AP Exams

During early May, high school students across the country sit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams. For students carrying a heavy AP load, that can mean four or five exams in two weeks, an intense stretch at the end of an already demanding year.

The AP program, run by the College Board, provides curriculum frameworks so teachers can align their courses with exam expectations. At some schools, students in AP classes are required to take the exam. Even when it’s optional, it usually makes sense to sit for it. After a year of rigorous work, the exam is an opportunity to potentially earn college credit, and many students perform better than they expect.

Most AP exams include both multiple-choice questions and a free-response section, which may involve essays or problem-solving. Studio Art is the exception; it is assessed through a portfolio review.

Exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. Colleges set their own policies for awarding credit. Many grant credit for scores of 4 or 5, and some award credit for a 3. Some colleges use the scores as a method to place students in appropriate-level classes. Policies vary not only by college but also by subject, and more selective institutions often have stricter guidelines. Students can review each college’s AP credit policy on its website or through the College Board’s AP Credit Policy Search.

Some applications, including the Common Application, allow students to self-report AP scores. Official score reports should be sent once a student has chosen where to enroll, so that the college can determine credit and placement.

Students who earn AP Scholar distinctions can include the award in their applications. The basic AP Scholar award is granted to students who score 3 or higher on at least three exams. Higher distinctions require stronger performance across more exams, with the most competitive level reflecting consistent scores of 4 or 5 on numerous tests.

AP exams cost $99 each, though fee reductions are available for students with financial need, and some high schools subsidize the cost. While the fee may feel significant, it is modest compared to the cost of a college course.

Students who take multiple AP exams and earn qualifying scores may enter college with a semester or more of credit. Some graduate early, reducing tuition costs. Others use the flexibility to pursue a double major, study abroad, or take on internships while maintaining a manageable course load.

Financial Matters: The Reality Behind the College Dream

If you're the parent of a high school senior navigating college costs, welcome to an expensive reality. Today's world of college financing breaks down into two categories: "Great money" and "Not-so-Great money."

Free Money - Free money includes grants and scholarships that never need repayment. Two types exist: need-based aid and merit-based aid. Need-based aid amounts are determined by the FAFSA and, in some cases, the CSS Profile.

Merit-aid tuition reductions, grants, and scholarships remain a recruitment tool for many private colleges and many public universities seeking top students. Students can earn scholarships for athletic, artistic, or debate talents, as well as academic achievement through strong grades and test scores. 

Many public universities offer prestigious Honors Colleges with perks including early class registration, smaller classes, honors housing, and substantial scholarships.

Most highly selective institutions like Stanford, MIT, and Georgetown don't offer merit aid but typically provide generous need-based assistance, many meeting 100% demonstrated financial need. If your student gains acceptance and the financial aid office determines that your family cannot afford the full cost, which can often be $80,000 to $90,000+ annually, they will cover the determined need-based aid using their own institutional methodology, sometimes with a combination of grant money, loans, and Federal Work Study. 

The challenge hits families in the "gray zone," earning too much for need-based aid but insufficient to cover sticker prices.

Loans - Many parents, desperate not to disappoint their children, pledge to "do whatever we need to make it happen." This often means taking loans in both student and parent names, cashing life insurance policies early, or paying penalties for early withdrawals on retirement accounts. Attending a high-priced institution while borrowing substantially is financially unwise. A college education should not disrupt normal family spending patterns or force parents to abandon their financial security.

Smart Strategies for 2026 - Consider the following approaches:

• Start early with the FAFSA, now available October 1st of senior year. Be aware of deadlines for aid applications to file on time. 

• Explore test-optional policies. Many schools now admit students without SAT/ACT scores, though submitting strong scores can still unlock merit aid.

• Consider community college pathways. Starting at a community college and transferring saves substantially while achieving the same degree.

• Research employer tuition benefits. Many companies now offer education assistance as employee benefits.

• Remember: no single "perfect" college exists. Most students can thrive at various institutions. Parents must be responsible decision-makers, protecting against significant debt burdens. A child's education matters, but not at the expense of current or future financial stability for parents or students.

The Importance of "Likely" Admit Colleges

Most students add a few likely colleges to their list almost as an afterthought. They focus their energy on reach and possible schools and assume the likelies will simply be there if needed. But that mindset misses the point.

