admissions, college guidance, college planning, college prep, extracurricular activities

Colleges Value Students With International Experience

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international experience

College admissions have become increasingly competitive, and strong grades alone are no longer enough to help students stand out. The truth is that colleges are also looking for a range of qualities, including adaptability, independence, and communication skills. They want students who can actively contribute to campus life and succeed in a diverse environment. 

So, students need to prove their worth to be admitted. This is one reason international experience has become more valuable in the admissions process. Indeed, students who attend an international boarding school are more likely to be exposed to new perspectives and responsibilities, which can translate into individuals who are more likely to adjust, grow, and succeed in a college environment. 

While international schools can be tough to finance, more and more institutions offer merit-based scholarships for their academics, sports, and music students, ensuring they can access opportunities that support their personal growth and long-term goals. Here are the top reasons why you want to ensure your child can get access to an international school. 

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graduation, high school, parenting

Parent To-Do List for High School Graduation

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high school graduation

As your teen approaches high school graduation, life can feel like it’s moving at lightning speed. Between celebrations, final decisions, and major transitions, it’s easy for important details to slip through the cracks.

For parents of soon-to-be graduates, this season is about more than just caps and gowns. It’s about preparing your student (and yourself) for what comes next.

Here’s your complete parent to-do list for high school graduation to stay organized, reduce stress, and fully enjoy these final months of senior year.

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SAT, standardized tests, test optional, test prep

Standardized Test Tips for Parents

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standardized test tips

Yes, I said parents. Because let’s face it, standardized test prep and test taking will stress the entire household, even the parents. Nancy Berk, author of “College Bound and Gagged” describes it like this:

“Standardized testing can turn your life upside down. In the college-bound process, standardized testing runs at the top when it comes to parent and student stress.”

It’s no secret among parents that the test causes most of us to shake in our boots. We shake because we know the importance that test scores will play in admissions and even scholarships. Knowing this, you can do some things to alleviate the stress and assure that both you and your student emerge from the process unscathed.

Here are a few standardized test tips to help ease the stress and pressure.

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college costs, financial aid, scholarships

How to Find Scholarships on TikTok: A Smart Guide for Students and Parents

scholarships on TikTok

If your teen is already spending time on TikTok (and let’s be honest, most are), there’s a great opportunity hiding in all that scrolling.

What if some of that screen time could actually pay for college?

More students are discovering scholarships on TikTok through short videos, quick tips, and real-time opportunities, but knowing how to find legitimate ones is key. Students are finding real opportunities, learning insider tips, and even getting reminders about deadlines, all in quick, digestible videos.

But like any online tool, it works best when you know how to use it wisely.

Let’s break down how your student can find scholarships on TikTok by turning it into a smart, effective scholarship search tool without falling into common traps.

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admissions, college guidance, college planning, financial aid, parenting, Resources, Student debt, student loans

How to Help Your Teen Make the Final College Decision: A Parent’s Guide

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final college decision

The May 1 decision deadline is approaching and you and your student are carefully weighing your final college decision options:

  • Do you choose the least expensive college, but not the first choice?
  • Do you choose the college that costs more because it’s their first choice, knowing you are creating financial difficulties for your family?
  • Do you play it safe and commit to the college that gives the most aid, even though it was one of the “safe” ones on the list?
  • Do you take a deep breath and jump at the dream college, hoping you will find a way to pay for it?

Those were my family’s choices twenty years ago and although it was difficult for my daughter to accept, we learned some lessons along the way that might help you as the May 1 deadline approaches.

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FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning, merit aid, Resources, Student debt, student loans

Financial Aid Explained for Parents: FAFSA, Student Loans, Grants, Merit Aid & Award Letters

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For many families, understanding financial aid feels more stressful than the college application process itself. Between unfamiliar terminology, changing FAFSA rules, and confusing award letters, parents often struggle to determine what college will actually cost.

