How Juniors Can Make Senior Year Easier- Starting Now!

There are just a few weeks left in the school year, and that means juniors can start to breathe sighs of relief. AP exams are winding down, and end-of-year festivities are kicking off. But before you get swept up in prom and summer break, we’ve got a few more assignments for you.

Fall semester can be extremely hectic for twelfth graders. However, there are things you can do now (and over the summer) to help make senior year easier and the college admissions process much more organized and efficient.

Secure your teacher recommendations

Many college applications require two or three teacher recommendations. For teachers, this can be a nightmare in the fall when they are inundated with dozens of requests… and you don’t want that nightmare to be reflected in the quality of your letter! Help your teachers – and yourself – by asking for recommendations now. This way they’ll have plenty of time to write you a quality letter, and you will have one less worry in the fall. 

When you’re ready to ask, make sure to speak to your teachers in person. A good way to make sure you don’t end up with a so-so letter is to use the following language: ”Do you think you know me well enough to write me a very supportive letter of recommendation?” In other words, you’re telling them that it needs to be a great letter, and you’re providing an easy out if they can’t make that happen.

We highly suggest providing them with a ‘highlight reel’ of your personal strengths, achievements, and academic interests relating to your performance in their class. If you’re not sure who to ask or what to include in your highlight reel, take a look at our previous blog post where we discuss the best ways to secure a strong recommendation letter.

Confirm your fall schedule

We can’t say it enough: avoid the senioritis schedule! Colleges want to see that you’re pursuing a rigorous curriculum, so it’s important to continue challenging yourself rather than opting for that extra study hall or the “easy” elective.

Now is the time to organize your course load and address any scheduling conflicts. We especially encourage you to talk with your teachers or counselors if you’re considering an honors section or an AP class. Depending upon the school and their policies, you may have to take some extra steps to enroll in an advanced course, whether it’s submitting a petition or taking a placement test. 

If your ideal fall schedule isn’t turning into a reality, don’t get discouraged. Consult with your parents and advisors to brainstorm alternatives. For example, if you’ve already taken the most advanced foreign language class at your school, you might want to look into a dual enrollment program in your area. If there’s no marketing elective offered, consider an online course. There are a growing number of options, both virtually and at local colleges. To take advantage of these options, though, you’ll need to plan now.

Finalize your college list

If you haven’t started already, get to work on your college list. Do some research to get a better sense of what you’re looking for in a school, from size to location to academic offerings. With literally thousands of colleges and universities to choose from, you’ll need to identify what’s most important to you. The College Board offers a comprehensive search tool, and for data lovers out there, College Data provides plenty of school statistics. 

To stay organized, we recommend keeping track of your research with a spreadsheet. Not sure how to make one? We love this free template that you can easily download and customize to fit your needs.

Prepare application materials

College applications require you to submit many different materials: test scores, transcripts, teacher recommendations, essays, and more. You won’t be able to complete some pieces until the fall, but right now you can begin to prepare several materials.

• Make a list of the activities you’ve participated in throughout high school: sports, clubs, volunteer opportunities, jobs, internships, etc. You can even input them directly into the Common Application and roll them over to the new 2022-2023 Common Application in August!

• Work on your resume, which should include any work experience, extracurricular involvements, and awards/achievements.

• The Common Application released their essay prompts several months ago. Take a look at your options, so you can start brainstorming, drafting, or even finishing your essay over the summer. Since we like to start early, some of the juniors we work with are already done with it!

Visit schools, even through your computer screen

Although campus tours always feel a bit different during the summer months when undergrads aren’t filling up the quads and walkways, these visits can still help you with your college list. If possible, sign up for some campus tours. It’s always good to see the school in person, get a feel for the environment, and check out the surrounding community. Take a look at our expert tips on how to prepare for and get the most of your tour here.

If you can’t travel, don’t worry! You can still use this time to take virtual tours, sign up for Zoom information sessions, and/or attend a local college fair. Colleges like to see demonstrated interest, so take advantage of these convenient ways to formally show your engagement with a school.

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Does your junior need help with the college application process? If so, book a no-obligation meet and greet with us today to learn more about our services.

Weekly Update: May 6

It’s a rainy weekend ahead, so we’ve got some good reads to keep you busy!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

ABA COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT LAW SCHOOLS STOP REQUIRING LSAT

A committee from the American Bar Association has advised the organization to put out an official recommendation for law schools to stop requiring the LSAT (or other standardized tests) as a factor in admissions decisions. They are not endorsing test-blind admissions, in which the organizations cannot factor in test scores, but believe that the schools should instead have the option.

Of course, the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC - the organization behind the LSAT) continues to stand by the importance of the test. It’s a tough decision, because higher LSAT scores are directly correlated with bar passage rates, so it’s easy to make the argument that they are important. At the same time, there are equity issues involved - test prep is very expensive, and under-represented groups traditionally score lower on the LSAT. Stay tuned on the final ABA decision!

FIRST WEEK OF AP EXAMS ARE OVER!

We have gotten a lot of panicked emails from families this week about the importance AP exams - I know they are stressful! I do think that these have become more important for students applying to highly selective schools now that the SAT Subject Tests are no longer. Unfortunately, students will not have scores for quite a while, but sometimes they feel less anxious after reviewing the free-response questions after the exams take place in order to get a sense of how their answers might stack up.

COLLEGE STUDENT SALARY EXPECTATIONS ARE WAY OFF FROM REALITY

The Class of 2022 is rather optimistic about the job market, believing that their average starting salaries will be approximately $104,000. Every single group of majors overestimated what they’d earn, with journalism majors overestimating by 139% and computer science majors overestimating by “just” 27%. It’s all about the power of positive thinking, right? :)

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

If you are a data geek like me and want to read more about how everything stacked up in the bloodbath that was the 2021-2022 college admissions cycle, don’t miss this CTAS Higher Ed Business report - it’s probably the most comprehensive piece I’ve read so far. They share that UCLA received more applications than any school in the country - just under 150,000. CRAZY!! Some of the other UC schools were next up in terms of volume, before NYU at 105,000 applications and Northeastern with 91,000. This represents increases of 30-40% for each of those schools since 2020.

But what I found most interesting were some of the schools that were specifically identified as having the most growth on a percentage basis rather than straight volume. Colgate is apparently the new hot school, along with other smaller schools like Macalester, Tufts, Dickinson, and Williams. As for the schools bucking the trends: Bowdoin, Tulane, and Pitzer. They had a particularly interesting theory about Tulane, so read the report!

That said, if you weren’t happy with your student’s 2021-2022 outcome - all is not lost! Check out this Washington Post piece about transfer admissions, which gives readers an inside look about the transfer process as well as the most recent statistics. It’s fascinating that some schools (like UVA, which this article covers heavily) are so much easier to get into via the transfer pathway and yet others are even harder than they were during the first-year admissions process.

Not quite an article, but I’ve been listening to a series on Freakonomics Radio that has been going viral in the college admissions world. First, What Exactly is College For?; then The University of Impossible-to-Get-Into; and yesterday, I Don’t Think the Country Is Turning Away From College. They are definitely worth a listen. Also, if you are a student looking for some summer reading, I HIGHLY recommend reading Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything - by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner. If I had a top ten list of books everyone should read, this would be on it - really makes you think about things differently!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It was a relatively quiet week this week because of AP exams, although we had a lot of new client consultations! If you are considering services for your Class of 2023 student, we are very close to reaching capacity and will soon move to our Late Start Waitlist. Our services will be valuable up until the very last minute, but there’s no question that the entire process is more stressful for students who start later.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! One of my own mom’s favorite sayings is “Little kids, little problems; big kids, big problems.” The older my own kids become, the more I realize how true that is and how incredibly stressful and challenging it can be for moms of teenagers today. We hope that all of you are able to relax and let somebody else handle all the problems (and reminders!) on Sunday :)

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Tips on First-Year Housing and Roommate Requests

On Sunday, thousands of seniors across the country celebrated National College Decision Day. We were thrilled to see all of the smiles and proud college t-shirts on our social media feeds! But even though the big decisions are finalized, there are still a few more choices incoming freshmen have to make. Over the next few weeks, students will need to think about one of the most important questions: where will I live next year and with whom? To help answer these questions, we’re sharing some important tips and reminders for housing forms and roommate requests.

1) Meet your deadlines

Be sure to check your email and school portal consistently, so you don’t miss important deadlines for housing applications, roommate requests, etc. Some schools are first come, first serve, while others don’t guarantee on-campus housing if you turn in your application late. You can find information regarding deadlines and housing policies on the school’s website.

That said, we recommend submitting housing materials as early as possible no matter the deadline. Situations can occur where housing fills prematurely even when it is not supposed to first come, first serve. In those cases, students have been shut out despite adhering to published deadlines.

2) Research your options

As much as we encourage you to submit your materials early, we also want you to thoroughly research your housing possibilities. Of course, every school is different when it comes to policies and residential offerings, so familiarize yourself with available options. If you’re allowed to rank residence hall choices, use the school website to take a close look at different buildings and dorm style options. Our expert tip: take a virtual campus tour or download a map to help you get a sense of geography as well. A conveniently located dorm may be the deciding factor in your rankings.

You’ll also want to check out any speciality housing options that your school offers. As we covered in a previous blog post, there is a rising trend in living learning communities, themed housing, and other special interest group housing on college campuses. These spaces connect students with similar interests or lifestyles and provide meaningful opportunities for collaboration and fun outside the classroom and your dorm room. So if you’re looking to live with others who are just as passionate about foreign languages, the environment, community service, and more, specialty housing may be the right fit for you.

While most schools require first-year students to live on campus, there are some colleges and universities that allow freshmen to opt out of dorm living. (This was a particularly popular option during the height of the pandemic when social distancing didn’t make communal living so appealing.) We know that moving into your very own apartment can be exciting, but don’t let the allure of independent living detract you from fully exploring on-campus options. Taking part in residential life during your first year of college is a great way to build friendships and find your place in the community. Plus, you might just find a cool alternative to the traditional two-person dorm room.

3) Be honest with yourself…and your roommate questionnaire

When it comes to selecting housing and roommates, you’ll need to take an honest look at yourself. What do you need to feel comfortable in your living environment and do well academically? Notice that we used the word need, not want. Sure, you may want your bathroom and a walk-in closet, but these features hopefully won’t make or break your residential life experience. 