     A well-chosen likely school should never feel like a backup plan. It should feel like a place you would be genuinely excited to attend.

     Start by identifying the characteristics you are seeking in your college experience. Are you looking for strong academics in a particular major? A collaborative environment rather than a competitive one? School spirit? Research access? Internship pipelines? An urban setting? A close-knit campus? You can find all of these qualities at colleges that admit more than half of their applicants — and at institutions where your academic profile makes you a strong candidate.

     In admissions language, a likely school generally means two things: the institution often admits 50-75% or more, and your academic credentials fall comfortably within or above the middle 50% of admitted students’ test score ranges. While colleges evaluate applications holistically, academic performance remains the foundation of an admission decision.

     It’s also important to understand that colleges, even those that admit a majority of students, do not want to feel like a safety school. If a college believes you are unlikely to enroll, it may defer, waitlist, or even deny you to manage its yield and protect its admission statistics. Demonstrated interest, thoughtful supplemental essays, and campus engagement matter everywhere.

Now, here is the strategic piece families sometimes overlook: what will your experience look like once you arrive?

Recently, a strong student was admitted to a highly selective university and to one of her likely schools, where she was offered a generous merit scholarship. After visiting both campuses, she realized something important. At the more selective school, large introductory STEM courses were graded on a strict curve. At her likely school, she was invited into the honors program and offered early research opportunities, where she could quickly connect with professors. She chose the likely school. By sophomore year, she was conducting research, holding a leadership role in a pre-med organization, and maintaining a GPA that positioned her well for medical school applications, all while graduating with significantly less debt.

From an ROI perspective, that decision mattered. Lower undergraduate debt meant greater flexibility when applying to medical school. Strong grades and faculty relationships translated into competitive recommendations. Confidence can lead to leadership and initiative. The return on investment was not just financial; it was academic and emotional. This is especially important for students thinking about graduate school in fields such as medicine, law, business, or STEM, where undergraduate GPA plays a meaningful role in admissions. Attending a “likely” school, your student can earn strong grades, build close relationships with professors, and stand out, which can create long-term advantages.

At some highly selective universities, students who were at the very top of their high school classes suddenly find themselves in the middle of a very competitive curve. Some thrive in that environment, while others quietly struggle with confidence. Being in a position to earn strong grades, build relationships with professors, conduct research, and secure leadership roles can matter more than the institution's name.

This idea isn’t new. In his book David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell discusses research suggesting that students often benefit from attending a college where they are among the stronger students in the class. When students feel capable and competitive, they are more likely to raise their hands, pursue ambitious opportunities, and persist in challenging majors.

Many outstanding colleges admit over half of their applicants. Institutions such as the University of Utah, the University of Oregon, Elon University, and the University of Denver all have strong academics, vibrant campus communities, and meaningful alumni networks. Many offer generous merit scholarships to attract high-achieving students. Smaller private colleges in the 50% admission range often boast excellent student-to-professor ratios, creating access and mentorship that can be harder to find at larger or more highly selective universities. The goal is not to attend the most selective college that will admit you; the goal is to choose a college where you will thrive.

Avoiding Senioritis

High school seniors sometimes believe that because they have worked so hard throughout high school, they have earned the right to slack off in their senior year, especially in the last few months. By now, mid-year grades are on their way to colleges, and students may have already been accepted at their favorite school. Why not kick back and enjoy life? We refer to this syndrome as “senioritis.”

However, an offer of admission is conditional, and students are expected to maintain their academic performance throughout senior year. Every year, colleges around the country rescind admission offers, meaning a student’s acceptance is withdrawn after it has been granted, most often because final grades, behavior, or information reported on the application no longer meet the college’s expectations.

You are admitted to a college based on the information in your application. If there are any changes, you should notify the college. If you have dropped a class that was listed on the transcript you submitted to colleges, your application has changed. Colleges receive your final transcript during the summer, and you don’t want to find out in July that you no longer have a place in the freshman class.   

It is much better to be honest and explain why you dropped the class or why your grades have gone down. If the drop in academic performance is severe enough to jeopardize your acceptance, admissions officers can advise you on how to salvage your admission.

There’s another reason to keep working hard in school. It makes the transition to college-level work easier. That’s one of the advantages of taking AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses if qualified, which require a high level of commitment throughout senior year in order to prepare for AP exams in May. The anti-slacker curriculum built into AP classes will help you adjust to college coursework more easily.

If you start procrastinating during senior year, it’s difficult to get back to good study habits when you arrive at college, where there will be distractions and no parents reminding you to finish your history paper before you go out for pizza with your friends.  

While you do need to keep your grades up, making sure you have some fun will help you avoid burnout. Summer is less than six months away, and you will have plenty of time to play before you go off to college. 

It’s not only lower grades that can torpedo an offer of admission. While spray painting the school gym might seem like a fun prank to you and your friends, a disciplinary issue can also mean the end of your college acceptances.

Students who keep senioritis under control will get their reward when they embark on the great adventure of college in just a few months. 

Understanding a College's Financial Offer

You’ve opened the email, logged into the portal, and there it is: your student has been admitted and offered a financial aid package. Relief and excitement last about thirty seconds. Then you start scrolling. Numbers appear. Some seem promising. Others are confusing. Loans and grants blur together, unfamiliar acronyms pop up, and suddenly you’re wondering whether this school is truly affordable or whether you’re missing something important.

You’re not alone. Financial aid award letters are notoriously difficult to interpret, largely because there is no required standard for how colleges present them. While schools follow general federal guidelines, they are free to format award letters however they choose. That means two colleges can offer very similar aid packages and make them look completely different on paper. Understanding how to read these letters is essential before making any enrollment decision.

A financial aid award letter outlines what a college is offering for one academic year. Most include some version of the school’s cost of attendance, the types of aid offered, your student’s Student Aid Index (SAI), and the remaining amount the family is expected to cover. The problem is that these elements aren’t always clearly labeled or even fully included.

One of the biggest sources of confusion is how loans are presented. Grants and scholarships, which do not need to be repaid, are often listed right alongside work study funds and loans that do need to be paid back. In some cases, the only clue that something is a loan is a small code such as “L” or “LN.” This distinction matters because most financial aid offered nationwide comes in the form of loans, not free money. A package that looks generous at first glance may rely heavily on borrowing.

Another common issue is how colleges calculate and present costs. Many award letters underestimate the true cost of attending the school. Some list only tuition and fees, leaving out room and board, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Those missing line items can easily add $15,000 to $25,000 per year. Families often don’t realize this gap until the semester begins and unexpected expenses start appearing.

To make sense of the numbers, it helps to understand two terms that often appear on award letters: net cost and net price. Net cost subtracts all financial aid—including loans and work-study—from the cost of attendance. Net price subtracts only gift aid, meaning grants and scholarships.

This difference is critical. Net cost can give the impression that the school is covering more than it truly is, because borrowed money is included. Net price is closer to reality. It reflects the discounted price of the college after free money is applied, but before loans. This is the number families ultimately need to plan for, whether through savings, income, borrowing, or a combination of the three.

You may also see your Student Aid Index buried somewhere in the letter. The SAI represents what the federal formula estimates your family can contribute. It is not financial aid, even though colleges may roll it into their calculations or remaining balance.

Because award letters rarely show the full picture, families should reconstruct the true cost themselves. Begin with the school’s full cost of attendance, ensuring it includes housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Then subtract only grants and scholarships. What remains is the amount your family must realistically expect to cover each year. The NASFAA comparison worksheet is a useful tool.

There are additional details worth close attention. Some colleges “front-load” financial aid, offering higher grants during the first year and less in later years. This can make a school appear affordable at the start, but far more expensive over time. Ask whether grants and scholarships are renewable and whether typical aid amounts change after the first year. If answers are vague, tools like the U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator can provide helpful context.

Private scholarships can also affect aid packages in unexpected ways. At some schools, outside scholarships reduce loans. At others, they reduce institutional grants. This practice, known as scholarship displacement, can significantly change the value of a private award. Always ask how outside scholarships are treated before assuming they will lower your out-of-pocket cost.

Finally, remember that financial aid offers are not always final. If a package doesn’t reflect your current financial situation or seems inconsistent with offers from similar schools, you may have grounds to appeal. Appeals are most effective when they’re based on documented changes or clear comparisons, not just disappointment.

Financial aid award letters aren’t designed to make this process easy. But with the right framework, they become far less intimidating. The goal isn’t just to see how much aid is offered—it’s to understand what’s free, what must be repaid, and what your family will truly be responsible for paying, both now and in the years ahead.

Your Journey Ahead counselor will be happy to review your financial aid offers to help you understand your out of pocket costs.

Focus on Majors: Film & Media

When most people hear "film major," they picture a student holding a camera or directing a scene. But today's film and media programs cover far more than that. Colleges now offer majors in creative producing, film and media studies, digital arts, screenwriting, entertainment marketing, and even the business side of Hollywood. If you're interested in storytelling, whether through movies, TV, animation, social media, or something new, there's likely a program designed for your version of creativity.

     One of the first things students learn when researching film programs is that no two schools define the major the same way. Some programs lean heavily toward theory and analysis, exploring how films shape culture, identity, and society. These are perfect for students who love dissecting what they watch and want to write, critique, or study media rather than produce it.

     Other colleges focus almost entirely on hands-on production. Students spend hours filming, editing, writing scripts, designing sound, or creating animation. These programs often require students to apply directly to a BFA track and begin creative work right away. Schools known for this immersive experience, such as USC, NYU, Chapman, Emerson, LMU, and DePaul, often expect students to collaborate in crews and build a meaningful body of work by graduation.

     Many film, production, and digital media programs require a creative portfolio in addition to the regular application. Depending on the school, this might include short videos, scripts, photography, storyboards, editing samples, or written reflections about why storytelling matters to you. Many of these programs also require students to write and submit additional essays after their original application is submitted.

     Even when portfolios are optional, submitting something creative often strengthens an application. Students who think they might want to major in film should start building work early through school projects, summer programs, or independent experiments shot on a phone. What matters most is not expensive equipment but curiosity, effort, and a willingness to take creative risks.

     There are also hybrid paths that combine creativity with business and strategy. Some programs teach students how to produce films, pitch ideas, manage budgets, build marketing campaigns, or help artists promote their work. Others lean into digital storytelling, giving students experience in podcasting, YouTube production, streaming platforms, and social media content creation.

     Because each college approaches film differently, students should think carefully about what part of the industry sparks excitement: creating stories, analyzing them, promoting them, or making sure they actually get made.

     Depending on the program, students might take classes in film history, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, documentary storytelling, producing and budgeting, animation, sound design, or entertainment law and marketing. Some programs ask students to rotate through different roles, while others encourage them to specialize. Many graduates use their storytelling, design, communication, and tech skills in advertising, business, nonprofits, education, and other fields.

     The entertainment world is competitive, but students who take advantage of internships, build portfolios, connect with mentors, and explore multiple aspects of media develop skills that transfer well beyond a film set.

     If you're thinking about studying film, figure out what part of the creative process excites you. Do you want to direct, produce, write scripts, edit, analyze films, market them, or create digital content? Once you know your goals, you'll be better prepared to find programs that match your style and help you grow as a storyteller. 

 Career Paths for Film Majors:

Producer or Director

Social media strategist

Development Assistant 

Editor

Line Producer 

Content Producer 

Talent manager

Independent Producer 

Film or media critic

Archivist or media librarian

Researcher or content analyst

Multimedia artist

Digital illustrator 

Screenwriter

Playwright

Podcast writer 

Entertainment marketer

Publicist or PR professional

Promotions manager 

The Most Important College Admissions Document You've Never Heard Of

When families think about college applications, they focus on essays, test scores, activities, and transcripts. But there's another document that plays a major role in how colleges understand a student's accomplishments, and most students never even see it.

     It's called the School Profile, and it accompanies every transcript your high school sends to colleges. This one to two-page document provides an overview of your high school and is created and updated each year by the counseling office. Its purpose is simple: to give admissions officers a clear understanding of the high school environment from which a student comes.

     Colleges don't evaluate applicants in isolation. They evaluate them in the context of their high school, and the School Profile explains what that context is. Think of it as a lens through which colleges view the transcript. Without it, admissions officers would have no way to know whether a high school offers 20 AP classes or none, whether a particular GPA is considered excellent, or whether a senior class of 60 has different leadership opportunities compared to a class of 600.

     Most School Profiles include the same core information. They describe basic school details such as enrollment numbers, student-to-teacher ratio, and school type. They outline the curriculum and academic programs available, including honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment offerings, and any limitations on access to these courses. They explain the grading scale and GPA policies, including whether GPAs are weighted and how class ranking works. They list graduation requirements so colleges understand what courses students must take. Many also include information about the school community, available opportunities like clubs or internships, and where recent graduates have enrolled in college.

     Colleges rely heavily on this document. A student who takes two AP classes at a school that offers four is evaluated differently from a student who takes two at a school that offers twenty. The profile shows what "rigorous" means in that specific environment. It helps admissions officers determine whether a particular GPA places a student in the top 10% or is merely average. It reveals whether leadership roles are competitive or limited, and whether certain activities even exist at the school.

     Most importantly, the School Profile helps level the playing field. Two students from completely different backgrounds should not be judged as though they had identical opportunities. The profile ensures colleges evaluate students on what they did with the resources available to them, not on what their high school did or didn't provide.

     Students don't submit or interact with the School Profile at all. Counselors send it automatically alongside transcripts. If you’re curious, you can often find your school’s profile by searching your high school’s name along with “school profile.” Colleges use this document to understand the academic landscape you’re learning in and to evaluate your choices within that context. What matters most is how you challenged yourself, given what your school offers, how you made the most of the environment you were in. Admissions officers are looking for students who have grown and pushed themselves within their capabilities.

Rethinking Failure and Resilience

At some point, many students began treating failure as a personal label rather than a temporary setback. Failure has shifted from an action, “I failed,” to an identity, “I am a failure.” Any parent who has watched their teen melt down after a disappointing grade or feedback knows exactly how quickly young people make this leap. Yet every major body of research tells us something very different: failure is not the opposite of success. It is an essential, unavoidable, deeply valuable part of it.

Psychologist Carol Dweck’s work on mindset has helped countless students reframe this experience. Her idea of the “not yet” mindset gives students room to grow instead of shutting down. A tough outcome doesn’t mean they aren’t capable; it means they haven’t yet mastered the material. That single word opens the door to possibility. It reminds students that growth takes time, that learning requires struggle, and that setbacks aren’t proof they should quit - rather, they’re signals to keep going.

Research across psychology echoes this idea. Social psychologist Albert Bandura, showed that the process of confronting difficulty builds self-efficacy, the internal belief that one can handle hard things. Martin Seligman’s work on optimism demonstrated that resilient people interpret setbacks as temporary and specific, rather than defining or permanent. Angela Duckworth, who brought the concept of grit into the mainstream, found that perseverance develops from doing difficult things, not from staying comfortable. When young people are shielded from challenges, she warns, they can become “fragile perfects,” confident only when everything goes right.

Failure doesn’t define someone. What one does afterward, does.

This dynamic shows up often in the college application process. In one case, a senior failed a class after assuming the teacher would accept late work for full credit. When that didn’t happen, the outcome was painful, but the experience pushed him to take ownership of his communication and planning in a way nothing else had. That one setback ultimately prepared him far better for the realities of college than any semester of smooth sailing ever could. The failure didn’t define him; it simply illuminated what needed to change.

Colleges increasingly value this kind of resilience. Admissions officers recognize that the transition to college demands resilience, adaptability, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. They intentionally look for evidence of reflection in applications. A student who can explain how they handled a setback, whether academic, personal, or extracurricular, often stands out due to the vulnerability and realization the student demonstrated.

Colleges understand that challenges are inevitable. They want to admit students who can adapt, seek help when needed, and take responsibility for their growth. Resilience predicts success far more accurately than perfection ever will. Parents play a crucial role in helping teens build this capacity. The instinct to fix things for them is understandable, but confidence grows when students work through problems, not when parents solve them. Teens need reassurance that effort matters more than flawlessness, that their worth isn’t tied to GPA, and that every setback contains a lesson if they’re willing to look for it. Noticing small moments of persistence, kindness, responsibility, and honesty helps them see themselves as capable and grounded, not defined by achievements alone.

Failure, when met with curiosity instead of shame, becomes a turning point. “Not yet” becomes an invitation to try again, adjust, and grow. And that mindset, the belief that improvement is always possible, is one of the greatest gifts we can give our students as they prepare for college and beyond.