Weekly Update: April 17

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

THE SUPREME COURT MAKES A $6 BILLION DECISION ON STUDENT LOANS

On Thursday, the Supreme Court declined to block a settlement that will provide $6 billion in relief to student loan borrowers. The settlement was meant to resolve a 2018 class action lawsuit against the Department of Education by those who claimed they were defrauded by their schools. A small group of colleges impacted by the ruling appealed to the Supreme Court, claiming the deal “did not assess the validity of the borrowers’ claims and would damage their reputations.” Although this case is not connected to President Biden’s proposal to cancel student debt, many wonder what the Supreme Court’s decision could mean for student loan cases in the future.

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT DELAYS RELEASE OF SCHOOL RANKINGS

If you’re anxiously awaiting the U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of best graduate schools, you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. On Friday, U.S. News & World Report announced that it will be moving its release date from April 18 to April 25. That’s because the news outlet has received a high volume of questions from schools included in the rankings, who were given a week to review the results. U.S. News & World Report is using the additional time to thoroughly respond to inquiries. 

STRIKE ENDS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

After a weeklong strike at Rutgers- the first in the university’s history- classes are back in session today! Strikers marched on three different Rutgers campuses, calling for increased job security, wages, and equality for faculty and staff. University officials worked with union representatives and announced this weekend that they’ve made a “framework agreement” for faculty contracts. Now professors are looking forward to returning to the classroom and finishing the spring semester. 

ANOTHER COLLEGE MAKES TEST-OPTIONAL ADMISSIONS PERMANENT

Last week Vassar College announced that their test-optional admissions policy is now permanent. Like many schools, Vassar first became test-optional during the pandemic. The decision to make this COVID-response policy permanent is grounded in current research, according to college president Elizabeth H. Bradley, who cited access, equity, and mental health as factors in the decision.

Mirabella at Arizona State University is a thriving senior community. You can read more about it here.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Forget moving south or living by the beach. Senior citizens can spend their retirement years on a college campus. Since the mid-2000s, several universities have built senior living communities on their grounds. Why, you might ask? Although it may seem like an odd choice, the unique partnership between a school and a senior community offers plenty of advantages. Not only does a school benefit financially, but so do its residents. Seniors become part of a youthful, energetic environment and undergrads have the chance to find mentors and internship opportunities through the senior community. Of course, such a model isn’t right for everyone. Schools need to do their research, so they understand how they might benefit seniors and how a senior community can benefit the campus environment. 

How do college students really feel about grades? That’s the question Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse sought to answer. Over 3,000 undergraduates were recently surveyed about their experiences with grading, and the results tell a very “nuanced” story. The numbers show that race, socioeconomic status, and learning differences impact the perception of grading fairness. These findings aren’t surprising to many in the education world. Instead, they reinforce what many have been calling for: alternative systems of grading that focus more on growth and mastery of skills over the traditional letter grades. Regardless of how grading systems and policies may morph in the future, one thing is clear. The survey reinforces the need for professors to be more transparent about their grading practices and their expectations for students. 

There’s always been thousands of colleges for young adults to choose from, but that hasn’t been the case for students with intellectual disabilities. Fortunately, though, several schools have developed successful programs over the past decade specifically designed to help students develop the skills necessary to live independently and prepare them for jobs. ClemsonLIFE is just one example! But with the rise in popularity of such programs comes the need for regulation and accreditation. Families want to ensure that schools are implementing high quality programs that are safe for students and give them an authentic learning experience that generates confidence.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Our juniors have been making such amazing progress on their Common App ® essays, which can be a lot of work for us. But at the same time it’s so deeply satisfying to help things shift into place for a student during the writing process - like finding that last puzzle piece under a seat cushion, when frustration ends and all becomes right in the world!

In other news, I am back from visiting Paris and London with my daughter last week, and I have a tour recommendation with a fun college-related back story if anyone will be in Europe anytime soon.

Fat Tire Tours was started by a recent grad from Texas A&M who fell in love with showing his visitors around Paris on bicycles during his study abroad. He liked it so much that he actually bypassed a career at PWC to try to start his own bike tour company in Paris. The company immediately differentiated itself because of an an emphasis on having fun rather than throwing too much detail at people.