Typically, schools will ask you to complete a questionnaire to match you with a compatible roommate. Now is the time to exercise some self awareness about your lifestyle and those bad habits of yours. Be really honest with yourself and the residential life office when answering these questions. Don’t base your answers on giving off the best impression or maybe even letting parents fill out the form for you. If you’re not a neat freak, that’s okay. It’s better to acknowledge your cluttered tendencies now than to be paired with someone who will feel anxiety just looking at your desk. Here are the general areas you’ll need to consider as you fill out your questionnaire: 

• Neatness, cleanliness, and organization: these questions allow you to assess your tidiness level and your tolerance when it comes to dirty laundry and piles on the floor

• Environment: give insights into your sleep patterns, study habits, quiet time, and more

• Lifestyle choices and interests: share information about everything from religion to sexual orientation to smoking, drinking, and extracurricular activities

4) Friends don’t always make the best roommates

As comforting as it might be to room with a friend, we encourage students to branch out. Just because you get along at school or on the soccer field doesn’t mean you’ll be a great match to live together in a small space. Roommates are based upon living style compatibility, and too much time with a close friend can be a recipe for dorm life disaster. This is also one of the rare opportunities in your life to live alongside people from such diverse backgrounds. Trust that the residential life office knows what they are doing and embrace the exciting possibilities for your roommate experience.

5) Insta-friends don’t always make the best roommates, either

With the rise in social media networks and apps, it’s easier than ever to make insta-friends with your soon-to-be-classmates. We love that students can connect through Facebook groups and Instagram, but be careful! Your new insta-friend might seem ‘awesome’ after a series of DMs, but you don’t really know them yet. Avoid jumping into a roommate situation based upon a few social media exchanges. 

There are also plenty of third-party apps, like Roomsurf and The Roomie, designed to help undergrads find compatible roommates. Some of these technologies use a series of questions and algorithms to match students, but it’s not an exact science. Just like any app or website, be cautious with your safety and communications, as well as getting too comfortable with someone you don’t know in real life.

6) Be your own advocate

If you have a documented disability, it’s critical to share this information, so you can work with the school to secure the living environment you need. Schools are legally required to provide reasonable accommodations, which may include anything from ADA accessible rooms to private bathrooms to service animals.

Weekly Update: April 29

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

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FCPS HIGH SCHOOLS RANKED AMONG THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY

The U.S. News rankings are out, and TJ tops the list of public high schools as the best school in the country for the fourth consecutive year. Other FCPS schools, like Langley and McLean, were ranked in the top 200 high schools in the U.S. Take a look at where other FCPS schools fall on their website!

And on a related note, the Supreme Court decided this week to let TJ’s new admissions policy stand.

COLLEGES STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Thankfully, all of our seniors have great options for this fall! But every year, there are some students who do not plan as carefully and need additional school options. If you or someone you know is looking for college openings, check out this list of schools that are still accepting applications for Fall 2022. 

UC SYSTEM WAIVES TUITION FOR NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS

The approximately 500 undergraduate students at University of California schools who are California residents and members of Native tribes will have their tuition and fees waived as part of the UC Native American Opportunity Plan. UC professors say that they hope other public land-grant institutions will follow the UC’s example in offering tuition-free education to Native American students. 

FACEBOOK OBTAINED FAFSA DATA

Code embedded in the website where students fill out the FAFSA automatically sent data like first and last names, email addresses, and zip codes to Facebook. It is unclear how many students were affected by the system, which affected students who were not logged into the FAFSA site and even those who did not have a Facebook account. Scary!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

With so much conversation about student loan debt in the news, it can be comforting to hear that many states already offer free public college options for students. This Forbes article covers a list of the most popular tuition-free schools, as well as other options for students who don’t have the means or the desire to pay for college. 

If there is one thing we can say with certainty at this point, it is that the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding uptick in applications to selective schools has made getting into college MUCH harder for the students we work with - and they’re not alone! During the pandemic, the number of students who chose to take gap years rather than continuing directly to college rose by over 100%. Some schools have also shifted to rolling admissions models, to give students more flexibility over when to begin their college education. 

Finally, an interesting perspective on the past few years of changes at Liberty University from the New Yorker, including interviews with students, faculty, and staff, as well as with the former president Jerry Falwell, Jr. and his wife.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are so excited for all of our seniors who have sent in deposits!! Congratulations to everyone for such phenomenal success in such a difficult year. We are so proud of you!

For underclassmen who are still looking to bring their grades up during the fourth quarter, FCPS is partnering with Tutor.com to offer free, live tutoring to students in all years - learn more here. 

And for sophomores and juniors working on the college search, the Six College Consortium (which is made up of small liberal arts colleges - Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, and Williams) is offering a variety of virtual events next month, including special sessions for first generation and international students. We’ve enjoyed Six Colleges counselor events, and this is a great way for students who know they are interested in a traditional liberal arts college to explore several in a single session. 

Enjoy the sun this weekend!

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Trend Watch: Cool College Electives

If you follow us on Instagram, then you might have seen our post a few weeks back about the college barbecue class being offered this summer at the University of Alabama. Yes, you heard it right. Communication students can actually earn credits while they travel around Alabama and Memphis trying out some of the south’s best baby back ribs. 

But University of Alabama isn’t the only school to get creative with their course offerings. Over the years, classes like Stupidity,  Emoji Worlds and Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame have received a lot of press for their innovative approaches to teaching critical writing and research skills. 

So in the spirit of barbecue, pop stars, and originality, we decided to take a deeper look this week into some of the country’s newest and coolest college course offerings. We’ll also uncover some of the more obscure classes that never quite went viral but should also be celebrated for their quirkiness!

If you haven’t tried the Penn State Berkey Creamery, you are totally missing out!!

Ice Cream Short Course (Penn State University)

While Alabama might have cornered the market on college barbecue, Penn State is infamous for their ICE CREAM! For over 100 years, the university has offered an ice cream short course, affectionately referred to as “Cow to Cone.” Every January, students and industry professionals from all over the world flock to Penn State for a week of intensive workshops and laboratory research. We have no doubt that this sweet class will continue to be a favorite as future generations explore the secrets of delicious frozen treats.

Choreography: Hot Mess & Deliberate Failure as Practice (Stanford University)

If you have two left feet, you’ll be sure to ace DANCE123 at Stanford University. “Hot Mess & Deliberate Failure as Practice” is designed to help students embrace their inner awkwardness as they study “bad” dancing. The course boasts of assignments that are “literally impossible to execute in any good way,” so there’s no need for stage fright here. Instead, students are encouraged to “celebrate destabilization, with all the exuberance, fear, and learning that can happen when we accept and practice being lost.” Now there’s a technique we can all master!

New Orleans Cities of the Dead: Cemetery Architecture and Its Cultural Legacy (Tulane University)

Tulane University might win the award for most creative (and creepiest) field trip! First year students who sign up for “New Orleans Cities of the Dead,” a class offered as part of the Interdisciplinary Experiences Seminars (TIDES), actually tour local cemeteries. No, this isn’t a walking dead exercise. The course aims to teach freshmen about New Orleans history, art, and culture through the lens of its infamous above-ground tombs and rich folkways. This might not be a traditional city tour, but we think it’s a pretty cool way to introduce undergrads to the ‘spirit’ of New Orleans!

Kanye vs. Ye: Genius By Design (Concordia University)

This new course set to run this coming fall at Concordia University went viral on Twitter just over a month ago. The result? The class filled up all 200 spaces in just under 24 hours! Canadian undergrads are eager to study with Prof. Yassin Alsalam, a rapper and fine arts researcher, who is infamous for his passion for media studies. There are already debates stirring online about the class and its controversial celebrity. However, Prof. Alsalam insists he is more interested in studying Kanye as a reflection of hip hop culture, race, and creative industries. We’re guessing we won’t be seeing Kim Kardashian on the syllabus.

Dinosaur Science (University of Chicago)

At the University of Chicago, undergrads have been digging into the past–literally–all thanks to Prof. Paul Sereno. Not only is Sereno a world -renowned expert on dinosaurs, but he’s one popular teacher in Chicago. Students have flocked to his “Dinosaur Science” class for years to learn the basics of geology, biology, and, of course, dinosaur history. But this isn’t your typical science lecture or lab. Participants haven taken part in an expedition in Wyoming. No Jurassic Park rides here, but there’s a real life dig—and the possibility of discovering new fossils.

Circus Activities (Florida State University)

At Florida State University, you can run away and join the circus. Well, maybe not the real circus, but in this one-credit PE course, students master their juggling and trapeze techniques. For undergrads who want to clown around, this is a fun alternative to the more traditional weight lifting and aerobics class options.

Semester-A-Trail (Emory and Henry College)

If you’re looking for more intensive workout than circus acts, head to Emory and Henry College. Their unique Semester-A-Trail program offers students the chance to hike the Appalachian trail. But you don’t have to be an expert outdoor adventurer to sign up. Participants take part in plenty of workshops and training to prepare for their semester, from blister care to navigation to food and nutrition. Along the actual trail, there are independent study projects and once-in-a-lifetime life lessons. Students are sure to return fitter and more confident than ever!

Is Dartmouth a Religion? (Dartmouth University)

That’s the question posed to freshmen in the first- year seminar course “Is Dartmouth a Religion?” The concept is borrowed from Stanford University, who first challenged students in a similar class to think about the definition of religion and sacred spaces. While this class might not be as lighthearted as bad dancing or barbecue, it definitely stretches undergrads to think about the sanctity of college and campus culture.

It’s Never Aliens: Understanding Astronomy in the News (Oberlin College)

Whether it’s an unidentified flying object or life on Mars, the media can make big headlines out of astronomical events. But what’s the real science and truth behind the hype? That’s exactly what first year students at Oberlin College will explore in this upcoming seminar. With its mix of media studies, science, and critical research and writing, we think this is an out-of-this world idea to help freshmen develop the skills they need for college.

History of Modern Board Games (Indiana University, Bloomington)

It’s all fun and games at Indiana University. In History of Modern Board Games, students examine the history of board games; shifts and trends over the past forty years; and the mechanics of taking a game from concept to production. Of course this class wouldn’t be complete without a bit of game design, which is part of the final project. We’re guessing that by the end of this class, students will have a monopoly on the tricks of the game board trade.

What’s the coolest college course you’ve taken? Let us know in the comment section below.

Weekly Update: April 22

Happy Earth Day! Don’t forget to check out last year’s blog about some of the greenest colleges in the country if you are hoping to be eco-focused all year round.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

50 NEW COMMON APPⓇ COLLEGES THIS CYCLE

We were THRILLED with the announcement that UT Austin will accept the Common AppⓇ this cycle. The change makes applying to UT Austing MUCH easier for so many of our students! Texas A&M is another school added to the list - for the full list of new additions for the 2022-2023 application season, click here.

COMMON APP STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

In other Common AppⓇ news, the organization is assembling a 15-20 student group to provide feedback on the admissions process. This paid position allows students to meet with Common AppⓇ staff each month to share their views. The opportunity is open to high school juniors and seniors, as well as first and second year college students.

Applications are only open until April 26, so if you are interested in applying, check it out!

VA-10 VIRTUAL ACADEMY DAY

Planning to apply to one or more military academies in the fall? If you are seeking a nomination from Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (or even if you are considering beginning the process), you don’t want to miss Academy Day on Saturday, April 30. This is a great opportunity to get more information about the specialized admissions and nomination process for military academies. 

