Maximizing Your Spring Break

It’s finally March, and the countdown is on to some of our favorite spring traditions: the National Cherry Blossom Festival, March Madness, and St. Patrick’s Day parades. But for high school students, there’s an even more exciting event on the calendar–spring break! 

We know that you might be going on a beach vacation, training for sports, or may even just want to relax at home. However, if you’re looking for things to do during your time off, take a look below. We’ve got plenty of suggestions that are sure to spark your interests, enhance your college process, AND still put the’ break’ in spring break.

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Plan your summer:

Would you love to investigate a crime scene or work in a STEM lab? Or maybe take a course in digital media and advertising? We know - you are sick of us mentioning summer planning - but there are hundreds of summer opportunities available for high school students, and now is the perfect time to apply for internships, academic courses, or volunteer programs. 

Check out our Summer Opportunities Database for an extensive list of opportunities. We update it every week with new postings! And if you find yourself needing help with an application, resume, or essay, book a session with us during your week off.

Tour a college campus:

We’re thrilled to see that so many colleges and universities are offering live campus tours again! Consider scheduling a visit or two, especially if you’re interested in schools that are a reasonable drive away. But even if you aren’t interested in nearby schools, visits could still be useful because they will help you develop a general sense of your preferences.

If you tour GW and realize that you would feel uncomfortable in an urban environment without a close community feel - congratulations! You just saved yourself trips to New York and Boston to check out NYU and BU. Or if you drive down to Lexington to visit Washington & Lee and feel isolated, Williams might not be a great fit either.

Don’t worry, though, if you’re not able to work tours into your schedule. You can experience just about any college or university from your home, thanks to the virtual information sessions and tours that became very popular during the pandemic-related shutdowns.

Brush up on old skills or explore new interests:

With resources like Khan Academy, Coursera, and Edx, it’s easier than ever to improve your academic skills and develop new talents. Spring break is a great time to review math concepts or prepare for the SAT using Khan Academy; learn the foundations of programming through one of Coursera’s most popular courses; or make your dream of becoming a comedy writer come true with Edx. We promise that there is a course for just about every subject or skill out there! PS: our database also includes a list of ongoing, self-paced courses as well.

Lend a hand:

With warmer temperatures on the rise (pun intended), you might be craving some fresh air. Why not make a difference while you’re soaking up the sun? Many local organizations are looking for volunteers to help with one-day service projects, like cleaning up Rock Creek Park or setting up a mobile market with Food For Others.

If you’re not able to participate in a local opportunity, consider helping virtually. Record an audio book for struggling readers, offer tech advice, or write letters to elderly members of the community in need of communication.

You can search for more volunteer opportunities in our database.

What are your plans for spring break? Share in the comments below!

Weekly Update: February 25

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS IN UNIFORM

In some striking images this week, the New York Times covered the use of the National Guard as substitute teachers in New Mexico schools, where the teaching staff has been severely impacted by COVID-19. 

While New Mexico is the only state to use the National Guard as substitutes, National Guard members have also driven school buses in Massachusetts, and police officers in Oklahoma have also served as substitute teachers. 

FLORIDA CONSIDERS FINANCIAL LITERACY REQUIREMENT

Virginia is one of a few states around the country that require students to learn personal finance in the classroom - including balancing a checkbook and completing a loan application. Florida may be the latest state to add a financial literacy requirement for high school graduation. We are big fans of practical coursework like this - and find that students are always more engaged when they know that they will use the material later in life.

VIRGINIA MASK MANDATES LIFT

Most Virginia counties have made mask mandates optional in schools, in response to Governor Youngkin’s recent executive order. In fact, Fairfax County is the last holdout - the only county that has not committed to switching to a mask-optional policy by March 1. 

Update! Earlier today, FCPS announced that masks will be optional starting Tuesday. You can read more about that here.

For an interesting exploration of how politics has played into parenting, both when it comes to mask mandates as well as curricula and vaccinations, check out this Atlantic article.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Yale professor Laurie Santos, instructor of the famous “Yale Happiness Class” and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, gave an interesting interview this week discussing her own feelings of burnout, as well as the anxiety that her students are experiencing. This is a useful interview for anyone trying to support college students - and anyone just looking to lead a happier life!

Based on a recently released Common ApplicationⓇ report, the number of applications has continued to increase this cycle, now up nearly 14% since before the pandemic. The report identifies nine key findings from applications up until the February 15 deadlines (p.s., these findings are all listed on the first page, so no need to read all 19 pages unless you’re admissions nerds like us :) 

Finally, we’re so excited to share this article, which includes some really important information about affording college. We often hear from students and parents that are cost-conscious that they prefer to look at public universities. But as the editor-in-chief of the Princeton Review says, “Never cross an expensive school off your list… by sticker price alone.” If you consider the possibilities of merit aid, whether schools consider financial need in admissions, and other factors, it is possible that a private education can end up being less expensive than a public one. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

February has FLOWN by and we are so excited to start reading student essays as they work through the STAGE Program with Staci. If you are a junior who has not yet booked your essay coaching meetings, make sure you get on the calendar to begin this process! 

Learning students’ personal stories is one of the best parts of this job - in fact, all week I have been thinking about an essay that one of our students wrote about his Ukrainian heritage (during a different application cycle). Such a devastating situation and we have been watching the news nonstop along with the rest of the world.

On a (much) lighter note, we have also been enjoying the end of the college basketball season! As some of you saw on instagram, my kids and I got to see Virginia beat Miami over the long weekend - so fun! Hopefully we will see another win against Florida State this weekend.

Have a great weekend and stay warm!

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5 Tips for Securing Strong Teacher Recommendations

There are over 1,700 reasons why it’s important to secure strong teacher recommendations for your college application. How did we come up with such a large figure? Well, that’s the current number of colleges and universities that are test-optional or test blind. 

Teacher recommendations have always been an important element of a college application, but with so many schools changing their testing policies in response to the pandemic and seeing record numbers of applications as a result, recommendation letters are more important than ever! Yes, even for students who plan to submit test scores! Letters provide admissions committees with important insights into your academic performance, as well as your personal qualities and overall attitude. A well-written recommendation will tell a story that your GPA (and scores) cannot.

So how do you secure a strong teacher recommendation? After all, you can’t control what a teacher writes about you. Or can you? There are actually specific steps a student can take to ensure two (sometimes three) quality recommendation letters, even in the age of online learning and hybrid classes. 

1. Be Present

Be present. Sounds easy, right? But we’re not just talking about being physically present in the classroom or via Zoom. One of the best ways to ensure strong recommendations is to be an active and engaged student. Participate in discussions and ask questions. This will show your teacher that you’re curious, you take initiative, and you do your work. Pitch in when it comes time for group projects, and don’t be afraid to take the lead when there’s an opportunity. If you’re struggling, reach out for help. And if you’re doing well, reach out anyway. You can strike up a conversation about the topics that interest you most in the class.

Being present is a habit you’ll want to establish early in your high school career. However, if you haven’t been as engaged as you’d like–perhaps because of the pandemic or shyness or a lack of confidence–you can start now. Make one conscious effort per day to engage, whether it’s raising your hand or staying after class to ask a question.

2. Build Connections

Investing in your classes is important, but so is creating connections and relationships within your school community. It’s much easier for you to request a recommendation if you feel comfortable with the teacher, and it’s much easier for them to write the letter if they have a connection with you.

We know that it can be challenging for some students to get to know their teachers, but there are plenty of small actions you can take. Say hello when you pass by teachers, and don’t be afraid to ask how they are doing. Visit teachers during their office hours or study halls, and consider coming to class a few minutes early. This is a great opportunity to strike up conversation and discover shared interests, like sports or music.  You can also join an extracurricular activity they are leading (but only if you’re actually interested in the activity). If you’re in an online or hybrid setting that limits your interactions with teachers, make use of Zoom chat boxes, email, and other forms of digital connection. Trust us, they will be thrilled to see you making the effort to become more than just a face behind the screen. 

3. Choose Recommenders Wisely

Before you start asking for recommendations, take some time to strategize. It’s not as simple as choosing your favorite teacher or the one who gave you the best grade. Think about teachers who can speak to your strengths, as well as your growth over time. It’s also important to pick recommenders who will offer different perspectives about your performance and qualities. Otherwise, you’ll end up with two repetitive letters. 

Subject matter is also a consideration. Ideally, one of your recommenders should connect to your area of interest. For example, if you’re applying as a business major, consider asking your math teacher to write one of your letters. 

Finally, do your best to pick current teachers who can reflect on who you are right now. As much as you might have loved your ninth grade history teacher, you’ve matured a lot (both academically and personally) since then.  We highly recommend trying to secure letters from junior year teachers. If this is truly not possible, it is okay to have a letter of recommendation from a sophomore year teacher that you will also have as a senior. Remember: sophomore year seems recent now, when it’s February of junior year, but the colleges will be reading these letters an entire year later! At that point, sophomore year is ancient history and your choice will raise a red flag about your relationships with junior year teachers.

