How to Secure an Internship as a High School Student
Quick answer: To learn how to get an internship in high school, start with a career plan tied to your interests, then build a one-page resume, research companies, universities, and local organizations, and ask your network for leads. Send tailored applications, prepare for interviews, and follow up. An internship shows initiative and commitment to your […]
What Does a Firmware Engineer Do?
Quick answer: What does a firmware engineer do? A firmware engineer designs and builds the low-level software embedded in hardware, such as the code that lets a keyboard register keystrokes or a thermostat talk to a control unit. Most firmware engineers study computer engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science. What Does a Firmware Engineer Do? […]
Degrees Explained: A Guide to College Degrees
Quick answer: The main types of college degrees are the associate degree (about two years), the bachelor’s degree (about four years), the master’s degree (usually one to two years beyond a bachelor’s), and the doctoral degree (several more years of advanced study and research). Professional degrees such as the MD and JD prepare you for […]
Duke Eliminates Essay and Test Ratings for College Admissions
Quick answer: Duke essay and test ratings ended in February 2024, when Duke University stopped assigning numerical scores to applicants’ essays and standardized tests. Readers still consider both, but evaluate them holistically. Duke continues to rate other parts of the application, including academics, curriculum rigor, recommendations, and extracurriculars. In February 2024, Duke University announced a […]
Is Computer Science the Best Major For You?
Quick answer: Is computer science a good major? It can be if you enjoy problem-solving, math, and building things with code. Computer science skills are in demand across nearly every industry, but you should weigh your interests, the program’s rigor, and related options such as data science or computer engineering before committing. In the digital […]
Application Personas: How Top Colleges Find the Best Students
Quick answer: An application persona is the common thread that runs through every part of a college application, combining a student’s interests, achievements, values, and goals into one clear theme. Top colleges use holistic review to understand who a student is, so a consistent persona helps admissions officers remember and advocate for an applicant. Applying […]
How to Tackle Applying to College as a Homeschooler
Quick answer: Applying to college as a homeschooler works best when you document your coursework with a detailed transcript and course descriptions, submit test scores, take outside classes for independent validation, and get recommendations from instructors other than your parents. Selective colleges such as Harvard review homeschooled applicants the same way they review everyone else. […]
How to Publish a Research Paper in High School: 8 Journals to Consider
Quick answer: If you want to know how to publish a research paper in high school, start with a focused project and a mentor, then submit to a student journal such as the Journal of Emerging Investigators, The Concord Review, or the Columbia Junior Science Journal. Follow each journal’s guidelines exactly and expect at least […]
IB vs AP: Which Should You Choose?
Quick answer: In the IB vs AP decision, IB is a two-year diploma program with six subject groups plus Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and CAS, while AP lets you take individual college-level courses and exams. Selective colleges respect both. Choose IB for an integrated, writing-heavy program, or AP for flexibility to focus on […]
Can I Get Into an Ivy? 4 Key Ways to Know if You Qualify for Top Schools
Quick answer: Can I get into an Ivy? It depends on four things: the rigor and trend of your grades, the recommendations you earn, the depth and impact of your activities, and the story your application tells. Every Ivy is highly selective, so treat each one as a reach and build a balanced college list. […]