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

If there is an FCPS teacher who has made a big difference to you or your student, let them know! Submit either a video or written story using this form and it will be shared during the first week of May, Teacher Appreciation Week, to thank teachers for all that they do.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

At a certain level of selectivity, particularly when you get into those single-digit admit rates, college admission becomes less about the student’s record and experiences and more about factors outside of their control. We tell families this every year, but there are always going to be some disappointed Ivy-League hopefuls who want to know WHY they didn’t get admitted. What could they have done differently? As hard as it is to hear, sometimes the answer is: nothing. As this Wall Street Journal article so powerfully illustrates, “‘extraordinary’ isn’t always enough” to gain admissions to these super selective (and highly rejective) schools. 

This article provides an interesting take on legacy preference in college admissions, arguing that not only do specific schools or lawmakers need to eliminate the practice, but social norms around legacy admissions need to change as well. There is some interesting information here about the history of legacy admissions, and worth a read for anyone interested in how legacy admissions has evolved and will continue to do so in the near future. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are busy this week and next helping Class of 2022 students make their final decisions! Current clients, if you need help with this before the deadline of May 1, make sure to let us know soon so we can squeeze you in. And if you are not a client, we still have some of our favorite strategies on the blog for students and parents when it comes to making that final college choice. 

Good luck and enjoy the weekend!

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Weak Spots, Water, and Walks: Quick Tips for AP and IB Exam Prep

Across the country, thousands of teenagers are busy studying for AP exams, which begin on Monday, May 2, and IB exams, which begin on Friday, April 29. While we hope that AP and IB students have been diligently preparing for months already, we understand that the days leading up to exams can be stressful and chaotic. So today we’re sharing tips to help these students maximize study time over the next two weeks and walk into their exams feeling confident!

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TAKE INVENTORY

One of the most important things you can do in the weeks leading up to your AP or IB exam is assess your strengths, weaknesses, and gaps. If you haven’t completed a practice test recently, now is the time to take one. Not only will it be a great dress rehearsal for the actual exam, it will also give you the opportunity to reflect. Do you need to refresh your memory on old material you learned back in October? Are there skills or content that you didn’t quite cover in class? Which areas are slowing you down or confusing you? These are just a few of the questions to ask yourself as you look over the practice test. Also, look back at old assignments and instructor feedback to identify areas you'll want to focus upon. 

Of course, it’s not enough to simply take inventory mentally.  Make an actual checklist, so you have a quick reference sheet to help guide and organize your study sessions.

SCHEDULE YOURSELF

Whether you’re preparing for one exam or five, it’s crucial to make a schedule and manage your time wisely. Yes, we know teachers and parents have been dishing out advice on time management and study skills for years, but we have a quick (and painless) hack to make the next few weeks efficient. 

Are you ready for our secret? Use your phone calendar! Schedule in study sessions as you would any other appointment or event. If you think about it, you wouldn’t just skip a doctor appointment or your regularly scheduled sports practices. Apply that same mentality to your studying. You’ll be much more likely to prioritize your study sessions if you’ve factored them into your day. Bonus: your phone will send you plenty of reminders and alerts, too! 

Ideally, schedule yourself for thirty minute or one hour study blocks. However, even dedicating a fifteen minute window of time during your day to reviewing notes or looking over flashcards can make a difference. 

Are you convinced that you don’t have any extra time in your schedule to study? Well, think again. A few small changes to your usual routine can usually free up some extra minutes. For example, if you’re a morning person, consider waking up 30 minutes earlier and gaining some before-school study time. (Note: this is only a good idea if you’re actually getting a healthy full night of sleep to begin with). You can also maximize your time during study halls or a long lunch period to review. If you’ve got a long car ride home, study–as long as you’re the passenger, not the driver. 

We also encourage you to create a dedicated work space for yourself, whether that’s taking over your favorite corner of the library, finding a local coffee shop where you can study, or even carving out a quiet spot at home.

GATHER PREP MATERIALS

By this point in the year, you probably have a large collection of AP or IB prep materials. Gather those that will be most useful for review based on the inventory checklist you made earlier.  Start by looking through your own notes and files. Some students find it helpful to physically print out documents or convert notes into digital flashcards. We love Quizlet, especially because you can download the app on your phone and access all of your study materials with a quick tap of your screen. 

Also, don’t forget to log into your AP Classroom if you’re preparing for an AP exam. There are plenty of review materials under the “Exam” and “Exam Preparation” tabs. You’ll find everything from scoring guidelines to practice sets to daily video tips. If you’re not familiar with the AP Classroom and the digital resources offered by College Board, talk to your teacher. 

There are fewer options for IB students, but we really like the guides and past papers posted by PrepScholar.

For students who crave an actual prep book, order one on Amazon or visit your school or local library.

BE SOCIAL

In the weeks leading up to the exams, you might start to feel isolated with all of your solo prep sessions. But you don’t have to do it alone! Organizing a study group is a fantastic way to offer classmates support and get some extra help in areas where you have gaps. Plus, studying is always much more fun when you’re with your friends. Just be sure to stay on task! Make an agenda for your study sessions, so you have clear goals for what you want to cover and accomplish. 

We also recommend reaching out to your teacher if you need extra help, whether it’s stopping by during their office hours or requesting a study session.

STAY HEALTHY

Most importantly, don’t let AP exam stress get in the way of prioritizing your health. Especially when it comes to sleep, don’t trade in a night of zzz’s for more study time. Studies show that if you’re sleep deprived, these late nights won’t help you. Also, drink plenty of water (as opposed to coffee or energy drinks) and eat real food that will actually nourish you.

In between your study sessions, take a break from the screen, stretch, and take walks. Exercise is important for memory and retention. And of course, reward your hard work with things that make you happy, whether it’s listening to music or calling a friend.

GOOD LUCK ON AP AND IB EXAMS!

Weekly Update: April 15

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

DAVIDSON MAKES TEST-OPTIONAL PERMANENT

The pandemic initially forced Davidson College to begin test-optional admissions, but the school announced this week that it will be making the change permanent. At small private schools like Davidson, which can typically spend more time reviewing individual applications with less need for numbers-based selection, we expect to see more admissions offices follow suit. 

WILLIAMS LAUNCHES ALL-GRANT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM

In other small liberal arts college news this week, Williams College launched the first all-grant financial aid program in the U.S., totally eliminating students loans from all financial aid packages. More than half of current Williams undergraduates (over 1,000 students) will benefit from this change. 

A CRITIQUE OF SCHOOL RANKINGS

On Wednesday, the former president of Reed College released Breaking Ranks, a new book that argues against the college rankings industry. The book focuses in particular on the U.S. News rankings, since they are some of the best-known and most respected by many parents and students, and suggests ways for colleges to combat these rankings. We’re excited to give it a read!

RUTGERS BUSINESS SCHOOL ALLEGEDLY FAKED JOBS FOR GRADUATES

In the latest example of what happens when the race for rankings gets out of hand, a former employee at Rutgers’ Business School has sued the school for faking employment for its graduates, in an attempt to increase the school’s place on the rankings list. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Students’ mental health has been in the spotlight in the wake of COVID-19 school closures. This week, an expert federal task force (including a GMU professor) recommended that all children over the age of 8 be automatically screened for anxiety. The task force asserted that anxiety disorders can often slip through the cracks, as children are less likely to have behavioral issues that serve as red flags to parents and teachers. It is still recommended that children over the age of 12 are automatically screened for depression and suicidal ideation. As mental health screenings become more routine, hopefully children will be treated and diagnosed earlier, before cases become more severe. 

This CNN interview with Paul Tough, author of the book The Inequality Machine: How College Divides Us, serves as pushback on MIT’s recent decision to reinstate the SAT/ACT testing requirement in order to bring in a more diverse class. Tough disagrees, and explains in this interview how test scores actually increase inequality in the admissions process, without adding any real benefits to determining how successful students will be in college. A great read for those hoping to dig in more to the anti-testing argument!

Wondering how students themselves feel about the testing decisions? Check out this WSJ article, which asks college students to answer the question, “Should colleges require standardized tests?”    

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are hiring for the summer here in our office! Stay tuned for some announcements about our new team members :) And we are still searching for a skilled essay coach to join our team - we love referrals, so if you know someone who is passionate about helping students with their writing, let us know! 

Speaking of the summer - if you’re interested in trying out our college counseling or academic coaching services, we have an opportunity to share that is for a worthy cause: check out our donated services in the Women’s Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund’s silent auction!

I know that a ton of planning has gone into this, and it looks like it’s going to be a really fun event - so fun, in fact, that it sold out before I bought my tickets!!! Oops!!

In all seriousness, if anyone local has two extra tickets or can’t attend at the last minute - please email me - I really want to go and would be thrilled to buy a pair of tickets from you!! 🤞

Lastly, a reminder that we are closed today for Good Friday. Have a great weekend, and happy Easter to those celebrating!!

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Navigating College Decision News Series Part 3: What To Do When You've Been Rejected

“We regret to inform you…” And with those five short words, you realize that a college or university has just denied you.

Yet while this news is never easy to hear, it doesn’t have to send you into a spiral of disappointment. 

In the last installment of our Navigating College Decision News series, we’re sharing tips to help families transform a rejection notification into a hopeful future.

FEEL YOUR FEELINGS–FOR A LITTLE WHILE

It is perfectly normal to be sad, shocked, maybe even bitter when you receive a rejection letter. That’s okay! Take some time to acknowledge your disappointment and work through whatever you’re feeling, especially if the decision came from your dream school.

It’s also important to remember NOT to make any big decisions immediately after receiving your notification. Instead, take a few days to talk with your family, college counselor, and/or close friends who can help you process the news.

However, as much as it’s okay to mourn your rejection notification, don’t wallow in it for too long. You don’t want one disappointment to define the rest of your college admissions process, and you presumably have other great options to choose from.

ADOPT A NEW ATTITUDE

We know that it can be easy to get down on yourself after being denied. However, a rejection does NOT define your worth, nor is it an indicator that something is wrong with you. Try your best not to take the news too personally. Of course we know this is easier said than done, so let’s look at the numbers.

As we reported last week, college applications are a record high this admissions cycle. That means acceptances are at a record low, especially at highly selective schools. If you were a qualified candidate, your decision was likely just a result of the numbers game. These schools simply cannot accept everyone they’d like to accept, and many of the final decisions that differentiate candidates from one another are related to factors over which you have absolutely no control, like demographics.

Even though you are understandably disappointed, there’s good news. Just look in your acceptance pile! Instead of defining yourself by your rejection, concentrate on your acceptances as well as your achievements. After all, a rejection letter doesn’t take away from the hard work, growth, and progress you’ve experienced throughout high school. 

Finally, we know that getting rejected might make you feel powerless, but there are actually a lot of choices you can make to regain control. And one of the biggest decisions is your attitude. You’re still going to go to college, and you’re still going to earn a degree. You’re also going to have a great four years–if you decide to start them off with a positive attitude. 

RECONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS

Maybe you didn’t give a lot of thought to the schools that accepted you because you were really hoping to attend this one. Or perhaps you were waiting until you received all of your admissions news before you made a decision. Whatever, the case, we encourage you to consider (and reconsider) your options with your new attitude and a fresh perspective. 

