Weekly Update: June 12

HAPPY LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, FAIRFAX COUNTY! Catholic schools finished up yesterday and most of the independent schools have been out for a little while already — so we are officially on summer break!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FAFSA DEBACLE CAUSES PROBLEMS FOR THOSE WHO NEED AID THE MOST

The rollout of the new FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, has been a nightmare for students and colleges this year. As we have mentioned in previous posts, this had led to students not being able to receive their financial aid packages, compare offers and pick schools at which to matriculate. And it also means that colleges are not sure who and how many students will be enrolling for the coming school year! One latest development as a result of the chaos: more students than ever are not even bothering to complete the FAFSA due to the ongoing issues and lack of guidance and support. The University System of Maryland’s 12 schools and three higher education centers saw a decrease of 15.6% in form completion; the University of Wisconsin had 14% fewer students complete; and UVA’s Board has been informed that thousands of returning students are still waiting for their packages. Plus, the entire state of Virginia is down almost 13% in completed FAFSA forms. Unfortunately, it’s the colleges which serve those with the highest need that are also seeing the highest non-complete numbers.

THE COLLEGE MERGER TREND CONTINUES

The California State University system is waiting on Board approval for Cal Poly-San Luis Obisbo to merge with the California Maritime Academy in a bid to strengthen both of their financial challenges. If approved, the Cal Maritime students would become part of the Cal Poly student body in the 2026-2027 school year. Cal Maritime has seen a drop of over 30% of their student body in less than a decade and now serves just over 750 students. The Board will consider the plan in its November meeting.

STANFORD WILL REINSTATE TEST SCORE REQUIREMENTS NEXT YEAR, DESPITE THE FACT THAT CALIFORNIANS HAVE FEWER OPPORTUNITIES TO TEST

Beginning next year in fall 2025, students hoping to become part of Stanford’s Class of 2030 will be required to submit a standardized test score (in other words, students currently finishing their sophomore year of high school). Students applying during the upcoming admissions cycle for the Class of 2029 (those currently finishing their junior year) will still be grandfathered into the current test-optional admissions process. It is somewhat ironic that trying to take the required tests, or at least the SAT, has become harder than ever to do in the state of California. The June 4th test was abruptly canceled in Oakland due to internet issues, leaving approximately 1,400 students high and dry! Unfortunately, this lack of testing sites is not unique to Oakland. College Board, the company that makes the test, reports that there are now fewer than half as many SAT testing sites in CA as there were before the Covid pandemic. Across the country, the fact that the test has now gone digital means that students who attend schools without adequate internet infrastructure will have even less access to the tests.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE MIGHT BE THE BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT

As student debt climbs, students and families are looking at how to get the most out of the huge financial investment that college could be. The debate about whether college debt is “good debt” these days is raging, given that it can take a student 20+ years to pay off a loan or even get close to just paying off the interest of a loan. This Forbes article sheds some light on 16 high-paying jobs that you only need an associates degree to get, making them some of the best for a true return on that educational investment. The jobs on their list all pay over $70K/year and averaging more than $100,000. Who knew?!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

While people usually feel the power of empathy, they may not always be aware of how it is taught or gained: it is often considered a trait that a person simply has or doesn’t have. However, a new study sheds light on the practical impact that empathic parenting can have on teens. Parents who practice empathy are actually giving their adolescents the tools to developing their own capacity for empathy, both in the moment and lasting through their adulthood. The study is part of  an ongoing project called KLIFF/VIDA (Kids, Lives, Families, Friends/Virginia Institute for Development in Adulthood) at the University of Virginia. The research shows that with a grounding in empathy, “[t]eens […] start to depend less on their parents, discover their own identities, become interested in understanding the perspectives of others and learn how to navigate social situations independently.” 

If you’re solidifying summer plans, check out this piece by a former admissions officer, weighing in on the benefits of summer jobs and internships. Sure, college applications will be enhanced by these activities, but the students themselves will also learn important life skills such as time management, networking, interviewing and financial responsibility. These are all important aspects of growth and maturation that will help them successfully navigate college as well. PRO TIP: When it comes to internships, a lot of students think that unless they are at some “big firm” or nationally known company, it’s not worth it, but that just isn’t the case. Covid taught both students and colleges that creative, “out of the box” thinking can lead to some amazing opportunities. More on that below!