4. Ask early…and politely give an out. Back off at the first sign of hesitation!

Be sure to secure your recommenders early, so your teacher has plenty of time to write a quality letter. We highly suggest asking for recommendations before the end of your junior year - after spring break is a great time. Many teachers limit the number of letters they write, so you want to make sure you secure a spot before the crowd rushes in during the fall semester of your senior year. 

Don’t just assume that a teacher will agree to write you a recommendation. Formally ask them, and in person if possible. We recommend using the wording: “Do you think you know me well enough to write me a supportive letter of recommendation?” This gives the teacher an out. If the teacher is in any way hesitant, they can decline with the excuse that they don’t know you well enough, and everyone can save face.

If there is any sign of hesitation at all, immediately abort the mission and find a new teacher! And certainly, never, ever argue with a teacher about this. Honestly, the kindest thing a teacher can do for a student is to show hesitation or decline to write a letter. This person is telling you in so many words that they are unable to write you a great letter … listen to that feedback! No letter is much better than a mediocre letter, which is basically the kiss of death to any college application.

5. Create a highlight reel

Regardless of how well your teacher knows you, they don’t know EVERYTHING. That’s why it’s extremely helpful to create a ‘highlight reel.’ Provide your recommender with information about your personal strengths, achievements, and interests. Of course you’ll  want to share highlights about your performance in their class, and the more specific you can be, the better!

Jog their memory about the cool project you spent months researching; the really challenging science labs you mastered; or the improvements you made to your study habits. And if the subject relates to your career interests or intended major, let your teacher know! It’s also a good idea to share your related involvements outside of the classroom, so your teacher has the ‘full picture’ and can speak to your contributions in other areas of school life that may relate to their subject matter.

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HOW WE HELP STUDENTS SECURE STRONG TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS

As part of our college counseling services, we work closely with students to develop a strategy for teacher recommendations and set specific goals well before it’s time to actually ask the teachers. We check in on the teacher recommendation strategy throughout the year, and ultimately help students create ‘highlight reel’ narratives for each teacher through a multi-step process that begins with our customized questionnaires.

If you would like to learn more about our services or schedule a session, please visit our website.

Weekly Update: February 18

We hope everyone has a great holiday weekend! A quick note that we will be closed on Monday for Presidents’ Day.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

UC BERKELEY MAY CUT INCOMING CLASS

An Alameda County judge ruled last August that Berkeley was under an enrollment freeze, in response to complaints by residents in the area about the school’s plan for expansion. Last week, Berkeley lost its appeal in the case. This makes it likely that they will need to cut one-third of the freshman class - over 3,000 seats! This development will likely make an already ultra-selective school even more so - particularly given that it comes on top of Berkeley’s cuts to out-of-state enrollment. Along with UCLA and UC San Diego, they are cutting their out-of-state population by approximately 21% (going from 23% of the overall population to 18%).

UC APPLICATION OPEN PERIOD EXTENDED

In other UC news, the window during which students can submit their application, which has always began on November 1, is set to begin a full month earlier next year - students can submit their applications as soon as October 1. The deadline for submitting the application will remain November 30 (though given the UC website’s history of crashing on that date, we highly recommend getting the application submitted much earlier!) 

US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION COLLEGE SCORECARD UPDATED

New changes to the Department of Education’s database allow students to see at a glance each school’s graduation rate, annual cost, and the median salary of graduates. Students can also see the percentage of graduates from any given college that earn more than a typical high school graduate. 

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

We’ve written before about the need- and merit-based aid processes for schools, but there are a variety of scholarships available for students from outside organizations, and it is important to be on the lookout for options like these (Shannon once applied for a college scholarship granted to tall students!). 

This week, we’re highlighting scholarships from the National Center for Learning Disabilities. These scholarships are open to students with a specific learning disability or a diagnosis of ADHD.

And if you’re more focused on the financial aid application process, a great free resource is College Access Fairfax - check out their webinars for step-by-step help through this very complicated process. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

In his newsletter this week, Jeff Selingo dives into colleges’ responsibility for graduate outcomes. Specifically, he notes that Black and Latinx students are often enrolled in majors with lower earnings, and this leads to underemployment after graduation. Selingo asks whether colleges are responsible for extending their diversity and equity goals to students’ lives after college as well as while they are at school. 

We just spent a lot of time in strategy sessions and meetings with our classes of 2023 and 2024 students to discuss course selection, and some of the news that gets the biggest groan from students and families is that yes, you have to take calculus. Yes, even you, hopeful English/history/political science major. This report from Inside Higher Ed concludes that a statistics class is often a better choice for high school students, academically. We agree! Unfortunately, until admissions offices start to see the light, students should still plan to take calculus.

Tj is once again in the national news. This New York Times piece covers a federal lawsuit from a group called Coalition for TJ, which alleges that the school’s new admissions processes are discriminatory towards Asian students. A group called the Pacific Legal Foundation is providing support to the TJ group in hopes that the case could potentially set precedent for other highly selective magnet schools. This reminded me of a different article I read last week from New York Magazine, entitled The Left Is Gaslighting Asian Americans About College Admissions. The author supports affirmative action in general but believes that the “dishonest propaganda” regarding the impact of affirmative action on Asians needs to stop. Feelings on affirmative action aside, I can 100% attest that Asian-Americans are discriminated against in high school, college, and graduate school admissions. It’s really awful and the term “gaslighting” sums it up perfectly. Why are we denying that this is happening? Come on - like the author says, it’s not only dishonest but insulting.

When it comes to graduate schools, like law or MBA programs, “brand names” tend to carry more weight than in the undergraduate admissions process. Nearly all students we work with are aiming for the top programs in their field. While attending a top school is extremely beneficial from a networking standpoint, these may not be the only schools that can prepare students for their future. This ABA Journal study lists the law schools whose graduates routinely overperform on the bar exam - and (surprise!) some of them aren’t ranked at all (P.S., shout out to UVA, Washington & Lee, and Liberty as the Virginia schools that made the list!). 

Finally, if you’re wondering how your major choice stacks up against other students in your class, check out this Forbes article for lists of the most popular majors for each class. For current high school seniors, the most popular intended majors include biology, business, nursing, and engineering.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We’ve been busy this week as Colleen and Shannon continue check-ins with current clients and strategy sessions, and Staci dives right into Common ApplicationⓇ essay work with students. It is so much fun to watch our students generate their essay ideas, and we’re really excited to see how this latest batch of essays turn out!

We also heard back about ED II results! We’ve hit the ED II lottery over the last few years; if I'm not mistaken, every single one of our ED II applicants in recent memory have been admitted. Given the selectivity and unpredictability of this process, I know this streak is bound to end soon... but we made it through another application cycle with our perfect track record intact!!! Yay! Our three ED II applicants were all admitted to their top choice schools - one to Johns Hopkins and two to Wake Forest! They are all amazing kids and we are so happy for them. 

On a related note (no pun intended!), we have noticed lately that we've been working with SO MANY sets of siblings and first cousins, and that ED II group is a perfect example. Of the three I mentioned, one is a younger sibling of a past client and two are older siblings of current clients. And we'll see even more of that in next year's graduating class, because our percentage of "legacy" clients is the highest it's ever been for the Class of 2023 - over HALF of them are either younger siblings or first cousins of former students! 

It's really fun to get to work with the same families over and over again throughout the years - and even more so when the older ones come back to work with us for grad school admissions!

Have a great long weekend - we’ll be back in the office on Tuesday!

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What We're Loving Lately...

 As college counselors, we’re often asked about our favorite books, schools, and strategies. We undoubtedly have a passion for college admissions and education, but our interests don’t end there.  Since love is in the air this week, we want to share the things we’re loving lately, from podcasts to food to binge worthy shows.

Anything from Cookie & Kate! Kate's site is my favorite for vegetarian recipes, and I love her cookbook as well. 

Yoga with Adriene. Adriene's classes really blew up during the pandemic - I've been doing yoga with her daily for almost five years! I really recommend it for beginner classes or people who want to get started with yoga. 

Gastropod. I recently discovered this podcast, and I'm loving binging the back catalog! If you are interested in the science and history of food, it's a must-listen. 

Wheel of Time on Amazon. I enjoyed this fantasy show so much that I've also started reading the (14-book) series it is based on!

Daily Harvest. I cook at home most of the time, so I wasn't sure about trying these frozen meals, but they have been a life saver in a pinch or with no time to cook. I like to keep one or two of their bowls in the office freezer too. 

Bloom Planners. I particularly love their daily to-do books to keep track of everything in my day, and I love that they're undated so I can only use them when I need to.  (P.S. they have some great winter sales right now).

Kate McLeod's "Daily Stone.” It's a no-mess way to keep your skin hydrated during the winter. I read about it online and added it to my Christmas list, and it ended up being my favorite gift of the season!

One Medical. With inflation skyrocketing, everything seems to cost more than it should - except for One Medical! This is a subscription-based primary care model that provides members with many aspects of what one would expect from a concierge medical practice. They have an office in Tysons as well as 24/7 immediate care available through their app. These people have come to my rescue a million times and I honestly have no idea how it costs $200/year - it's worth multiples of that!

