Weekly Update: July 20

Well, this summer is certainly keeping us on our toes. Just as we finally escaped the heat dome, many of us woke up this weekend to smoky skies from the Canadian wildfires. We hope everyone stayed safe and limited their time outdoors (another reason we love air conditioning). And we’re certainly wishing the best to the communities in Canada dealing with the fires themselves. Hopefully, it will finally be safe to spend more time outside this week; I’m starting to forget what summer is supposed to feel like. So here’s hoping for clearer skies – and less humidity – before summer decides to throw us its next surprise.

And now, let’s get into this week’s higher-ed news: 

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

STANDARDIZED TESTING AT UC REMAINS A QUESTION MARK

It feels like we’ve been talking about standardized testing every week lately… and you’re right. As more colleges reconsider test-optional and test-blind admissions policies, the University of California system continues to make headlines, only this time by hitting the pause button on the question. An influential UC admissions committee unexpectedly suspended its previously announced timeline for evaluating whether SAT or ACT scores should once again play a role in admissions. UC's admissions committee unexpectedly suspended its original timeline for reconsidering standardized testing, although university officials have emphasized that the review itself is still moving forward. The Regents continue to expect a recommendation by June 2027. Despite the delay, UC Regents have indicated that they still expect a recommendation by next year, meaning the debate over standardized testing at UC is far from over.

For students applying over the next few admissions cycles, nothing changes for now – UC campuses will remain test-free. But as with every other story on the topic this year, it serves as a reminder to keep an eye on testing policies at colleges on your list, as things could change quickly.

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW GOES “OLD SCHOOL”

As faculty across the country continue to struggle with the increasing reliance on AI among students, the University of Chicago Law School is taking an old-fashioned approach to this very modern problem. Beginning this fall, first-year law students will be prohibited from using laptops, phones, or AI during their required core classes, with limited exceptions. Instead, they’ll rely on handwritten notes, in-class discussions, and exams without access to electronic resources. The school will also incorporate responsible AI use into its legal research and writing curriculum. While this is just one university law school, it’s likely that faculty at many universities will start to implement similar measures in their attempts to ensure students are relying on themselves rather than external tools and LLMs.

RECORD GPA INVITES CONCERNS ABOUT STANDARDIZING GRADE WEIGHTING

A Florida student made headlines this week after graduating with a staggering 11.99 weighted GPA, the result of taking an extraordinary number of AP and dual-enrollment courses. His achievement was so unusual that his school district has since overhauled its GPA calculation system, adopting instead a standardized 5.0 scale to reduce student stress and bring its grading practices more in line with those used by colleges nationwide. Perhaps most interestingly, the student himself supported the change, pointing out that the colleges already recalculate GPAs using their own methods anyway.

The story is also a helpful reminder for families not to obsess over tiny differences in GPA. Admissions offices know that a 4.17 at one high school may not mean the same thing as a 4.39 at another. Rather than comparing students by tenths or hundredths of a point, colleges look more closely at the rigor of the courses available to you, the classes you chose to take, and how well you performed in them. In other words, focus on building the strongest transcript you reasonably can rather than trying to accrue every possible decimal point. Of course, that doesn't mean piling on every AP course available. Colleges want to see students challenge themselves academically, but not at the expense of their well-being or meaningful extracurricular involvement.

JMU INVESTING HEAVILY IN HEALTHCARE

Thanks to nearly $150 million in Virginia state funding, James Madison University will expand its College of Health and Behavioral Studies with a new six-story addition featuring nursing teaching labs, physician assistant classrooms, community clinics, research space, and collaborative learning areas. The funding will also support the university’s accelerated FastFlex nursing pathway and renovations to Johnston Hall, allowing JMU to educate more healthcare professionals while helping address workforce shortages across Virginia. Construction is expected to begin next year, with the new facility opening in 2029. For our students interested in nursing, physician assistant studies, psychology, kinesiology, public health, or related fields, this is a good reason to add or keep JMU on your list! And the story is also an important reminder when researching colleges not just to look at a university’s current facilities – pay attention to new investments and future opportunities as they often signal what programs are likely to grow over the next several years.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Four of this week’s best articles all point towards the same question: as higher education continues to change, how do colleges, graduate schools, and employers decide what academic excellence really looks like? Between grade inflation, AI, and the rapidly changing reputations of colleges themselves, the answer may be becoming more complicated than ever.

In an opinion piece from The New York Times, journalist and Duke University faculty member Frank Bruni explores the growing problem of grade inflation at many elite colleges. According to Bruni, grades have become so inflated that professors often feel pressured to award more A’s because students worry that even an A- or B+ could hurt their chances of admission to competitive graduate programs, including medical or law school. And the issue is systemic; as Bruni writes, “There’s no punishment, only reward, for being the kindly professor with a goody bag of easy A’s.” So as GPAs become less useful for distinguishing students, grad schools and employers may start placing greater emphasis on the rigor of a student’s college, the courses they chose, and other accomplishments like research and internships. It’s a great reminder that while earning strong grades is still important, they are only a piece of a much larger picture.

And it’s not just a lack of university incentives for grading more strictly that is the problem; as the Washington Post points out, it’s simply getting harder to assess student work at all as generative AI tools become increasingly sophisticated. If you were reading the blog last week (or regularly receive news about higher ed on social media), you know about the professor at Brown who required an in-class exam after suspecting his students were using AI when he initially assigned a take-home version. His experience speaks to a larger concern: “students are going to be using AI, whether you know about it or not.” As a result, many professors are redesigning assignments, requiring more in-class writing, and creating project-based work that better demonstrates students’ own thinking. (Our essay coach and UMD faculty member Dr. Alan Montroso can confirm this is exactly the work that he and his colleagues are doing right now as they revise their fall syllabi). A college education is about so much more than grades: it’s about developing genuine critical thinking and communication skills that remain valuable no matter how technology evolves, and universities will adapt to ensure those skills are being learned.

The question of evaluating students also applies to applicants, as some colleges are rethinking the role of supplemental essays in the admissions process altogether. The Wall Street Journal reports that institutions including Tulane, Washington University in St. Louis, and UNC Chapel Hill have reduced or eliminated some supplemental essay requirements, citing concerns about AI-generated writing and a desire to make the application process less burdensome for students. Of course, they also benefit from this change: fewer required essays also make it easier for students to apply to more colleges, often driving application numbers, and thus selectivity numbers too, even higher. But even as some colleges eliminate supplemental essays, those that still require them offer students an important opportunity to stand out through thoughtful, authentic responses. Strong supplemental essays remain one of the best opportunities to show admissions officers who you are beyond your transcript.

And as these changes to evaluation and admission underscore, adaptation is simply a part of the higher educational landscape. And often these kinds of changes can completely revamp a college and its reputation. New York Magazine explores Vanderbilt University’s own evolution from a respected regional institution into one of the most selective universities in the country. In fact, Vanderbilt's acceptance rate for the Class of 2030 was just 4.6%, putting it in the same extraordinarily selective territory as Yale. As the article explains, that didn’t happen by accident. Successive university leaders invested heavily in recruiting top students nationwide, strengthening research, expanding financial aid, and improving campus life – occasionally to the irritation of some students:

‘“They’re always either tearing something down or building something new,” Jade McDaniel, a sixth-year Ph.D. student in biomedical sciences, complained to me — but the core of the university’s campus remains unchanged: charming grass lawns crisscrossed by paths leading from one stately redbrick building to another.”

They’ve also focused on building a more geographically and economically diverse student body; today, students come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Today, “Vandy” – as students and alumni affectionately call it – has become a fixture on many college lists alongside the Ivies. So many of our students dream of attending Vanderbilt, and they should keep in mind that it is basically just as difficult to get into as the Ivies on those lists! It’s important to remember that colleges can change drastically over time; when researching schools, families shouldn’t rely on reputations built ten or twenty years ago, but instead look carefully at what each institution offers today. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are deep in supplemental essay season right now, with client meetings filling our coaches’ schedules in order to make headway on what can feel like a very lengthy process, depending on the number of schools to which they are applying. Keep in mind that, while we use our Generic Supplemental Essays to speed up this process, there is still a lot of research and independent drafting that needs to take place between the meetings. The work now is tailoring those essays to the specific language of the individual university prompts – or creating wholly new ones for some of those oddball questions (we see you, Chicago…). We recommend carving out an additional hour or two between essay coaching meetings to get that work done so that you can hit the ground running when you meet. Those meetings are often best spent brainstorming, outlining, and revising, rather than silently drafting.

Enjoy the weather this week!

CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR OTHER RECENT POSTS ON SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS, FROM RECENT CHANGES AT MAJOR UNIVERSITIES TO OUR OWN UNIQUE APPROACH TO WRITING THEM:

Weekly Update: July 14

Every time I drive past the Plaza at Mason Square in Arlington (which is multiple times a week!), I think about how I need to share it on the blog, so here goes! The Plaza at Mason Square, located between Clarendon and Virginia Square near George Mason's incredible Fuse building (which we featured last year), is hosting a ton of fun, free community events throughout the summer. Our clients in the Northern Virginia area should definitely check it out, especially if they have any interest in George Mason.

We always stress the importance of campus tours to get a sense of a university's culture, but attending events like these can be just as valuable. The Plaza's summer programming reflects George Mason's commitment to community engagement and gives prospective students a chance to experience the university in a different way. I also think it's a great way to see what makes George Mason unique. There's so much more to the university than the Fairfax campus alone, and I don't think most students realize that. If you decide to stop by, the Mason Square Makers events (like DIY sunglasses and notebook decorating) especially caught our attention!

These are exactly the kinds of experiences that can help you better understand student life beyond the standard campus tour. And if you're looking for more ideas, be sure to check out our post from last year on Colleges with the Coolest Summer Events!

And now, let's get into this week's higher ed news!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

NOTRE DAME INVESTIGATES SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS

The University of Notre Dame has placed a residence hall rector on leave while it investigates anonymous allegations of sexual misconduct that were shared through social media. The allegations, which were posted on an Instagram account in June, involve the rector of McGlinn Hall, who has held the position since 2024. According to university officials, Notre Dame has not received any formal or first-hand complaints at this time, but the Office of Institutional Equity has launched an investigation and is working to identify any individuals who may have information related to the claims. The university has encouraged members of the campus community to report concerns through official channels while the investigation proceeds. This news comes shortly after Notre Dame released a report examining failures in how the university previously handled allegations of sexual abuse involving a former priest accused of grooming male students in the 1980s and 1990s. The university stated then that it is taking steps to strengthen its response process moving forward, and we’re curious to see how they continue to handle this current investigation.

While the current allegations have not been substantiated, they are quite serious and warrant a thorough investigation. Families considering Notre Dame should remember that evaluating a college involves more than academics and campus traditions. It's also worth paying attention to how institutions respond to allegations involving student safety, transparency, and accountability. Families considering Notre Dame may also wish to review resources such as Share Your Story Notre Dame, an Instagram account where members of the community have shared personal experiences related to sexual misconduct.

FORMER BUCKNELL COACH CHARGED IN STUDENT ATHLETE’S DEATH

A former Bucknell University strength coach has been charged with felony hazing and involuntary manslaughter following the 2024 death of football player Calvin Dickey Jr. Prosecutors argue that Dickey collapsed after a punishing workout and that signs of medical distress were not handled appropriately before he later died. Dickey had been diagnosed with sickle cell trait, an inherited condition that requires precautions such as adequate rest and hydration. According to a civil lawsuit filed by Dickey's parents, the university knew he had sickle cell trait, but failed to take precautions that could have prevented his death. For now, the former coach has denied the allegations, and the case is still working its way through the courts. But this story, like the one above, serves as a good reminder to speak up about issues involving student health and safety. Many students expect college – and college athletics – to be challenging, but those challenges should never come at the expense of their well-being.

DECLINE IN PH.D. ADMISSIONS AMID RESEARCH FUNDING UNCERTAINTY

Some of the nation’s top research universities are admitting significantly fewer Ph.D. students this year, with admissions to doctoral programs dropping by approximately 15% compared to last year. University leaders point to ongoing uncertainty surrounding federal research funding, including grant delays and budget cuts. While domestic applications have remained relatively steady, international applications have declined, adding to concerns about the future pipeline of researchers in the U.S. This story doesn’t just affect graduate students; for high schoolers applying to research universities, it matters too. Graduate students are responsible for much of the research conducted at major universities and often mentor undergraduates, teach discussion sections, and help run laboratories. And if these trends continue, they could influence other research opportunities and academic experiences available to undergraduates in the coming years.

BUDGET CUTS ACROSS HIGHER ED

As colleges finalize budgets for the coming academic year, another wave of layoffs, program reductions, and restructuring has swept through higher education. Several universities announced significant cuts over the past month, including the University of Minnesota (230 positions), Johns Hopkins University (roughly 110 positions), The New School, the University of Arizona, and the University of Denver, while other institutions eliminated academic programs in an effort to balance their budgets. Many colleges cited declining enrollment, rising operations costs, or uncertainty surrounding federal research funding as reasons for the cuts.

While the news can sound alarming, it’s important to keep it in perspective. Most students will never notice the effects of a handful of staff reductions, and many of these changes happen behind the scenes. However, we’d encourage families to pay attention when universities begin announcing repeated layoffs, hiring freezes, or program closures, as these decisions can sometimes affect class offerings, student services, research opportunities, and campus life over time.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape the college experience, from the classroom to career planning. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted how some high-achieving college students are moving away from traditional summer internships in finance and technology to pursue their own AI-focused startups. Instead of spending summers preparing for career paths that are increasingly uncertain, these students are joining incubators and accelerator programs, building products, pitching investors, and gaining hands-on experience as entrepreneurs. Some students have even questioned whether they should return to college after experiencing the speed and independence of startup life.

Of course, we strongly encourage students to finish college, even if the job market is uncertain. But this story also underscores the value of investing time into creative professional projects, as many of our clients have already started their own startups and small businesses (which also looks great in your college application materials). For many, college is also about developing the creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills needed to adapt to a rapidly changing world and to continue to grow projects they may have already started even before enrolling in a university.

AI isn't just changing career paths – it's also forcing colleges to rethink how students learn and demonstrate what they know. At Brown University, a recent controversy over suspected AI use on an exam has raised questions about how students are using these tools and whether they are actually developing the skills they will need after graduation. After one professor became concerned that students had relied too heavily on AI for a take-home assessment, he gave an in-person exam covering similar material – and the grades dropped dramatically. The situation has sparked larger discussion about the role of AI in college learning and how universities can balance new technology with academic integrity.

For students applying to college, this story is another reminder that the value of an education is not just the ability to complete assignments or earn a degree. The most successful students will be those who learn to use AI thoughtfully while continuing to develop the creativity, critical thinking, and judgment that technology can't replace. Whether launching a business or exploring academic and professional interests, the goal should be using technology to enhance what they can do, not replace the learning process itself. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

July is typically when we see a sharp increase in the number of appointments students schedule with our essay coaches. While a few of our clients are putting the finishing touches on their Common App essays, most have shifted their focus to supplemental essays, taking advantage of the earlier generic prompts to make the process much smoother.

Many of these essays require substantial research into specific colleges, majors, and opportunities, and that work should be completed before each coaching meeting. Coming prepared allows students to spend their time with their coach refining and finalizing essays, rather than researching during the session, and leaves more time to brainstorm ideas for the next school on their list.

Stay cool!

See what else we’ve had to say about AI:

Weekly Update: July 06

Happy 4th of July, everyone!! I hope the heat and thunderstorms didn’t stop you from celebrating with friends and family over the holiday weekend.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

ETS ACQUIRES ACT: WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

One of the more surprising stories this week is that the Educational Testing Service (ETS) – the organization best known for the GRE and TOEFL – has acquired ACT. This seems like an odd move at first glance, as many colleges moved away from standardized testing during the pandemic. But ACT has become much more than just a college admissions exam, offering career-planning tools and workforce readiness assessments, and ETS has been investing heavily in that same space. The acquisition also comes at a time when more colleges are beginning to reverse their test-optional policies, suggesting that standardized testing may be regaining momentum (just take a look at our last few Weekly Updates for more on this topic!). While it’s too early to know the outcome of this acquisition, Michael Nettles, professor of psychometrics at Morgan State University, sees it as “yet another signal that there’s growing demand for more detailed, candidate-specific assessments” within both higher education and the job market. This is another good reminder that students should seriously consider taking the SAT or ACT even if their colleges list testing as optional. I still love my pool analogy from 2020 and it absolutely rings true today.

