Pros and Cons to Consider

When it comes to college planning, timing is everything—or is it? One question we often hear from families is: Should we start thinking about college as early as 9th grade?

The short answer? It depends.

Starting early can offer powerful advantages, but it’s also important to balance thoughtful preparation and enjoying high school. Let’s break down the pros and cons of starting the college planning process in 9th grade so you can decide what works best for your student.

Pros of Starting College Planning in 9th Grade

1. Smarter Course Planning
You can map out a more strategic academic path when you start early. That might mean aiming for honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment classes—whichever align with your strengths and long-term goals. Colleges like to see academic rigor, and a four-year plan helps ensure you’re on track.

2. Freshman Grades Matter
Yes, your GPA starts now. Freshman-year grades count toward your cumulative GPA, so understanding that early on helps students set strong academic habits from the beginning.

3. Time to Explore Interests
Trying out different extracurriculars, clubs, or sports early lets you discover what you genuinely enjoy. By the time you're applying to colleges, you’ll have deeper involvement—and likely more leadership—in the activities that matter most to you.

4. Less Stress Down the Road
Spreading out college prep—like researching schools, understanding financial aid, or exploring career interests—can make junior and senior years feel much more manageable.

5. Early Test Exposure Pays Off
The earlier you're exposed to SAT/ACT concepts—through strong coursework or light prep—the more confident you’ll feel later. Even if you’re not testing until junior year, foundational skills take time to build.

6. More Time for Opportunities
Scholarships, summer programs, and pre-college experiences often open as early as sophomore year. Starting your search in 9th grade gives you a head start on finding the right-fit experiences that build your resume and confidence.

Cons of Starting College Planning in 9th Grade

1. Pressure Can Build Too Early
Focusing too much on college too soon can create unnecessary stress. Some students feel overwhelmed by trying to "do it all" before they’ve even adjusted to high school life.

2. Interests Might Be Prematurely Narrowed
When college becomes the focus too early, students might feel boxed into one path—like only choosing activities or classes that “look good”—instead of exploring new passions or taking healthy risks.

3. Overcommitment Can Backfire
It’s tempting to load up on APs and join every club, but that’s a fast track to burnout. If your goals shift (and they likely will!), it’s harder to pivot when you’ve already over-committed.

4. High School Should Be Enjoyed, Too
If every choice starts to feel like a college strategy, it’s easy to miss out on the joy, spontaneity, and personal growth that should define high school.

5. Misinformation = Misguided Stress
Without reliable guidance, students and families can make assumptions based on outdated or inaccurate info—worrying about things that don’t actually move the needle in admissions.

So, What’s the Right Approach?

Start the conversation in 9th grade—but don’t make it the only conversation. College planning doesn’t have to be a pressure cooker. Instead, think of it as planting seeds: explore interests, build strong study habits, and keep curiosity alive. Work with your educational consultant to create a flexible plan that evolves as your student does. With the right balance, early planning can become a tool for growth rather than stress. 

Going to College Close to Home: What Are the Pros and Cons (Beyond Cost)?

When it comes to choosing a college, one major factor—beyond academics and cost—is location. Specifically, how close (or far) the campus is from home.

While some students are eager to fly across the country and dive into total independence, others find comfort in staying closer to familiar faces. But what are the real trade-offs of attending a college that’s within an hour or so of home?

Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of going to college close to home—beyond just saving money.

Pros of Going to College Within an Hour of Home

1. Built-In Emotional Support
It's easier to recharge emotionally when you're close to family and longtime friends. A quick visit home or coffee with a familiar face can make a big difference, especially during high-stress times like midterms or finals.

2. Easier Transition to College Life
Starting college can be overwhelming—new routines, new people, new expectations. Being near home can ease that transition, making you feel more grounded as you adjust to campus life.

3. Quick Weekend Trips & Family Events
Living close makes it simple to participate in family moments without complicated travel, whether it’s a birthday dinner, a cousin’s wedding, or just a Sunday night meal.

4. Live at Home (If You Want To)
Some students choose to commute or live at home during college. This can significantly reduce costs for housing, meals, and other campus living expenses.

5. A Safety Net if Things Go Wrong
Having family nearby can offer peace of mind and practical support, whether it’s a forgotten laptop, a flat tire, or a personal crisis.