Well, one thing led to another and now he’s the owner of the largest bike tour company in the world! How cool is that? It goes to show that you never know which college experiences will end up being life-changing in the bigger picture!

As an aside, these tours really ARE fun. I heard about the company in the early 2000s and loved my first tour so much that I became hooked! I try to take one whenever I’m abroad. My daughter Caroline was not overly excited beforehand but then talked for the next week about how amazing our tour guide OJ was :) And she learned a lot! They have a Fat Tire operation in DC, too, so that’s next on our list.

If you’re ready to head overseas for your own study abroad career inspiration, check out our upcoming Thursday blog post to learn everything you need to know!

Weekly Update: April 10

We hope you all had a wonderful spring break!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FREE TUITION FOR BOSTON STUDENTS

Good news for hopeful students in Boston! The city government announced on Wednesday that residents are now eligible for up to three years of tuition-free education at six community colleges across the city. The “Tuition-Free Community College Plan” does not impose limits on age, income or even immigration status, and only requires students to fill out the FAFSA. 

NEW CHANGES PROPOSED FOR STUDENT ATHLETES 

On Thursday, President Biden’s administration released a proposal which addresses recent controversy over transgender athletes’ participation in school sports. The proposal would protect transgender athletes from being “categorically” banned from sports – a tenant of Title IX. At the same time, schools would have the ability to limit an athlete’s participation based on “competitive fairness” or injury risk. Many are debating what this proposal could mean for school sports and worry about how states may interpret and perhaps challenge the potential new policy. 

DATA TELLS A CHILLING TALE OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS

377. That’s the number of school shootings in US schools since 1999. The Washington Post has been tracking data related to gun violence in schools for years now, and the numbers continue to tell a chilling tale. Click here to see the data on factors such as the typical age of shooters, the populations most often affected by gun violence, and a database of personal stories from witnesses and survivors.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

If you want to know what college students really care about, don’t rely on TikTok or Twitter. Look to the opinions section of the student newspaper instead, according to Jonathan Malesic in The New York Times. As an educator, Malesic finds that undergraduates are often hesitant to share their thoughts on bigger world issues via social media. However, their beliefs emerge in the opinion pages of school newspapers, where students are more likely to write about issues that “hit closer to home” - from the fears of growing up to navigating relationships to pleading with other undergrads to put their phones away in class. Although these topics may not seem like the most pressing issues of the day, they are important for undergraduates as they navigate this phase of life. As Malesic affirms, such essays do “what opinion writing should do for society: help us understand and improve our own and one another’s lives.”

As we reported last week, college applications continue to reach historic highs while acceptances reach historic lows. As a result, the college admissions process is becoming increasingly cutthroat and parents are becoming increasingly anxious. So how can parents avoid being “jerks” as they help steer their children toward higher education? The answer is not that simple. According to S. Mitra Kalita in “How to Not Be a Jerk in the Cutthroat College-Admissions Process,” we must start with understanding the landscape. Parents need to look at the realities of the process and the fact that it’s definitely NOT like it used to be.  Furthermore, Kalita believes that it’s important for parents to not simply talk about diversity but to promote the “collective” through our actions. In these ways, we are better preparing students for the real world and the complexities they’ll encounter in different environments.

When Tamara Kay was hired as a sociology professor at Notre Dame, she never imagined that she would one day require police security outside her classroom. Kay, who conducts research on abortion and is a proponent of abortion rights, has faced increased threats because of her work, which has been published in popular media outlets and on social media platforms. In a heightened political climate, Kay’s work is more dangerous than ever. Kay believes that the university has not adequately addressed her security concerns, but also recognizes the challenge of finding another academic position if she were to leave the university.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Earth Day is just around the corner, and if you’re looking for a way to be an environmental advocate, consider volunteering at Fairfax County’s Earth Day Event. The event takes place on Saturday April 22 in Chantilly, VA, and there are multiple shifts available for students ages 15+.