AP EXAM SCORES NOW AVAILABLE

Speaking of test scores, the College Board has just released students' AP scores, and Trevor Packer highlighted an important trend: even as more students than ever are taking AP courses and exams, overall performance has remained strong despite record participation. AP Physics 1 posted another strong pass rate, continuing its remarkable turnaround, and AP Biology and AP U.S. History both ended up posting stronger results than much of the post-exam discussion had predicted. But the post-exam buzz wasn’t entirely as accurate as it seemed at the time, as Computer Science Principles saw lower-than-expected results, and AP Statistics once again had one of the lowest percentages of students earning a 5. It's a good reminder that reactions after exams can be misleading, so wait to see the actual test scores before drawing conclusions! To check your own scores, just follow this link! NOTE: Current clients should make sure to send us copies of their score reports. Use our multi-purpose submission form and navigate to: DCCC Forms and Information -> Test Scores, Report Cards, or Transcripts

SYRACUSE OPENS UP ABOUT PRESENT CHALLENGES AND THE ROAD AHEAD

For months now, we’ve been watching colleges respond to a rapidly changing higher education landscape. Between shifting enrollment patterns, financial pressures, changing student and family expectations, and increased public scrutiny, many universities are being forced to rethink how they operate. Syracuse University is the latest example. Just two weeks ago, the university announced a projected 1.5% operating deficit and enrollment numbers below target. Rather than simply making quiet budget cuts or lowering admissions standards, Chancellor J. Michael Haynie announced the creation of a university-wide committee to take a look at Syracuse’s future. The group has been asked to make recommendations on everything from academic programs to financial sustainability, and Haynie has even encouraged ideas that might be unpopular as long as they strengthen the university. We actually think that’s one of the most interesting parts of this story. At a time when higher education is facing questions from so many different directions, being willing to openly examine what’s working – and what isn’t – feels like a smart approach.

FORMER STANFORD STUDENT TURNS ROMANCE WITH A DEAN INTO A STAGE PRODUCTION

A story that made headlines a couple of years ago is back in the news. In 2024, former Stanford student Olivia Swanson Haas published an essay about her relationship with a university dean, prompting conversations about power dynamics and boundaries in higher ed. During the romance itself over a decade ago, Haas hid her relationship from her friends and worried about its impact on then-Stanford dean Julia Lythcott-Haims. Now, she has turned that experience into a play called Mimi & Jo, which recently won a Stanford alumni scriptwriting competition. While the story itself is certainly unusual, it’s also a reminder that challenging experiences often become the inspiration for meaningful and cathartic creative work. Learning how to reflect on difficult moments and transform them into something constructive is a valuable skill – and one that can also lead to some outstanding college application essays!

AFTER DELAY, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA FINALLY NAMES NEXT PRESIDENT

The University of Florida officially confirmed Stuart Bell as its next president on July 1, although the path there was anything but straightforward. Bell previously served as president of the University of Alabama, where enrollment and research activity both increased during his tenure. He had already been acting as interim president since June, but his past support for diversity initiatives led to considerable pushback from conservative groups, causing a delay in his final confirmation. While he was ultimately approved, the controversy serves as a reminder that colleges are increasingly having to balance educational priorities with political pressures, a challenge that doesn't seem to be disappearing anytime soon.

VIRGINIA AND OHIO WANT TO DEVELOP A 3-YEAR BACHELOR’S DEGREE

Last week, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia announced that it will begin exploring the possibility of offering three-year bachelor’s degree programs instead of the traditional four-year model. As the cost of higher education – and questions about its overall value – continue to concern families across the country, Virginia is exploring ways to allow students to complete certain bachelor's degrees in three years through more streamlined degree pathways. Ohio is also examining similar approaches as part of a broader effort to reduce college costs. The concept itself is not entirely new, but three-year bachelor’s degrees have never really gained traction in the United States. Critics argue that it would limit opportunities for students to develop important skills like critical thinking and communication in favor of getting graduates on the job market faster. At the very least, however, the proposal is fostering important conversations within these states about balancing academic rigor with the demands of a changing workforce. Pro Tip: Many students can already graduate in three years simply by bringing in AP, IB, or dual-enrollment credit, taking summer classes, or pursuing slightly heavier course loads. I graduated from WashU in three years after entering with AP credit for just one course. I simply took an extra class most semesters, a couple of summer classes, and earned internship credit along the way.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Here’s an interesting article in the spirit of Independence Day and a nation built on taking risks: are teenagers actually starting to behave? I’m sure some parents might find this difficult to believe at first, but according to the Institute for Family Studies, teenagers are taking far fewer risks than they have historically. Underage drinking, teen pregnancy, and even things like trespassing have all declined dramatically, and that’s obviously good news! But the IFS article raises an interesting question: are some of these changes also connected to teens spending less time interacting face-to-face? Teens may be becoming more cautious, but sometimes taking a risk is an important part of growing up. And as the article points out, a willingness to take risks has always been woven into the history of this country. Moreover, while parents have become far more observant and often strict when it comes to their kids' interactions in the real world, the same level of scrutiny doesn’t apply online. So teenagers may be developing more of their social habits in virtual spaces rather than by taking chances in face-to-face interactions. It's reasonable to wonder whether this growing caution also plays a role in decisions like applying to colleges far from home or pursuing more ambitious opportunities.

Of course, no one is arguing that teenagers should be making reckless decisions. But the future is inherently uncertain, and not every risk is a bad one. Sometimes taking a chance is exactly what leads to growth. Visiting a new campus, applying to a reach school, or saying yes to an opportunity that feels a little intimidating can all be healthy risks that help students grow. That’s one reason we spend so much time helping families prepare for the college process: not to eliminate uncertainty, but to make the next big step feel exciting instead of overwhelming.

Continuing that Fourth of July spirit, this piece from the Christian Science Monitor looks at how several of our oldest colleges quite literally found themselves on the front lines of the American Revolution. Harvard housed Continental soldiers, Princeton’s Nassau Hall was occupied by British troops and later used as a hospital, and William & Mary turned the historic Wren Building into a hospital for French soldiers. Many of the people who would eventually sign the Declaration of Independence, draft the Constitution, and shape the new nation also studied at these schools. It’s a fun reminder that colleges have always been more than just places of learning; they’ve often been at the very center of history! The next time you take a campus tour, find a few minutes to explore its history as well and see what kind of fascinating details you can dig up (they might even become the perfect detail for your next supplemental essay).

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

This week, our coaches have been busy making great progress through supplemental essays. We’ve seen more appointments starting to pop up in the calendar, and that’s great! The more we can finish in July and early August, the less we’ll have to cram into those precious few weeks before the new school year begins. So leave yourself that break for back-to-school shopping and book a few more appointments now while we’re all happily staying inside and hiding from this oppressive heat!

Happy Fourth of July!

check out some of our other posts if you’ll be scheduling a campus tour soon:

Weekly Update: June 29

Can you believe it's almost July? Where did June even go? The summer heat is definitely making itself felt. I especially feel for everyone in Europe, where the heat seems to be hitting particularly hard. (And if you've ever been to Paris, you probably understand why the Seine isn't exactly where most people dream of cooling off.)

I've also been smiling at all the social media clips of Europeans attending the World Cup here in the U.S. and celebrating some of America's greatest inventions: air conditioning and ranch dressing! I think we're going to be just as grateful for the AC next week, when that same heat wave heads our way and temperatures are expected to soar past 100°F.

Take a few minutes to prepare – it's the perfect excuse to stock your freezer with some frozen treats. Pro tip: Whole Foods has all of its ice cream 50% off this week. My daughter and I definitely took advantage this morning.

Now, on to some major news in higher ed!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MAJOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN CHANGES STARTING JULY 1

This is probably the biggest higher education story of the year so far. Beginning July 1, major changes to the federal student loan system take effect that will impact both current borrowers and families planning to borrow in the future. I’ll highlight some of the biggest changes here, but please take some time to review any loans you already have and look over this helpful breakdown to see how you might be impacted if you plan to borrow soon.

One of the primary goals of the new law is to simplify the federal loan system. Existing Income-Based Repayment (IBR) borrowers can breathe a sigh of relief, as that option will remain available. However, the SAVE Plan is ending, and the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plans will be phased out by June 30, 2028. New borrowers will generally have just two repayment options: a new income-based Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) or a Tiered Standard Repayment Plan.

For future borrowers, some of the most significant changes involve loan limits. One of the biggest changes for many families is that Parent PLUS loans – which previously could cover up to the full cost of attendance – will now be capped at $20,000 per student per year, with a lifetime limit of $65,000 per student. For some of the highest price-tag schools, this will not cover tuition. Graduate borrowing is also changing substantially: Grad PLUS loans are ending for new borrowers, and new caps are being introduced for graduate and professional students that will, in many cases, not cover the full cost of tuition.

Bottom line: if you expect to borrow for college or graduate school, now is a good time to review your financing strategy and understand exactly how these new rules could affect your family.

FLORIDA MOVES TOWARD RESTRICTING ENROLLMENT FOR SOME UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS

Florida may soon become one of a small number of states to restrict access to public universities for undocumented students. This week, Florida’s Board of Governors advanced a proposal that would prevent undocumented students from enrolling at public universities that do not admit all academically qualified applicants, although the policy is not yet final and would not take effect immediately. Supporters argue the proposal reflects broader state priorities around immigration and public resources, while critics worry about what this could mean for students who have spent most of their lives in Florida and expect college to remain an option. This also comes shortly after the state ended in-state tuition access for undocumented students, making affordability a growing concern for some families. It’s a good reminder that state policies can have a huge impact on higher education and that those changes can happen quickly. So when building a college list, it’s a good idea to pay attention not only to admissions requirements but also to state policies that could impact your dream schools.

EARLY DECISION AT UM … AND NOT EVERYONE IS HAPPY ABOUT IT

The University of Michigan is moving forward with its new early decision (ED) admissions option despite some significant pushback from faculty. Earlier this spring, the University Senate asked the administration to pause the rollout and discuss whether binding admissions align with the university's values. But U-M decided to move ahead with the plan anyway; for the second cycle in a row, students can apply early decision. While some are grateful that students who already know U-M is their top choice can demonstrate that commitment earlier, especially as many top schools enroll more ED applicants, others worry that these kinds of binding programs make it harder for families to compare financial aid before making a final decision. As U-M Chemistry Professor Neil Marsh points out: "Applying early decision is off-putting for those who depend on financial aid…If you can’t attend because of financial hardship, you wouldn’t apply." What I find most interesting is that the university moved forward despite significant faculty opposition – a reminder that admissions policies often involve balancing institutional priorities, faculty perspectives, student access, and financial realities all at once.

NAVAL ACADEMY BRINGS BACK SHORT HAIR STANDARD FOR WOMEN

Young women hoping to attend the U.S. Naval Academy should plan to say goodbye to long hair; for the incoming class of 2030, female students will need to chop their hair to the chin line (or shorter) to ensure that “male and female plebes share the same visible symbol of their commitment to naval service and to the team.” It’s a return to an older regulation that hasn’t been enforced since 2018, but it does make sense – and serves as a good reminder that military colleges often have very different standards than traditional campuses.

FEWER SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS? NOT SO FAST!

There has definitely been some media attention about a few universities dropping their supplemental essay requirements for the 2026-2027 cycle. Schools like University of Georgia and Tulane will not be requiring these additional essays, often arguing that the Common App and other application materials are sufficient. Before students celebrate, it's worth putting this into perspective: this isn't really a broad trend. Plus, supplemental essays are one of the best opportunities for students to prove their fit and showcase not only interest but also personality. And most of the schools to which our students are applying still require them – which is why we use our own Four Story Approach to supplemental essays. We have been busy preparing our database of the official prompts so students can get started ASAP!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

A recent piece in Forbes looks at something we’ve all seen creeping into admissions over the last few years: the idea that students feel like they need a “hook” to stand out, that they must be exceptional to earn a seat at their top-choice school. Worse, students feel as though every activity, interest, or achievement only matters if it serves a specific strategic purpose, and so they choose activities not out of any real pleasure or desire but simply because they assume that those activities will help them stand out or will look good to admissions. The article points out that this mentality produces a kind of treadmill effect, where students feel like they’re constantly trying to optimize every part of their profile without ever feeling like it’s enough – and it’s terrible for their mental health. 

From a counseling perspective, this comes up a lot. Ironically, however, the best antidote to this “hook” mentality is almost the opposite of what many families assume. We encourage students to start with interests they already have and to build on them naturally, rather than trying to invent an impressive-looking persona. Sometimes this involves thinking entrepreneurially by turning something they already enjoy into a small business. Students who take this approach often end up with applications that are both more authentic and more compelling, and they spend high school actually enjoying what they’re doing instead of checking boxes. Camp Sarraka is a great example. What started as two brothers organizing neighborhood sports games grew into a thriving Arlington business serving hundreds of campers each summer, and now they are featured in the Washington Business Journal this week!

On another note, I've been spending the past several weeks meeting with rising seniors to finalize their college lists, and one pattern I've noticed is that many of our students have highly selective public universities like UVA, Virginia Tech, or the University of Maryland on their lists and instinctively look to less selective out-of-state flagship universities for their "safety schools." While there can certainly be value in adding an out-of-state flagship to the list, I also encourage families to keep in mind the excellent regional public universities right in their own backyard. As Washington Monthly points out, these colleges are doing much of the heavy lifting in higher education, yet they’re too often overlooked. Are schools like James Madison University and Christopher Newport University likely to replace UVA as a straight-A student's first choice? Probably not. But they do offer exceptional undergraduate experiences, and their honors programs can provide smaller classes, priority registration, close faculty relationships, and other benefits that make them every bit as attractive as an out-of-state safety school, particularly when you factor in the substantial savings that come with paying in-state tuition. 

Speaking of college costs, an opinion piece in The New York Times makes a surprisingly optimistic argument about taxes on elite college endowments. The author argues that although recent changes to endowment taxation may have been intended to affect certain elite institutions, they could also encourage colleges to expand financial aid for lower-income students, making those schools more affordable and diverse. Princeton, for example, is expanding financial aid and waiving tuition for many families earning up to $250,000, which may also reduce some of its endowment tax burden. The University of Chicago, Yale, and Swarthmore have also recently announced similar financial aid initiatives. It’s still unclear how these changes will benefit middle class families in practice, but they could end up making some of the highest-priced schools worth a second look. So don’t rule out elite schools out of principle – look closely to see what kinds of income-based tuition support they actually offer. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

As many colleges begin releasing their supplemental essay prompts, our coaches are getting students ready to adapt their generics into more school-specific responses. And honestly, for many students, these essays are some of the most fun to write because they provide an opportunity to highlight parts of their personality and interests that don't always come through elsewhere in the application. They also give students a chance to explain why they genuinely want to attend a particular college – and the details really matter. Now is a great time to schedule a campus visit (even a virtual one) and start gathering the kinds of firsthand observations that can make these essays feel more personal, specific, and compelling.

The heat wave is coming, so try and stay cool and enjoy these last days of June!

READ MORE ABOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS BELOW:

Weekly Update: June 22

It gets hot around here so early in the year that it’s easy to forget summer doesn’t actually begin until June 21st. But now we can celebrate because summer has officially arrived – and what a beautiful arrival it was, especially since it was Father’s Day on Sunday as well. I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy some time with family, friends, and a little sunshine on the longest day of the year. Since the office was also closed for Juneteenth, it felt like a three-day weekend. Now it's time to get back to work, so here's a look at what's been happening in higher education recently.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

WISCONSIN ENDS GRANT PROGRAM FOR MINORITY STUDENTS

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has just unanimously ruled to end its minority grant program following the precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023. Established in 1985, the grant program provided financial support for minority students, but as the vice president of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty argued, “Race cannot be used to dole out scholarships and other financial aid.” Supporters of the ruling argue that it favors taxpayers who can now challenge other race-based programs in the court; but some court justices, even after voting to end the program, still acknowledge the racial disparities in the state and uneven access to education faced by many students of color.

COLLEGE ATHLETES SHINE IN WORLD CUP

With so much attention on the World Cup this year, especially with the US serving as one of the three host countries, it’s pretty cool to see just how many players have connections to college soccer. That may reflect a uniquely American perspective, since soccer often takes a backseat here to basketball and football (well, American football!), but globally the World Cup remains the biggest sporting event in the world. The NCAA recently highlighted the many collegiate athletes who found their way into this important international competition through college soccer. The list is extensive, and it highlights the important role college soccer plays in developing World Cup talent – as the NCAA puts it, such representation is “a powerful reminder that the pathway to the FIFA World Cup increasingly runs through college campuses.”

FLORIDA APPROVES CONTROVERSIAL CAMPUS TRANSFER

In a move that sparked strong reactions across Florida higher education, Governor Ron DeSantis has backed the transfer of the Sarasota-Manatee campus of the University of South Florida to New College of Florida as part of a broader effort to reshape higher education in the state. The transfer has now been approved and will be implemented over the coming years through a teach-out process for current USF students. Supporters argue the move is part of a broader effort to reshape higher education, while critics – especially students and faculty of the USF school as well as area businesses – argue it reflects political priorities rather than privileging the needs of the community. The Sarasota-Manatee campus has been a thriving part of the area’s economy and overall well-being, with important programs in nursing, hospitality, and tourism. De Santis’s plan has created a lot of uncertainty about what this transition will mean over the long term. Critics have also questioned the cost of the project and the process behind the decision. At the very least, presently-enrolled students have been promised the right to finish their degree programs before the transition.

