Our 2023 Fiction Summer Reading List!

Forget your science textbooks and your mandatory AP reading lists! Summer is just around the corner, and now’s the time for FUN reading. We’ve been busy scouring the latest book releases, and we’ve put together a list of our favorite fiction titles for Summer 2023. And we promise, there’s something for everyone! Whether you love murder mysteries, high school drama, or time travel, there’s a title for you to take to the beach or pool!

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Have you ever made a new friend thanks to Xbox? That’s the case for Sam and Sadie, who become best buddies over their shared love of video games. As they grow older, they turn their hobby into a gaming empire. Read this New York Times best-selling book to follow their thirty-year journey of friendship and collaboration.

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

An Irish mob, a missing teenage girl, and a dead African American man– Small Mercies has all the makings of an intriguing mystery. Set in 1970s Boston, the novel follows the journey of Mary Pat, who sets out to find her missing daughter and ends up finding much more than she bargained for. The novel explores themes of race, class, and power and is sure to keep any reader intrigued. This novel just came out in late April, but it is already getting great reviews and would be a fantastic addition to your summer reading list!

The Girl in the Castle by James Patterson and Emily Raymond

Hannah Doe is a teenage girl who has just been admitted to a mental hospital. Everyone thinks she’s suffering from hallucinations, but Hannah knows the truth: she’s stuck between two worlds, and now she must return to the past in order to save her sister. But who will help her? We’ll admit that The Girl in the Castle is long, but don’t let the 368 pages scare you away. This is a quick, thrilling read that will definitely capture your attention with its mix of fantastical and psychological elements. 

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

This novel became a best seller and book of the year in 2022. And we know why! Lessons in Chemistry is a lighthearted read about a female chemist in the 1960s who reinvents herself as a cooking show host and a champion of gender equality. This “beach read” would be great to take with you on summer vacation, especially if you’re interested in gender studies.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

It started as a typical Monday afternoon, but it ended as a murder mystery. In One of Us is Lying, five teens walk into detention, but only four walk out. Simon has died, and everyone wants to know why. Who had a motive to kill Simon? Could it be one of his friends? Maybe the other students in detention know the answers, but will they tell their secrets? This book- the first in a three-part series-  might not be challenging enough for eleventh and twelfth graders, but it’s a great pick for students ages 13-16, especially those who are reluctant readers. 

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Yellowface is the ultimate cautionary tale of plagiarism! June Hayward is a white woman and aspiring writer who fears that readers won’t think her stories are diverse or exciting. So when a fellow writer-an Asian-American woman-dies unexpectedly, June steals her newly-finished story about Chinese laborers in WWI. June adopts a Chinese-American persona, passes the story off as her own, and finds great success. But at what cost? Read Yellowface to see what happens when you try to be someone you’re not.

The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre

The Spy and the Traitor tells the intriguing tale of Oleg Gordievsky, a Russian spy who helped put an end to the Cold War. Blending history, politics, and mystery, this novel will have you on the edge of your seat for over 300 pages. No wonder it’s a New York Times bestseller! Any student interested in criminology, political intrigue, or history is sure to enjoy this book. 

True Biz by Sara Novic

In True Biz, author Sara Novic gives a voice to a silent world. Deaf children are usually isolated by their disability, but that’s not the case at River Valley School for the Deaf. At this school, hearing-impaired teens find a unique community where they can conquer family struggles, growing pains, and the unique challenges of a disability together. Be sure to pick up this book if you want to see how their journeys unfold and discover why this novel was voted as one of the best books of 2022 by The Washington Post.

Stay tuned!

Next week we’ll be sharing our nonfiction summer reading list. If you have any favorite titles to share, please leave a comment.

What’s On Your Shelfie? A Look Into Our Current Favorite Reads

What are you reading? Our team of English majors at DC College Counseling LOVES this question. We look for any excuse to talk about our favorite books and recommended reads. And this week we have the perfect excuse, as we celebrate National Library Shelfie Day. Every fourth Wednesday in January, book lovers take selfies to honor all-things reading, whether it’s capturing a beloved novel; showing off bedroom bookshelves; or sharing a visit to a local library. Want to see for yourself? Search #libraryshelfie on social media platforms, and you’ll find thousands of literary images. 

We’re honoring National Library Shelfie Day with a glimpse into what we’re currently reading, as well as some suggested titles for teens and parents. And of course no shelfie day would be complete without selfies!

COLLEEN’S SHELFIE

Every time someone asks what I'm reading, I get a little sad because this is definitely a habit that I've let go over the years. I used to absolutely love reading and now as a mom and business owner it's hard to justify the time when it feels like there is always something urgent that I need to be doing instead. I mentioned in our New Year's wrap-up that I really enjoyed reading The Premonition: A Pandemic Story by Michael Lewis this past year and it's definitely one that I'd recommend to anyone! I love when non-fiction books are so interesting that they read like fiction, and this was definitely in that category. 

Over the holidays I started to read Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead by Brene Brown, and I like it a lot so far. She explains that the human mind is wired to create stories when presented with information, and so in the face of any type of difficult situation we naturally create a story or explanation in our mind about what’s happening and why. But here’s the thing - our stories are usually WRONG!

When we let ourselves jump to conclusions like this, we start assigning negative intent to others and all sorts of problematic things happen. Since I started reading the book, I have really tried to stop and ask myself about whether I’m making unfair assumptions every time I get upset about something. Full disclosure, my bad habits are not fully broken yet - but as you can see, this is really making me think!

I am also sort of on and off reading Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld, which I started a while ago. I love Curtis Sittenfeld!

Back when I used to read more, I tracked everything on my Goodreads page. I am trying to get back into reading more this year, so feel free to friend me on Goodreads so we can share recommendations! I like how Goodreads lets you sync your Amazon account so you don't forget what you read, even if you're delinquent with your updates like I was for a while!

A few books I hope to read over the next few months are:

Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole by Susan Cain - she is also the author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, which I actually read after a student wrote about it in one of her essays!

(That’s a very powerful read in its own right, by the way, and is one of those books that I still think about all the time because I learned so much from it. If you are an extrovert with introverts in your life, this is a must - it will help you identify your unconscious biases and understand their personalities so much better.)

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin - I will admit that I am not super excited about the plot but so many people have raved about it that I am willing to give it a try!

SHANNON’S SHELFIE

As an academic coach, I had to add Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention - and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari to my bookshelf. Hari takes a close look at why we have trouble focusing - and the reasons for our short attention spans might surprise you. It turns out that food, health care, and even algorithms could be to blame. 

This book will help you understand why it’s so easy for your phone to distract you (no, it’s not just lack of willpower) and what you can do to reclaim your attention. I know that I’ll be using some of Hari’s advice in my academic coaching sessions this year! 

Another book I really enjoyed (and would recommend to anyone interested in psychology or kinesiology) is Move: How the New Science of Body Movement Can Set Your Mind Free by Caroline Williams. I’ve been working toward my 500-hour yoga certification this past year, which has made me interested in the mind-body connection. Most of us are stuck behind our desks all day, and all of that sitting has a big effect on our brains and our happiness. Williams breaks down the science of movement, explaining why it’s so important to incorporate it into our daily lives. Even a quick walk can improve memory, increase productivity, and boost your mood. 

STACI’S SHELFIE

I just finished all 480 pages of The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II. Don’t let the length scare you away from reading this book, especially if you love World War II history like I do! It was a surprisingly quick read about a group of soldiers who created a memorable football rivalry while training in the pacific. I’ve always been fascinated by World War II (thank you high school history field trip to Germany!) and was so excited to find a story I had never heard about before. If you’re a history buff or are a big football fan, definitely add this title to your shelf! 

Another new addition to my book collection is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. The novel was published a decade ago, but I didn’t crack it open until I recently learned that it was being adapted into a movie. I figured that before watching Tom Hanks star as Ove on the big screen, I needed to read the book. And it’s a good one! Ove is a cranky old man who reminds me a lot of my grandfather. He doesn’t like being around people, and people don’t like being around him–until he meets his new neighbors. The English major in me loves the character development and the feel-good theme of friendship. 

Now I’m waiting for Saving Time: Discovering a Life Beyond the Clock by Jenny Odell to be released. This book is supposed to offer a new perspective on how we think about time and spend our time. I’m hoping that Odell can help me slow down and appreciate the things I do every day–moment by moment.

WHAT’S ON YOUR SHELFIE?

We’re always looking for recommendations. Share some of your favorite titles or recommended reads with us!

Weekly Update: May 26

We were shocked and saddened by the tragedy in Texas this week, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. I have a fourth grader too, so it hit especially close to home for me. As we prepare for Memorial Day weekend, we are also thinking of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country - as well as the incredible sacrifices made by their families and friends left behind.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SUMMER AND FALL 2022 SAT REGISTRATION IS LIVE

The College Board typically opens registration each June or July for the entire following school year (I.e. in June 2022 for August 2022-June 2023 test dates). This year, they changed things up and just released the ability for students to register early for the August 2022, October 2022, November 2022, and December 2022 test dates. All students planning to take one of these tests (or even considering it) should register as soon as possible! The August and October administrations are already filling up quickly.

2022-2023 COMMON APPLICATION UPDATES

The Common Application held a session yesterday to share upcoming changes in advance of the 2022-2023 application release. They confirmed that application rollover will take place on August 1, as in previous years. Students’ login information will remain the same, and all of the information in their profile, family, education, testing, activities, writing, and courses and grades sections will roll over.

(Remember: It’s great to take advantage of the rollover function - definitely get started early and fill all of this out in advance. But MAKE SURE to print/save PDFs of each individual page in case there is some type of rollover error. This does happen occasionally and it would be so awful if all of your hard work was lost!)

Some new changes: “Mx.” and “Other” are now prefix options, and the order of the gender, pronoun, and name questions have moved. There will also be some adjustments to the order and criteria of the questions relating to fee waivers.

PRINCETON FIRES JOSHUA KATZ

In 2018, Princeton University suspended Professor Joshua Katz, pending an investigation into a relationship he had with one of his undergraduate students. On Monday, the school fired the tenured professor, citing a lack of cooperation with this investigation. This is a particularly unusual occurrence, as Katz was a tenured professor at the university. Katz argues that the firing came on the heels of an article he published that criticized the school’s anti-racist policies, and is not an issue of his relationship but instead a blow to free speech. 

