How to Minimize Supplemental Essay Stress

With early decision college application deadlines looming, high school seniors may find themselves knee-deep in supplemental essays right now. In addition to the 650-word Common Application essay (or comparable personal statement), many universities ask applicants to write supplemental essays. These responses vary greatly in number and complexity. Some schools may only require one additional short answer while others have upwards of ten supplemental essays. And the responses range from quick 50-word creative questions to elaborate 750-word ‘why this school’ essays. What do all of these factors add up to? A lot of stress! 

While some lucky applicants are tasked with writing 5-10 supplemental essays, most of the students with whom we work ultimately write 20+ (and often closer to 40), depending on the number of schools to which they apply and how many essays each school has. Although these numbers may seem staggering, they don’t have to overwhelm you. There are strategic ways to manage the process and avoid essay overload. 

Read on to learn more about our expert tips to minimize supplemental essay stress.

Get organized

We know, we know. “Get organized” might seem like the most basic piece of advice we could offer. But truly, there’s nothing more important than sorting through your list of schools and essays so you can get a sense of the bigger picture. How many essays will you be writing? Which topics will you have to cover? And what are your deadlines? 

We strongly encourage students to make a list, or even better yet, a spreadsheet to manage supplemental essays. Doing so will help applicants begin to strategize the essay writing process and execute a plan efficiently. Just be sure to prioritize schools with earlier deadlines!

Pro tip: Confirm the number and nature of supplemental essays for each school. Refer to your application portal for this information, NOT third-party websites. There are a lot of personal blogs that track supplemental essay topics, but they may not include the most up-to-date or accurate details. And some schools are known for tweaking word counts limits or adding additional prompts mid-cycle. Always check your application, and if you have any questions, contact the admissions office directly.

Break down the prompt

Sometimes the biggest source of stress stems from the prompt itself. A simple question could be presented in overly complex way, leaving you wondering: what are they actually asking? Other universities (we’re looking at you, Virginia Tech!), want you to answer multiple questions within one essay response, making it easy for applicants to overlook essential components. 

To avoid feeling overwhelmed by a supplemental essay prompt, break it down. Rewrite the question as a statement, simplifying any complex language. If there are multiple questions within the prompt, create separate bullet points to ensure you address each component.

Here’s an example:

Why are you interested in Syracuse University and how do you see yourself contributing to a diverse, inclusive, accessible and respectful campus? (250 words) 

Let’s break down the prompt:

• I am interested in Syracuse because….

• I would contribute to a respectful, diverse campus by….

Many applicants write thoughtful responses about their reasons for wanting to attend Syracuse, BUT they forget to state how they would contribute to the campus. Breaking down the prompt in your notes will make the question(s) clearer and more manageable. Additionally this approach can help you manage content if you’re faced with a tight word count limit.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

While some schools are notorious for unique (and downright odd) supplemental essay topics, many universities ask applicants to write about these common themes: academic interests, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. 

Applicants can reduce their writing load by recycling their supplemental essays. You may find that the 250 word response you wrote last week for Loyola Maryland about a meaningful extracurricular activity could also easily answer University of Florida’s prompt: Please provide more details on your most meaningful commitment outside of the classroom while in high school and explain why it was meaningful (250 words). 

Of course, not every supplemental essay response is going to be a perfect fit for another school’s prompt. That’s okay. You can still recycle! Search for overlapping themes and then think about how you might be able to adapt a particular story or response to fit the question. In most cases, you probably won’t have to start from scratch.

PS: If you organize yourself with a list or spreadsheet, like we recommended above, you’ll find that it’s much easier to identify similar supplemental essay topics. And you just might discover that the five supplemental essays you thought you had to write actually might only be two! 

Pro tip: ‘Why this school’ type- essays, which require applicants to explain specific reasons why they’re interested in the college or university, should not be recycled. In fact, if these types of supplemental essays are written well, they CANNOT be reused. That’s because they focus on details of a particular institution, capturing the uniqueness of that school.

Final Thoughts

Essay writing is a PROCESS that requires time and organization. That’s why we encourage students to start writing their college application essays as early as possible. However, if you find yourself getting a late start or adding several schools to your list, hopefully these tips can help! 

For families in need of last minute essay support or who want to plan ahead for senior year,  book an appointment with our DC College Counseling team here. 

Weekly Update: October 21

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

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

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

LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DO NOTHING

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

BODY OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY STUDENT FOUND

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

TJHSST REGISTRATION OPENS SOON

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

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

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

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

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

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

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Weekly Update: October 14

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FEDERAL JUDGES BOYCOTT YALE LAW GRADUATES

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

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI FRATERNITY CHAPTER CLOSED

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

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

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

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT RESIGNS

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

STANFORD PRESIDENT ISSUES APOLOGY

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

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

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

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!

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Weekly Update: October 7

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

CAMPUS TRAGEDIES

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

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT CONTINUES TO DECLINE…

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

…BUT NOT AT SELECTIVE INSTITUTIONS

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

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SMU: One of the most beautiful campuses in America!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

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

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

Enjoy the weekend!

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5 Reasons to Consider Academic Coaching

You’ve probably seen coaches on the football field and in the gym. They help people reach their peak physical condition and create strategies for victory. But did you know there’s another type of coach, the kind that doesn’t focus on footwork or cardio? 

Academic coaches train high school, college and graduate students for academic success. Whether a student is suffering from executive functioning difficulties, test anxiety, or project management challenges, academic coaching can empower students with the tools, techniques, and habits necessary for growth. 

There are numerous benefits to academic coaching, and today we’re sharing the top 5 reasons to consider an academic coach for your child.

1. Learn HOW to succeed, step-by-step

One of the biggest benefits of academic coaching is learning HOW to do the organizational work that is the foundation for success in high school and college. Most students know they are supposed to study, or supposed to work on essays in advance, or supposed to keep their homework organized, but they've never been taught HOW to do these things. Instead, they’ve simply been told: “do your homework” or “turn in that assignment by Friday.” 

Academic coaches help students develop systems to organize their schedules, manage specific projects, and develop essential study skills. By breaking down big concepts like organization and time management into actionable, step-by-step processes, students can feel more empowered and know exactly HOW to achieve success. Bonus: the habits and systems students create now will continue to benefit them in college and in their careers!