EXTREME MEASURES IN INDIA TO ENSURE FAIR TESTING

Well, if you thought some of our security procedures to ensure fair standardized testing were intense, it looks even more strict in India right now. A college entrance exam for prospective medical students was cancelled earlier this year after allegations that the exam had been leaked on a messaging app called Telegram. Now, the government has increased security measures for the rescheduled exam, including military involvement and temporary restrictions on access to Telegram in the days surrounding the test. Critics argue that these steps are excessive and raise some legal concerns – but India has actually shut down the internet across entire cities during major exams before, so extraordinary measures are not uncommon despite the disruption to local communities. And given that over 2 million people are competing for just 10,000 seats in medical schools across the country, I can sort of see the logic – although I’m grateful we don’t take things that far in the U.S.!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

As college tuition continues to soar and the current administration demands reform in higher ed, the public is left wondering: what is the real purpose of college, anyway? Not only is that an excellent question, but it’s one that many colleges and universities are increasingly trying to answer for themselves and for the public. Skepticism about higher education has been growing for years, with concerns ranging from cost and career outcomes to questions about the role of universities in their communities. In response, several academic institutions are becoming more vocal about their goals and the steps they are taking to address growing doubts about the mission of higher ed. A statement from the Association of American Universities, for instance, “emphasized that universities serve the public interest through research that drives the economy, cures diseases, and protects military service members, as well as through teaching that trains the next generation of leaders.” At the same time, universities are also emphasizing the importance of remaining independent from political pressures, especially to ensure that research funding and grants are awarded fairly and free from political influence.

In a similar vein, Fox News highlighted several ways that colleges might work to rebuild that public trust. One major theme was communication and community involvement, especially engaging local high schools. They gave the example of Indianapolis, where improvements in college counseling and local education initiatives have led to better student preparation for college; students with a 3.0 GPA or higher are also automatically enrolled at IU Indianapolis. Meanwhile, they argue that colleges need to get ahead of the AI concerns, ensuring they are clear about how they will prepare students to use these emerging technologies while also helping them navigate a changing job market – and helping the public understand that the threats may not be as dire as many assume. More broadly, they stressed the need for colleges to ensure that they are offering the right skills for the job market in order to justify tuition. Needless to say, it’s a really interesting moment in higher education. Given the price tag, I think it’s quite reasonable for families to want colleges to better articulate what they stand for and what they’re offering their students in return.

The kind of community involvement they recommend is, in some ways, exactly what Colby College is doing in the state of Maine – but in a slightly different way. After the charming little fishing village of Port Clyde was destroyed in a fire in 2023, the community was devastated. When the initial plans to restore the picturesque tourist destination fell through, Colby College stepped in. But the plan isn’t just restoration; it’s an entirely new vision for the village, one that will encourage growth while also affording the school itself new opportunities that align with its long-term goals. Colby plans to transform the village into an academic and research center focused on finding solutions to natural disasters and global climate change. And it’s not the first time the college has invested in surrounding communities, drawing on previous redevelopment successes in nearby Waterville and on Allen and Benner Islands. While some area residents are unsure what the future holds for Port Clyde, Colby is committed to ensuring that residents have a voice in the future. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

After that refreshing long weekend, we’re back and busier than ever, helping students put the final touches on their Common App essays and getting our generic supplemental essays ready and in good shape for repurposing – and keeping the World Cup on in the background, of course! 

Enjoy the week!

With the World Cup underway, here are a few other posts for our sports fans!

Weekly Update: June 15

Holy heatwave! For many of our students, this week marks the last day of school, which means summer break has officially arrived.

On a personal note, this also marks the end of my daughter's middle school years and the beginning of high school. As any FCPS middle school parent knows, surviving those early start times feels like an accomplishment in itself! It's hard to believe that I now have a high school student of my own. I started DC College Counseling well before she was born, so it's a little surreal to suddenly find myself thinking about high school course selection, extracurriculars, and college planning not just as a counselor, but as a parent. Time really does fly.

Ironically, I work pretty hard to avoid talking about college admissions with my own children. Kids today have enough pressure without having a mom who owns a college counseling company, so I tend to go in the opposite direction and rarely bring it up at all. Honestly, I don't even think they know (or care) where their dad or I went to college.

With that context in mind, I had to laugh when my son's third-grade journal came home from school this week. I can promise you I had absolutely nothing to do with this. If you can't read his handwriting (join the club), he proudly informs his teacher that he is saving money so he can "go to Harvard in Massachusetts."

Ambitious? Absolutely. Realistic? Let's just say he's got some time…

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

THE PUSH TO BRING BACK STANDARDIZED TESTING REQUIREMENTS

Last week, we shared some pretty big news as hundreds of faculty at UC schools signed an open letter requesting that SAT scores become a requirement for admission. The main reason is that faculty in STEM fields are seeing some really poor performance in math in recent years, making it hard to teach more advanced concepts. It looks like officials at UC have listened, as it was just announced by the UC Academic Senate that a committee will be reviewing the issue. Not all faculty are on board with the idea, and a change to standardized testing requirements would still have to be approved by UC’s Board of Regents. But it’s definitely something to keep an eye on if you’ve been considering applying to a UC school. 

And this might be the start of a trend, as Yale just announced that it will once again require SAT or ACT scores starting with the next admissions cycle. Like many colleges around the country, Yale relaxed its requirements for standardized testing during the pandemic, making submission of scores optional. However, after reviewing its admissions policies, the university decided it was time to bring those test scores back. In some ways, it's an attempt to ensure fairness while also making admissions decisions more predictive of academic success. I think Dean Pericles Lewis sums up their perspective well: “SAT and ACT scores are strong predictors of a student’s future Yale academic performance, and, when considered thoughtfully as part of a whole person review, they can help identify well-prepared candidates, especially those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.” And Yale isn’t alone: Columbia University also just announced that it will once again require SAT or ACT scores for students seeking to enroll for Fall 2028! I suspect a similar thought process at work here. While test-optional policies aren’t going to disappear overnight, it’s pretty clear that there’s a push to bring back standardized testing as an admissions requirement. So if you’re taking your SAT or ACT for the first time, or hoping to improve your score, it’s probably worth putting some extra time into test prep.

AS TOP-SCHOOL PRICES SOAR, SO DOES AID

It’s hardly surprising that costs at some of the most prestigious colleges in the country are now rising above six figures – although it’s still pretty staggering to think that there are now over 16 schools that top a $100,000 price tag! And while most Ivy League schools can get away with those costs, some smaller liberal arts colleges are feeling the competition from state schools as students think more carefully about cost versus return. Is the debt really worth it when job security feels so uncertain? But the same schools with such exorbitant sticker prices are also offering some of the strongest student aid packages. For families earning below the $200k annual threshold, schools like Harvard and Penn offer tuition-free options, and other top colleges on the list offer merit aid for many first-time, full-time students as high as 57%. So don’t write off your ideal school just because of its price tag; sometimes the most expensive colleges end up being the most affordable thanks to generous scholarships and financial aid.

DOJ TARGETING MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS … AGAIN

The Justice Department once again has medical school admissions practices under scrutiny, announcing that it’s opening an investigation at 15 more schools over concerns that the institutions could be violating race-based admissions regulations. This comes only a month after the DOJ announced investigations involving Yale and UCLA, although it has yet to name any of the colleges in this recent claim of racial discrimination. Meanwhile, defenders of the admissions practices at med schools worry that the DOJ doesn’t fully understand the criteria for choosing the best potential future physicians.  Alison Whelon, the chief medical officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges, pointed out that “It takes more than test scores to become a good doctor,” arguing that diverse perspectives in the classroom better prepare future doctors to serve diverse populations. Her opinion reflects recent pushback in higher education against the administration's attempts to intervene in the admissions process, as many feel those attempts could be coming from a misunderstanding of the SCOTUS ruling. One thing definitely seems certain: this debate about diversity in admissions practices is not going away anytime soon.

SPELMAN COLLEGE’S NEWEST PRESIDENT

The country’s top-ranked HBCU, Spelman College, just announced the appointment of its next president: Dr. Ayanna Howard. This comes as exciting news as Howard is an incredibly celebrated scholar in the world of robotics and AI. Howard has published extensively and earned more STEM leadership appointments and accolades than we could possibly list (although you can read about them here). What we think is particularly great is her commitment to a very human-focused approach to technology, and one that starts in the university classroom. Spelman is already a national leader in preparing Black women to pursue PhDs in STEM fields, and Howard’s appointment is a perfect fit!

ACCOMMODATIONS REQUESTS DUE AUGUST 3

For our Fairfax County clients, if your student is entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and might need disability or multilingual accommodations for taking the PSAT or SAT, you will need to submit a direct request by the August 3 deadline. Make sure to review the request process carefully and complete all required forms. The tests are administered by the College Board itself, so even if your student already has accommodations in the classroom, you’ll still need to go through this process. 

Deadlines will be similar everywhere, so our clients outside FCPS should also make sure to check with their school testing coordinators to find out what needs to be done and when!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

One of the greatest joys of visiting a college campus is really just the beauty of the space; many campuses – even some urban ones – are surrounded by gorgeous gardens, plentiful trees, and the incredible architecture of the many study halls and research centers. But what happens to that space when a college closes? As college enrollments have been declining in recent years, some colleges have been forced to shut down, leaving those beautiful campuses empty. Occasionally they get swallowed up by other schools nearby, but the rural Green Mountain College in Vermont, which closed in 2019, is part of another story: private developers. Raj Bhakta, whiskey-maker and former contestant on “The Apprentice,” purchased the 115-acre campus with plans to create a space for faith-based education that would strengthen his idea of American values. And his primary vision? Alcohol (no, I’m not kidding). Skeptical of higher education, Bhakta claims he would like to see young people connecting, instead, over beer. Like area legislators, I have some questions about Bhakta’s plans, and so far, not much has been done with this space. But the issue does speak to concerns about the role college campuses play in local communities as well as questions about what will happen to these spaces if enrollments continue to decline. If your family has been shopping for a sprawling plot of rural land dotted with abandoned classroom buildings and residence halls, maybe this is your market! 

Of course, we know your real dream is to be on a vibrant college campus at a school that is not only open but thriving. But admissions is tough, and while we here at DCCC do everything we can to help your kids get into their top-choice schools, some students are finding other ways to attend the universities of their dreams, even if they aren’t admitted through the traditional route. Many flagship state schools have alternative-enrollment options, such as offering dual-credit through a nearby community college, or allowing students to take online courses rather than sitting in the physical classroom. While these students are missing out on many of the perks of the first-year experience – which can be really important for building a sense of community and having an early support network – they are finding other ways to stay involved in campus culture, like attending tailgating events and joining Greek life. These options can be more affordable, too. Programs like the University of Florida’s Pathway to Campus Enrollment, which requires online schooling before transitioning students to in-person courses, has seen major growth in recent years, even if there are drawbacks like limitations on the courses offered. I can’t say this is a route we would recommend, but I do admire the tenacity of these students who are finding creative ways to make their college dreams happen! 

The shape of those dreams is changing, however, as higher education is going through some major upheavals that point towards a very different future. Schools like Green Mountain, mentioned above, have certainly felt one of those shifts: declines in enrollment leading to complete closures. The effects of the enrollment cliff – a drop in births following the 2008 financial crisis and leading to fewer potential students – are already being felt at smaller regional colleges that simply don’t have enough students to stay afloat. And fewer high school students are convinced of the value of a college degree given an uncertain job market and exorbitant enrollment costs. Plus, A.I. has created a no-win situation for colleges that are simultaneously partnering with A.I. to stay ahead of the tech curve while still struggling to navigate student reliance on LLMs to complete assignments.

Meanwhile, incoming student performance continues to decline, and once-challenging college courses may be replaced by classes that cover what students should have already learned in high school – one of the reasons we’re seeing that increased push to bring back standardized testing as an admissions requirement. Not every change will be negative, at least. Community colleges are likely to benefit as students looking for affordable alternatives pursue associate’s degrees before transitioning to a four-year program. We might also see universities reconsider spending priorities, potentially reducing administrative costs while preserving academic programs and faculty resources. While no one knows exactly how these trends will play out, it's clear that higher education is entering a period of significant change, and colleges and universities need to clarify what they’re offering if they plan to maintain their present price tags. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

As high school has finally ended for most of our clients – congrats Class of 26!! – we’re starting to see more kids signing up for meetings. That’s great!! I know you all are looking forward to some well-earned rest (students and families alike), and you certainly deserve it. But it’s important to stay focused on preparing those college application materials. We’re hard at work getting Common App essays polished and also preparing our generic supplemental essays so that we can hit the ground running once colleges start releasing their prompts, with a few having dropped already!

Enjoy the summer sun – and stay hydrated!

check out some of our other sat-related posts:

Our Supplemental Essay Secret Sauce: The Four Story Approach

I mentioned in the last post that Richmond just released their supplemental essay topics, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to share a bit more about how we approach supplemental essays in our office and why!

We actually take a very different approach to supplemental essays than most other college counseling firms. Instead of waiting until the school-specific prompts come out and trying to help our students tackle each of them from scratch, we use what we call the Four Story Approach. This process saves students an enormous amount of time later while also leading to stronger essays, which is win-win!

At its core, the Four Story Approach revolves around what we call generic supplemental essays.

Generic supplemental essays (generics for short!) are not essays that students submit to colleges.

Instead, they are four pieces of writing built around the types of questions colleges ask most frequently. We use them as a foundation that students can later adapt and repurpose for school-specific supplemental essays.

The reason this works is that most colleges are ultimately asking variations of the same questions! They want to know what you want to study, what activities matter to you, how you contribute to a community, and what experiences or perspectives have shaped who you are.

Because of that, we begin by having students develop four core essays centered around these common themes:

• Academic Interest

• Activity

• Community & Belonging

• Background & Perspective

Again, Students will not actually submit these essays anywhere! Instead, the goal is to identify four strong stories, reflect on them deeply, and polish them until they become exceptionally strong pieces of writing.

Once those essays are complete, students have a toolkit they can draw from throughout application season. When a college asks about leadership, students often pull from their Activity essay. When a school asks how they have contributed to a community, they frequently adapt their Community & Belonging essay. When a prompt asks what makes them unique, they may start with ideas from their Background & Perspective essay.

Of course, this doesn't mean students simply copy and paste. Every college asks its questions for a reason, and every response still needs to be tailored to the specific prompt. However, it is SO much easier to adapt a strong existing piece of writing than it is to start from a blank page every time.

The University of Richmond's new supplemental essays provide a perfect example of how this works in practice, so I thought it could be helpful to share how we’d help our students approach them using their generic content. Notice how each Richmond prompt maps back to one of the four generics, allowing students to start with an existing piece of writing rather than a blank page. We also help students determine which prompt gives them the best opportunity to showcase their strengths and how to build from the writing they have already completed.

Richmond asks students to choose one of three prompts.

CHOICE #1: Richmond is a community that strives to be relentlessly welcoming. Tell us about a time you made a space better for other people by helping them feel welcome, heard, included, or supported.

For this prompt, we advise our students to start with their pre-written content from Generic Essay #3 (Community & Belonging). Both prompts focus on their role within a community and how their actions positively impacted the people around them. Students can often adapt their existing essay by placing greater emphasis on inclusion, support, and helping others feel valued.

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CHOICE #2: Richmond students turn ideas into actions. Tell us about a time you learned by doing, making, building, testing, helping, or leading and what that experience taught you about yourself, the world, or the kind of impact you want to have.

For most students, this prompt pairs naturally with Generic Essay #2 (Activity). The same activity, project, job, leadership role, or initiative can often serve as the foundation for both essays. Students simply need to expand the reflection and focus more heavily on what they learned and how the experience shaped the impact they hope to make in the future. We generally recommend this option over Choice #1 because it also creates a natural opportunity to incorporate some "Why Richmond" content and demonstrate how the student plans to engage with the Richmond community.

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CHOICE #3: Richmond’s mascot is the Spider. Just as you are unique, this singular mascot represents over 52,680 unique species of spiders. Tell us about the communities, experiences, or ambitions that have shaped you into the unique person you are and how you will make your mark as part of a Spider community.

For this option, we usually recommend Generic Essay #4 (Background & Perspective). Both prompts focus on identity, values, experiences, and perspective. In some cases, students may also draw from their Community & Belonging essay if a particular community played a major role in shaping who they have become. The strongest responses, however, typically focus less on a specific community impact and more on the broader experiences and perspectives that define who the student is and what they will bring to Richmond. For that reason, we also recommend this option over Choice #1. Any opportunity to share an authentic interest in the Richmond community (and plans for future engagement) should be taken!

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The key takeaway is that when students have already done the hard work of identifying meaningful stories and reflecting on their experiences, supplemental essays become far less intimidating! Instead of reinventing the wheel every time a new prompt appears, they start with a strong foundation and then tailor it for each school. As a bonus, they also help students tell a more consistent, thoughtful, and compelling story across all of their applications.

We are all about working smarter, not harder!

Weekly Update: June 8

Well, everyone, June has arrived! And it definitely brought some welcome improvements in the weather. After almost a week of endless rain – even if we needed it – the sun finally came back to the D.C. area last weekend. So it's time to open the windows, let in some fresh air, and channel some of those positive vibes into the real work of college application essays. Okay, maybe a little less exciting, but I know it is much easier for me to work when I can feel a nice breeze coming through an open window and am able to take my lunch outside in the sunlight! 

