Weekly Update: April 17

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

THE SUPREME COURT MAKES A $6 BILLION DECISION ON STUDENT LOANS

On Thursday, the Supreme Court declined to block a settlement that will provide $6 billion in relief to student loan borrowers. The settlement was meant to resolve a 2018 class action lawsuit against the Department of Education by those who claimed they were defrauded by their schools. A small group of colleges impacted by the ruling appealed to the Supreme Court, claiming the deal “did not assess the validity of the borrowers’ claims and would damage their reputations.” Although this case is not connected to President Biden’s proposal to cancel student debt, many wonder what the Supreme Court’s decision could mean for student loan cases in the future.

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT DELAYS RELEASE OF SCHOOL RANKINGS

If you’re anxiously awaiting the U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of best graduate schools, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. On Friday, U.S. News & World Report announced that it will be moving its release date from April 18 to April 25. That’s because the news outlet has received a high volume of questions from schools included in the rankings, who were given a week to review the results. U.S. News & World Report is using the additional time to thoroughly respond to inquiries. 

STRIKE ENDS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

After a weeklong strike at Rutgers- the first in the university’s history- classes are back in session today! Strikers marched on three different Rutgers campuses, calling for increased job security, wages, and equality for faculty and staff. University officials worked with union representatives and announced this weekend that they’ve made a “framework agreement” for faculty contracts. Now professors are looking forward to returning to the classroom and finishing the spring semester. 

ANOTHER COLLEGE MAKES TEST-OPTIONAL ADMISSIONS PERMANENT

Last week Vassar College announced that their test-optional admissions policy is now permanent. Like many schools, Vassar first became test-optional during the pandemic. The decision to make this COVID-response policy permanent is grounded in current research, according to college president Elizabeth H. Bradley, who cited access, equity, and mental health as factors in the decision.

Mirabella at Arizona State University is a thriving senior community. You can read more about it here.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Forget moving south or living by the beach. Senior citizens can spend their retirement years on a college campus. Since the mid-2000s, several universities have built senior living communities on their grounds. Why, you might ask? Although it may seem like an odd choice, the unique partnership between a school and a senior community offers plenty of advantages. Not only does a school benefit financially, but so do its residents. Seniors become part of a youthful, energetic environment and undergrads have the chance to find mentors and internship opportunities through the senior community. Of course, such a model isn’t right for everyone. Schools need to do their research, so they understand how they might benefit seniors and how a senior community can benefit the campus environment. 

How do college students really feel about grades? That’s the question Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse sought to answer. Over 3,000 undergraduates were recently surveyed about their experiences with grading, and the results tell a very “nuanced” story. The numbers show that race, socioeconomic status, and learning differences impact the perception of grading fairness. These findings aren’t surprising to many in the education world. Instead, they reinforce what many have been calling for: alternative systems of grading that focus more on growth and mastery of skills over the traditional letter grades. Regardless of how grading systems and policies may morph in the future, one thing is clear. The survey reinforces the need for professors to be more transparent about their grading practices and their expectations for students. 

There’s always been thousands of colleges for young adults to choose from, but that hasn’t been the case for students with intellectual disabilities. Fortunately, though, several schools have developed successful programs over the past decade specifically designed to help students develop the skills necessary to live independently and prepare them for jobs. ClemsonLIFE is just one example! But with the rise in popularity of such programs comes the need for regulation and accreditation. Families want to ensure that schools are implementing high quality programs that are safe for students and give them an authentic learning experience that generates confidence.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Our juniors have been making such amazing progress on their Common App ® essays, which can be a lot of work for us. But at the same time it’s so deeply satisfying to help things shift into place for a student during the writing process - like finding that last puzzle piece under a seat cushion, when frustration ends and all becomes right in the world!

In other news, I am back from visiting Paris and London with my daughter last week, and I have a tour recommendation with a fun college-related back story if anyone will be in Europe anytime soon.

Fat Tire Tours was started by a recent grad from Texas A&M who fell in love with showing his visitors around Paris on bicycles during his study abroad. He liked it so much that he actually bypassed a career at PWC to try to start his own bike tour company in Paris. The company immediately differentiated itself because of an an emphasis on having fun rather than throwing too much detail at people.

Well, one thing led to another and now he’s the owner of the largest bike tour company in the world! How cool is that? It goes to show that you never know which college experiences will end up being life-changing in the bigger picture!

As an aside, these tours really ARE fun. I heard about the company in the early 2000s and loved my first tour so much that I became hooked! I try to take one whenever I’m abroad. My daughter Caroline was not overly excited beforehand but then talked for the next week about how amazing our tour guide OJ was :) And she learned a lot! They have a Fat Tire operation in DC, too, so that’s next on our list.

If you’re ready to head overseas for your own study abroad career inspiration, check out our upcoming Thursday blog post to learn everything you need to know!

Weekly Update: January 23

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MORE COLLEGES BAN TIKTOK

The University of Texas and Texas A&M University have just been added to a growing list of schools banning TikTok. In recent months, several states and colleges have blocked the popular social media app over growing cybersecurity concerns. If you’re interested in seeing where you won’t be able to access the app on campus networks and devices, click here. This list also includes summaries of state policies and on TikTok.

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL DROPS OUT OF POPULAR RANKINGS

Despite earning a number one spot as the best medical school for research in 2023, Harvard Medical School announced last week that it is “dropping out” of the U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings. The decision came after Harvard Law School announced last fall that it would no longer submit data to the U.S. News & World Report, which has long been an “influential guide” for students. Several law schools followed in Harvard’s footsteps, and now many are speculating about the impact this decision will have on medical school rankings. Will other medical schools follow suit? How might these “dropouts” affect other programs and rankings? We will continue to track this story, as well as the changes that U.S. News & World Report is planning to implement in this year’s law school rankings.

YALE ANNOUNCES MAJOR CHANGES TO ITS MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES

On Wednesday, Yale announced major changes to its mental health policies. No longer will students have to fear losing their health insurance if they take a leave of absence for mental health reasons or face a complex process for reinstatement. These reforms come after the university made headlines in The Washington Post last November for its pressure-inducing mental health policies. Weeks after the article was published, several Yale students filed a lawsuit that accused the university of discriminatory practices against those with mental health problems. University administrators have responded with “sweeping” policy changes that make it easier- logistically and emotionally- for students to seek treatment.

MARYLAND BOARD CHAIR RESIGNS UNEXPECTEDLY 

The board chair of Maryland 529, Peter Tsirigotis, made a surprising announcement on Friday, resigning from his position in the midst of a major crisis. For months Maryland 529, which offers college savings programs, has been under scrutiny. The organization froze interest payments on a college savings program after a calculation error was discovered. The error has left many families unable to make tuition payments for spring 2023. Tsirigotis appeared in front of the Maryland House Appropriations Committee on Friday to address the issue, only to resign the next day. Now the organization is focused on finding a replacement and taking steps to resolve program errors.

PENNSYLVANIA DROPS COLLEGE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE JOBS

There’s a big shift in the job market for Pennsylvania residents! On Wednesday, governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order eliminating the four-year degree requirement for 92% of state jobs. This change allows for greater focus on skills and experience rather than a diploma. As part of the order, Governor Shapiro also launched a new website for job seekers to easily search for open positions.

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITIES BAN CRITICAL RACE THEORY

Florida’s state and community college system - 28 colleges and universities in all - announced on Wednesday that they will eliminate any academic requirement or program that “compels belief” in critical race theory or intersectionality. The ban will come into effect on February 1, and comes on the heels of an order by Governor Ron DeSantis that public colleges submit lists of their spending related to diversity initiatives and critical race theory.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” That’s the attitude many colleges and professors are taking with ChatGPT, a new chatbot that doesn’t just provide students with answers to all of their questions. It can write essays, too! For months, school officials across the United States have feared the new technology, speculating the ways in which it will complicate academic integrity standards and methods for monitoring student work. Rather than trying to ban ChatGPT, many colleges are learning to work with the reality of the A.I. tool. Professors have begun revamping curriculum, trading in at-home assessments for in-class writings and building writing workshop processes into syllabi. Some instructors are also finding creative ways to incorporate ChatGPT into the classroom to help students understand the advantages and limitations of A.I. At the administrative level, institutions have begun reworking policies on plagiarism and investigating new digital systems for detection. With these efforts, colleges and universities will hopefully find the right methods for determining what’s human and what’s bot! 

Return on investment is a crucial factor in any decision-making process, including college. Before signing up for tuition payments or student loans, it’s important for students to “crunch the numbers” on an institution to determine what their degree will ultimately be worth. However, this process may prove difficult. Federal restrictions on data sharing, as well as inconsistencies in the ways colleges report data often prevent students from fully understanding the realities of their financial investment. As a result, many are calling for legislation to ensure colleges and universities provide accurate, transparent data about graduation rates, financial aid, and earnings potential for specific programs. These policies will mean nothing, though, if students aren’t taught what to do with the data once it becomes available. That’s where schools and counselors will play a part in teaching young adults to make informed decisions about their academic and financial futures. 

Unfortunately, metal detectors are common in many U.S. high schools. Now they are being installed in elementary schools as well, most notably in Newport News, Virginia, where a first-grade student recently shot his teacher. The shocking incident prompted increased security measures in the Newport News school system, where young children will now use clear backpacks and pass through metal detectors. Many wonder if secure measures like these are appropriate in an elementary school setting. What impact will they have on the physical safety, as well as the mental well-being of such young students? Some administrators are seeking alternative solutions to school safety, focusing instead on social-emotional learning programs that help students learn to process emotions and interact with others. There is no quick-fix for eradicating school violence, but teaching empathy may play an important role in change.

What’s it like to be a queer student at a religious university? Challenging! Student-athletes at Brigham Young University are opening up about their experiences at the private, Christian school. Despite the university's efforts to foster change through initiatives, discrimination prevails, according to many. Several queer students have accused the school of stifling personal expression while appearing to promote inclusivity. In fact, any form of “same-sex romantic behavior” is still an Honor Code violation at BYU. (PS: Students in search of LGBTQ+ friendly college campuses should consult the CampusPride website. This nonprofit organization puts out an annual list, ranking schools based on policies, programs and practices).

Like many in the college admissions world, we’re waiting to see how the Supreme Court’s decision on the recent affirmative action case will affect the admissions process. As colleges scramble to keep up a diverse population on campus without affirmative action, we may see more schools continuing with test-optional admissions, as well as the elimination of legacy preference or even Early Decision. Other strategies for increasing racial diversity on campus, like fly-ins and designated scholarship programs, could also come to an end. This article dives deep into some of these issues, and we’re waiting to see how far-reaching the changes might be after the Court’s decision!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are busy working with juniors on filling out their Common Applications - if you’re a junior looking at the “Honors and Awards” sections of their applications and thinking you have nothing to say, here are some opportunities:

The U.S. Global Change Research Program is looking for student artists ages 13-17 who are passionate about solving climate change to submit artwork related to “climate, people, and nature.” Drawings will be included in the Fifth National Climate Assessment. Interested students should submit their artwork by January 27.

NPR’s fifth annual Student Podcast Challenge is open! Entries for applicants in grades 5-12 must be submitted by a teacher or educator by April 28. And if you’re a college podcaster, keep an eye out for the College Podcast Challenge this fall, which will open September 1.

Weekly Update: January 3

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COLLEGES BAN TIKTOK

Some college students are in for a big surprise when they return to campus after winter break. One of the world’s most popular social media apps will now be off limits at some US colleges and universities. Several schools in Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma have recently blocked TikTok from campus computers and networks in response to state executive orders, which banned the app on state-issued devices. Growing cybersecurity concerns have also prompted many schools to delete their university-administered TikTok accounts in favor of other platforms. Students are vowing that the bans won’t stop them from using the popular platform, though. There’s a convenient workaround: they can still access TikTok from the comforts of their personal devices and phone plans. 

PROSECUTORS REQUEST SIX YEAR SENTENCE FOR VARSITY BLUES MASTERMIND

Last Wednesday prosecutors filed a sentencing memorandum, asking that William Singer- the “mastermind” behind the Varsity Blues scandal- serve six years in prison and pay over $10 million in restitution. This request is in stark contrast to what Singer’s attorneys have proposed: community service and three years of probation. So why the disparity? Prosecutors claim that Singer’s fraud was “staggering in scope” and “breathtaking in its audacity and the levels of deception it involved.” Singer responded by issuing a statement of apology and remorse to the court. We will continue to track this story, as Singer is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4. 

IDAHO PROFESSOR FIGHTS BACK AGAINST TIKTOK MURDER ALLEGATIONS

TikToker Ashley Guillard made headlines this past week for her psychic attempts to solve the University of Idaho murder case. Guillard, a tarot card reader, created over 40 posts on her social media platform implicating Idaho professor Rebecca Scofield in the tragedy. Professor Scofield’s attorney issued two cease and desist letters before filing a lawsuit for defamation. Guillard doesn’t seem worried, though, about the lawsuit. According to reports, Guillard said she’s “gleaming with excitement” at the chance to share her ideas in court.

IDAHO MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED

On Friday, officials arrested a suspect in the University of Idaho quadruple homicide case. Bryan Kohberger was apprehended in Pennsylvania, after officials confirmed his DNA was a match to evidence found at the scene of the crimes.

NATIONAL MERIT AWARDS GO UNRECOGNIZED AT TOP VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL

There’s a “war on merit” at Fairfax County’s Thomas Jefferson High School (more widely known in our area as TJ). The school has been accused of failing to notify or recognize students named as Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. As a result, nearly 1,200 students missed the chance to bolster their college applications with this honor. Many parents are calling this a “criminal act” and are insisting that the school take responsibility. According to a recently released statement, Fairfax County Public Schools is “looking into the matter” and will correct the notification process going forward.

CAUSE OF PRINCETON STUDENT’S DEATH REVEALED

For months, many have speculated about the cause of a Princeton University student’s death. In October, the body of Misrach Ewunetie was found near campus tennis courts, just two days after Ewunetie was reported missing. Although there were no indicators of foul play, many wondered what happened and why. This past week investigators revealed that Ewunetie died by suicide: a fatal mixture of antidepressants and anxiety medication. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

$60,000 college tuition price tags, tens of thousands in student loans, raging debt: how did we get here? That’s the question David Love is posing, as he traces the history of the American student loan crisis. He examines the shift from college education being perceived as a “public good” to an individual “private endeavor.” Love also looks at the politics and policies that have informed access to college education over the past forty years, making it a luxury for those who can afford the soaring costs. Ultimately, Love calls for an ideological shift back to college as a public good “rather than a profit center.”

Teachers got an unwanted holiday gift this year: a new technology that makes cheating even easier for students. ChatGPT is a newly released AI bot that provides well-written, almost “human-like” answers to any question the user may pose. While this may be a handy app for the curious, it’s anything but for teachers and professors who are concerned about academic integrity. Gone are the days of checking for plagiarism via a Google search. Many educators are worried that ChatGPT will make it impossible to determine originality in student work. And with ChatGPT’s refined features, which include the ability to script paragraphs in different writing tones, teachers will have to work extra hard to distinguish a student’s authentic writing style from an AI response. ChatGPT is aware of the potential for cheating and has offered teachers advice: educate students about cheating; provide them with support so they won’t cheat; and change up typical essay or exam questions to make them more sophisticated. We’re not convinced that these measures will solve the potential problems of AI and cheating. But students beware: your teachers know about this technology, and they’re on the watch! 

A recent New York Times opinion piece delves into a topic that comes up quite frequently in our office: whether or not to disclose mental health issues in college applications. As the author found, this type of disclosure can be a red flag to admissions officers and can have a significant negative impact on admissions decisions. All things being equal, we do not recommend disclosing. However, sometimes all things are not equal - if it’s obvious from other aspects of a student’s application that something serious was going on, it can be better to go with the truth instead of leaving admissions officers to make guesses that are often times worse than the reality.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It’s a new year, and we have a new collection of Summer 2023 opportunities for high schoolers! Visit our database to see the latest internships, pre-college programs, and volunteer experiences available. And don’t delay! There are several opportunities with January application deadlines.

If you need help with summer program applications, resumes, or cover letters, book a session with us. Meeting times in January are filling up fast!