Why did I apply here in the first place? That’s the question to ask yourself as you think about the schools to which you’ve been accepted. They clearly had qualities you were looking for months ago, and reflecting on these specific characteristics can be helpful. In fact, if you previously identified non-negotiables in your college search or made a ‘wish list,’ now would be a good time to review the factors that are most important to you. 

As tempting as it may be to compare every school to the one from which you’ve been denied, don’t! That will create a situation where you’re constantly searching for what a school doesn’t have rather than what it can offer you. Instead, stick to the positives, and view each school through your new lens. We also recommend talking to current students, visiting campus, and attending admitted student days to help you get more of an insider’s look. These extra steps can lead you to discover things you may have not recognized before. 

P.S. There is another option we haven’t mentioned yet, and that involves appealing your rejection. Now before you get your hopes up, we have to give you a reality check:

1. Not every school allows appeals.

2. The chance of a successful appeal is slim.

You can’t appeal the decision just because you’re upset. You have to have a legitimate reason–and it better be good! In most cases, a legitimate reason would include reporting errors related to a student’s standardized test scores or academic record, or clerical omissions in the application file.

Before you seriously consider an appeal, speak with the admissions office and enlist the support of a college counselor. Again, we don’t typically recommend this route unless there is a major error outside the applicant’s control. 

SUBMIT YOUR DEPOSIT–AND GET EXCITED!

Once you decide what school you’d like to attend, don’t look back! Formally accept your offer by submitting your deposit and begin to get excited about your future. To help embrace your decision and build some enthusiasm, you may want to connect with future classmates and/or attend an admitted students day.

Also, invest in some swag. No need to go to the bookstore when there are so many other cool retailers to check out! A few of our favorites include Hillflint, 47Brand, Hype and Vice, and Kickoff Couture. And if you go to a school (like mine!) that doesn’t have as many options, you can even customize your own with Gameday Bae! Wearing a college hoodie is a rite of passage for many students and can make the next four years feel like a reality.

THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR

While we don’t want you to start college with the mindset that you’ll transfer next year, it is an option. Just keep in mind that there are no guarantees when it comes to applying as a transfer. While some schools like UVA are historically known for having a higher transfer acceptance rate, many others are even more selective during the transfer process than they are for first-year applicants.

That being said, if you feel that transferring is in your best interest, consider applying to schools beyond the one that denied you the previous year. And don’t forget to check out our “Should I Apply to Transfer?” checklist!

Weekly Update: April 8

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MY DREAM CAME TRUE!!!!!!

UT Austin will be on the 2022-2023 Common App!!!! Yay!!!!!

If you have ever dealt with the nightmare that is ApplyTexas, you will understand why I am celebrating!!!🎊🤠👏🌮

UCLA JOB POSTING FOR $0 SALARY

Yes, you read that right - UCLA posted an adjunct position for a Ph.D.-holding biochemist and offered no compensation. While UCLA removed the posting after backlash, the unfortunate fact is that arrangements like these are not uncommon in academia, which often expects Ph.D. students and adjunct professors to work for little or no pay. And right now, 70% of college faculty are untenured, part-time, or adjunct faculty with little job security. This is a concern not only for those working in academia, but for undergraduate students taught by overworked and underpaid professors who usually cannot give them the mentorship and relationships that they need.

THE TEEN DC COUNCIL CANDIDATE

Henry Cohen, an 18-year-old student at Jackson-Reed high school, is running for representative on D.C’s council. Cohen argues that young people do not have enough representation in local government, and is actively campaigning in Ward 3. Kind of cool to see young people getting involved in local politics at this level!

VARSITY BLUES CONTINUES WITH MARK RIDDELL SENTENCING

Mark Riddell, the “proctor” in the Varsity Blues scandal who was accused of taking SAT and ACT exams in the place of students, will be sentenced in federal court today in Boston. He is expected to serve a lighter sentence, as he has been cooperating with authorities since pleading guilty in 2019. 

MASK MANDATES ARE BACK

Following the latest spike in coronavirus cases, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins both reinstated their indoor mask mandates this week. Students returning to Georgetown after Easter break later this month will also be required to test negative before returning to campus. Having struggled with this ourselves as we’ve contemplated returning to in-person work with students this summer, we hope that the mask mandates are no longer necessary very soon!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

MIT made the argument last week, when it reinstated standardized testing, that the tests actually made the process more equitable, rather than less, for students that have not had as many academic resources. In an Atlantic article this week, the author explores this argument, concluding that MIT is correct to say that rather than causing inequity in the admissions process, the SAT merely reveals educational disparities that are already there. 

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - a top tier university is not the right fit for every kid! While we love helping our academic high-flyers pursue their Ivy League dreams, we also know that the ultra-competitive process isn’t for everyone. This article explores how parents can help their students revise their expectations and focus on the college that is right for them - not just the one with the biggest reputation. This is so important for kids to hear, especially now after receiving their decisions!

Finally, we are starting to see how the students who spent much of their high school careers learning remotely have been performing in college. The answer is - not great. Especially in classes like math and science, where material is directly built off of what students have learned in high school, college students are struggling. In addition to the challenges of online learning, pass-fail grades at many schools meant that students were able to “pass” challenging courses without actually mastering the material. We expect that we will continue to see these types of issues as students make the transition from high school to college over the next few years. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Know a teen of “outstanding character” in McLean? Nominate them for the McLean Citizens Associations’ Teen Character Awards. This award is meant to recognize teenagers who have made an impact on their community, whether by leading a service project or caring for a younger sibling or elderly relative at home. A nomination application is available here - Application - Outstanding Character Award for Teenagers. Make sure to get those nominations in by the Friday, April 22 deadline!

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sun!

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Navigating College Decision News Series Part 2: What To Do When You've Been Waitlisted

Welcome to part two of our Navigating College Decision News series. Last week we shared our tips for managing acceptance notifications. Now it’s time to talk about limbo - otherwise known as the waitlist!

So what exactly is a waitlist? As we mentioned in our previous post, a waitlist is much like being put on hold. For a variety of reasons, a school may not be able to admit a qualified student right now. Instead, they’ll invite the applicant to join the waitlist, and IF space becomes available, the student could be admitted in the coming weeks or months. The waitlist is really a numbers game, as well as a test of patience. Schools work hard to estimate their yields- the percentage of accepted students who actually choose to enroll. If they come up short in their estimations, they turn to the waitlist to fill demographic gaps in the accepted student population. For example, admissions staff might be directed to pull files for every classics major from the midwest who doesn’t need financial aid.

We know it can be really confusing, even downright frustrating, to find out that you’ve been waitlisted.  After all, you don’t know whether you’ll be admitted or not, and suddenly your future may not be as definitive by the May 1 deadline you had been anticipating all year.

But don’t worry! There are plenty of steps you can take to help feel more empowered and navigate the decisions you’ll have to make.

PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK

First of all, don’t get down on yourself because you didn’t get the news you may have been hoping for. The number of college applications per student have been soaring (up over 18% in just two years, according to Common Application data ) and admissions is more competitive than ever. Remember that if you’ve been waitlisted, the school thinks you’re a viable candidate who’s qualified to attend that school. They would like to take you! And regardless of the outcome, you should feel proud of that! So pat yourself on the back and approach the next steps with a positive, confident attitude.

ACCEPT AN ACCEPTANCE

Sometimes students get so distracted by a waitlist that they forget they have a stack of acceptance offers “waiting in the wings.” The reality is that there are no guarantees when it comes to a waitlist, and you don’t want to gamble on a maybe. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a school to which you have been admitted and submit a deposit by May 1. If you’re having trouble deciding between schools, take a look at our advice for weighing your acceptance options. 

What happens, though, if you’re eventually admitted into your waitlisted school? Notify the first school ASAP that you’re withdrawing your intent to enroll. You will lose your $500-$1000 deposit, but for many families. this is a small price to pay to gain admission to the school of your choice. And if the financial implications of losing the deposit are significant, given your financial situation, we encourage you to reach out to both schools to see if someone will work with you on the financial end.

RSVP TO THE WAITLIST

Now that you’ve secured a spot at a college or university, you have another decision to make. How will you RSVP to the waitlist? Just like any invitation, you’ll need to accept or decline. To help you make an informed decision, we encourage families to do their homework. Determine if/how the school ranks or prioritizes the waitlist and learn where you stand on the list. Sometimes your notification letter can provide this information, or you might have to reach out to the admissions office.  To help you get a sense of the bigger picture, use resources like College Search, which provide helpful data about waitlist outcomes from the previous admissions cycle. While we have seen dramatic year-to-year shifts in our post-Covid world, you can at least begin to gain a frame of reference.

Another great way to predict what your chances might be is to stay up-to-date on whether the school has already begun to take students from the waitlist - or even whether other schools have! When you see waitlist movement at highly selective schools before May 1, that’s a general sign that there’s a LOT more movement to come - for a wide range of schools. Highly selective waitlist admission results in a trickle-down effect: School A will take a student from their waitlist, and the student who takes it will free up a spot at School B to come to School A. Now School B takes a student from School C, and so forth.

And the good (great) news? We have already seen waitlist movement this year! UCLA, University of Michigan, and University of Chicago have begun to take students from the waitlist over the last several days. It’s extremely rare for schools to start accepting students this early, so this is a very promising sign for waitlist movement to come.

While statistics and updates can be extremely useful, there are other questions families should be asking and researching.

• Is it worth it? Do you like the school enough to live in limbo for weeks, even months? Or is it more important to you to wrap up your decision now? Sometimes it can be helpful to set an “waitlist end date” in advance so that you know a sense of closure is on the horizon, one way or the other.

• How might a late acceptance impact your housing options and course selections for fall? You can always reach out to the school’s admission office if you can’t find the information on their website.

• What’s the financial impact? In addition to the risk of losing deposit money, you may also miss out on financial aid packages or merit scholarships. Calculate these factors carefully! 

SHOW YOUR INTEREST

Don’t assume that just because you’re on the waitlist, you have to literally sit back and wait. If you really want to attend the school, let them know by writing a letter of continued interest (LOCI). I cannot emphasize enough how important this is! When they pull the files of all of those midwestern classics majors, the spots are going to go to the students who reached out and established a line of communication. Remember, colleges are still focused on yield. They do not want to offer a waitlisted spot to a student if there is any question about whether the student will accept it.

A LOCI is the ideal space to explain why the school remains your top choice, and you must state explicitly that you are committed to attending if accepted. Of course you shouldn’t profess your love and commitment unless you really mean it, though! 

As part of your letter, you’ll also want to share any recent updates, such as achievements, awards, even summer plans (if they include something academic or professional). 

And one last thing - before you hit the send button, make sure to re-read all communication to double-check that your school of choice has not already issued guidance on LOCIs. Some schools do not want them, and you do not want to send one to a school that has already told you not to do so!

MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

To avoid falling into the waitlist waiting trap of false hope and disappointment, you’ll want to be realistic. Assume that you’ll be attending the school to which you submitted a deposit, and get invested in the exciting next steps. That way if you do happen to be admitted off of a waitlist later, it will be a pleasant surprise rather than a life-altering tragedy. We know this is easier said than done, but a positive mindset can make all the difference in how you manage your expectations!

KEEP UP WITH YOUR COLLEGE COMMUNICATIONS

If you’re in waitlist limbo, be sure to check your email and/or application portals frequently. It’s also a good idea to maintain communication with the admissions office, especially to share a letter of continued interest or to follow up with questions. 

There’s just one catch! Don’t be ‘that’ student who becomes a pest to the admissions office. You’re not going to increase your chances if you’re constantly asking for updates or inundating the admissions office email inbox on a daily basis. No more than one point of contact every 7-10 business days, please!

DO YOU NEED HELP NAVIGATING YOUR WAITLIST NOTIFICATIONS?

That’s what we’re here for! Book an appointment with DC College Counseling today.

STAY TUNED!

Next week we’ll close out our series with part 3: what to do when you’ve been rejected!

Weekly Update: April 1

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

BRUTAL REGULAR DECISION NUMBERS

A number of highly selective (or as many of our colleagues are calling them, “highly rejective”) schools released the last of the regular decision admission decisions last night. It was absolutely insane. Check out the latest results from College Kickstart, but don’t forget to keep in mind that these statistics are somewhat misleading as they represent the combination of results from multiple admission plans. In other words, many of these schools are admitting 50%+ of their classes through binding early decision plans with a higher acceptance rate.

Let’s look at Vanderbilt - they had approximately 2,700 ED I applicants; 2,400 ED II applicants; and 41,600 RD applicants for a total of 46,717. As College Kickstart reports, 2,864 students were admitted to the freshman class for an overall acceptance rate of 6%. Totally insane, right? But it gets worse. Of the 2,700 ED I applicants, 24.1% of students were accepted. Of the 2,400 ED II applicants, 10.3% of students were accepted. And for the approximately 41,600 RD applicants? Approximately 1,964 acceptance letters went out. This means that despite the published acceptance rate of 6%, the RD acceptance rate was actually 4.7%. For Vanderbilt - an amazing school, of course, but it’s not Harvard or Yale.

Perhaps even more depressing, Northeastern had an overall acceptance rate of 7% (Northeastern!!!!), Tulane 10%, Boston University 14%, NYU 12%… what is wrong with the world?!

MIT REINSTATES TESTING REQUIREMENT

MIT is the latest school to announce that it will be reinstating its testing requirement for the next admissions cycle. Yet rather than the decision itself, it is the reasoning behind the decision that has been making a lot of waves in the educational consulting community this week. MIT argues that reinstating a testing requirement will allow the admissions process to be more equitable, by giving students who may not have access to advanced coursework or extracurricular programs to demonstrate their readiness for MIT. This is a controversial decision because conventional wisdom has long held that standardized tests perpetuate inequality in the admissions process, as students with access to paid test prep opportunities and advanced curricula typically score better on these exams.

I tend to agree with MIT on this one - after all, you can’t fake a test score (well, as long as you aren’t Rick Singer’s client!!). Even with pricey tutoring, the student has to actually earn the score. On the other hand, when a school is test-optional, the “softer” sides of the admissions process (essays, interview prep, extracurricular depth, recommendation letters, ED strategy) become much more important. Because those are a whole lot easier to manipulate with expert guidance than a test score, students with means can end up with a big advantage in test-optional situations. We will have to see if other schools follow MIT’s lead in bringing back testing requirements for the next admissions cycle. 

ANOTHER NEW SET OF RANKINGS

We’ve written before on the blog about the rankings from Academic Influence, and the latest metric that the organization is using to rank colleges is something called Academic Stewardship. Basically, this number calculates how an institution uses its resources - a ratio of how much impact it has to available resources. The result is an interesting list of schools that often do not appear on any well-known rankings: the #1 school for Academic Stewardship is Fisk College, a private HBCU in Nashville. 

NBA PROSPECTS BYPASS COLLEGE DESPITE NIL DEALS

A growing number of high school basketball players are choosing to bypass college and the NCAA altogether in pursuit of an NBA career, despite the fact that NCAA athletes can now earn money through the NCAA’s newly approved “name, image, and likeness” deals. These allow players to profit from advertisements, video games, and more, even as they remain amateur players. For many students, these incentives are just too new and untested to justify entering college when they could make salaries as full-time players straight from high school. We will have to see how lucrative these NIL deals become to know whether they will attract top-level players to the NCAA - although we also believe that a college education should be worth something in the calculus, too!

TEENS FACED EMOTIONAL ABUSE DURING PANDEMIC

In a sobering study this week, the CDC announced that the majority of teenagers endured emotional abuse while at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional stressors from home and family life were just one of the potential traumatic triggers for teenagers in the last two years, and potentially a symptom of overstressed caregivers, including parents.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

As we talk with students about their summer plans, the idea of doing independent research comes up more and more. This can be a really great way for students to pursue their passions (especially those with a unique interest), gain hands-on experience, and create a final product that looks great on college applications. For more about why it is important to pursue research as a high school student, as well as some ways to get started, we recommend diving into this short article and then checking out our Summer Opportunities Database!

We maintain that the number one way to get a true sense of a school is to take an in-person tour. But the truth is, sometimes even that is not enough! During the pandemic, in-person tours were not an option for many students. Other tours were available, but students couldn’t see inside academic buildings or dorms. Or maybe the tour is great, but you visit campus during a break and don’t get to see any students walking around - it can feel like a ghost town! This article explores some ways to improve campus tours, both in-person and virtual, to make the selection process easier for all students, even those who are not able to visit. 

By all accounts, this has been a tough admissions year for many students and families. This article dives into some of the reasons for the change. It is worth a read, though we don’t agree with the tongue-in-cheek tone - this has been a legitimate challenge for many families! If your student did not receive the decision they were hoping for, this article from the L.A. Times provides some strategies parents and family members can use to help students weather their feelings of rejection.  

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We want to share a couple of contest opportunities with you! The Congressional Art Competition, a nationwide art contest sponsored by the House of Representatives, is currently accepting applications. If you are a high schooler in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, you can read more and apply here. 

And for our Class of 2022 students, if your college essay had anything at all to do with money - work, social class, privilege, etc. - consider submitting to the New York Times annual essay contest. The essays will be published in late June, and writers will be paid for their work. We love any opportunity for students to share their amazing essays! 

Enjoy the weekend, and try not to stress too much if you received a decision you weren’t happy with. I know, easier said than done - at this time of year I always think about how absolutely crushed I was when I was rejected from my dream school (you can read the whole saga here). Yet as an adult, I am so incredibly grateful for the path my life took instead. This too shall pass!

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Navigating College Decision News Series Part 1: What to Do When You've Been Accepted

“Welcome to the Class of 2026!”

And just like that, the long college admissions process has come to an end, right? Well, not quite - there are still some decisions to navigate and tasks to complete! So after you’ve finished celebrating and basking in the glow of your excitement, follow these steps to ensure you put your best foot forward into your future:

Weigh your options–carefully!

As thrilling as it may be to receive your acceptance notifications, don’t let the adrenaline get the best of you. There are a number of factors that can influence a final decision, so slow down and take your time weighing your options (unless, of course, you’ve applied early decision and are bound to attend one particular school). Some students even find it helpful to create a spreadsheet to keep information organized. We especially encourage you to:

• Look carefully at your offer letter and take note of any conditional acceptance details. Some schools may accept you BUT with adjustments to your start date, intended major, etc. If you need help making sense of a conditional acceptance, read last week’s blog where we explain the most popular conditional programs and offer our expert opinion on each.

• Conduct more research using online resources, your college counseling office, etc. 

• Go over finances with your family, especially if you have financial aid and/or scholarship packages. Don’t forget to compare the different types of aid offered - grants are different from loans!

• Visit or revisit the school to experience what life is like on campus.

• Talk with current students who can share their experiences and provide you with details and insights that you can’t get anywhere else.

• Attend an admitted student day event. This is a fantastic opportunity to get a preview of your potential classmates, professors, and new home. 

While we certainly want you to consider the practical elements, we also want you to relax and reflect on the bigger picture. Where can you see yourself living and thriving? Which environment feels ‘right’ to you?  These answers may not appear on a comparison chart or spreadsheet, but they can guide you toward your final decision.

Formally accept an offer

Once you choose a school, you’ll need to make it official! Be sure to follow your school’s specific instructions for submitting your deposit and providing any documents needed to secure your spot in the incoming class. 

The deadline for the majority of schools across the US is May 1- also known as National College Decision Day. As we mentioned in our previous post, some schools now offer incentives to those who deposit early, such as advanced access to course registration or priority housing. So if you know where you want to go, it may be to your benefit to send in the deposit now. It’s also important to note that you can typically request an extension to the decision deadline BUT ONLY IF you have a legitimate reason.

Decline your other offers

We get it. You may be so overcome with eagerness and relief about making your college decision that you forget other schools have admitted you–and they’re awaiting your reply! As soon as you make your selection, decline your other offers. Not only is this the polite thing to do, but it also helps the school rescue eager applicants from the waitlist.

You can typically decline your offer by following a link or set of explicit instructions in your acceptance notification. Alternatively, log into the school’s portal, where you’re likely to find a decline option. In most cases, it’s as easy as the click of a button.

If you can’t seem to find a decline option, send a message to the admissions office through their main email address (which will be listed on the school’s website). The email can be short and sweet. There’s no need to write a novel explaining your decision. In fact, here’s a general template you can use.

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is X, and I recently received your offer of admission. I am very grateful for the time you invested in my application, but after carefully considering my options, I have decided not to enroll. 

Insert a few sentences about how much you liked the school and mention any specific staff members that were particularly helping during the process (ex. an admissions counselor, a professor who may have interviewed you, etc.) 

Kind regards, 

X

Contact your recommenders

This is the fun part! Reach out to anyone who wrote you a letter of recommendation and share the good news. They will be eager to offer you congratulations! Not to mention, this is the perfect opportunity to thank them for their time and support.

Stay motivated

Okay, let’s point out the obvious– senior year isn’t over just because you submitted a deposit. And you can’t actually attend your selected college or university UNLESS you receive your high school diploma. As tempting as it may be to ‘slack off’ after receiving your acceptance letters and submitting a deposit, don’t! Go to class, keep your grades up, and stay motivated. It’s not a good look to drop courses or let your G.P.A. plummet in the final weeks of the school year. Plus, we don’t want anyone to become a cautionary tale!

Keep up with college communications

Don’t want to miss out on information about orientation and course registration for your first year of college? Well, then you better check your email! Once you pay the deposit, your selected school will start sending you important communications about everything from setting up your student account to requesting a roommate. Make sure you thoroughly read these communications and complete your action items by the deadlines! No reminders from Donna anymore :)

You also might consider following your school on social media platforms to keep up with the latest news and information. Just be sure that your social media account is private AND appropriate before you connect. You don’t want to give off the wrong impression.