This guide breaks down how financial aid works, what each type of aid means, and how parents can confidently compare college offers.

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admissions, standardized tests, test optional

Test-Optional Colleges: Should Your Student Submit ACT or SAT Scores?

test-optional colleges

Over the past few years, many colleges shifted to test-optional admissions, meaning students are not required to submit standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT.

At first glance, this sounds simple: if your student doesn’t want to submit scores, they don’t have to. But the reality is more nuanced. In many cases, submitting scores can still strengthen an application, while in other situations it’s better to leave them out.

For parents of college-bound teens, the key question becomes: Should my student submit their test scores even if the college is test-optional?

Here’s how to decide.

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admissions, in the news, parenting

BYU Acceptance Letter Mistake 2026: Rejected Students Told They Were Accepted Again

BYU acceptance letter mistake

In February 2024 thousands of hopeful applicants experienced what every high school senior dreams about followed swiftly by heartbreak. Brigham Young University accidentally sent acceptance notices to students who had actually been denied admission. The congratulatory emails went out prematurely because of a system error, only for many recipients to later receive corrected rejection notices. This BYU acceptance letter mistake was a painful emotional roller coaster for families who had already begun celebrating.

Fast forward to February 2026, and a strikingly similar mistake happened again.

According to news reports, the university mistakenly sent congratulatory acceptance messages to nine students who had been rejected. When those applicants logged into their admissions portals, they saw “You’re accepted!” only to later find the message replaced by a rejection after the error was discovered and corrected. BYU has since apologized to those affected and acknowledged that the mistake caused confusion and disappointment.

One of the students affected, 18-year-old Owen Johansen, captured the emotional whiplash many experienced. “At first when I was accepted, I was really excited,” Owen told local media, a reaction that’s easy to imagine for anyone who has waited anxiously for college news. But when the acceptance notice was replaced with a rejection, his feelings turned sharply negative: “I was really mad,” he said, adding that he felt the situation could’ve been handled “way better.”

Owen’s mother, Talai Johansen, also spoke out, expressing how the family was initially thrilled and urging the university to offer more than just a formal apology. She suggested they consider admitting the mistakenly rejected students because “it is the right thing to do.” I have to agree with her.

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college planning, college prep, technology

Why AI Tools Are Reshaping Your Teen’s College Choices

The college search process is changing, and many parents don’t even realize it’s happening.

A recent article from Inside Higher Ed confirms that today’s students aren’t just using Google to research colleges. Increasingly, they’re asking AI tools questions like:

  • “What are affordable colleges with strong biology programs?”
  • “Which schools have the best job placement after graduation?”
  • “Where can I get merit aid with a 3.7 GPA?”

Instead of sorting through websites, rankings, and brochures, students are getting:

  • school recommendations
  • program comparisons
  • cost/value insights
  • career outcome data

All from a single AI-generated response.

And colleges are already adjusting their marketing strategies to make sure their schools appear in those answers.

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college prep, independence, MamaBear, parenting

How to Scan, Store, and Access Your Teen’s Power of Attorney Before College Move-In

Your senior is heading to college next year, and your to-do list feels never-ending.

Once they have received their offers of admission and financial aid awards, the next big step is deciding which college to attend.

You should be thinking ahead as well, and if you’re smart, you have already purchased Mama Bear Legal Forms and completed them for your student.

Here’s what surprises most families—once your child becomes a legal adult, you no longer automatically have the right to:

  • Speak with doctors about their medical care
  • Access health information
  • Handle financial matters
  • Step in during an emergency

Even if you’re paying tuition. Even if they’re still on your insurance. Even if they call you first.

Without the proper documents in place, privacy laws can prevent you from helping when it matters most.

Now the practical question becomes:

Where should you store it—and how will you access it quickly if your student needs you once they’re on campus?

These are common questions parents ask after completing documents with Mama Bear Legal Forms. The good news? There’s an easy solution.

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