The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO Max. You will find me staring in horror at the screen during at least half of each episode - while entertaining, this is not an easy watch for a parent of a girl! But in all seriousness, I do think it could spark some important (albeit awkward) conversations for parents and their college-bound seniors. 

Jeni's ice cream. My son and I love going to their Boro location in Tysons and recently tried the Maple Soaked Pancakes flavor on National Ice Cream for Breakfast day. He was a big fan; I love their new Pineapple Upside Down Cake flavor. Fun fact, Jeni's is originally from Ohio and I first tried it while visiting Ohio State back in 2017!

Flowkey. I played the piano from age 3 through college, and then never played once for about fifteen years. I am sad to report that it is not like riding a bike, at least for me, because I can't even read music anymore. But after my daughter got a piano for her birthday (thanks, grandma!), I started teaching myself how to play again on Flowkey and am really enjoying it! 

Rains Tote Bag.  This is the perfect bag for college students and commuters! It keeps all of your belongings safe and dry with its unique raincoat material. I first bought the small tote when I was living overseas and had to walk to work everyday. It’s become my go-to, especially for travel, because I can easily wipe off and disinfect the bag. If you’re not a tote person, there are plenty of other designs. I like the new backpacks and gym bag! 

Everywhere Oil –the name says it all. This clean beauty product is meant for all ages and skin types and can help with everything from eczema to split ends. But what I love most is the story behind this product. It was formulated by a stay-at-home mom who couldn’t find anything gentle enough for her skin during cancer treatments. Now she has an online shop, Paris Laundry, where she sells all- things clean and organic. To me, there’s nothing better than supporting a small business and one woman’s dream. 

Young Space. Despite being an English major in college, I ended up interning at an architecture museum in England. My work inspired me to write a book on British Georgian architecture (geeky, I know!), and I’ve loved following art ever since. One of my favorite ways to keep up with the latest artists is by following Young Space. This online community promotes emerging contemporary artists and their work while creating a space for art-enthusiasts to connect. 

Desktop wallpaper organizer. I was always one of those people with a messy desktop full of stray files and pictures. Not anymore, though! This desktop wallpaper organizer streamlines your files AND makes your desktop look impressively clean and stylist. And it’s only $5! 

Making sweet potato waffles for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I’ve conjured up my own paleo-friendly recipe based on some of my favorite Instagram health accounts. Blend two cooked sweet potatoes and about 6-7 eggs in a food processor or blender.  Then sir in 2 cups of almond flour, ⅔ cup of tapioca flour, ⅓ cup of water, and teaspoon of baking soda baking powder. Sprinkle the batter with as much cinnamon as you’d like. Each batch makes about 12 waffles, which you can easily freeze. Add bacon and a fried egg for a hearty breakfast sandwich or top with chicken and spinach for a quick dinner. 

WHAT ARE YOU LOVING?

Share your current loves with us via Facebook or Instagram

Weekly Update: February 11

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

DOLLYWOOD LATEST EMPLOYER TO PAY FOR COLLEGE

Dolly Parton’s theme park announced this week that it will pay for full college tuition for employees, as well as books and fees. The perk is available to seasonal, part-time, and full-time employees. We love seeing stories like this about how employers support their employees’ pursuit of higher education!

LONGEST SENTENCE YET PASSED DOWN ON VARSITY BLUES

Trials continue for parents involved in the Operation Varsity Blues scandal, and the longest sentence yet - one year and one day - was handed down this week. Gamal Abdelaziz was one of the first parents to face trial in the case (others, like Lori Laughlin, pleaded guilty and did not go to trial). Meanwhile, two-thirds of parents charged have received sentences of three months or less. Abdelaziz’s lawyers intend to appeal the decision.

DONOR AND LEGACY PREFERENCE IN JEOPARDY DUE TO H.R. 6559

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) introduced a bill last week to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. He seeks to prevent colleges and universities from giving preferential treatment to donors and/or legacies - with the caveat that the ban on legacy preference could be waived if it is “in the best interest of students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education.” You may remember that when Colorado banned legacy preference last year, we mentioned it was a big deal because of the precedent it set. We’re particularly interested to follow this bill in light of the upcoming Supreme Court case on affirmative action.

SCHOOL MASK MANDATES STILL IN FLUX

The Virginia Supreme Court dismissed a parent lawsuit contesting Governor Glenn Youngkin’s mask-optional executive order this week. Currently in many counties in Northern Virginia - including Fairfax, Alexandria, and Arlington - mask mandates can remain in place while the order is on hold. On Thursday, Fairfax County announced that it would make masking optional once COVID transmission reached “moderate levels.” We expect to see more changes to mask orders in the coming weeks, in Virginia as well as around the country.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

As debates around the country continue over banned books and school curricula, there have been several interesting articles this week that shed some light on these issues. This article argues that the purpose of higher education is “critical inquiry,” while The Atlantic this week explored the nuances of discussing versus using offensive language in the classroom. (Side note: If you’re particularly interested, FCPS community members can actually review and weigh in on elementary language arts instructional materials here until the end of February).

We also enjoyed this personal essay about how the author nearly “ruined” her daughter’s talent show - with the message that in some cases, it is important to allow children to be bad at something in order for them to learn and grow.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

In case you missed it, we wrote a blog post earlier this week about UVA’s (very surprising!) EA decisions. If you, like us, are scratching your head at some of the decisions you’ve seen or heard about recently, this is worth a read!

Have you checked out our Summer 2022 Internships Database recently? If not, you might be missing out on some great opportunities! We update this page every week with local and virtual internships and college courses. Now is the time to get your plans set for this summer! If you are an employer with an internship or job opportunity for high school students, let us know - we would love to feature your posting on our page. 

Lastly, some of you hit 100 days of school this past week - whether you’re a senior getting ready to graduate, or a junior getting ready to be done with this difficult year, it’s all downhill from here! Well, except for the 10th graders… buckle up :)

Our first student from the HS Class of 2035 dressing up like a 100-year-old to celebrate 100 days of Junior Kindergarten this week! :)

Enjoy the weekend!

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Class of 2022 UVA Early Decision/Early Action Results

I’m sure that most of you have read Dean J’s blog post by now with the EA admissions statistics for UVA’s Class of 2026. I love how she breaks the numbers down between in-state and out-of-state, by the way. That is so helpful and I wish other flagship state universities would follow suit.

The Early Decision numbers for in-state applicants didn’t change all that much from last year, except there was more of everything: total applicants, accepted applicants, deferred applicants and denied applicants. It all balanced out, though. 38% accepted as compared to 39% last year; 29% deferred as compared to 26% last year; and 33% denied as compared to 35% last year.

Early Action followed a similar pattern for in-state applicants - the raw numbers for each group were up, but percentages were actually exactly the same as they were the year before: 30% accepted, 27% deferred, and 43% denied.

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But here’s the interesting thing. The percentages staying constant do NOT mirror what we are seeing and hearing anecdotally from kids here in Fairfax, Arlington, and even Loudoun County. Not at all. To the point that I checked my math about five times (I really hope I didn’t make a mistake)!

I am not going to perpetuate the rumor that UVA has quotas, because they don’t. Yet I would really love to know the breakdown of these in-state numbers by county or region. Is it possible that even though the in-state numbers as a whole don’t show a significant difference, the county-by-county breakdown would? It’s just really hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that the percentages stayed the same this year when so many of us counselors (independent and high school) are observing a different scenario with our Northern Virginia students:

Here’s what we noticed in particular:

1. Over the past two years there has not been a huge difference in terms of the quality of the admitted student pool between the ED and EA rounds. Statistically, ED is slightly easier, but it’s also a different applicant pool - there are typically more legacy students and recruited athletes in any school’s ED applicant pool. This can often balance out a moderate differential. Anyway, in terms of our internal data (which is admittedly statistically insignificant and from a similar demographic), it did not seem like the ED advantage was anywhere near as substantial as it is for some other schools. Other independent and high school counselors noticed the same.

2. This year was different, starting with ED. We had some students admitted in that round that I was very surprised (but thrilled, don’t get me wrong!) were admitted. These were not kids with any particular connections, either. And of course we also had students admitted ED that were extremely qualified. As well as a couple that we thought should have been admitted. But overall, it was a significantly easier ED year.

3. We did not have that many EA applicants this year, because so many of our students had UVA as their first choice and applied ED. We also had a lot of ED kids admitted to other schools who later pulled out their UVA EA apps. But of the remaining applicants we had in the EA pool, there were some really shocking decisions. Kids who 100% should have been admitted were not. If I shared their stats, which I can’t for confidentiality reasons, you would be shocked. And you can’t blame it on essays or teacher recs or something else, because these ultra-qualified kids have been admitted to other schools that are in some cases significantly more competitive than UVA. And SO MANY OTHER COUNSELORS are noting the same. I can’t tell you how many conversations I have had this week about it.

