Weekly Update: January 30

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MORE MEDICAL SCHOOLS PULL OUT OF NATIONAL RANKINGS 

Last week Harvard Medical School made headlines when it withdrew from the U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings. Now four other medical schools have followed suit. Columbia, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, and Mount Sinai have all announced that they are withdrawing from the rankings due to concerns over inaccurate representations of data.

COLLEGE BOARD RESPONDS TO CONCERNS OVER AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES COURSE

On Tuesday, The College Board announced that it will reveal the new framework for its AP African American Studies course on the first day of Black History Month- February 1. Many are concerned that the framework will be influenced by political agendas, given that Florida governor Ron DeSantis recently rejected the course for its “lack [of] educational value.” The College Board issued a letter to its members on Thursday, reaffirming that the curriculum has only been shaped by educational experts and was completed prior to DeSantis’ public rejection. 

CHARGES AGAINST FORMER LOUDOUN COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT ARE UPHELD

During a court hearing on Thursday, a judge ruled that misdemeanor charges against Scott Ziegler- former superintendent of Loudoun County schools- will be upheld. Ziegler is being charged with making false statements about two high-profile sexual assault cases in the county, as well as unfairly firing a teacher.

MARYLAND COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ARE REVISED- AND PARENTS AREN’T HAPPY

After freezing college savings accounts due to interest calculation errors, Maryland 529 has revised its account balances for hundreds of families. However, many are upset by the new numbers. Families are claiming they are owed a 6% interest rate on all contributions, but this rate is only being applied to money invested from November 2021 onward. The result is a staggering discrepancy between what families thought they had available for college funds versus the newly adjusted totals. We will continue to track this story, as Maryland 529 plans to hold a meeting today.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

A woman with a mission to help college students turns out to be a $175 million dollar fraud. No, this is not the premise for a new blockbuster movie. It’s reality! Charlie Javice, a woman once recognized as one of the most creative people in business, built a career in social enterprise, promising to help millions of families navigate the college financial process. However, when JPMorgan paid $175 million to acquire her financial planning company, they discovered they had been conned. This is a pretty incredible story and one that I haven't seen floating around my normal education spaces. Instead, we discussed it in my Goldman Sachs session last week. Our advisor reinforced what the article stated- that it's a good example of a situation where the lenders didn't have enough institutional knowledge - specifically, they didn't understand the financial aid process and how it works. They should have called us :)

In 2021, an infamous Supreme Court decision changed the world of college athletics. No longer would players be restricted from earning money. Instead, they were free to profit off of their NIL- name, image, likeness. Since then college athletes have earned significant figures through donations, endorsement deals, and even business ventures. And while many support the rights of these athletes to profit off their talents and skills, others are concerned about the potential long-term impact. Advertisers and donors are now investing in individual players rather than school programs, which affects budgets and the overall strength of athletic departments. Too, not all college athletes have the name recognition to make NIL profitable. This is a new “unregulated economic frontier” fraught with both excitement and worry over the future of college athletics.

When it comes to college admissions, we often defer to the experts for their thoughts on rankings, costs, and quality. But what about students? What matters most to college applicants as they make important decisions about the future? The New York Times assembled a focus group of eleven high school seniors to find out these answers. And some of their responses may surprise you! It appears that many students are trying to balance practical considerations, such as tuition and career preparation, with a desire for mental well being and happiness. The group also weighed in on college rankings, regrets over the admissions process, and advice for high school juniors.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

WHERE OH WHERE are the 2023-2024 Common App essay prompts? OMG - I look for them every morning and they still haven’t been released yet. Driving me crazy! We are very excited to jump right into essays with our juniors so they will be finished with their main essay around the timeframe of spring break. At that point, they will move on to preparing supplemental essay content and teacher/counselor recommendation input. We like to stay on track so we can have all of our students finished with their college apps by September as planned!

In other news, so many schools released their EA decisions over the past week! If you didn’t receive the decision you were hoping for, don’t panic! Instead, book a session with us to plan a letter of continued interest, otherwise known as a LOCI. Current clients, schedule your meetings here. If you are not a current client but would like to book a one-time meeting, please click here.

We also want to remind our current students to please always update your status chart each time you receive a decision. It’s also important to update with the decision itself rather than just checking off that a decision came in - otherwise we won’t know what it was! Please watch my quick instructional video if you have any questions about whether you’re doing this correctly.

Finally, be sure to check out our internship database. We’ve listed some great opportunities for Summer 2023, but they might disappear if you don’t apply now! Many programs have February deadlines.

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 9

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SIX-YEAR OLD STUDENT SHOOTS TEACHER

Shocking news was reported from Newport News, Virginia, on Friday afternoon. A six-year old student at Richneck Elementary School was taken into police custody after shooting his teacher. According to reports, the shooting was not accidental. Fortunately, the teacher was able to receive immediate care and is in stable condition.

VARSITY BLUES MASTERMIND IS SENTENCED

On Wednesday January 4, William Singer–the mastermind behind the Varsity Blues admissions scandal– was sentenced. After pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to defraud the US and obstruction of justice, Singer was given 3.5 years in federal prison. Additionally, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit over $10 million. During the court proceeding, Singer issued an apology, admitting a loss of moral and “ethical values.” He is scheduled to report to prison on February 27.

VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL LAUNCHES CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATIONS AT TJ HIGH SCHOOL

Last week Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares launched two civil rights investigations at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, VA. These investigations are in response to recent claims that the school failed to recognize National Merit Award winners in the fall of 2022. Miyares’ team is also looking into recently revised admissions policies that many have deemed discriminatory. School officials referred to the National Merit notification as a one-time human error. However, emails have now surfaced showing similar patterns with award notifications from 2020, and two more schools (Langley and Westfield) have also indicated that they failed to notify students this year. More on our thoughts below…

NEW DETAILS EMERGE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDER CASES

University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger appeared in court last week and was then transferred from Pennsylvania to Idaho. As Kohberger awaits a January 12 hearing, new details about the case are emerging. Court documents reveal information about Kohberger’s actions the night of the murder, including key details about his car and phone usage. Based on the information, investigators suspect that Kohberger may have planned the attack. However, police have not been able to determine a motive yet. 

PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL GETS A CONSERVATIVE OVERHAUL 

New College of Florida made headlines on Friday when Governor Ron DeSantis appointed six new members to its Board of Trustees. Many feel that DeSantis is seeking to “overhaul” the college, which has a reputation for being one of the most progressive schools in the state, with conservative leadership. This move comes after DeSantis recently asked all state colleges and universities to document the resources they use related to diversity, inclusion, and critical race theory initiatives. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Racial justice has been at the forefront of university initiatives over the past three years. In response to the killings of George Floyd, several colleges established new programs, buildings and research opportunities to promote racial justice. Penn State is one of those schools–or so it planned to be. However, plans for the formation of a Center for Racial Justice were halted after a change in school leadership. New president Neeli Bendapudi expressed concerns over budget and instead wants to direct funds to already-existing campus programs and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion. Many are upset by the decision and feel that the “broken promise” undermines the transformative work so many within the Penn State community are trying to accomplish. 

Employers may no longer care where you went to college, according to analyst firm Gartner. The firm recently released a report predicting that the most successful companies in 2023 will be those that look at “nontraditional” employee candidates. As part of a growing trend, many organizations are dropping education requirements to attract new talent in a “tight labor market.”  Companies are encouraged to focus instead on soft skills and training opportunities for new employees. 

What’s in store for higher education in 2023? Last week, Higher Ed Dive released their list of trends to look out for this year, noting that for the first time in three years, we don’t have to examine everything through a pandemic lens. Very exciting! Instead, experts predict greater focus on financial aid and student loans, as well as efforts to address enrollment declines. Many are also watching the U.S. News & World Report rankings, which have long been a well-respected source of data for undergraduates and graduate students. This fall, Yale and Harvard law schools made headlines when they announced they would no longer cooperate with the rankings. Will other law schools follow in their footsteps? And what could this mean for undergraduate rankings moving forward? Time will tell! 

Ding, dong: the traditional participation grade is dead! For decades, college students have been awarded participation points for being physically present in the classroom and speaking up. However, the pandemic changed the very nature of participation. In online formats, teachers were forced to figure out a new way to define engagement. Many noticed that students who didn’t participate in a traditional classroom setting were thriving in Zoom thanks to chat boxes and breakout rooms. And for other undergrads, they successfully mastered the course content asynchronously. So what does that mean for the value of traditional participation? If and how should it be weighted? Well, educators aren’t quite sure yet. For now, many professors are experimenting with incentives and alternative ways for students to show their engagement with and understanding of course content. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Last week I had the chance to speak with Aimee Cho of NBC4 about the National Merit controversy at TJ. I am at the 1:44-ish mark, but watch the whole video - it’s interesting! Especially the part from the TJ parent.

Having worked alongside TJ students for years, and having worked in multiple high school counseling offices, I truly do not think this was intentional in any way. That doesn’t make it okay - at all. But when I hear people saying that the administration purposely hid the awards to result in “equal outcomes for every student,” or even worse, to promote anti-Asian discrimination, I’m just floored.

