Estrela Consulting Blog

It’s no secret that during these uncertain economic times, colleges are having a more challenging time than ever maintaining balanced operating budgets. And while the question of whether or not families should apply for need-based financial aid comes up every year, the idea that there may be an “admissions edge” when not applying for financial aid seems to be more relevant than ever. So, who ...

This year I had the joy of working with Sara, a senior who excelled in physics and calculus but also created the most breath-taking self-portraits of herself in isolation. While earning A’s in AP science and math classes, she was winning awards in juried art shows. As we explored her interests and strengths and how they connected to college majors, we sought out programs that blended STEM and ...

You’ve spent years practicing the cello, perfecting your pirouette, or memorizing dramatic monologues. Now it’s time to take your art form to the next level and pursue a college education in the visual or performing arts. But as you start to research arts programs on your college list, you notice a dizzying array of letters. BA? BS? BFA? BM?

ED, EA, RD…the alphabet soup that describes college application plans can be confusing. Let’s dive into what you need to know about each, and more importantly, how to determine which plans are the right ones for you.