2. Stop a crisis before it starts

Are your child’s grades starting to fall? Are they having difficulty managing their schedule or completing their work? Do they seem overwhelmed? If so, an academic coach might be just what your student needs. After all, timing is everything. Academic coaching can prevent a bad quarter from turning into a bad year AND stop self-defeat in its tracks. If a student begins working with an academic coach early, they’ll have the time and space to try different techniques. Instead of desperately trying to get their ‘head above water,’ they’ll be focused on discovering what works for them–and stopping the crisis before it starts.

3. Uncover the real roadblock

I procrastinate too much. I just can’t get started on.... These are common challenges we hear students express when they first seek out academic coaching. Many believe they struggle with time management or motivation, and while these factors may play a part in a student’s challenges, they aren’t always the real roadblocks. An academic coach supports students in identifying underlying behaviors and thought-processes that are leading to academic challenges. Once students understand that their procrastination is actually anxiety or their time management challenge is really just an overloaded schedule, they can begin taking the steps to address the root of the problem.

4. Get the personalization you need

Academic coaching is NOT a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s a personalized experience that allows coaches to get to know the student and their particular needs. Coaches work closely with families (and sometimes even a student’s subject tutor or academic support professional) to determine the strategies that will work best for a student. And if something isn’t working, the coach will make adjustments!

Even more importantly, academic coaching sessions are tailored to each student, whether they are learning a new way to take notes or planning their finals schedule. Here at DC College Counseling, we offer periodic meetings or consistent, monthly coaching sessions to fit exactly what students need.

5. Eliminate stress at home

Did you do your homework? Go study! I told you to finish that last night. 

Let’s face it, academic struggles are stressful, not just for students but for parents too.

Many parents aren’t quite sure HOW to ‘get through’ to their child, and we know that the constant reminders (and nagging!) can be frustrating for everyone.

That’s where an academic coach comes in. They encourage students to take ownership of their schedules and provide the tools and reminders to support them along the way. Many families have found that academic coaching eases tensions at home and creates a more positive, unified approach to overcoming challenges.

Interested in learning more about academic coaching?

Shannon has extensive academic coaching experience with high school, college, and graduate students. She loves helping students find the right combination of tools and techniques to gain confidence and reach their potential.

DC College Counseling offers academic coaching with flexible options for as- needed sessions or monthly packages. If you would like to book a meet-and-greet with Shannon to explore options, please click here. 

To see what an academic coaching sessions with Shannon entail, as well as specifics about or package options, you can read more here.

Weekly Update: September 30

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

TRACKING HURRICANE IAN

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

THE FAFSA OPENS TOMORROW

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

NEW EXCELENCIA SEALS AWARDED

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

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK FIVE

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

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

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

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

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

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

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

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We've Got the Spirit! Homecoming Histories and Traditions

Fall is officially in the air, and we’re enjoying pumpkin carves, apple picking, and football games. But there’s one fall tradition that stands out among the rest: homecoming! Over the next month, many high schools and universities across the country will be celebrating with pep rallies, spirit days, and most importantly, sports games. Students will dress up in silly costumes, participate in crazy relays, and maybe even get crowned as head of homecoming. It makes you wonder: who exactly started this tradition and why? 

Well, historians don’t know exactly who started homecoming, but they have traced the earliest celebrations back to the 1910s. Schools such as Baylor and Missouri invited alumni to “come home” during a fall weekend. Activities included a big football game, a pep rally, and speeches. The goal was to connect alumni with current students and encourage more school pride.

These early homecoming festivities were so much fun they became a staple on college campuses…and even spread to high school campuses as well. Many schools have created signature events as part of their homecoming festivities that act as a rite-of-passage for students and a moment of nostalgia for alumni. There are bonfires and parades, as well as creative twists on classic activities. For example, students at Texas State University compete every year in the homecoming soap box derby, proudly representing their residence halls or Greek organizations. And the entire community at ASU hikes the “A” mountain in the dark, using their lanterns to light the pathways. 

Yet some colleges and universities don’t stop at midnight hikes and car races. They “up the ante” on homecoming shenanigans. At Ball State University, you can find undergrads racing down the pathways on mattresses as part of their annual bed race. And at Howard University, alumni aren’t the only invited guests. In the past, headliners like Drake and Kanye West have appeared on campus to perform in Howard’s very own music festival, Yard Fest. 

To honor the spirit of homecoming, we’ve curated a collection of ‘stand out’ college homecoming traditions across America.

Getting Wet and Wild

Students at University of Central Florida gear up every year for what has been recognized as one of the best college campus traditions in the nation: Spirit Splash. The concept is seemingly simple. Rush the reflecting pond and try to catch a rubber duck. But the crowds, the sun and the splash can make it a tough task. That’s why undergrads are encouraged to ‘pay it forward’ if they catch an extra duck. In past years, the event has been streamed live on Youtube. So if you’re interested in seeing this tradition for yourself, tune in on October 28.

White Out

“We are…!” Penn State is well known for its popular ‘we are’ chant and school spirit. And during homecoming week, this enthusiasm is even more apparent thanks to a game day white out. Penn State fans are instructed to wear only white to Beaver Stadium as the ultimate act of school pride. Why white? Well, this tradition started in the early 2000s when fans were trying to increase support for the football team. At first, it was just a small student section of white t-shirts but has grown into a stunning display that fills the stadium. You can see this year’s White Out on October 22 when Penn State plays Minnesota.

THE Rivalry

For over 150 years, the Lehigh and Lafayette football teams have battled it out on the football field. The rivalry has become so infamous that it gets its very own week at Lehigh University. Students decorate their residences with ‘bedsheet’ banners and take part in bed races, runs, and luncheons throughout the week. Alumni across the country are also encouraged to get involved from afar by hosting alumni telecasts on game day.

A Charitable Take on Homecoming

It’s not just fun and games at University of Missouri’s homecoming weekend. With so many people descending on campus, the Alumni Association has leveraged the community to support a blood drive. It’s become the largest student-run blood drive in the country, and each year the university donates thousands of units to the Red Cross.