GEORGETOWN SENIORS SHUT DOWN LINCOLN MEMORIAL

The Lincoln Memorial was shut down on Saturday morning after hundreds of Georgetown University seniors left broken bottles and spilled wine and champagne covering the monument’s steps. The site was open to the public again by 11:00 am on Saturday. 

COLLEGES REIMPOSE INDOOR MASK MANDATES

As COVID cases spike, colleges around the country have started to reinstate their mask mandates on campus, including the University of Delaware. Public school systems in Philadelphia, PA and Providence, RI have also reinstated their mask mandates in response to cases in the area. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We shared an article a few weeks back with one professor’s opinion of how the pandemic has affected student’s learning ability and focus in the classroom once they arrive in college. Now, a disability rights advocate has published a response, citing mental health issues rather than online learning as the reason why so many students are struggling. Several other letters to the editor continue this dialogue, offering remote learning and mental health related responses to the perceived crisis in students’ engagement. 

Price hikes at a number of colleges have reinvigorated the conversation around whether college is really worth the cost. Enrollment continues to drop, even with the worst of the pandemic (hopefully!) behind us, and in a recent Boston Globe poll, only 10% of respondents felt that college was definitely worth the investment. Spring 2022 college enrollment has dropped nearly 5% from last year - in addition to the overall pandemic drop of almost 10%. This is a surprise to some colleges that expected enrollment to bounce back this cycle.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We’ve offered up our own lists of fiction and nonfiction reads for students to check out this summer, and we’d like to add these three career-focused books for college graduates! If you want even more info on summer reading, current members and clients can check out our Membership Vault summer reading guide.

Pro Tip: We also recommend reading a newspaper or two regularly this summer - this will definitely help you out in interviews when you are asked to talk about a recent news story or political issue that interests you, as well as on applications (like Princeton’s!) that may ask about which publications you read regularly. 

Still looking for more summer opportunities? Gettysburg College’s inaugural Civic Engagement Camp is still accepting applications until Friday, June 3. The program aims to teach students about American democracy and the importance of civic engagement, all against the background of Gettysburg’s history (and with a day trip to Washington, DC).

Have a great weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Our Fiction Summer Reading List

Last week we shared our favorite new nonfiction releases that are perfect additions to your summer reading list. Now we’re delving into the world of science fiction, fantasy, murder mysteries, and more as we curate our favorite fiction releases for summer 2022.

Sea of Tranquility- Emily St. John Mandel

What does an early 20th century teenage exile have in common with a professional writer from a moon colony in 2203? Emily St. John Mandel has the answer. Weaving together time travel with science fiction and a bit of post-apocalyptic flair, Mandel masterfully combines the stories of several characters over three centuries. This rather quick read will leave you constantly wondering how these lives have crossed into a twenty-fifth century investigation. Although Sea of Tranquility was just released in April, it’s already a popular title with thousands of rave reviews! See what you think for yourself!

All My Rage- Sabba Tahir

Sabaa Tahir’s latest young adult release follows the journey of two friends who both feel like outcasts growing up in California. As they face family pressures, cultural clashes, and life-altering secrets, both characters battle with the age old question: who am I? This novel isn’t exactly a light-hearted read, but it’s a modern coming-of-age story that captures all of the complexities of becoming an adult.

The Maid: A Novel -Nita Prose

If you’re looking for a little mystery in your life, then this is the book for you! In The Maid, we get to know Molly, a quirky twenty-five year old who works as a hotel cleaner. She loves her job…until the unimaginable happens. Suddenly Molly is the prime suspect in a murder case and must set out to clear her name. This novel is a fun read and will have you feeling like you’re playing the classic board game Clue.

The Kaiju Preservation Society- John Scalzi

What do you do when you hate your job? That’s the question that sets Jamie- the main character in The Kaiju Preservation Society- on the adventure of a lifetime. Eager to quit delivering food for a big food app, Jamie accepts a new position that is literally out of this world. The novel follows Jamie as he navigates an alternate universe void of any humans and the biggest responsibility of all: to protect Earth from the Kaiju monsters. We’ll admit that this book is absurd, but that’s what makes it an ideal summer read for science fiction lovers.

The Foundling- Ann Leary

Even though The Foundling won’t be released until the end of May, we couldn’t leave it off our summer reading list. Set in the 1920s, The Foundling tells the story of a young psychiatrist who accepts a job at a mental asylum for women. Although the asylum claims to help women, not everything is what it seems. As the young doctor starts to uncover the real truth behind mental illness treatments, our main character is faced with life-altering decisions. This novel is based on real life accounts from the author’s own grandmother and is already receiving favorable reviews. From what we’ve read so far, we think this is a worthy read for anyone with an interest in psychology and/or history.

How High We Go in the Dark- Sequoia Nagamatsu

In How High We Go in the Dark, Sequoia Nagamatsu blends short stories with the novel. Through a series of chapters (or episodes), we follow the lives of several characters as they rebuild after a global pandemic in the year 2030. Now we admit that this theme might feel a bit too real and heavy for many of us, but don’t worry. There are many fantastical elements that bring in the best of science fiction, dystopian worlds, and more. PS: Curiously, this book was drafted before the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes it all the more fascinating to see how Nagamatsu’s imagination measures up against the realities of the past two years.

Not ready to pick up a book?

Are you short on time? Or maybe not a big book lover? Well, there are plenty of ways to delve into a great story and keep up on the best literature. Here are some alternatives to your traditional summer reading.

Book of the Day Podcast

If you want to tune in to the latest reads, check out NPR’s Book of the Day Podcast. In fifteen minutes or less, the hosts will tell you all you need to know about a particular title. There’s a huge variety of texts and genres covered, which will leave you feeling well-read in barely any time.

Book Riot Podcast

The hosts of Book Riot track all of the latest trends, worthy recommendations, and coolest writers in the book world. Whether you’re looking to keep up with literary news or discover a new title or genre to read yourself, this is a great place to start.

Literary Hub

The title pretty much sums it up. Visit the Literary Hub website for book recommendations and reviews; literary news articles and cultural commentary, and more.

Follow us on Instagram

Take advantage of social media by following these book-loving accounts on IG:

• @BOOKOFTHEMONTH

• @GOODREADS

• @REESESBOOKCLUB

• @NYTBooks

Weekly Update: May 20

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

AP PRECALCULUS!

Yes, you read that right. College Board announced this week that it will be offering an AP Precalculus option in the 2023-2024 school year. The announcement comes in the wake of numerous articles (including some we shared on this blog) that cover the lack of math preparation for high school students during the pandemic. College Board asserts that the new course offering will better prepare students for college math, particularly STEM-related majors. 

PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT FALLS

I’ve shared on the blog before about my decision to pull my daughter out of her public school and it turns out I’m not alone! Since 2020, public school enrollment is down by over a million students. Many of these students moved to private or parochial schools, or were even homeschooled, while others dropped out of school due to job loss, homelessness, lack of Wi-Fi access, or other financial issues during the pandemic. The enrollment drop has particularly affected schools that had long periods of remote instruction. And since school budgets are tied to enrollment, public schools will likely be dealing with a drop in funding as well. This may be a contributor to some school districts’ reluctance to reinstate mask mandates or vaccination requirements for fear of losing even more students. 

MENTAL HEALTH DAY OF ACCEPTANCE

Here in our office we were excited to join in on today’s Virginia-wide American Academy of Pediatrics “Wear Green Day of Action” for Mental Health acceptance! (Can you tell that none of us really have green in our wardrobes?! We tried…)

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We love summer reading in our office, and not just because we’re book lovers! “What is a great book you’ve read recently?” or “What are you reading right now?” or “What is your favorite book?” are very common interview questions for students, and summer is a great time to learn something new AND prepare your answers at the same time. Not sure where to start? Check out our nonfiction summer reading recommendations from the blog this week, or take a look at this Atlantic article for reviews of books based on college campuses or other educational settings.  

When it comes to paying for college, looking at a private vs. a public school is often one of families’ first considerations. But despite the popular wisdom, there are cases where a scholarship to a private school makes it more affordable than a public option - and many cases where an out-of-state public school can be as expensive or even more expensive than a private one! This Forbes article provides a run-down of the tuition costs for the most expensive public colleges by state, and might be a good place to start if public college is on your student’s list (and yes, UVA is #1 on this list).

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

The hot weather lately definitely reminds us that summer is coming! We are still adding to our Summer Opportunities Database every week. Most recently, we featured an opportunity for juniors and seniors in high school to join Mount Vernon’s Student Advisory Board. This is an awesome leadership opportunity for students interested in art, history, museum curation, education, or just networking and gaining experience!

And one more thing on the summer to-do list for juniors - essays! We are so excited to welcome McClain back to the office this summer - she will be available starting in mid-June for students to work with on their essays. Our calendar has been updated and students can now book appointments for June and July with McClain or Staci. If you have a busy summer ahead, we recommend booking those meetings now to make sure that you get the time slots that work best for you! 

McClain has been busy since last summer - check out her adorable new baby Theo, born in January!

Have a great weekend, and stay cool!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Our Non-Fiction Summer Reading List

With an office full of English majors, we can’t help but get excited about one of our favorite parts of summer– summer reading lists! And no, we’re not talking about those required texts your English or AP teachers email to you on the last day of school. There’s a whole world of non-fiction titles out there that are sure to spark your curiosity, whether you’re interested in sports, psychology, history or even data analytics. Not only can these non-fiction titles open your eyes to new topics, but they can also be a big help when it comes time for college applications. You might just find yourself having to write an essay about a meaningful book you’ve discovered or discuss a recent text you’ve read during an admissions interview. So take a few hours this summer to dive into a great non-fiction text while you lounge by the pool.

Don't Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life- Seth Stephens Davidowitz

We mentioned this first selection in our blog last week. If you’re a data enthusiast, you’ll love Seth Stephens Davidowitz’s take on the decisions we make everyday, both big and small. Instead of relying on our instincts, Davidowitz, an economist and former Google data scientist, argues that we should use the data that’s all around us. After all, numbers don’t lie! In fact, they can guide us toward better lives if we’re willing to stop and look at the charts.