Stay tuned!

In part 2 of our series, we’ll share what to do when you’ve been waitlisted.

Weekly Update: March 25

We were excited for peak bloom this week - hope you got to spend some time admiring the cherry blossoms before the rain!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

UVA’S ACCEPTANCE RATE HITS RECORD LOW

UVA regular decision results are out, and the university’s acceptance rate dropped to just 19% this year. Offers were extended to approximately 9,000 students out of the 50,000+ who applied (the acceptance rate for in-state students, who make up two-thirds of the university, was 28%). We have seen demographic changes anecdotally, and the results play that out as well - 52% of admitted students were students of color, a record high for UVA. And if you’re wondering whether applying early is really worth it, keep in mind that over 7,000 of those 9,000 acceptances were handed out to early decision or early action applicants. 

USC PULLS OUT OF U.S. NEWS RANKINGS

More ranking controversy this week when USC withdrew its Rossier School of Education from the U.S. News & World Report rankings. The school made this choice after determining that it had provided inaccurate survey data to U.S. News for the last five years. An investigation into the data is now underway. 

CHAIR OF USC’S BOARD RUNS FOR LA MAYOR

In the second piece of USC news, the former chair of the Board of Trustees Rick Caruso is now running for mayor of LA. He is leaning on his record of “cleaning up messes” at USC. Caruso stepped in when USC was reeling from sexual abuse allegations, and has since installed the university’s first female president, new football coach, and several reforms to the Board of Trustees. However, some students and professors took issue with Caruso running the university like a business, saying that he was not transparent enough about the allegations against the school’s gynecologist or later scandals, including Varsity Blues. At the end of the school year, Caruso is expected to step down as he pursues his mayoral bid. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

The new digital SAT may be a win for neurodiverse students. The shortened test will require less sustained concentration, and with more time per question, processing speed becomes less important. However, there are still some potential drawbacks, including unfamiliarity with the new testing layout. Once the SAT rolls out, we will be back with more tips to help students get comfortable with this new format (if you are applying now, don’t worry - we won’t see the digital SAT for a few more years!). 

Have you ever wondered, “What’s the difference between a college and a university?” If so, you’re not alone! Traditionally, a college does not offer graduate programs, while a university does. But if you’re thinking about schools like the College of William & Mary, or Boston College, you’re probably realizing that this old rule of thumb doesn’t exactly hold true anymore. This article is an interesting read for those hoping to understand more about the “college” vs. “university” name, and how some schools are choosing to make changes. 

This Wall Street Journal piece by Tarren Bragdon, president and CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability, explores the in-depth “My Florida Future” database and shares how his own children have benefited from it. Created as a result of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “student right to know” bill, the database empowers families to make data-driven decisions when it comes to college choices. It compares a number of metrics across all 12 state universities, including earnings for each degree program, cost, and loan burdens, and Virginia is the next state slated to offer a similar system.

A number of WSJ readers shared their dissatisfaction with this system, writing that college isn’t just about ROI (I loved the one from the guy who suggested a franchise instead!). I personally think this is a good thing - knowledge is power, and families who want to make their decisions based on ROI will now have the opportunity to do so.

My only caution would be to remember that correlation does not equal causation. For example, Bragdon writes that his son recognized that Florida Gulf Coast University business graduates make approximately 10% less within a year of graduation than their peers at Florida State, and suggested that this may impact his son’s decision-making. But what about the fact that it’s significantly harder to be admitted to FSU than FGCU? We’re comparing students of different achievement levels, and it’s natural that higher-performing students would have higher earnings. I’d still pick Florida State, but at the same time, let’s be realistic.

Finally, Jeff Selingo, one of the top voices on admissions today, wrote an article in the Atlantic this week titled “The College Admissions Process is Completely Broken.” As applications rise, admissions offices are forced to spend less time reading the applications, and to reject more students than ever - to Selingo, a sign of a broken process that gives officers just minutes to scan an application.

His solution includes many interesting reforms to the college application process, including eliminating unnecessary essays at schools that make decisions using primarily the high school transcript and test scores (yes please!). He also recommends eliminating the binding early decision process, arguing that it requires students to choose “just one” college too early. But we disagree!

If used properly, the choice about where to apply ED is one of the most powerful strategic decisions that a student can make, during a process where so many other factors are already decided for them. Plus, as Selingo himself mentions at the start of the article, you can only attend one school when all is said and done - so there’s no real harm in making that decision early! 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Still looking for summer plans? If you live in Loudoun County, we HIGHLY recommend applying for the Loudoun Young Entrepreneurs Academy. This is an amazing program that gives great experience to students interested in business, entrepreneurship, or social impact. Students must be Loudoun County residents, although they can attend any school. (We used to love the Arlington version of this program that was available to all students, regardless of residency - bring it back, please!)

We have started getting some of our first finished Common ApplicationⓇ essays in from students this week! Even though completed drafts still undergo several rounds of revision from our team (and of course the student and parents), it is still a HUGE relief for those students who have this major task off their plates! More of our students will finish up in the next few weeks - those who stick to our timeline usually have those essays wrapped up by spring break! 

Enjoy the weekend!

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An Introduction to Our Three-Part Series on Navigating College Decision News

It’s that time of the year again: colleges and universities across the country are releasing regular decision notifications (or will be soon). For high school seniors, this marks the finish line in their college admissions journey–or so you might think! However, there are still decisions to make and important steps to take, whether you’ve been admitted, waitlisted or denied. 

We know that navigating decision notifications can be confusing, even downright stressful for some families. That’s why we’re kicking off a three-part series today! We’ll break down the different types of decision notifications (there are more than you might think!) and share our expert tips on what to do after you receive the news.

TYPES OF DECISION NOTIFICATIONS

Acceptance:

Congratulations, you’ve been admitted! Unlike early decision, a regular decision acceptance does NOT bind you to that particular school or college. You can choose whether or not you’d like to accept the offer. This is a big decision, so take your time*! Weigh your options and carefully consider the factors that are most important to you. Some students especially benefit from attending accepted student days, visiting (or revisiting) campuses, and talking with current students.

*Most schools require that students accept their offers of admission by May 1 in order to enroll. However, it’s typically possible to get an extension on this if you need one for a legitimate reason. On the other hand, some schools have begun to offer special perks to students who deposit earlier - first-come-first-serve housing, parking spots, course registration, and so forth. So don’t rush the decision, but once you know, go ahead and send in the deposit.

Conditional Acceptance Programs:

Some schools may admit applicants - but with a catch! This typically occurs when the school would like to accept students whose qualifications are not quite as high as the rest of the incoming class - or when the university feels an obligation to keep third parties happy (i.e. donors, alumni, coaches) by offering a particular applicant a spot.

Conditional acceptance programs come in many forms, as you can see below, and they can be very complex. We encourage families to read conditional acceptance letters carefully, do their research, and ask for help if they need it. 

Here are three major categories of conditional acceptance programs: 

REIMAGINED CALENDAR YEAR

Summer session contingency: A school offers admission to students who are willing to begin their college experience earlier than usual. Summer session admission can be less competitive, especially at larger universities. For example, if you want to increase your chances of admission at Penn State’s main campus, indicate that a summer start date is an option for you. You begin in the summer, take a few classes, and then join the rest of the freshman class in the fall.

I love programs like this and see great advantages in them - students have the opportunity to make friends and familiarize themselves with college-level work before the chaos of the fall semester begins. In some ways, this can be even better than traditional fall admission!

Second semester admission: You’re admitted, but not until the spring semester of your freshman year. Therefore, you can use your gap semester in the fall to work, travel, and/or volunteer. Programs like Middlebury’s Febmester are well-known for their mid-year enrollment approaches that ensure students can easily integrate into the community when they arrive on campus. 

Personally, I’m not as big of a fan of these. It can be socially isolating and sort of depressing to be stuck at home during first semester, which often-times is what ends up happening. Students see all of their high school friends having fun on social media at their new colleges, and it can be easy to make comparisons and feel down about their own circumstances.

Second semester admission WITH required fall program: While some schools give you the freedom and flexibility of a gap semester, others require you to complete a structured fall program before moving onto campus in the spring. Northeastern’s N.U.in Program, for instance, admits a small group that spends their fall semester studying abroad at partner locations around the world. Students earn credits, just as they would if on campus, while getting the added benefit of a cultural experience. 

Even though there’s less flexibility, I like this option because it still offers an exciting experience for students. They are making friends with others who will be in their class year, and have the opportunity to start their college years off on an exciting note!

Gap year: Much less common than second semester start dates, gap year admission defers your start date by a full academic year. That means you have twelve months to pursue your interests and gain experience in whatever path you choose. Harvard is one of the few schools to offer this type of admission with their Z-List (which has faced some criticism in recent years).

This shares some of the same disadvantages of second-semester admission - unless the student has a concrete plan for the year that they happen to be very excited about. It is also worth noting that a typical condition of a gap year is that students are not permitted to take for-credit classes at a different college or university. On the positive side, at least the student is starting at the beginning of freshman year, so the transition is not as difficult socially as starting in the winter might be. But they will be a solid year older than their peers, which is something else to consider.

MAJOR CHANGES

General education program: A school offers you admission, but with a slight twist. Instead of immediately jumping into your major course of study, you’ll enter a general education program where you’ll complete prerequisites first. NYU’s Liberal Studies Core, for example, provides a successful program where students can take advantage of small class sizes and study abroad opportunities before transferring into their specific major program.

I like this! It may not be the path students had initially envisioned, but they typically have to take all of these general education requirements anyway - so if taking them all at once can get them into the school of their dreams, why not?!

A different major: A school may not admit you to your first choice major for a variety of reasons. But don’t worry if you’re not sure about the alternate major to which you’ve been granted admission. Schools like UC Santa Barbara will allow you to submit a change of major request. 

This is usually a great option, because so many students switch their major anyway! Just make sure to check eligibility requirements and admissions statistics for internal transfers. For example, if you are trying to ultimately graduate with a specialized finance or engineering degree, your chance to transfer into one of these programs may not be a given.

TRANSFER OPTIONS

Community college bridge program: Bridge programs provide admitted students with greater support and preparation as they transition between high school and college. Admission is typically contingent upon a student successfully completing one to two years of coursework at a community college. Of course colleges and universities don’t want students to miss out on the typical college experience, so some even offer a community living component. Participants in the Bridge to Clemson Program live right on campus and benefit from the structure and support of the resident advisors.

I love programs like this! Remember, it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. And this doesn’t have the social disadvantages of starting at a local community college for two years and living at home.

Conditional transfer: Unlike a structured bridge program, a conditional transfer includes a set of ‘conditions’ that students will need to meet for transfer admissions. This might include initially earning a certain number of undergraduate credits and maintaining a particular GPA at a different institution. Some schools consider other conditions as well. For example,  Georgia Tech’s Conditional Transfer Pathway Program allows applicants who were not admitted as first year students AND have a family member associated with the school to benefit from guaranteed transfer admission as long as they meet some basic GPA and course requirements. Notre Dame’s Gateway Program allows students to enroll after spending a year at nearby Holy Cross (remember Holy Cross from Rudy??).