Now, it’s time to check out what’s been happening in higher ed this week:

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

UPDATES TO ADMISSION PLANS

At WashU, prospective students now have the option to apply Early Action, which doesn’t require accepted students to enroll (versus Early Decision, which is binding, and is still in place). Since around 60% of WashU undergrads are admitted through ED, this is a really good option if you aren’t ready to fully commit but still want an earlier decision timeline. They’ve also added some improved ways to show demonstrated interest, from email lists and campus tours to Bear Chats with current students.

If you’ve been thinking about the Sunshine State and the top-rated public universities in the country, you might have already heard that the University of Florida is now offering Early Decision, with a deadline of October 15. This is a binding option, so UF needs to be your top choice, but with their steadily-increasing enrollment and retention numbers over the past five years, we think it’s about time they offer ED … and if you’re not fully committed, they still offer Early Action with the same application deadline. Florida State University just announced this past week that they, too, will now be offering Early Decision, with the same deadline of October 15. Get those grandparent waivers in early if you qualify!

On the other end of the weather spectrum, Syracuse has now introduced Early Action! This is great news. Students can now receive an earlier decision while keeping their options open, which should make Syracuse an even more attractive choice.

And lastly, this may not come as a surprise, because it was announced a few months ago: University of Southern California will also be launching an Early Decision option after a test-run with the business program last year.

SMALL COLLEGES FORWARDING MAJOR TAX SAVINGS TO FUTURE STUDENTS

Thanks to a 2025 tax break on endowments for many wealthy small schools – think pricey liberal arts colleges like Swarthmore and Wellesley – applicants may soon reap the benefits of those savings. Unlike larger research universities and state schools, smaller liberal arts colleges often rely on endowments to provide much-needed financial aid; now, several colleges will be passing millions of dollars in savings on to their students. From new scholarships and full financial aid packages to increases in minimum wage for student workers, a handful of high-end and high-value colleges across the country will be making things a little easier on families who might not otherwise be able to afford them. So if a small liberal arts college is your vibe but you’ve been worrying about tuition, keep an eye out for new funding opportunities that may be launching this year.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PROFESSORS WANT TO BRING BACK THE SAT!

Many high school students might appreciate applying to UC schools without having to submit SAT scores, but over 1,100 faculty in science and math are urging the UC system to bring back standardized testing requirements. And most cite one specific reason: poor math skills. UC professors have observed that nearly one-third of undergrads in first-year calculus are performing well below expectations. In an open letter including signatures of math department chairs and several renowned scholars at UC Berkeley, faculty argue that many students’ math abilities are at a middle-school level, requiring instructors to teach remedial skills instead of more advanced content. While the removal of test scores was intended to make the application process more fair, faculty argue that one unintended consequence has been underprepared students. It remains uncertain what the UC admissions board will decide, but the debate suggests that we might start to see a larger movement back towards standardized testing requirements at most major colleges and universities.

LOSING LOANS FOR LOW-PAYING MAJORS?

The Education Department is preparing to deny loans for degree programs in fields that typically don’t pay very well. While several higher education groups are lobbying against these new regulations, the present proposal is part of a long-running conversation about college debt: should the government support programs that leave students unable to repay their loans? There is some logic behind the proposal, but many private, religious, and trade schools are pushing to revise the metrics, arguing that the current standards could lead to drastic declines in enrollment. The current proposal would compare earnings of recent graduates in low-paying fields to those of workers who only hold a high school diploma and deny loans to programs that don’t lead to higher salaries. However, Jason Altmire, chief executive of Career Education Colleges and Universities, wants changes that take into account regional differences, tip-based compensation, and gender disparities in pay. According to Altmire: “Without these modifications, the new rule endangers the viability of many high-quality programs serving students from disadvantaged populations.”  

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Last summer saw many universities facing the current administration’s enforcement of anti-DEI laws and policies, and many schools are still coping with public outcry against language mentioning race, gender, or other ideas considered to be divisive. In Alabama, Auburn University has responded to state law by asking faculty to sign forms certifying the legality of their courses. After a major public outcry that resulted in the removal of a faculty member, Auburn is pushing to prove its adherence to DEI legislation; instructors at the university, however, are hesitant to fully comply with the university’s new method of evaluation.

For some faculty, it’s not about the politics of the issue but rather the ambiguity and vagueness of what might be deemed “divisive.” It also becomes a question of academic freedom. As geosciences professor Stephani Shephard argued in The Chronicle of Higher Education: “in terms of feeling like you are free to do your job – following scientific rigor, academic rigor, all of that — instead you have to think about the political ramifications of what you’re doing.” These types of issues are likely to continue throughout the present administration, making it increasingly important for students to understand the policies, culture, and academic environment of the schools they're adding to their lists.

For many students, one of the primary goals of college is preparing for a successful career after graduation. But in the era of AI, a lot of teens and young adults worry that the kinds of entry-level jobs they’ll need after graduation are quickly disappearing. And to some extent, this is true – but not for the reasons you think. While there is definitely potential for generative AI to change the nature of the job market, what’s had a much greater impact, according to NPR, has been the pivot to remote work after the pandemic. If you were looking forward to wearing pajama pants from your home office, think again. Employers worry those kinds of jobs prevent meaningful feedback from peers, so the kinds of simple and routine tasks that have generally been given to younger hires are now going to older and experienced applicants. Unemployment rates remain pretty rough for recent college grads, so we’d definitely encourage looking for positions that might be a bit more challenging… and require you to show up to a physical office (sorry). 

For something a little more positive than the previous stories, Town & Country highlighted a service helping prospective students get the inside scoop on some of their top choice colleges. The program is called Campuswink, and, unlike official tours that are basically scripts touting the strengths of the university, the service pairs families with enrolled students who will offer more authentic feedback about everything from Greek life to LGBT culture. Pro tip: this might also be a really helpful service for fine-tuning your “Why this college?” essays, which tend to require some pretty specific details about the schools on your list! Campuswink isn’t free, but the services are fairly priced, and most of what you pay goes to the guides themselves. Creator Jacqueline Biscotti ensures that “safeguards are in place” for privacy protection, and none of the 137-and-growing colleges have any complaints. So whether you’d like a more honest campus tour or even just a video call with a student who will be a bit more up front than a standard tour guide, Campuswink might be just what you’re looking for!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

The first supplemental essay prompt of the season was just released – big thanks to our favorite Spiders over at the University of Richmond! (although I guess being someone’s favorite spider is not a particularly high bar…). More on that later this week!

getting back on track with the weekly updates - check out some recent ones below:

Ending

Our 2026 Summer Reading Picks ☀️

Summer is almost here, and with it, plenty of free time in the sun, sports camps, catching up with friends, and… reading?

Alright, we know that curling up with a great book may not be everyone’s idea of fun, but of all the reasons that reading is good for you, here’s another you might not have considered: college applications!

Schools often ask prospective students to describe a favorite book and explain why it is so meaningful to them, and if you haven’t read anything in a while, it can be a pretty difficult question to answer!

So instead of giving them yet another essay about Lord of the Flies or To Kill a Mockingbird – the standard high school English fare – try something new and different to stand out from the pack.

Here’s some of our top picks for the summer ahead:

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‘Dekonstructing the Kardashians’ by MJ Corey

It might seem surprising to start our list with a book about the Kardashians, but we promise, it is so much more! MJ Corey examines how this iconic family’s rise to stardom reveals some really important shifts in the way that media operates in our digital age. The famed creator of the Kardashian Kolloquium, Corey highlights the impacts of our image-centric times on everything from social media stars to the individual consumer. 
Recommended for students interested in communication, media studies, business, and marketing – or anyone curious about the ethics and impacts of social media influencers.

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‘Yesteryear’ by Caro Claire Burke

We’ve got another good pick if you’re interested in influencers. Burke’s first novel takes a contemporary ‘tradwife’ with a robust TikTok following and transports her to 1855! What is an influencer to do when confronted by the harsh realities of the pioneer history she was merely pretending at? Without the conveniences of modern life, main character Natalie must figure out what it really means to be a woman in America – then and now.   
Recommended for students interested in sociology, media and marketing, history, psychology, and women’s studies – honestly, this one is good for just about anyone with a social media presence today. 

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‘Land’ by Maggie O’Farrell

One of the most anticipated books of the summer, just released on June 2, O’Farrell’s novel digs deep into the author’s Irish roots and surfaces a story that ties together family, history, and landscape. When mapmaker Tomás and his son attempt to complete a survey of the Irish countryside for a British government shortly after the Great Famine, a mystical encounter transforms the family and their relationships to each other and their ancestral home.

Recommended for students interested in history, psychology, ecology, literature, and creative writing – this one is definitely going to be a winning read of 2026. 

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‘A Fortune of Sand’ by Ruta Sepetys

If you enjoyed The Great Gatsby, you’ll likely love Sepetys’s novel set in the Roaring 20s of Detroit just as the brilliance of the era was starting to fade. In this rather haunting story, the daughter of a wealthy automotive magnate attends an artistic retreat where she uncovers a mystery of disappearing women and the secrets that get buried by those in power.

Recommended for students interested in sociology, political science, and art history – or anyone who appreciates a good gothic mystery.

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‘Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism’ by Sarah Wynn-Williams

Ever wonder what it looks like behind the scenes of your favorite social media company? The former director of global public policy at Facebook/Meta has decided to give everyone the inside scoop – and the absurdity of it all will leave you shocked. Wynn-Williams’s memoir delivers exactly what’s in the title: greed and lost idealism when people have a bit too much wealth and influence.

Recommended for students interested in business, communication, technology, public policy, and anyone who’s curious about the dark side of corporate culture.

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‘Everything Is Tuberculosis’ by John Green

While we might think tuberculosis is a thing of the past, it is still considered the world’s deadliest disease, especially in many parts of the Global South. Green’s work weaves together science and social history to ask how TB remains so prevalent and threatening today – ultimately showing how poverty, social injustice and global inequities perpetuate the presence of this very curable killer.

Recommended for students interested in medicine, public health, social justice, and healthcare studies – we would strongly suggest this read to anyone planning to pursue public health or global/foreign policy majors. 

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‘Read Your Mind’ by Oz Pearlman

Mentalist Oz Pearlman’s book is here to teach you the best magic trick of all: overcoming mental blocks! Using insights from his career, Pearlman has created a self-help book sure to help any future undergraduate develop skills to avoid procrastination and self-doubt while building confidence and improving communication. And if you really want to know how to read a room, there’s no better teacher than someone who has built a career on the subtleties of observation and intuition. 

Recommended for students of psychology, neuroscience, communication, leadership, behavioral sciences, and anyone willing to take the time for some self-improvement.

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‘1929’ by Andrew Ross Sorkin

Every business major and future economist ought to check out Sorkin’s newest book, which takes the stock market collapse of the early 20th century and makes it read like a real thriller – and one still relevant today. The same author who gained bestseller status for his look at the 2008 financial crisis digs into the drama of power, persuasion, and illusion at the heart of the U.S. economy. You’ll learn as much about a pivotal moment in US history as you will about today’s world.

Recommended for students interested in business, economics, finance, history, and political science as well as anyone who likes investing in the stock market.

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‘The Infinity Machine: Demis Hassabis, DeepMind, and the Quest for Superintelligence’ by Michael Bhaskar

It almost goes without saying that AI has transformed the world in only a few swift years. For those curious about who is actually responsible for the massive AI systems that are transforming the ways we think about intelligence itself, this one’s for you. Follow the career of Demis Hassabis, founder of Google DeepMind, and learn more about the motivations and ethics of one of the biggest names in machine learning today. 

Recommended for students of computer science, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, ethics, and engineering – probably anyone who’s using AI today ought to check out this book. 

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‘The Haves and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich’ by Evan Osnos

Sure, the Kardashians have given us the inside scoop on one wild family’s experiences with being ultra rich, but as the wealth gap continues to grow in this country, what does extreme wealth look like to those who don’t have their own reality television series? Osnos’s essay collection is a realistic and often shocking look at the lifestyles of the richest people in this country – exploring everything from weird obsessions to tax evasion and political influence.

Recommended for students interested in economics, political science, sociology, journalism, public policy, and basically anyone who will admit to having watched multiple seasons of The Kardashians.

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‘Abundance’ by Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson

We would all like to see a better future for ourselves and for the planet, and the ideas are out there – but why aren’t we seeing any of them in action? Klein and Thompson look closely at the politics that often hinder progress, arguing for a kind of political practice that would mediate some of the tensions between left and right while allowing us to meet some of our ambitious goals regarding housing shortages, healthcare, and climate change.  

Recommended for students interested in economics, political science, urban planning, public policy, and environmental policy – overall an interesting read for those wondering why progress takes so long! 

Weekly Update: May 31

The very wet Memorial Day weekend is behind us and summer has officially arrived! While many students are looking forward to vacations, camps, and a well-earned break, the world of higher education certainly isn't slowing down. There have been several interesting developments over the past couple of weeks that could have implications for colleges and applicants alike.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

DOJ VS YALE

The Department of Justice continues to scrutinize how colleges and universities make admissions decisions following the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling on affirmative action. Most recently, the DOJ concluded that Yale School of Medicine discriminated against White and Asian applicants in its admissions process. Yale disputes the findings and maintains that its admissions practices comply with the law. Regardless of where this particular case ultimately lands, it serves as a useful reminder that admissions decisions are rarely based on grades and test scores alone. Colleges and graduate schools continue to evaluate applicants holistically, considering factors such as coursework, essays, recommendations, experiences, and personal qualities alongside academic achievement. For students and families, the takeaway remains the same: strong academics matter, but they are only one part of a successful application.

HARVARD TAKES ON GRADE INFLATION

As a major upset to many Harvard students – but a major win to most of its faculty – Harvard passed a resolution designed to curb grade inflation with a 20% cap on A grades! Starting in 2027, only around ⅕ of students in a class can receive an A, a decision made to “help distinguish exceptional work from merely strong performance.” Of course, students were strongly opposed to the initial proposal, and some professors worried it would put too many constraints on their evaluation practices. Nevertheless, nearly 70% of faculty ultimately agreed to move forward with the proposal. At a school with a reputation like Harvard’s, this does make some sense, although we sympathize with an incoming class now worried about GPAs. But the second part of the proposal should offer some comfort: many rewards and honors will be based on percentile rankings rather than letter grades. A major takeaway is that other schools might see this as an opportunity to start revising their own grading practices, so future students should consider early how they will try to stand out in their classes. 

NAACP ENCOURAGES ATHLETES TO GO ‘OUT OF BOUNDS’

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling on voting rights may have consequences in higher education, at least in the Southern states that are likely to be the most impacted. The NAACP has launched a campaign, “Out of Bounds,” that asks Black athletes and fans of collegiate sports to limit financial support at public universities in states that have actively moved to dismantle Black political representation. The NAACP argues that some states benefit significantly from the contributions of Black student-athletes while simultaneously advancing policies that it believes reduce Black political representation. The campaign encourages Black student-athletes to consider the political climate of a state when choosing where to enroll and to use their platforms to advocate for issues they care about.

SEXUAL ASSAULT AT UC SANTA BARBARA

Unfortunately, campus safety remains an important topic for students and families as they evaluate colleges; on May 9th, a UC Santa Barbara first-year student was sexually assaulted in campus housing. The student, identified here as “Jane Doe,” met the perpetrator at a fraternity party and was assaulted shortly after at the Tropicana Gardens student housing apartments. Unfortunately, the perpetrator remains at large. While UCSB Chancellor Dennis Assanis assures the community that the university is taking all the right steps in the matter, many students feel differently and are using social media to encourage “community members to email Assanis and demand that he speak to the survivor’s family and attorney.” They’ve also referenced criticism of Assanis’s handling of another sexual assault case when he served as President of the University of Delaware. While this is a very delicate issue, it is certainly not unique to UCSB or UD; we encourage prospective students to investigate campus safety resources, emergency procedures, transportation options, and support services when evaluating all colleges.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

For many students hoping to study medicine, it’s definitely worth considering the pros and cons of the nurse practitioner route. According to the Wall Street Journal, the job market for nurse practitioners is booming! The primary reason is that there just aren’t enough medical doctors to deal with patients seeking mostly basic and routine care, like prescription management and treatment of colds and flus – and NPs don’t cost nearly as much as MDs. For prospective students of medicine, becoming an NP also has many benefits, ranging from shorter degree programs (often just two years) to significantly fewer student loans. So while the salary may be less than that of a primary care physician, a nurse practitioner can still earn around $132k annually while having more free time and far less debt.

But physicians warn that leaning too heavily on nurse practitioners is risky business – without physician oversight, NPs risk overlooking symptoms of more severe problems that they might assume are simply sore throats, and hospitals note that nurse practitioners are often requesting more tests than physicians, which can drive up costs. And many doctors argue that patients would prefer to meet an actual physician in an exam room. But Benjamin McMichael, a University of Alabama economist who found that most people head to the hospital for fairly routine reasons, makes a great point: “a lot of people never get to that exam room.” The real takeaway here is that there are many paths to success in the medical field, and it's worth considering whether your passion is for specialized medical treatment or general care, as well as the associated costs.

