Activities

Weekly Update x2: July 22

We have been absolutely swamped getting ready for August 1, when the 2024-2025 Common Application (R) goes live and the (controlled) chaos begins :)

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE LAST WEEKS

BIG CHANGES AHEAD FOR THE ACT

Rising juniors, take note! Starting in the spring of 2025, the ACT is getting a makeover of sorts. Test-takers can expect a shorter test, trimmed down from three hours to two. Additionally — and this is the big one — the science section will be optional, just like the writing section. But don’t throw away your science books just yet! Colleges may require students to submit an ACT science score, the way they did with the writing section for a long time. Our advice is to plan on taking the science section unless every single college on your list confirms that they will consider your ACT score without it.

FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD PASSES UNPOPULAR POLICY 8130

Major news coming out of Fairfax County — the School Board has approved a new measure that many parents are up in arms about. They’ve decided to implement Policy 8130, which means every five years, they’ll review and possibly redraw school boundaries to tackle issues like overcrowding and equity.

For those who don’t live in Fairfax County, we have a unique situation in that the perceived quality of the schools varies tremendously based on individual school pyramids within our very large district. As a result, the exact same homes in the better pyramids can cost twice what they would cost in the worse pyramids. Beyond the fact that students will be forced to transfer to lower-performing schools, which does not seem particularly fair to those children, redistricting also creates the potential for an economic nightmare. Home values in the top pyramids would plummet in this kind of situation. Yet at the same time, it’s not fair to the other children to be attending the lower-performing schools in the first place. It would be great to find a way to improve the lower-performing schools so that all schools are equally great — that would be a win-win for everyone.

NEW GRADING POLICY IN FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOLS

In more controversial news out of Fairfax County, a new policy will allow students to retake assessments for full credit and will add a D- to the grading scale. Some feel this will allow for a more fair and consistent grading system, but others believe it will be hard to implement and will lower expectations of students. Previously, students could get up to 80% on a re-take, but now it will be up to the full 100%. Opponents of this move believe that it will not encourage students to study, as they feel they can simply take the test (or redo assignments) again in order to “game the system”. From a college standpoint, I can see this continuing to perpetuate the (very real) problem of grade inflation in high-performing schools — a situation that contributes to unpredictable admissions decisions, because it leaves admissions officers with no real way to make meaning of transcripts.

KIDS STILL SUFFERING MATH LOSSES FROM THE PANDEMIC

Educators are concerned as they continue to see evidence of math learning losses in students since the upheaval of the pandemic. Schools are seeing that students are still behind in math even though they have been making ground in reading. Colorado has been using the SAT to take some measurements, but are left to wonder if the new SAT digital format is having an effect on those numbers after seeing a “significant” drop in math scores. States across the country are still grappling with overall losses and wonder what that will mean as students head off to college.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE LAST WEEKS

When I grew up, a lot of kids I knew tended to follow their parents’ political beliefs without really thinking for themselves. Needless to say.. a lot has changed! This Washington Post piece profiles a conservative mother, Jennifer, who sent her son, Mike, to a liberal-leaning school that she believes “indoctrinated” him. Mike, however, “decided the ‘indoctrination’ he underwent actually took place at home” and that his school engaged in “counter-indoctrination.” Ouch! Ultimately, Jennifer and Mike were able to put their differences aside and find some common ground. However, no matter where on the spectrum your political views fall, this is a good reminder for parents and students to think about the campus political climate as a factor to consider during the college search.

Did you earn a high score on your AP U.S. History exam this year? You’re not alone. Anecdotally, I have never seen so many students score 4s and 5s on this particular test. Do we just happen to be working with a class of history buffs? As much as I wanted to believe the answer was yes, I suspected that something else was in play as more and more of our students began submitting their score reports. It just didn’t make any sense. But when I read “The Great Recalibration of AP exams”, it all clicked. As it turns out, the Advanced Placement program is making some major changes. Over the past three years, the College Board has been "recalibrating" several AP exams, meaning about 500,000 more students will score a 3 or higher on their exams this year than before. As a graphic in the article shows, the percentage of students scoring 4s or 5s on the AP U.S. History exam in particular rose from approximately 25% in 2023 to approximately 45% in 2024.

Like fashion and music, slang is a reflection of society and the world at large. Post-WWI saw hemlines go up, the rise of the flapper, jazz and a celebration of youth and life – it was the bee’s knees. Not surprising after the horrors of the type of war the world had never seen! Things got groovy and skirts became mini 50 years later. So what are the kids saying these days that reflect on the current state of affairs? This opinion piece from The New York Times takes a nice dive into the words kids are using today — cringe!