Having been on the other side of this, I know how much paperwork these counselors and administrators get flooded with and how many similar delays happen at high schools all the time, everywhere. I also know how hard the TJ staff works to maximize opportunities for their students. They really do a lot behind the scenes, so much more than parents probably realize. Remember, the staff at the school are not responsible for the admissions changes at TJ or the greater equity issues happening in Fairfax County Public Schools right now. No matter where you fall on those issues, the hardworking staff isn’t responsible. They are just trying to do their jobs, and too few people are responsible for too many tasks. In those situations, things fall through the cracks. Again: not okay. At all. They need to do better. But I just don’t believe this was intentional.

(Side note: I think it’s incredibly important that we don’t throw baseless accusations of discrimination around. These kinds of allegations are very serious. When people start saying that everything is discriminatory, that dilutes the very real issues of discrimination that do exist. And there’s SO much anti-Asian bias in the college admissions process - I have written about it so many times.)

In my opinion, mistakes like this will continue to happen until we can ensure that the counselor: student ratios are lower in public schools. The counselors could have then taken this on (as many private school counselors do) to notify the students and take it off the principal’s plate.

And as I said on the segment - no TJ student will have their chances of college admissions success in jeopardy because their commended student status was not shared in a timely manner. This is the runner-up to a larger award - it pales in comparison to the typical awards that TJ students have. These are the best and brightest students out there.

I am actually much more concerned about the Langley and Westfield students who were also impacted, which we just learned about in the last day or two. If a student with generally average academic qualifications had failed to report this, that could have been more of a difference-maker.

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!

Weekly Update: December 27

biggest college-related news of the week

EARLY DECISION RESULTS CONTINUE TO SHATTER RECORDS

More early decision results have been released, and the numbers are continuing to shatter records! Across the country, colleges and universities are reporting historic increases in early decision applications. JMU announced they are “rewrit[ing] the record books” with a 30% increase in ED applicants this cycle, while Brown and Williams also released staggering data. Unfortunately for many hopeful seniors, what goes up must come down. With ED applications at an all-time high, acceptance rates are at an all-time low.

STUDENTS PROTEST ANTISEMITIC ACTS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD 

A “Jews Not Welcome” sign at the entrance to a high school in Montgomery County, Maryland, has created outrage. Students at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda organized a walkout last week in protest of the sign, as well as other antisemitic acts. According to data, there’s been a recent surge in antisemitic incidents in Montgomery County (and nationwide), prompting students to ask: “why is this happening?” Students are encouraging school officials to ask the same question and generate solutions. Meanwhile, Whitman’s Jewish Student Union has responded to the incident with an action plan. They’re meeting with school administrators to plan community educational events, and they’ve already hung a new sign over the school entryway: “Everyone is welcome here.”

STUDENT DATA IS KIDNAPPED FOR RANSOM 

Students at Knox College received an unexpected email recently. After breaking into the school’s systems, a group of hackers emailed students to let them know about the breach. The group is holding important information for ransom, in the hopes that the school will pay for the safe return of students’ confidential data. This is the first known case where hackers have contacted students directly, and the school community is hoping that administrators can resolve the issue promptly. Currently, the hackers’ website lists an entry for Knox College data, but the entry point doesn’t lead users to any actual information…for now.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

California has found a creative, new way to help students afford college! This year the state developed the California College Corps, a program that provides undergraduates from low-income backgrounds with financial assistance in exchange for community service. Program participants complete 450 hours of community service, supporting a variety of organizations, and then receive $10,000 for tuition and living expenses. The goal is to reduce the burdens of college loans while promoting meaningful civic engagement and possible career pathways. Over 500 students have participated in the program thus far, many of whom are first-generation college students and students of color. Governor Newsom is particularly proud of the program, and many are hopeful that the Corps will create a hopeful future for thousands of students. 

“Stanford University has lost its mind” this past week, according to Fox News contributor Sarah Carter. Thousands took to Twitter and other social media platforms, criticizing and mocking Stanford’s Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative - a multi-year project aimed at eliminating harmful language from the school’s website and codes. The 'naughty list’ of phrases - which is organized into ten distinct categories - includes “users,” “survivor,” “American,” and “Karen.”

In response to the negative press, Stanford representatives insist that the glossary of terms does NOT reflect university policy. Furthermore, there is no ban on these words. Rather, the discussion surrounding such phrases is meant to “support an inclusive community.” PS: If you are curious to view the glossary of terms, you’re out of luck! The university has locked the list behind a passcode after receiving so much backlash. But my family was able to get it before it got locked down and we have all been laughing about it for the last week!

How are we going to afford college tuition? That’s the question hundreds of Maryland families thought they answered years ago when they invested in the state’s 529 college pre-paid savings accounts. This type of plan allows families to lock in future tuition payments at the current price. What seemed like a secure investment in a child’s future is now anything but!

After discovering a calculation error in the spring, the Maryland Prepaid College Trust suspended interest payments on accounts. Not only did families lose access to interest they were counting on; many say they no longer have access to their principle amount either. Parent groups have formed to fight against the frozen accounts, as hundreds are scrambling to pay spring tuition bills.

Imagine getting a B on an English essay just for turning it in! Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it’s actually a growing reality for undergraduates enrolled in first year composition courses. Many universities are turning to a labor-based grading model for writing classes. This alternative approach seeks to deemphasize the focus on numeric scores and alleviate the pressures to produce “perfect” essays. Instead, professors outline expectations for effort, which typically include class participation, writing conferences, and multiple drafts. Proponents of the labor-based model believe this approach will help solve problems with grading biases and uplift students from marginalized backgrounds, as well as those with learning disabilities. Others worry that it will be difficult to measure the effectiveness of such a model and may promote student “laziness.” For now, undergrads are largely praising labor-based grading, insisting they are more confident communicators thanks to a new take on the traditional writing process. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We hope everyone is enjoying the holiday and taking time to relax with friends and family! My kids and I spent the week in Hilton Head which was fun and relaxing but cold!

BUT if you are a senior who can’t relax because you have looming college deadlines or last-minute essays to write, let us bring you some holiday cheer. We still have some appointments available between now and the new year. Book your session today!

Weekly Update: December 19

if you’re one of our long-time readers, you might notice something different this week. We’re posting on Monday! Yes, we are going to try moving our weekly updates to Mondays from here on out, and you’ll see additional content later in the week. Would love to hear any thoughts or comments!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

RUTGERS MOVES TO THE COMMON APP

In an email to counselors on 12/12, Rutgers announced that they will be moving to the Common App for the HS Class of 2024. Great news!

EARLY DECISION ACCEPTANCES ARE AT RECORD LOW

Data is starting to emerge as colleges release their early decision/ restrictive early action news this month. Several schools received a record number of early applicants, including Duke, Dartmouth, and Yale, and once again this has driven acceptance rates to record lows. We will continue to track the data as more early decision data is shared. So far, we were fortunate to have our students accepted ED to a lot of great schools - Tufts, Barnard, Northwestern, Emory, Syracuse, Villanova, Elon and of course a number to UVA! We also had more students than ever choose to opt out of ED because their favorite schools only offered EA (or REA). Still waiting on some of those decisions, but Clemson and UGA came in really strong.

MISSING COLLEGE STUDENT IS FOUND

A missing college student will make it home for Christmas after all. In late November, St. John Fisher University senior Kenny Deland Jr., disappeared from University of Grenoble Alpes, where he had been studying abroad. Friends reported him missing, and investigators undertook a multinational search. Last week Deland was found safe in Spain, but no further details have been released. For now, the mystery of why and how Deland ended up in Spain remains. 

INVESTIGATORS SEARCH 22,000 CARS IN EFFORT TO SOLVE IDAHO MURDER CASE

As we reported last week, investigators in the horrific University of Idaho murders finally got a lead in the case. A white Hyundai Elantra was spotted near the crime scene, and police have been trying to identify the individual(s) in the car. They are currently searching over 22,000 vehicles that match the description. Meanwhile, investigators continue to scour surveillance footage and encourage community members to be on the lookout for the white Elantra as well.

LOUDOUN COUNTY SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE INDICTED

Loudoun County’s school system has made headlines over the past year for high profile sexual assault cases. Last week two school officials, Scott Ziegler and Wayde Byard, were indicted as part of the investigation into how the district has handled sexual assault reports. Ziegler has been accused of publishing false statements related to a sexual assault in a school bathroom that took place in 2021. He is also indicted on unlawfully firing a teacher who filed sexual assault complaints about one of her students. At this time the reason for Byard’s indictment is unclear. Several local area parent groups have responded to the news, expressing gratitude for the investigation and the efforts to address these problems within the school system. 

best articles of the week

If you are struggling to make sense of a college decision, check out Jon Boeckenstedt’s Why You Were Denied. The bullet-point list is on point, and while some of them are more obvious than others (i.e. we all know that recruited athletes are likely to be in a better position than the rest of us), so rarely do we consider the role that sheer randomness can play.