The Biggest Party Around

The University of Florida is known for hosting the largest pep rally in the US: Gator Growl. For almost 100 years, students and alumni have come together to show off their blue and orange pride. In the early days, the event was a classic pep rally leading up to the homecoming football game. But now Gator Growl is quite the spectacle. It takes hundreds of employees, volunteers, and student coordinators to pull off the complex showcase of fireworks and musical performances. It’s all worth it, though. The big event also helps fundraise for important charities.

Weekly Update: September 23

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FLORIDA A&M STUDENTS SUE THE STATE OF FLORIDA

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

BOMB THREAT AT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

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

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY LGBTQ CLUB FINDS A COMPROMISE

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

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

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

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

We hope you have a fantastic weekend!

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Fall Into Volunteerism: Current Community Service Opportunities for Teens

SAT tests, AP course homework, sports games, club meetings- yes, we know how busy students are at this time of the year. However, there’s still time for community service! Whether you need to fulfill required service hours or simply want to pitch in around town, there are plenty of opportunities. And we promise that they won’t take away from your study time or game schedule!

We’ve collected some of Northern Virginia’s most fun and interesting volunteer opportunities for teens this fall.

Join the Teen Advisory Board

Flex your leadership skills at the Great Falls Library. Applications are now open for the Teen Advisory Board: a group of high school students who help to improve library services in the local community. 

Location: Great Falls Library. Great Falls, VA

Dates: Meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 7pm

Notes: Open to students ages 13-18. Must apply by October 8. 

To apply, email shelley.levinson@fairfaxcounty.gov

Play all day

Do you want to spend a gorgeous fall day playing games? If so, check out McLean Harvest Happening. They are looking for volunteers to run games and craft stations for children ages 2-5. High energy and creativity are a must!

Location: McLean, VA

Date: September 24, 11am-2pm

Notes: Must be 16 years or older

Sign up here

Design a Halloween town

This the perfect opportunity for Halloween lovers. Help Burke Lake Park with their newest event: Ghost Town. Multiple volunteer shifts are available for those who want to help transform the park into a ghoulish sight.  

Location: Burke Lake Park. Fairfax Station, VA

Dates: Multiple days throughout the month of October

Notes: Must be 16 years or older

Sign up here

Clean up the community

Join the Oakton Park Authority’s watershed clean-up this fall. Volunteers will have the chance to spend the day outside beautifying the area. We can’t think of a better way to take advantage of the fall weather! 

Location: Oakton, VA

Date: October 1

Notes: Bring your own work gloves!

Sign up here

Work at the library

Dolley Madison Library has openings for teen volunteers this fall. This is a great role for anyone who enjoys organizing and helping people find information. You must be able to attend the library orientation session on October 11, 5-6pm, and commit to a two-hour shift each week.

Location: Dolley Madison library. McLean, VA

Dates: Orientation: October 11, 5-6pm. Various shifts are available throughout the fall.

Notes: Must be 14 or older

Sign up here

Welcome a new community center

There’s a new community center in Lorton, VA, and you’re invited to celebrate the opening! Volunteers are needed to help set up and break down the event, as well as direct traffic and guests.

Location: Lorton Community Center. Lorton, VA

Date: October 15

Notes: Must be 13 or older

Sign up here

Run a game booth

Calling all camp counselors, babysitters, and coaches! Share your talents with the Reston community by volunteering to run games and activities at this event. 

Location: Reston, VA

Date: October 15

Notes: Must be 16 or older

Sign up here

Celebrate northern Virginia’s cutest pets

Attention all pet lovers! Why not spend the day working with northern Virginia’s most adorable pets? Sign up to volunteer at McLean’s Pet Fest. The event promises to include an array of animals! 

Location: McLean Community Center

Date: October 16, 11am-4pm

Notes: Must be 16 or older

Sign up here

Cheer on Tour De Mt. Vernon

Even if you’re not interested in biking 20 miles, you can still support the Tour De Mt. Vernon. Volunteers are needed to assemble packets, mark the course, and act as ambassadors and ride marshalls during the race. Lance Armstrong isn’t attending, but hundreds of cycling enthusiasts will be there. 

Location: Workhouse Arts Center. Lorton, VA

Dates: October 21 and 22

Notes: Must be 16 or older

Register for a shift here

coach swimming

Put your swimming skills to good use by becoming a coach this fall. Reston Community Center is looking for swim instructors to give lessons to children and adults with disabilities. Volunteers must be available on Saturday mornings and commit to at least one 6-week session.

Location: Reston Community Center. Reston, VA

Dates: October 29-December 10

Notes: Must be 13 or older

Sign up here

Show your thanks on Thanksgiving

If your family will be in town for Thanksgiving, consider gathering everyone for this volunteer opportunity. Reston Community Center is looking for people to sort and pack food donations Thanksgiving morning. Children and adults are welcome, as well as some teenage muscle! 

Location: Reston, VA

Date: November 24, 10am-1pm

Notes: Children ages 5 and up are welcome. Children under 14 must be accompanied by parents

For more information, click here

Virtual Opportunities

For those who don’t live in northern Virginia or may have a tight schedule, don’t worry! There are several virtual, flexible opportunities available. Here are some of our favorites.

Conduct research for the Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution has a variety of projects in progress, and they need your support! Visit their website to learn more about how you can help solve garden mysteries, contribute to the Encyclopedia of Life, or transcribe historical documents-all from the comfort of your own living room.

Make new friends from home

Best Buddies is an organization dedicated to creating social inclusion for students with disabilities. Many high schools and universities have local chapters, and now there’s a virtual chapter as well. If you are interested in mentoring other students and making connections remotely, join now.

Adopt a grandparent

The past few years have been especially isolating for senior citizens. To combat loneliness, Bright Horizons has created a platform of virtual friendships and events. Volunteers can sign up to perform in online music shows, participate in a senior citizen book club, play games, or chat one-on-one with an elderly member in need of a friend. Click here to learn more and register for volunteer training.

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If you know of a volunteer opportunity for teens, please share in the comment section below.

Weekly Update: September 9

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

OBERLIN PAYS LOCAL BAKERY $36.59 MILLION

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

PRINCETON EXPANDS FINANCIAL AID POLICY

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

UVA STUDENTS PROTEST NEW BOARD MEMBER

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

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

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

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

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

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

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

Have a great weekend!