As recent graduates are enjoying their last summer before heading off to college, parents are trying to capture quality time, thinking about dorm-necessity packing lists, and trying not to think about their “babies” heading off on their first independent steps. It’s also the time to have serious conversations about the college social scene, including alcohol. It’s unlikely that your soon-to-be college fresh-person will not attend a party, and that party will probably be within the first week of school. This article offers a few things to think about in terms of overall family dynamics around drinking and how to support your teen so they can make good decisions when they are on their own.

And lastly, as we gear up to begin meeting with our Class of 2026 juniors, we’re about to start having a lot of conversations about extracurricular activities and involvement. We always tell our students that it’s better to find one or two really compelling interests and dig into those than to be a jack-of-all-trades dabbling in a lot of little things that don’t really amount to much. And the best types of compelling interests are the ones that truly do interest a student - not ones that they think will “look good” to colleges or that their parents think are worthwhile. What actually looks good is authenticity, passion, and commitment! With this in mind, we loved reading “The life secret Jerry Seinfeld learned from Esquire,” an opinion piece in The Washington Post. The author actually dug up a 1987 copy of the magazine to read the insight that Jerry found to be so powerful! If you want to learn how to become good at one thing in particular, you won’t want to miss it.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Essays, essays, more essays!

Each year during the month of July, we try to identify prompts as early as possible so that our students can get as much work done as possible before the mass release in August that turns into a free-for-all. This year has been especially anxiety-producing for students in Fairfax County, who return back to school earlier than ever before — on August 19! It is important to our families to try to make as much headway as possible on essays and applications before school starts.

So our coaches are working around the clock and we are editing around the clock, too — whether we are on vacation or not! Here I am on the way home from the ERAS TOUR! in Milan last week. My friends and family always take funny pictures of me working in random places and we have a whole collection... mainly because I am constantly working at this time of year! I can’t help but start laughing when I see the camera come out :)

#wherecolleenworks

For more on THE ACT, check out these posts!

Notable Common Application® Changes - 2023-2024 Edition

As we pore through the Common App® to capture all of the changes in the 2023-2024 application, I wanted to draw attention to a few in particular that stood out!

LaFAYETTE’S STANCE ON ACTIVITIES

I actually really admire this! Lafayette has made the decision to only review a student’s first six activities on the Common Application® instead of all ten. The idea is to be straightforward with students about their preference for quality over quantity when it comes to extracurricular involvement - they want students to be “deeply invested” in what matters most to them. While this is supposed to make things more equitable across income levels, and it will, I think this is really helpful for ALL students. I am so tired of watching teenagers feel overwhelmed and exhausted, doing things they don’t want to do, just so they can write them down on college applications. As a mom, it is painful to watch. I hope other schools follow Lafayette’s lead here!


NYU’S QUESTION ABOUT ASSISTANCE

NYU has added a question to their supplement about external guidance in the application process, and this threw everyone for a loop! As always, I would recommend being honest. There is nothing wrong with using an independent educational consultant - just as there’s nothing wrong with using an SAT tutor! However, I do think this is where it (really) helps to be using an organization that is vetted. NYU wants to make sure that the next Rick Singer isn’t running the show!

For what it’s worth, the counselors in our office are members of IECA - the Independent Educational Consultants Organization. We have an EXTREMELY strict code of ethics that goes well beyond expectations for most professionals in other industries. For example, we would never, ever accept any type of referral fee for directing a student to a third-party professional or organization, like an SAT tutor or summer program. Beyond agreeing to abide by this code of ethics, you can’t just sign up to become an IECA member - you have to qualify based on a certain number of college visits in recent years; professional references; experience; a certain number of students advised; and more. Because of this, colleges and universities have great relationships with IECA members - NYU itself held a private informational session just for IECA consultants! Anyway, I share all of this to point out that it’s important to let NYU know that you are working with an IECA member.

I would advise our clients to write something like this: “Because [I am the oldest child in my family/ my school does not provide individualized college guidance/ my parents are unfamiliar with the college admissions process today/ my parents didn't go to college in the United States/ etc] my parents and I felt that we could benefit from professional guidance with the college search and application process. I worked with Colleen Paparella, a professional member of IECA. Colleen and her team helped me narrow my college preferences to find the right fit; provided guidance on ways to determine which of my interests would translate to an intended major; advised me on course selection; and more. More recently, they helped review and edit my application materials. Every piece of information and aspect of my application is my own work, factually true, and honestly represented.”


SO MANY ESSAY PROMPT SHIFTS

Wow - there have been an incredible amount of changes when it comes to supplemental essays! Colleges are clearly trying to work within the boundaries set by the Supreme Court in order to get a sense of the ways that students have been shaped by their backgrounds. Harvard and William & Mary, in particular, are ones that stand out to me as very different this year!