6. Stay Connected to Local Life
If you’re involved in community organizations, jobs, clubs, or hobbies you love, staying nearby allows you to maintain those commitments and relationships.

Cons of Going to College Close to Home

1. The Temptation to Go Home Too Often
It’s great to have home nearby—but if you go back every weekend, you might miss out on bonding with classmates, participating in dorm life, or becoming fully immersed in campus culture.

2. Less “Traditional” College Experience
Late-night study sessions in the dorm lounge, spontaneous adventures with new friends, or floor movie nights—all of these build a sense of community. Commuting or heading home often can limit these experiences.

3. Delayed Independence
Being close to home can mean slower growth in life skills like budgeting, meal planning, doing your own laundry, or navigating tough decisions on your own. These are key parts of college—and adulthood.

4. Over-reliance on Familiar Comforts
It’s natural to lean on what’s familiar when things get tough. But part of college is learning resilience. If you’re always within reach of home comforts, it may delay important personal growth.

So, Should You Stay Close to Home?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. For some students, staying close offers critical emotional support and a smart financial strategy. For others, it might hold them back from embracing independence.

The key is balance. If you're staying near home, make a plan to stay involved on campus, challenge yourself socially and academically, and gradually grow your independence. And if you’re going farther away, be sure to build support systems in your new environment.

College is a launchpad—and whether you launch from 15 miles or 1,500 miles away, what matters most is how you use the experience to grow.

Tech & Data Innovation

Technology continues to reshape every field—from healthcare to business to education—and colleges are responding with degrees that blend computing, data, and design thinking. These majors prepare students for tomorrow’s innovation-driven careers while developing critical reasoning, ethics, and adaptability.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) (Purdue | Rice | UPenn | Stevens Institute of Technology)

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after undergraduate pathways, focusing on how machines learn, reason, and solve problems. Students explore computer science, statistics, and cognitive modeling while applying AI to fields like robotics, healthcare, and finance. Universities now offer dedicated AI majors that emphasize not just technical skill, but also the ethics and social impact of intelligent systems. Graduates enter careers designing algorithms, training models, or developing ethical frameworks for AI use across industries.

Advising Insight: Ideal for students who enjoy coding, logic, and creative problem-solving; strong math preparation is key.

Data Science (UC Berkeley | Texas A&M | George Washington University)

Data Science has quickly evolved into a standalone discipline that bridges mathematics, computer science, and domain expertise. Students learn to collect, analyze, and visualize data to drive real-world decisions in areas such as healthcare, marketing, and environmental research. The field’s explosive growth reflects an increasing demand for data-literate professionals capable of interpreting complex information responsibly. Many programs emphasize ethics and communication to ensure that graduates can translate numbers into actionable insights.

Advising Insight: Perfect for analytical students who love uncovering patterns and using quantitative reasoning to solve broad problems.

Robotics Engineering (University of Michigan | Widener | University of St. Thomas)

Robotics Engineering brings together computer science, mechanical design, and electrical systems to create autonomous and assistive machines. Students work in hands-on labs building drones, prosthetics, or automated manufacturing systems while studying control theory, sensors, and artificial intelligence. This emerging major equips them to design technology that enhances human capability—from self-driving cars to surgical robots. As automation transforms industries, robotics graduates are in demand for their ability to connect theory with tangible innovation.

Advising Insight: A strong match for students who are hands-on builders and inventive thinkers drawn to both hardware and software challenges.

Cybersecurity & Privacy Engineering (UT San Antonio | Purdue | George Mason University)

Cybersecurity & Privacy Engineering focuses on protecting information systems from digital threats while ensuring user privacy and data integrity. Students study cryptography, network defense, and risk assessment, learning how to secure everything from personal data to national infrastructure. With cyber threats increasing globally, programs emphasize both technical defense and policy awareness. Graduates can pursue roles in government agencies, corporations, or consulting, where they safeguard critical systems and uphold ethical digital practices.

Advising Insight: Best for detail-oriented, logical students who value security, ethics, and applied problem-solving.

Operations Research & Analytics (Rice | MIT | Cornell)

Operations Research & Analytics teaches students how to apply mathematics, statistics, and computational models to optimize real-world systems. Whether improving supply chains, transportation networks, or healthcare delivery, students learn to design solutions that maximize efficiency and minimize cost. The major’s appeal lies in its combination of technical precision and practical impact—graduates bridge engineering and management to inform smarter decisions across industries.