Whatever path you choose, at least one Amherst College professor thinks your college education should be… fun? Describing a boisterous and active classroom discussion of a 19th-century novel, Professor Michael A. Elliot argues in The Atlantic the need for more engaging and playful experiences in college courses – a perspective shared by our own DCCC essay coach and University of Maryland Senior Lecturer, Dr. Alan Montroso! The classroom is a space for meaningful conversation and engagement with complex ideas; critical thinking develops best when the mind is actively engaged. But the humanities, where this kind of education is most often found, are also in decline, as these kinds of skills are not seen as impactful on the job market. Yet how can we solve problems without careful consideration and deep thought? As Elliot writes about the many issues we face today, “they require citizens who can listen carefully, argue charitably, tolerate complexity, and resist the pull of the obvious. The seminar room, at its best, is where that tolerance is built.”

So while it’s not very likely your economics or biochem courses will be as “fun” as your humanities ones, don’t overlook the importance of a well-rounded education – college is about more than just landing a lucrative job (though of course you want that too!); it’s about shaping who you are as a person, one who can think deeply, hold meaningful conversation, and solve difficult problems – all skills your English professors are trying to instill… and maybe with a bit of laughter and play!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It’s a busy time here at DCCC. While several of our kids are basically done with their Common App essays, others are just getting started on the process! But it is definitely the season for the biggest essay of them all – so make sure to start booking some appointments before the summer sun, beach vacations, and sleepaway camps become more appealing to you than writing college application essays! 😎

check out some of our other posts for more on recent goings-on at harvard!

Weekly Update: January 19

Well, it’s been a minute – but our final “late start senior” officially submitted her last application last week, which means we’re back with some (hopefully!) weekly updates.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT IS HERE!

The College Football Playoff National Championship is set for tonight, with the Indiana Hoosiers taking on the Miami Hurricanes for the national title. Indiana enters the game as an eight-point favorite, so it looks like we could be headed for a Hoosiers win. Either way, it’s been a fun postseason to watch!

A SHAKE-UP ON UVA’S BOARD

Just ahead of her inauguration, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger asked several members of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors to step down, including Rector Rachel Sheridan, Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson, and major donor Paul Manning. The move cleared the way for Spanberger to quickly appoint new members, effectively shifting the balance of power on the board early in her term.

Not everyone welcomed the change. Some critics argued that Manning, in particular, had played a significant role in UVA’s recent growth and warned that another round of board shake-ups could prolong instability at the University. The Jefferson Council, an alumni group, went further, calling the decision “disgraceful” and labeling it an unprecedented and overly politicized move.

TESTING IS BACK AT BAMA

The University of Alabama announced that it will reinstate standardized testing requirements for first-year applicants, beginning with a partial return for the Class of 2027 and a full requirement for the Class of 2028. Current high school juniors with a GPA below 3.0 will need to submit ACT or SAT scores, and by the following cycle, all applicants will be required to do so. While Alabama emphasized that test scores will remain just one part of a holistic review, the announcement reflects a broader shift we’re seeing as more colleges bring testing back into the admissions process.

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT HITS A 10-YEAR HIGH

You may have heard the narrative that students are turning away from higher education – we certainly hear it a lot. But new data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center tells a different story. College enrollment has climbed to a 10-year high, reaching 19.4 million students nationwide.

That growth, however, is being driven largely by community colleges, dual enrollment programs, and short-term credential pathways, even as private colleges and international enrollment decline. The takeaway? Students aren’t opting out of college altogether – they’re being more strategic about where, how, and why they enroll, with affordability and workforce outcomes playing a bigger role than ever.

ED RESULTS ARE IN!

Early Decision results continue to underscore just how competitive – and high-stakes – this round has become, with many colleges filling a large portion of their incoming class before Regular Decision even begins. At UVA, unofficial Early Decision numbers for the 2025–2026 cycle show 5,108 ED applicants and 1,225 offers of admission. Virginia residents saw admit rates around 25 percent, compared to roughly 23 percent for out-of-state students – a clear reminder that residency still matters.

Overall, the numbers look very similar to last year, reinforcing what we’re seeing nationwide: Early Decision remains highly competitive, but for students who are confident in their top choice and ready to commit, it can still offer a meaningful edge.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

One piece on UVA’s new president really stood out to us because it crystallized concerns many in higher education have been sensing – but maybe not fully grasping – about the presidential search process. Drawing on publicly available records that took the authors less than an hour to uncover, the article raises serious questions about transparency, academic integrity, and due diligence at the very top of the institution. It also raises a tough question: how can a university credibly enforce academic honesty with students if unresolved concerns around those same values exist within its leadership?

A New York Times op-ed on Early Decision is worth reading for two reasons. First, it clearly explains why binding ED isn’t equitable: students are asked to make a life-altering decision before they can compare financial aid offers, which inherently favors families with more financial flexibility. Second, it offers a sharp snapshot of today’s admissions landscape, where many highly selective colleges now enroll a large share of their class through ED – making the “game” families feel pressured to play effectively baked into the system.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth the piece underscores: while we wish the system worked differently, applying ED to a true top-choice school – if it’s financially realistic – can still be critical. Is that fair? No. But opting out entirely can mean accepting significantly longer odds.

Finally, another New York Times piece looks at what students are actually writing about in their college essays this year. Based on interviews with students, parents, and counselors, it shows how the current political and legal climate is influencing what feels “safe” to share. Some students are steering away from topics like race, immigration status, or gender identity, while others are still choosing to include them thoughtfully to signal the kind of campus they’re hoping to find.

What really stands out is the tension between being authentic and being strategic – something we’re seeing firsthand. There’s no single right answer, but there is value in being intentional. That’s why we guide students through what we call a “generic supplemental essay process,” helping them decide which parts of their story to explore and which to hold back before prompts are even released. Starting that reflection early makes the writing process smoother and results in essays that feel both genuine and purposeful!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

With all of our seniors officially finished, our juniors have jumped into full essay mode. They started working on the generic supplemental essays we mentioned above back in December, and the progress has been incredible. We’re so proud of how thoughtfully they’re approaching this process already.

Who else is excited for the game tonight? As an alum of the greatest school ever (which also happens to have zero school spirit), the University of Miami and UVA have become my adopted teams – I’m originally from Miami. This year, though, I also found myself fully on the Indiana bandwagon because I absolutely love Fernando Mendoza. Honestly, who doesn’t?

I’m not quite as die-hard a Miami fan as my parents or my son, but between their enthusiasm, the Ole Miss game (WOW), and the general chaos of this postseason, I’m officially invested. Now I feel torn: I love Fernando, think Curt Cignetti is hilarious, and still really want Miami to pull it off.

I’m especially excited because we had one student admitted to Miami ED and another waiting on an ED II decision. I’m very glad they were seniors this year – because after a season like this, getting into Miami next cycle is going to be even tougher.

The Most Memorable College Essays of 2025-2026

It’s been a minute! We hit such a good posting rhythm over the summer — and then application season swept in and two months flew by. Now that nearly all of our seniors have submitted their final applications, it feels like the perfect time to pause and share some observations.

Q: Which school had the most fun essay to review this year?
A: Colorado School of Mines, hands down. Actually, this was the essay that inspired this blog post. Their “Which element describes you and why?” prompt was clever, on-brand, and gave students real room to be creative. We don’t often see applicants there, but we had two this year — and both of their essays really impressed me. Huge credit to our essay coaches for helping those responses sparkle.

Q: Which school’s essays did students have the most trouble with this year?
A: Virginia Tech — and honestly, this happens every year. They pack so many sub-questions into four prompts, each with only 120 words. It’s nearly impossible for students to cover everything meaningfully in so little space. The “inclusion” question is especially tough, although maybe that’s a good sign if students struggle to find examples where they were not being included! I just wish Tech would either expand the word count or refresh the prompts altogether. Families are usually surprised at how challenging these are, and we spend a lot of behind-the-scenes time editing once the students are done. Look at how many components are included in this question: it’s a lot to fit in 120 words.

“Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community supports access and inclusion by affirming the dignity and value of every person, respecting differences, promoting mutual understanding and open expression, and strives to eliminate bias and discrimination.  Have you had an experience when you or someone you know were not being included? Did you reach out to anyone for assistance, direction, or resources? Were you able to affect change and/or influence others? Did this experience change your perspective and if so, how?”

— Virginia Tech Prompt #2

Q: Which school’s non-essay supplement was the worst to complete?
A: The University of Alabama. At first, you might think it’s easy — no essays! But you’d be very, very wrong. Their supplement essentially recreates the Common App activities section, but with endless extra math and calculations. It’s tedious, redundant, and eats up hours. I spent an entire train ride from D.C. to New York proofreading and fact-checking one Alabama application. Please, Alabama — just use the Common App activities section like everyone else. That’s what it’s there for.

Q: Which prompt left us feeling guilty?
A: Villanova’s “new home” essay. We read so many beautiful, heartfelt responses from students who logically can’t all choose Villanova — but their essays were so persuasive we almost (almost) felt guilty about how convincing they sounded to admissions officers. Sorry, Wildcats — just doing our job!

Q: Which schools made us hungry?
A: Chapman University and the University of Southern California. Both schools asked about favorite snacks this year — and our students delivered. We saw everything from Takis and Trader Joe’s chili-lime chips to bubble tea and mochi. Chapman’s short-answer section made it clear how much personality can shine through in 150 characters, while USC’s snack question turned into a window into comfort, culture, and identity. By November, our essay coaches were debating their own snack choices — purely for research purposes, of course.

Q: Which essay were we saddest to see disappear?
A: Penn State’s optional personal statement. My guess is that they dropped it to lower barriers and boost applications, especially with so many students looking south. But we really liked that essay — it pushed students to dig into Penn State’s culture and academics, from the Creamery to White Out traditions to the economics concentrations. Even when students didn’t end up there, they finished with a stronger, more thoughtful understanding of the school.

Q: Which prompt turned out to be a hidden gem?
A: Santa Clara’s ethical-dilemma essay. At first glance it looked generic, but it ended up producing really authentic writing. Some students went big — climate change, world hunger, inequality. That makes sense sometimes, but I most enjoyed the ones who kept it personal, like deciding whether to speak up when a friend was unkind or how to handle a group-project conflict. The smaller the dilemma, the more a piece can reveal about a student’s judgment and character.

Q: Which essay required the most overhauling?
A: Michigan’s “Why this school?” essay. On the surface it looks straightforward, but students almost always write it as “Why Michigan?” when the admissions readers really want “Why this program?” — Why LSA, Why Ross, Why Engineering, etc. It’s a subtle but critical distinction. The trap gets worse when half of the LSA applicants secretly wish they were applying to Ross, and that muddles their focus. The result is a lot of messy first drafts that need heavy reworking before they’re viable.

Q: What’s the age-old favorite that’s never gotten old?
A: Georgetown’s “talents” essay. I’m pretty sure I wrote this one myself back in 2002 — and I’m equally sure I took the formal route (piano, résumé-style accomplishments, the works). Over the years, though, our favorite responses have been the opposite: the “talents” that feel deeply human — extraordinary patience with a sibling, perfecting a chocolate-chip cookie recipe, or shoveling sidewalks with surgical precision. Those answers stick because they show the person behind the application materials.

Q: Which school made us cry, laugh, and Google flight prices?
A: The University of Maryland. Their “If I could travel anywhere…” prompt looked like a filler question, but it turned into one of the most revealing of the season. In just 650 characters, students managed to show who they are — curious, funny, idealistic, and surprisingly reflective. We saw everything from imagined trips across continents to heartfelt family adventures and even a few offbeat destinations that made us take notes for summer vacations to come!

Weekly Update: August 11

Things have been SO INCREDIBLY BUSY around the office as we head into the final stretch of summer. Somehow, it’s already a third of the way through August – when did that happen? Public schools start next week! So, you’re getting a double-feature this week: two weeks’ worth of higher ed news in one place.

And boy did things get crazy!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

DOJ Memo Redefines How Colleges Can Address Antidiscrimination Laws

On July 29, the Department of Justice issued updated guidance on how antidiscrimination laws must be interpreted and applied by various entities – including colleges and universities. Despite its sweeping scope, the move drew surprisingly little media attention. The memo goes beyond the parameters outlined in the 2023 Supreme Court decision on affirmative action and, in at least one instance, appears to directly contradict it.

The Court had previously allowed that race could be considered indirectly in admissions when linked to a personal quality – for example, awarding credit for a student’s courage in overcoming racial discrimination or for leadership shaped by cultural heritage. The DOJ memo takes a harder line, warning that “Overcoming Obstacles Narratives” and “Diversity Statements” may be “potentially unlawful” if they advantage applicants whose stories are inherently tied to protected characteristics. Just two days later, and on the eve of the 2025–26 Common App launch, the University of Virginia and several other schools removed all supplemental essays from their applications. Cornell University went further, retracting its published prompts mid-cycle, leaving many students mid-draft and scrambling for next steps.

White House Orders Greater Transparency in College Admissions

One week later, President Trump issued an August 7 memorandum directing the Department of Education to revamp and expand the federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The stated goal: make admissions data more accessible and understandable for students and parents. More realistically, though, I would think that the primary goal is to ensure that institutions receiving federal aid are transparent about how they select students. Key measures include redesigning the IPEDS online portal, streamlining the data submission process, expanding reporting requirements starting in the 2025–26 school year, strengthening data accuracy checks, and imposing penalties on institutions that submit incomplete or inaccurate information.

Lawsuit Targets Elite Colleges’ Use of Early Decision to Inflate Costs

A federal class-action lawsuit filed in Massachusetts alleges that 32 elite universities – including Penn, Brown, Duke, and Columbia – along with several admissions organizations, have conspired to use binding Early Decision policies to limit competition and drive up tuition. The complaint argues that requiring students to commit before seeing financial-aid offers removes the ability to compare packages, disadvantaging price-sensitive families and favoring wealthier applicants. Plaintiffs are seeking damages and an end to binding ED practices. Boy, I try to stay neutral here but I would not be a happy camper if they got rid of ED. I also don’t think it’s fair to say that wealthier applicants are favored, because students with significant financial need also do quite well in the ED process – they are able to get estimates of their financial aid packages before they apply, and they can back out of the ED commitment, no questions asked, if the finances don’t work out. I do understand the frustration students feel when they can’t compare prices for merit aid, but choices have to be made.

Columbia’s $220M Settlement with Trump Administration Draws National Attention

Two weeks ago, Columbia University agreed to pay a $220 million fine to resolve allegations of antisemitism and discriminatory DEI practices – a deal that restores $1.3 billion in federal funding. Columbia has not admitted wrongdoing but has committed to strengthening protections against antisemitism and complying with antidiscrimination laws, according to NPR. The settlement also includes oversight by an independent monitor, a move some see as an encroachment on higher ed independence. Columbia leaders frame the decision as restoring academic freedom, and for current students and those arriving this fall, the resolution is at least a relief that their federal funding is secure.

Barnard’s Settlement and Layoffs

Columbia-affiliated Barnard College also reached a settlement – this one stemming from a lawsuit brought by Jewish students and nonprofits. The agreement bans mask-wearing on campus, creates a Title VI coordinator role to ensure compliance with antidiscrimination laws, and cuts all ties to the Columbia University Apartheid Divest protest group. Shortly after, Barnard announced the layoff of 77 staff members in a “restructuring” effort. While faculty and administrators were spared, the move raises concerns about the financial health of the women’s liberal arts college.

Northern Virginia Schools to Comply with Title IX

At the end of July, the Department of Education ruled that five Northern Virginia school districts – Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William – are in violation of Title IX because they’ve been allowing transgender students to use restrooms and other intimate spaces that align with their gender identity rather than their biological sex. The districts were initially given 10 days to comply with a federal resolution that would force them to roll back those inclusive policies and adopt language that defines sex strictly as male or female based on biology. If they don’t comply, the Department of Justice could step in with enforcement.
Update: As of this week, the districts have been granted an extension to August 15 to respond and determine next steps. Closed-door meetings have been underway, and community voices – especially those of students – have been front and center. At DCCC, we believe every student deserves to feel safe and respected at school, no matter their identity. We hope these districts can uphold inclusive values while navigating the legal pressure ahead.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Above, we shared news about Columbia University’s settlement with the presidential administration, noting that reactions have been mixed. The New York Times dove deeper into why: while Columbia insists it struck a balance between upholding its principles and complying with the law, many in higher ed worry it signals a dangerous precedent — one where political interference in research and teaching starts to feel “normal.” Columbia lit professor Joseph R. Slaughter summed up the academic concern perfectly. Meanwhile, some in the Jewish community see the administration’s aggressive posture toward Columbia as more political than protective. But with $1.3 billion in federal funding at risk, many faculty and students felt settling was about survival.

The settlement has emboldened the administration to pursue similar deals with other schools, including Cornell, Duke, Northwestern, Brown — and especially Harvard. Harvard has so far refused to budge, even suing the administration, and its new president, Alan Garber, is widely respected for balancing a willingness to hear all sides with a firm hand on core principles. As one colleague put it, “Even people who disagree with Alan both trust and admire him… It’s his superpower.”