The official countdown to summer is on! If you’re still trying to figure out your summer plans, be sure to visit our database for an up-to-date list of internship and academic opportunities for high schoolers. You could conduct health research, work for an Edtech company, or learn how to be a digital marketer — if you apply NOW!

Weekly Update: April 3

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

IVY LEAGUE ACCEPTANCE RATES REMAIN AT HISTORIC LOW FOR CLASS OF 2027

On March 30, a small pool of high school seniors celebrated Ivy Day - the day when many Ivy league institutions released their admissions decisions. In recent years, the number of applications to Ivy League schools has soared while acceptance rates have reached historic lows. And 2023 is no different! This year Yale accepted just 4.35% of applicants - the lowest percentage ever for this university - and UPenn reached its highest number of applicants in history- over 59,000! Curious about Brown, Dartmouth, Columbia, and others? Click here to see the latest Ivy League admissions data.

CLASS OF 2027 ACCEPTANCE RATES RELEASED

Although it was the Ivy League that made the news last week, several other schools released their admissions rates for the Class of 2027. College Kickstart has compiled a list of the latest data and continues to update their website as information is released. We encourage families to bookmark this website! 

WHAT’S THE ULTIMATE DREAM COLLEGE? A RECENT SURVEY FINDS SURPRISING ANSWERS

Schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale have long been at the top of students' college lists. But watch out, Ivy League! There are new dream schools rising in the ranks. According to a recent survey by The Princeton Review, the top ten dream schools now include NYU, University of Michigan, and UT Austin. What university holds the coveted number one spot on the list? Read more to find out! 

A NEW STUDY LOOKS AT THE IMPACT OF RACE IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

What could the end of affirmative action in college admissions mean for students? Last week Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce released its most recent study, which found that banning race considerations in college admissions could have a big impact on minority enrollment. Even if colleges consider class status, several minority groups - such as Hispanic and Pacific Islander students - would not be adequately represented on college campuses. In fact, their enrollment could significantly decline. In order to truly increase diversity of enrollment, the entire admissions process would have to be reconfigured, according to many. 

COLLEGE STUDENTS IN CHINA ARE GIVEN TIME OFF TO FALL IN LOVE

Spring is in the air, and hopefully love is too for college students in China. Several vocational colleges in the country have extended a one-day national holiday into a week-long spring break. And they’ve issued directives for what students should do with the extra time off: enjoy the beauties of nature and love. Many believe this move is part of the country’s efforts to rebound from declining birth rates and a negative population growth rate. The government has been recently offering tax incentives for couples and extended maternity leaves. Now young adults are being encouraged to focus on personal growth and relationships.

Best Articles of the Week

What’s making teens so unhappy these days? Just look to TikTok for the answers, according to Jay Caspian Kang, a writer for The New Yorker. The popular social media app is inundated with high schoolers sharing the pressure and the hopelessness they feel as they prepare for their futures. In an increasingly competitive college admissions landscape, students are desperately searching for the right “algorithm” for success via TikTok videos, often finding that nothing is “good enough.” Although many well-intentioned social media users are chiming in on the data, the strategy, and the shared anxieties, no amount of virtual camaraderie will fix what Kang sees as a broken system. In order to improve the stresses associated with high tuition costs, competition, etc. Kang believes a revolution is necessary. But will it come? Not likely, according to this writer, but only time will tell.

For years, students have based their college searches on factors such as academic programs, research opportunities, dorm facilities, and yes, the food! However, there are new considerations coming to the forefront of college decisions: politics. A recently released study from the Art & Science Group has found that students are increasingly “ruling out institutions” based on policies and laws in particular states, especially related to Roe v. Wade and LGBTQ rights. Since this is a fairly new trend in the college admissions world, experts aren’t quite sure what impact politics might ultimately have on enrollment, both geographically and by institution. For now, colleges and universities are encouraged to focus heavily on their identity and their marketing efforts in order to continue attracting students, despite the political climate of the state.