Recently, our essay coaches were discussing how to best guide students if they wanted to write about their learning differences or mental health challenges. This opinion piece in Scientific American, “Neurodivergent Kids Flourish When They’re Taught How Their Brain Works,” was so on point that we decided to share it anyway, even though it’s a few weeks old! When students understand their own learning styles and needs, they naturally become better self-advocates — and this leads them to truly own their education. Deeper understanding also plays a role in the college search as students grasp what successful classroom and educational environments look like for them. Not every school may have that perfect classroom or professor, but students who know what they need are better equipped to seek out supportive accommodations. A sense of empowerment will go a long way in having a fulfilling college experience.

High school students feel a great deal of pressure in their junior and senior years. It’s not just because their classes may get harder, their hormones are raging, and they are trying to figure out who they are — though all three of those things do make up a bulk of that pressure! It’s that the world suddenly begins to start asking them seemingly impossible questions about their future. What do you want to study? What are your plans? What will you be? Who will you be? Some students are on a pretty decent path towards finding out. But not everyone is. For many, the best years of their lives were not in high school, despite what all the movies, television shows and society in general promised. And life did not – is not – playing out the way they hoped. This opinion piece in the New York Times reminds us that everything can still turn around. That late bloomer can still bloom; that kid who made some bad choices, can also make good choices, too — that “[your] destiny is not shaped in high school.

Every time I am in Connecticut, I go by my high school - Choate Rosemary Hall. It was such a pressure cooker, and I have so many mixed emotions about my experience there. Ultimately, it was good for me, and helped me grow in ways that were critical later in life. However, I would most certainly NOT classify those years as the best of my life!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

As we mentioned above, sometimes the most valuable summer and/or extracurricular opportunities do not come in the form of fancy internships. We have spent a lot of time talking about this with our students lately — especially those finishing their freshman and sophomore years of high school, as many of them are still on the hunt to find something meaningful to do this summer. They often ask us for examples of projects or undertakings that our former students have pursued, and we have a great one to share with our readers today!

While working at an international school in Thailand during the pandemic, Sonya had a student (let’s call her Jes) who used imagination and persistence to create a unique opportunity. As you may remember, the summer programs and internships dried up everywhere; some went virtual while others just hit the pause button, hoping to resume the following year. With all her original plans canceled, Jes tried to think of something she could do that would have a positive impact on people even at a time when we were all socially isolated.

Jes had read stories of older people in care homes and assisted living residences who could no longer see their families because of Covid and it broke her heart. In Thailand, there aren’t “old folks homes” or the equivalent as families live in multigenerational households. Being half Dutch, Jes tried contacting some places in Europe, hoping she could “volunteer” via Zoom or Skype, but it was not received well. She then decided to try places in the US, cold-calling nursing homes — and she struck pay dirt! She was connected with a woman named Elizabeth at a care home in the midwest, and the two began chatting virtually. Despite the 12-hour time difference, every Saturday, around midnight they would talk. This went on throughout the summer and all through Jes’s senior year.

Jes is now a junior at Duke and is still in touch with Elizabeth, who thinks of her as another granddaughter. This level of persistence, creative-thinking, and long-term commitment was something that really impressed the schools on Jes’ list. We encourage all of our students to think about how they can spend time identifying needs and using their intellectual curiosity to find solutions!

Want more on Learning differenceS? Check out these posts!

Weekly Update: March 5

It’s Super Tuesday - hope our public school families are enjoying their day off!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COMMON APPLICATION ® ESSAY PROMPTS RELEASED!

YAY! The Common Application ® finally released their 2024-2025 essay prompts shortly after I hit publish on our last weekly update post - and despite the very long wait, they actually didn’t change at all from the previous year. For any readers who are less familiar with college essay requirements, this particular essay is what is more commonly known as “the college essay” - it’s the main essay, up to 650 words in length, that students will submit to nearly every college on their list. Most colleges also require additional supplemental essays, as well.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FIRES ALL DEI STAFF

To maintain compliance with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ law to prohibit state spending on DEI programs, the University of Florida let go of 28 faculty and staff members this past week: every single employee whose job was related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in some way. This will result in a $5 million cost savings for the university, which will be re-allocated to support faculty recruitment. As Gov. DeSantis himself remarked, “Florida is where DEI goes to die.” 😳

LATINA WOMEN CONTINUE FACING SIGNIFICANT WAGE GAP DESPITE MAJOR GAINS IN EDUCATION

This is a bittersweet update - on one hand, kudos to the population of Latina women who have made enormous gains in pursuing higher education over the last two decades. The percentage of Latinas with bachelor’s degrees has quadrupled since the year 2000, from 5% to 20%, rising faster than any other demographic group. However, this doesn’t seem to be paying off as much as it should from a salary standpoint, as Latina women with college degrees still earn the lowest median income of any demographic. This is probably wishful thinking, but I wonder if some of the disparity could be attributed to the fact that the more recent increase in degrees earned means they are, on average, a younger cohort with less work experience? We will learn more in the years to come.