The Nineties: A Book- Chuck Klosterman

The 90s are back, and Chuck Klosterman is ready to take a closer look at this pivotal decade. His book provides just the right amount of nostalgia for crop tops, Nirvana, and Blockbuster while also analyzing the culture, history, and politics that informed the 90s. We know it’s not easy to sum up ten years into just one book, but Klosterman does a great job of tracing the most important moments that came to define the period.

The Great Stewardess Rebellion: How Women Launched a Workplace Revolution at 30,000 Feet- Nell McShane Wulfhart

In the 1960s, the demand for flight attendants soared. Thousands of women applied to be “stews” in search of exciting, jet setting lifestyles. However, it wasn’t the glamorous career it appeared to be. There were weight limits, strict (and uncomfortable) fashion guidelines, and restrictions on marriage, children, and retirement age.  In The Great Stewardess Rebellion, Nell McShane Wulhart looks behind the scenes at the “stews” who fought for their working rights, and in doing so, created a bigger revolution than they ever thought possible.

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know- Adam Grant

The more you know, the better, right? Well, not according to Adam Grant. In Think Again, Grant takes a close look at the behaviors and thoughts that often leave us cognitively trapped. In place of these limiting ideas, Grant encourages all of us to unlearn our old information and embrace the joys of being wrong. This book is sure to turn your thoughts upside down and leave you seeing the world in a new way. 

Sweat: A History of Exercise- Bill Hayes

Step aerobics, Crossfit, Tae-Bo— it seems like a new exercise trend emerges each year. But what makes a certain exercise so popular? How has physical activity evolved over time, and why?  Bill Hayes attempts to answer these questions in Sweat by tracing the history of physical movement, from jogs to sprints to vinyasa yoga. This book won’t exactly make you break a sweat, but it will leave you feeling motivated and ready to move.

Dress Code: Unlocking Fashion from the New Look to Millennial Pink- Veronique Hyland

Do we wear the clothes, or do the clothes wear us? In Dress Code, Veronique Hyland examines the important role fashion plays in our world and its impact on everything from economics to politics to gender roles. She also takes a close look at the way clothing influences our identity and how social media is changing the way we dress and think of ourselves. This book is sure to make you think a bit deeper the next time you choose an outfit.

The Complete Cookbook for Teen Chefs: 70+ Teen-Tested and Teen-Approved Recipes to Cook, Eat and Share - America’s Test Kitchen Kids

Okay, so we know there are thousands of cookbooks and websites out there, but The Complete Cookbook for Teen Chefs is different. The recipes are divided by difficulty level, and instructions are super easy. Along the way, readers learn basic skills, like how to properly slice a potato. What we love most, though, are the helpful hints and shortcuts for each recipe that are sure to make you look like a professional chef with minimal effort. Not only is this book a fun way to explore foods from across the globe; it’s a fantastic starter kit for young adults in need of kitchen survival skills.

The Watermen: The Birth of American Swimming and One Young Man's Fight to Capture Olympic Gold- Michael Lonyd 

The Watermen won’t be released for a few more weeks, but we can’t wait! In the early 1900s, swimming was nothing more than something to do on a hot summer day- that is until teenager Charles Daniels dove into the scene. In this book, you’ll see how one young man helped to create one of the world's most popular Olympic sports while winning against all odds. This is a great read for anyone who appreciates a classic underdog story.

Do you have any non-fiction recommendations to add to our summer reading list? If so, share in the comments below.

What's on Your Shelfie?

Today we are celebrating one of our favorite holidays: library shelfie day! Now we realize that this day probably isn’t marked on most peoples’ calendars, but with an office full of English majors, we can’t resist taking some shelfies.

So what exactly is a shelfie? It’s simply a selfie for book lovers. On the fourth Wednesday of January each year, readers from all over the country photograph themselves with their personal bookshelves or favorite texts. Some even make special trips to local libraries to get creative with their shelfies in the stacks before posting their photos for the world to see. #libraryshelfie

The New York Public Library started this tradition in 2014, not just because selfies were trending but because e-readers were too. Many feared the disappearance of libraries and good old-fashioned paper books. Shelfie Day celebrates the role libraries continue to play in communities and the great books that shape us.

So in the spirit of Library Shelfie Day, here are some of our favorite titles and recommended reads.

---

COLLEEN

One of Colleen’s favorite books of all time is Random Family by Adrien Nicole LeBlanc. It's a New York Times Editors’ Choice book, and it will leave you thinking about urban poverty in a completely new way. It's also a page-turner - She taught it to a class of reluctant 11th grade readers over 15 years ago, and they loved it as much as she did!

Colleen’s other favorite, which is on her kindle, is Chris Voss’ Never Split the Difference. In fact, she’s recommended it on the blog before as a good summer reading choice that students can list on their applications. It’s written by an FBI agent and teaches practical negotiation techniques for use in everyday life using a concept called “tactical empathy.” Colleen says it’s the most impactful book she’s ever read, and she uses Voss’ techniques constantly. They really work!

SHANNON

Shannon took to the DC College Counseling bookshelves for her shelfie. One of her favorite professional titles is the Fiske Guide to Colleges, which she recommends to our families. It’s a fantastic book for college research, providing plenty of facts and data all in one place (instead of 15 open tabs on your computer!). 

Shannon also likes Your Turn: How to Be an Adult, which just so happens to be the book we gifted to our graduating seniors last year. It’s written by Julie Lythcott-Haims, a former dean at Stanford, who raises the very important question: what does it actually mean to be an adult? You might be surprised by the answer, so definitely add this one to your bookshelf!

STACI

Staci first read Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School several years ago when she became a speed reading trainer and needed to apply these rules to her classes. The book is written by a molecular biologist who explains rules for cognition, memory, and learning in a simple, entertaining style. No Ph.D. needed to understand how these brain rules can enhance your everyday life!

---

LOOKING FOR A RECOMMENDED READ?

If all this talk of books and libraries has left you eager to delve into a new text, here are some titles we recommend to teens preparing for college.

There’s nothing better than an inspirational story to get you motivated. We love Canyon Dreams: A Basketball Season on the Navajo Nation, a recently published story of culture, American dreams, and high school sports. David Goggin’s Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds is also a great option, especially for those who like a mix of autobiography and coaching. 

When it comes to college admissions, we always stress goal setting and productivity, so it’s no surprise that we recommend Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (or the teen version, Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens) along with Atomic Habits. 

We also like Malcolm Gladwell’s Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know. It explains the psychology behind our communication techniques and the things we assume about the people we meet. This is an interesting text for anyone who’s on the cusp of building their professional network! 

Finally, we have some picks to help you explore your favorite subjects even more. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike will take you through the trials and tribulations of building a business (perfect for any young entrepreneur!). I Want More Pizza: Real World Money Skills For High School, College, And Beyond explores the basics of financial literacy for young adults–through pizza! It puts an entertaining spin on important skills students should have before they enter college. We also like Humble Pi: A Comedy of Maths Errors- a text that shows how math is always working behind the scenes in our world, even when it makes mistakes. And we can’t forget a great new work of literature: Klara and the Sun. Author Kazuro Ishiguo takes a look at the role of AI and technology through the eyes of a truly unique narrator. 

If you want to participate in National Shelfie Day, snap a picture and don’t forget the hashtag: #libraryshelfie

Weekly Update: December 10

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

PSAT AND NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CUTOFFS

After many Class of 2022 students were unable to take the PSAT during COVID-19, we expected to see numbers go up for the Class of 2023 - after all, nearly 50% more students took the test! The prediction for the cutoff for commended students is 208. Here in Virginia, we expect to see National Merit Semifinalists in the 220-223 range, in keeping with the past three years of cutoffs. For a more detailed state-by-state breakdown, this article has some helpful charts and graphs. 

NATIONAL RECOGNITION PROGRAMS APPLICATION REOPENS AFTER ELIGIBILITY ERRORS

Speaking of Class of 2022 students who took the PSAT, it turns out that a number of students were not notified about their eligibility for National Recognition programs. In recognition of this error, College Board has reopened the application until December 15. If you believe that there is any chance that you are eligible, PLEASE go ahead and apply!

• Class of 2023 students with GPAs of 3.5+ and either attending school in a rural area/small town OR identifying as African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, or Indigenous are eligible to apply today if either one of the two bulleted statements apply:

  • Scored in the top 10% of their state in the winter or spring of sophomore year (students scoring in this range on this past fall’s PSAT will be able to apply later)

  • Earned a score of 3+ on two or more AP exams during 9th and/or 10th grade

• Class of 2024 students with GPAs of 3.5+ and either attending school in a rural area/small town OR identifying as African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, or Indigenous are eligible to apply today if they earned a score of 3+ on two or more AP exams during 9th grade (students scoring in the top 10% of their state on this past fall’s PSAT will be able to apply later).

Again, if there is any chance you believe you might be eligible, go ahead and apply. Other counselors have estimated that the “top 10%” number on the PSAT would be around 1200+ depending on the state.

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS CONTINUE TO SOAR ABOVE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS

We expected college application rates to stay high this year, compared to before the pandemic, and so far that is playing out. Already, applications are up 22% from pre-pandemic levels. As we saw last year, most of the increase is from affluent students applying to a longer list of schools (perhaps as a result of the increased unpredictability in admissions decisions), rather than more students applying. And we expect to see an additional spike as we get closer to those early January deadlines!

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT’S TRAGIC DEATH

A Fairfax County student at Virginia State University has died after a shooting at a university apartment building last weekend. Daniel Wharton, of Alexandria, was nineteen. As of this writing, a suspect has not yet been identified. 

TRANSFORMATIVE, RECORD-SETTING GIFT TO HOLLINS UNIVERSITY

An anonymous donor just set a record by donating $75 million to the Hollins University endowment. This is very significant - not only is it the largest-ever donation in history to a women’s college, it equates to more than a third of their existing endowment. I visited Hollins back in April 2019 on the way back from Virginia Tech, and I will admit that it did not strike me as a place that many of our students would be interested in - simply because of the size (800 students), rural location, and the fact that it’s a women’s college.

But for a girl seeking a very small, tight-knit community, it could be a great option! They have always offered generous merit aid, and I bet that it will get even better now. Anyone interested should check out the accelerated three-year undergraduate program, as well as the impressive partnerships with institutions ranging from Carnegie Mellon to UVA’s Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Future students interested in the UVA Batten partnership should also make sure to read up on Hollins’ own Batten Leadership Institute, which offers an undergraduate certificate in leadership studies.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

While many students in our area are continuing to pursue their college goals during the pandemic, a large number of students across the country are putting off college - overall, college enrollment has dropped 8%, with community college bearing the brunt of the decrease. Many in the education space are afraid that with students putting college off for a few years, they are much less likely to return to pursue higher education.