There’s a surprising new class appearing on high school students’ schedules across the country: Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (otherwise known as JROTC). For over a century, JROTC has been a volunteer program for young adults potentially interested in a military career. However, this class may not be optional anymore. Recent data indicates a rising trend in automatic and/or mandatory enrollment at several high schools, especially those in predominantly non-white, low income areas.

These numbers have created a great deal of controversy, and not just from teens who oppose an additional class. While the program has the potential to provide students with discipline and direction, many insist that it takes advantage of vulnerable young adults. Some are worried that JROTC pressures students into a military career and prevents them from considering other pathways. A number of families have successfully challenged required enrollments, and community debates continue to unfold about the nature and direction of the JROTC program. 

What’s the best way to relieve student debt? For months, there’s been a national debate centered on debt cancellation programs, which are meant to support those with limited means. Specifically, President Biden’s proposals focus on people earning five-figure salaries whose debt far outweighs their earnings. But what many don’t know is that there are also programs in place to help even the wealthiest of families better manage the steep price of higher education. Most of us have 529 college saving plans for our children - but “dynasty” 529s allow those with “hundreds of thousands of dollars to spare” to create hefty savings accounts that avoid taxation- provided that future generations use the money for college tuition. These “dynasty” plans have come under attack, as many view these accounts as just another advantage for the economically advantaged.

Speaking of college savings, there’s a great deal going on at Colby-Sawyer College: half off tuition! As part of the great “tuition reset,” several small, private colleges have recently cut tuition prices in an effort to fill their classes. How can they manage such a financial hit? Well, for years many schools have used hefty price tags to denote status and align themselves with the most elite institutions in the country. Here’s a secret, though: the majority of students don’t actually pay the steep price, thanks to scholarships, loans and grants. This financial “game,” as some in the education world label it, has worked for years but hasn’t been so successful in the economically conscious climate of late. Many applicants are now being deterred by sticker shock and opting to apply to schools seen as a “better deal.” In response, schools have begun to lower their prices, which could be a big gamble. Those who are part of the great tuition reset will need to carefully watch the data and see what story the numbers will tell in upcoming admissions cycles. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

As you might have seen from my social media posts, I made an appearance on CNN last week discussing private versus public schools. We are so fortunate to have lots of great options here in Fairfax County- both of my kids attend amazing schools with incredibly dedicated teachers and administrators.

I personally believe that strong public school systems breed strong private school alternatives, and that healthy competition in the educational marketplace promotes accountability and a culture of excellence across the board. If you’d like to see a clip of the CNN segment, head over to our Facebook page. 

As mentioned above, decision notifications continue to roll in, and we are thrilled that so many of our students have been admitted to their first choice schools! If you’re a current client and haven’t shared your news with us yet, please send us a quick email! 

For those who may not have received the ED news they were hoping for, we can help! If you’re NOT a current client, book an emergency strategy session ASAP, so we can begin planning your next steps. We also have essay coaching meeting times available for students who need to write a letter of continued interest. If you ARE a current client, email us to figure out your next step!

And lastly - it’s hard to believe that we are right in the middle of the holidays already! Hanukkah started last night and Christmas is in just a few days. We hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday with family and friends. But try to keep the college admissions talk to a minimum with extended family! This article is a few years old, but it still rings true!

Weekly Update: December 9

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

A NEW TOOL FOR COMPARING SAT AND ACT SCORES

Students who received their PSAT scores this week should take a few minutes to check out the concordance widget. Compass Prep released this new tool that makes it easy for students to convert their scores from SAT to ACT and use the comparisons to make important decisions about future test prep.

CONTRACEPTIVES BOOST COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES

There’s good news this week for young women in Colorado. Researchers have found that the state’s Title X Family Planning Initiative (CFPI) - which increased access to low and no-cost contraceptives in 2009- has also increased college graduation rates for women over the past decade by up to 12%. Additionally, the data shows improvements in high school graduation rates, as well as the number of women in Colorado who earn their bachelor’s degree by the age of 24. Researchers feel these numbers are significant because they emphasize the importance of Title X policies and programs, as well as the impact contraceptive access can have upon a woman’s future. 

HIGHEST PAYING COLLEGE MAJORS OF 2022

What is your college major worth? Payscale released their annual list of highest-paying majors, so check them out. As many might expect, a majority of the top spots are held by engineering industries, computer science, and math. However, there are a few surprises on the list this year, especially for those preparing to become dental hygienists or physician assistants. And if you’re still in search of a well-paid career path, you might want to look into marine transport management! Aspiring entrepreneurs should check out this recent Forbes piece - a lot of interesting data here about small business ownership.

A NEW LEAD EMERGES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDER CASE

After receiving over 6,000 tips, investigators in the University of Idaho student murders have a new lead. On Wednesday, police announced that a white Hyundai Elantra was spotted near the off-campus house during the time of the attacks. They believe the person(s) in the vehicle could have critical information into the case. Meanwhile, the two surviving roommates - who are believed to have slept through the attacks- opened up for the first time since the tragedy. During a memorial service last weekend, they shared memories of their friends and spoke about the impact of the tragic event.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

With affirmative action at the forefront of college admissions over the past several months, many are taking a fresh look at disparities in higher education. For decades, experts have cited a long list of factors that create a system of imbalances for students: athletic recruitment, legacy admissions, elite prep school education, to name a few. And now, in the words of Taylor Swift..

via GIPHY

Well, according to Evan Mandery, anyway. In his article for Time Magazine this week, he looks closely at the rise of private college counselors like us, which he calls the “gatekeepers.” He writes that we take “disparities between rich and poor, which diverge from birth, and explode them exponentially.” Yes, because college admissions have become increasingly competitive and complex, many families are turning to expert counselors like us at DC College Counseling for one-on-one support. I can’t deny that he’s correct about the advantages of working with us, but it’s not accurate to say that we only work with wealthy families. We also work with quite a few middle-income families as well as an increasing number of low-income families through our pro-bono program. We also do not charge anywhere near the amounts mentioned in that article - wow.

Can race impact your chances of college admissions? That’s the question many Asian-American students are asking in the wake of Harvard’s discrimination lawsuit. While students highlight their racial backgrounds on college applications, that doesn’t seem to be the case for a lot Asian-American students. In fact, many say they prefer not to disclose their race and even avoid “stereotypical” activities out of fear of bias. I can understand the stereotypical activities part - it’s awful that this has to happen, but I can understand why a student would make that choice given this landscape.

But my personal opinion - which I understand others may not agree with - is that there’s rarely a point to opting out of race disclosure. It’s almost always pretty clear whether a student is Asian based on other information in the application, so I don’t think it’s effective, and a student who chooses not to disclose when it’s obvious can instead give off the impression they are trying to hide something. Again, just my personal opinion, and of course these concerns extend far beyond college admissions. Many experts believe that heightened self-consciousness over race can have detrimental effects on students’ mental health.

The college essay is dead! This bold statement might leave essay-averse undergrads cheering, but our office of English majors was devastated to see the headline. And it’s not referring to the admissions essay, by the way! According to Stephen Marche in The Atlantic, growing AI technologies are changing the face of humanities. Students are now relying on auto-generated programs to write “original” works, from analytical essays to poetry. Some argue that the use of AI technologies isn’t actually cheating, but the issue certainly raises important questions about the role of technology in the study of humanities. Will the art of writing be relevant in the future? What value will natural language hold? Marche believes that academia will need to work hard to answer these questions and create a new vision for the future–one where humanities and technology won’t be at odds. I think writing will always be an essential skill for success in any career field and life in general!

Financial aid letters are in desperate need of revision, according to researchers at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. A recent report revealed significant problems with the ways in which schools present financial aid packages to admitted students. These letters can be confusing and misleading for families, who struggle to make sense of the numbers and compare offers across multiple schools. That’s why researchers are calling for standardization of information in financial aid packages, as well as legal disclosures, so that students can avoid costly mistakes.

Computer science may be one of the highest paying majors of 2022 (as we mentioned above), but recent undergrads could have trouble finding a lucrative job in the industry. Over the past decade, the number of students majoring in computer science has tripled, as undergrads are lured by dreams of six-figure salaries and office napping pods. However, a weakening economy has led to recent cuts within major tech companies, such as Meta and Amazon. But don’t panic yet, computer science majors! Recent data shows that there’s an increasing demand for computer science majors in the automotive and finance industries. Job seekers may just have to give up their dreams of working for Twitter and imagine a future at Toyota instead. 

If you like kids and want to earn a six-figure job within a few years out of college, we've got a school for you! Norland College, located in Bath, England, has been the premiere educational center for nannies for 130 years. The school is known for its rigorous curriculum - a mix of early childhood development studies and training in martial arts, evasive driving, and even cybersecurity. Who knew?! Graduates are in high demand and often go on to work for elite households, from the house of Windsor to ​​the house of Mick Jagger. Just don’t tell anyone if you’re admitted. Privacy is one of the hallmarks of Norland College! 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We have a lot of students hearing back from their ED schools both tonight and over the next few days. I feel so anxious! For our current students, please let us know as soon as you find out. We are crossing our fingers.