4. A number of students (not our clients, actually) were not admitted even though they had already advanced in the rounds for the Jefferson Scholarship. This is WILD to me. Understandably, these students were more focused on the scholarship at this point and assumed that admission itself was more or less a done deal, since, hello! They are supposed to be the top students in the applicant pool! The reason this is so interesting to me is because the admissions committee does not make the decisions for Jefferson Scholars - it's a separate committee from the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. And my assumption is that the Jefferson Scholars committee is free to make decisions based on merit, while the admissions committee has to take other factors into consideration about shaping the class.

Again, I don’t want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but the stats do not add up with what we observed from other years with our admittedly-not-representative-of-the-state-as-a-whole student group.

SO - My advice for Class of 2023 juniors interested in attending UVA? Apply early decision, and for the love of God, please PLEASE continue foreign language during your senior year!!! 😃 I HATED IT TOO SO I FEEL YOU BUT THIS WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU!

Weekly Update: February 4

Happy February! We hope everyone is staying dry :)

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

UVA EARLY ACTION DECISIONS RELEASED TONIGHT

So many of our students are on the edge of their seats waiting for UVA early action decisions to come out tonight. Make sure to check those applicant portals this evening, and we’ll be here with information on statistics for this year as soon as those are released. Fingers crossed for all of our students waiting on UVA decisions!

GEORGETOWN LAW PLACES ILYA SHAPIRO ON LEAVE

Ilya Shapiro, who was expected to take over as the executive director at Georgetown Law’s Center for the Constitution this week, has instead been placed on administrative leave in response to his tweets about Biden’s commitment to nominating a Black woman to the Supreme Court. Shapiro is on leave pending an investigation into whether the tweets violated Georgetown’s non-discrimination and anti-harrassment policies. 

TRINITY COLLEGE WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS

Trinity’s College Decoded webinar series will walk students step by step through the college process, from the search to the essay to the campus visit. This is a great resource for juniors as they start on the active part of the college application process!

NATIONAL CATHOLIC COLLEGE ADMISSION ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

Are you a senior attending a Catholic college next year? Don’t forget about the opportunity to apply for a National CCAA scholarship! The application only takes a few minutes to complete, and winners are chosen by random drawing, so this is a scholarship application that takes relatively little work for a potential $1,000 award.

NATIONAL GIRL SCOUT ADVISORY BOARD

GSUSA is accepting applications for up to ten seats on the National Girl Scout Advisory Board. Girl Scout members of the advisory board work with teams in the National Office on projects aligned with the national strategy, including DEI/RJ, older girl engagement, research, marketing and more. The Girl Advisory Board makes recommendations, contributes to key initiatives and gains valuable experience and professional development. Girl Scouts who will be in grades 7 through 11 in Fall 2022 are eligible to apply. This is a great leadership opportunity for students to take advantage of this year! Applications are due by February 21.  

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Several interesting articles this week that focus on the cost of college - and how it can be a major deterrent to some students. This article from The Conversation explores why students drop out of community college, even when they are close to a degree. There are a variety of reasons, but the top three have to do with cost: tuition is too high, living expenses are too high, and running out of financial aid. 

And even small expenses can contribute to this strain. This Washington Post article opens with the story of a student who was forced to drop out of college because he couldn’t afford the $25 bus ticket to get to campus. Now, colleges and educational nonprofits are looking for ways to help students pay for transportation, lodging, textbooks, housing deposits, and other expenses that, while they may seem insignificant to typical middle-class students, can be prohibitive for some would-be college graduates. 

Cancel culture has been a salient conversation when it comes to college campuses for years now, but the conversation is all too often dominated by politicians, professors, administrators, and other adults. This Atlantic article explores self-censorship and the notion of cancel culture through the students’ point of view, and is an interesting look at how self-censorship is working on college campuses. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

If you read our earlier blog this week, you know that the Common App prompts for this cycle have been released! Our class of 2023 students can now begin their essay work, and will receive an email from us today with next steps. Now, we expect that most students will be able to wrap up those essays by spring break - and be ready to get started on their supplements!

As I mentioned on last week's blog, the Coalition Application announced an integration with Scoir and Slate. The Scoir counseling platform is used by students and counselors on the high school level, and Slate is a CRM used by colleges and universities to track applicant information (all that demonstrated interest data we talk about!). The webinar started with Gerry McCrory, the CEO of Scoir, who discussed the rationale for the integration. The whole thing sort of "clicked" for me when he explained that this will essentially be the TurboTax of the college admissions process. Love that analogy!

Here's how it will work: students and high school counselors will record student information in Scoir across the student's high school years, the way most already do anyway. When students begin their Coalition Application at the start of senior year, they will realize that they are 75% done already! They just have to answer the last few questions and then they can submit their applications. He explained that the goal is to make applying to college less transactional, and that they aren't building a new application, just a different way to apply.

In theory, I like the sound of this and I think that if it operates as planned, it does have the potential to simplify the process for some groups of students (primarily those applying to less-selective schools that have fewer school-specific questions and supplemental essays). However, given the experience I've had over the last five years or so with the Coalition Application, I do not have a high level of confidence in the organization's ability to carry this out as planned.

I also have another big concern - yes, this process makes it much EASIER for students. But sometimes the easier process is not what will get them the results they want. If there aren't any essays or short answers, and the application mostly contains information regarding demographics and academic data, how will colleges be able to differentiate applicants from one another? The process will become much less holistic... which will likely hurt the very students this partnership seeks to help. It's hard to say how this will turn out, but we will continue to keep everyone posted as we learn more information. 

Have a great weekend!

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College Essay Tell-All

Finally, what our office has been waiting for–the official release of the 2023 Common App essay prompts! And in the true spirit of Groundhog’s Day, these prompts are a repeat of last year’s menu of options. 

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Even though we are facing six more weeks of winter (according to Punxsutawney Phil), we’ll soon be kicking off essay writing season here at DC College Counseling. After all, it’s never too early for juniors to begin thinking about their college essays. 

As we all know, essay writing isn’t an exact science, and if you search for advice to guide you through the college essay process, you’ll find a plethora of myths and misinformation. That’s why we’ve decided to do a tell-all today. We’re confronting some of the biggest college essay rumors and exposing the real truth.

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Rumor #1: The topic of your essay should be extraordinary. 

The Truth: The majority of teenagers haven't been to the Olympics or climbed Mt. Fuji. That's okay! What makes a topic extraordinary is the way in which a student gives meaning to a particular experience, no matter how big or small. 

Rumor #2: The essay should sound like a professional wrote it.

The Truth: Of course a college essay should be polished and error-free, but it is very important to edit carefully so that the student's authentic voice is not lost. Admissions committees know applicants are high school students, and they want the essay to sound like a teenager wrote it.

Rumor #3: The admissions committee won’t actually read your essay.

The Truth: The admissions committee WILL read the essay, because they matter. A great essay can help a student stand out and will increase the likelihood of acceptance.

Rumor #4: It’s okay to ‘stretch’ the truth.

The Truth: College essays ask students to reflect on personal experiences and offer their genuine perspective on the world. There's no such thing as an authentic essay if it's not honest - and the committee will see right through it.

Rumor #5: A five-paragraph structure will earn you an A on your college essay. 

The Truth: The college essay doesn’t have any steadfast rules about structure, and there’s certainly no grading rubric by which students are scored. By definition, this essay is personal and creative. Be organized, but don’t be constrained by the traditional academic mold (it would actually be very odd to have a traditional five-paragraph structure for a personal essay - no thesis, either!).

Rumor #6: Never show weakness. 

The Truth: Applicants should always ‘put their best foot forward,’ but that doesn’t mean trying to appear perfect. Discussing a weakness can actually make for a reflective and relatable piece of writing–if it’s done correctly. Students should use their weakness as the starting point for positive growth and transformation, not as a negative excuse or limitation.

Rumor #7: Lead with your achievements.

The Truth: The college essay is the one space where a student can show who they are beyond grades, test scores, and titles. So instead of wasting these precious 650 words repeating information the admissions committee can find elsewhere in the application, students are better off telling an actual story that reveals something new about them. 

Rumor #8: If you don’t have a good idea, borrow one from someone else. 

The Truth: There are literally thousands of sample college essays available online, and it might be tempting to ‘borrow’ an idea, especially if a student is suffering from writer’s block. Remember, though, that the college essay is a PERSONAL essay. A student can’t possibly write a successful personal essay if the feelings and experiences are real.. it just won’t seem authentic. Oh and did we mention that plagiarism is never a good look!?

Rumor #9: Bad writers need not try or apply.

The Truth: Just because a student struggles with writing doesn’t mean they can’t produce a strong college essay. They just need the right structure and support. That’s why it’s so important for students to follow an organized writing process–one that involves brainstorming, drafting, and revising– and carve out enough time for each part of the process. Enlisting the help of trusted adults (like us or parents!) is also recommended. We just went through some of our recent student essays to pick some examples that we thought were particularly excellent, and it struck me that two of the three were from boys whose parents were very concerned about the college essay process. And now we just chose them as some of the best!

Rumor #10: The college essay process is stressful. ‘I’m a terrible writer. Nothing exciting has ever happened to me. This is the most important essay I’ll ever write, so it has to be perfect.’