But this New York Times article provides some hope - it’s never too late to go to college! Devon Simmons, who served 15 years in prison for crimes he committed as a teenager, later graduated from Columbia and is now working on a program to help “jailhouse lawyers” become paralegals and create a path to law school after incarceration. 

Shon Hopwood’s book, Law Man, is a great read for those interested in these types of stories. Shannon worked with Shon on events at Georgetown and highly recommends this as a great book for students interested in criminal justice to read over the break (and include in college applications)! 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Now is the time when decisions are rolling in! If you are a current client, make sure to keep us updated over the weekend and next week as more and more of those early decisions roll out. And if you are anxiously checking your email, we recommend checking out College Kickstart’s list of application notification dates, which is updated regularly with new information. 

I mentioned in the mid-week post that I had the chance to go see Wash U last weekend. I will admit that I was actually in St. Louis to see the James Taylor concert but it was so much fun stopping by campus while I was there. I met up with a current freshman and really enjoyed hearing about the similarities and differences between our experiences.

It’s crazy how much has changed since my last visit just four years ago - which is a good lesson about the importance of revisiting schools that your student may have seen a few years back with an older sibling. At the rate that new buildings are popping up and new initiatives are rolling out, so many of these schools are completely different places in the span of a few years. And right after I left, they announced the construction of yet another new building, which will create a whole new quad.

Things that have not changed: Ted Drewes!!!

Have a great weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: June 25

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF STUDENTS AGAINST NCAA

On Monday, the Supreme Court decided in a rare unanimous vote that the NCAA could not limit the educational perks offered to student athletes. These perks can include everything from scholarships and paid internships to free computers or textbooks. The ruling could lead to further action against the NCAA’s stance on compensating its players, especially in light of many new state laws that will allow athletes to make money off of their name or image, beginning July 1. 

YES, YOU CAN NEGOTIATE FOR COLLEGE AID!

Many students and families don’t even realize that they do have some power to negotiate for more financial assistance from colleges after admission. But this family’s successful appeal to Fairfield University led to a scholarship increase, as do around one-third of funding appeals each year. Of course, the effect of an appeal depends greatly on the school, as well as the reason for the additional funding, but if you are a student whose ability to go to your dream school is dependent on more aid, don’t be afraid to go ahead and ask!

FLORIDA GOVERNOR SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL COLLEGE LEGISLATION

Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation this week that will require students and faculty at state colleges and universities to take annual surveys about their beliefs. The surveys are intended to determine whether a diversity of perspectives are taught at the institution and whether students feel safe to express their beliefs. 

INDIANA STUDENTS SUE OVER COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIREMENT

The Indiana University system is one of a small number of schools in red states that will require students to have the COVID-19 vaccine in order to return to campus in the fall. Eight students filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the requirement violates their 14th amendment right to personal autonomy. The outcome of this lawsuit could have an effect on the hundreds of other campuses that will also require the vaccine this fall.   

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Duke Professor John Rose published an interesting opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, sharing the classroom principles he uses to encourage open debates in often-controversial classes like “Political Polarization” and “Conservatism.” Professor Rose says that his commitment to open conversation in a non-judgmental setting allows students to share a variety of opinions and viewpoints, and improves his class discussions. 

Speaking of Supreme Court decisions, this week also saw the Court agree with a fourteen-year-old high school student that an inappropriate Snapchat post taken outside of school should not have consequences in school. There is no doubt that the ubiquity of technology has blurred the lines between what schools can control and what they can’t, and this Washington Post article dives further into the topic, considering whether teens’ social media posts should be temporary, disappearing as they age. This is especially important to us in the admissions process - we always advise students to be careful about what they post on social media, since 36% of admissions officers say that they use social media to help make admissions decisions, and over half of those say that social media has a negative impact on the decision! 

Since the Israel-Palestine conflict worsened this spring, many schools are seeing a rise in anti-Semitism on campus. In an op-ed for the New York Times, Matthew Bronfman, chairman of Hillel International, argues that schools have to do more to protect Jewish students, while still allowing for debate about the conflict in Israel. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon attended a great webinar this week about preparing students for college success. If you’ve been reading this blog, you know that I love Julie Lythcott-Haims’ book How to Raise an Adult (so much so that we bought the companion book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult for all of our graduating seniors!). And this slide from the presentation really sums it up - high school parenting vs. college parenting: 

This summer is also a great time for students to learn the important skills that they’re going to need in college, and here is a list to choose from (though, let’s be real, we don’t expect many students to learn how to iron!): 

If you are worried about your student’s organizational skills heading off to college, and you don’t want to be on call for those daily reminders, why not try out academic coaching? It is a great way for students to gain some of these skills and have a head start when they arrive at school in the fall!

Some of our current class of 2022 students have already moved on to their school-specific supplemental essays! Even though the schools are not required to release their essay topics until August 1, many release earlier, and our seniors usually have around half of their essays DONE even before the beginning of August! If you are not a current client, but you want to get ahead on your essays, check out our Supplemental Essay Prompts page, which we are updating every week as we find out new prompts have been released. Happy writing!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: June 18

We hope that everyone is enjoying our brand-new federal holiday - Happy Juneteenth!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SUPREME COURT PUTS OFF HARVARD AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CASE

The case against Harvard’s race-conscious admissions policy has made its way all the way up to the Supreme Court, but the Court declined to review the case, asking the Biden administration to weigh in first. The delay does not necessarily mean that the case will not be heard, but it is now likely to have to wait until the next Supreme Court session in October. Harvard has asked the Court not to take the case. 

ARE STUDENTS LEARNING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS?

One of the most persuasive arguments for a classical liberal arts education has always been that it teaches students how to think - not just knowledge, but the ability to use and analyze it. But according to Jeff Selingo’s latest newsletter, colleges may not actually help students gain the critical thinking skills they need to be successful in the workplace. In an analysis of 2,500 college students, natural sciences students had the most gains in critical thinking skills - while business majors had the lowest! 

If you want to dive deeper into learning about how to think critically and how it benefits students in the long run, we love Range by David Epstein - this book about the importance of general skills over specialized knowledge is just one of many on our Summer 2021 Reading Guide, available to all Membership Vault subscribers! 

LAW SCHOOLS OVERBOOKED FOR THE FALL

While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a lot of unexpected events this year, the rise in students attending graduate and professional school was easy to anticipate. During a recession, many adults who would otherwise be working often choose to return to or continue with school, hoping to graduate into a better job market. 

But what was unexpected was the change in testing procedures - it turns out, students taking a shortened version of the LSAT at home are much less stressed than those taking the traditional test! The number of students scoring 175-180 doubled last year, leading to many more highly qualified applicants in the pool and the danger of over enrollment at almost all of the top 200 law schools. The larger class sizes are expected to lead to an extremely competitive job market for law school graduates in three years. 

There is also the consideration of what the impact will be on students applying this cycle, given the larger cohort above them. Duke, for example, offered students a $5,000 scholarship to accept a binding deferral to next year - a move that may lead to even fewer accepted students than typical for a highly selective school when it comes to this year’s applicants. 

NORTHEASTERN ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH MILLS COLLEGE

We covered here on this blog the shuttering of Mills College, a small liberal arts college in Oakland, California. Mills was just one of several smaller schools closing its doors in response to lost enrollment and revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Northeastern University has now established an historic partnership with Mills College, bringing the school into its global network. We will be interested to see how this alliance develops, and whether other large, selective institutions follow suit when it comes to these struggling smaller campuses.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

The Wall Street Journal published an article last week that is providing a lot of food for thought for us and other education professionals. The author, R.R. Reno, writes that he won’t hire Ivy League graduates - because students at selective, typically liberal colleges are not prepared to speak out against prevailing opinion, students he calls “thin-skinned.” Reno acknowledges that his organization speaks for “religious and social conservatives,” and so looks for employees that share these views. 

This Slate article, “The Real College Admissions Scandal,” attempts to shine the spotlight on private schools, arguing that the real advantage in college admissions is not athletics, legacy status, alumni donations, or race - the real advantage is attending a private school. 

This is a common misconception that we hear from students and parents, but I think the writer is conflating correlation with causation here. The article does not mention that it is typically a self-selecting group of high-achieving, ambitious students who choose to attend private schools in the first place, and that students who do so are also more likely to pursue opportunities that lead to admission at selective colleges. 

One important thing the article does mention, though, is the counselor call. We’ve talked about this on the blog before, but one of the most important things a school counselor can do to help students understand their admissions decisions is to make a counselor call, and counselors at private schools are more likely to take advantage of this than those at public schools, who often have a larger caseload and less time to make calls.

We always encourage our students, especially those who receive a defer or waitlist decision, to ask their counselor to make a call to get more information! This advocacy can definitely be important in the admissions process.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

For high school students looking for a volunteer opportunity this coming year, Vienna Youth Cheerleading is looking for cheer coaches (18+) and assistant cheer coaches (16+) to teach cheerleading skills to young students and attend games and practices. Interested students should email the VYI cheer commissioner at melissa.pechulis@gmail.com. This is a great organization!

I have been out of the office (but still working, somewhat!) for most of the past two weeks and today I took my first steps on a college campus since Covid began! My daughter and I toured Penn, which I just love.

I have mentioned before that if I could go to any school today, Penn would probably be it. I really admire the way they seek to provide ALL students with the perfect mix of pre-professional career skills and a liberal arts background. I also love the city of Philadelphia and the way it is so integrated into all things Penn, yet the campus is green and leafy with a vibrant sense of community that most other city schools are missing. Plus, students have the opportunity to become involved in athletics and/or Greek life without it overtaking the undergraduate experience .. and it goes without saying that the academic opportunities and career outcomes are phenomenal.

I will be back in the office next week, and I’m excited to jump into some more Rising Senior Meetings with the Class of 2022! Things are speeding up around here for sure and we are LOVING reading all of the supplemental essays - such a good way to learn more about all of our amazing students.

Enjoy the weekend! 