If you watch CNN, look for me early next week on a segment with Don Lemon about public vs. private school and which is better. I’m not sure which day yet, but I’ll post it when it comes online. Spoiler alert: it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, in my opinion. I have children at both! They are fortunate to go to amazing schools and have incredibly dedicated, hard-working teachers. As I listened to the other panelists, I could not help but reflect on how beyond fortunate we are in the D.C. area to have so many diverse school choices. This is definitely not the case in other parts of the country!

On another note, while you’re busy making plans for winter break, don’t forget to start planning for summer as well! Several summer pre-college programs and internships have been announced recently, and deadlines are approaching fast (we know it seems early, but many applications close by mid-January!).

To see a list of summer academic, internship, and volunteer opportunities, visit our database. We update the listings weekly. And if you need help with summer applications or your resume, we can help. Book a session with us here (scroll down to the bottom) if you aren’t a current client and here if you are.

Weekly Update: December 2

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

EARLY ACTION/EARLY DECISION RELEASE DATES

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

PURDUE UNIVERSITY REINSTATES SAT/ACT TESTING REQUIREMENTS 

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

NEW DETAILS CALL UVA SHOOTING INVESTIGATION INTO QUESTION

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

CONTROVERSY AND CONFUSION OVER UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDERS

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

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

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

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

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

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

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

Weekly Update: November 25

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

A SHUTTLE BUS CRASHES AT BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY

On Saturday night, tragedy struck at Brandeis University when a shuttle bus full of students crashed into a tree. One student was killed, and twenty-six others were injured. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time, but an investigation has been launched. Meanwhile, the university canceled classes on Monday and Tuesday, allowing students to leave early for Thanksgiving break. Additional opportunities for support were offered to those still remaining on campus.

UVA SHOOTING VICTIM IS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL

There is some good news to share in the aftermath of the UVA shooting. After undergoing two surgeries, UVA football player Mike Hollins was released from the hospital this week and is recovering at home. Hollins told investigators that he was one of the first students to escape from the bus during the deadly shooting where Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr., opened fire on classmates, killing three. However, he returned to the bus to help other students escape. Hollins was shot in the back but is walking again.

UVA CANCELS GAME AGAINST VIRGINIA TECH

Last weekend UVA canceled its football game against Coastal Carolina and instead held a memorial service for victims of the tragedy. The Cavaliers were also scheduled to play Virginia Tech tomorrow, but have decided to cancel this game as well and bring their season to a close.

GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN RESPONDS TO UVA SHOOTING WITH NEW PROPOSAL

In response to the UVA shooting, Governor Youngkin announced his plans to propose new mental health legislation in the state of Virginia. His agenda includes addressing mental health staffing shortages, which were recently highlighted in the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission study on K-12 publication education, and improving access to “day of” treatment. 

IDAHO STRAGEDY CONTINUES TO BAFFLE INVESTIGATORS

As we reported last week, four University of Idaho students were found murdered in a home off campus. Two roommates in the same house were not harmed. Investigators have been working around-the-clock to identify a suspect, vowing to work through the holiday weekend to find answers. This is the first murder the town has had in seven years, and residents have been trying to help police, calling in over 1,000 tips and leads. While the case is still largely shrouded in mystery, officials have pieced together a timeline of events leading up to the murders and are following up on rumors of stalking. For a more detailed account of events and evidence, click here. And if you are a true crime junkie like me, all the theories on Reddit will keep you busy!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

“How does that happen?” That’s the question many are asking administrators at Fairfield University. The school has recently come under scrutiny for its sharp decline in Pell Grants, which support students from low income families. Over the past four years, Pell Grant recipients at Fairfield have dropped by 44%. The 7.5% of Fairfield students who now receive these grants is the lowest of any college in the country. Some argue that the stark decline is the result of Fairfield’s increasing reputation and rising selectivity. Others believe that low income applicants may be finding better fits and more inclusive communities elsewhere. In the meantime, the university has put forth initiatives to support underrepresented students, including the Company Scholars and Fairfield Bellarmine Scholarship. Both programs are designed to create affordable and accessible opportunities to a Jesuit education.

Online gambling is the newest extracurricular activity offered at several universities, The New York Times reports. Gambling companies have begun targeting colleges and universities for sports betting partnerships. Especially for universities that have strong sports cultures and loyal fanbases of students and alumni, these deals can be lucrative. In fact, some claim that sports betting is helping colleges recuperate from pandemic losses and bolster their athletic programs. However, the ethical implications of gambling in higher education has been called into question. Many are particularly concerned with the effects such behaviors may have upon students. Not only could betting lead to gambling disorders among such a young population; some are concerned about the pressure and impact this could have upon student athletes. Only time will tell how big of a gamble these partnerships will actually be.

In his newsletter this week, Jeff Selingo takes a close look into the state of test optional admissions: year three. While some schools are continuing to make year-to-year decisions on testing requirements, other institutions have finally “close[d] the book on testing,” most notably the University of California. UC’s decision raises a host of questions about the future of testing and the overall admissions process. Will other schools follow in UC’s footsteps? Will students continue to sit for the ACT or SAT? And what impact will a lack of testing have upon yield models and student success long term? For now, many schools are delaying announcements regarding testing, as they wait for more data to emerge.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we are offering our ONLY deal of the year!

Whether you’re a 9th-10th grade family wanting help with next year’s summer plans or course registration; an 11th grade family ready to jump right into the admissions process; or a college student wanting to learn about transfer or graduate admissions options… we’ll help you get started before it's too late!

Take advantage of 50% off Meet & Greets OR 50% off Class of 2025-2027 Strategy Sessions now through Cyber Monday.

To book a Meet & Greet: https://zcu.io/r8BI

To book a Class of 2025-2027 Strategy Session: https://zcu.io/MseA

Weekly Update: November 18

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

ACADEMIC WORKERS AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA GO ON STRIKE

This week, workers at the University of California staged the largest academic strike in the history of US higher education. Representing over 48,000 researchers, graders, and post-doctoral fellows, the academic staff union has been trying to negotiate higher wages and increased benefits with university administrators for over a year. However, the union believes that administrators have not been bargaining in “good faith.” UC officials have denied this claim and hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible. In the meantime, professors at UC institutions are planning for class disruptions.

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF UVA SHOOTING

Details of the deadly UVA shooting on Sunday night continue to emerge. Just as a group of students returned from a class trip to Washington, D.C., suspect Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr. opened fire on the bus, killing three fellow students and injuring others. The rest of the group fled into nearby campus buildings, and the university went into lockdown until Jones was apprehended. Eyewitnesses are now trying to piece together their last conversations with the victims and offering their observations of the suspect, who some claim was targeting specific students on the bus. We will continue tracking this story as the investigation proceeds.

MYSTERIOUS MURDERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

As Virginians reel from the devastating events at UVA this week, it’s important to remember that another tragedy occurred at the University of Idaho as well. Four students were found dead near campus on Sunday in an apparent homicide. The case is being investigated in what police describe as a “crime of passion,” but no further details have been released. 

VIRGINIA’S UPDATED HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS COME UNDER FIRE

Every seven years, the Virginia Department of Education is required to redevelop standards of learning - otherwise known as SOLs - for each subject area and garner approval from the state board of education. Typically this process is routine, but not this year! In August, the board called for an extensive revision of the history and social studies standards proposal. The several hundred page document was streamlined into just 53 pages and submitted for another review this week. While the latest version may be easier to digest, many feel that the standards overlook important areas of history and “minimize diverse perspectives.” Yesterday, the Board of Education voted to push back their review, advising the Department of Education to revise the proposal once again.

SCHOOLS REJECT COLLEGE RANKINGS

In a shocking move, Yale Law School and Harvard Law School announced this week that they will no longer participate in the annual U.S. News and World Report’s College Rankings. Although these institutions typically take top spots on the list, officials at both schools are calling the ranking’s methodology into question. Deans at Harvard and Yale claim the rankings are driven by “misguided formulas” that undermine student choice. They are concerned with what they believe is an over-emphasis on LSAT scores and GPAs and skewed calculations of student debt loads. Many wonder how this move will affect the ranking’s reputation and if other institutions will follow in Yale and Harvard’s footsteps.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Did you know that international students contribute over thirty billion dollars to the US economy? Inside Higher Ed took a close look at the impact of international student enrollment losses in the United States over the past two years. Although international enrollment is rebounding, experts are still concerned. In fact, some policy makers are calling for a national strategy to promote international enrollment, which they note was declining even before the pandemic. Other factors include cost, concerns of gun violence in America, and increased xenophobia. 

Selecting a major is one of the most important decisions an undergraduate will make. So how do you choose a degree that you won’t regret later? According to CNBC, the answer lies in value. Recent surveys indicate that the least-regretted majors are those that yield direct career pathways and high salaries. While these findings aren’t necessarily surprising, the list of top ten most regretted majors may be to some. Take a look for yourself! 

