We often hear concerns about the cost of college counseling when we speak with prospective families. Families’ questions usually boil down to: what will we gain from college counseling, and is it worth the expense? Learn the benefits of hiring a college counselor and how college counseling arms families to be most thoughtful about the significant financial investment of college.

When everyone is talented, what actually makes someone stand out?

A New Year’s Eve conversation about RuPaul’s Drag Race led me somewhere unexpected — to college admissions, and a meditation on presence, authenticity, and what gets recognized beyond polish and performance.

Many outstanding undergraduate engineering programs are overlooked because they’re small, specialized, or teaching-focused rather than research-driven. This guide highlights 24 underrated engineering institutions offering exceptional preparation, hands-on learning, and strong outcomes beyond the rankings.

Many families assume engineering only happens at large research universities. But some of the strongest undergraduate engineering experiences take place at small colleges built around teaching, mentorship, and hands-on learning. This article explores why size isn’t a disadvantage in engineering—and how to identify whether a small, undergraduate-focused program is the right fit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A high school student's classes and grades are the foundation of their college application, regardless of the intended major. Admissions officers will not even review other parts of a student's application if the student does not have strong grades in a rigorous academic program. If you cannot take the highest level in all of the five core academic disciplines, you should lean into the areas related to your potential major.

A high school student’s classes and grades are the foundation of their college application, regardless of the intended major. No other application component will even be considered if a student does not have strong grades in a rigorous academic program. If you have to pick and choose where to extend yourself for rigor, CS- and engineering-interested students should lean into the STEM areas.

Students and their parents often think that a student should apply to as many highly selective schools as possible to achieve their best admissions outcomes. In practice, we see the opposite to be true. Why is this the case? Why does a probabilistic approach fall short in college admissions?

At Lantern College Counseling, we have over 25 years of experience helping high school students apply to and transition to college and over 45 years of experience supporting and educating students on college campuses. We’ve leveraged our deep and extensive expertise to develop this comprehensive guide and task timeline for the college application process. 

If you have questions about applying to college as a computer science (CS) major, you’ve come to the right place. I’m an engineer, a dean who oversees the CS curriculum in the School of Engineering at Tufts University, a former CS professor, and a college counselor specializing in STEM. I’ve synthesized over 30 years of experience supporting college students majoring in CS to create this complete guide to the college application process for computer science majors.