Some of these programs have a few social drawbacks, but they aren’t a bad deal when you consider how selective these schools have become! The more structured ones, like ND’s program, minimize the social impact.

Waitlist:

A waitlist notification means that you’re on hold. You haven’t been rejected, but you haven’t been accepted either. Instead, the particular college or university will offer you a spot on the waitlist, and if you accept the invitation, you might be considered for admission. Of course, there are no guarantees, and a variety of factors must be considered. More on this in a future post!

Deny:

A denial notification indicates that a student was not accepted into the institution.  If you think you have a legitimate reason to appeal the decision, you might be able to do so (we’ll talk about this in an upcoming post, too). But beware! Not all institutions allow for appeals, and the chances of a college or university changing their minds is pretty slim.

Check back next week!

Check back next week for the second part of our series. We’ll share our expert advice on what to do when you’ve been admitted!

Weekly Update: March 18

We hope everyone had a happy St. Patrick’s Day and a great week (and isn’t too tired from springing ahead)!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

REGULAR DECISION RELEASE DATES

It is that time of year again - many of our students are receiving regular decision news from colleges! American, Notre Dame, Bucknell, Northeastern, and MIT were among the colleges to release decisions this week, and we expect to hear from UVA, Johns Hopkins, UGA, Villanova, and Swarthmore today! 🤞🤞🤞 For more updates on release dates, we recommend following College Kickstart’s list - it is updated almost every day with new information. 

CHANGES IN LAW SCHOOL RANKINGS ON THE HORIZON

U.S. News will be updating its law school rankings on March 29, and this year could be a surprise for the T-14 schools that consistently top that list. The organization has changed its metrics for ranking schools - including putting more weight on bar passage rates and far less weight on things like number of books in the library or ratio of full-time librarians to students. With these changes, we expect to see unprecedented movement on the U.S. News list - and it will be interesting to see the impact.

I’m particularly curious to see if Georgetown will get its coveted T14 slot back - there was a big shake-up last spring when they moved down to #15. As Above the Law joked, “Not since the NCAA tournament has Georgetown been so hyped and so disappointed.” Only time will tell!

UC BERKELEY ENROLLMENT CUTS ON HOLD

We wrote last month about the impending cuts that would require UC Berkeley to shrink its incoming class by 3,000 seats, and this was certainly scary news for many applicants. But on Monday, California legislators passed a bill to halt the cuts and preserve Berkeley’s size and intended growth. Don’t get too excited, though, unless you’re a California resident. Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego are still reducing their out-of-state population by approximately 22% (moving from 23% of the student body to 18%).

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - by and large, U.S. News rankings are not the best way to determine which school to attend as an undergraduate (it should carry more weight for law and business school applicants).

For students and families still looking for proof that the rankings are somewhat arbitrary, a Columbia University math professor published an extensive critique of Columbia’s new #2 ranking, arguing that the university provided inaccurate or inflated data about class sizes, spending, and other categories. Columbia agrees that the data could be interpreted in different ways, but stands by the data provided to U.S. News. The controversy has reignited the wider debate about whether rankings really offer an accurate way to think about the value of a college education. 

We know that for many students and families, paying for college is the most difficult and confusing part of the admissions process to navigate. For those looking for a free resource, check out The Wall Street Journal’s Guide to navigating college debt.

Upper-middle class families often complain about finding themselves in a college funding “donut hole” - they don’t qualify for financial aid, yet can’t afford to pay full tuition at a private or out-of-state school. What remains? In-state public options. Of course, not every state has top-tier public institutions, so some families actually relocate (!) to places like North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Michigan or California to give their children a chance.

With so much on the line, you can understand why Californians exhibited such “rising fury” about the Berkeley enrollment cuts - Virginians would probably have done the same! You can learn more about the background here: California NIMBYs learn a lesson: Don’t mess with college admissions. It does a great job of explaining the housing crisis that led to the cuts in the first place.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Calling all budding entrepreneurs, especially students interested in environmental science, food policy, social justice, or business - the Seeds Pitch Competition is a great way to win up to $500 for the best pitch for a solution to a problem in the community. Plus, this will look great on college applications!

This week, we had such a sweet surprise visit from a graduating senior! Like we said last week, it’s crazy that we’ve gone through so much with these students and never met some of them in person, so it was great to have a check-in from her and her family at our office. We are so excited to hear all about her journey at Cornell this coming fall!

I think we can all relate to this!!! ^

We’ve also been thinking a lot about opening up the office again - I feel like it’s just one deja vu moment after the other. As soon as we start to think “okay, it’s really over this time,” another variant pops up out of nowhere. We actually did bring students back in the office last summer for a few days before we had to revert back to remote work as a result of Delta - then we started making plans to reopen again and had to stop because of Omicron - and here we go again with BA2. Enough already!!!

Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather! We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for all those students waiting to hear from regular decision schools tonight.

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The Return of Campus Tours

Just as the weather is changing, so are college campus policies. As we first reported back in January, more and more schools are offering in-person campus tours again. We thought it would be the perfect time to brush off our social isolation and offer some tips for visiting colleges and universities!

First of all, why are campus tours important?

Over the past two years, colleges and universities have become very good (and creative) at providing virtual options for prospective students. Webinars, 3D tours, and Zoom meet-and-greets make it easier than ever for you to learn about a school with just the click of a button. While we love the flexibility of these virtual opportunities—and definitely encourage students to take advantage of them—we also recommend visiting college campuses whenever possible.

Campus tours allow you to experience the campus environment in a way that a screen just can’t capture. As you walk the pathways, meet current students, and visit the array of buildings, you’ll hopefully be able to sense whether or not you can picture yourself there. These visits also give you a chance to talk to faculty, staff, and undergrads and discover details about the school that might never be posted online. 

Pro Tip: Look for any type of protest signs, if you can find them. There are students with grievances everywhere, and complaints can generally offer insight into campus culture.

The most memorable graffiti I’ve ever seen on a college campus. It says: “Keep Baylor Baptist!” This gives an indication that there’s some secularization occurring, which could be a good or bad thing depending on an individual student’s preferences!

When should I tour a college?

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: start early! Winter and spring of junior year are great times to start researching schools and touring campuses. Visits can help you refine your college search and determine the factors that are most important to you. 

Summer is also a popular time for families to travel and visit colleges. Just be aware that college campuses can look different when school’s not in session. If possible, consider booking your tour for late August when many colleges and universities have already begun their fall semester. Or visit all of your schools during the summer so that you are at least making apples-to-apples comparisons.

One caveat about timing - if you are a student that anticipates a major shift in grades or test scores, either tour on the later side or err on the side of caution as you decide which schools to visit. A 300-point increase on the SAT is certainly possible, but you can’t bank on it until you have that score report in hand.

How do I prepare for a tour?

First of all, you’ll need to book your tour. We recommend scheduling your visit as far in advance as possible to ensure you get a spot. As you can probably imagine, high school spring break weeks are popular times for campus tours, and these slots fill up quickly! 

You’ll also want to do your research! Spend some time learning about the school, taking a virtual tour, and writing down any questions you want answered while you’re on campus. Yes, we know that this might sound repetitive since you’ll tour campus in person and get all of the facts then, but trust us! Your preparation can help you keep track of the things you want to focus on during your visit and prevent information overload. 

As part of your research, learn about the town or city that surrounds the campus. It’s always a good idea to either walk or drive through the local area to get a sense of how the school is integrated into the community. 

Finally, don’t forget the often overlooked logistical details! College campuses can be confusing spaces to navigate, so make sure you know where to park (if applicable) and where you need to go once you arrive on campus. Plan to arrive early, just in case you get lost, and consider downloading a campus map on your phone. Also, confirm any COVID-related policies with the school, so your family has any necessary masks, proof of vaccination, etc. 

Pro Tip: Most schools run multiple tours at the same time, so that there are less prospective families per tour guide and the experience feels more personal. Consider splitting up your group; if you are with a parent, each of you go with a separate tour guide. It’s win-win: you gain two different perspectives, and you can both ask your own questions without risk of embarrassing the other :)

What should I wear?

We wrote on this topic back in 2019, and the advice and styles remain the same. Think business casual with a teenage twist. For the ladies: a sweater or blouse that fully covers your stomach with nice dark wash jeans (no holes or rips, please!) is a smart choice. Gentlemen, opt for nice looking jeans or khakis with a sweater, button down shirt, or polo. Since fashion trends have changed a bit since our original post, I feel the need to point out that it would be wise to avoid the “grunge” look that’s so popular right now!

What if you’re touring a campus when it’s 89 degrees and humid? Well, ditch the jeans and opt for cooler, lightweight options, like khaki shorts, polo shirts, and modest dresses. Ladies, avoid denim shorts, too-short dresses, and spaghetti straps. 

We can’t forget the footwear. You’ll be walking a lot, so comfort is key! It’s perfectly fine to wear casual sneakers, but if you plan to meet directly with an admissions officer or professor, you’ll want to bring along a pair of nicer shoes to change into. 

Here’s our list of biggest campus tour fashion faux pas:

1. High heels: They aren’t comfortable for anyone, and you’ll look like you’re trying too hard.

2. Suits: Undergraduates are notorious for dressing casually. If you show up in a suit, you’ll look out of place. 

3. Wrinkles: Creases and wrinkles can make even the nicest outfit look messy. Invest in a steamer or trip to the dry cleaner before your visit! 

4. Advertisements: Your outfit should not be a space to advertise, whether it’s a favorite band or political affiliation. Stick to neutral clothing and accessories. 

5. Mask Misfit: Chances are you’ll need to wear a mask during your campus tour. Oversized masks (like the gaiter look) can make your speech muffled and leave you quite sweaty. Opt for a light-weight disposable mask instead.

Is there proper campus tour etiquette?

While there’s no special etiquette book for campus visits, good manners still apply! Arrive early–and without coffee or snack in hand. Be sure to silence your phone and put it away. A campus tour is NOT the time to check your texts. Greet everyone with a warm smile and a confident “nice to see you.” Not everyone is comfortable with a handshake yet, so take a cue from the other person.

My etiquette faux pas - I showed up to Madison on game day against Michigan wearing a gold sweater and navy pants. Total accident!!! I am lucky I got out of there alive!

During the tour, listen to your tour guide and avoid side talks with your family or other prospective students. Ask questions when appropriate. For example, if your guide is telling you about the science building in front of you, don’t interrupt with questions about the dining hall. Don’t worry- you’ll get to the dining hall eventually. And you can always ask questions at the end of the tour as well. 

We also highly suggest taking notes during the tour. This will help you keep track of information AND will show your engagement and interest. If you can’t take notes, snap pictures. Scrolling through them later will jog your memory.

