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 artificial intelligence the right college major for your teen? As AI programs emerge at universities nationwide, parents need clarity about how AI differs from computer science, what students actually study, and how to evaluate long-term fit beyond hype and headlines.

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.

As artificial intelligence reshapes nearly every industry, families are asking where students can formally major in AI. While few U.S. colleges currently offer dedicated AI degrees, this guide explains which institutions do, how these programs differ from computer science, and what pathways lead to careers in artificial intelligence.

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.

Applying to college as an engineering major? In a competitive engineering admissions pool, your personal statement can distinguish you beyond grades and coursework. Learn how to choose a strong topic and write a standout engineering essay.