When working with high school students on their college admission process, I get a few common questions about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) majors and careers. “I like my math and science classes; what STEM field should I major in?” or “How can I find out if I really like engineering?” or “I want to go further in my STEM studies; where can I start?”  There are literally hundreds of careers that fall under the umbrella of STEM, and sorting out which ones are right for you might seem daunting. The answer may be finding a STEM mentor who can help you explore these questions and help you discover opportunities to further your interests. But where would you look for such an advisor? Here are some of my best tips:

Contemplating a liberal arts degree but concerned about how that will translate into your career? Convinced that your child must major in a pre-professional area if they’re ever going to make a living? We get it: college—and life—are expensive, and these are important concerns. That’s why we’re exploring the value of a liberal arts degree when it comes time to actually get a job. We’re also talking through the impact of owning real estate on the financial aid process.

One of the most popular majors in recent years is business, and more colleges are offering programs in this area. If you’ve ever wondered what students actually study or whether or not you should major in business if you want a career in business, you’ll want to listen to this week’s show. For those looking to spend a semester in another country, we’ll take a closer look at the financial side of study abroad and offer some tools and resources for high school students hoping to discover and explore their interests.

The environment, from questions around global warming to plastic in our oceans to single-stream recycling, is very much in the news on a seemingly daily basis. Many colleges now offer some form of an environmental studies major, and we’ll offer thoughts on the options available to students pursuing degrees in that area. We’re also answering your college admissions and finance questions.

“I want to become a doctor! What do I need to do?”

This is one of the most common questions I hear from students and their families. There is a lot of information and myths about the pre-med path, and it can be challenging to figure out what is important to consider when researching colleges.

Guest Post by FindCourses.co.uk

What you want to do after college is an important decision, and chances are, it’ll impact on which college you choose to go to in the first place. In fact, future earning potential is often the reason students choose their degree in the first place, factoring important points like average salaries, forecasted earnings, and promotion opportunities into their schema before taking that all-important step into furthering their education.

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Thanks to this data visualization from findcourses.co.uk, we know which 100 universities produce the wealthiest graduates around the world, as featured in the Forbes list of billionaires.

Guest Post by Sabrina Manville, Co-Founder of Edmit

College graduates earn $1 million more in their careers than the average high school graduate. Since college costs (for now) less than $1 million, paying for a college degree seems—on its face—to be worth it. But not all degrees are created equal: each college and major has a different return on investment.

On the latest episode of Getting In: A College Coach Conversation, Elizabeth Heaton spends the bulk of the show answering listeners’ questions, but also dives into show business (jazz hands, everyone!).

In the latest episode of Getting In: A College Coast Conversation, guest host Sally Ganga covers a wide range of topics, beginning with a discussion on how to prepare to repay student loans, and then an in-depth look at the supplemental essays for Loyola Marymount University and Occidental College. She wraps up with a lively conversation about the differences between studying the sciences and studying engineering in college.

Guest Post By Marie Schwartz, CEO, TeenLife Media

If you’re the parent of a student interested in the arts, your emotions probably ricochet between amazement and panic.

There’s nothing like the thrill of seeing your children’s artwork on a gallery wall, or hearing them play in a concert, or seeing them perform on a stage. Then, comes the fear that they might actually want to do this as a career. And, you’re imagining them living in the basement forever.