Walk into a dorm room, and you just might find yourself face-to-face with a snake–well at least in the state of Indiana. Recent data has shown a surge in the number of emotional support animals (ESAs) across Indiana’s colleges and universities. Under the Fair Housing Act, students can house emotional support animals as part of their mental health accommodations. Although cats and dogs are the most popular ESAs, Indiana campuses are now housing support hamsters, guinea pigs, and even snakes. Officials have drawn the line, though, at exotic pets and farm animals. Personally, I am not sure how snakes aren’t considered to be exotic pets…?

Parents, you’ll be happy to know that your teenagers do, in fact, trust you! According to recent EAB surveys, nearly half of teenagers polled consider parents to be one of the most trusted sources of college information - an 11% increase from a similar survey conducted just two years ago. According to Robert Alexander, Dean of Admissions at the University of Rochester, parental involvement in the college admissions process is continuing to rise. And while the support may be a welcome relief to stressed-out college applicants, parental overinvolvement is a real danger. Alexander offers a list of dos and don’ts to help parents navigate the process in a way that empowers their children. We especially like his suggestion to schedule a weekly family meeting time. That way, parents don’t run the risk of turning every conversation into an application meeting.

Lastly, Forbes published an article that released some interesting Common Application statistics relating to the current application cycle. Applications are way up, and the highest increase in apps can be found in the group of most selective schools. Trends have also emerged relating to geography - applications to schools in South Carolina, Texas, and Alabama have increased more than they have any other states (this aligns with the viral article from Town & Country that we posted in October - check this out if you haven’t yet!).

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

The holiday season is here, and it’s the perfect time for teens to get involved in the community! There are a variety of unique volunteer opportunities in northern Virginia and DC, especially for expert gingerbread house makers and light-stringers. Visit our database to see an up-to-date list.

If you’re a junior staying in town during Thanksgiving week, consider checking out some local schools to gain an initial sense of your college preferences. Even if you have zero interest in attending any D.C. area schools, it’s easy to spend some time exploring the campuses of Georgetown, GW, American, Catholic and/or George Mason, and the experience can be a really valuable opportunity to learn which factors appeal to you. We can use your observations to help make recommendations for other schools - and also tell you which to skip.

And p.s. - does it even count as a visit to Georgetown if you don’t stop by Call Your Mother for bagels?

I was there this morning and grabbed a Sun City with Bacon, YUM!!! Highly recommend and it’s always packed full of Georgetown students. Make sure to pre-order if you are going on a weekend. I also picked up some treats for my kids while I was there :)

Have a fantastic weekend!

Weekly Update: November 11

We want to thank all of our veterans for their service 🇺🇸

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

LEARN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AT SIX FLAGS

Every year, over 100 first year students in biomedical engineering and physics at Johns Hopkins have a unique learning experience - riding roller coasters at Six Flags. The program - really an experiment - has been running for 20 years, with students measuring acceleration, heart rate, altitude, and other metrics on the amusement park rides. It also serves as a bonding experience for these future biomedical engineering majors. 

ABA VOTES ON TEST SCORES IN LAW SCHOOL ACCREDITATION

In one week, the ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education will vote on whether to continue to require standardized testing be used in law school admissions in order for law schools to remain accredited by the organization. Currently, law schools must use a “valid and reliable” test for admissions - a category that grew to include the GRE in November 2021. 

Even if the measure passes next Friday, it will still need to go before the ABA’s House of Delegates in February for final approval. In a 2018 attempt to eliminate the requirement, the measure was withdrawn before that approval process began. 

“VARSITY BLUES” YALE COACH SENTENCED TO FIVE MONTHS

The former Yale women’s soccer coach, who pled guilty to a charge of wire fraud in 2019 for his involvement in the Varsity Blues scandal, was sentenced to five months in prison on Wednesday. The coach, Rudy Meredith, was the first to tell authorities about Rick Singer, after Meredith was caught soliciting a $450,000 bribe from a father in April 2018.

SENATOR BEN SASSE APPROVED AS UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA PRESIDENT

Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) will leave the Senate in January in order to assume his new position as the President of the University of Florida on February 6, 2023. The Board of Governors approved Sasse’s appointment during a regular meeting on Wednesday despite the ongoing controversy related to his selection.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

A group of college students move into a convent… It may sound like the beginning of a punchline, but this is what happened at Neumann University in Pennsylvania. Neumann, a Catholic university, wanted more housing for students - and the convent on the edge of campus, once home to 1,600 nuns and now with a population of only about 300, had some extra bedrooms. While the nuns and students have separate entrances to the building and eat in separate dining halls, they have bonded over dorm pizza parties, painting pumpkins, and even learning a TikTok dance. Neumann anticipates moving even more students into the sisters’ home in the future. 

What does buying tickets to Taylor Swift’s tour have to do with college admissions? According to Jeff Selingo, buying concert tickets and applying to college have a few similarities. In his latest newsletter, Selingo explores the impact of early admissions, particularly early decision, on college admissions. At some schools, it is basically impossible to be admitted without applying early - and this phenomenon is only increasing. With ED becoming the new RD, we expect this trend will only be exacerbated by an economic downturn. During the Great Recession, colleges relied heavily on ED, so there is precedent to this increase. 

Lastly, don’t miss the Washington Post’s concerning expose about Yale’s handling of students with mental health challenges. I know that dealing with these struggles is sort of a lose-lose situation from an institutional standpoint- the colleges are of course very concerned about the students’ welfare, but still need to minimize their own liability. Still, this does not feel like a good solution to me at all - there has to be a better way.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

I just finished the 2nd to last week of the intensive part of my Goldman Sachs 10KSB program! (we will still meet during 2023 and have our “graduation” in May but the commitment will be substantially smaller than the 20+ hour weekly time commitment this past fall).

Anyway, we were working on operations and processes this past week (which I am truly passionate about) and had a fun exercise in which we had to work with our groups to provide instructions to build a PBJ sandwich. I led my group and it turned out we were only the 7th in the entire history of the program to wind up with an actual sandwich at the end! The other groups wound up with a peanut butter jar on the bread and so forth, but I helped my group create a detailed standard operating procedure to ensure a consistent product with no room for error.

This is exactly how I run DC College Counseling, and I have to say I am very proud of what a great job we do from an operations standpoint. We are not figuring things out on the fly - from college essays to proofreading applications to course registration - even for providing reminders and updating status charts - we have a well-thought-out system for every single thing we do. This gives us the opportunity to provide a consistently amazing client experience that reduces stress for our families and yields the positive outcomes they want.

(Ok - done bragging - now I will go back to struggling through financial statements, which are 100% NOT my superpower).

In other news - our juniors are really focused on the college search process right now, and we are so excited to get their feedback! It really is like a puzzle, finding a great list for each individual student, and we have so much fun working with our students to find their perfect fit(s)

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the choices or unsure how to research schools, book a Meet & Greet to learn more about how we can help!

Lastly, if you’re a high school student who loves to read, or is looking for a volunteer opportunity, become a member of the Fairfax Library’s Teen Advisory Board. The position will allow students in grades 7-12 to share ideas to improve teen programming at the libraries, as well as gain volunteer hours. Email alisha.hasson@fairfaxcounty.gov for more information or to apply. 

Enjoy the weekend!

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Weekly Update: November 4

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT

Like many in the higher education world, we were glued to Monday’s arguments in the Supreme Court! After the arguments, it seems likely that the Court will decide to eliminate race-consciousness in college admissions at the end of this term. This is likely going to have a reverberating impact on many aspects of the process, so we’ll be keeping a close watch on this one!

VIRGINIA’S FIRST COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

The school itself has been around for a while, but George Mason recently announced it will be renaming its College of Health and Human Services, instituting the George Mason College of Public Health as the first college of public health in Virginia. The College, which houses several schools at GMU including the School of Nursing, will offer both online and in person classes to graduate and undergraduate students.

FORDHAM INSTITUTES BOOSTER SHOT REQUIREMENT

On Tuesday, Fordham University’s policy requiring a mandatory fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine went into effect. This vaccine mandate, one of the strictest in the country, sparked backlash - with a group of Fordham Law School students announcing that they will file a lawsuit in the Bronx Supreme Court against the mandate. 

STRUGGLING ECONOMY IMPACTS UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENTS

Many schools are seeing the largest dip in their endowments since 2009 as assets continue to decline. Wash U, for example, lost over 10% of its endowment this fiscal year - slightly more than the average 7.8% loss across schools. For wealthier colleges, however, the impact has been less intense - with Princeton and Harvard losing just over 1% of their endowments. A continued decrease could impact faculty salaries and hiring, new projects on campuses, and more. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

The affirmative action case in the Supreme Court is generating a lot of articles around college admissions this week. We were especially intrigued by this article from The Atlantic, which explores the multitude of factors that go into the admissions process (as we always tell families, at a certain level, it doesn’t actually have much to do with how wonderful the student is!). And CNN dives into the specific relationship between Asian-American students and affirmative action - a particular issue as the cases currently before the Court allege that UNC and Harvard are discriminating against Asian-American students. 