In another deeply reported piece, the Times looked at the President’s new requirement for colleges to disclose detailed admissions data — including race, gender, test scores, and GPAs for both accepted and rejected applicants. Supporters say it could expose hidden discrimination; critics worry about how the data might be used. But there’s a big wrinkle: nearly everyone at the National Center for Education Statistics — the very agency that would collect and analyze the data — has been fired. Out of about 100 employees, just four remain. Without the statisticians who ensured accuracy and comparability, some fear the data could be unreliable, or worse, selectively interpreted. As one union leader put it, “When you fire the professionals… that allows you to make up whatever facts you want.”

And if all this back-and-forth between government and higher ed has you craving a mental break, The Atlantic has a great list of books exploring what’s really at stake for universities — from their role in local economies to the value of pure research — plus a reminder that higher ed was never meant to be just job training (though landing a good job is a nice perk). Or skip the politics entirely and read this fun piece about Drexel senior RJ Smith, who’s running a Michelin-inspired Afro-Caribbean supper club from his dorm. While we can’t promise most college students cooking at this level, we posted a couple weeks ago about some schools where good eats are a part of the culture. Campus dining has definitely come a long way!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

August 1 has come and gone, and with it, the floodgates have opened — all those long-awaited supplemental essays are finally here! The good news? These usually come together very quickly, since we’ve been putting in the groundwork for months, fine-tuning the generic supplementals so everyone’s ready to hit the ground running the moment prompts drop!

That prep pays off big time when schools decide to pile on the extras (looking at you, Northwestern and Virginia Tech). Now it’s just a matter of tailoring and polishing — which means we can keep momentum high without losing too much sleep.

And while we’re still stuck with summer heat and humidity in the DMV this week, we’ve had a few less oppressive mornings. If you can, sneak in a walk or a coffee outdoors before the afternoons turn steamy again — essay season is in full swing, but a little sunshine never hurts.

ChatGPT: Using Generative AI for Success!

Just a couple of years ago, ChatGPT was mostly a fun tool – something you’d use for quick research or to generate silly pictures of your dog in a space suit (don’t worry, your secret’s safe with us). But it didn’t take long for students to start using it for more serious tasks – like writing their English or history essays. That’s where the trouble began.

Last week, we shared that Virginia Tech is now using an AI tool alongside human reviewers to evaluate college essays. Officially, it’s about efficiency – but let’s be real: they’re almost certainly also trying to catch AI-generated writing. And if Virginia Tech is doing it, you can bet other colleges are, too, even if they’re not saying so out loud.

So here’s our message this week: using generative AI to write your college essay isn’t just unethical. It’s risky. It’s detectable. And it’s a missed opportunity to show who you really are.

Still not convinced? Then hear this: you’re going to get caught.

We’ve seen it firsthand. Our essay coach Alan, who also teaches at the University of Maryland, has already flagged dozens of AI-written assignments. In every case, the student either had to start over or received a zero. And admissions officers are even more tuned in. You might think you’re being clever with your prompts – “write like a high school student who’s not great at writing” – but the result always gives itself away.

More importantly, leaning too hard on AI shortcuts robs you of something essential: the chance to think deeply, reflect honestly, and grow as a writer. Studies are already linking ChatGPT use to declines in memory and critical thinking – and let’s face it, nobody wants their essay to be called “soulless.”

We’re not here to bash ChatGPT, though. It’s an amazing tool when used the right way. So let’s break down when it helps, and when it really, really doesn’t.

THE BAD

Losing Your Voice

This might sound obvious – don’t have ChatGPT do your homework – but it’s worth unpacking. There are plenty of reasons why asking AI to write your essay is a bad move, whether it’s for school or college applications. The biggest one? It’s incredibly easy to spot when something wasn’t written by a student.

You might try to be clever by giving ChatGPT specific style prompts, but the results always include giveaways – certain phrases, word choices, or patterns that teachers, professors, and yes, your essay coaches, will recognize immediately. With college essays especially, your voice is everything. Schools aren’t just reviewing what you say – they’re listening to how you say it. And if the tone feels off or overly polished, it raises red flags.

That’s why our essay process is built around preserving your unique voice. We’ll help you polish your drafts, but we won’t rewrite you. Your structure, your examples, your phrasing – these are what help your personality and perspective shine.

Impairing Your Memory and Grades

Here’s something you might not expect: studies show that over-reliance on tools like ChatGPT can impair memory and lead to a decline in your grades. That’s because if you didn’t write it, you probably won’t remember it. And in school, that matters.

Teachers often design assignments to build on one another. So if you submit AI-generated work early on, you may find yourself lost when later assignments rely on what you supposedly “wrote.” Plus, once you start leaning on AI because you’re short on time, it can become a habit – and that leads to even more procrastination and weaker performance on things you can’t outsource, like in-class writing or timed exams.

At DCCC, we can see this in how it hurts our progress with students. If you don’t remember what’s in your own essay – because you didn’t actually write it – it’s tough to adapt it for other schools or supplementals. That slows us down, and it makes your application less compelling.

Sounding Like a Robot

Let’s say you wrote a draft on your own but didn’t love how it sounded. You plug it into ChatGPT and ask it to make it better. That seems okay – you wrote the original, right?

The problem is that ChatGPT doesn’t make light edits. It rewrites everything. The version it gives back might sound cleaner, but it also tends to sound flat, like a grammar textbook wrote your essay. It strips out the small quirks and “realness” that make your writing yours. Creativity and personal expression matter just as much as accurate grammar, especially in essays meant to show who you are.

Doing All Your Research in One Place

By now, ChatGPT may feel more helpful than Google when you’re looking for quick info. But unlike even Wikipedia, there’s no human vetting what it says. It pulls content from popular sources (accurate or not) and often presents it with authority.

That means if you rely on it for college research or academic facts, you could easily get outdated or misleading information. And when it comes to writing college essays, that’s a real problem. We’re not saying don’t use ChatGPT to help start your research – but if you don’t verify what it gives you, you’re asking for trouble.

That’s not to say you can’t use generative AI to support your research – you can. But there’s a right way to do it, and I’ll share that below!

THE GOOD

A Head Start on Your Research

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT can be a great way to get your bearings on a topic, especially when you're not sure where to begin. Want to explore colleges with strong programs in marine biology? Need a few themes to unpack in that obscure art film for your “Intro to Cinema” class? ChatGPT can help you gather some early ideas, summarize key points, and generate lists that can jumpstart your process.

But – and this is important – the information isn’t always accurate or current. ChatGPT can pull from outdated sources, miss school-specific details, or rely on oversimplified explanations. If you’re researching campus traditions or program offerings, for example, you might get answers that are no longer true. Plus, AI can’t access most scholarly sources or anything behind a paywall, which means you’re often missing out on the most recent or credible research.

So use ChatGPT to get started – then dig deeper. Check official websites, use databases for academic work, and always fact-check anything you plan to include in your writing.

Checking Your Grammar the Smart Way

Not sure whether you’ve used a semicolon correctly? Wondering if that sentence sounds too clunky? This is where ChatGPT and tools like Grammarly shine. You can drop in a sentence or two and ask for quick feedback. You can even prompt it to give you a list of suggestions.

But here's the line to watch: don’t ask ChatGPT to revise entire sentences or paragraphs, or worse, to rewrite your essay. It will almost always go too far, making big changes that strip out your tone and voice. It’s great for suggesting issues you can change yourself, but the more you let it alter your words, the more generic and robotic your writing will feel – especially to someone trained to spot it!

Bottom line: use AI to clean up the small stuff. But when it comes to tone and flow, trust yourself – and your coach.

Getting Unstuck

We’ve all had those moments when a word is right on the tip of your tongue or you’re searching for a new angle but hitting a wall. That’s where ChatGPT can really help.

You can try prompts like:
“What’s a word that means someone who’s driven and determined, but sounds kind of like ‘suspicious’ and maybe starts with an ‘a’?”
Answer: ambitious. Nailed it!

Or, let’s say you need help developing a supplemental essay idea. Try something like:
“I worked as a camp counselor this summer and dealt with some difficult middle schoolers. I want to write about it for a personal growth essay – any ideas for a theme?”

ChatGPT might suggest words like resilience, patience, or leadership, along with possible moments you could explore. That’s a win. Of course, you can’t just borrow its examples and pass them off as your own – don’t even go there – but it can help spark ideas that are true to your story. Think back to your actual experience and ask yourself: “Do I have a different understanding of leadership? Were there moments when I was incredibly resilient under pressure?” 

So if you’re stuck, don’t panic. Use ChatGPT as a brainstorming buddy, then reflect honestly and write from your own experience!

ChatGPT and other generative AI tools aren’t going anywhere – and that’s not a bad thing. Used well, they can be incredibly helpful.

But what we need now is a deeper understanding of when and how it is appropriate to use these tools – and when we need to trust ourselves more as writers. As high school teachers and college professors rush to figure out how to integrate these tools into their classes and teach best practices to their students, we here at DCCC want to remind everyone that it’s never a good idea to ask ChatGPT to write your college essays for you.

Plus, our coaches are pretty amazing at what they do – so trust the process! Use ChatGPT to help come up with some ideas or make some corrections to specific grammar issues, and remember that no matter how bad of a writer you think you are, your honest writing will always sound better than a robot!

Check Out Some More of our Summer 2025 Special Topics Below!

AI, Authenticity, and Mission Fit: Understanding Virginia Tech’s New Admissions Move

Virginia Tech just rolled out a major update to how it reviews applications – and every rising senior should be paying attention. The university has framed these changes as a response to rising application volume and a push for faster turnaround times, and that’s likely true. But in our view, there’s almost certainly more happening beneath the surface.

A Quick Note on Deadlines

First, a quick logistical update: Virginia Tech has bumped its Early Action deadline up from November 15 to November 1. That’s worth noting, but it’s not the headline here. If you’re applying, just be sure to adjust your timeline accordingly.

Note that Virginia Tech also has a materials deadline of December 1.

What’s Actually Changing: Human + AI Essay Review

Starting this fall, every essay submitted to Virginia Tech will be reviewed by both a human admissions officer and an AI tool built by the university’s own researchers. If the two scores are close, that’s it – the essay moves forward. If the scores are more than two points apart on a 12-point scale, a second human reviewer steps in.

It sounds straightforward, and from a logistics standpoint, it is. Virginia Tech received more than 57,000 applications last cycle, and this new process helps them move more quickly without sacrificing fairness or a standardized approach.

Why This Matters (and Why It’s likely Bigger Than They’re Letting On)

In my opinion, there are an additional two significant, unspoken reasons why Virginia Tech has turned to AI for essay review:

1. They want to detect AI-written essays.

I’ll be honest: this has become a huge problem in our work with students. About a year ago during a Meet & Greet, a parent asked whether many of our students were turning to AI to help with their essays. At the time, my answer was a clear no – it just wasn’t something we were seeing.

What a difference a year makes! Since then, we’ve seen a sharp uptick in students experimenting with AI tools to “draft” their college essay work between their meetings with our essay coaches. For some, it’s turned into a bit of a cat-and-mouse game – they try to pass off AI-generated content, and we step in to explain why that’s not just inappropriate, but extremely harmful to their chances of admission. And we’re catching it. When something feels off, we pause, ask hard questions, and help the student re-draft. It takes time, and yes, it can be frustrating – but the alternative is far worse.

So, while Virginia Tech hasn’t officially said that its new AI-assisted review system is meant to detect AI-generated essays, we’re almost certain that’s exactly what it’s doing. They’ve created a process that quietly flags essays that don’t feel quite right – and we know other colleges are doing the same, even if they’re not saying so publicly.

2. They want essays that reflect Virginia Tech’s mission and values.

Since Juan Espinoza’s leadership began approximately eight years ago, Virginia Tech has shown time and time again that they care deeply about mission fit. And they’ve been very clear about what that mission is! Guided by their motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech describes itself as “an inclusive community of knowledge, discovery, and creativity dedicated to improving the quality of life and the human condition” – both in Virginia and around the world.

They really live this out. You can feel the ethos in their supplemental prompts, which ask students to reflect on service, curiosity, impact, and community. So, our guess is that this AI model was trained to evaluate how well a student’s essay speaks to those values – not just in what they say, but in how they say it. Does the writing reflect a sense of purpose? A desire to contribute? A curiosity about the world and a willingness to serve others? Do the examples and anecdotes sound like a 17-year-old wrote them?

In other words, authenticity matters A LOT for Virginia Tech!

So, What Should Students Do?

Nothing different, if they are already writing their own essays, being thoughtful about their responses, and avoiding AI shortcuts. This new system only reinforces what we already teach: essays should be authentic, specific, and rooted in the student’s voice.

For that reason, I don’t mind this change. It gives students who are playing by the rules an edge. Because while some applicants will get flagged for using AI, and others might turn in essays that feel detached or surface-level, students who’ve taken the time to write with purpose will stand out even more.

Final Thoughts

Virginia Tech is the first college we’ve seen openly announce the use of AI in its essay review process – but we’d be shocked if they’re the only ones. Other schools are almost certainly using similar tools behind the scenes without public recognition of it. That’s why it’s more important than ever for students to stay grounded in their own voice.

If you’re guiding your student from the dining room table, here are a few steps to help keep things on track:

• Stick with a structured outline and encourage real-time drafting. Try not to skip straight from brainstorm to final draft.

• Use Google Docs and enable Revision History to ensure the process stays transparent – it’s a great way to see how writing evolves. If your student is copying and pasting large amounts of text, that’s a big sign that something is not right.

• If something feels “off” in tone – too polished, too generic, or just not like your child – that’s a sign to pause. Go back to the outline and have your student write with you present.

• Check drafts with multiple AI detection tools. They’re not perfect, but if one of them flags the writing and it doesn’t feel authentic, don’t take the risk.

We’ve heard from some parents who assume it’s fine to let ChatGPT write from a student-created outline, believing that the end result will “sound human” and pass through unnoticed. But colleges and their tools are getting sharper! What may have worked quietly last year will likely carry serious consequences this fall, including automatic application denial in addition to contact with the student’s high school about a potential academic integrity violation.

So, you don’t need to be an English teacher or tech expert. Just be present, ask questions, and help your student reflect on what they want to say/how they want to say it.

And of course, if you want backup, we’re always here!

Weekly Update : July 25

As we near the end of July, it’s the perfect time to remind everyone that more and more official supplemental essay prompts are being released. If you’re still wrapping up your Common App personal statement or other generics, now’s a smart time to schedule a few more meetings with us – things are picking up fast!

And while the heat and humidity don’t seem to be letting up anytime soon, there’s no shame in retreating to an air-conditioned movie theater to catch summer blockbusters like Superman or Jurassic World. Personally, I’d rather be poolside – but when the air feels just as wet as the water, indoor fun wins. I’ve been cooling off with a crisp watermelon salad (feta and mint required!) and diving into all the latest in higher ed.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

AI Joins the Admissions Team at Virginia Tech

Yesterday, Virginia Tech announced two major changes in advance of this year’s application cycle. First, the Early Action deadline has been moved up from November 15 to November 1. Second, the university will begin using an AI-supported model to assist in reviewing student essays. Each essay will now be evaluated by a human reader and an AI tool developed by Virginia Tech researchers. If their scores differ significantly, a second human reader steps in to ensure fairness. This new system is designed to help the university manage a record-breaking volume of applications while maintaining review quality and speeding up decision timelines. However, it’s important to note that all final admissions decisions will continue to be made by human admissions officers. That said, there are some important implications to this shift in essay review that families should be aware of. Stay tuned – we’ll break it all down in a separate blog post early next week!

Harvard Swings Back with Public Service Scholarship

The Harvard vs. Trump narrative thickened this week with a bold move from Harvard’s Kennedy School: a new $100,000 scholarship for veterans of the military and public service who are pursuing a master’s degree. With many sectors of the federal government still reeling from funding cuts, the initiative aims to prepare the next generation of civic leaders – and support professionals whose careers have been disrupted. Funded by anonymous donors, the one-year scholarship is the largest ever offered by the Kennedy School, covering full tuition, fees, and providing a modest living stipend. The school plans to enroll at least 50 students in the first cohort, with eligibility requiring at least seven years of experience in public or military service.

University of Delaware Receives Massive $71.5 Million Gift for Business School

Big news out of the University of Delaware: alum and CEO Robert Siegfried just gifted his alma mater a staggering $71.5 million to launch the Siegfried Institute for Leadership and Free Enterprise. The new business institute will spotlight conservative political values and free-market thinking – positioned as a counterweight to UD’s more left-leaning Biden Institute. While the political framing has sparked some debate, the bottom line is huge for business students. The donation will expand business classroom space by 40%, and Siegfried is also adding another $6 million for student scholarships. Politics aside, this is a game changer for any future business leader – and definitely something to factor in if you’re applying with an eye toward business programs.