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A Trip Down Back-to School Memory Lane

It’s official. Labor Day weekend is over, and students across the US are back to school. As you might have seen in our ‘office happening news’ last week, I am back in school as well. After a lengthy process, I was selected for the fully-funded Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Entrepreneurship Program through Babson College. I’m thrilled to be back in the classroom working alongside a fantastic cohort and continuing to grow DC College Counseling, although boy is there a lot of work!

To celebrate the start of a new school year and my own return to the classroom, we decided to take a trip to ‘back- to -school’ memory lane. Today we’re sharing some of our favorite school memories, as well as some embarrassing old pictures. Enjoy! 

COLLEEN

My favorite subject: History

The weirdest thing in my backpack: My radio discman, which was not at all weird at the time!  

At recess you’d probably find me: Organizing weekend plans with my friend group. I will never forget when my parents instituted a “one sleepover per weekend” rule - I thought it was so unfair!

What I liked about back-to-school shopping: Picking out clothes from the Delia’s catalog and ordering them over the phone.

After school I liked to: Play tennis or piano, talk to my friends on AOL and watch Total Request Live :) 

My go-to-after school snack: Cinnamon toast 

In elementary school I was obsessed with: American Girl Dolls (Felicity was my favorite because she was a redhead like me, but I was all about Samantha’s clothes and furniture).

I remember feeling embarrassed when: My mom and I would go to the movies together in middle school, but it was NOT cool to go to a movie with your mom. So I tried to selectively choose theaters where I wouldn’t run into anyone. This may or may not have included crossing state lines! 

To my teachers I was known as: The leader

I thought I was the coolest kid when: My seventh grade French class went to Montreal and my friends and I orchestrated a party for our classmates in our hotel room (after curfew!)

My favorite school memory: I went through a spelling bee phase- you know those kids in the Scripps spelling bee on ESPN? I didn’t get quite that far but I was the #3 speller in the state of New Jersey in fifth grade. I lost on “metallurgic” which I have never misspelled again! I will never forget the hundreds of photocopied pages of words upon words upon words - each page had three or four columns of words in tiny print and I spent so many hours memorizing them, which I realize does not sound like fun, but I was competitive and really enjoyed it.

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SHANNON

My favorite subject: English!

The weirdest thing in my backpack: Oh my gosh, everything leopard printed - binder, lunchbox, folders, even my glasses!

At recess you’d probably find me: Reading Harry Potter on the swing set

What I liked best about back-to-school shopping: Stationary! I still love buying new stationary :) 

After school: You'd find me at dance class, most likely - or sitting in the library with my friends. 

My go-to-after school snack: Little Bites chocolate chip muffins

In elementary school I was obsessed with: Books! Not much has changed :) 

I remember feeling embarrassed when: My mom came to pick me up wearing her army-print cargo pants. 

To my teachers I was known as: The talker 

I thought I was the coolest kid when: I bought a faux fur vest at Limited Too with my own money - it was leopard print, of course!

My favorite school memory: My favorite elementary school tradition was the Harvest Festival, when each grade brought something to school to make gift baskets for senior citizens in the community. During fifth grade, we actually got to go around and deliver the baskets! Then we held a school assembly that the seniors could attend, and each grade sang a song. When I was in high school, I was actually invited back to the Harvest Festival to be a featured speaker and talk with the elementary students, which was definitely my proudest moment!

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STACI

My favorite subject: English and Latin

The weirdest thing in my backpack: I carried around a collection of over 100 erasers that I would never actually use. 

At recess you’d probably find me: Climbing the old tires in the field behind school

What I disliked about back-to-school shopping: Going to the shoe store and trying on the required ugly, brown loafers for my school uniform. I was so jealous watching other kids buy cool sneakers.

After school I liked to: Go to dance class, dial up the internet before my parents got home from work, and make mix CDs. 

My go-to-after school snack: Carrots and Swedish Fish

In elementary school I was obsessed with: Designing jewelry. I would rip beads off my grandmother’s sweaters to make earrings and necklaces. 

I remember feeling embarrassed when: My dad told the bus driver I was late one morning because I was in the “potty.” The entire bus of kids heard! 

To my teachers I was known as: The goodie goodie

I thought I was the coolest kid when: I was selected for the lead role in the school production of “The Three Little Pigs.” 

My favorite school memory: There was nothing funnier than the infamous lunch period in first grade. We used to get milk delivered in bags (think Capri Sun-like pouches), and we had to jab the plastic straw carefully through the plastic to get to the milk. Our teacher, an 80 year old nun, had very precise rules for when and how we could open the bags. Sister H wasn’t about to have a mess in her classroom! Tommy B was a real trouble maker, and one day he decided to open his milk by placing the bag on the floor and jumping on it. The milk exploded everywhere, and I thought Sister H was going to pop a vein. She started chasing Tommy around the room and eventually slipped in the milk. Looking back, I feel bad for my teacher, but at the time it was funny to watch an old nun run around.

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STEPHANIE

My favorite subject: English 

The weirdest thing in my backpack: An eraser in the shape of a baby's head

At recess you’d probably find me: Playing knockout (and promptly losing)

What I liked about back-to-school shopping: Convincing my parents that I *needed* the same pen in eight colors

After school I liked to: Take a nap 

My go-to-after school snack: Ramen with extra soy sauce

In elementary school I was obsessed with: Pandas

I remember feeling embarrassed when: I got in trouble for writing mean notes to a boy in my second grade class (but he started it).

To my teachers I was known as: The quiet one

I thought I was the coolest kid when: I wore black and white converse to school, which didn't align with the strict uniform.

My favorite school memory:  My friends and I were the creative weirdos in elementary/middle school, so when our teacher assigned our fifth grade class a project on Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, we decided to make a movie trailer for the book. We had a blast filming a four minute video (half of which was bloopers) and acting out scenes. We showed our class the video, complete with iMovie animations, a dramatic voiceover, and an outro of Lady Gaga's LoveGame. If I were to make that video now, I would be cancelled, but it's pretty impressive for a bunch of quirky 10-year-olds.

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JESSICA

My favorite subject: English 

The weirdest thing in my backpack: I was very neat as a child, so nothing. 