Plus, yet more evidence of gaps in learning for students who attended high school virtually during the pandemic - particularly in classes like math, where foundational concepts clearly affect mastery of more complex material down the line. Math professors are faced with the dilemma of giving out more poor grades and failing more students, or changing their curricula and focusing more on fundamentals (we’re in favor of the latter!). 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon got back from a trip to Richmond recently to see VCU and the University of Richmond. Here’s what she had to say:

After visiting both schools at the same time, I was reminded of what a great microcosm of college variety they are! For sophomores or juniors just beginning their college search, Richmond is a great trip to take. Students will be able to experience and figure out whether they prefer an urban or suburban school; a big or small school; a public or private school… having two schools so close together that are such opposites is a really wonderful opportunity to start to figure out what works for you. 

November 1 deadlines may have passed, but things are still busy over here! We are focusing on wrapping up applications for our late-start seniors, as well as law school applications. We’re also getting started on military academy applications (remember to start these early!) and brainstorming college lists with our Class of 2024 juniors. Finally, we are continuing to finalize course selection as well as scholarship applications with our college experience coaching students. Phew! One of these days we will take a vacation ;)

Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!

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Weekly Update: October 28

Happy Halloween!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

HALF OF STAFFORD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OUT SICK

1,000 students at Stafford High School in Fredericksburg, nearly half of the student body, were out sick today with “flu-like and gastrointestinal symptoms.” The school is investigating the cause of the illness, and currently plans to be open on Monday. 

ELI LILLY CREATES NEW PURDUE SCHOLARSHIP

Eli Lilly has committed a $92.5 million gift to Purdue University, nearly half of which will fund a new pharmaceutical manufacturing scholarship program. The 75-100 students who receive the scholarship each year will receive full tuition, in addition to guaranteed internships or co-ops with Eli Lilly. The school expects to award the first of these scholarships next fall.

The remaining $50 million will go towards extending the established research partnership between Eli Lilly and Purdue. 

UMD MAKES NEW “TERRAPIN COMMITMENT”

UMD pledged this week to invest $20 million in need-based aid. The program will help fill in the gaps for low-income students who receive federal Pell Grants, to make tuition and fees more affordable for these students and families. The “Terrapin Commitment” joins programs such as UNC’s “Carolina Covenant” and Michigan’s “Go Blue Guarantee” in making it easier for low-income students to attend public universities. 

NC STATE COPES WITH STUDENT DEATH BY SUICIDE

This week, NC State suffered the third reported death by suicide of a student in the last two months. With 1,100 deaths on college campuses per year, suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students, and this is another harsh reminder of the mental health crisis that all schools continue to face. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

This article from The Atlantic explores the income gap at colleges and universities, in light of the affirmative action case coming before the Supreme Court. The author, Richard D. Kahlenberg, is serving as an expert witness for Students for Fair Admissions, the plaintiff in the case. He argues that striking down affirmative action is a progressive move, because it will require universities to give an “admissions boost” to economically disadvantaged applicants, rather than doing so along racial lines. Kahlenberg notes that while Harvard’s classes reflect America in racial diversity, the school has 15 times as many students from the top quintile of wealth distribution as from the bottom quintile. Likewise, UNC has 16 times as many students from the top fifth as the bottom fifth. He argues that a more authentic way to achieve racial diversity, after affirmative action is struck down, will be by admitting more economically disadvantaged students, noting that this is the case at schools like UC Berkeley and UCLA, which do not use race in admissions. 

Penn’s doctoral program in higher education management - a class for aspiring professionals hoping to become top-level administrators and university presidents - dedicated an entire weekend to discussing college sports and the NCAA. The importance of this subject matter is a clear sign of the impact that athletics have at the top levels of college administration. Students were asked questions about various aspects of athletic policy and budgeting - for example, if they were presidents of Big Ten schools, what would they do with the income from the conference’s new media rights deal? These types of questions are becoming increasingly more important for college presidents to answer as college sports continue to grow in popularity and revenue.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Those November 1 deadlines are right around the corner - good luck to those submitting this weekend and CONGRATULATIONS to all of our seniors who have submitted their early applications! We are so proud of all of you. Enjoy the Halloween weekend!

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Weekly Update: October 21

Hope everyone is staying calm this week - those early deadlines are coming up fast!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

CLEMSON’S NEW 10/15 DEADLINE CAUSES PANIC NATIONWIDE FOR HS SENIORS (EXCEPT OUR CLIENTS)

Back in May, when Clemson announced that they were moving to a 10/15 EA deadline by which student files had to be complete, I posted online that I knew it was going to be a disaster and I was right! A complete file means that all materials must be received and processed by the deadline, which is highly unusual - almost every school in the country has a materials deadline a week after the actual deadline.

That new policy, in combination with the 10/15 deadline (which only a handful of other colleges share - the rest are 11/1 or later) and the fact that students had to log in post-submission and submit a Self-Reported Academic Record before 10/15 was a recipe for disaster. We were ON IT and basically spent last Friday and Saturday hunting down every last one of our Clemson applicants to make sure every SRAR and file was complete by 10/15. And they all were!

Meanwhile, all hell broke loose a few days after the 15th! Tons and tons of applicants (my best guess is thousands) across the country were notified by Clemson that they were no longer under consideration because they missed the deadline and OMG they were furious. After a lot of social media bashing, Clemson ultimately buckled and responded by giving them another week, but wow - lots of needless stress. Moral of the story, read the directions or work with counselors who will read them on your behalf! 😀

LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DO NOTHING

No, seriously. In an effort to improve student mental health on campus, the university created a “Do Nothing” course, where students learn about mind-body techniques including sleep hygiene and Tai Chi. The course has the highest enrollment out of any non-required course at the university. 

BODY OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY STUDENT FOUND

Misrach Ewunetie, a Princeton student, had been missing for six days when her body was found on the campus’s facilities grounds yesterday. Police note that the tragedy does not appear to have been a result of suspicious or criminal activity, and both the university and Misrach’s high school have issued statements of mourning and support for her family.

TJHSST REGISTRATION OPENS SOON

Middle school students interested in applying for admission to TJ should note that registration opens next week, and will close in mid-November. Students can review the eligibility requirements and apply on the FCPS website. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

In this week’s Next newsletter, Jeff Selingo considers the “content” and “distribution” model as it applies to colleges. Many technology companies that he uses as examples started out as distribution channels only - think Netflix - and then went on to become content creators, while others (he mentions Disney) went the other way around, moving from creating content to controlling distribution (hello, Disney+). Selingo asks what the content is that universities uniquely create - their professors, curriculum, residential experience, etc. - and how it is distributed. As colleges move more and more content online, these questions will continue to resonate.

This is an idea that comes up nearly every year, but one that is worth considering for students and families - the way that niche sports can provide the typically white, wealthy students that excel in them with a path to admission at selective colleges. We’ve heard about the private squash and tennis courts at Connecticut homes, and this article dives into the world of fencing. But this path to admissions may be short-lived - if affirmative action is struck down by the Supreme Court, expect colleges to overhaul their admissions processes. 

If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you may remember MIT’s controversial reasoning behind reinstating test scores as part of the admissions process - that this metric, long considered a source of bias in the process, actually made it more equitable. A study from a Vanderbilt professor shows that MIT may have been onto something. Admissions officers find it much more difficult to evaluate students fairly when test scores are optional, and overall it has made the admissions process much more subjective than when scores were more widely used. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Some local news - Fairfax County health and medical science students are gaining valuable immersive experience through a partnership with GW, which provides access to the university’s Mobile Learning Center. The learning center includes AI aspects, virtual demonstration, and simulation activities. 

I was quoted in U.S. News and World Report this week in an article about how to know that you’re truly ready for college and all it entails! Check that out here.

We are excited to be wrapping up applications with most of our seniors! We know that the waiting is often the hardest part of the process, but hope that everyone submitting for the 11/1 deadline gets a chance to relax and celebrate a job well done. 

P.S. If you are interested in working with us for those regular decision deadlines (they are coming up faster than you think!), we have space! Please book a Meet & Greet!

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Weekly Update: October 14

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FEDERAL JUDGES BOYCOTT YALE LAW GRADUATES

A U.S. Circuit Court judge called for a boycott of hiring law clerks from Yale Law School in a speech to the Federalist Society in September. Last week, a second judge signed onto the boycott. The judges argue that the boycott is a result of what they call the “lack of free speech on law school campuses,” particularly at Yale. 

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI FRATERNITY CHAPTER CLOSED

The Miami chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was closed last Friday following an investigation of a party the fraternity held. The investigation was started after student reporters in the school newspaper, the Miami Hurricane, interviewed multiple female students who suspected they may have been drugged. The Hurricane also reported that a video taken at the party showed a crowd singing a song with disturbing sexual content. 

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

With so many Georgetown students interested in government and politics, we might expect a lot of attention on their student government elections. But this year, the battle between insider candidates with significant student government experiences and two outsiders who want to shake things up has some parallels to the current political landscape of the country- which this article explores in depth.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT RESIGNS

Samuel Stanley Jr. is Michigan State’s third president to resign in the last four years. The resignation was in response to pressure from the board of trustees after what they saw as the mishandling of a Title IX reporting case against the dean of the university’s business school. Sanjay Gupta, the dean of the business school, resigned in August after he allegedly did not follow university guidelines for reporting sexual misconduct.

