BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

EARLY ACTION/EARLY DECISION RELEASE DATES

It’s officially December and that means thousands of seniors are eagerly awaiting early decision and early action news. Luckily, College Kickstart can help ease the anxiety of the “waiting game.” Their comprehensive list of EA and ED decision release dates is updated almost daily. We encourage early applicants to bookmark this page AND monitor their applicant portal for each school. As you can see from College Kickstart’s list, some schools are notorious for releasing decisions earlier (and sometimes later) than anticipated. The applicant portal is the only way to ensure you don’t miss important updates.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY REINSTATES SAT/ACT TESTING REQUIREMENTS 

High school juniors, get ready to crack open those study guides! This week Purdue University announced the return of SAT/ACT testing requirements. Since 2020, the university has been “test flexible” - like thousands of other schools responding to the pandemic. But those who plan to apply to Purdue in 2023 must also plan to take the SAT or ACT. Purdue’s decision is significant and may represent a much bigger shift in testing requirements across the US. 

NEW DETAILS CALL UVA SHOOTING INVESTIGATION INTO QUESTION

This week more details emerged as police continued investigating Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., the man accused of killing three UVA students in a deadly shooting last month. It was revealed that Jones had left “a trail of warning signs” over the past few years, including murder-themed rap songs and video, which Jones published online; a concealed weapons violation; and a misdemeanor charge. In the months leading up the shooting, UVA officials had begun investigating Jones after a student reported that Jones mentioned having a gun. However, Jones did not cooperate with the investigation. Now officials are conducting a review of the events leading up to the murders. 

CONTROVERSY AND CONFUSION OVER UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDERS

One word became the “target” of controversy this week, as officials continued their investigation into the murders of four University of Idaho students. After a local prosecutor made claims that the students’ house - where the murders took place - was “targeted,” police officials sought to clarify the remarks. At this time, investigator believe the attacks were targeted but are unsure of the killer targeted this particular area or these particular students. What may seem like a matter of semantics for some is much more for local residents. The college campus and surrounding town have been overcome with fear and confusion as many wonder if the killer will strike again. In response, the University of Idaho has increased its security measures and is giving students the option to finish the semester remotely.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

After a two year investigation, the US Department of Education has determined that Fairfax County Public Schools did not provide adequate support for students with disabilities during the pandemic. The department’s Office for Civil Rights found that the county significantly reduced special education services during the height of COVID-19 and neglected to offer “compensatory services” when restrictions lifted. The Fairfax County school district has signed a resolution with the Department of Education and will offer compensatory services for those students impacted. Current or former FCPS families whose students had IEPs and 504 plans during this time frame should definitely look into this. I am particularly interested in learning about reimbursement for supplementary services or private school tuition! 

Mount Holyoke alumna Annabella Rockwell made headlines this week after revealing her “cult-like” college experience on Tucker Carlson Tonight. During the brief interview, Rockwell claimed that she was “brainwashed” by “woke” ideologies while attending the small women’s liberal arts college. In particular, Rockwell feels that she was made to believe she was victimized and oppressed. In the years since graduation, Rockwell explained that she has undergone a “deprogramming process,” which include lifestyle changes and educational videos made by her current employer. Rockwell’s claims have sparked controversy, inciting several online debates about the culture of college campuses.

Is a college degree essential in the current job market? According to the Wall Street Journal, it might not be! The tight labor market has prompted employers to reconsider college degrees as a condition of employment. Instead, many companies are focusing on skills and experiences. Such a move will not only help the labor market; some argue that this shift might also address racial and economic disparities often seen in higher education, as well as in the workforce. However, there are still many industries where a college degree is essential, and data shows that college graduates have significantly greater lifetime earnings potential. Our take? We don't anticipate this trend continuing for much longer, as the labor market will likely catch up with recent economic shifts

The 48,000 researchers and teaching assistants still on strike at the University of California are calling more than salaries into question. What began as a stand against “unfair labor practices” and demand for livable wages has transformed into a critique of the higher education system. For years, there have been disparities in job security and earnings between full-time tenured professors and part-time employees. However, these gaps have only grown as colleges and universities experience greater financial pressures. The massive strike at UC has highlighted the important roles part-time staff play in an educational institution and the need to better support all employees. As one employee commented, “This is really a fight for the future of public education.”

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

I was recently interviewed by U.S. News and World Report and shared my take on gap years and the college admissions process. You can read more about my tips and advice here. 

As we mentioned earlier in the blog, ED and EA decisions will be released over the next few week. Current clients, please email me when you receive the news. And if the decision wasn’t what you were hoping for, don’t worry! We can help you strategize your next steps. 

If you are not a current client but would like help navigating your early decision news, we have appointments available in December. Book a meeting now!