Every April, we celebrate Earth Day to promote environmental efforts and practices.  But did you know that colleges and universities are working year-round to protect the earth? Over 400 schools have signed a climate pledge, vowing to achieve carbon neutrality, and many are working on projects to be more sustainable and environmentally-conscious. Ohio University, for example, has transformed their food waste problem into a literal growth opportunity, thanks to their unique composting system. Ball State University successfully replaced a seventy-year-old heating system with an efficient geothermal system, and University of Minnesota at Morris has created such a successful renewable energies design that they’re able to donate excess power to the local town. If you’re interested in learning more about other schools at the forefront of sustainability research and design, read more about environmental standout colleges here.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Summer is right around the corner, and there are so many great opportunities still available for teens. Be sure to check out our internship database, where we maintain an up-to-date list of internships, volunteer opportunities, and academic enrichment programs. Some of the most recent postings include working for a Fortune 500 company in Reston, VA, and preparing for a career in leadership and advocacy at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.  

And don’t forget that we are also looking for summer interns here at DC College Counseling. If you’re interested in learning more about how a small business is run, consider applying. We’re especially looking for college students who are social media savvy. Please email your cover letter and resume with the subject line “DCCC Summer Internship” to Shannon@dccollegecounseling.com.

Weekly Update: March 27

Hope you’ve had a chance to check out the cherry blossoms!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SUPREME COURT RULES ON STUDENT ACCOMODATIONS

Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Miguel Luna Perez, a deaf student who sued a Michigan school district for refusing to provide him with a sign language interpreter. The court found that Miguel was not obligated to exhaust all other avenues under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act before he brought the suit. The unanimous decision will give students with disabilities more options for legal recourse when they are not provided with necessary accommodations in schools. 

THE SAFEST COLLEGE TOWN IN AMERICA

It’s Williamsburg, VA! According to a list released by Credit Summit, William & Mary tops the list of the 25 safest college towns in the country. UC Santa Barbara follows behind at #2. There are several more Virginia schools on the list as well, with Mary Washington in the #22 spot and Charlottesville at #23. 

FAFSA RELEASE POSTPONED

The Education Department announced last Tuesday that the FAFSA redesign will be launched in December, missing the typical October 1 release of the updated form. Students should keep in mind that the later opening date means less time to complete the form in order to apply for financial aid, so we will keep an eye on this story and update you as soon as the form opens in December!

COLLEGES ADOPT “UN-GRADING” POLICIES

The impacts of COVID-19 learning loss are still being felt across the country, and more and more faculty have begun to adopt nontraditional policies - without letter and number grades - to help ease the transition to college for first-year students. Some faculty at UC Santa Cruz, TCU, Pitt, UT Austin, and dozens of other colleges are trying out un-grading, joining colleagues at schools like Reed, Brown, Wellesley, and MIT. These institutions have long had nontraditional grading options for students, particularly during their first semester as they adjust to college.  

SOUTH FLORIDA FOR THE WIN

This was a fun weekend full of March Madness games! If you’ve been following my posts, I’m a Miami fan, and wow - that game on Sunday against Texas was just crazy. I did not think they had a chance and the comeback was incredible. I am also very excited about FAU! If you’re looking for a Florida alternative to the typical picks (Miami, UF, FSU), FAU actually has a gorgeous honors college campus in Jupiter in addition to the main campus in Boca. My parents live in Jupiter, so I drive past the honors college campus frequently and it’s a hidden gem!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

One of the biggest reasons why college rankings are not the last word when choosing an undergraduate education is because the factors that are used by resources like U.S. News aren’t always the factors that matter most to students and families - we’re guessing the number of books in the library doesn’t top your list of college priorities! That’s why we’re loving this New York Times rankings calculator, which allows you to weight your priorities and see a custom list of rankings based on what is most important to you. This tool will be incredibly helpful for seniors making their final decisions soon!

Along the same lines, we recommend seniors check out these college regrets from graduates to help you make your decision. Clients can also always reach out to us for help with decision-making - we are confident that you will end up where you are supposed to be!