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: June 11

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

Happy Pride Week! We have so loved seeing all of the rainbow art around town, and are proud to be allies. Keep an eye out next week for more on LGBTQ-friendly colleges, and in the meantime check out the Princeton Review’s list of Top LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges.

ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

Mario Ramos, an immigrant from El Salvador who came to Fairfax County in 2007, gave an inspirational commencement speech at Annandale High School last week. He gave the speech in English and Spanish, in a powerful message of inclusion for graduates. After graduating with his high school diploma, Ramos became a “classroom monitor,” helping Annandale open up to students in-person during the pandemic. 

WILLIAM AND MARY WILL NOT REQUIRE COVID-19 VACCINE IN THE FALL

In a session that Shannon attended on Thursday, William & Mary’s President Rowe confirmed that the school will not be requiring students to get the COVID-19 vaccine. W&M does not plan to require the vaccine until it has been approved by the FDA (it is currently under emergency use authorization), but does intend to eventually require it for students as well as faculty and staff once it receives full FDA approval. 

COMMON APP® CHANGES ARE AHEAD

The Common Application® held a webinar earlier this week which shared some important information about ongoing and future changes. I was glad to have been able to attend! Here’s what I learned:

• The organization embarked on a pilot program between March 2020 - February 2021 called “Evolving the App,” a project which sought to ensure that all questions on the core part of the application are inclusive and do not present barriers to any applicants

  • The project was broken into five distinct stages, beginning with the identification of sections to examine and concluding with the delivery of final revisions to the Common App® technology team and member schools

  • The process was considered to be a success and will now be completed annually

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be!

The process of transferring pre-completed information from the 2020-2021 application to the 2021-2022 application is called rollover - we work with all of our rising seniors to complete the 2020-2021 application to spread out the work involved and take advantage of this rollover option!

• As most of them know, we will create a step-by-step guide to the rollover process by the end of the day on August 3, at which point they will hear from us with instructions to complete the Common Application® and Coalition Application Rollover processes in advance of their first August college counseling meeting.

• They will also be asked to complete all non-essay application supplement questions at that time, along with an additional supplement guide that we will send.

• Then, our rising seniors will have three separate college counseling meetings with Shannon and me.

  • At the first meeting, we will help them submit recommendation requests to their teachers and counselor, and we will also review/edit all of their work to make sure that you completed the rollover process and all non-essay application supplemental questions correctly.

  • At the second meeting, they will work with us to go through and finish anything that remained outstanding from the first meeting (they will typically have a list of action items from the first meeting).

  • At the last meeting, they will meet with one of us again to perform a detailed, line-by-line, final review of all applications and supplements before submission. We will discuss how the status chart and tracking process will work and will give you them final all-clear to submit! 

  • Some students prefer to submit applications with us in real time; others can do so at home with their parents. If they would like to submit together, we ask them to schedule a separate meeting to do this. 

SPRING COLLEGE ENROLLMENT NUMBERS DROP

Many schools were hoping that the drop in enrollment during COVID-19 would be limited to the fall semester, but that does not seem to be the case - while fall numbers declined 3.6% from last year, spring enrollment numbers declined 5%. 65% of total enrollment losses were felt by community colleges. 

Graduate school enrollment, on the other hand, actually increased in the uncertain job market caused by COVID-19. This means that while some students will not have college degrees, others who already have degrees are receiving more education. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

The big news in college sports this week is the expansion of the college football playoffs to include twelve teams rather than the usual four. The expanded bracket likely won’t come to pass until at least 2023, but 24 teams rather than eight are likely to see playoff games. This also means that college football players may be playing 16 or even 17 football games, increasing the potential for injury and potentially overworking athletes during a time when college athletics has been under increasing scrutiny for its treatment of college players. 

As we all know, rates of anxiety and depression for college students, which were growing over the past several years, skyrocketed during the pandemic. Unfortunately, they do not seem to be dropping now that vaccinations are widely available and campuses are opening up again for the fall. Researchers at Dartmouth discovered a correlation between students’ mental health and the prevalence of phone searches for terms like “covid fatigue” on campus. Four student deaths on Dartmouth’s 4,400 student campus this year have prompted students to call for mental health reforms, and the school has vowed to create more support for students.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

There are still plenty of summer opportunities available for students who don’t yet have their summer plans in place! If you are looking for an opportunity that starts later in the summer or fall, consider applying to work as an usher or ranger at Wolf Trap National Park. The position is open to all current high school students and will run from August 1 to October 2 during the park’s performance season. Interested candidates should email Sam Swersky, House Manager at sam_swersky@nps.gov.

Shannon attended a session yesterday with the admissions offices at Barnard and Stanford to discuss selective school admissions for the coming year. We always try to emphasize to our students that no matter what, it is important to apply to a balanced list of schools. As Michael Devlin from Stanford put it, “There are more valedictorians in the United States than spots in the class at Stanford.” 

"Sometimes when students email me afterward and ask what they could have done better, there is no answer. There's nothing they could have done better." 

Yes, really! Even students who do every single thing right might be denied from an extremely selective school. “Holistic” admissions does not just mean that the admissions office reviews the student holistically, but also that they need to take into account the needs of the school and the student body as a whole, in addition to the individual applicant. 

And for those still keeping fingers crossed on the waitlist, Barnard announced that unfortunately they are done pulling from their waitlist for the year, and Stanford expects to be done as well (though this is not confirmed). This should be a reminder to everyone to submit letters of continued interest early - Barnard was done pulling from their waitlist on May 1!

As some of you saw on social media, I was quoted this week in Forbes about whether the pandemic may have permanently boosted private school enrollment - and it was perfect timing because yesterday was my daughter's last day of school at Our Lady of Good Counsel here in Vienna after transferring from FCPS!

Those of you who have been reading since last year will remember that I was really in tune with the issue of instructional equity last spring and summer. Because I had an up-front view of the differences that my clients in public and private schools were experiencing, and also saw it myself as an FCPS parent, I was approached a lot by the media - you can read a little bit about that here.

But anyway.. here we are a year later, and as someone who literally assesses schools for a living, I can't say enough about how AMAZING our experience has been at OLGC. I honestly feel like nothing I could write would adequately express my admiration and appreciation for the administration and teachers, and the impact that their hard work had on my daughter’s life this year - not just academically, but also socially and emotionally during what was an incredibly turbulent time.

I came in just hoping she'd be able to attend in-person school - like I said in the Time piece, she just wanted to get out of the house! But what we got was so much more. I cannot tell you how much I would recommend OLGC for a family seeking a K-8 alternative to FCPS in our area (and for what it’s worth, we are an interfaith family and this was not an issue at all whatsoever).

Back to the point of the Forbes article, I feel beyond fortunate to be able to keep her there. I know that many other families all over the country are making similar decisions, and it will definitely be interesting to see the impact on private school enrollment in the long term.

Have a good weekend, stay cool, and stay dry!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: June 4

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COLLEGE WHISPERER DOCU-SERIES COMING SOON

With Operation Varsity Blues dominating headlines, the independent educational consulting profession has gotten a lot of scrutiny in the last few years! The College Whisperer is being advertised as the antidote to that. The new series will follow Perry Kalmus, a consultant in Alaska who was featured in the Operation Varsity Blues documentary on Netflix, as he counsels eight students through the process. The goal of the series is to show what it looks like to work with ethical independent consultants and the ups and downs inherent to an honest admissions process. Fun fact: I was contacted by a film crew to do the same thing about six years ago. I turned it down because I was pretty confident that none of my clients would be up for having their confidential information shared on national TV :)

VACCINE REQUIREMENTS ARE MORE DIFFICULT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

We’ve been following the lengthening list of schools that are requiring vaccines for the upcoming school year. These requirements will not pose a problem for most of our students, who have easy access to vaccines this summer. However, it is a different scenario for international students, many of whom may not have access to WHO-approved vaccines. 

One Columbia student who received the Covavaxin shot in India has been told that she will need to be re-vaccinated with an US-approved vaccine once she arrives on campus - a potential health risk that has not been explored. India sends the second-largest number of international college students to the US (after China), so this issue is not an isolated one - we are likely to see many students who have received Covavaxin struggling with US vaccine requirements. 

WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY ERASES GRADUATES’ STUDENT DEBT

Wilberforce, an HBCU in Ohio, forgave all student debt for students in the classes of 2020 and 2021 in a surprise graduation announcement on Saturday. The funding to erase the debt was secured through various nonprofit organizations. Students were excited for the fresh start that they received from the university. 

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY WILL KEEP ITS NAME

The Board of Trustees at Washington and Lee voted today in favor of the university maintaining its name, after nearly a year of investigation into the name, symbols, and other issues related to the university’s history. The board decided that it will expand diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in addition to retaining the name. The college, originally called Augusta Academy, adopted the current name in 1870. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

This is an important article from the New Yorker that gets to the heart of why students and families experience so much stress from the college admissions process - the feeling that colleges are judging applicants, in a fair environment, and finding the “best” ones. But we want to remind students and families - a college admission or rejection is NOT a personal judgment!! We do our absolute best to help colleges get to know you, but at the end of the day, there are a TON of factors that affect admissions that are completely out of your control. At the end of the day, where you go to college is part of your story, but not a value judgment on you as an individual.

We shared our recommended summer reading for high school students last week. It is super important for high schoolers to be able to talk about books, articles, and current events that interest them, especially for admissions essays and interviews! Students who don’t yet read the news regularly may be interested in participating in the New York Times’ Summer Reading Contest - where 13-19 year olds can enter to win prizes by reading an article every week this summer. 

If you are a current client looking for some good reads, don’t forget to check out our Summer 2021 Reading Guide in the Membership Vault! 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon attended a testing update webinar this week to get some more information on this cycle of standardized testing! We learned that there is a good reason the College Board decided to drop SAT Subject Tests in favor of AP tests - students who took APs over the last few weeks probably won’t be surprised to learn that revenue from the AP test accounts for 60% of the company’s revenue. 

Despite all of the anticipation for digital versions of the SAT and ACT, we are unlikely to see digital versions of either test until 2022. The ACT is also putting plans on hold to let students retake individual sections to incorporate into their superscore - though we are hopeful that this will happen sometime in the next few years! Students using the ACT superscore should be aware, though, that schools will also receive their highest composite from a single test date along with the superscore. 