Advising Insight: A strong fit for quantitatively minded students who enjoy strategic thinking and finding elegant, data-driven solutions to complex problems.

Science, Health & Sustainability

From climate resilience to biomedical innovation, science-based majors are expanding to address the planet’s most urgent challenges. These programs blend research, technology, and global awareness—preparing students for purposeful work at the intersection of discovery and impact.

Climate & Sustainable Growth (University of Chicago | Columbia University)

This interdisciplinary major explores how nations and industries can balance economic progress with environmental stewardship. Students study climate systems, energy policy, and sustainable development, gaining the analytical and ethical tools to drive systemic change. Coursework often combines environmental science with economics and social policy, offering a holistic view of how human activity shapes the planet. Graduates may work in sustainability consulting, renewable-energy planning, or environmental advocacy.

Advising Insight: Ideal for mission-driven students who care deeply about global issues and want to combine science with policy or economics.

Bioengineering for Human Health (Johns Hopkins | Rice | UC Berkeley)

Bioengineering applies engineering principles to biological and medical problems, empowering students to design devices, prosthetics, and diagnostic tools that improve lives. Programs blend biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering design in both lab and clinical settings. Students might develop tissue scaffolds, artificial organs, or wearable health monitors while learning to collaborate across disciplines. As healthcare and technology converge, this degree offers direct pathways to biotech innovation and medical research.

Advising Insight: Perfect for research-minded students interested in hands-on science and improving human health through technology.

Mathematical Biology / Biological Data Science (UC San Diego | UT Austin | Brown)

Mathematical Biology merges quantitative analysis with life-science research, teaching students to model biological systems and interpret large genomic or ecological datasets. This approach enhances understanding of everything from disease spread to genetic networks. Students gain proficiency in statistics, computation, and experimental design—skills valued in both academic and industrial settings. Careers span biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and environmental modeling, and many graduates continue into medical or graduate research.

Advising Insight: A great choice for analytical students drawn to biology but eager to use math and coding as problem-solving tools.

Quantum Information Science (University of Chicago | MIT | Harvard)

Quantum Information Science explores computation and communication at the atomic level, teaching students how to harness quantum mechanics for new technologies. Courses in physics, computer science, and mathematics prepare students to understand qubits, entanglement, and quantum algorithms. Though still highly experimental, this field is poised to revolutionize cybersecurity, materials science, and artificial intelligence. Students who thrive in rigorous, theoretical environments will find a unique challenge and vast opportunity.

Advising Insight: Best suited for mathematically gifted students fascinated by physics and the future of computing.

Space Systems Engineering (Arizona State | Georgia Tech | Embry-Riddle)

Space Systems Engineering integrates aerospace, robotics, and systems design to prepare students for careers in space exploration and satellite technology. Programs emphasize mission design, propulsion, and instrumentation, often with hands-on projects through NASA partnerships or private-sector collaborations. As commercial space travel expands, students learn to design systems that are both innovative and reliable under extreme conditions.

Advising Insight: Perfect for detail-oriented, imaginative students captivated by engineering and discovery beyond Earth.

Social Impact & Global Systems

These emerging fields focus on understanding people — how they think, learn, and interact — and applying that knowledge to improve systems, education, and wellbeing. They attract students who are curious about psychology, communication, and social equity on a global scale.

Learning Sciences (University of South Florida | University of Pennsylvania)

The Learning Sciences major explores how people learn — combining psychology, technology, and education to design better learning environments. Students study cognition, motivation, and instructional design, often developing digital tools and methods that support diverse learners. With education technology transforming classrooms and workplaces, this field connects theory and innovation in meaningful ways. Graduates may work as instructional designers, education researchers, or curriculum developers.

Advising Insight: Great for students who enjoy both education and technology, and who are motivated to improve how others learn.

Global Health Studies (University of Washington | Georgetown | Emory)

Global Health Studies addresses health challenges that transcend borders, emphasizing epidemiology, healthcare systems, and public policy. Students learn about infectious disease prevention, maternal health, and global health equity while gaining practical experience through internships or fieldwork. Many programs integrate social science, ethics, and data analysis to prepare graduates for impactful careers in healthcare policy, NGOs, or global research.

Advising Insight: Ideal for compassionate, globally minded students who want to combine science, service, and social change.

