Weekly Update: November 4

And.. we’re back!

RECENT COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS

DIVORCED FAMILIES TAKE ON ELITE UNIVERSITIES OVER ALLEGED ANTITRUST SCHEMES

A lawsuit filed in federal court accuses the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova, and 38 other private universities of colluding to make college more expensive for students with divorced parents. The schools require financial aid applicants to include income from both parents through the CSS Profile (as well as their spouses, if they are married), even if only one parent provides financial support. The suit alleges that this approach, which began in 2006, increased tuition costs by an average of $6,200 per student. It claims that this practice violated antitrust laws by limiting competition and making college less affordable, causing stress and financial strain for families. 

This year’s FAFSA redesign has been tough on divorced families, too. Previously, the custodial parent (defined as the parent the student lived with the most during the past year) was responsible for completing the FAFSA. The new FAFSA will now require financial information from the parent who provides the most financial support – and that parent’s spouse, if they are married. If parents provide 50/50 financial support, the FAFSA will require financial information from the parent/spouse pair with the highest income and assets – regardless of custody arrangements or willingness to pay for college.

A WHITE COAT WITH DARK INTENTIONS AT MIAMI

When reflecting on the professionals that students should be able to trust most in a university setting, it’s hard to think of positions higher on that list than professors and doctors. And yet, a professor (and medical doctor) from the University of Miami’s medical school was recently arrested for trafficking and distributing GHB, according to police reports. GHB is widely known as a common date-rape drug; rapists put it in beverages so their victims will lose consciousness. This horrifying incident has raised significant concerns and discussions among students, staff, and the local community about campus safety and ethics at the U. So far, his name has been removed from the school’s website - and we will definitely continue to follow this case to monitor the university’s response.

RECORD-BREAKING DONATIONS ELEVATE W&L AND VILLANOVA

Washington and Lee University received a record $132 million donation from alumnus Bill Miller, the largest in the school’s history (and one of the largest financial aid-related gifts in history for any liberal arts college). It will enable the school to institute a brand new need-blind admissions process, as well as a no-loan financial aid policy. Similarly, Villanova University just announced a $40 million gift - its second-largest ever. This anonymous gift will support the President’s Strategic Initiative Fund, allowing investments in academic programs, campus improvements, and student needs. The gifts to both schools underscore efforts to increase access, affordability, and the overall student experience.

THE NEW RUTGERS ROOMMATES NOBODY WANTED

Gross! Rutgers University students have raised very understandable concerns about bed bug infestations at their residence halls on the main campus in New Brunswick. They are urging the university to take more effective action to address the problem, as it continues to be unresolved over six months (!) after the outbreak began. The situation has prompted calls for better pest control and more transparency from the administration. We caution prospective students to be aware of these concerns - bed bugs could theoretically happen anywhere, but in our opinion, it’s unacceptable that this has gone on for six months.

IS MINNESOTA THE NEW DC?

Wondering which college had the highest voter turnout among students during the last presidential election? Nope, it’s not Georgetown, George Washington, or American - it’s St. Olaf College in Minnesota! The student body achieved an incredible 87% voter turnout during the last presidential election, an impressive feat driven by the college’s strong culture of civic engagement. This commitment to voting reinforces St. Olaf’s dedication to nurturing socially responsible and active citizens. Students interested in a campus that values civic involvement and leadership should make sure to check out St. Olaf - you can even read our thoughts about the school in our college profile (we’ve created these for a huge number of schools to help our students!).

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

While W&L and Villanova administrators are likely thrilled about the recent donations to their respective schools, their colleagues on other campuses are having a bit of a harder time. This Town & Country article explores the challenges that can occur when long-time wealthy donors begin to disagree with institutional policies. 

The piece discusses the recent wave of "donor revolts" at schools including Harvard, Penn, and Columbia, where formerly-generous alumni have threatened to withhold (or have already withdrawn) their support due to disagreements over campus policies - especially those related to political and social issues. This became a particular issue over the last year, as the donors reacted strongly to what they felt were failures to address antisemitism and other political stances.

These conflicts show the powerful influence that major donors can have on universities, sometimes pushing for actions or policies aligned with their beliefs. Critics argue that this kind of influence undermines academic freedom and the mission of higher education, while others believe it holds institutions accountable. One thing is for sure, though: the growing reliance of universities on these donations means that the disputes can significantly impact campus operations.

–

SMU in the ACC? UCLA in the Big Ten? The recent changes in college football conferences - motivated by financial opportunities, media rights deals, and the pursuit of higher visibility - have become downright confusing to prospective students. However, as The New York Times discusses, no one feels the impact more than the actual players. Yes, they are racking up all kinds of frequent flyer miles (and bonding opportunities!) but jetting across the country takes a major toll on their mental health, academic priorities, and ability to live a well-balanced life. 

The realignments have also impacted traditional rivalries, travel logistics, and the overall college sports landscape. They also reflect how college football - and many other college sports, like basketball - have become increasingly driven by business considerations. In combination with all of the NIL controversy, it’s no wonder that long-time coaches are leaving, one after the other. Everyone seems to agree that change is needed, but when will it happen? And how? We’re following this closely.

–

Data science has some competition for the position of “hottest new degree” - and the subject matter couldn’t be further away from anything quantitative! Strange as this may seem, a new trend has emerged for mid-career professionals to leave their established careers for a stint at … divinity school! From Wall Street analysts to singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers (yes - the Maggie Rogers who played at Madison Square Garden this past month!), twenty-somethings are flocking to Harvard, Duke, and more to pursue the country’s hottest graduate degree. Confused? You’re not alone, but this Town & Country article provides some helpful insight. 

No, most of the students aren’t trying to pursue careers in religion. Instead, they want to explore deeper questions of ethics, purpose, and morality. The trend reflects a desire for intellectual growth and a break from traditional career paths, with some seeing such degrees as unique credentials that distinguish them in fields valuing empathy and understanding. The programs offer flexibility, allowing students to pursue personal and interdisciplinary interests, impacting their careers and perspectives in unexpected ways. Impressive, yes - but if it were me, I’d still go the data science route. Think about the ROI!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It’s been a minute! I know we say this every year (and it’s true every year), but August-October was just beyond hectic in our office. Something that was a little bit different about this particular year was that a lot of colleges released their essay prompts later than usual. 

Most years, about half of the essay prompts are released in advance of the Common Application® refresh on August 1. This year was very different - we had a much smaller percentage of school-specific supplemental prompts in advance and it impacted the ability of our students (and staff!) to use the early summer months for specific prompts. 

Fortunately, we made sure that our students were done with their Common Application® and generic supplemental essays*, which made things as easy as possible for them once the school-specific supplemental prompts were released - but it was still a lot of work for us with many, many late nights spent editing! 

As a result, we made the executive decision to put the blog aside for a few months to focus on our seniors - but we’re excited to be back as things have calmed down! Onward to transfer apps :)

*Wondering what generic supplemental essays are? Stay tuned for an upcoming post..

Tips on First-Year Housing and Roommate Requests

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

1) Meet your deadlines

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

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

2) Research your options

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

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

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

3) Be honest with yourself…and your roommate questionnaire

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

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

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

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

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

4) Friends don’t always make the best roommates

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

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

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

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

6) Be your own advocate

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

Trend Watch: College Dorms Reimagined

“Back in our dorm days…”

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

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

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

Why the shift?

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

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

Trends in campus housing:

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

More privacy:

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

More community:

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

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

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

More comfort:

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

More choice:

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

Tell us about your dorm in the comments below!