Over 4 million students have taken standardized tests this year - about half have taken the ACT and half the SAT, so as we always tell students, take the test that works for you! Colleges truly do not have a preference. And for those still waiting on a test date, keep an eye out in July for registration to open again for both tests.

—

While this won’t apply to families, I know that there are a lot of other educational consultants who read our blog, and I wanted to provide an update on the videos I mentioned from a few weeks back:

It can be challenging to stay on top of all the key components necessary for developing and operating an independent educational consulting business. To provide peer-to-peer training and share expertise, the IECA Business Practices Committee has created a new pilot series of videos to help you learn from fellow IECA members about topics that have been core to the growth of their practice. The video topics include: Networking 101, Project Management 101, Accounting Systems, Email Newsletters, Budgeting 101, Sales: Part of Your IEC Toolkit, Time Tracking 101, and Using Evernote. Learn more and watch the videos here (scroll down to IECA Business Training Videos icon).

Have a great weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: May 28

Now that summer is almost here, we’ve got a lot going on this week - graduation gifts, rising senior meetings, and summer reading lists coming your way! 

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COLORADO BANS LEGACY COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

On Tuesday, Colorado became the first state in the country to ban state colleges from using legacy as a factor in admissions. This is a BIG DEAL, because it sets a precedent for other state university systems, such as Virginia (which does consider legacy as a factor) to follow suit. The move is aimed at making higher education access more equitable. 

STUDENTS WITHOUT HELP ARE DISADVANTAGED BY THE INCREASED IMPORTANCE OF ESSAYS

Speaking of factors that lead to certain admissions decisions - a recent study found that college essays are “‘the most important “soft factor’ and the fourth-most important overall factor — after grades, curriculum strength and standardized test scores.” Not surprisingly, it also found that students’ essays are influenced by their social class; wealthy students are more likely to have help with their essays, whether from their parents or a paid professional. This is an important reminder that class continues to be a factor in the admissions process despite the fact that standardized test scores have lessened in importance during the pandemic.

We encourage all students to get a second set of eyes on their essays - whether you work with professionals like us or not! We saw this for the Class of 2021 and will see it again for the Class of 2022 - so-called “soft” factors like the essay, recommendations, and extracurricular activities have become more important than ever. 

COLLEGES IN BLUE STATES MORE LIKELY TO REQUIRE VACCINATIONS

We’ve been keeping track here as more and more colleges and universities announce that they will require students to be vaccinated in order to return to campus in the fall. Now, over 400 institutions are requiring vaccines. But whether or not a student needs to be vaccinated likely depends on whether the state where they will attend college is red or blue - nearly all of the colleges requiring vaccines are in states that voted for Biden. A major exception is the Indiana state system, which announced last Friday that vaccines would be required for students. 

COVID-19’S IMPACT ON HEART DAMAGE IN STUDENT ATHLETES

A recent study of Big 10 athletes who suffered from COVID-19 revealed that heart damage may be more prevalent than originally thought, especially in students that have not exhibited symptoms. The researchers’ recommendations of cardiac MRIs for students may cause the NCAA to rethink its guidelines when it comes to the treatment and monitoring of student athletes who have contracted COVID-19. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

This beautiful New York Times article really captures the joy of “summer reading” - something that we certainly did a lot more of during the pandemic lockdowns! We encourage any students looking for a summer reading book to drop the plans to read books that you THINK would impress admissions officers and look for books that actually help you discover more about your passions! That way, you will be more likely to enjoy the reading AND be able to speak about it more genuinely, in a way that reflects your interests. 

And to be honest - that authenticity is what actually will impress the admissions officers. If you tell them that you’re reading War and Peace or The Fountainhead, they won’t think you’re smart - they’ll think (a) you’re lying and (b) since you had to lie, you probably aren’t reading anything at all. Not the message you want to convey in an interview!

Since many colleges will ask for reading lists, essays discussing a recent read, or mention books during the interview stage, so it is smart to have a few good ones ready to discuss. We want to particularly highlight Shape, by Jordan Ellenberg, because sometimes it’s hard for students interested in math or quantitative fields to find a book that interests them - but even future mathematicians should try to fit in some summer reading! This would be a perfect book for a math student to mention in an interview or application.

If you are a current client looking for some good reads, don’t forget to check out our Summer 2021 Reading Guide in the Membership Vault! 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

A few private schools are already out for the summer and we have started family meetings with our rising seniors, working to finalize their college lists, make sure they are where they need to be in the process, and set a plan to finish up all of their remaining tasks in the admissions process over the summer. At this point we ideally like students to be finished with their standardized testing; to have their Common Application activities section, main essay, and four generic supplemental essays completely edited and ready to go; to have turned in the final drafts of their recommendation prep work to two teachers and their school counselor; and to have gathered all of their state residency information to prepare for any in-state applications to come.

After every meeting with students or families, we send detailed meeting recaps with what was done in the meeting as well as a list of action items for the student. Here is an example of part of a recap from a recent meeting with a rising senior:

In addition to rising senior meetings, we are already celebrating some private school graduations! Shannon has been busy packaging up gifts for our graduating seniors with some help from Tyler! 

Tyler actually went to pick up a gift for a GMU-bound student this week and was very impressed with a coffee shop near campus, Gathering Grounds. Tyler is a coffee buff (his unique approach to building community at a particular coffee shop here in Vienna even made it into his Common App essay), so you can trust his review! 

Hello everyone, this is Tyler! I just went to the Gathering Grounds Coffee Shop near George Mason University and it is incredible! They build your own coffee with tons of flavors such as blackberry, Coconut, and Lavender. I got the Coconut Latte and trust me, Starbucks has nothing on this coffee! The staff is lively and sociable, and get your coffee out in a snap, and the vibe of the shop is cozy and perfect for study breaks. If you attend George Mason and want a good hangout spot, I would highly recommend Gathering Grounds, and trust me, there's a good chance you'll become a regular. 

YUM! After a long few weeks of ordering coffee gift cards from all over the country, Shannon was THRILLED to get her own from a happy student who will be headed to a top west-coast university in the fall! We are so appreciative of our clients :) 

Our office will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday - we hope everyone enjoys the long weekend, but also takes some time to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. If you’re looking for a good cause to support, check out The Honor Project, which I read about last night in this inspirational Washington Post piece. It really goes to show that anyone with a good idea and a passion for helping others can make a true difference in the world!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: April 30

Decision Day is almost here - good luck to all of the seniors who are making their decisions this weekend! Make sure to celebrate once that deposit is in :)

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MORE COLLEGES REQUIRE VACCINATIONS IN THE FALL

Over 100 colleges and universities will require COVID-19 vaccinations for students this fall, with Emory, Wesleyan, Stanford, and others announcing that they will require vaccines. Colleges are still dealing with outbreaks of coronavirus, even as students are eligible to get vaccinated this spring. While many of the schools requiring vaccines are private, some public schools are requiring them as well - including the University of Maryland system. Other schools, like Baylor, are not requiring vaccinations, but are allowing vaccinated students to skip mandatory COVID-19 testing, creating an incentive for students to get vaccinated. The University of Wyoming is taking incentives a step further - vaccinated students will be entered into weekly prize drawings, and staff will receive an extra day off! 

PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE

I think it is hard for many students and families to realize how many scholarships are out there! Even for students who did not receive merit aid from their college of choice, there are still private options to apply for this spring and summer. Check out any local community groups you belong to, as well as any groups for your particular academic interest - there is a lot of money that you could find! Shannon even applied for a scholarship for tall students when she was going to college. As the article states:

“Do you love asparagus? There’s a scholarship for that. Are you left-handed? There’s a scholarship for that.” 

So do your research!

BIDEN PROPOSES FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR ALL

One of the components of President Biden’s $1.8 trillion (ouch) American Families Plan involves free community college for all Americans - regardless of income. While I am NOT a fan of increased government spending in general, I really do like this idea. I’ve written about this before, but I have always found it sort of puzzling that more families in our area do not consider community college to be a viable plan for their students. I get that most of us are hoping for a traditional college experience for our children, but you truly cannot beat NOVA’s guaranteed admissions agreements. Yes - guaranteed! You will automatically get a spot at the University of Virginia and other great schools if you spend your first two years at NOVA, take certain classes and achieve a 3.4 GPA or higher. That’s pretty incredible when you consider what it takes to get into UVa these days. And I haven’t even gotten into the cost savings! For a student who doesn’t mind sticking around for two more years, this could really be a path worth considering. Remember, it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We’ve heard a lot about artificial intelligence in the last several years - how it might affect jobs and even everyday tasks. But higher education is not immune from AI, and many schools are increasingly relying on the technology to do everything from emailing students to grading assignments. Algorithms have even worked their way into admissions, raising questions about bias if we have programs, rather than humans, evaluating students. NYU, for example, uses a program to determine students’ interest in the school based on how they interact with the school’s website and respond to its messages. Georgia Tech pioneered a chat bot, not only to answer questions from admitted students, but to serve as a TA, answering questions about course material. We will have to wait and see if these technologies become more prevalent in making big decisions!

From a do-it-yourself graduation at the University of Tampa to arrivals in shifts at Vanderbilt and Northwestern, colleges and universities throughout the country are taking all kinds of approaches to graduation ceremonies this year. This New York Times piece details the various options, along with the frustration that the students and parents feel about the situation.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are so excited for all of our seniors who have sent in deposits, and have been busy talking through a few last-minute decisions over the past few days! Congratulations to everyone for such phenomenal success in such a difficult year. We are so proud of you!

We also passed a fun milestone - our first junior is 100% done with her main college essay, and we have about ten more right behind her in the final editing stage! Our students go through a very extensive soup-to-nuts process to make sure that their work is “17-year-old-perfect” and represents their best selves. It’s so nice for them to have this huge accomplishment out of the way and finished early.

For juniors looking for a weekend activity, we recommend attending NACAC’s Virtual College Fair, including live and recorded sessions from over 600 colleges - a great way to get an overview of many different institutions. 

