BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK
THE SAT GOES DIGITAL
Some of the biggest news this week has been around the SAT, which announced a major change this week - the SAT will go fully digital in 2024, and the length of the test will shorten to just two hours.
If you are preparing to take the test now, this likely won’t have an effect on your planned test administrations, but ninth graders and younger students should be aware of the big changes to come!
This article is helpful as a clear breakdown of what we currently know and don’t know about this new SAT, and one of the SAT tutors that we work with also published a blog this week about how these changes could affect students’ preparation. They might even impact whether the students choose to take the ACT or SAT!
SCOIR ANNOUNCES COALITION INTEGRATION
While the Common App is fairly, well, common to our students, some of those who haven’t yet started the application process may have never heard of the Coalition for College Access. The Coalition Application operates much like the Common App (though we find it way more confusing!) in that it allows students to apply to multiple colleges through the same site. There are a few schools that will only accept the Coalition App, and others that take both, but in general the majority are Common App-exclusive and do not opt for a Coalition affiliation.
This week, the admissions software Scoir (which many high schools have begun to use as an alternative to Naviance) announced a partnership that will allow students to apply to Coalition schools directly through Scoir’s platform. The Scoir integration will take the place of the Coalition’s own application.
This is a controversial move and we definitely have some concerns. Colleen will be attending a webinar next week to learn more about how this will impact students, and we will give you an update.
ON-CAMPUS VISITS ARE BACK
Many of our students are planning spring break trips to see schools, and we’re excited that some are open again for on-campus tours! If you’re trying to plan your college visits, check out this list from College Kickstart of schools offering on-campus tours. The list covers the top 50 national universities and the top 50 liberal arts colleges, so this is a great starting point for your spring break.
SUPREME COURT HEARS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION CASE
The anti-affirmative action cases against Harvard and UNC’s admissions processes have made their way to the Supreme Court. This is the first time the Supreme Court will make a ruling on affirmative action since upholding the practice in 2016. Most universities do consider race as a factor in the admissions process, so if this practice is overturned, it will likely have far-reaching consequences in the admissions world. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case during its next term, beginning in October.
FCPS UPDATES
FCPS’s live virtual career fair will run from February 14-February 17. This provides a great opportunity for students to learn about different careers and get connected to local professionals for networking opportunities. Don’t miss it!
And for parents and educators of special needs students, the Annual FCPS Special Education Conference is coming on March 26 - registration will open in March.
BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK
After TJ removed a testing component as part of its admissions process, the school was hit with a lawsuit (which is still pending). But other highly selective, public technical high schools may soon be facing the same situation. This article explores the testing requirements for entry to schools like TJ, New York’s Brooklyn Tech, and San Francisco’s Lowell High School. This is a long read, but worth it for anyone interested in the nuances of how testing affects (or doesn’t) the diversity of the student body at these selective public schools.
The general counsels for UVA and George Mason have been fired by the new Virginia attorney general. So far, we don’t know whether general counsels for other Virginia public colleges have also been let go. A statement from the attorney general’s office says that they hope to appoint new counsel that will be more in line with the goals of the office rather than the philosophy of the universities.
OFFICE HAPPENINGS
It is hard to believe how fast this year has gone, but as we keep emphasizing - it is already time for high school students to start thinking about their summer plans! The process continues to be uncertain this year, so we recommend that students have a summer option they’d like to pursue if the pandemic allows, and then a backup option that would make them equally happy if Omicron necessitates that they choose a virtual experience this summer.
Still not sure of your summer plans? Check out our Summer 2022 Virtual Opportunities Database for some ideas! We will continue to add new in-person and virtual opportunities in the DC area and around the country on a weekly basis, so bookmark this page to stay up-to-date on all of your summer options.
Enjoy the weekend - stay safe in the snow!! And good luck to all our first-year girls at UVA finishing up formal recruitment this weekend!!
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