We posted last week about how rankings are changing as schools decline to participate, and this is particularly true with law school rankings. With top law schools like Harvard, Yale, and Stanford saying that they will no longer participate, the rankings are starting to unravel. This is more of a challenge for applicants, as rankings are a lot more important when selecting law schools (and business schools and other graduate programs) than they are for undergraduate students! We’ll have to wait and see what the impact will be to the law school admissions landscape as these schools pull their data from U.S. News. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGs

If you are a high school junior who wants to get a head start on college acceptances, High Point’s Junior Scholars Program may be for you! The program allows students to be accepted early through a non-binding process, and grants a $2,500-per-year scholarship. If you or your student would like to be nominated, let us know and we are happy to help!

And finally, we’re hiring summer interns! If you know a college student interested in a deeper understanding of the methods for creating and running a growing small business, send them our way. Our paid summer interns have the opportunity to connect with past, current, and prospective students and families while they assist in the day-to-day operations of DC College Counseling.

Our ideal candidate will have social media experience and the skills to maintain and improve our social media presence and processes. Familiarity with posting on TikTok, specifically, is a big plus! Other duties include updating and organizing our website and task management system.

Interns will participate in all of the major aspects of running a business, from company-wide and management team meetings, to small business training opportunities, to industry-specific webinars.

If you or someone you know is interested in a nuanced grasp of how a woman-owned small business operates and how major decisions are made, they should email a resume and cover letter to shannon@dccollegecounseling.com with the subject line “DCCC Summer Internship.” 

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Weekly Update: March 20

We hope everyone had a happy St. Patrick’s Day and a great week!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MARCH MADNESS UPSETS

March Madness saw a big upset for UVA on Thursday, when Furman scored a 3-point shot in the last 2 seconds of the game to win! And speaking of Virginia, we saw a repeat of their 2018 historic loss to 16-seed UMBC when 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson beat 1-seed Purdue. On Saturday, the upsets continued with Princeton’s victory over Missouri, marking only the fourth time in history that a team seeded 15th reached the Sweet Sixteen. Despite the upset, Mizzou’s head coach is still one to watch - check out this article, which explores Coach Dennis Gates’s unique and sincere approach to coaching college basketball. 

WELLESLEY STUDENTS VOTE TO MAKE TRANSGENDER MEN AND NONBINARY STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION

Students at Wellesley, one of the most highly regarded women’s colleges in the country, voted last Tuesday to make transgender men and nonbinary students eligible for admission. While this is an indication of the direction the student body is leaning, the vote is non-binding, and Wellesley admissions has announced that they will stick with their original policy of not offering admission to trans men. The gender policy at Wellesley states that the school is open to all students who live and identify as women, including transgender women and nonbinary people who were assigned female at birth. Most women’s colleges, including Spelman, Bryn Mawr, and Barnard, are aligned with Wellesley’s policies; some, like Mount Holyoke, already admit students regardless of gender, including trans men and nonbinary students. 

HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE WELCOMES NEW COLLEGE TRANSFERS

New College of Florida, a small progressive college in the Sunshine State, recently experienced a big shake-up with a new board of trustees appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL). Now, Hampshire College, a similar school in Massachusetts that, like New College, welcomes progressive students and does not assign grades, has opened its doors to any New College student in good standing and offered to match the in-state tuition that many of these students have in Florida. 

So far, one New College student has transferred and four others have applied. Hampshire, which nearly closed in 2019 and in the last several years experienced an enrollment drop from 1,500 students to less than 500, is using this opportunity to increase the size of its student body while serving Florida students who wish to transfer. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We’ve gotten a lot of questions recently from students and parents about the huge numbers of applications to top schools, and it is still going strong post-pandemic! Application numbers at top colleges have increased 32% since 2020. This means that overworked admissions officers are attempting to read nearly one-third more applications in the same amount of time, so colleges are encouraging students to apply early action in order to spread the application review over a longer period. Of course, this often means more deferrals, which is frustrating! For more information about this aspect of the college admissions landscape, as well as a peek behind the curtain at what actually happens in an admissions office after a student is deferred, we recommend this op-ed from Jeff Selingo.  