Cognitive Science & AI Ethics (Stanford | UC San Diego | Yale)

This interdisciplinary major explores how the mind works — and how that understanding should shape the technologies we create. Students take courses in psychology, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy to examine human cognition and the ethical use of artificial intelligence. With debates surrounding privacy, bias, and automation growing louder, this field prepares students to guide the responsible design of emerging technologies.

Advising Insight: Perfect for students who are reflective, analytical, and drawn to both technology and philosophy.

Neuroscience & Behavioral Economics (Duke | Brown | Cornell)

Neuroscience & Behavioral Economics blends brain science with economic theory to explore how people make decisions. Students study cognition, emotion, and social influence while learning data analysis and experimental design. This emerging major has practical applications in marketing, policy, and mental health — areas where understanding human behavior drives real-world outcomes. It’s an appealing option for students who enjoy science but want to connect it directly to human motivation and society.

Advising Insight: Excellent for analytical students interested in psychology, decision-making, and bridging research with everyday behavior.

Creative, Digital & Media Fields

The digital age has opened new paths for students who want to blend imagination with innovation. These majors prepare creative thinkers to design experiences, build audiences, and connect culture with technology — often leading to careers in fast-evolving industries.

Digital Media & Influencer Studies (University of Texas at San Antonio | Savannah College of Art & Design)

As social media becomes a cornerstone of communication and business, universities are recognizing the “creator economy” as a legitimate career pathway. Digital Media & Influencer Studies programs teach students how to build authentic brands, produce multimedia content, and analyze audience engagement. Courses in marketing, communications, and digital ethics help students understand both the strategy and responsibility behind online influence.

Advising Insight: Great for creative, entrepreneurial students who enjoy storytelling, design, and connecting with audiences in innovative ways.

Esports Management (Shenandoah University | University of Kentucky | UT Dallas)

Esports Management combines the excitement of competitive gaming with the strategy of business and event operations. Students learn about marketing, sponsorship, tournament logistics, and media production in one of the fastest-growing entertainment industries. The major blends management principles with a passion for gaming culture, preparing graduates to lead in event planning, broadcasting, or team development.

Advising Insight: Ideal for students who love gaming but also have strong organizational, leadership, and marketing skills.

Creative Technologies / Entertainment Tech (Illinois State | USC | SCAD)

Creative Technologies is a hybrid major that unites computer science, art, and design to power the next generation of interactive experiences. Students might design video games, virtual-reality environments, or immersive installations while learning animation, coding, and project management. This field rewards collaboration and innovation — it’s where storytelling meets software.

Advising Insight: Perfect for students who think like artists but work like engineers, eager to blend creativity with cutting-edge technology.

Digital Humanities (UCLA | Northeastern | Stanford)

Digital Humanities brings data analysis and coding into the world of literature, history, and culture. Students use digital mapping, visualization, and archival tools to uncover patterns in human expression. This field shows how technology can deepen understanding of art, language, and society — and how storytelling can be enhanced by data. Graduates pursue careers in cultural institutions, media, and research organizations that value both creativity and critical analysis.

Advising Insight: Ideal for students who love the humanities but want to apply modern tools to traditional disciplines.

Interdisciplinary Design & Society

As boundaries between disciplines blur, students are seeking programs that combine technology, creativity, and social design. These majors attract innovators who want to merge art, engineering, and human insight into meaningful change for communities and organizations.

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) (Carnegie Mellon | Georgia Tech | Stanford)

Human-Computer Interaction focuses on how people interact with digital systems — from websites and apps to AI interfaces and wearable devices. Students explore computer science, design thinking, and psychology to create technology that’s intuitive and inclusive. They often build projects centered on accessibility, usability testing, and digital design ethics. This major sits at the crossroads of design and engineering, preparing graduates to shape how people engage with technology every day.

Advising Insight: Excellent for students who enjoy technology but want to focus on people — combining logic, empathy, and creativity.

Urban Technology (University of Michigan)

Urban Technology is one of the most innovative and relevant new majors, blending urban planning, computer science, and social design. Students study how technology can make cities more efficient, equitable, and sustainable — tackling issues like mobility, housing, and digital infrastructure. The program encourages students to prototype apps, services, or policy tools that improve urban life. With its first cohort graduating in 2025, this field is pioneering a new way of thinking about the intersection between city systems and human experience.

Advising Insight: Perfect for civic-minded students who want to combine design, data, and technology to solve real-world challenges.