WAKE FOREST CONGRATULATES WAITLISTED APPLICANTS BY MISTAKE

Word on the street is that a number of Wake Forest applicants who were waitlisted through the early decision rounds received a email last week that was actually meant for accepted students. In addition to congratulating them on their admission, the message invited them to an event meant for accepted students. So, naturally, the students thought that they had been accepted from the waitlist…. until they received an apology email from Wake, who shared that they were not accepted after all! Instead, the email was sent to the wrong group of students by mistake. Can you even imagine?!

MAJOR GREEK LIFE ISSUES AT VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND

No matter which side of the Potomac you call home, it was not a good week for Greek life at your flagship state universities. At UVA, a Kappa Sigma (fraternity) pledge is said to be in a coma after drinking to excess and falling down a flight of stairs and hitting his head. The university has since suspended the chapter in addition to temporarily banning sponsored social events from all fraternity chapters. It’s less clear as to what specifically happened at the University of Maryland, but the administration has reason to believe that multiple fraternity and sorority chapters have been “conducting activities that have threatened the safety and well-being of members of the University community." After an initial warning that took place at an emergency meeting with Greek leaders, the university continued to receive complaints. The following day, a “cease and desist” order was announced. All social events for Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council (PHA) groups were banned for the forseeable future. Additionally, members are not allowed to have any contact whatsoever with new members or potential new members.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Have you wondered whether college is really “worth it,” financially? This New York Times article asserts that college is, in fact, worth it, when it comes to future earnings. However, it’s important for students to realize that other factors impact earnings too. What students choose to study makes a huge difference, and sometimes the choice of school also really matters (approach for-profit colleges with caution!).

A Washington Post editorial from last week emphasized that the potential end of test-optional admissions is “the right move.” The piece called it a “social experiment by necessity,” as a result of Covid, but one that provided colleges and universities with hard data to support whether or not test scores are truly needed to differentiate between candidates - and whether or not test scores resulted in an admissions bias against students of color. I agree with the Washington Post’s assessment - while diverse students do perform worse on standardized tests than their white counterparts, that is something that can be taken into context by an admissions officer.

And at the end of the day, every student who takes one of these tests still has to earn the actual scores - they can only be impacted so much. On the other hand, there are many other parts of the admissions process that can be manipulated far more easily. From advising on extracurricular activities and choice of major, to providing in-depth essay help, to assisting with teacher recommendation strategy - yes, I realize I’m basically outlining the services our company provides, but there’s no denying that students really benefit from this.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive look at how all of the recent changes may impact the college admissions process for students this year, check out Town & Country’s piece Has College Admissions Returned to a Normal Level of Crazy?. It reports that “the SCOTUS decision has so far not led to a major shift in acceptance letters for white and Asian students,” and I agree. I believe this is a direct result of the fact that race is still allowed to be considered when it is mentioned in essays. So has anything really changed after all, except the fact that students now need to write even more essays? The verdict is still out. The article does mention “a loosening of the selectivity noose due to some prestigious schools taking a PR hit this year,” which relates to the treatment of Jewish students on highly selective college campuses. Finally, it covers the anecdotal observation that deferrals seem to be up this year, and that while students often consider this to be positive, that might be an overly optimistic viewpoint. I personally think that the increase in deferrals was very school-specific - we saw unique situations at certain institutions, but did not notice any particular blanket shift.

On a lighter note, any podcast junkies out there? You’ll want to check out NPR’s “10 Best College Podcasts in America.” I’m particularly excited to listen to Brandon Kondritz’ The Day I Ditched my Devices. This Northwestern student embarked on a one-day “digital detox” and chronicled the experience. Not sure I could do it!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

I am thrilled to report that our juniors got right to work after the Common Application ® essay prompt release and started booking their coaching meetings right away. A couple of students have even had their first essay coaching meetings already, and they should be on target to finish this major milestone in April!

On another note, if you’re an FCPS student looking for a great leadership role next year - we highly recommend checking out the role of 2024 Student Representative to the School Board. This coveted opportunity is open to FCPS students in grades 9, 10, and 11 who live in Fairfax County or Fairfax City. Check out the experiences of the current Student Representative, Rida Karim.

