College is not a costume party

Halloween trick or treating

  Heading into application season, we liked the following advice from MIT admissions: “Some students feel so much pressure to get into the “right” college that they want to make sure they do everything right—down to their extracurricular activities. Fortunately, the only right answer is to do what’s right for you—not what you think is…

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High Point Looks to the Future

By CIT Consultant Lessa Scherrer “The “great disruption” in skills is underway. According to BCG and Emsi Burning Glass, over one-third of the top 20 skills in job postings for the average job has changed since 2016. … while technical skills remain highly valued, the top five most sought-after skills that employers are seeking today…

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List Building for LGBTQ+ Students: Living-Learning Communities, with CIT Consultant Stephanie George

To create an especially comfortable, safe, and hospitable environment for LGBTQ+ students, some colleges have created  LGBTQ+ living-learning communities. I’ve written about the strong beneficial qualities of living-learning communities (LLCs) in other posts, but here I want to offer five great LGBTQ+ examples that offer particularly inclusive, gender-neutral environments with compelling academic and social opportunities. …

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Major changes to the college process in 2024

graduation ceremony

  This past year has resulted in some of the most significant changes to the college planning process in decades. Admission trends have changed how colleges admit students, there are substantial changes to the FAFSA and college financial aid that may make college more expensive for middle class and affluent families,  but also provide attractive…

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What is ABET accreditation and does it matter?

Written by CIT Consultant Marit Lunstad I’m thinking about declaring engineering as my college major. . What is ABET accreditation, and why do I care? To what extent should accreditation factor into my decision making, as I construct my college list? Let’s begin with the question of what accreditation is. Accreditation is, essentially, a seal…

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Engineering Programs for B Students

Written by CIT Consultant Suzy Fallon Contrary to popular belief, not every future engineer has a 4.0 and a perfect ACT or SAT score!  We know plenty of college students currently studying engineering who were solid B students in high school.  As a whole, engineering is a competitive major regardless of your high school credentials. …

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Liberal Arts Colleges with Engineering Programs: Six to Consider

Written by CIT Consultant Tiffany Eggers Once a student has decided to become an engineer, the next significant choice is where to study. Course lists and major requirements are only part of what students should consider. Students are happiest with their decisions if they have carefully pondered the types of teaching and living environments in…

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Engineering Activities for High School Students

Written by CIT Consultant Paige Feldman Calling All Future Engineers!  Hey everyone! I’m super excited to talk about something that’s close to my heart – the thrilling and ever-expanding world of engineering! Did you know engineering is not just about solving puzzles; it’s about paving the way to our future with innovation, creativity, and, of…

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Factoring Direct Entry vs. Pre-Engineering Into List Building for the Engineering Disciplines

Written by  CIT Consultant Suzy Fallon Direct entry engineering, also known as direct-admit engineering, allows students to be admitted directly into an engineering program as a freshman.  This means students don’t need to apply separately to an engineering program after completing general education requirements or prerequisites. Direct entry programs tend to be highly competitive and…

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The Many Benefits of Studying Engineering at a STEM-Focused School

Written by CIT Consultant Lessa Scherrer Engineering is a popular major for many reasons. The opportunity to build something new or improve upon existing products, machines, or infrastructure draws students, as do sunny employment outlooks and higher-than-average beginning salaries. Many state universities do engineering well, but studying engineering at STEM-focused schools like Rochester Institute of…

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