skills matters more than chasing the latest trends.

As artificial intelligence reshapes the job market, what kind of education truly prepares students to thrive professionally? This article explores how liberal arts engineering programs—rooted in technical rigor and humanistic inquiry—build “AI-proof” skills like ethical reasoning, adaptability, and communication, with concrete examples and guidance for families seeking forward-looking, purpose-driven programs.

From English testing and financial aid to campus life and cultural fit, this expert guide helps international students and their families navigate the U.S. college admissions process with clarity and confidence. Written by seasoned international counselors, it offers practical insights and guidance tailored to global applicants.

More American students are exploring college options in Canada and the United Kingdom—not just for affordability, but for academic focus, cultural fit, and meaningful opportunity. In this guide, we share what families need to know about applying to UK and Canadian universities—and how our U.S.- and Canada-based team brings specialized cross-border expertise to help students navigate the process with clarity and confidence.

At Lantern College Counseling, students are guided by a unified team—two experienced college counselors working in close partnership. Every student receives the full benefit of our shared insight and ongoing collaboration. Lantern’s College Admissions Counselors Jennifer Stephan and Eliza Yuen support every student, combining their expertise to deliver personalized and consistent guidance. Students benefit from a dual-counselor model rarely found in independent college counseling—offering a mix of insight, experience, and regular collaboration.

College is a time of growth, challenge, and self-discovery—a period full of promise and potential. Even the most capable students benefit from guidance as they navigate academic demands, new freedoms, and evolving questions about who they want to become and the future they hope to create. At Lantern, we offer College Success Coaching to help students build confidence, clarity, and direction through a personalized, trusting relationship with someone who deeply understands the college experience, shaped by decades of guiding and mentoring students as deans and advisors.

The decision to transfer isn’t always easy—but it can be a powerful step toward a more fulfilling college experience. It’s a brave, bold move toward finding a better fit. Transfer students often arrive at their new colleges with direction, commitment, and purpose. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or already deep in the process, this guide offers step-by-step support to help you navigate the transfer process with clarity and confidence.

We have 60 years of experience supporting college students to manage academic crises as deans at Harvard University, Wellesley College, and Tufts University. Beyond individualized student support, we run the academic review and standing processes at our institutions and help students facing disciplinary sanctions, so we know exactly how these processes work and how to navigate them best. If your student is facing an academic crisis or disruption to their education, we are the experts with the insider’s view you want in your corner.

Our 75 years of collective experience supporting Harvard University, Tufts University, and Wellesley College students to reach their college goals has led to our framework for college success, which includes action items in the areas of wellness, academic success, know and use your resources, build your community, and create your future. Here, we share how to put this framework into action through a roadmap starting from the moment a student makes their college choice.

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being widely applied in nearly every aspect of our modern world. Yet, very few colleges and universities offer a formal AI major or degree. Indeed, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, only twelve US institutions currently offer a formal major in artificial intelligence. Learn about these programs and answers to some common questions about AI, including pathways to a career in AI.