Enjoy the sun this weekend and be careful out there in the wind today! I just heard from friends that a tornado hit Great Falls?! Yikes! No clue if that’s true but I sure hope everyone is safe!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: April 23

Happy Earth Week! Don’t forget to check out our blog from earlier this week about some of the greenest colleges in the country if you are hoping to be eco-focused all year round.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

WEST POINT CHEATING SCANDAL

Back in 2020, West Point experienced its largest cheating scandal in decades, when over 70 cadets were accused of cheating on a calculus exam. 55 of the students who confessed to cheating were enrolled in the academy’s “second chance” program, which provides rehabilitation for cadets who break the rules. Now, the academy is announcing plans to scrap the second chance program, in an effort to crack down on cheating in the future. 

ACT SUPERSCORING

ACT has rolled out an option that allows students to submit their own ACT-generated superscore to colleges instead of sending multiple score reports and letting schools calculate, which has always been the process in the past. The concept is a good one, but in practice it’s been very confusing. Compass Prep did a great job of putting together a guide for students who are interested in sending ACT-generated superstores.  

HIGHLY UNUSUAL WAITLIST ACTIVITY

As I posted on social media earlier this week, we’ve started seeing waitlist movement already. For context, it’s EXTREMELY rare to see waitlist activity before the reply deadline of May 1, because it doesn’t make sense to start accepting students from the waitlist until all of the admitted students have responded and schools can determine how many spots remain. So this was either part of the overall enrollment management strategy, which is very possible in such a conservative year, or these schools are trending very, very poorly with their yield, which is also possible. Either way, the fact that this is happening so early means that any expressions of demonstrated interest, including LOCIs, need to happen immediately! The schools that have already turned to the waitlist include NYU, Barnard, Lehigh, SMU, Virginia Tech, JMU, and many more!

NEW BOOK OUT: YOUR TURN: HOW TO BE AN ADULT

This is a follow-up to one of our long-time favorites, How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success. The author, Julie Lythcott-Haims, is the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford and is so spot-on in so many ways. Truly, every parent should read the first book if they haven't already, and we're willing to bet that the new student version is just as great. Although if you are one of our graduating seniors or transfers, don’t buy it… a copy may be coming your way in the future! :)

You can get a sneak peak from Julie's famous Ted Talk on raising successful kids without over-parenting, as well as her recent NPR interview. Julie's experience with her own son really resonated with us, because we see this all the time: 

"He got a diagnosis of ADHD and anxiety when he was in the fourth grade... And I think in hindsight, my husband and I didn't quite understand what that meant. He seemed to be so smart and capable and kind and lovely and had good friends and was doing just fine …. [but] he really got into a downward spiral when he got to college. When the scaffolding of home and high school was taken away, this kid began to really struggle."

For many students, the most difficult part of the transition to college is learning how to manage their time - they see a lot more white space on the calendar, but really, that means that they have to figure out their own schedule and that can be incredibly difficult for students used to the structure of high school.

These are exactly the kind of skills that we teach students through academic coaching, which is a great idea for high school and college students alike who need a little extra help developing the executive functioning skills that will set them up for success! Interested in learning more? Book an academic coaching Meet & Greet!

FIRST ANNUAL MARYLAND DAY

If you are looking for a fun virtual activity for young students, check out the University of Maryland’s first virtual Maryland Day on Saturday, April 24! Sessions include “Fun Science for Kids,” “Build a Better Lemonade Stand,” “Dance and Movement,” “Engineering is Awesome!” and more! 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

The lack of standardized testing this cycle, along with a nationwide focus on social justice, has enabled colleges and universities to welcome their most diverse classes ever. Relying on standardized testing often works to the advantage of more affluent families, who can afford tutoring and test prep, so the removal of the emphasis on standardized tests worked to level the admissions playing field this year. Last year, 77% of students reported test scores with their applications - this year, that number was only 46%. We are likely to see similar numbers this cycle, as many schools remain test optional for the Class of 2022. 

If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you know that we take US News ratings with… a few grains of salt. But many students and families use rankings to consider their college choices, and in fact rankings do become more important for graduate schools like business and law school (as opposed to undergraduate programs, where rankings truly don’t provide much useful information).

The pressure placed on schools to retain their place in the rankings was brought to life this week when the former dean of Temple University’s business school was federally charged with fraud for falsifying information to ensure that the school would appear at the top of the US News list. This scheme doubled Temple’s enrollment for MBA programs, which rose from #28 on the list to #1 within two years. This just goes to show that US News does not audit the data that schools send in for rankings - and the rankings system may be even more precarious than we thought! 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon and I both attended an great discussion on Clubhouse this week called “What the Heck Just Happened?” - funny, right? But it’s a completely accurate description of the reactions we’ve seen from counselors after this “hectic and insane” admissions cycle! Everyone in attendance emphasized the need for a balanced, conservative college list, given the current upheaval (which is likely to continue for at least the next several years).

My colleague Joyce Wong, who serves with me on the Independent Educational Consultants Association’s Business Practices committee, is a prominent consultant in the Bay Area. I couldn’t agree more with how she summed up the list-making process:

“More than ever it is so important to have a balanced list… I don’t think our parents fully understand what unpredictability means. There is really no formula for guaranteed admissions and that’s a [mindset] that is hard to break.”

She’s completely right - this really is a mindset issue. This is not the college admissions process of a generation ago, a decade ago, or even a year ago - so it’s been a tough season for many students and families that didn’t know what to expect and didn’t have enough options spanning a wide range of selectivity.

However, that does not mean that there aren’t things you can do to help make your application as strong as possible. We keep reminding students that even with their activities severely limited by the pandemic, they can still include the passions they’ve taken on during their time at home - baking bread, learning to code, studying aquatic animals - there are so many things that students can do now to show colleges their drive and passion. Bob Carlton, another seasoned consultant who chairs the committee on which Joyce and I serve, noted:

“Personal stories seemed to be much more significant - their ability to find their personal story and their impact [for the] common good - how they are helping with an issue that they care about in society or in their neighborhood.”

Even with the crazy and unpredictable admissions cycle, we are so relieved to have a lot of happy students who followed our advice and made smart, strategic decisions. During this past week, we started to hear from transfer applicants and I have to say - these decisions on the whole are coming in much better than I expected! We LOVE to get emails like this one, which came from one of our favorite students last night:

I mean, how can you not read an email like that and want to jump up and down?! #lovethisjob

And for our seniors who are still trying to make their final college decisions, check out our blog post from earlier this week on choosing your college - we know it can be stressful to make this decision, but you have everything you need, and you can have a fulfilling college experience at whichever school you choose!

Enjoy the weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: December 4

December already! We are excited to have heard some good news from our early applicants already and are busy wrapping things up with the last of our late-late-start seniors. 

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

EARLY ACTION/EARLY DECISION RELEASE DATES

All early applicants may want to bookmark this page - this running list of decision release dates for EA and ED is updated nearly every day. It’s going to be a busy week ahead! And remember to keep an eye on your application portal for each given school regularly regardless of the listed release date. This is the only way to ensure that you don’t miss any important updates. 

PARENT PLUS LOAN DATA RELEASED

We wrote two weeks ago about how parents should be wary of Parent Plus loans, which can often be included in what seem like “full ride” financial aid packages. For the first time on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Education provided data on these exact loans. This new data gives a more thorough picture of how students are paying for college, and reveals that parents of students at art schools, HBCUs, and small private colleges are most likely to take out these high-interest loans to help support their students. 

UVM ELIMINATES 23 PROGRAMS

Also on Wednesday, the University of Vermont announced proposed cuts to 23 programs in the College of Arts and Sciences. The university cites declining enrollment as the reason for budget shortfalls. Among the cuts will be the elimination of the geology, religion, and classics departments. Thousands of students and faculty have petitioned to protest the cuts. This story reveals a broader worry for other universities, making it clear that economic budget cuts aren’t just impacting small schools - we may start to see the effects everywhere. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

There have been debates for years about the inability of NCAA Division I athletes to profit off of their skill - today, strict NCAA rules prohibit basketball and football stars from making money, even as their likenesses are used in advertising and video games. But one group of athletes is able to take advantage of lucrative sponsorship opportunities: cheerleaders. NCAA rules about amateurism do not apply to cheerleaders, as this New York Times article reveals, and top cheerleaders can make as much as $5,000 a post doing sponsored social media advertising in uniform. It will be interesting to see whether other athletes will be able to follow in these cheerleaders’ footsteps when the new NCAA rules are adopted in January.

We know that a lot of our students have been stressed about SAT and ACT testing being cancelled - and with good reason! But this article put our stress in perspective when we learned about the nine hour college entrance examination that South Korean high schoolers must complete. Students begin preparing for this exam as early as kindergarten, and though it was postponed due to COVID, precautions ensured that even students who tested positive for coronavirus would be able to take the test in specially-prepared negative-pressure hospital chambers, accompanied by exam administrators in protective suits. YIKES. And South Korean students don’t need to worry about running late - all banks, businesses, and government offices delayed opening to lessen traffic, and police on motorcycles were deployed to escort late students to the testing sites! 

Countries like South Korea are known for prioritizing education, and many of these students would likely have attended college in the U.S. But international student enrollment during the pandemic is plummeting, dropping 43% this fall. Racial bias in the U.S. and stricter immigration policies have also contributed to the drop. The decline in international enrollment means a budget deficit at many schools, where international students often pay full tuition or more, and it also means a less diverse learning environment for domestic students at U.S. colleges. 

The Washington Post’s picks for holiday reading are always exciting for me, and this year’s list includes an admissions-related novel! Admission, by Julie Buxbaum, is a fictional take on the Varsity Blues scandal. Have you read any of the books on this list? Leave us a comment with any of your recommendations! 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon has been attending a lot of school sessions for updates on their early admissions pools and information for our upcoming school profiles, which will be available to all of our clients and members of our vault! If you follow us on instagram, you saw that we loved the “breakfast” treats package that Newman University sent in advance of their session yesterday!

Also, speaking of treats, did you know that today is National Cookie Day? Basically right up there with Christmas in my book in terms of important holidays.

Delicious cookies from our neighbors at Crumbl down the street!

I have heard of a whole bunch of outbreaks at various schools over the last several days - including my son’s preschool, which caused me to panic a little bit! In case this helps anyone else who is worried about having been exposed, AllCare Family Medicine will give rapid and PCR tests at the same time. It was surprisingly hard to find a place to do both! I had to drive to their Alexandria location after meeting with a doctor from the Tysons location, but it was definitely worth it for peace of mind that my household is Covid-free.