Shannon attended a session last week on the Princeton Review’s 2023 College Hopes & Worries Survey. The most surprising thing we saw in the survey was that the students’ top concern when it comes to college admissions was SAT and ACT testing - yes, even more than financial considerations, completing applications, or getting in! This is interesting because it shows that while many colleges continue to offer test-optional admissions, students realize that a strong test score can still be a major asset during the application process. 

We’ve always said that college rankings should not be the #1 consideration for undergraduate applicants, but we still understand that they can often be important to students and families. With potential shake-ups in the rankings, including Columbia’s recent withdrawal after a professor discovered inaccuracies in its data, attitudes may be shifting. For a deep-dive into all things college rankings, we recommend this Time article. 

Are you a senior heading to school in the fall and wondering about creating your own major? Check out this student’s story - she may just convince you on the benefits of choosing your own path through college! And speaking of choosing your own path - have you heard about Fairleigh Dickinson’s Jordan Sarnoff, the youngest D1 men’s basketball sports information director in history? We loved this profile on him - what a great example of how taking initiative and pursuing your own interests can pay off in a huge way.

OFFICE HAPPENINGs

I like data, so I always think the connection between college admissions and March Madness is fascinating in terms of predicting application trends in seasons to come. There was actually a fascinating study about this a few years back which found that private schools saw the biggest increase in applications after a Cinderella run, although the impact was just temporary.

Anecdotally, I think that certain private schools in the highly-selective (but not ultra-selective) category see more of a long-term impact, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a Cinderella run as defined by the researchers. Villanova’s sustained increase in selectivity after the 2016 and 2018 wins is a great example of this. It’s next to impossible to get into Villanova now, if you don’t ED.

On the home front, my son was so excited for the Miami/Indiana game all weekend and I felt sorry for him when he crashed shortly after it began!

What a game, though! After half time I started to get really nervous that he was going to wake up to a loss this morning but thankfully Miami came back strong. Sorry to our Indiana friends out there :) I am hoping for a good game against Houston on Friday but am managing my expectations!

Weekly Update: March 13

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

REGULAR DECISION NOTIFICATION DATES FOR CLASS OF 2027

It’s that time of the year! Colleges and universities across the U.S. are starting to release their regular decision notifications. College Kickstart is tracking regular decision notification dates for the class of 2027. We encourage high school seniors to bookmark this website, which is frequently updated. Good luck! 

BROWN UNIVERSITY DECIDES TO REMAIN TEST-OPTIONAL…FOR NOW

On Friday, Brown University announced that it will remain test-optional for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. This news comes just one week after Columbia University made headlines for its decision to go test-optional indefinitely. Brown plans to reevaluate its temporary testing policy again for the 2024-2025 cycle. Stay tuned! 

MORE UNIVERSITIES DROP OUT OF THE U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT RANKINGS

Hot off the press! Bard College just announced that they are dropping out of the U.S. News and World Report’s annual undergraduate rankings. Bard is the third undergraduate institution to leave the rankings, following Colorado College and Rhode Island School of Design. 

YOUNG ADULTS REJECT COLLEGE AT ALARMING RATES

The numbers are in, and they aren’t so good for college enrollment! Since the beginning of the pandemic, college enrollment numbers have dropped at alarming rates. Young adults have adopted a more pragmatic approach to education, rejecting the traditional college model in favor of trade industries and alternative employment pathways. While these paths are helping students save money and develop a confident “do-it-yourself” attitude, experts worry that this trend could have dire effects on the economy, as well as industries that require degrees. However, young adults aren’t so worried, at least not for now. They are making strides toward the future “one step at a time.” 

FOUR UNIVERSITIES BLAST OFF INTO AERONAUTICAL RESEARCH FOR NASA

Students and faculty at Notre Dame, Boston University, Tennessee Technological University, and New Mexico State University just received an out-of-this-world opportunity. NASA recently selected teams at these four schools to conduct aeronautical research for the agency as part of its University Leadership Initiative. The diverse, multidisciplinary teams will contribute to some of NASA’s most prominent research goals, including infrastructure development and aircraft design. If you’re interested in learning more about each team’s research topic, click here.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

I’ve got a secret to share! No, actually make that ten secrets. Last week, I contributed to an article in U.S. News and World Report, revealing things you might not know about your college professors. For example, contrary to popular opinion, professors (even at big universities) can tell if you’re actually paying attention in class, and they can spot a bad excuse from a mile away. In order to make a good impression on your professors and develop strong relationships (and grades!), there are a few simple things you can do, from strategically choosing your seat to fact-checking your excuses. Click here to learn more about all ten secrets and tips for building rapport with your professors.