The Truth: The college essay process is often anxiety-inducing for students, but it doesn’t have to be! We encourage students to shift their mindset. Instead of treating the college essay as a high-stakes, mandatory assignment, approach it as a creative opportunity to show off who you are. The writing process will still take time- there are no magical shortcuts- but with the right attitude, it can actually be fun. And the skills you gain during the process will be a tremendous asset in college and beyond!

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Do you need support with the college essay process?

Please click here to book a Meet-and-Greet or an essay coaching session.

Weekly Update: January 28

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

THE SAT GOES DIGITAL

Some of the biggest news this week has been around the SAT, which announced a major change this week - the SAT will go fully digital in 2024, and the length of the test will shorten to just two hours. 

If you are preparing to take the test now, this likely won’t have an effect on your planned test administrations, but ninth graders and younger students should be aware of the big changes to come!

This article is helpful as a clear breakdown of what we currently know and don’t know about this new SAT, and one of the SAT tutors that we work with also published a blog this week about how these changes could affect students’ preparation. They might even impact whether the students choose to take the ACT or SAT!

SCOIR ANNOUNCES COALITION INTEGRATION

While the Common App is fairly, well, common to our students, some of those who haven’t yet started the application process may have never heard of the Coalition for College Access. The Coalition Application operates much like the Common App (though we find it way more confusing!) in that it allows students to apply to multiple colleges through the same site. There are a few schools that will only accept the Coalition App, and others that take both, but in general the majority are Common App-exclusive and do not opt for a Coalition affiliation.

This week, the admissions software Scoir (which many high schools have begun to use as an alternative to Naviance) announced a partnership that will allow students to apply to Coalition schools directly through Scoir’s platform. The Scoir integration will take the place of the Coalition’s own application. 

This is a controversial move and we definitely have some concerns. Colleen will be attending a webinar next week to learn more about how this will impact students, and we will give you an update.

ON-CAMPUS VISITS ARE BACK

Many of our students are planning spring break trips to see schools, and we’re excited that some are open again for on-campus tours! If you’re trying to plan your college visits, check out this list from College Kickstart of schools offering on-campus tours. The list covers the top 50 national universities and the top 50 liberal arts colleges, so this is a great starting point for your spring break.

SUPREME COURT HEARS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CASE

The anti-affirmative action cases against Harvard and UNC’s admissions processes have made their way to the Supreme Court. This is the first time the Supreme Court will make a ruling on affirmative action since upholding the practice in 2016. Most universities do consider race as a factor in the admissions process, so if this practice is overturned, it will likely have far-reaching consequences in the admissions world. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case during its next term, beginning in October. 

FCPS UPDATES

FCPS’s live virtual career fair will run from February 14-February 17. This provides a great opportunity for students to learn about different careers and get connected to local professionals for networking opportunities. Don’t miss it!

And for parents and educators of special needs students, the Annual FCPS Special Education Conference is coming on March 26 - registration will open in March.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

After TJ removed a testing component as part of its admissions process, the school was hit with a lawsuit (which is still pending). But other highly selective, public technical high schools may soon be facing the same situation. This article explores the testing requirements for entry to schools like TJ, New York’s Brooklyn Tech, and San Francisco’s Lowell High School. This is a long read, but worth it for anyone interested in the nuances of how testing affects (or doesn’t) the diversity of the student body at these selective public schools. 

The general counsels for UVA and George Mason have been fired by the new Virginia attorney general. So far, we don’t know whether general counsels for other Virginia public colleges have also been let go. A statement from the attorney general’s office says that they hope to appoint new counsel that will be more in line with the goals of the office rather than the philosophy of the universities. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It is hard to believe how fast this year has gone, but as we keep emphasizing - it is already time for high school students to start thinking about their summer plans! The process continues to be uncertain this year, so we recommend that students have a summer option they’d like to pursue if the pandemic allows, and then a backup option that would make them equally happy if Omicron necessitates that they choose a virtual experience this summer.

Still not sure of your summer plans? Check out our Summer 2022 Virtual Opportunities Database for some ideas! We will continue to add new in-person and virtual opportunities in the DC area and around the country on a weekly basis, so bookmark this page to stay up-to-date on all of your summer options. 

Enjoy the weekend - stay safe in the snow!! And good luck to all our first-year girls at UVA finishing up formal recruitment this weekend!!

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What's on Your Shelfie?

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

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

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

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

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COLLEEN

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

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

SHANNON

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

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

STACI

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

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LOOKING FOR A RECOMMENDED READ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weekly Update: January 21

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN’S MASK ORDER

Governor Youngkin issued an executive order this week that gives parents the final say on whether or not their children wear masks in schools, even if the schools have a mandatory mask policy in effect. Many school districts, including FCPS and Arlington County, are still requiring masks for now, and several parents have filed lawsuits in response to the order. The biggest impact we will see in our area will likely be at Catholic schools, as the Diocese of Arlington has opted to follow Governor Youngkin’s lead. With a child in one of those schools, I’m a Iittle nervous to see how this plays out…

MARYLAND UNIVERSITIES REQUIRE KN95 MASKS

Meanwhile, several colleges and universities in Maryland are requiring everyone on campus to wear high-grade masks. Johns Hopkins is requiring N95 or KN95 masks or two surgical masks, while UMD and Towson will require KN95 masks in classroom settings. 

“CALIFORNIA FOR ALL COLLEGE CORPS” LAUNCHES PILOT PROGRAM

Governor Newsom recently announced a pilot program that will cover $10,000 of tuition costs at 45 California colleges and universities, including UC Berkeley and UCLA, for students who complete at least 450 hours of community service. Students can volunteer for one year to serve in high-need areas like climate action, K-12 education, and COVID-19 recovery. 

BOSTON COLLEGE MERGER WITH PINE MANOR

During the pandemic, many smaller colleges faced financial hardships that required school closures, including Pine Manor college in Massachusetts. Luckily, the school merged with Boston College and is now launching the new two-year Messina College, with the goal of recruiting, retaining, and graduating underrepresented and first generation students. The institute will have housing for students on its campus, and BC’s president said that he hopes students graduating from Messina will be able to transfer to Boston College. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We are picking up now with law school admissions for juniors in college this spring - this is really the time to start preparing to apply to law school! One myth that many students come to us with is the idea that law schools only care about GPA and LSAT score. While GPA and LSAT score are very important in this process - in fact, we’d argue that these numbers are more important overall in the law school process than for undergraduate applications - they aren’t the only factors. This article covers six important factors in law school admissions, including life experience, work and volunteer experience, and motivation. 

Of course, these factors definitely play a role in admissions. However, it is important to consider them in the context of your application. If you are applying to law school straight from undergrad, your GPA is going to be a very important factor. If you are applying to start a second career after 10 years in the working world, your work experience is going to carry more weight! 

Most of our students and families are familiar with Naviance - the software that helps two-thirds of American high school students with their college research. This article explores how Naviance collects data on applicants and allows colleges and universities to advertise directly to a certain pool of students, basing targeted ads on criteria like geographic location and race. This is definitely something that students and parents should be aware of - and be careful to think critically about the schools that Naviance suggests to them! 

This article takes a deep dive into the establishment of Florida International University, from its origin on an abandoned airfield to its recent receipt of a $40 million donation from MacKenzie Scott. The school now has the number 6 ranking for social mobility among all universities in the country, and jumped 22 spots in the U.S. News rankings in 2022 compared to 2021. If you are interested in the rise of a newer college to the public eye, it is definitely worth looking into FIU. Especially if you want to say goodbye to this awful weather!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We’ve used the space in the last few weeks to spotlight extracurricular and summer opportunities that students can use to improve their communities and their college applications. This week, we’re sharing an opportunity to become a student board member of McLean Community Center. There are two board slots available for teens who are residents of the MCC’s tax district (Small District 1A-Dranesville) and will be 15-17 years of age on May 21, 2022. One slot is for a student living within the Langley HS boundary, and one slot is for a student living within the McLean HS boundary, although neither student needs to actually attend the schools. Candidate petitions are due by March 11. For more information, check out the Community Center’s website. 

We have these opportunities in mind because we are spending a lot of time this month with our current juniors, discussing high school course selection, testing plans, extracurricular activities, teacher recommendations, and more! This is a perfect time to get started on the undergraduate or law school admissions process - for more information, book a Meet & Greet to chat with us. 

Lastly, we are also working on trying to reduce student stress and anxiety as much as possible. Just when everything felt like it was going back to normal again, the omicron variant came in with a fury and did a number on adolescent mental health. if you are noticing your student’s anxiety becoming an issue at home, you should check out this week’s parent workshop by the highly-sought-after Dr. Dan Shapiro. There are so many families who could benefit from some help in this area, and we think Dr. Dan is great!

You can register here for Thursday’s program.

Have a great weekend, and stay warm!

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10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a College Counselor

Maybe you are the parent of an eighth grader wanting to get a jump on high school course selection, or a junior family at the end of your rope with the mounting application stress at home. Wherever you are in the process, you’ve decided that you need some help, and you’re pretty sure that you’re ready to start working with an educational consultant.

