If you’re looking for college advice, you’ve come to the right place. U.S. News, which has ranked colleges for more than 30 years, helps prospective students and parents make informed choices about higher education. Beyond our rankings, we provide expert tips to help U.S. and international applicants and families research, apply to and pay for college.

We know the college search and selection process can be both exciting and daunting, so we’re here to help with this important life decision. Our articles and slideshows feature college admissions and financial aid officers, counselors, current students, graduates, parents and more who all share their insights to help demystify the process.

Choose a college advice topic area below or go directly to some of our most popular content, such as information on the recommended number of colleges to apply to, tips on writing the college application essay, insights into how to search for scholarships, guidance on preparing for standardized college admissions tests, data on schools that offer international students financial aid – and much more.

If you’re looking for college advice, you’ve come to the right place. U.S. News, which has ranked colleges for more than 30 years, helps prospective students and parents make informed choices about higher education. Beyond our rankings, we provide expert tips to help U.S. and international applicants and families research, apply to and pay for college.

We know the college search and selection process can be both exciting and daunting, so we’re here to help with this important life decision. Our articles and slideshows feature college admissions and financial aid officers, counselors, current students, graduates, parents and more who all share their insights to help demystify the process.

Choose a college advice topic area below or go directly to some of our most popular content, such as information on the recommended number of colleges to apply to, tips on writing the college application essay, insights into how to search for scholarships, guidance on preparing for standardized college admissions tests, data on schools that offer international students financial aid – and much more.

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Ask an Alum: Making the Most Out of College

Finding the Right School

As you consider which schools to apply to and enroll at, check out the Finding the Right School guide. Many factors should be weighed to determine college fit, from the school's cost and availability of financial aid to course offerings, activities and location. For example, it’s important to get a feel for campus culture. This section provides advice on how to maximize college tours and admitted students days, including key questions that families should ask while on campus. We also take you behind the scenes via our road trips to colleges across the country so you can discover what it’s like to attend these schools. You’ll also discover helpful tips on how to find the best college for your major and what to consider ahead of the May 1 National College Decision Day deadline.

As you consider which schools to apply to and enroll at, check out the Finding the Right School guide. Many factors should be weighed to determine college fit, from the school's cost and availability of financial aid to course offerings, activities and location. For example, it’s important to get a feel for campus culture. This section provides advice on how to maximize college tours and admitted students days, including key questions that families should ask while on campus. We also take you behind the scenes via our road trips to colleges across the country so you can discover what it’s like to attend these schools. You’ll also discover helpful tips on how to find the best college for your major and what to consider ahead of the May 1 National College Decision Day deadline.

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Applying to College

The U.S. News Apply to College guide offers comprehensive information on how to put together a winning college application. We walk you through mistakes to avoid and what to know about applying to different types of colleges, from private Ivy League schools to public universities. The guide also provides prospective students with details about early decision and early action admissions, college waitlists and transfer options. In addition, you can find advice on the specific components of a college application. Get tips on brainstorming and writing the college essay; highlighting extracurricular activities; submitting standardized test scores like the ACT and SAT; and nabbing great recommendation letters from people who know you well.

The U.S. News Apply to College guide offers comprehensive information on how to put together a winning college application. We walk you through mistakes to avoid and what to know about applying to different types of colleges, from private Ivy League schools to public universities. The guide also provides prospective students with details about early decision and early action admissions, college waitlists and transfer options. In addition, you can find advice on the specific components of a college application. Get tips on brainstorming and writing the college essay; highlighting extracurricular activities; submitting standardized test scores like the ACT and SAT; and nabbing great recommendation letters from people who know you well.

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Paying for College

U.S. News’ guide to Paying for College provides insight into how families can manage educational expenses. While parents and students may be intimidated by rising tuition prices, we offer comprehensive advice on ways to tackle college costs. In this section, you’ll find guidance on saving for college, including socking away cash in tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans. We also walk you through the ins and outs of financial aid, including why it’s important for families to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and how to decipher award letters. You can learn about searching for, applying to and winning scholarships, a type of financial aid that doesn’t need to repaid. And we walk you through how to make wise choices before borrowing federal and private student loans, which require repayment.

U.S. News’ guide to Paying for College provides insight into how families can manage educational expenses. While parents and students may be intimidated by rising tuition prices, we offer comprehensive advice on ways to tackle college costs. In this section, you’ll find guidance on saving for college, including socking away cash in tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans. We also walk you through the ins and outs of financial aid, including why it’s important for families to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and how to decipher award letters. You can learn about searching for, applying to and winning scholarships, a type of financial aid that doesn’t need to repaid. And we walk you through how to make wise choices before borrowing federal and private student loans, which require repayment.

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Test Prep

Students preparing to take the SAT or ACT, two standardized college entrance exams, can turn to the College Test Prep center for help. In this section, U.S. News walks you through what’s covered on each exam and ways they differ, how far in advance to prepare, what skills to develop, the importance of practice tests and key reminders for test day. Younger students will find information on the PSAT and PreACT and how to use scores on those exams to determine whether to take the SAT or ACT. Older students can get advice on mastering specific question types and subject areas as well as choosing a test date. In addition, you can find out what’s considered a good score, how colleges evaluate test scores and which schools don’t require standardized tests.

Students preparing to take the SAT or ACT, two standardized college entrance exams, can turn to the College Test Prep center for help. In this section, U.S. News walks you through what’s covered on each exam and ways they differ, how far in advance to prepare, what skills to develop, the importance of practice tests and key reminders for test day. Younger students will find information on the PSAT and PreACT and how to use scores on those exams to determine whether to take the SAT or ACT. Older students can get advice on mastering specific question types and subject areas as well as choosing a test date. In addition, you can find out what’s considered a good score, how colleges evaluate test scores and which schools don’t require standardized tests.

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Studying in the U.S

The U.S. News guide to Studying in the United States is a key resource for international students interested in U.S. colleges and universities. While earning an undergraduate degree outside of your home country can be overwhelming, we’re here to help you through the process. In this section, you’ll learn how to prepare for standardized English language tests, such as the TOEFL. We discuss ways to find scholarships to help pay for a U.S. education and options for on-campus jobs you can hold while maintaining your student visa status. In addition, you can find out the best questions to ask U.S. college admissions officers and international student services offices. You can also check out information on which universities accept and enroll the most international students and which offer students from abroad the most financial aid.

The U.S. News guide to Studying in the United States is a key resource for international students interested in U.S. colleges and universities. While earning an undergraduate degree outside of your home country can be overwhelming, we’re here to help you through the process. In this section, you’ll learn how to prepare for standardized English language tests, such as the TOEFL. We discuss ways to find scholarships to help pay for a U.S. education and options for on-campus jobs you can hold while maintaining your student visa status. In addition, you can find out the best questions to ask U.S. college admissions officers and international student services offices. You can also check out information on which universities accept and enroll the most international students and which offer students from abroad the most financial aid.

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