At recess you’d probably find me: In the library

What I liked about back-to-school shopping: New school supplies! 

After school I liked to: Read books 

My go-to-after school snack: Ants on a log

In elementary school I was obsessed with: Artemis Fowl 

I remember feeling embarrassed when: Literally always- up until high school.

To my teachers I was known as: The talker

I thought I was the coolest kid when: Absolutely never! I was super nerdy.

My favorite school memory: Writing my 5th grade classroom newspaper that made my dad laugh so hard he cried.

Weekly Update: September 2

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

TRAGEDY AT LEWIS & CLARK COLLEGE

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

YESHIVA UNIVERSITY PETITIONS SUPREME COURT

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

W&M OPENS FALL INTERVIEW SLOTS

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

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

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

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

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

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

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

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

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

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Decluttering Your Mind

Thanks to professional organizer Marie Kondo and her hit Netflix series, Tidying Up, decluttering has transformed from a dreaded chore into a joy. After all, there’s no better feeling than a well-ordered closet or Pinterest-inspired desk space. And psychology would agree with me! There are numerous scientific studies that show decluttering can have a powerful effect on our mental health. A little bit of organization and order can reduce stress and anxiety and increase our levels of focus. 

But did you know that closets and garages aren’t the only spaces you can declutter? You can also free up some room in your brain! In a recent Forbes article, Christopher Rim discussed 5 habits of Ivy League college students. One of those habits happens to be decluttering your mind. Because the mind is a lot like your computer, which is running all day to help you process and store information, it needs to work efficiently. That means you need to take the time to organize your folders and trash what you don’t need! Otherwise, all of those unnecessary files and downloads will slow you down.

How to Declutter Your Mind

Organize your calendar:

As Rim points out, “A student’s mind is their biggest asset and best tool. They should not make it work twice as hard as it needs to!” We couldn’t agree more! Don’t waste valuable brain space trying to remember your rotating class schedule or your away games. Write down these events instead. Not only will it make you feel more in control of your daily schedule; a calendar is the best tool for anticipating and managing busy weeks. 

For students who like to use a paper planner, check out Order out of Chaos’ line of academic calendars. There are also plenty of basic planner options available on Amazon. Looking for a bit more personality with your planner? Well, then consider ordering from Papier’s collection of artsy planners. And if you can’t seem to find exactly what you’re looking for, So Typical Me can help you design a custom planner to fit your exact needs.

If you’ve gone paperless, you can download an all-in-one digital planner for the school year or set up My Homework app on your phone. We love the My Homework app because it helps you keep track of your daily schedule and homework assignments AND sends reminders to your phone. To Doist is another great calendar option, especially for students who like the satisfaction of checking off daily to-do lists on their calendars. 

Manage Your Time:

Okay, so you’ve set up your calendar, and you know what tasks you need to accomplish. But now you’re not sure where to start.  Your mind is cluttered by distractions, the anxiety of pre-calc homework problems, and that overwhelming feeling that comes when you have a big test to study for AND a big game. 

To clear some space in your mind, you’ll need to work on managing your time. Now it’s not an exact science, but there are a few strategies to help you prioritize tasks and break down your responsibilities into smaller, more manageable chunks.

• Pomodoro technique: this time-management tool is perfect for those who get easily distracted. Set a timer for a certain amount of time. 25 minutes is recommended, but adjust to fit your schedule. Then get to work on your task, avoiding distractions. When your timer goes off, take a 5 minute break. Then repeat your pomodoro. The goal here is to keep your mind clear and focused on the task at hand. Use your 5-minute break to address things that might normally distract you, like answering a text or grabbing a snack. If you’re interested in trying the Pomodoro technique, you can add this handy pomodoro app to your phone or use the Pomofocus website.

• Time blocking method: Have you ever found yourself with a chunk of free time but had no idea what to do? The time blocking method helps you know exactly what you need to do and when. Every Sunday, get in the habit of planning out your calendar for the week ahead. Once you pencil in all of your games and meetings and classes, ‘block off’ your free time. For example, plan out your study halls with specific tasks for that period of time. This method is really helpful for managing bigger assignments, like a project or an essay, and eliminating our urge to multitask (which makes accomplishing a specific task difficult).

• Ivy League method: For those who can’t seem to get their priorities straight, this is the technique for you! Before you go to bed each night, get in the habit of looking over your calendar. Make a list of tasks that are most important for you to complete the next day (only six!). Then order these tasks in order of priority. It’s a simple method that can have a powerful effect! This strategy will ensure you do what needs to get done- even if it means visiting your teacher for extra help BEFORE you start planning homecoming events with your friends. (PS: You can even buy an Ivy League method notebook to help you prioritize everyday.)  

Do you need an organizer to help you declutter?

Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to start decluttering your mind (and maybe even your bedroom, too). If you’re in need of your own academic organizer, we’re here to help you tidy up! Schedule a meet-and-greet here to learn more about our college counseling AND academic coaching services.

Weekly Update: August 26

We hope our FCPS students had a great first week back at school!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

BIDEN RELEASES DEBT RELIEF PLAN

The new debt relief plan that the White House announced this week will forgive $10,000 of debt for college graduates making less than $125,000 per year, and $20,000 of debt for Pell Grant recipients. For students who are wondering how this plan will affect the loans they take out for college in the future, the plan also lowers the cap on how much of your income can be spent on debt payments - down to 5% of discretionary income, just half of the previous cap of 10%. We will be interested to see how this plan plays out and what the impacts will be on students taking out loans now and in the future.

UT OFFERS TAYLOR SWIFT ENGLISH CLASS

You may remember that we featured the Harry Styles class at Texas State on the blog a few weeks ago, and we’re realizing that Texas is clearly the place to go if you want to study pop stars in college! Now, UT Austin will offer “The Taylor Swift Songbook,” a class that covers poetry techniques in connection with Swift’s lyrics. Even if you aren’t headed to UT, you can keep up with the class and answer Taylor Swift trivia by following @swiftieprof on Instagram. 