It’s not just the college search that can feel overwhelming - the search for the right educational consultant (or college counselor) can be overwhelming too! Educational consulting is a field with a notoriously low barrier to entry, so how do you know if the consultant you’re considering has the knowledge and experience to support you and your family? 

The answer is - do your research and have a conversation! Take the time to make sure you are working with a consultant who can help with YOUR specific goals. To get you started, we’ve compiled some questions to ask before you hire someone to work with you on your college search.

Questions to Ask

1. Who in your office will be reading and reviewing my child’s college applications? Does that person have previous experience working in an admissions office? Does that person have previous experience working in a high school counseling office?

2. Who in your office will be reading and reviewing my child’s essays? Will more than one person review the essays, to get a variety of perspectives on the work? Does someone perform a final proofread of everything?

3. What do you believe is an appropriate level of parent involvement? Will you share my child’s essays and applications with me if I ask to see them? What if my child and I disagree on important matters, such as college choices or quitting a major activity - whose side will you take?

4. How will you help keep my student on track in implementing your college admissions strategy?

5. Do you advertise your services? How do you typically connect with prospective clients?

6. How many students do you work with each year?

7. What services are included in my package? Do I have options to make sure the services will help with my family’s specific needs?

8. What services are NOT included in my package? What will I be responsible for at home with my student?

9. What are your hours? How long will I have to wait for an appointment? 

10. What kind of experience do you have with students like mine? What if I need to pivot or my family’s goals change during the process? Is your experience broad enough to accommodate this or do you only work with students in a particular niche?

A few thoughts

You will notice that some of these answers are relatively straightforward, with clear “right” and “wrong” answers. For example, it’s extremely important to retain a consultant who has professional experience working in an admissions office. Nearly everyone in our field would agree with this… unless they don’t have the right experience :)

On the other hand, most answers relate to individual family preferences, and what is right for one family will not be right for another. For example, one area where our views actually differ from a lot of other consultants has to do with final decision-making power. While we do our best to make the process as student-centered as possible, we feel that parents, not students, should be the final decision-makers in the event of a disagreement.

So while we would not hesitate to let parents know privately if we believe they are making a mistake, we would maintain a neutral position in front of the student and would never contradict their parents. We also tell students off the bat that there should be no expectation of privacy between us and their parents; if their parents want to read their college essays, we will make those available. Other consultants believe that this approach would be completely inappropriate, and that these decisions should be left up to the students.

Again, there’s no right answer, but it’s important to make sure the person you hire has views that align with your own.

FUN FACT

You may have noticed that we use the titles “educational consultant” and “college counselor” interchangeably. An “educational consultant” is a broader term that encompasses a wide variety of professionals helping to support families and organizations with issues related to education. On the other hand, college (and graduate school) counseling is our particular specialty. Either term is correct - you pick!

If you’d like to talk with us about whether we’d be a good match, don’t be afraid to reach out! We also make sure that many of these answers are visible on our website, and pride ourselves in our transparency:

Weekly Update: January 14

Happy Friday! A note that our office will be closed on Monday for MLK, Jr. Day. Have a great long weekend!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

TOP COLLEGES SUED FOR ANTITRUST VIOLATIONS

Sixteen top universities, including Yale, Georgetown, Penn, MIT, Brown, and Northwestern, are being sued for antitrust violations in response to the way that they work together when determining financial aid awards for students. The lawsuit was filed in Illinois this past weekend, and claims that over 170,000 students were overcharged in a financial aid system that amounts to price-fixing by the colleges. 

Though the schools do coordinate their financial aid processes, this system has been exempt from antitrust laws because all of the schools named in the lawsuit are need-blind, so financial need is not considered a factor in their admissions processes. But the lawsuit casts doubt on whether these universities truly do not consider need as an admissions factor. 

This is why we never recommend “applying just to apply” if you already know you won’t qualify for need-based financial aid! For more about this, check out our blog post on the FAFSA.

GO DAWGS!

On Monday night, the University of Georgia beat Alabama in the national football championship. This is the first title for Georgia since 1980. UGA’s campus as well as the city of Atlanta and other areas around Georgia have been celebrating the historic win!

ENROLLMENT CONTINUES TO DROP

This feels like a groundhog-day story at this point, but college enrollment nationwide continued to drop this fall, despite vaccine availability. The decline equals over a million students in the workforce rather than in the classroom, which we can expect to have an impact on the US economy moving forward, especially if this trend continues beyond the pandemic years.

UVA PROVOST BECOMES PENN’S NEXT PRESIDENT

Liz Magill, the Provost at UVA, has been selected as the next president of the University of Pennsylvania. In 2019, Magill became the first female provost at UVA. Magill will begin her new role at Penn on July 1. Ian Baucom, the current Dean of Arts & Sciences, will become UVA’s new provost. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

This week’s biggest story is that of Mackenzie Fierceton, a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. Fierceton was admitted to Penn as an undergraduate, first-generation student - she wrote her senior thesis based on her time in foster care. After Fierceton was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, however, her story began to fall apart. 

An anonymous informant emailed Penn’s administration to reveal that Mackenzie grew up in an affluent suburb, with her mother, who was a college graduate. The email, sent to both Penn and the Rhodes Trust, included images of Mackenzie from her high school yearbook - skydiving, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting. Both organizations began extensive investigations into her story. Ultimately, Fierceton withdrew from the Rhodes scholarship. Penn is also withholding her diploma until their investigation is complete. 

In December, Mackenzie Fierceton filed a lawsuit against Penn for their handling of her case, and particularly the “unjust” withholding of her degree. The case also raises issues of how victims of child abuse are treated, and whether her essays and descriptions of her childhood are reflective of what she experienced. 

At the center of the controversy was Fierceton’s undergraduate admissions essay, detailing the severe child abuse that landed her in the foster care system. These events have brought to the surface the pressure that some students feel to write about trauma as the topic for an engaging college essay. But as we tell our students every year, you don’t need to have experienced hardship to write an engaging essay - and pretending you did can clearly backfire! Our Wow Writing Workshop process helps students tell THEIR stories in a clear, interesting, and exciting way.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

In our midweek blog this week, we covered your questions about summer opportunities. And yes, you should begin thinking about summer opportunities now! A couple that stood out to us this week were Vanderbilt’s Programs for Talented Youth, which serve students in grades 1-12. Applications are open now for the university’s in-person residential Summer Academy for 7-12th graders, as well as the Virtual Research Experience. 

If you don’t have the money to spend this summer on an impressive-sounding college program, don’t worry! There are plenty of free or even paid opportunities to specialize and develop your niche as an applicant. We’re excited about the course options available through FCPS’s High School Academies, which give the opportunity to specialize in a variety of areas for all FCPS students!

That’s it for today - enjoy the long weekend!

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Summer Opportunities Start Now

“What are you doing this summer?”

With freezing temperatures and snow on the ground, it might seem crazy to ask about summer plans. But if you’re hoping for a great summer opportunity, you have to get moving before all the best options are snapped up! Summer break is the perfect time to pursue an internship, sign up for a college course, or volunteer locally. Opportunities are already available for Summer 2022, and believe it or not, a lot of schools and programs have deadlines earlier than you’d expect. So even though it’s January and summer feels light years away, now is the time to start planning! 

Of course, planning isn’t always easy. With so many possibilities, it can be difficult to find the one that’s right for you. That’s why we’re here! Today we’re answering frequently asked questions and sharing tips to help you make the most of your summer. 

Why are summer opportunities so important?

After nine months of classes, homework, and a busy schedule, you probably feel like you need a break. We get it–and we definitely encourage you to relax and have fun! But you can actually have a lot of fun while taking advantage of a summer opportunity. This is your chance to explore new interests that you may not be able to explore during the school year. Have you ever thought about becoming a broadcaster or learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, for example? Or maybe you want to delve deeper into your current passion, whether it’s biomedical research or conservation.  You might just discover a future major or career path! Not to mention the new friends you’ll make and the new experiences you’ll have.

Regardless of the type of summer opportunity you pursue, you’re sure to gain critical skills you’ll need for college and beyond. Imagine collaborating with students from all over the world at Wharton Global Youth Program; advocating for climate change through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; or fundraising for Women Giving Back. There are so many ways that you can enhance your communication skills, leadership, and confidence. 

And we can’t forget to mention that summer opportunities are a great addition to your resume and college applications. Even if you’re a freshman in high school, it’s never too early to start gaining experience. Admissions committees like to see students who become deeply involved in the ares about which they are most passionate. As a bonus, your summer opportunity could end up providing perfect material for use in a college admissions essay later on!

Which opportunities should I pursue? 

The opportunities you pursue will depend on a variety of factors: location, access, program criteria, personal interests, and more. As you explore different options, we encourage you to first consider logistics. How much time can you realistically dedicate to the opportunity? Are you able to commute or travel as needed, or is a virtual position better for you? There are so many possibilities out there, so don’t let time, money, or the lack of a driver’s license keep you from exploring. 