Before you leave campus, be sure to get contact information for the people who were a formal part of your visit, such as admissions officers, tour guides, etc. Follow up with thank you notes. This is also a great space to share what you liked best about the school and ask additional questions. If you need help putting together a letter, you can book a session with us. 

Are you ready to start planning your campus tours?

Visit College Kickstart for an updated list of colleges and universities that are offering on campus tours and start planning your visits today!

Weekly Update: March 11

We hope everyone has been enjoying the beautiful weather!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES COULD LOSE AP STATUS WITH BANNED CONTENT

The College Board has announced that courses that are classified as Advanced Placement will need to teach the entire AP curriculum in order to retain AP designation. In the wake of discussion and litigation around banned topics, this provides a new consideration for schools - they risk losing AP status for classes if AP-specific materials are banned. This may have a particular impact on AP U.S. History classes, which have come under scrutiny before for course content.

IMPACT OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

The news has been saturated this week with stories from the invasion of Ukraine, and the ripple effects of the war have begun to be felt by U.S. colleges. Many colleges are pulling students out of study abroad programs in Russia, ending research partnerships, and cutting any financial ties with Russian institutions. At the same time, most colleges are making an effort to protect and support both Russian and Ukrainian students on campus. 

NEW MEXICO MAKES PUBLIC COLLEGE FREE

A new initiative in New Mexico will waive tuition for state and tribal colleges, including community colleges. This follows similar initiatives, at the community college level, from states like California and North Carolina. However, we don’t expect to see state systems with more demand for in-state education (like Virginia) make this change any time soon.

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY ADDS NEW SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

With the help of private donors, High Point has raised around $500 million for new initiatives on campus. The university will open a law school, announcing the new dean in May, and also embark on major campus improvement projects including a new library, new student housing, and a brand new parking garage. Since 2005, the number of academic schools at High Point has jumped from three to 14!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

A UVA senior published an essay in the New York Times opinion section this week grappling with free speech and censorship on campus. The essay describes how even students that hold “mainstream” views are often self-censoring for fear of social recriminations on campus. It is a nuanced piece that is definitely worth a read, no matter which side of the debate around campus speech you support. 

There has certainly been a shift in recent years toward more entrepreneurial emphasis on college campuses, with new dedicated spaces and coursework meant to empower young entrepreneurs (that High Point fundraise we mentioned earlier? One of the new schools they add will be a School of Entrepreneurship). This opinion piece by the founder of Best Buy supports the movement toward emphasizing creativity, courage, and innovation as essential parts of a valuable college education. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We had such a fun lunch today with this adorable NYU freshman who is killing it at school and home for spring break! She and I had already worked together in person for about a year pre-Covid, but she reminded me today that she had never actually met Staci or Shannon in person before!!

I had completely forgotten that, particularly with Staci because they worked so closely together for so long. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and I hope we get to do it again when she is back over the summer :)

And speaking of the summer… if you’re still looking for summer plans or just hoping for some resume and interview tips, check out this year’s FCPS Teen Job Fairs! The fairs will be held at West Springfield High School on March 12 and at Chantilly High School on March 19. 

Lastly, now that essay season is upon us- we are hiring again and LOVE referrals! If you know any talented teachers or writers who would be interested in helping to serve our students as essay coaches this summer, please let us know. 

Have a great weekend!

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Trend Watch: College Dorms Reimagined

“Back in our dorm days…”

Some of us climbed up on our desks to get into our bunks each night and endured our feet hitting the wall (a very real residential problem for tall people like Staci and Shannon). It was normal to share a single, tiny closet with a roommate and a bathroom with thirty others. Cinder block walls were often covered with “Starry Night” posters and cork board picture collages; there was no Pinterest to inspire decor. Waking up early to avoid shower lines was essential, as was stockpiling quarters for the laundry room.

For decades, college dorms had a reputation for being small, no-frills spaces. They were, by definition, simply a collection of rooms for sleeping. In fact, the discomforts of dorm life were often viewed as a rite of passage for young adults.

But that’s not the case anymore. In recent years, dorms have taken on much more importance in the college experience. Traditional dormitories have morphed into dynamic living communities, complete with modern amenities and the comforts of home–or in some cases, comforts much greater than home.

Why the shift?

In a world of staying six feet apart, COVID is having a significant impact on how colleges and universities reimagine communal living spaces. There is a recent push for germ-reducing technology, such as keyless entries and state-of-the-art air purification systems, in addition to blueprints that allow for social distancing. For many schools, this means overhauling the standard 2-3 person room set-up and reducing overly-shared bathroom areas.

But it’s not just the pandemic restyling college dorms. With depression, anxiety, and stress on the rise, colleges and universities are focused on mental health more than ever. Schools aren’t just expanding counseling services and offering new wellness programs - they’re also creating more residential options. Special interest housing, living-learning communities, and a variety of suite-style living arrangements are allowing schools to better address student diversity while empowering undergrads to select the living environment that’s right for them.

Trends in campus housing:

Here are just a few of the changes we are tracking as college dorms are reimagined

More privacy:

Let’s face it. Living in such a small space with a complete stranger isn’t always ideal–even if you love your roommate. Colleges and universities are embracing the call for more ‘me-time’ (and fewer germs) by adopting suite-style layouts and offering more single-room options. At schools like Wash U and High Point University, first year students can even end up with their own private bathrooms!  

More community:

Although students might be craving more privacy, that doesn’t mean dorm living has to be a solitary experience. Several schools, like Franklin and Marshall College, have taken a page from Harry Potter to institute new residential college systems.  No, this isn’t a new idea– Yale has had their residential college system in place since the 1930s- but there’s definitely a trend in building distinct community identities where students feel a sense of belonging (and a bit of competition).

And of course there are plenty of other ways colleges and universities are tightening residential bonds. Living-learning communities and special interest housing, in particular, are increasing in popularity. These housing options connect students with shared interests who want to live, collaborate, and maybe even advocate with other enthusiastic undergrads. To spark even more passion, many schools provide theater rooms, workshop spaces, and an exhaustive list of activities and field trips to unite students. At RIT’s Engineering House, for example, students take part in ski weekends and plan projects for the ImagineRIT Festival. 

We also love the creative (sometimes outrageous) ways colleges and universities are using common spaces to bring people together. MIT is famous for Simmons Hall, where students can create lounges, play video games, and even successfully propose the installation of a ball pit!  And in the Callaway House at University of Texas, Austin, friendships are formed at the rooftop pool and arcade room.

More comfort:

As dorms modernize, they are becoming more comfortable. Clunky wooden furniture is  being replaced by sleek, minimal styles, and rooms are being rearranged to include living areas–even in the privacy of their own rooms. Many schools are adding culinary options to dorm buildings as well, from stainless steel kitchens to organic markets. If you’re lucky enough to reside at Loyola University’s Newman Towers, you might even get your own walk-in closet! 

More choice:

Gone are the days of the one-size-fits all approach. Students come to campus with a  unique range of needs, interests, and lifestyles, and schools are acknowledging this diversity. We’re glad to see so many more options for undergrads as they make important decisions about where, how and with whom to live. 

Tell us about your dorm in the comments below!

Weekly Update: March 4

Happy March! We hope you’ve all been enjoying some warmer weather this week.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

JUDGE CALLS TJ ADMISSIONS CHANGES UNFAIR

Last Friday, a federal judge halted the changes to TJ’s admissions process, saying the new rules were unfair to Asian American students. The new rules dropped the percentage of Asian American students at TJ from 73% to 54%, a dramatic shift. This is the latest move in the ongoing debate about racial diversity at TJ. 

FCPS says that it is considering an appeal of the ruling, arguing that the new admissions process meets all legal requirements for admissions without discrimination

EFFECTS OF OMICRON CLASSROOM CLOSURES

As COVID-19 precautions continue to lessen, several outlets this week are exploring the impact of classroom closures on student learning. At many schools, if one student is exposed to COVID-19, the entire classroom remains at home. However, this stop-start schooling means that students around the country missed up to a week of school in January alone. This Atlantic article dives deeper into the ripple effects of keeping health students home from school. 

DC SCHOOLS DROP OUTDOOR MASK MANDATE

The indoor mask mandate for many spaces in DC was dropped on March 1, but not in schools. While students and staff are still required to wear masks in DC public schools, masks are now optional in outdoor spaces on school grounds.

TRANSPARENCY BILLS APPEAR AROUND THE COUNTRY

In many state legislatures, as well as in the House of Representatives, bills are appearing that would demand transparency for parents when it comes to lesson plans and curricula. Under these new laws, teachers would be required to post all of their instructional materials online for parents to review, including books, articles, handouts, and videos. While teachers say that most of this information is already available, either via parent-teacher conferences or portals like Canvas and Google Classroom, some parents argue that they should have more ability to easily review these materials. Here in Virginia, a bill was recently passed that will allow parents to review sexually explicit material before it is taught in the classroom.   

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We really liked this article in The Atlantic this week about the impact of mask mandates on students who require speech therapy. This is a population that has really struggled over the past two years, but this is an issue that we haven’t seen covered very much in the news. Remote therapy caused learning loss for many students who struggle with speech, and in-person therapy was also hindered by mask mandates. 

Debates are always ongoing about the role that grading plays in the classroom, but after the struggle of remote learning and a lot of grading policy changes, the idea that letter grades may not be the best way to assess students’ progress post-pandemic has returned to the spotlight. We think that there is a good chance we’ll see more school districts change and adjust grading policies in response to changes in curriculum and the return to in-person learning. 

We say often that students and families should take college “rankings” with a grain of salt, particularly when looking at undergraduate programs. The factors that go into these rankings may not be factors that actually appeal to students (we’ve never had a student say that one important factor for them when looking at a school is the number of books in the library!), and they don’t always reveal a lot about what the student’s college experience will be. However, there are some students and parents who want to focus on highly-ranked, highly-selective schools - and that is also an approach we understand! This article explores more of the debate about whether or not it is worthwhile to focus on highly-selective schools during the admissions process. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

First and foremost, our thoughts continue to be with people in Ukraine this week, and we feel so lucky to have learned about Ukrainian culture and heritage through our clients.

On an entirely different note, Fall 2022 has been on our minds a lot this week. We had a bunch of students who decided to send out some transfer apps at the last minute and we tried to accommodate them as best as possible. They were/are due on 3/1, 3/15, and 4/1, so it’s been a little crazy to try to get all of those out on time, but so far so good - hopefully they will have lots of choices for the upcoming fall semester!

And speaking of choices… it’s undergraduate course registration time again! I had my first Fall 2022 course registration planning session yesterday with a rising college senior. We focused on balancing out the rest of her upper-level major and minor requirements with some cool electives, and made some solid headway. It never ceases to amaze me how unnecessarily complicated course registration has become. I really think we could start a whole business helping with course registration alone.

Lastly, we were thrilled to find out on Monday that a few of our second-year students at UVa were admitted into the Commerce School, yay! They will start their 2-year program in the fall and graduate with the rest of their class during Spring 2023. Congratulations!!!

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