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR CLEMSON STUDENTS

Clemson’s Lyceum Scholars Program offers $10,000 scholarships to incoming freshmen from any major. Students who will start at Clemson in Fall 2023 are now eligible to apply for the scholarship, and we recommend that seniors apply as soon as they know they will attend - this is a great opportunity for incoming freshmen to not only receive the scholarship money, but also access to high-level seminars and connections with professors!

IMPACT OF CRIME SURGES ON COLLEGE STUDENTS

Some students at big-city universities are expressing concern about rising crime rates near campus. This is definitely something to keep in mind for students interested in major urban universities (like the University of Chicago and Georgia Tech, both mentioned in the article). Different students and families have different priorities when it comes to safety around campus, so we recommend visiting the campus and surrounding area if at all possible so you can make sure that you feel comfortable on your college campus - after all, it will hopefully be your home for four years! 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

While it is true that a college degree often increases students’ earning potential, this is not always the case. This article explores the colleges and degrees that don’t necessarily provide additional earnings for students, who tend to earn roughly the same amount as high school graduates six years after graduation. While earning potential shouldn’t be the be-all, end-all of college choice, it is an important consideration and one to which students and families should pay some attention. 

We’ve gotten some questions from parents recently about whether college admissions is “bouncing back” to pre-COVID experiences, as some other industries have. The short answer is: no! COVID has had a huge impact on higher education, and we honestly doubt that admissions at some schools will ever go back to the way it was pre-COVID. Check out this article from Jeff Selingo for more details on the ways that COVID-19 has changed higher education - and how permanent these changes might be. 

Finally, we want to share a tip for students who are heading off to college this fall (many of you are already there!) - start networking! It isn’t too early to be thinking about your career and future after college, and now is a great time to lay the groundwork for your next steps. If you are wondering how to start networking as a freshman, check out this article for some practical suggestions. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

GOOD LUCK to those students taking the SAT this weekend - we are keeping our fingers crossed for all of you! If you are a client NOT taking the SAT, but still want to get some weekend college prep in, we had two last-minute cancellations and now have both 10:00 and 11:00 essay coaching sessions available on Saturday. The sessions are first-come, first-serve, and are not available for online booking - so let our admin team know ASAP if you are interested!

If your student is heading back to school, now is the perfect time to check out academic coaching. Many students and families don’t think they need a coach when the workload hasn’t started up yet, but really, this can be the most effective time to start working with a coach! Shannon can help your student go through their syllabus, plan out major projects and assignments, and work on figuring out what organizational systems and study skills work best for them - before things get too crazy later in the semester.

Book an academic coaching Meet & Greet to talk more about how we can help your student succeed. Trust me, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and you don’t want to be scrambling to bring up grades and complete late work during finals week! 

And lastly… I’m headed back to school! Yikes!

I posted back in May about being invited to the next round of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. After a lengthy process, I was recently chosen as one of 170 small business owners across the United States to complete what’s sort of like a “mini MBA,” fully funded by Goldman Sachs. I am so appreciative of the opportunity and look forward to continuing to grow DC College Counseling!

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Weekly Update: August 19

We made it through our crazy three weeks of August! Yay! Good luck to everyone starting back at school on Monday.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GEORGE MASON!

Did you know that George Mason is turning 50 this year? Check out Northern Virginia Magazine’s profile of the school’s transformation during that time.

BEST “SUMMER JOB” EVER

A 20-year old USC student just made $110 million on Bed, Bath, and Beyond stock. He explained in a post on Reddit: “The significant appreciation of BBBY’s share price combined with the fact that I am leaving for school tomorrow played critical roles in closing the Position.” That’s some experiential education right there!

CHANGES ON THE HORIZON AS LAWSUITS CONTINUE

We have an update on the financial aid lawsuit we mentioned back in January in which top colleges are being accused of antitrust violations: it looks like it’s moving forward! A federal judge in Chicago is requiring the universities named as defendants to respond to the plaintiffs by September 9. If you’re interested in continuing to learn more about the upcoming Supreme Court case on affirmative action, check out this week’s article from Politico.

PRINCETON REVIEW RANKINGS ARE OUT

My favorite rankings! I love these because of the specific categories in which schools are ranked. This is so much more helpful than a blanket ranking with methodology that may not be relevant to a particular student. Instead, you can pick the categories that matter to you! These are really worth a read. Proud of my alma mater Wash U for once again killing it - #1 in the country for best dorms, #3 for best food and financial aid, #9 for most beautiful campus and #11 for best run colleges. And a whole bunch more but I will stop bragging now :)

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS LESSEN BUT MONKEYPOX CONCERNS RISE

From WPI to VCU, colleges are continuing to lessen their Covid-19 restrictions. Instead, many colleges have shifted focus and are working hard to educate their students about Monkeypox prevention as the outbreaks spread.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

A Little League player suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling off his bunk bed this week at the Little League World Series. This tragedy has brought bunk bed safety to light, and it’s a particularly timely topic this week as college students are heading back to school. Did you know that there are 36,000 injuries per year related to bunk beds? I think about all the years in boarding school that I slept on top bunks without rails - scary. If you have a student sleeping in a top bunk, make sure to purchase safety rails for them.

The Washington Post offered some great advice to parents this week about making college admissions less stressful. Some of these really resonate with me, although the best piece of advice I would give to parents is to always watch your commentary about various schools. The reality is that you may very well have no concept of where your student can get in today, and a guaranteed way to make a kid feel like a loser is for them to end up at a school their parent badmouthed six months earlier.

We write a lot about the ways that colleges use data to track applicants - but the tracking doesn’t necessarily stop after matriculation! The Wall Street Journal covered the many ways that schools are beginning to use data to change the student experience, from academic advising to identifying at-risk students.

And speaking of data - WalletHub recently put together a set of community college rankings based on methodology that considers cost in relation to career and academic outcomes. You can check out how individual community colleges performed as well as entire state systems.

If you’re wondering our how local options stacked up, Northern Virginia Community College came in at #165 and Montgomery College came in at #7 (impressive!) out of 936 community colleges nationally. Honestly, I think that both NOVA and MC offer INCREDIBLE opportunities for students who want to save some money or take a non-traditional path. Students can land guaranteed admission agreements to UVA, Georgetown, and a number of other great schools - pretty amazing if you ask me.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon helped one of our students submit what I believe was our first binding early decision application of the year at the beginning of this past week, which was very exciting! We are all crossing our fingers for him.