With inflation continuing to wreak havoc on the economy, families are more concerned than ever with finding ways to cut college costs. Surprisingly, some of the best ways to stretch your college tuition dollars are pretty simple–if you’re strategic and plan ahead. High schoolers can earn a hefty number of college credits for free by taking advantage of dual enrollment programs and/or advanced placement courses. Community colleges are also a great- but often underrated- resource to save money. Students can save thousands by attending a local community college and then transferring to a four-year college or university. There are also plenty of options for course sharing, which involves taking some community college classes during winter or summer breaks to offset the cost (and academic load) of a typical semester. 

I actually graduated a year early from college, so I can add a few tips here for others trying to do the same thing. At current tuition prices, this could save about $80k! (1) Take an extra class each semester. If your school is on a traditional 120-credit system and you take just one extra 3-credit course per semester, which is usually free to do, you will shave off a total of 18 credits by the end of your third year. (2)  Look for ways to pick up credit for things you would do anyway. In my case, I got 12 credits for internships I would have done anyway for resume purposes! I also got 9 credits worth of piano lessons, which was beyond easy and kind of a nice stress reliever too. 

Speaking of saving money, a huge controversy is brewing at Valparaiso University in Indiana. The school needs to update their aging dorms, and doesn’t have the funds to do it - so they are planning to sell several pieces of art for $10 million in order to fund the project. Not surprisingly, many professors are furious. Personally, though, I agree with the engineering professor quoted in the article: students should be prioritized. Money doesn’t grow on trees, and it’s not right to put kids in a room with single-pane windows during an Indiana winter. If they can sell the art to raise the money they need without cutting aspects of the undergraduate experience that would more directly impact students, I think this is an understandable solution. For what it’s worth, I had a really nice visit to Valparaiso back in 2019. I would absolutely recommend it as a great option for STEM or music-oriented students interested in a close-knit, smaller campus community.

With the birth of ChatGPT- a technology that can provide just about any answer or piece of writing that a student may need- those in the education world are asking a lot of questions. How will this technology change the nature of writing assignments? How will teachers catch cheaters? What updates will need to be made to plagiarism policies? While these questions represent legitimate academic concerns, Paul LeBlanc- president of Southern New Hampshire University- thinks we aren’t asking the right questions. Rather than concerning ourselves with the short-term effects on curriculum and assessment, we should be thinking about the bigger picture. How will this technology redefine knowledge? How do we teach students to use the technology, rather than allowing it to use us? LeBlanc believes that universities have a critical role to play in this paradigm shift. Schools need to prepare students to navigate technologies and provide a distinctly human touch on jobs that no algorithm can replace.

OFFICE HAPPENINGs

Are you looking to support your high school student AND a great cause? Then consider bidding on a DC College Counseling Strategy Session to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Our one-hour session will help your student kick off the college application process with a thorough analysis and action plan!

Weekly Update: March 6

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COLORADO COLLEGE WITHDRAWS FROM ANNUAL RANKINGS

Colorado College made a groundbreaking decision last week! It became the first college since 1995 to withdraw from the U.S. News & World Report’s annual undergraduate rankings of best colleges. Representatives from the school claim that the annual report is based on a “flawed methodology” and doesn’t objectively measure the quality of education. Instead, according to Colorado College, the rankings favor schools with lower student debt. Although Colorado College will no longer submit data to the U.S. News & World Report, the publication will continue to rank the school based on publicly available data. Meanwhile, Colorado College officials say they are committed to studying the ramifications of this big decision and sharing that information with other schools.