Once you’ve determined logistics, you’ll want to match your interests to available opportunities. The best way to start is by thinking about some of your favorite courses, extracurricular involvement, or possible subjects you’d like to major in. For example, if you loved the marketing elective you took this year, search for business-related courses or programs. If you’re the president of the robotics club, apply to an engineering internship and STEM program. If you know you like to write, take a closer look at journalism classes or internships that would allow you to create blog posts. 

As part of your planning, remember that internships can be especially competitive due to lack of space, and not all academic programs guarantee admission. Look closely at application deadlines and decision dates, and consider applying to a few opportunities that appeal to you.

Where can I find a summer opportunity?

It can take days, even weeks, to sift through thousands of search results and websites. But good news- we’ve done a lot of the work for you! Visit the DC College Counseling Summer Internship Database for a comprehensive list of internships, programs, college classes, volunteer opportunities, and more.

What if I need help applying to an opportunity?

That’s what we’re here for! We support students with applications, essays, resumes, cover letters, recommendation letters… you name it! Visit our website today to schedule an appointment. We promise you’ll forget all about the cold!  

Current Clients: Click Here to Book a Session

New Clients: Click Here to Book a Session

Weekly Update: January 7

We hope you all had a fun and restful break, and we’re excited to be back with our first weekly update of 2022!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FCPS CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW

An FCPS snow day turned into a snow week as students in Fairfax County, Arlington County, and other local districts had an entire extra week of break due to the weather. We hope that our students enjoyed the extra week off and were able to catch up on some rest before heading back to the classroom next week!

CHICAGO SCHOOLS CLOSE  

In Chicago, it isn’t snow that is keeping the schools closed. Schools have now been closed for three days due to the standoff between the teachers’ union and city officials. Officials want the school year to proceed in person, while the teachers’ union is calling for more COVID-19 precautions and more widely available testing. As of this posting, there is no sign of a resolution to the difficulties, and we expect to see schools continue to be closed next week, leaving some families scrambling to find childcare. 

HBCU CAMPUSES TARGETED WITH BOMB THREATS

Howard and Spelman were two of the eight HBCUs that received bomb threats on Tuesday. The FBI and local police investigated the threats and found no bombs, but the targeted threats caused some anxiety for students and staff on campus. Howard students and staff reported that as one of two HBCUs in DC, they feel particularly vulnerable to these types of threats. 

NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Monday night’s championship game between the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia will be the first game in what George Will calls the “name-image-likeness era.” The players in this game will be the first to benefit from the NCAA’s new NIL regulations that allow student-athletes to profit off of the use of their name, image, or likeness - a reversal of the NCAA’s strong commitment to not paying amateur players.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Jeff Selingo’s latest newsletter offers some ideas on how to make a big campus feel small. What they all have in common is building community. Having a “cohort” on campus is important, whether something formal like a sports team or club or just a group of peers. But building relationships with faculty mentors is also essential, and forced “mentorship” does not have nearly the same positive effect as genuine relationship-building. This was especially interesting to read during the pandemic, as online learning has made these types of connections more difficult to create for college students. 

A couple articles from The Atlantic this week underline this sentiment: that perhaps school closures cause more harm than good, at both the college and K-12 levels. Between struggles with mental health and the learning loss that comes from remote learning, both articles outline the risks that continued school closures pose to students.  

This was an interesting article about the benefits and drawbacks of taking dual enrollment classes during high school. If you are considering a dual enrollment class, we’d encourage you to think about it in the context of what is available at your high school. If you have maxed out your high school’s offerings, particularly in core subjects like math and foreign language, dual enrollment courses could be great options. However, as the article says, they aren’t necessarily a foolproof way to obtain college credits. Just note that most of this information applies to dual enrollment college courses that are taught at community colleges, rather than “college-level” coursework in high school such as AP and IB. 

Wondering what’s going on in your high school teacher’s brain during a typical school day? A high school English teacher sums it up for the Washington Post.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

As we check in with our 10th and 11th grade students in the next few weeks, a big part of our conversations is selecting summer plans. It seems early, but many summer program applications are open right now! If you are looking for enrichment opportunities this summer or even this spring, take a look at our summer opportunities database, updated today. One new opportunity we’re sharing is paid work as a referee for the Great Falls Reston Soccer Club - a way to earn some extra money and round out an activities list for an athlete who is an aspiring education, kinesiology, or sports psychology major! 

We have had a lot to catch up on after the break, and decisions keep coming in for our Class of 2022 students. We are so proud!! We are also working on initial research and application materials with the Class of 2023. To learn more about how we can help your student navigate this coming admissions cycle, book a Meet & Greet.

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Your Course Selection Questions, Answered!

It’s January, and for a lot of high school students, that means it's time for course selection! This week we wanted to offer some answers to the most frequently asked questions we get about course selection from our students, to help you build the best possible high school schedule next semester and beyond.

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“Do I have to take Spanish?”

I’d have to say that this is the number one question we get from students, and we hate to be the bearers of bad news - but YES, you do! Most schools are looking for students to take a language for all four years of high school. If at all possible, plan to take one language throughout high school rather than switching or stopping after junior year. Yes, even if you came in at a higher level after middle school coursework and will have finished Spanish 4 at the end of tenth grade. Yes, even if you really, really, really don’t want to.

“Which is better, Honors Calculus or AP Statistics?”

Most selective schools like to see students on the calculus track, so if you have not yet taken a calculus course, that would be the best option. AP Calculus is better than Honors Calculus (and we love to see students finish AB and BC of possible) but I’d still recommend choosing Honors Calculus over AP Statistics if those are the only two choices. For students that finish their school’s calculus offerings during their junior year, AP Statistics might be a great senior year option - particularly if they attend schools that do not offer Linear Algebra or another advanced math course.

“What if my school doesn’t have those higher-level courses?”

Schools want to see you take the most rigorous course load available to you. Luckily, they have a profile of your high school, along with your counselor letter of recommendation. These documents provide context about the choices you made among the options you had. If your school only offers two AP classes and you’ve taken them both, an admissions officer will evaluate that very differently from a student who has taken two APs at a school that offers eleven. But remember - AP courses alone do not necessarily equate to rigor (as in the math example above). Try to pick the most challenging courses across the board, AP or not.

“Is it better to get an A in a regular class or a B in an AP class?”

This is truly the million-dollar question! Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a simple answer because - it depends. With our clients, we look at the overall strength of the transcript and the student profile before giving advice on this issue. 

In general, it is better to get an A in an AP class! If you are considering dropping down a level in a class, here are a couple of things to consider:

1. Is this a subject area that you are applying to major in, or is it closely related?

2. If you stay in the higher-level class, is there a chance that you will receive a C or below?

3. If you stay in the higher-level class, will your grades drop in your other classes because you will spend so much time on more difficult material? (This is a very important one to consider).

4. If you stay in the higher-level class, will it compromise your time management or mental health?

In the end, this is ultimately a decision that should be made with the help of your parents and school counselor (and, if you are a client, let’s discuss!).

“Which electives should I take?”

One of the first things we do with all of our new clients is talk with them about where they think they might like to specialize. So if you have some open slots on your schedule, take a look at the subjects where you already excel and the extracurricular activities that you love. Are you an athlete who thinks you may excel as a physical therapist? Try out Anatomy & Physiology. Are you a DECA rockstar? See if there is an entrepreneurship or business elective you haven’t already taken. When thinking about adding courses, you want to make sure that they fit into your overall applicant profile and align with your interests. The bonus is that you will enjoy classes much more if they connect to what you already love to do!  

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If you want to talk more with us about course selection, book a strategy session and we can dive deep into your schedule and come up with a plan for the next two, three, or four years of high school. 

We hope you enjoy the start of the new semester!

Weekly Update: December 31

Happy New Year’s Eve! Our office is closed today for the holiday, but we’ll be back on Monday and look forward to starting the new year with you!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL GAMES CANCELLED

At the time of this writing, five college bowl games have already been cancelled, and two others have been rescheduled or rearranged due to COVID-19. As the coronavirus spreads among college football teams (in addition to impacting the wider campuses and holiday travel), we anticipate seeing even more cancellations and changes arise. 

COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENROLLMENT DROP CONTINUES

We all know that community colleges were hit hardest by COVID-related enrollment declines, and those in Northern Virginia are no exception. Enrollment has continued to decline this year at local community colleges, with Northern Virginia Community College enrollment down 5%, Prince George’s Community College down 10%, and Montgomery College down 19%! Statewide, enrollment is down 9% in Virginia and 14% in Maryland.

A strong market for job seekers could contribute to the continuing decline, but it may also be a result of students with limited internet access or caring responsibilities at home who are unable to attend classes remotely. Many schools are now working to up their recruitment and retention efforts.