US Students Heading to the UK in Record Numbers

With U.S. higher education facing ongoing turbulence – from budget cuts and political pressures to increased scrutiny of DEI-related programs – it’s no wonder more students are exploring options abroad. This week, UCAS (the UK’s college admissions service) reported nearly 8,000 applications from U.S. students for Fall 2025, the highest number since tracking began in 2006. While the long-term impact of the domestic shifts remains unclear, one thing is certain: interest in international study is rising. We’re not suggesting you pass on strong U.S. programs, but if you’ve ever considered studying abroad, now might be a good time to take that interest seriously. Reputable global universities can offer solid academics, strong career outcomes, and sometimes even cost savings!

Is Trump Saving College Sports?

After months of speculation, a draft executive order focused on college athletics surfaced this week – bringing renewed attention to the complex issues surrounding athlete compensation. The proposal centers on name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, aiming to create a unified federal framework in place of the current patchwork of state laws. The goal: protect student-athletes from exploitative financial deals, standardize rules around Olympic eligibility, and help colleges navigate antitrust concerns related to long-term scholarships. While the order is still in draft form and subject to change, it signals a potential shift that could benefit college athletes nationwide – especially those seeking fair compensation and clarity around scholarship support.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

As the implications of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” continue to unfold, anxiety around student loans is running high – especially for students considering graduate degrees. This article in Slate highlights the concern among future lawyers, doctors, and other professionals who now wonder if they’ll be able to afford to finish their degrees, let alone start them.

The OBBBA will eliminate the Graduate PLUS Program, which previously allowed students to borrow up to the full cost of their graduate or professional education. Under the new legislation, federal borrowing is capped at $100,000 – a figure that falls far short of most grad school price tags. While current borrowers can still use the PLUS program for three more years, rising seniors and future grad students are rethinking their plans. For many, that means choosing less expensive or more local schools, prioritizing scholarship opportunities, or even changing career paths altogether to avoid private loans and unfavorable repayment terms.

But for students rethinking grad school entirely, this might be the moment to consider unconventional – yet increasingly viable – paths to success. Take the rise of Minecraft entrepreneurs, for example. As this Business Insider article explains, young people are transforming their gaming passion into full-fledged careers, with some building entire businesses around modpacks, content creation, and YouTube channels. Jessica Lindl, author of The Career Game Loop: Learn to Earn in the New Economy, puts it well: “The surge of Minecraft entrepreneurs tells us something profound: the new economy doesn't reward rigid credentials. We're moving from a degree-based economy to a skills-based, portfolio-driven one.”

This shift underscores an important lesson we often try to teach our clients during the college application process: how you talk about your experiences matters. Whether it’s building elaborate LEGO worlds or crafting mods in Minecraft, those hobbies might reflect critical thinking, creativity, or entrepreneurial savvy – all of which make for standout college essays and, increasingly, real-world career value.

That same generation is now diving deep into another emerging tool: generative AI. While teachers and essay coaches might groan, there’s no denying AI’s role in the modern workforce. Professionals across industries use tools like ChatGPT for routine writing tasks – which is why we found this Inside Higher Education story so fascinating. The University of Michigan Law School is now requiring (!) applicants to use generative AI in one of their optional essay prompts. The school is hoping to better understand how future law students interact with AI tools – and how that might reflect their adaptability and foresight. Here’s the prompt:

“TO BE ANSWERED USING GENERATIVE AI: How much do you use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT right now? What’s your prediction for how much you will use them by the time you graduate from law school? Why?”

The school will compare this AI-generated response to the applicant’s other writing, which must be completed without AI assistance. UM’s innovative approach recognizes AI’s growing influence – and also tests students’ ability to use it responsibly and reflectively. We’re curious to see if other colleges begin incorporating similar prompts into their applications.

Need a dose of optimism? New Jersey’s Centenary University is offering something we never knew we needed: a PhD in Happiness Studies. Starting this fall, the four-year, fully virtual program will focus on “human flourishing,” drawing from fields like psychology, literature, neuroscience, and religion. Graduates may go on to careers in education, consulting, public policy, or mental health advocacy. In a world grappling with stress and uncertainty, higher education’s embrace of well-being feels like a much-needed step forward. And hey – a few government officials with a doctorate in happiness couldn’t hurt!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Let’s wrap up with a few key updates for our local readers:

NOVA’s Early Online College program is back – and it’s a golden opportunity for rising juniors and seniors (students entering 11th or 12th grade) to take up to two tuition-free college courses per semester. It’s a fantastic way to experience college-level academics, strengthen your transcript, and potentially earn transferable credits. Even if the credits don’t carry over to your dream school, admissions officers love to see this kind of initiative. But don’t wait – the application deadline is today (Friday, July 25, at 5 PM)!

In other local news, Fairfax County Public Schools has made an important change to its grading policies. Students who retake a major test or project can now earn a maximum score of 90% on that redo – even if they ace it. While this policy is meant to encourage preparation and accountability, it also means that making the most of the first attempt is more important than ever. If it’s a choice between completing a minor assignment or studying for a big test, our advice is to hit the books and focus on what counts most toward your grade!

FCPS also made the decision to tighten its cell phone policy starting this August. Students will no longer be allowed to use personal devices – including phones, AirPods, smartwatches, and the like – during class or during passing periods. Devices must be off and put away throughout the academic day, except during lunch and before or after school hours.

This marks a shift from the previous policy, which permitted device use between classes. It’s a good idea to talk with your student about how this change might affect their routines – especially if they’ve been relying on their phone for time checks, music between classes, or quick messages.

And finally, mark your calendars: Wednesday, October 8 is a testing day for FCPS high schoolers (in addition to many independent schools).10th and 11th graders will take the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), while 12th graders will participate in SAT School Day on campus. Loudoun County students in grades 9-11 and Montgomery County students in grade 10 will also take the PSAT in October on dates that vary from school to school.

Remember: because these exams are administered by the College Board, accommodations are not automatic – even if your student has existing supports in place at school. If your rising 10th, 11th, or 12th grader may need testing accommodations or multilingual support, you’ll need to submit the appropriate forms to your high school SSD coordinator by Monday, August 4.

Stay happy, everyone!

Don’t Miss What’s Happening In Higher Ed — Check Out Our Other Summer 2025 Posts below:

Weekly Update: July 16

Wow – somehow we’re already halfway through July! We hope everyone is enjoying the summer so far … though we wouldn’t mind a break from these relentless storms. Monday in particular was crazy! Wet staycations and travel delays aren’t ideal, but we’re staying energized here at DCCC as more and more supplemental essay prompts roll in. That means it’s time to transform those generic responses into school-specific standouts – and our essay coaches are ready for it!

Meanwhile, higher education continues to dominate headlines, with the presidential administration pressing forward on sweeping reforms. Many of this week’s updates build on stories we’ve covered in previous posts, and with college applications in full swing, it’s an especially important time to keep an eye on these evolving issues.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

Florida First State to Take Action Towards its Alt-accreditation Initiative 

A few weeks back, we highlighted Florida’s push to create an alternative to traditional accreditation boards – and now the Sunshine State is putting money behind the plan. Florida has committed $4 million to its newly proposed Commission for Higher Education, but so far, it remains the only state actively moving forward. While promoting diversity in accreditation sounds good in theory, the political overtones are hard to ignore. We'll keep tracking this story as it develops.

University of Virginia Faculty Vote No Confidence in Governing Board

In the wake of UVA President Jim Ryan’s resignation – reportedly tied to federal pressure over DEI programs – the university's faculty senate has now issued a vote of no confidence in the Board of Visitors. Faculty are demanding transparency and a stronger voice in selecting Ryan’s replacement, calling for 75% faculty representation on the next presidential search committee.

Another Virginia University Under Scrutiny

George Mason University is now under the microscope, echoing UVA’s troubles. The Department of Education has launched a civil rights investigation, focused on hiring practices and the university’s response to antisemitism. President Gregory Washington, however, is standing firm in defense of GMU, emphasizing the school’s efforts to remain “safe and welcoming.” The university has promised faster cooperation than UVA – likely hoping to avoid similar fallout. As a reminder, GMU is the largest public four-year university in Virginia, with over 40,000 students enrolling each year.

A Big Win for Small Colleges

Tucked into the recent economic bill is a welcome surprise for small liberal-arts colleges: schools enrolling fewer than 3,000 tuition-paying students are now exempt from endowment taxes. That means millions in savings for these institutions – and potentially, better support for students and surrounding communities. This cross-party win could prove transformative, especially for small religious or rural colleges. (Stay tuned – we’re planning a future post on small colleges with big personalities!)

Massive Blow to the Department of Education

Despite judicial resistance, the Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Trump’s plan to drastically reduce the Department of Education. With nearly 1,400 jobs slashed, the department remains operational but significantly weakened. The shift puts more control in the hands of individual states, raising new questions about equity and access in education. We’ll continue to monitor the implications for students and families.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Higher education has always reflected broader cultural conversations, and this week’s standout articles underscore just how interconnected college life is with national politics, global economics, and career planning.

One of the most comprehensive pieces comes from The New York Times, which offers an in-depth look at why several prominent universities – including Harvard, Columbia, and UCLA – are now facing increased federal scrutiny. The administration has raised concerns related to antisemitism and DEI practices, and critics argue that certain institutions represent a broader ideological stance that deserves reevaluation. Whether or not these schools are doing anything differently from others is up for debate, but it’s clear they have become symbolic touchpoints in a larger national discussion about values in higher education. Some schools have chosen to defend their practices publicly, while others have taken a more conciliatory approach.

For students, the message is less about politics and more about staying informed. The changes under way could affect course offerings, research funding, and even tuition in the long run – but for now, most undergraduates can stay focused on the academic and campus experiences that matter most for their personal goals.

A different kind of challenge is emerging globally, as The Washington Post reports that more recent college graduates in China are enrolling in master’s programs amid an increasingly competitive job market. Many believe that an advanced degree will give them a hiring edge, though career experts caution that more education isn’t always the best investment. The same trend is being observed here in the U.S., and as our essay coach Alan (who also teaches at the University of Maryland) notes, graduate degrees should be pursued with clear intent – especially since many fields place more value on experience, networking, and skills over additional credentials. One quote from the article – originally referring to the job market in China – feels especially relevant to recent graduates here in the U.S. as well:

“Many people mistakenly assume that once they have a graduate degree, they will receive a golden key to employment … But in reality, that only buys a ticket to entry. Whether you can land a good job still depends on your abilities. … Having academic qualifications is the bare minimum needed for job searchers, not an advantage.”

That’s why colleges offering robust experiential learning opportunities are worth a serious look. Drexel University, for instance, is expanding its co-op model under the leadership of new president Antonio Merlo. Known for its balance of academic rigor and hands-on professional experience, Drexel is enhancing its curriculum to include more civic engagement and study abroad options. It’s a great reminder that preparing for a successful career often comes down to what students do during college – not just where they go.

If you’re starting to draft your supplemental essays, a thoughtful opinion piece in The New York Times explores how prompts are evolving. Many colleges are moving away from personal identity questions and instead asking students to reflect on moments of disagreement – challenging conversations, differing perspectives, or ethical dilemmas. It’s a promising shift that encourages deeper thinking and empathy, but there’s also concern that students may shy away from being honest if they worry about saying the “wrong” thing. That’s exactly where good coaching matters. At DCCC, we help students write essays that are sincere, reflective, and grounded in their actual experiences – no need to posture or play it safe.

And finally, in a particularly exciting development for students interested in psychology, neuroscience, or education, a new study from Princeton University and the Simons Foundation has identified four biologically distinct subtypes of autism. Published in Nature Genetics, the research analyzed data from over 5,000 children and used a “person-centered” approach to cluster traits rather than isolating single behaviors. The findings connect these autism subtypes to distinct genetic patterns – a breakthrough that could pave the way for earlier diagnoses and more personalized interventions. For students drawn to mental health or the sciences, this is a compelling example of how cutting-edge research can directly impact lives and learning. On a practical level, this is also a big win for our neurodiverse students, as it opens the door to more tailored support services in schools and on college campuses.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

More school-specific prompts are being released by the day (thanks, Emory and USD!), and the rest are on their way – the sooner we have those foundational generic drafts complete, the more efficiently we can customize them for each school.

Next up? The deep dive into “Why This School?” essays. Our coaches are gearing up for the research phase using our signature “ASC Yourself” method – a guided approach to uncovering what makes each college a uniquely great fit. It’s time to dig into academics, social life, and campus culture – and hey, if dorm AC is a deciding factor, we totally get it!

Stay cool and dry this week!

Keep Up with all your higher ed news by checking out our previous weekly updates!

Campuses with the Best Dining Hall Culture (Yes, It's a Thing)

Campus dining – it’s rarely a top priority when choosing colleges, and often remembered as a low point by those of us long past our undergrad days. From cardboard cafeteria fare to fast food options that put the 15 in “Freshman 15,” campus chow is hardly the highlight of the college experience.

But times are changing! Many colleges are raising the bar with creative, high-quality food that goes far beyond basic cafeteria fare. Dining halls are now places of community and connection – spaces where students mix, mingle, and sometimes even commiserate. Shouldn’t they deserve the same attention as athletic fields, club spaces, and study halls?

Plus, quality nutrition is key to a sharp mind … something to remember next time you’re choosing between Coca-Cola or kombucha.

Here are a few schools serving up standout dining experiences for food-loving students who care as much about what’s on their plate as what’s on the syllabus.

Northwestern University (IL)

Meets-Your-Needs Dining

Northwestern offers one of the most inclusive dining programs you’ll find on any college campus. Beyond the common vegetarian/vegan lines (which they have too - look for the Rooted stations), Northwestern cares about every culinary preference or restriction. Their Pure Eats stations prepare food free from the 9 most common food allergens, and both Kosher and Halal preparations are available for students following religious observances. If nutrition is your primary concern, signs, digital monitors, and the “Dine on Campus App” will provide you with all the information you need. Better yet, you can just ask Olga Goumas (MS, RDN, LDN), the on-campus dietitian!

You also won’t want to miss their retail dining locations; the Smashing Pumpkin protein shake at Protein Bar & Kitchen is a must-try. Even if you stick to the dining halls, there’s a lot to appreciate – like the Lake Michigan views. It’s not every day you get to enjoy an antibiotic-free chicken sandwich with locally sourced pickles or sip a fair trade dark roast during an all-night study sesh.

James Madison University (VA)

Eating Right for the Planet

Coming in at #8 in The Princeton Review’s national ranking of best campus food, JMU has a well-earned reputation for top-notch eats. Sure, you’ll find the usual favorites – from all-you-can-eat buffets to Chick-fil-A and Dunkin’ counters – but students really love how easy it is to find them. Food is never more than a hacky-sack’s throw away – seriously, JMU makes sure you’re never far from your next meal!

JMU also meets a wide range of dietary needs – from vegan to Halal – and their Campus Dish app makes it easy to monitor nutrition, with simple icons to identify grain-free, plant-forward, and other options.

And sustainability isn’t just a buzzword here. If environmental awareness is part of your value system, you’ll appreciate JMU’s Green Thread commitment. From sourcing ingredients responsibly and reducing waste to cutting fuel use and rethinking single-use packaging, dining at JMU means making choices that help – not harm – the planet.

Muhlenberg College (PA)

A True Dining Community

Consistently ranked the #1 College Food in Pennsylvania and most recently named #10 in the nation by The Princeton Review, Muhlenberg offers some of the classiest campus dining you’ll find. Say goodbye to cardboard-crusted frozen pizzas – your Tuscan-style pies will be hand-tossed. Craft a sandwich on house-made sourdough, sample regional and organic produce at the Croutons salad bar, or stop by the Noshery for Kosher shawarma. Whatever your craving – or dietary restriction – Muhlenberg’s Wood Dining Commons has you covered.

But what students enjoy as much as the food is the experience of dining at Wood. “inviting upscale casual But what students love as much as the food is the experience of dining at Wood. Their mission includes “inviting upscale casual dining opportunities in support of learning and socialization” – and from the constant buzz in the Dining Commons, it’s clear the space is a true hub of student life. Students love the friendly chefs at every station – and the chance to sit down with some vegan focaccia and their econ notes doesn’t hurt either.

Gettysburg College (PA)

The Family Dinner Table 

A regular in The Princeton Review’s Top 20 Best Campus Food rankings, Gettysburg understands how central food can be to building community. The main dining hall – affectionately known as “Servo” – is the place to be on campus year-round, offering a home-cooked vibe for carnivores and vegans alike. On stroganoff night, for example, you can choose between beef or portabella mushroom with tofu. Upscale offerings show up often too – like spiced honey-brushed Halal chicken thighs or dishes made using their in-house wood smoker.

But what students talk about most is that family feeling. Those who can’t travel home in late November rave about Servo Thanksgiving – a beloved campus tradition that recreates the warmth (and abundance) of a real holiday meal. You can read more about that here. And nothing says “home” like warm chocolate chip cookies – if there’s one thing Gettysburg students remember about campus dining, it’s the legendary Servo cookies.

Elon University (NC)

The Gateway to Global Cuisine

The Carolinas have seen a true culinary renaissance in recent years – and it’s definitely made its way to Elon. Learn about a culture through its food, starting with red wine–marinated pork, country-fried chicken, and a sweet potato side.

