Education: Interesting Stories from US News and World Report

Leverage Graduation Gift Money for College Savings
Graduation money could go to college expenses like transportation or into a 529 plan.

10 Best Global Universities in Australia and New Zealand
From Auckland to Melbourne, these schools produce top-notch research and have strong reputations.

4 Things Borrowers Don’t Always Know About Parent PLUS Loans
Another option may be to co-sign a private loan for your child – but that carries similar financial risks.

Discharge of Student Debt Possible During Bankruptcy
Student loan borrowers have the right to discharge student debt under extreme hardship, lawyers say.

10 MBA Programs Where Graduates Leave With the Most Debt
The average owed by indebted graduates of eight schools was more than $100,000, according to U.S. News data.

What Employers Think of Your Online Master’s in Engineering
Most engineering employers accept online master’s degrees, but make sure the program is accredited, experts say.

10 Reasons to Consider Becoming a Medical Scribe Ahead of Med School
Prospective medical school students will gain valuable experience that will help them while applying and in the classroom.

High School Teachers Tap ‘House Hunters,’ Tiny Houses for Ideas
Students get to use geometry in a real-life setting when building a tiny house in one Texas classroom.

New Student Loan Repayment Process May Help End Confusion
The U.S. Department of Education plans to create a single Web portal for student loan repayments.

Manage Time Wisely on the ACT Writing Test
Here’s a guideline for students preparing for the optional, 40-minute ACT writing test.

3 Ways a Thesis Strengthens a Law School Essay
A thesis helps applicants avoid making their personal statement sound like a cover letter.

Harvest College Cash Late in Scholarship Season
Check with your school to make sure outside scholarships won’t reduce your financial aid.

5 Questions to Ask Before Pursuing an Online Associate Degree
Ensure that course credits will easily transfer to and from the online program, experts say.

Map: See the Top 100 High Schools in the Nation
More than half of the 50 states have schools among the top 100.

3 Business Skills to Build as a Law Student
At some law schools, students can learn the fundamentals of business in a semester or two.

2016 Best High Schools for STEM
Students at these 10 public high schools excel in science, technology, engineering and math.

New Help Available for Disabled Student Loan Borrowers
The Department of Education is reaching out to disabled borrowers about their eligibility for a student loan discharge.

Weigh Pros, Cons of Using a Private Parent Loan to Pay for College
With rising costs of tuition, more parents are turning to private loans, experts say.

10 Things to Consider When Picking Your Child’s High School
Take these factors into account to determine the right fit for a soon-to-be high school student.

Arab Region Education Degrees Spell Multiple Career Routes
Teaching isn’t the only option for graduates of Arab region education degree programs.

Weigh On-, Off-Campus Housing at a U.S. College
Connecting with other students can make finding housing easier for international students.

3 Ways Parents Can Support Teens Ahead of AP, IB Exams
Many students take Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams in May.

21 Liberal Arts Colleges With the Lowest Student-Faculty Ratios
Marlboro College in Vermont topped the list with a student-faculty ratio of 5-to-1 in fall 2014.

Best High Schools Breakdown: Who Gets Gold, Silver and Bronze
The top public high schools across the U.S. serve a diverse group of students.

Save $90K in High School for College
High school students are saving more money for college than in previous years, a recent study finds.

Lay the Foundation for Medical School Success in High School
High schoolers can start shadowing physicians or volunteer in a health care setting.

3 Individuals to Turn to for High School Mentorship
Connect with community members and adults in charge of activities to find a mentor while in high school.

Why Schools Moved Up or Down in the Best High Schools Rankings
For the 2016 rankings, U.S. News made changes to the methodology used to evaluate public high schools.

Weigh Taking the June LSAT, Master Logic Games
Answering the questions for the easiest logic games first maximizes time.

5 Strategies for Appealing a College Financial Aid Package
Families can appeal a financial aid offer by asking the financial aid or admissions office, experts say.

10 Mistakes That Can Keep You Out of Medical School
Applying too soon or failing to prepare for an interview can lead to medical school rejection.

Find a Mentor as an Online Bachelor’s Student
A few schools assign new online students mentors, but many must find a mentor on their own.

Figure Out if You Qualify for a Legacy College Scholarship
A parent or guardian may have to be active in an alumni organization for you to qualify for a legacy scholarship.

Tips for International Students Admitted to U.S. Colleges
A summer public speaking course could give international students more confidence before arriving on campus.

3 Ways International Students Can Strengthen U.S. MBA Applications
Applicants should connect with current students from a similar background, experts say.

3 Changes That Will Help Student Loan Borrowers
The government is making it easier to file for federal financial aid.

5 Careers with Student Loan Forgiveness
A career path in the nonprofit or public sector may lead to federal loan forgiveness.

5 College Savings Mistakes New Parents Make
You don’t need a financial advisor to open a 529 plan.

Are You Too Old for Medical School?
Paying off student loans before retirement is one challenge of second-career medical school students.

‘Stackable’ Credential Options Rise in Online Education
In some programs, learners can earn several smaller credentials for an immediate career boost and build their way up to a degree.

10 Graduate Engineering Programs With the Most Women
At one school, 60.7 percent of graduate engineering students were women in fall 2015.

3 Last-Minute AP Prep Tips to Ace the Exam
Study your weak spots, not all the course material, in the last few weeks before the exams.

Evaluate Risks, Benefits of Multiple Law School Seat Deposits
Some deposits may demand admitted students forfeit other law school offers.

Do’s, Don’ts for Parents to Help Teens Build Math Interest and Success
Educators suggest parents don’t talk about math negatively with teens.

4 Key Career Benefits From MBA Programs
Students gain several transferable skills through MBA programs.

4 Features You Can Now Get by Paying for MOOCs
While MOOCs are offered for free, credentials and multicourse series might be available for those who choose to spend the money.

4 Ways Online Education Programs Teach Real-World Skills
Pursuing an online education can teach you about virtual communication skills and the importance of self-discipline.

Future Lawyers, Doctors, MBAs Can Reap Cash for Grad School
Scholarships for future professionals can help cut the costs of graduate school.