Educated Quest

08/19/2026

I updated this story on the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Most importantly, it includes an interview with Ashley Swengler, Regional Recruitment Manager for Nj, NY and PA, Ashley gave several "pro-tips" for future Badgers as well as some announcements of advancements in the computer science programs. This is one of the most enjoyable interviews I have done and I hope that any potential Badger family takes the time to listen!

UW-Madison checks all the boxes for many who want a big university experience. Read more at EducatedQuest.com!

08/12/2026

I have seen colleges that model curricula on classical education, leadership development, basic STEM principles and experiential learning, but not all four together in an independent (non-religious) environment. The University of Austin (UATX) is a controversial, but interesting institution. One thing it has shown: proven educational models of the past can work in the present when the resources are there to execute them properly

The University of Austin (UATX) is America;s newest college. UATX combines proven educational models and serious academic rigor.

08/03/2026

Penn State has given a lot to a lot of people for a long time. But it also asks most of them to pay or borrow more. Brand recognition is strong enough to overcome a demographic cliff and many of the academic resources are quite impressive. But unless one is from Pennsylvania, it's become more common to look for less expensive options for football and fun.

If you believe that more is better and big is best you will like Penn State-University Park

07/29/2026

Thank you to my professional colleague Melissa Mieyr for sharing critical information about the new FAFSA Fraud Screening policy that's just been announced by the US Department of Education. Melissa is a financial aid expert at Infoquest College & Financial Solutions.

Please read and share this IMPORTANT info. with high school counselors and with any families you know with a student applying to college this year.

WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW:

On April 26th, the U.S. Department of Education rolled out real-time identity fraud screening for every FAFSA application. As students complete their section and submit, the system automatically assesses fraud risk. Most students will not notice a thing. But a portion will be flagged as "high risk" and required to verify their identity, including a camera-based check using a smartphone or tablet, before their application can move forward.

Here is why this matters for families: the students most likely to get flagged are often the ones who most need aid, students without stable housing, those who move frequently, first-generation students with limited documentation, and families navigating complex identity paperwork. If the system flags the wrong people, it does not just stop fraud, it delays or denies access to the exact populations federal aid is meant to reach.

What counts as valid ID:

• U.S. passport or passport card

• State driver's license (any state, D.C., or U.S. territory)

• State-issued non-driver photo ID

• Certain tribal IDs, military IDs, or permanent resident cards

What does NOT count, even with a name on it:

• Student ID cards

• Temporary driver's licenses

• Store, company, or membership cards

• Library or gym cards

There is a limited window, only a few minutes, for a flagged student to provide ID verification once it is requested; the Department of Education has not specified exactly how long that window is.

Students only get one chance to complete this. If verification is not provided within that time limit, they cannot just log back in later or the next day to try again. The student will then have to get their identity cleared up individually with each college they are applying to.

If identity cannot be confirmed online, the FAFSA may be held until it is verified through each school's process. Parents can still complete their sections in the meantime.

Getting a government-issued ID can take weeks depending on the documentation required, so this this is not something to wait on.

Here is the link to the Official Department of ED Announcement

https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-launches-comprehensive-nationwide-federal-student-aid-fraud-prevention-effort?fbclid=IwY2xjawTW_7hwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7gqp6-vMWPruD8m_a-yLVahhIzn8WmFT5L6JwOaaMgvYwXLqSinyvwfx_ytg_aem_f0TUw_Xc7EcqvGIhcFcofw

Today, the U.S. Department of Education launched a new, real-time fraud detection capability for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, marking the largest and most comprehensive, nationwide fraud prevention effort in the agency's history.

07/29/2026

Many large flagship universities ask prospective freshmen to choose a first and sometimes a second choice major. I don't believe that it's fair to ask a high school senior to do this. However, I understand that demand for some majors is beyond a faculty's ability to support every interested student. Some large schools have exploratory pathways to give incoming freshmen more time to decide on a major. Others offer individualized majors to help students combine their interests. There are possibilities and pitfalls to both approaches. I hope that this piece helps students and families to take a better look at both.

Not every flagship state university makes it easy to enter undeclared then transfer into a high0-demand major.

07/27/2026

Reading How To Rule The World gave me interesting insights into Stanford. So, I decided to write an update. In this story I also compare Stanford to Harvard. There are similarities but also differences that go beyond campus layout, geography and athletics.

How To Rule The World gave interesting insights into the Stanford culture and student body. So, it was time to provide an update!

07/20/2026

William & Mary was one of my aspirational schools back in "my day." It's still an aspirational school for Virginians and many others.

https://educatedquest.com/educated-quest-college-profiles/getting-to-know-william-mary-again/

07/16/2026

Here's student viewpoints from UNC Chapel Hill about the decision to drop supplemental essays. I understand that it makes it easier for students to apply, but will it really make it harder for most to be admitted, especially from outside North Carolina?
I understand some reasons why public flagships are dropping the essays. There's a cost to hiring and training readers as well as potential for reader bias, especially when someone is not a full-time admissions officer. There's also less chance that a school's admissions process will be scrutinized by outside interest groups.
However, UNC Chapel Hill also states that test scores are Considered according to its recent (2025-26) Common Data Set. I would believe that with fewer data points, test scores will actually be Important or Very Important, especially in high demand majors. I would also believe that pathway programs will have record enrollments of Noth Carolinians this fall

UNC Undergraduate Admissions removed its two short-answer supplemental essay questions for the 2026-27 application cycle, citing a desire to reduce barriers for applicants. Students shared mixed reactions to the change, including concerns about how applicants will distinguish themselves and how the....

07/15/2026

I had the privilege to interview Peter Pitts, aka 'The Small College Guy'. He lends unique perspectives about schools that do not receive as much coverage as they should for their successes at educating students who entered hoping for attention from faculty and left with life-changing experiences beyond employment. I hope that you will read this story and consider buying his books if you're starting on the college search for the first time.

Peter Pitts, the 'Small College Guy' ,is a prolific author and wealth of knowledge about the benefits of small private colleges.

07/13/2026

SUNY-University at Buffalo is a great value for the money with considerable academic breadth and a large residential community. Yet its brand recognition outside New York is weak despite being the dominant institution in a relatively large city.

SUNY-University at Buffalo shares many strengths with other flagship state universities, but it lacks brand recognition.