What really excites Elon students, though, is the range of dining options – especially the international selections. At Lakeside Dining Hall, you can visit The World station or grab tacos from The Taqueria, while McEwen’s Restaurant Rotation brings in a new global cuisine every week. And don’t miss the Asian-inspired daily specials at Isabella’s in Clohan Hall!

But the food culture doesn’t stop on campus. Each year, Elon Dining’s Bites Abroad program sponsors one student studying abroad to serve as a Food Ambassador – sharing their culinary and cultural experiences through campus events and digital storytelling.

Bowdoin College (ME)

Where Food is a “Big Deal”

Dining at Bowdoin is a “big deal” – literally, that’s what it says on their website. And with around 98% of students on the meal plan, it’s hard to argue. Bowdoin is all about simple dishes done right – from chowders to BBQ chicken, nearly everything is prepared from scratch with care and consistency.

Sustainability is a priority at many of our top-chow colleges, but Bowdoin stands out for how deeply students are involved. Since 2005, students have worked the on-campus organic farm. A student advisory board helps guide food decisions, and student ambassadors even consult with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to promote ethical seafood practices.

And if you’re wondering about the maple syrup – yes, it’s real, and yes, Bowdoin faculty tap the trees themselves, so you know it’s the good stuff!

University of Massachusetts, Amherst (MA)

The Top Choice

Coming in at #1 on The Princeton Review’s most recent list of Best Campus Food, UMass Amherst proudly calls itself “America’s Most Awarded Dining Program” – and it’s easy to see why. UMass Dining serves over 45,000 meals a day, influencing not only the local food economy but also helping to set the national standard for campus dining.

With four dining halls, two food trucks, and several retail locations, you’re never far from a good meal. And for students keeping late hours, UMass earns high praise for serving food until midnight every night. From hand-rolled sushi to tenders and tots at Chicken & Co., you’ll never go hungry – even after back-to-back classes and a marathon chem lab.

Want to know what it’s really like? Check out this student perspective on why UMass is #1 – Italian gelato included!

Why Campus Dining Culture Matters

While a college’s dining options probably won’t be the first thing you consider when deciding where to spend the next four years, they can tell you a lot about a school’s values. A welcoming, well-run dining hall often reflects a campus that prioritizes connection, community, and student well-being. If sustainability matters to you, look at how a school sources its food. And since you’ll definitely miss a few home-cooked meals, it’s worth thinking about the food culture on campus.

So if you’re building your list and wondering which colleges truly feel like home – we’re here to help.

Book a Meet & Greet to learn what it’s like to work with us and how we help families find schools where students can thrive – at the dining table and beyond.

If you're not planning to work with us throughout the full admissions process but want help right now with your college list, you can also Book a One-Time Strategy Session.

Read More about What Makes College Campuses Unique Below:

Weekly Update : July 11

Can you believe it’s already the second week of July? Summer always feels like it takes forever to arrive – and then it flies by in a flash. Of course, that’s probably because it’s just so much fun. We hope you had a fantastic 4th of July weekend, whether you were grilling with family, catching fireworks in your neighborhood, or making progress on college essays poolside! 🙋🏼‍♀️

Now that we’ve all had a chance to relax and recharge, it’s time to dive back into the latest from the world of college admissions!

Editing essays from one of my all-time happy places – the Winnetu on Martha’s Vineyard 🦞🚲🍦🌸

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

Big News from Michigan: Early Decision Arrives + Essay Shake-Up

For the 🚨🚨🚨first time in university history🚨🚨🚨, the University of Michigan will offer an Early Decision (binding) option, joining its existing Early Action and Regular Decision plans. This is major news for students with Michigan as their clear first choice – ED offers a new way to signal serious commitment to one of the nation’s most competitive public universities.

Michigan also updated one of its required essays. The long-standing “community” essay has been replaced by a new prompt focused on leadership and impact. The second essay – asking students to describe their interest in a specific undergraduate school or program – remains unchanged.

With the addition of Early Decision and a new leadership-focused essay, Michigan is encouraging applicants to show not just interest – but alignment. Students should be thoughtful, early, and purposeful in their approach.

Bonus for this year’s applicants: Michigan is also launching two new academic options, including a four-year Integrated Business and Engineering dual degree (Ross + Engineering) and a first-year entry path to its newly expanded Educator Preparation Program through the Marsal School of Education.

Columbia University Will Pay $9 Million in Class Action Lawsuit

Columbia University has agreed to a $9 million settlement in a class action lawsuit brought by former students, stemming from allegations that it submitted misleading data – including inflated class size averages – to U.S. News & World Report. The questionable figures helped Columbia land the coveted #2 spot in the 2022 rankings. But after a Columbia math professor publicly questioned the data, the university’s ranking plummeted to #18.

Plaintiffs argued they paid a premium based on prestige that may not have been fully earned. While Columbia hasn’t admitted to any wrongdoing, it did acknowledge submitting inaccurate data. Students who attended between 2016 and 2022 are eligible for about $273 – the cost of two textbooks (or maybe one, depending on the bookstore). More importantly, the case is a potent reminder: rankings are not everything. Many colleges offer small classes, dedicated faculty, and outstanding outcomes – without the drama or the price tag.

The Big Bill’s Impact on Higher Ed

A sweeping new federal budget and tax bill passed last week is expected to bring lasting changes to higher education funding. Among the most immediate impacts: higher taxes on large university endowments, which could limit institutional aid at wealthy colleges. Coupled with new caps on federal loans, this could make college less accessible for low-income students.

But it’s not all downside. Pell Grants can now be used for certain certification programs – a win for students pursuing career-focused paths at community colleges or trade schools. And 529 college savings plans just got more flexible: families can now use those funds for college prep and tutoring expenses (including DC College Counseling services, SAT/ACT prep, and so forth!). 💰💰💰

Bryan Kohberger Pleads Guilty: Justice Served, But Questions Remain

In a case that shocked the college town of Moscow, Idaho, and the nation, Bryan Kohberger – a criminology PhD student – pleaded guilty last week to the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students. The plea deal spares the victims’ families a lengthy trial and ensures Kohberger will serve four consecutive life sentences without parole.

Still, for many, the resolution leaves unanswered questions – especially why the crime happened in the first place. The case serves as a sobering reminder of how tightly knit and vulnerable college communities can be, and why campus safety remains a top concern for students and parents alike.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

This week’s articles explore how success – and the path to it – is evolving, often in surprising and sometimes contradictory ways.

Let’s start with the millennials, who’ve charted a very different course from their Boomer parents. While medicine and law once dominated the top-earning brackets, today’s highest earners are more likely found in tech, finance, and emerging sectors like cybersecurity. According to The Wall Street Journal, the so-called dot-com generation has reshaped what “success” looks like – and the numbers back it up.

Full disclosure: this piece isn’t technically new – but it showed up as “new” on Apple News this week, and that’s good enough for us! It’s an insightful reminder that the careers of tomorrow often look different than the ones we grew up idolizing.

That shift isn’t just about what kind of work people do, but where they’re willing to go to get there. Earlier generations often stuck to the best in-state public university. Millennials – and now Gen Z – have shown a greater willingness to move across the country and invest in elite private schools if it means a better shot at long-term opportunity. The article shared a 2023 study by Opportunity Insights, which found that attending an elite private college rather than a public flagship increases a student’s chances of landing in the top 1% of earners by roughly 60%.

That said, before you reroute your teen’s major to computer science or finance, let’s pause. The takeaway here isn’t about locking into a single track – it’s about staying nimble. If I were applying to college now, I’d be thinking hard about how AI might play into any field I’m considering. Flexibility is key.

That same adaptive spirit is showing up in less conventional ways, too – like in the Texas housing market. High-earning families are finding a workaround to qualify for in-state tuition by families are purchasing condos for their kids. Buying property meets one of the residency criteria in Texas, and for those who can afford it, the math makes sense: buying in cash, living there during college, and selling after graduation can net a savings of around $90,000 on tuition. It’s not exactly equitable – or glamorous (some of these listings seem to be part of a “Febreze and vomit” real estate trend) – but it’s happening.

Meanwhile, in the Hamptons, an idea so brilliant I’m a little jealous: the “Nanny Network.” Launched by a Chi Omega from Ole Miss, the service pairs Southern sorority women with families seeking summer childcare. Is this brilliant or is this brilliant? With international au pairs harder to come by in the wake of visa freezes, this business is filling a real gap – and doing it well. These students bring years of experience (babysitting, camp counseling, you name it) along with soft skills that parents love: poise, adaptability, and great communication.

Beyond summer gigs, there’s long-term strategy here for the nannies, too. They often use their free time to explore internships, build connections, and test out careers. It’s a perfect reminder that no experience is too small to open a big door!

As a mom of two kids who spent most of a recent vacation interviewing au pairs on FaceTime – and exactly none of those interviews amounted to anything, which was awesome – this struck a particular chord with me. I am absolutely convinced there’s a viable, slightly-altered DC version of this model waiting to be launched. In all seriousness, if anyone wants to explore this idea with me, reach out. I truly believe there is a gap to be filled!

On a more sobering note, Scientific American published a tough but important piece on how sweeping federal cuts to science and medical research are impacting early-career researchers. Grad students and recent PhDs – especially in fields like public health and virology – are facing hiring freezes, grant shortages, and low morale. Many are even considering leaving the U.S. for more supportive research environments.

We’d never discourage students from following their passions – but this is exactly why we recommend going into college with an open mind. The landscape shifts quickly, and flexibility will always be a strength.

Finally, to end with a little levity: this WSJ lifestyle piece about teenagers is a hilarious (and painfully accurate) reminder that the traits in our kids that drive us crazy might also be their superpowers. I, for one, could stand to be a little more spontaneous. So before ripping our hair out over their choices, maybe we take a page from their book – and try being just a little more … chill.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

On a more somber note, we want to acknowledge the tragedy that took place at Camp Mystic in Texas. We know a staff member there, and like many of you, we’ve been feeling the weight of this heartbreaking news all week. I’ve honestly been sick about it. The whole situation hits close to home: from the personal connection, to having a child the same age as the young campers, to the fact that so many of our students spend their summers working at sleepaway camps.

Every time I see the photos of the counselors who died – recently graduated seniors, preparing to start college this fall – I can’t help but think of the many teens we’ve worked with over the years. Our hearts are with the families and the entire camp community as they navigate the unimaginable.

One safety tip I came across – and want to pass along in case it helps another family – is to double-check whether any sleepaway camp your child is involved with, whether they’re attending as a camper or working as a counselor, is ACA-accredited. Camp Mystic was not, and ACA-accredited camps are required to meet specific safety and operational standards. Would that have changed anything? I truly don’t know. But if there’s ever a situation where “better safe than sorry” applies, this feels like one.

Wishing everyone a safe and steady weekend – take care out there, and we’ll see you next week!

For More Important Happenings In Higher Ed, See Our Other Weekly Updates:

Weekly Update: July 2

July has finally arrived – time for fireworks, family barbecues, and hopefully some time to relax! It’s also blazing hot and muggy in the DMV (and beyond), so stay cool and hydrated.

And speaking of soaring temperatures, the heat around higher education continues to build, too! Here’s your updated deep dive:

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

President of the University of Virginia Resigns

On June 27, 2025, Jim Ryan stepped down as President of the University of Virginia after months of federal pressure over the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The U.S. Department of Justice had accused UVA of failing to fully dismantle its DEI infrastructure, and the institution was under investigation for potential civil rights violations of anti-discrimination laws. In a public letter printed in The New York Times, Ryan said he believed staying on could put federal funding, research grants, student aid, and international student visas at risk. He chose to resign rather than jeopardize those resources.

Reactions were sharply divided. Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine called the move a politically motivated overreach, and more than 100 UVA faculty members signed a letter warning about threats to academic freedom. However, many others felt the resignation was long overdue and necessary to bring UVA in line with federal law with regard to DEI initiatives. Ryan also faced significant criticism regarding his response to reports of antisemitism on campus, particularly during pro-Palestinian protests.

No matter which side of the spectrum you fall, this is a good reminder to families evaluating colleges: look beyond rankings and consider how a school is navigating the social and political pressures shaping student life.

University of California System Under Investigation

The University of California system is now under federal investigation over concerns that its efforts to boost enrollment among underrepresented students may violate the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against race-based admissions. At issue is the U.C. 2030 Capacity Plan, which lays out goals for improving access to under-represented students to reflect California’s diversity. While the Department of Justice has major concerns about this plan, a university spokesperson says U.C. will work “in good faith” with federal officials – and insists that the plan follows the law because it doesn’t use quotas.

Florida Proposes Alternative Accreditation Body

Meanwhile, other states are challenging the accreditation process by which colleges and universities receive federal funding. Spearheaded by the state of Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis, five Southern states are creating a new group, the Commission for Public Higher Education. This would provide an alternative approach to reviewing schools in the hopes of promoting more conservative educational practices. Their 2023 lawsuit to overturn the current setup didn’t succeed, but supporters are optimistic that the Trump administration might approve the new Commission. The plan already has the President’s endorsement.

Unemployment Impacting Recent Grads Continues to Soar

Picking up from last week’s update, unemployment among recent college grads is still making headlines – and the numbers aren’t great. For degree holders between the ages of 22 and 27, jobless rates have hit a 12-year high. When the economy gets shaky, companies often pull back on entry-level hiring, which puts new grads in a tough spot. Add in concerns about tariffs and the rise of AI, and you’ve got an especially uncertain job market for popular degree fields like IT and law. Some people are starting to question whether college is still worth it – but here’s the thing: the Associated Press points out that college grads consistently earn more and face less unemployment over the course of their lives. So if you're debating whether higher ed is a smart move, the long-term payoff still makes a pretty strong case – even if things feel a little rocky right now!

Princeton Review Drops Best Value Colleges of 2025 List

We always say to take rankings with a grain of salt, but Princeton Review’s annual Best Value Colleges list is one we actually like. Why? Because it looks at cost and long-term return on investment – not just prestige. It also recognizes that “best value” can mean different things depending on your financial situation. According to the just-released 2025 list, MIT tops the charts for students who aren’t applying for financial aid, while Williams College is the standout for those who are. Georgia Tech also shines as a top value across multiple categories for public schools. If you’re narrowing down your college list, it’s definitely worth comparing tuition costs against likely career outcomes.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

The Washington Post recently spoke with university faculty and recent grads to put a personal lens on the tough job market. With entry-level hiring largely paused and AI reshaping the workplace, many young adults feel like their side-hustles taught them more than their actual coursework (and honestly – I bet a lot of parents could identify with the lack of relevance of their undergraduate coursework, too). As one grad put it: the career path they’d prepared for just isn’t hiring. Still, others are forging ahead, taking leaps of faith – and we’re rooting for every single one of them!

In the face of all this, many grads are landing in roles that don’t quite match their expectations. And while it’s normal to take a job to pay the bills, it doesn’t mean the work has to feel meaningless. A recent article in The Atlantic outlines how you can turn any job into a calling by:

1. Looking within – focus on the fun or fulfilling parts of your job.

2. Following your curiosity – seek out tasks that genuinely interest you.

3. Being that person – help others; it's one of the most reliable ways to feel purpose.

For anyone feeling off-course – or just getting started – it’s a refreshing take on how mindset can shape experience.

On a lighter note, SFGate recently reported on Chapman University’s unique appeal to Disney fans. Thanks to its location near Disneyland, students can see nightly fireworks from campus – and yes, Disney-themed classes and projects are a thing! Some professors have even integrated park visits into their syllabi, and there's talk of launching an actual Disney Studies program. For families visiting colleges this summer, it’s a great reminder that location and local culture can seriously enhance the student experience. If you like the idea of combining a campus tour with a Disneyland visit, check out our post on Colleges with the Coolest Summer Events – we have lots of other fun combinations for you to consider!

Finally, while we're on the topic of tours – a wild story out of Virginia Tech serves as a quick reality check. Last week, 10 prospective students on a tour fell through a utility grate! Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported, but it's a reminder that even the most scenic campuses come with their hazards. As always: be curious, be observant – and maybe watch where you walk!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

As many of our students dive into writing those all-important supplemental essays, we’re encouraging them to think about the unique communities and activities that have shaped who they are. Sports and summer camps are great – but leadership experience can be even more powerful (and essay-worthy!).

For our FCPS families, here’s a fantastic opportunity: Fairfax County Public Schools is now accepting applications for student members to serve on School Board Community Advisory Committees (CACs) for the 2025–2026 school year. This is a great chance to make a real impact while gaining experience in civic engagement, public service, and collaboration.

Student committee members must be current FCPS high schoolers (rising 9th–12th graders) and will serve a one-year term from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. Members engage with their respective committees and provide feedback to the incoming Student Representative to the School Board, Faith Mekonen.

Available Committees include:

• Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee (ACEAC)

• Advanced Academic Programs Advisory Committee (AAPAC)

• Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD)

• Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC)

• Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC)

• School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC)

Interested? Apply here. The priority deadline for interview consideration is July 7, 2025 – so don’t wait!

Enjoy the rest of your week - and don’t forget to book more meetings, rising seniors! School-specific supplemental essays keep dropping!

For More Higher Ed News, Check Out Our Other Recent Weekly Updates: