Early Decision vs Early Action vs Regular: Strategy for 2026
Early Decision locks you in if you're admitted (binding). Early Action doesn't. Regular De...
Aug 16, 2025
Lawrence Myers
Senior Education Writer
Lawrence Myers is a senior education writer covering college admissions, university rankings, financial aid, and career outcomes. He specializes in translating complex higher-education data into clear, practical guidance for students and parents navigating the application process.
University RankingsFinancial AidCareer OutcomesCollege ComparisonsSAT/ACT Prep
481 articles published
Articles by Lawrence Myers
Test Optional Colleges 2026: What It Really Means for You
Test-optional doesn't mean test-blind. Schools that say "optional" still consider scores i...
Aug 16, 2025
College Acceptance Rates 2026: What’s Considered
College acceptance rates explained: what they mean, selectivity tiers, reach/match/safety...
Aug 16, 2025
Need-Based vs Merit Scholarships: What Actually Matters
Need-based aid depends on your family's finances. Merit scholarships reward grades and tes...
Aug 16, 2025
Last-Minute College Scholarships You Can Still Apply For
Miss major scholarship deadlines? You've got options: rolling deadlines, monthly awards, a...
Aug 16, 2025
100 Scholarships for First-Gen College Students (2026)
Comprehensive guide to first-generation college student scholarships 2026, covering top pr...
Aug 16, 2025
What Is The Common Application?
The Common Application is used by 900+ colleges and streamlines your applications. Fill it...
Oct 27, 2020
What Is An Undeclared Major?
An undeclared major gives you a year or two to explore before committing. It's fine if you...
Oct 27, 2020
Benefits Of Community College
Community college saves you $50K+ on your first two years, plus smaller classes and flexib...
Oct 23, 2020
Top 15 Scholarships for Adults returning to College (2026)
Adult students can find scholarships specifically for non-traditional learners returning t...
Sep 5, 2020
10 Tips To Write a Winning Scholarship Essay - 2026 Edition
Scholarship essays let you tell your story in ways your grades can't. Here are 10 proven t...
Aug 6, 2020
Time Management for College Students: 8 Helpful Tips
Juggling coursework, jobs, and a social life is hard. Here are 8 realistic time management...
Aug 6, 2020
How Long Does It Take To Become A Social Worker?
Most social workers spend 4 years on a bachelor's, then 2-4 years on a master's plus super...
Jun 12, 2020
Educational Requirements For A Social worker
Social workers need a bachelor's (4 years) minimum, plus a master's (2-3 years) for clinic...
Jun 12, 2020
How Long Does It Take To Become A Forensic Scientist?
From your first forensic science class to your first crime scene job takes about 4-6 years...
Jun 12, 2020
How to Become a Commercial Pilot (2026)
Commercial pilots need 250+ flight hours, instrument and multi-engine ratings, and FAA cer...
Jun 10, 2020
How Long Does It Take To Become A Counselor? - The College
Becoming a counselor typically takes 6-8 years total: 4-year bachelor's plus a 2-3 year ma...
Jun 10, 2020
Educational Requirements To Become A Counselor
Counselors need a master's degree in counseling or psychology (2-3 years), plus supervised...
Jun 10, 2020
10 Effective Tips To Become A Good Writer
Want to be a better writer? Read daily, write messy drafts, get feedback from others, stud...
Jun 6, 2020
Systems Engineer Qualifications
Systems engineers manage complex technical projects—and they need a rare combination of te...
Jun 4, 2020
Qualifications To Become An Actuary
Actuaries need strong math and statistics skills, a relevant bachelor's degree, and indust...
Jun 4, 2020
How Long Does It Take To Become An Actuary?
Actuaries need a bachelor's in math, statistics, or actuarial science, plus 2-4 rigorous c...
Jun 2, 2020
Child Psychologist Education Requirements
Child psychologists need a master's (2-3 years) or PhD (5-6 years) in psychology, supervis...
Jun 2, 2020
Nursing Educational Requirements
Nurses need an Associate's or Bachelor's degree (2-4 years), plus RN licensure via the NCL...
May 27, 2020