LOTS OF AI/CHAT GPT ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Institutions ranging from the College of Charleston to Georgia Tech (and plenty more!) have added snippets to their supplements about the use of AI to generate essay content. Stay away from this! Remember, even the “good” AI-generated essays are not actually good, because there’s no way for a student’s voice to come through! Plus - by sharing these types of cautionary messages in the applications, these schools are actually TELLING students that they are watching for this type of thing. And they are! Any attempt to get pass their filters is not going to be effective and will ruin years of your hard work. Do the right thing from the start and create your own content!


We’re still working our way through these applications, and we look forward to sharing more thoughts and guidance with our students in all of our August meetings!

5 Questions to Ask Your Ninth Grader Right Now

Do you know what you’ll be doing 1200 days from now? Well, if you’re the parent of a current ninth grader, you’ll probably be sitting at your child’s high school graduation. Although thoughts of caps and gowns and college may seem light years away, it’s never too early to start planning for the future. In fact, ninth grade is a critical time to set your student up for college success. 

But how do you know if your ninth grader is on the path to success? Ask! Today we’re sharing 5 questions that will help you ‘check in’ with your freshman and create important college-building conversations. 

1. How are you feeling about your classes?

What did you get on that test? Did you do your homework? Well, have you asked your teacher for help? Let’s face it, sometimes parenting can feel more like project management. You may find yourself inquiring into due dates and scores just to stay ‘in the know.’ While this information is certainly handy, it might not tell you the whole academic story about your ninth grader.

Rather than framing questions that only result in a yes, no or eye roll, try a more open-ended framework. “How are you feeling about x…” is a great way to create a conversation and help your child reflect on the academic transition to high school. For example, a simple “how are you feeling about your homework load” could lead to productive discussions about time management, the need for a math tutor, or changes to after-school commitments.

2. What’s sparking your interest?

Ninth grade is a discovery year, as students begin to take new electives and get involved with activities that may not have been available to them in middle school. Check in with your child to see which subjects, clubs, and causes are engaging them. And then encourage them to explore these areas even more! For example, if your child enjoys talking about politics in their government class, suggest that they try out the debate team or attend a Model U.N. meeting.

3. How are you getting to know your teachers?

We know, we know. Some teenagers don’t even like having conversations with their parents, let alone with adults at school. However, establishing strong relationships with teachers is extremely important. Not only are these relationships proven to increase a student’s academic performance, they can be downright inspirational. We hear stories all the time from students who credit particular high school teachers for their career paths and leadership skills. 

Building connections is a great skill for students to develop early on in high school. Talk to your ninth grader about habits that can make for strong teacher relationships: participating in class, asking questions, reaching out for help, visiting teachers during study halls and free periods. These small efforts to engage go a long way!

4. What’s on your high school bucket list?

Ask a ninth grader about their goals for the next three and half years, and you’ll probably get a bewildered look in return--or an abrupt reply concerning grades. But there’s much more to the high school experience than just GPAs. Help your child start to think about the ways in which they want to get involved in the community. Have they always wanted to take center stage in a school play or learn how to play lacrosse? Can they see themselves running for student council or maybe creating a fundraiser to help their favorite cause? We love the bucket list question because it can help students get out of their comfort zones and picture the many possibilities for their high school experience.

5. What would you like to do this summer?

This may seem like a strange question to ask when we are just coming up on Thanksgiving, but hear us out. Summer is an ideal time for rising sophomores to explore their interests and begin developing the skills they’ll need for college. Luckily, there are hundreds of opportunities for 15 year olds to choose from: international excursions, enrichment courses, volunteer projects, and yes, even some internships. 

Start exploring options with your child now. Many summer programs will begin accepting applications as early as December. If you’re not sure where to look, check out the DC College Counseling Database. We regularly update our site with exciting summer experience opportunities. 

Fall Into Volunteerism: Current Community Service Opportunities for Teens

SAT tests, AP course homework, sports games, club meetings- yes, we know how busy students are at this time of the year. However, there’s still time for community service! Whether you need to fulfill required service hours or simply want to pitch in around town, there are plenty of opportunities. And we promise that they won’t take away from your study time or game schedule!

We’ve collected some of Northern Virginia’s most fun and interesting volunteer opportunities for teens this fall.

Join the Teen Advisory Board

Flex your leadership skills at the Great Falls Library. Applications are now open for the Teen Advisory Board: a group of high school students who help to improve library services in the local community. 

Location: Great Falls Library. Great Falls, VA

Dates: Meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 7pm

Notes: Open to students ages 13-18. Must apply by October 8. 