STANFORD PRESIDENT ISSUES APOLOGY

Stanford created a task force earlier this year to investigate the history of Jewish admissions and experience, and recently released the finding that the university actively undertook efforts to limit the admission of Jewish students in the 1950s. In response to the findings, Stanford’s president released an institutional apology, along with a plan from the task force for steps that the university will take moving forward.      

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

At least a dozen college students are converging in Hawaii this week for the Ironman World Championship, more than ever before. Typically, these races are difficult for younger people to have the time and financial resources to complete - but the COVID-19 pandemic has given college students much more time for training. And with over 40 NCAA schools now offering triathlon as a sport, this may be a change that we continue to see in the future. 

This expose on the troubled teen industry - the “wilderness camps,” boot camps, boarding schools, and other institutions that cater to students with mental illness - reveals that many of the methods that are used to help these kids may actually be causing harm. Powerful interviews with former patients and experts reveal the negative impact that these types of treatment centers can have. 

This interesting article argues for a so-called “no-limit tuition” approach, in which students from very wealthy backgrounds would pay significant portions of their income to attend college. I don’t personally agree with this approach, but it is an interesting method to contemplate when it comes to college tuition reform. 

Looking for some final tips to finish up your college essays? Check out this article to read about why it’s important to maintain your unique voice - not those overly descriptive literary techniques from 9th grade English class. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We’re wrapping up the last of those early applications this week, and crossing our fingers for all of our readers with 10/15 deadlines - UNC, UGA, U of SC, and Clemson early action applications are due tomorrow!

Important PSA for any Clemson applicants who waited until today’s SAT score release to decide whether they’d apply test optional - you need to submit that application TODAY because they are sending the portal access overnight. Then you need to go into the portal in the morning to confirm that your file is complete by tomorrow’s deadline. Operating this way is just the worst - we are all about sending apps as early as possible - but this year some students didn’t have a choice because of the SAT score release date.

Also this weekend, don’t forget about the FCPS College Fair this Sunday, October 16! This is a really great opportunity for seniors to demonstrate interest in the schools on their list, and for younger students to ask questions and learn more about colleges as they start to put their lists together. 

If you are completing the FAFSA, College Access Fairfax provides some great resources and personalized help with completing this form - check out one of their Completion Events to get the FAFSA completed and submitted this month. 

Finally, if you are interested in hiring a tutor for your child, this article will cover everything you need to know - plus, see a shout-out to our own pro bono program at the end!

Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!

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Weekly Update: October 7

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

CAMPUS TRAGEDIES

There were, sadly, multiple acts of campus violence this week. A Purdue University student is in custody and charged with the murder of his roommate, who was killed just after midnight on Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, a professor at the University of Arizona was shot and killed - a former student is in custody. Both campuses have since reopened and there are believed to be no further threats to students or staff. Our thoughts are with those who were affected by these tragedies. 

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT CONTINUES TO DECLINE…

Though many facets of life are coming back to normal after the pandemic, college enrollment continues on its decline. The enrollment decrease is caused by a combination of factors, including cuts to state funding for public colleges, students questioning the value of a four-year degree, and the rise in online learning. Many colleges are shutting their doors in response to these issues. 

…BUT NOT AT SELECTIVE INSTITUTIONS

Right now, you might be wondering, “If enrollment is going down and colleges need more tuition dollars, why are things so competitive for my student?” The answer is that the enrollment declines and financial burdens have fallen mainly on community colleges and less selective institutions - at the elite colleges most of our students apply to, things are actually on the increase! The University of Michigan, for example, broke its enrollment record this fall, enrolling over 50,000 students at the Ann Arbor campus for the second year in a row. Don’t get too excited, though - this doesn’t come close to compensating for the 28% increase in applicants over the last several years. And for elite colleges that don’t plan to expand enrollment, the landscape is even worse.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you’ll know we aren’t the biggest fans of the U.S. News rankings for undergraduate schools. But we know that families continue to use them, and it is easy to see why! With SO MUCH information out there, it can be tempting to look for a definitive ranking that helps simplify the college search process. But the U.S. News rankings don’t often answer the most important questions that students and families should consider during the college search. Check out this article for the questions you should ask instead!

In his most recent newsletter, Jeff Selingo addresses the issue of what students are actually learning at college - and its value. He explores the disconnect between higher education and industry, arguing that while students can often present their “hard skills” easily on a resume, they have difficulty translating the “soft skills” that they learn in college - like writing, collaboration, creativity, management, and initiative - when interviewing for positions that require these types of skills. Students can develop these types of skills through experiential learning opportunities, like research and field work, as well as internships and other types of work experience during college. 

Fortunately, the job market these students are preparing for is a good one! This article notes that the types of things students want from their jobs post-pandemic - like flexibility and work-life balance - are different from what companies offered in the past. The average student finishes college with at least one job offer, and many career counselors speak of having to help students consider multiple offers. To take advantage of the job market, students should make sure to speak with their career services office - yes, even freshman and sophomores! Take advantage of the resources your school offers to set you up for success.

With many college students living away from home for the first time, it’s no wonder that they have a lot of questions for mom - from how to get a stain out of the laundry, to how to handle difficult issues, to just wanting a homemade cookie and cuddle from the family dog. That’s exactly why two moms set up their “Ask A Mom” booth on Penn State’s University Park campus! Students (as well as faculty and staff) can stop by to pet the dog, have a cookie, and ask any questions that they have to these two local moms. This is such a great example of a small act of kindness in this college community - we’d love to see it happen at more schools!

While this section is supposed to cover the best articles, I have a “worst” article of the week to share because it bothered me so much and it’s been on my mind. First of all, there are no "big tricks" to getting into elite colleges anymore. There are actions that applicants can take to raise or lessen their chances, but the idea of a (legal) "big trick" is silly and false. Secondly, while there are many reasons to go to private school, a leg up in the college admissions process is one of them anymore. All things being equal, elite colleges would rather NOT have students from private school - they want diversity!

Lastly, I had to mention the image in the article that explained how JFK went to Choate before going to Harvard. I actually laughed when I saw that - is that supposed to suggest that Choate students today have an easy path to Harvard? JFK graduated from Choate in 1935! A thing or two has changed since then. I graduated from Choate almost 20 years ago and I can assure you that only the absolute best and the brightest went to Harvard in the early 2000s. And the college admissions process today is a million times more competitive than it was then! Give me a break…

And on a lighter note, SO many people emailed me the Town & Country piece Why Are More and More Northern Kids Heading South For College? this past week that I finally broke down and bought a subscription so I could read the whole thing! It’s true - the percentage of our students looking at Southern schools grows by leaps and bounds every single year. The article’s findings support what we have seen anecdotally: students are drawn South by the sense of community and school spirit; the weather; the perception of more fun; and yes, the politics. “For some conservative-leaning families,” the article reads, “many Southern schools’ literal and figurative distance from what they describe as the ‘woke’ wave in parts of the country has become a huge selling point.”

SMU: One of the most beautiful campuses in America!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We’re wrapping up those applications for early deadlines, and many of our students have submitted and are finally able to rest and celebrate! We’re so proud of all of our seniors. 

This is the time of year when we hear from MANY students and families about how relieved they are to have their essays completed early, while their peers and friends are still stressed about working on college applications. If you are a junior who wants to Finish by September too, now is the perfect time to book a Meet & Greet with us and hear about how we can help you get on the right track to be clicking that “submit” button next fall!

Enjoy the weekend!

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Weekly Update: September 30

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

TRACKING HURRICANE IAN

Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by Hurricane Ian this week. Several schools, including the University of Florida, have been closed for several days and are expected to resume normal operations next week. The storm is making its way up the East Coast this weekend, so stay safe!

THE FAFSA OPENS TOMORROW

The FAFSA will open on October 1, and if you intend to complete the form, we encourage you to do it as soon as possible. If you are unsure whether or not you should complete the FAFSA, you can check out our earlier posts here and here to help make the best decision for you and your family. There are a lot of myths about the FAFSA that circle around every year, so if any of our current clients have questions about the process, make sure to reach out to us so we can help you make this decision.

NEW EXCELENCIA SEALS AWARDED

Since 2019, Excelencia in Education has given the Seal of Excelencia to schools that serve Latino students. The organization is dedicated to Latino college completion, and this year honored six institutions including UC Santa Cruz and UT Arlington. Nine schools were also recertified this year, including Arizona State, the University of Arizona, and Florida International University. 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK FIVE

Lots of college football news this week, including a potential breakthrough for NC State and the challenges that UGA will face in the SEC. Are you following the college football season? Let us know your team in the comments!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

This article explores the (somewhat bleak) reality of declining in-state students at flagship state universities. According to a report from the Brookings Institute, Alabama now has 34% in-state students to 66% out of state - a big flip from its 2002 ratio of 75-25. Clemson (though not the flagship) has about 50% out of state students. These numbers stand in contrast to some other states, like North Carolina, which limit the percentage of out-of-state students to 18% at all public colleges and universities. But for many of these schools, taking more (high-paying) students from out of state is a financial necessity - Alabama, for instance, receives only 10% of its funding from the state, and needs to make up a shortfall with out of state tuition dollars. 