COLLEGES DELAY SPRING SEMESTER STARTS

Howard and Vanderbilt are some of the latest schools to join Yale, Syracuse, and others in pushing back the start of the semester due to the coronavirus surge. The school is also requiring staff and students to receive booster shots by the end of January.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

I really enjoyed this Buzzfeed piece on secrets from admissions officers. Not only is it funny, some of the advice is EXCELLENT! I particularly liked #s 4, 8, 17 and absolutely, absolutely #19). But read it with a grain of salt if you’re applying to competitive or highly competitive schools - there’s some information that only applies to less competitive schools and could be misleading without that context (#s 3, 7, 21 in particular).

WHAT the heck is happening in Arlington County? I would have expected to read about their new proposed grading systems in the Onion, not the Washington Post! Some of the proposed plans “would, among other things, remove penalties for missing homework deadlines and prohibit grading of what is called formative work — daily assignments.” Another proposal involves unlimited redoes and retakes, according to WJLA. Trust me - this is not going to do anyone any favors from a college admissions standpoint.. it will totally destroy the district’s (quite strong) reputation.

While we’ve written extensively about the detrimental effects the pandemic has had on many two- and four-year colleges, there is one population that has seen a benefit: for-profit institutions. Many already had flexible schedules and online classes, and were able to advertise their business model as one that could meet the moment. After receiving years of bad press for unethical sales methods and disreputable courses, this was an opportunity for for-profit colleges to make a comeback. 

Miss some posts in 2021? Check out this Washington Post article for a recap of the best and worst education news of the year.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are closed today for the New Year’s Eve holiday, and looking forward to getting back to meeting with students next week. Enjoy the holiday, and happy New Year!!

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A Day in the Life, Part III

For those who have followed our blog for a while, you might remember Colleen and Shannon sharing a behind-the-scenes perspective of life at DC College Counseling. Now Staci is joining us for the third installment in our ‘day in the life’ series.

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There are just a few days left in 2021, and it’s no surprise to me that this year has gone by so quickly! Taking on a new full-time role at DC College Counseling has kept me very busy. As Colleen once said, there’s truly never a dull moment here, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Here’s a glimpse into one of my typical days.

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5:27AM: There are still a few minutes until my alarm is supposed to go off, but I’m already awake. As my coffee brews, I check my email and notice that a former client (now a sophomore in college) has scheduled an appointment later this week. I’m so excited to catch up and help him with a business program application essay. It’s always so much fun to see all of the great things our students continue to do after high school! 

6:30AM: Even though it’s just a few blocks, I’m regretting my decision to walk to the gym. It’s freezing! But I’m sure an hour of hot yoga will thaw me out. Then it’s time to teach Zumba in the dance studio next door. In my spare time, I’m a group fitness instructor, and with this being a holiday week, there are plenty of classes for me to sub. For all of the students who ask me about the secret to my enthusiasm, this is it. Early morning workouts help me stay energized all day.

Interesting fact: I’ve danced since I was three years old, and this was the subject for my college admissions essay.

9:30AM: After a quick shower, I grab my work bag and head to the neighborhood coffee shop. Luckily, my favorite corner table is open. As I sip on coffee #2 of the day and wait for my oatmeal to cool down, I take a look at my tasks for the day on Asana (the greatest project management app, in my opinion!). With six essay coaching meetings scheduled (mostly back-to-back), I start writing ‘to do’ lists for each student in my old- fashioned notebook. I also check in on the progress of their homework assignments and set up a few documents and templates.

Once I’ve organized all of my meetings, I log into our DC College Counseling social media accounts. This is part of my daily morning routine, so I can respond to messages and engage with the latest college admissions news and discussions. Today there’s a lot of talk about declining enrollment at local community colleges, as well as tips for high school seniors to maximize the winter months. We wrote a similar blog post a few weeks back on how to make the most of your winter break. Check it out! 

With my 12pm meeting approaching fast, I finish formatting a resume for one of our clients- a college junior who’s getting ready to apply for summer internships. Then I turn my attention to a similar project–the DC College Counseling Summer Internship Database. Every week, I research and share opportunities for high school students to intern, volunteer, or take enrichment courses. There aren’t many new postings this week, but I expect to see a lot of exciting announcements in the new year. Keep checking our website for the latest updates!

12:00-3:00PM: After trading the coffee shop for the office, it’s time for my favorite part of the day-working with students! Not only do I enjoy getting to know all of our clients, but I also love the chance to be creative and collaborative. Every session is different, and I’m never bored! Today, for example, I’m helping students with business school application essays; script writing and video editing; and a digital artistic portfolio. 

3:00PM: After meeting with three students, I have a short break in my schedule. For the next thirty minutes, I write recap emails and grab a third cup of coffee. Don’t worry, it’s decaf this time! 

3:30-5:30PM: I put on my blue light glasses and kick off a two-hour session with one of our seniors. We work on a letter of continued interest and prepare for an upcoming admissions interview. Students usually look at me like I’m crazy when I suddenly adopt a persona and ask them to tell me about themselves. Today is no exception! There are a lot of laughs and a superior mock interview session.

5:30-6:00PM: I’m supposed to have one more small break before my next meeting, but there are some time -sensitive emails that have just come in. I need to answer them before writing the latest recap email.

6:00-7:00PM: It’s the last meeting of the day, and we’re revising the four- count em’, four- supplemental essays this student has diligently drafted over the winter break. With three minutes to spare at the end of our session, we submit them for final review and discuss homework assignments: one more essay to write and his college application will be complete. 

7:00-7:30PM: I can finally slow down and close out my tasks for the day. I send one last recap email and double check that I’ve answered all time-sensitive messages. It looks like I don’t have as many student meetings scheduled for tomorrow, so I can work on some other projects involving social media and outreach.

8:00PM: I’m craving fresh air, so I take advantage of one of the many outdoor holiday events in northern Virginia. I’ll be in bed soon, though. Tomorrow is another early morning.

Town Hall, Old Town Alexandria (sorry but the carolers aren’t pictured)

Weekly Update: December 24

A very merry Christmas Eve to all those celebrating today and tomorrow! Our office is closed today for the holiday, but we will be open on Monday and Shannon and Staci will be available to help answer any questions :)

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MORE CAMPUS SHUTDOWNS

We covered the campus closures at Cornell, GW, Stanford, and others last week, and this week brought more to add to the list. Yale has moved finals online, while in Boston Harvard and Emerson have announced that the spring semester will begin remotely in 2022. Seven of the colleges in the UC system have also decided to begin next semester online. Meanwhile, several schools including UVA, Oberlin, and Northwestern have made COVID-19 boosters mandatory for students returning to campus. 

However, one medical expert disagrees with the decision to send students home, saying that the travel required to send students all over the country is more likely to increase the spread of COVID than keeping them in a quarantine situation on campus. We’ll be waiting to see whether more closures are announced in the new year. (P.S. If you are a parent worried about your high school or college student’s exposure over the holidays, check out this article for tips on staying safe)

NEW YORK’S CITY COLLEGE HAS A MYSTERIOUS BENEFACTOR

A physics professor at City College in Harlem received a package in the mail. Inside? $180,000 in cash. A letter included in the package explained that the goal of the gift was to help needy physics and math students at the college. The anonymous letter stated that the donation was from a former physics department student. 

After investigating whether the cash was the result of criminal activity, the college’s Board of Trustees formally voted to accept the gift last week.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Every year, there are always a few students who, despite being accepted into their early decision schools, want to know: Is early decision really binding? This article from the New York Times aims to answer that question - and the answer might surprise some families. The truth is that if you cannot afford to attend the school to which you applied early decision, you can back out of the agreement.

Now keep in mind - this doesn’t mean you can go back to the school and change your mind later if you don’t get a better deal from another school - you can’t. This is why families who want to compare aid offers may decide that early decision is not for them. But at nearly all institutions, no one would penalize a student who decides that they can’t afford to attend and wants to back out. That student would be able to withdraw the ED application with no issue. However, many schools leave this information in the fine print, or say that they will work with students on the financial aspect without directly saying that students can back out. 

You should also remember that this applies only to families who are not able to afford tuition - students and families who are simply not willing to pay the tuition cannot be exempted from their early decision agreements. 

And lastly, students can also ask for more funding to make attendance feasible (whether they are admitted early decision or not!). If you’re a current client, we encourage you to work with us on how to ask for more funding in a polite and respectful way. Negotiating is just one of the ways to hack your college tuition bill - check out this Forbes article for more. 

On a lighter note - after reading (and re-reading, and re-reading) their own college personal statements, we hope students enjoy these personal statements from Shakespeare characters as much as we did!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

This week we’ve been busy helping some deferred and waitlisted students regroup and write letters of continued interest - if you need to do this as well, check out our blog post for some examples (or book an essay coaching session!). We’re also wrapping up with some graduate school and MBA applications, and keeping our fingers crossed for students still waiting to hear from their schools!

Since the world seems to have shut down over the last several days because of Omicron, I’m hoping to take advantage of my time at home over the weekend to check out “Try Harder!” a NYTimes Critic’s Pick documentary about the pressures facing high-achieving high school students today.

“Try Harder!” follows a group of students at Lowell High School (think the TJ of the Bay Area - new lottery system and all) as they go through their senior year, and by all accounts it’s supposed to be great. It begins streaming on Netflix today!

Have a great holiday!

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