Weekly Update: February 27

Happy Tuesday!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

ATHENS COMMUNITY SHAKEN AFTER UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA AND AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY STUDENT DEATHS

Two tragedies occurred over the past week in Athens, Georgia. On Wednesday, a UGA freshman died by suicide in his dorm room. The following day, a former UGA student who had transferred to Augusta University’s College of Nursing (also in Athens) was murdered while out for a morning jog. Fortunately, a suspect is in custody. It’s incredible to think about how this poor girl was attacked while just getting some exercise in broad daylight. Our thoughts and prayers are with these students’ families, friends, and the entire Athens community.

YALE UNIVERSITY REVERSES COURSE TO BEGIN REQUIRING STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES AGAIN

Yale announced the results of an internal study which demonstrated that standardized test scores are the best predictor of undergraduate student success on their campus. More importantly, these results have led Yale to join Dartmouth in requiring SAT or ACT scores during the upcoming application cycle.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ADOPTS NEW TEST-OPTIONAL POLICY

Just as Yale decided to pivot back to test scores, University of Michigan formally adopted a test-optional policy that replaces their previous test-flexible policy. If you can’t keep these policies straight, you aren’t alone! The main difference seems to be that the test-flexible policy offered candidates the chance to substitute their AP or IB scores for SAT or ACT scores, if they chose to do so. Now, their AP or IB scores will be evaluated separately from their choice to apply with (or without) SAT or ACT scores. Half of the internet seemed to get this wrong - and understandably so, given how confusing the shift is. Many online posts incorrectly announced that Michigan was not going to consider AP or IB scores at all anymore. This is a good reminder to always confirm policy changes directly with the school!

SYRACUSE INCORPORATES MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE INTO BUSINESS CURRICULUM

Kudos to Syracuse for recognizing the importance of teaching future business professionals about the importance of mental health and wellness. As part of the Nass Mental Health Initiative, undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Whitman School of Management will now be better equipped to handle the challenges associated with their future careers. Through coursework, guest speakers, special seminars and more, students will learn to use tools to help manage stressors and also learn when to seek help.

“COURT STORMING” THRUST IN THE SPOTLIGHT AFTER DUKE PLAYER INJURED

Immediately after Duke’s surprising loss to Wake Forest this past weekend, player Kyle Filipowski was injured by enthusiastic Demon Deacon fans storming the court. As everyone watching the game on television saw, Duke coach Jon Scheyer was absolutely furious and has since called for the ACC to ban the practice. Wake coach Steve Forbes agrees, and has shared his own concerns about player safety.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

So you know that NIL stands for “name, image, and likeness.” But what exactly does that mean in real-world terms? What’s the relevance? Why does everybody care so much? Whether you’re NIL-savvy or have never even heard the acronym before, check out this Washington Post article for a deep dive into all things NIL. As a word of caution, you might end up just as confused by the end of the piece as you were at the start - but maybe that’s the point?

Back in November, we wrote about the extent of the financial mismanagement at the University of Arizona. The New York Times has now explored the full impact of the situation, as well as the potential effects on various stakeholders. The article also delves into the long-term impacts felt by the greater community in the city of Tucson.

Lawmakers in the state of Massachusetts are pushing for a potential change to higher ed taxation that is both very significant and could set precedent for the rest of the country. In “Ending The Ivy League’s Tax Dodge,” The Lever provides background into a situation that has mostly flown under the radar of mainstream media so far. As the piece details, private colleges and universities don’t have to pay state or federal income taxes right now. This allows their endowments to build at a rapid rate, which in turn allows them to “give back” by providing generous financial aid packages, and in some cases, by conducting research.

But is this fair, when many of these schools have acceptance rates so low that the general population does not resasonably have any chance of benefiting from the financial aid packages? Or would the general population benefit more from simply taxing these schools on the value of their endowments? That’s what the state’s House Committee on Revenue will need to decide by April 30. A proposed bill hopes to levy a 2.5% annual tax on university endowments larger than $1 billion (on the full amount of the endowment, not just the income it generates).

The tax would then be allocated towards a fund called the Educational Opportunity for All Trust Fund, which would be used “exclusively for the purposes of subsidizing the cost of higher education, early education and child care for lower-income and middle-class residents of the commonwealth.” I can see both sides, but one thing is for sure: the outcome has the potential to have major long-term implications for financial aid at private colleges and universities nationwide.