If you are looking for statistics on price, admission, or really anything else to help you get a sense of the college landscape, our clients know that your best bet is generally a school’s Common Data Set. These can often be buried on a school’s website, but you can usually find them by Googling the school’s name and “Common Data Set.” For more about the type of data you’ll be able to find on the CDS, check out this New York Times article. 

This is not an article per se, but I have been REALLY enjoying the Gatecrashers podcast and would highly recommend it. It’s about the history of anti-semitism at Ivy League schools (I’m still on Episode #1 about Columbia) and it’s just amazing how much I’m learning.

I had no clue that routine aspects of the process as we know it today are actually a result of anti-semitic practices from long ago- for example, questions about parent occupations on college applications were originally included to try to identify Jewish students and keep them out. Anyway, this is definitely worth a listen!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It has been a flurry of submissions for us this week, especially for students applying to UGA, U of SC, Clemson, UNC, and other schools with 10/15 deadlines! A huge congratulations to those students who finished up their submissions this week. 

This is also the time of year when we hear from our students how happy they are that they finished up most, if not all, of their essay work over the summer. Every July, students and parents wonder why they need so much time for essay work, and every September they are thrilled to be done and able to focus on schoolwork and enjoying senior year! If you’re a junior and want to be the first one of your friends to finish up applications next fall, don’t forget to book a Meet & Greet - now is the perfect time to start working on your applications.

Stay safe and dry this weekend! My daughter is supposed to cheer at the Madison homecoming game tonight with her VYI team and we are all crossing our fingers it doesn’t get rained out!

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Weekly Update: September 23

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FLORIDA A&M STUDENTS SUE THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Six students from Florida A&M, an HBCU in Tallahassee, FL, are suing the state of Florida for what they say is unequal funding and resources. As a public institution, Florida A&M receives state funding, but the students allege that FAMU does not receive fair funding compared to other state schools, like Florida State. The lawsuit is another example of how the issue of underfunding at HBCUs is becoming more and more salient across the country.

BOMB THREAT AT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Students at Northeastern were instructed to shelter in place last night while police addressed a bomb threat at the Curry Student Center. And Northeastern wasn’t the only school facing threats this week - a University of Utah student was arrested on Wednesday after she threatened to detonate the nuclear reactor located on campus if Utah’s football team lost to San Diego State last Saturday. If you were wondering, Utah won the game 35-7. 

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY LGBTQ CLUB FINDS A COMPROMISE

We shared a couple of weeks ago about Yeshiva University’s attempt to bring a case to the Supreme Court against a Pride club on campus, arguing that recognizing the club would be against the university’s religious affiliation. The Supreme Court did not block the lower court’s order, meaning Yeshiva is still required to recognize the club. In response, Yeshiva put all undergraduate club activities on hold.

On Wednesday, the YU Pride Alliance agreed to a stay of the original court order in order to allow other student clubs to resume activities on campus.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Many families don’t realize when they initially start working with us that helping students ask for and receive excellent letters of recommendation is a core part of our process! We help all of our ongoing clients with everything from which teachers to the best way to phrase the question to preparing information for an awesome recommendation. Even if you’re not an ongoing client, though, you can pick up some tips from Colleen in this U.S. News article!  

With all the news about college football picking up this week (another sign of fall!), we found this WSJ article about college football eligibility an interesting read. 

A study published in Nature, the premier scientific journal, found that 20% of U.S. colleges and universities produce 80% of tenured college professors. In fact, one in eight professors got their degrees from Berkeley, Harvard, Michigan, Stanford, or Wisconsin. The study demonstrates that there is unequal access to faculty jobs and a lack of intellectual diversity among college professors. It also proves that as with many graduate degrees, including law and business, where you get your Ph.D. matters!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We highly recommend that students register for the College Fair on Sunday, October 16 at GMU’s EagleBank Arena. This is a great way to demonstrate interest and chat with representatives from more than 250 colleges and universities, including service academies. Check it out if you can!

We hope you have a fantastic weekend!

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Weekly Update: September 9

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

OBERLIN PAYS LOCAL BAKERY $36.59 MILLION

Oberlin College settled a years-long legal fight this week with a $36.59 million dollar settlement to a local bakery. The payout came after Oberlin sided with students who accused Gibson’s Bakery of racial profiling after a Black Oberlin student was caught stealing wine from the baker. After the incident, several hundred students protested outside of Gibson’s. The lawsuit emerged because members of Oberlin’s administration, including the dean of students, attended the protest. Oberlin hopes the payout will help to resolve and strengthen its relationship with local businesses. 

PRINCETON EXPANDS FINANCIAL AID POLICY

Princeton announced this week that it will cover tuition, room, and board for all students whose families make less than $100,000 per year. This new policy is expected to cover about a quarter of Princeton’s student body, who will now attend the university at no cost. The university has also expanded its “Miscellaneous Expenses” estimate from $3,500 to over $4,000 per year. Additionally, the expansion will help students from more affluent families, especially those who have multiple children in college at the same time. 

UVA STUDENTS PROTEST NEW BOARD MEMBER

Bert Ellis, one of Governor Youngkin’s picks for the UVA governing board, is receiving pushback from students. Ellis received his bachelors and masters from UVA, and is also the leader of the Jefferson Council, a UVA alumni group. The Cavalier Daily, UVA’s newspaper, recently published an article about Ellis’ efforts as an undergraduate to bring a prominent eugenicist to speak on campus, which led to student leaders objecting to Ellis’ appointment to the board. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

If there is one thing that intimidates many of our students, it is picking a college major! And while we reassure our juniors and seniors that their majors are not set in stone yet, if you are looking for tips on choosing a major, check out this article. The article’s author advises students to focus on a subject they love rather than a major that they think will be most financially profitable. While this is great advice for some students, for others, financial considerations are a huge part of their college degree choice! There are also certain careers that depend much more on degree than others. We encourage our students to talk with their parents and advisors (and us!) to figure out the best major path for them. 

I for one never took a film class in college, but if you’ve been wondering which movies your aspiring Film Studies major will be watching, check out this list of the most commonly assigned movies and directors in college classrooms! You’ll be surprised at the top choice. The article also provides data on the biggest drivers of “brain drain” - when students from public colleges move out of state to work. But D.C. is the biggest winner of brain drain by far, with 302% more college graduates living in D.C. than the city generates.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon and I have a ton of webinars and tours of various schools these next few weeks (Shannon is in Richmond today exploring UR and VCU). We’re excited to share our tips and impressions with all of you. Keep an eye out for a future post here with a list of virtual info sessions for students to attend as well! 

No matter where you are applying this year, we are in the home stretch of this process! If you are feeling overwhelmed by all of the upcoming deadlines, it’s not too late to set up a Meet & Greet - students who start this week should still be able to have their applications submitted by November 1. 

Have a great weekend!

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Weekly Update: September 2

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

TRAGEDY AT LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE

A column collapse at Lewis & Clark College killed one student and injured two others on Monday, the first day of classes for the semester. The three students were lying in hammocks when the brick column collapsed. We’re keeping these students and families in our thoughts, and hoping that everyone returning to school stays safe!

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY PETITIONS SUPREME COURT

In June, the New York County Supreme Court ordered Yeshiva University, a Jewish university in New York City, to officially recognize the YU Pride Alliance. Now, Yeshiva is petitioning the Supreme Court, arguing that its religious beliefs prevent it from recognizing the group. We will have to see if the results of this case have an impact on LGBTQ+ groups at other religious universities.

W&M OPENS FALL INTERVIEW SLOTS

Seniors who have been waiting for W&M interviews, you’re in luck! The college opened up new slots for interviews this fall, and there are a few times still available - interested students can register on their website.  

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

It seems like there are articles everywhere these days about the mental health crisis for teens and young adults - but though the pandemic certainly exacerbated this issue, it had been worsening for several years before any of us had ever heard of COVID-19. For a deep dive into the mental health crisis among teens, check out this episode of the New York Times’ The Daily podcast. 

We regularly see the tension between “town and gown” in some college towns in the news, but colleges and universities are now being judged more often by their relationship with their communities. This article argues that Muncie, Indiana’s Ball State University is a great example of how university leaders can integrate their institutions with the town and surrounding community. 

Curious about campuses that bring art to their communities? Check out some of the cool architecture and art installations in the world’s quirkiest campuses.   

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

If you are a high school girl interested in social justice and making positive change, the ChangeMaker’s Institute may be a great program for you! Students in this virtual program have the opportunity to connect with mentors and work with experts in social impact to think critically about problems in their communities and the world. The program is enrolling now for the fall class (held on Saturdays). 

I (Colleen) headed back to school myself this week - I posted last week about being chosen for Goldman Sach’s 10,000 Small Businesses Program and we began this past week with our orientation!

Now we are all back in school and ready for a great year! I’m excited to learn and connect with other entrepreneurs, and can’t wait to bring what I’ve learned to you all!

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