Most students in Fairfax County have their senior year schedules now - so it’s a great time to cross-check with the Common App and list of planned AP tests to ensure that none of that information needs to be updated.

Have a great weekend - I will be supervising lots of last-minute summer reading, can’t wait :)

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Trend Watch: The Newest Undergrad Programs This Fall

We’re just about to start a new school year, and for many colleges and universities across the US, that means the start of new departments. 

This year there are several exciting majors, programs, and concentrations newly available to undergraduates. Some put a modern twist on a classic major while others reflect a whole new world. Let’s take a look!

Climate Change

Undergraduate programs in Environmental Studies and Sustainability have become increasingly popular over the past decade. But there’s a change coming! Several universities are designing bachelor’s degree programs that will prepare students to specifically address some of the world’s most pressing climate issues, from water shortages to soil depletion to natural disasters. Climate Change departments are so new, though, that many are still in the process of being approved. But from what we can tell already, this new major is taking an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating scientific studies and lab work with social problem solving and advocacy.

If you’re interested in learning more, take a sneak peak at Vanderbilt’s Climate Studies major, Iowa’s developing plans for their Climate Science program, and Northern Vermont University’s unique problem-based approach to the new major. 

Robotics

Once upon a time, robotics was just an extracurricular activity for middle and high school kids who loved tinkering. However, with the rise of technology, especially AI, robotics has shifted from an after-school club to a viable career path. 

Typically, the study of robotics has been integrated into undergraduate mechanical and electrical engineering programs. But not this year! University of Connecticut, University of Michigan, and UC Riverside have all announced new undergraduate programs in the field.

So what exactly can you do with a degree in robotics? Well, just about anything, really, from computing to software development to engineering. And with the increasing demand for technology in all industries, robotics professionals can cross over into a range of fields, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and education.

Data Science

It’s no secret that data science has become one of the trendiest picks for undergraduate study. Last year, UChicago, Boston University, and Pitt added data science to their list of majors, and several other schools are following suit this fall. UC Davis is now accepting students into their inaugural program, and Hamilton College is offering a newly designed interdisciplinary concentration in the subject. 

If you’re a recent college grad who wants in on the data science trend, don’t worry! Master’s degrees in this field are on the rise as well. UConn is just about to welcome its inaugural Master’s cohort this fall. The program promises to be multidisciplinary, with an emphasis on ethics, design, and analysis. And for those looking to complete their studies virtually, there are plenty of options. Johns Hopkins and Northwestern are just two major universities now offering online graduate programs in data science.

Sports Analytics

Who knew that Brad Pitt would incite an entirely new major? After the success of the film Moneyball in 2011, many academic enrichment programs began teaching young students the fundamentals of statistics and analysis through sports. 

Over the past few years, undergrads have been able to take sports analytics electives through data analytics and business programs. And more recently, schools like Roanoke University have added concentrations in sports analytics to round out their computer science and math departments. 

However, only a few schools have created stand-alone majors dedicated to the field, namely Syracuse University and Rice University, who just announced their new program in May. Although there is an obvious sports emphasis to this course of study, students will learn a variety of mathematical and data-related skills that could be applied to many careers of the future.

Interested in learning more about trending majors? Check out our previous blog post on majors to watch in 2022.

Weekly Update: August 12

This is going to be a shorter-than-usual blog post because OMG we are swamped!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COLLEGE MOVE INS BEGIN

College freshmen all over the country are beginning to move into their dorms, and I thought it was cute to see Angelina Jolie moving her daughter Zahara into Spelman College this week. Good luck to Zahara and everyone else kicking off their first weekend in college! (Be safe!)

UPDATED COVID GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC

We’re all hoping for a more normal academic year now that the CDC updated guidance for handling Covid in schools. Although am I the only one starting to get a little nervous about Monkeypox?!

INFLATION IMPACTING TUITION RATES

Tuition rates are rising substantially as a result of inflation, which is less than ideal timing considering the state of everyone’s college savings accounts! It’s going to be interesting to see whether the economy has an impact on the college admissions process overall - my guess is that we will see many more students choosing state universities with lower price points.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

I am not sure whether I’ve heard more about Bama Rush this week from my 17-year-old clients or 37-year-old peers, but it sure is the talk of the country right now. Remember that all of these stories are really for entertainment purposes and that sorority recruitment (as well as greek life in general) at most schools is nothing like what’s been unfolding on TikTok this week. Check out the New York Times coverage here.

Rush (or maybe Bid Day?) 2006 at Wash U!

As Inside Higher Ed explained, the number of part-time application readers is skyrocketing this year and it’s important to understand that context when describing specific activities or other application information that a reader may not know if they are unfamiliar with a particular school community. Check out my TikTok on the subject!

Some colleges are taking their consideration of race in the admissions process to a new level, according to the Wall Street Journal. A test group of six colleges, including our neighbor down the street George Mason, is proactively contacting applicants who meet certain criteria to let them know that they are guaranteed a spot in the freshman class if they apply. Their study showed “a particularly strong effect” on the way this type of proactive notification influenced the behavior of underrepresented students.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Then 2nd week of August is now in the books with another 86 appointments taking place. Since there are many tasks and essays that students can’t start until August 1, the three weeks before FCPS begins on August 22 are without question the craziest three weeks of our year. I swear it feels like a race against the clock (and our sanity)! One more week to go, and then it will calm down a little bit after the Fairfax kids are back in session.

On a happy note, our students are making AMAZING progress. There are a few who are already in the final stages of reviewing PDF copies of their applications and we have our first student scheduled to submit his early decision application next week! If you are a parent of a senior and still need help, don’t hesitate to put your name on our Late Start Waitlist - we will be able to take at least five new students early enough for them to be able to complete all of their early applications with us.

Have a great weekend!

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Countdown to Senior Year: An End of Summer To-Do List

We hate to say it, but summer is winding down. Here in Northern Virginia, teachers are about to head back into their classrooms to prepare for the school year ahead, and many students return to classes in less than two weeks.

Although most teenagers probably want to spend their last days of summer freedom sleeping late or taking last-minute trips to the beach, we’ve got other ideas for rising seniors.