Speaking of policy shift implications, The Dartmouth provided its readers with an inside look at some of the aftermath of the recent campus-level policy shift that reinstated the standardized testing requirement. Campus safety officers were present at a “tense” meeting between 50-70 students and President Sian Beilock, during which the students discussed their (negative) reactions to the recent decision. However, it is important to note that this group of students does not necessarily represent the entire 4,500 student body.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Where oh where are the Common Application ® essay prompts? We have now passed last year’s record-breaking late essay release date and our juniors are ready to get started! Some communication from the Common Application ® organization as to what to expect moving forward would be appreciated 😊

In other news, I’m continuing our first round of winter check-in meetings with juniors and helping them finalize some of their upcoming college visits. Virginia public school students have an upcoming day off on March 5 as a result of the presidential primary, and this is a great time for a college visit. After all, there are relatively few opportunities to see colleges in session without having to miss school!

One of the other topics we discuss at these check-in meetings is standardized testing progress, and we got some frustrating news last week - one of the high schools that a lot of our students attend has a prom date conflict with the April ACT. I absolutely hate when this happens (we see it more often with the May SAT), and it’s a great reminder for all students to look up the dates of any special end-of-year events in advance to check for standardized testing conflicts. Remember that there’s the April ACT, May SAT, May AP exams, the June SAT, and the June ACT!

Have a great week - fingers crossed that we have essay prompts on which to report in our next blog entry!

Four Plans High School Juniors Should Make This Month

Hey Juniors, we’ve got plans for you this month! February is an important time to “get the ball rolling” on your college admissions process. In fact, there are a few sneaky deadlines creeping up that we don’t want to pass you by. To help you get organized, we’ve put together a list of four big college plans you should make this month. So break out your Google calendar and to-do lists, and get to work!

plan #1: sat or act registration

It might feel like only yesterday that you took the PSAT, but now it’s time to sign up for the real deal. Don’t let February slip by without registering for the SAT or ACT. There are a few testing dates available throughout the spring and early summer. Registration typically closes 4-5 weeks prior to a test, so make sure to sign up early! 

As you consider your options, weigh your academic responsibilities and extracurricular commitments. For example, will you have to study for five AP exams this spring? Then maybe the May 6th SAT isn’t the best date for you. Are you already enrolled in a soccer camp that conflicts with the June 10 ACT? Well, then you better sign up for the April test.

Still not convinced you need to register now? Then check out this reality check. The registration deadline for the March SAT is Friday, February 10: that’s only eight days away! 

plan #2: standardized testing study schedule

Once you’ve got your SAT or ACT testing date on the calendar, take some time this month to devise your study plan. You might even want to gather some friends and start a study group. If you need help getting yourself organized, the College Board has information on how to set up an SAT study group and provides a sample study plan. For those planning to take the ACT, there are free study resources available here. We also love Khan Academy, which offers plenty of guidance for both tests. 

If you are interested in adding a prep course or tutor to your study plan, research your options now! Classes and tutors book up quickly during the spring, and we are happy to recommend tutors and courses that have been helpful to our students in the past (private tutoring is without question the best way to prepare if it’s in the budget!).

plan #3: spring break college Visits

So many families wait until summer to begin touring colleges, but did you know that spring break is an ideal time for campus visits? With school still in session, you’ll be able to experience the “hustle and bustle” of college life at the height of the semester. The crowds of students in the quad, the vibrant classrooms, the events in the Student Center- they can all give you a good sense of campus culture and environment. 

College visits can also be useful as you continue to build and refine your college list. When you experience campuses for yourself, you get a better idea of what you like - and don’t like- and which factors are most important to you in a school. 

There is also no question that students who go on in-person visits have a much easier time (yes, that’s italicized and underlined for a reason) with their “Why this school” essays! Michigan and Wisconsin might seem the same from online info sessions, and while those can be very useful in their own right, it can be hard to capture a sense of place - or in teenage speak, “a vibe” - from that type of programming. On the other hand, in-person visits will help you discover the nuances of different environments. There’s nothing like walking through the tunnel onto the field at The Big House or enjoying Babcock ice cream while watching the sun set across Lake Mendota!

Don’t worry, though, if you don’t have much time or can’t coordinate a long-distance trip. You can always schedule a spring tour at a local college. It might not be at the top of your list (or maybe not on your list at all), but the school can still provide valuable points of comparison for the future.

plan #4: Summer opportunities

Now that the idea of college is starting to feel really real, you’ll want to think about how you can use your summer to prepare for the future. Whether you want to gain experience doing medical research in a lab or explore the field of journalism, there’s an opportunity for just about every interest. Visit our database for comprehensive lists of teen internships, volunteer projects, and pre-college programs available for Summer 2023.

Some of our most recent postings include an opportunity to work for NASA and to conduct research on psychological traumas. Pretty cool, huh? The only problem is that deadlines are approaching fast. Many programs will close their applications in mid to late February, so get to work on those summer plans!