Stay safe, everyone, and have a nice weekend!

Weekly Update: September 5

Can’t believe it’s Labor Day weekend! Hope everyone is enjoying and staying safe!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

JUDGE ORDERS UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SYSTEM TO GO TEST-BLIND

We’ve been following along as more and more schools choose to make testing optional this cycle due to COVID-19, but this is a new one! Alameda County Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman ruled that the UC system is no longer allowed to consider ACT or SAT scores from applicants. 

The UC system had already adopted a test-optional policy, but this new ruling means that they will not consider scores at all - whether applicants want their scores considered or not. This is a test-blind policy - and you can learn more about test-optional vs. test-blind admissions in my blog post from April. Thanks to an awesome senior mom for being the first one to send this to me :)

MORE VARSITY BLUES

Yet another parent was charged in the Varsity Blues scandal this week. Yikes! If you haven’t already, you should check out the tell-all book that came out about the scandal earlier this summer.

FAFSA UPDATE

The 2021-2022 FAFSA opens on October 1 for Class of 2021 seniors, and it is better to fill it out sooner rather than later! The blog posts that I wrote last winter will be helpful for families deciding whether or not to apply, and I stand by my recommendation: If you don’t have financial need, don’t fill out the forms. I personally think that advice will be more sound than ever this coming fall, as colleges will look to make up budget shortfalls with full-pay applicants.

That said, one big caveat - if you have experienced a dramatic shift in finances recently as a result of COVID-19, the calculators likely won’t pick that up. In fact, we won’t see COVID-related changes reflected on the calculators for quite a while because of PPY. However, financial aid offices will still take other information into consideration when attempting to capture a holistic assessment of a family’s ability to pay. So I highly recommend filling out the FAFSA if you think there is any possible chance you may qualify, whether the calculator says you will or not. The people who I do not think should apply are the ones who know full well they won’t qualify but are wondering if they should “apply just to apply.”

FAUCI ASKS COLLEGES TO KEEP STUDENTS ON CAMPUS

We’ve been paying close attention to colleges changing their reopening plans because of COVID-19, and we’ve seen some schools like JMU, Notre Dame, and NC State open in person and then go remote due to outbreaks on campus. This week, Dr. Fauci urged colleges to keep infected students quarantined on campus, rather than sending students home due to outbreaks. This makes sense to protect the communities at home, but I also know a lot of parents who would prefer to have a sick child at home rather than quarantined in a dorm room! 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

There’s no shortage of interesting college admissions articles out there (as you know from my weekly posts), but probably once every year or so I come across a piece that makes me really, really excited. It’s almost like I know while reading it for the first time that I’m going to keep coming back to it and referencing it for years.. and come on, who wouldn’t get excited about that?! #nerd (In case you are wondering, this was the last such article).

I came across the most recent "article of the year” about a week ago- just after I’d posted the last blog update - and here it is in the WSJ: “The Secrets of Elite College Admissions” by Jeff Selingo. Seriously - you need to read this article. It’s a teaser for the author’s upcoming book, which I have already pre-ordered!

There’s so much I want to say but I will limit myself to highlighting what I hope are your three greatest take-aways:

• An applicant’s activities must support their intended major. MUST. This is why our first or second meeting with every junior (or Late Start Senior) is spent ensuring alignment between the Common App activities section and the student’s intended major.

• Teacher letters of rec must provide specific, detailed information about how the candidate performed in the classroom. MUST. A glowing character reference will not cut it. Again, this is why we spend substantial time and effort helping our students provide their teachers with the right rec letter content.

• “Why this school” essays must demonstrate how the student’s interests fit with the school’s unique offerings. MUST! They cannot be generic and boilerplate. This is why we use our proprietary “ASC Method” for these essays - to help students rack up those LTE points!

The rest of this week’s articles may not be quite as interesting as that one, but I still have some others worth sharing!

This piece from the Washington Post reports on the interesting method that the University of Arizona has used to prevent coronavirus outbreaks on campus - wastewater testing. Hopefully, other schools will see the success at Arizona and use this method to get ahead of campus outbreaks, so we don’t have to see more students sent home. Pretty fascinating if you ask me!

I really feel for the students at JMU who have had to leave campus due to the outbreaks, and I hope that they are isolating and testing to keep their communities safe! This blog post offers a great read for daily coronavirus status updates in Virginia - especially as it relates to college campuses.

I’ve been posting a lot recently about the tension between students and administrators when it comes to who is to blame for coronavirus outbreaks on campus. This New York Times piece goes deeper into personal tensions for the students themselves. I don’t envy how tough it is for all of the students, even the socially responsible ones, to keep the peace on campus while keeping themselves safe. 

I have to say, amidst all the COVID-19 news, I love to read stories about safe ways to make the most of the college experience this fall! Along the same lines of the U Experience, which I posted about several weeks ago, I found this in-depth article about college “collab houses” really hopeful. Just something else to remind me how resilient, inventive, and adventurous our students are during this crazy year. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Maybe it’s just a holdover from my own days in school (or working at a school!), but September always feels to me like a month of new beginnings. And even though it is still hot and humid here in DC, I’m already looking forward to fall. 

As I have mentioned before, we are continuing to transition from working primarily with our original Class of 2021 cohort to spending more time with our Late Start Seniors. I believe this past week we had four or five different students completely finish their applications, and we have a whole bunch more set to finish next week. Congratulations, guys!

I find it ironic that after years of meaning to do so, I finally documented the entire submission process last fall and of course Common App unexpectedly changed things up for the current cycle! I can’t be too frustrated, though, because they actually simplified it a lot. You don’t have to put in any of the information about the mailing address or email address - the only information that needs to be typed in is the credit card number. So all in all, it’s a much easier and faster process than in years past!

My sample account - I didn’t actually submit it, don’t worry!

If you are reading this and feeling overwhelmed - it’s not too late for help! Seniors who book a Meet & Greet within the next several weeks will likely be able to finish their applications by November 1!

Summer Reading Choices During the College Admissions Process

Memorial Day weekend has passed and another summer is upon us!

I always tell rising seniors to make sure to fit in some time over the summer for summer reading. Some schools will ask in an interview setting about recent books read, and others ask about books in supplemental essays.

There are also schools that don’t ask about this at all, but it’s not like you have anything to lose by picking up a book, and trust me - you’ll be glad you got it out of the way. It’s terrible to be juggling a million different things and having to then squeeze in a random book to read. Just do it now while you have time!

You can’t just pick out any random text, though. It’s important to be mindful of the admissions process ahead and the manner in which you will ultimately need to use the information you gained.

If you pick something that you read in school, it will look like you aren’t intellectually curious and don’t read on your own time. It’s also pretty hard to hide which books you read on your own time vs. which you read for school. I remember I had to read Brideshead Revisited during the summer going into my senior year. Worst book ever. Not a chance that could have been passed off as my choice!

Instead, I always advise selecting a book that (a) does not sound like it was something that would have been read in the classroom, and (b) is relevant - both to your interests in some way and also to society as a whole.

Selections that fit the above criteria will not only seem more authentic, but they will also be more enjoyable to read and will make for engaging conversation in an interview setting. This is not the time for obscure books.

Here are some of my top picks for Summer 2020:

The Art of Showing Up: How to be There for Yourself and Your People by Rachel Miller

This book examines what is at the root of creating and maintaining meaningful, close relationships in adulthood: showing up for yourself and for those you love. Students interested in the social sciences or anyone interested in learning more about how to grow and maintain relationships, especially now, would be interested in this book. Check out the author’s recent segment on NPR - it does not actually start until 2:30.

Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss

Written by a former FBI international hostage negotiator, this book shares a practical guide to helping us become more persuasive in our professional and personal lives. Students interested in business, psychology, sociology, and education should definitely pick up this book this summer - or really any student interested in interpersonal interactions! This book was written several years ago but has gained popularity recently because of Chris Voss’ Masterclass on negotiating (it seems like every person in America is on Masterclass right now!). One of my students recommended this to me after taking the Masterclass and I am about halfway through it. I highly recommend it! I have learned a TON and am enjoying practicing on my family members ;-)

Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld

What if Hillary Rodham hadn’t married Bill Clinton? From a New York Times bestselling author, this book looks back at the life of the 2016 Democratic Presidential Nominee and considers how her determined path to a political career may have shifted if she had not said yes to the charismatic law student from Arkansas in 1975. A student interested in political science, women and gender studies, or history would definitely enjoy this summer read! I also absolutely love this author (sorry, my inner English teacher is coming out)! Here’s a recent review from the Washington Post.

Where to pick up the books:

Did you know we have a great independent bookseller right here in Vienna called Bard’s Alley? I am all about shopping small these days!

You can go directly to their website’s ordering page, which offers a number of different ordering methods. Word on the street is that you can even get your books delivered to your house via bicycle along with yummy snacks. How cool is that?! You can also order from them through Bookshop.org, an online service run by The American Booksellers Association; Libro.fm, which offers a wide selection of audiobooks; and Hummingbird for e-book editions. 

At the same time, you can submit email requests to them directly using this form.  

Want more suggestions?

Our full summer reading guide has already been uploaded to our new membership vault! If you’re a current client and want the guide now before the site launches, shoot Donna an email and she’ll send you a copy.

#ThursdayThoughts

1. Have you read the newest on Sidwell from The Atlantic? Sigh.

2. UVA has now released their 2019-2020 supplemental essays! I knew they’d be coming soon, but I didn’t anticipate them quite this soon. Regardless, I’m happy, because they didn’t change very much from last year.

3. A lot of kids will need to be able to write about a book for the first UVA essay (I personally think that’s the easiest way to approach that prompt). I suggested some options here back in January but will do another post soon about some new summer releases. In the meantime, I’m just loving this throwback from The New York Times. So many fun memories associated with reading some of these.

4. Southwest is having my favorite sale of the year! There are a ton of round-trip options from the DC area under $100 - perfect for college visits all over the country. The reason I love booking Southwest for my own college visits is because of their cancellation policy, which makes everything so much easier. I don’t have to stress about whether the dates will work or if something is likely to come up. If something comes up, I just cancel.

5. I can’t believe this is the last full week of the school year. CRAZY! We are getting so booked up for August and are in the process of adding additional essay coaching meetings for kids that want even more support. We just added a few Sunday afternoon slots with Alan earlier today.