If you didn’t quite tackle all of our recommended summer tasks we shared back in May, now is the time to get to work! There are still so many things you can do over the next few weeks to make your fall semester less stressful and the college admissions process more efficient. So start checking these tasks off your list!

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Do you need help checking off your to-do list?

If you are interested in working with us this fall, check out our Late Start Waitlist page for more information. We also offer one-time, as-needed or emergency admissions support, which you can schedule here.

Weekly Update: August 5

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

THE BRAND-NEW COMMON APPⓇ

The Common AppⓇ has rolled over! Not too many changes to report this year in the main part of the application, though the application continues to tweak where and how students report their legal sex, gender, and preferred pronouns. There is also a slight change to the section about fee waivers. If, like our clients, you started working on the application before the rollover, make sure you are going back to confirm that everything has carried over properly and all the questions are answered! 

LOTS OF NEW COMMON APPⓇ SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS

Along with the new application come new supplemental essays! It seems like more schools changed their longtime prompts this year than ever before, with major changes at UVA (we covered these in an earlier post), Penn, NYU, and more!

UVA’S NEW DEAN OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

UVA’s College of Arts and Sciences will welcome a new dean this September. Christa Acampora grew up in Virginia, and currently serves as deputy provost and professor of philosophy at Emory University. She previously worked within the CUNY system. Dr. Acampora will arrive on Grounds on September 1. 

MIT’S NEW ALGORITHM FOR COLLEGE-LEVEL MATH

A team of researchers at MIT has designed a new model that is capable of solving college-level math problems. Students and faculty from MIT as well as Columbia, Harvard, and the University of Waterloo, have been working on the system for the past two years. The team hopes that, though the algorithm won’t be replacing university professors, it will help improve math education at the college level.  

“YOU’RE THE DEAN” AT TULANE

Tulane is offering students a mock application review session to help them experience what goes on “on the other side of the desk” in the admissions office. We highly recommend students take advantage of this fantastic opportunity! The session takes place on Monday, August 8 at 5:00 pm ET and students can register here.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

If you are a rising senior going back and forth on whether applying Early Decision is worth it (it usually is!), check out this chart for more information on the acceptance rates of ED versus RD students at a variety of schools.

Every year as we work with our juniors on their activities section (which we will start for the Class of 2024 next month!), we have students who hesitate when they say that they’ve never had an internship or research experience because they were working. But having an after-school or summer job can be a great experience to share with colleges! This opinion piece from the New York Times agrees: jobs teach a number of lessons, including managing your time and interacting with an employer. 

After the activities section, our juniors move on to brainstorming for their college lists. For the majority of students, a traditional green campus is a must-have. But this opinion piece argues that the institution of the college campus actually separates colleges from “the real world” - and not in a good way. It is certainly an interesting perspective to consider. 

Navigating all of the big changes of early adulthood has always been tough, but for this generation in the midst of the pandemic, it is even more of a challenge. We liked this article with tips from psychologists on navigating a “quarter-life crisis,” which would be a great read for many high school and college students. 

Finally, many of our students are starting on the head-scratching UChicago prompts this week - and luckily, we have a system for tackling these “Quirky Topics” essays! If you are interested in some of the wackiest essay questions for the 2022-2023 cycle, check out this WSJ article. I just love that Ben & Jerry’s prompt!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Week 1 of August is done, with 73 appointments (that is not a joke!) and I believe 4 different application guides behind us. Many of our students have rolled over their Common ApplicationⓇ, our essay coaches continue to work through supplemental essays, and we are so impressed with how hard our students are working. For many of them, this is the final stretch - and they will definitely see their hard work pay off this fall! 

Finishing up with our current seniors this month also means that we will have plenty of space opening up in the fall for Late-Start Seniors. If you are interested in working with us this fall, check out our Late Start Waitlist page for more information.

And finally, we’re on TikTok! Follow me for more insight and information about the college admissions process - including the five things I DEFINITELY wouldn’t do if I were applying to college in 2022. 

(P.S. I need some more video ideas!)

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Meet Stephanie!

Our newest essay coach, Stephanie, is guest blogging with an introduction today!

She started a while back, so many of you have already met her in essay coaching meetings. We hope this post helps you get to know her a little better.

Greetings! I'm Stephanie Leow, a new essay coach at DC College Counseling. 

College essays have fascinated me since high school. As a Northern Virginia native with huge college dreams, I felt the admissions process looming over my head. Dedicated mentors guided me through drafting an essay about goofing multiple piano recitals, but still maintaining my love for playing when no one was watching. That essay is still one of my favorite pieces I've ever written--a feeling that I hope to foster in other writers.

With that essay, I applied to three schools--Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Virginia--and was grateful to be accepted to all of them. I chose Georgetown because of the community I had found at the admitted students weekend. Although I entered college undecided, leaving the remnants of my pre-med ambitions in high school, I ended up studying a trifecta of language: a double major in Linguistics and English and a minor in Spanish. 

I've always aspired to be a professor, but was unsure of my area of study until I began working at the writing center as a sophomore. I felt an affinity to the center, even becoming the Teaching Assistant for the training course. As much as I loved learning about literature or second language acquisition, I had a stronger passion. At my core, I geek out for writing.

I graduated from Georgetown in the top 5% of my class, and now I am pursuing a PhD in English (Writing, Rhetorics, and Literacies) and teaching first year writing at Arizona State University. I have researched students' cognitive processes while writing essays and their representations of identity in personal essays, as I strive to incorporate my takeaways into my coaching practices.

Beneath all of my work is my love for storytelling. I engage with creative writing communities and literacy magazines, as well as cook, garden, and travel. But any interest is even better when I can share it, so I hope I can share my passion for storytelling with you! I'm looking forward to learning about your adventures, adorations, awkward moments, and aspirations. For these reasons, I'm thrilled to be working with DC College Counseling.

Want to meet with Stephanie?

You can book a session right here!

Wondering who our other essay coaches are?

• Here’s Alan, with Top Tips for Success as a College Freshman (a.k.a. Read the Syllabus)

• Here’s McClain, with Maximizing the High School Experience: A Teacher’s Perspective

• Here’s Staci, our student success coach!