To apply, email shelley.levinson@fairfaxcounty.gov

Play all day

Do you want to spend a gorgeous fall day playing games? If so, check out McLean Harvest Happening. They are looking for volunteers to run games and craft stations for children ages 2-5. High energy and creativity are a must!

Location: McLean, VA

Date: September 24, 11am-2pm

Notes: Must be 16 years or older

Sign up here

Design a Halloween town

This the perfect opportunity for Halloween lovers. Help Burke Lake Park with their newest event: Ghost Town. Multiple volunteer shifts are available for those who want to help transform the park into a ghoulish sight.  

Location: Burke Lake Park. Fairfax Station, VA

Dates: Multiple days throughout the month of October

Notes: Must be 16 years or older

Sign up here

Clean up the community

Join the Oakton Park Authority’s watershed clean-up this fall. Volunteers will have the chance to spend the day outside beautifying the area. We can’t think of a better way to take advantage of the fall weather! 

Location: Oakton, VA

Date: October 1

Notes: Bring your own work gloves!

Sign up here

Work at the library

Dolley Madison Library has openings for teen volunteers this fall. This is a great role for anyone who enjoys organizing and helping people find information. You must be able to attend the library orientation session on October 11, 5-6pm, and commit to a two-hour shift each week.

Location: Dolley Madison library. McLean, VA

Dates: Orientation: October 11, 5-6pm. Various shifts are available throughout the fall.

Notes: Must be 14 or older

Sign up here

Welcome a new community center

There’s a new community center in Lorton, VA, and you’re invited to celebrate the opening! Volunteers are needed to help set up and break down the event, as well as direct traffic and guests.

Location: Lorton Community Center. Lorton, VA

Date: October 15

Notes: Must be 13 or older

Sign up here

Run a game booth

Calling all camp counselors, babysitters, and coaches! Share your talents with the Reston community by volunteering to run games and activities at this event. 

Location: Reston, VA

Date: October 15

Notes: Must be 16 or older

Sign up here

Celebrate northern Virginia’s cutest pets

Attention all pet lovers! Why not spend the day working with northern Virginia’s most adorable pets? Sign up to volunteer at McLean’s Pet Fest. The event promises to include an array of animals! 

Location: McLean Community Center

Date: October 16, 11am-4pm

Notes: Must be 16 or older

Sign up here

Cheer on Tour De Mt. Vernon

Even if you’re not interested in biking 20 miles, you can still support the Tour De Mt. Vernon. Volunteers are needed to assemble packets, mark the course, and act as ambassadors and ride marshalls during the race. Lance Armstrong isn’t attending, but hundreds of cycling enthusiasts will be there. 

Location: Workhouse Arts Center. Lorton, VA

Dates: October 21 and 22

Notes: Must be 16 or older

Register for a shift here

coach swimming

Put your swimming skills to good use by becoming a coach this fall. Reston Community Center is looking for swim instructors to give lessons to children and adults with disabilities. Volunteers must be available on Saturday mornings and commit to at least one 6-week session.

Location: Reston Community Center. Reston, VA

Dates: October 29-December 10

Notes: Must be 13 or older

Sign up here

Show your thanks on Thanksgiving

If your family will be in town for Thanksgiving, consider gathering everyone for this volunteer opportunity. Reston Community Center is looking for people to sort and pack food donations Thanksgiving morning. Children and adults are welcome, as well as some teenage muscle! 

Location: Reston, VA

Date: November 24, 10am-1pm

Notes: Children ages 5 and up are welcome. Children under 14 must be accompanied by parents

For more information, click here

Virtual Opportunities

For those who don’t live in northern Virginia or may have a tight schedule, don’t worry! There are several virtual, flexible opportunities available. Here are some of our favorites.

Conduct research for the Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution has a variety of projects in progress, and they need your support! Visit their website to learn more about how you can help solve garden mysteries, contribute to the Encyclopedia of Life, or transcribe historical documents-all from the comfort of your own living room.

Make new friends from home

Best Buddies is an organization dedicated to creating social inclusion for students with disabilities. Many high schools and universities have local chapters, and now there’s a virtual chapter as well. If you are interested in mentoring other students and making connections remotely, join now.

Adopt a grandparent

The past few years have been especially isolating for senior citizens. To combat loneliness, Bright Horizons has created a platform of virtual friendships and events. Volunteers can sign up to perform in online music shows, participate in a senior citizen book club, play games, or chat one-on-one with an elderly member in need of a friend. Click here to learn more and register for volunteer training.


If you know of a volunteer opportunity for teens, please share in the comment section below.