COLUMBIA AND WILLIAM & MARY ARE REMAINING TEST- OPTIONAL…INDEFINITELY 

Columbia University and William & Mary College announced last week that they will remain test-optional indefinitely - Columbia being the first Ivy League school to do so. Since spring of 2020, over 1700 colleges and universities have gone test-optional in response to the pandemic. While some schools have begun to reinstate their testing requirements, others are extending their optional policies to allow for greater flexibility and freedom in how students showcase themselves in an application. Following these two announcements, more schools are expected to update their testing policies soon. We will continue to provide updates as information is released; in the meantime, remember that test-optional admissions and test-blind admissions are not one and the same. In a test-optional situation, the student with test scores typically still has a real advantage. I still really like my pool analogy from 2020!

THE FEDERAL RESERVE OF NY RELEASES DATA ON COLLEGE MAJORS AND INCOME POTENTIAL

The Federal Reserve of New York recently released its findings on college majors and earnings potential. Not surprising, the highest incomes are those in STEM-related fields, while social services and education are fixed at the bottom of the list. What is interesting about the data- and perhaps a bit surprising- is the comparisons of early career salaries and mid-career earnings growth. For example, all engineers have similar early-career salaries, but those who choose chemical engineering are likely to earn ten to twenty thousand more per year mid-career. Fascinating! Experts believe these numbers are quite useful for young adults, who can use the data to make informed decisions about the paths they’ll pursue within a particular field or interest. Along the same lines, I absolutely love these TikTok videos from Salary Transparent Street - check them out!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Your teen might have been trained in CPR, but are they certified in Mental Health First Aid? With the sharp increase of mental health problems in children and teens since the onset of the pandemic, schools are finding it difficult to fully support their student populations. There are so many students in need and not enough trained professionals to go around. To combat the problem, many schools are turning to Teen Mental Health First Aid. The program trains teenagers to recognize the symptoms of a mental health concern and respond appropriately. Topics cover those that are most pertinent to the age group, from anxiety and depression to eating disorders and addictions. Although the training certainly doesn’t replace professional support, Mental Health First Aid can help create a community-centered approach to wellness. 

To some, Robert Allen is known as a super yacht lawyer. To others, he’s a Facebook troll. However, Allen would like to be recognized as the mastermind behind Governor DeSantis’ conservative takeover of New College in Sarasota, Florida. An alumnus of New College, Allen allegedly helped Governor DeSantis recognize the potential of the school to be a “jewel of the South” and make sweeping changes to its board of trustees. According to alumni members of the New College community, Allen has been very vocal about his ties to DeSantis via social media and has even engaged in arguments with more liberal-leaning alumni on Facebook. Many are less concerned with Allen himself and more with what these changes could imply–that New College is a “testing ground for larger efforts by DeSantis on his road to the presidency.”

High salaries, great benefits, lots of vacation time- you might think these are the most important factors recent college graduates are looking for in a job. However, it turns out there’s something even more valuable to new twenty-something employees: stability! A recent report by Handshake- a career website catering to college students- indicated that Gen Z is craving security. Even though young adults have become experts at adapting to major changes (i.e. a global pandemic), they are ultimately looking for a secure environment in which they can invest themselves. The report also found that recent grads are still optimistic about job potential-even though many say a recession is ahead- and fully understand their worth. This generation is more informed than ever about earnings potential (the data is everywhere!), and they aren’t afraid to have honest conversations about salary. 

There are so many considerations that drive the college decision-making process, but for LGTBQ students, the choice often comes down to one big factor: rights. In response to recent legislation in several states, students in the LGTBQ community are rethinking their college plans. Families are prioritizing safety more than ever, as students worry about the potential for discrimination and hate crimes. And for many LGTBQ young adults, they are focusing just as heavily on the political implications of a school and state just as they are on academic programs and campus life. If you are interested in learning more about LGBTQ-friendly college campuses, check out Campus Pride and The Princeton Review.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We have been busy kicking into high gear now that Common App essay prompts have FINALLY been released for our Class of 2024 juniors! All of our students should have received an email from Shannon last week with instructions on next steps to begin.

Since these prompts are normally released in January, we typically encourage students to take their time in terms of scheduling meetings and deciding exactly when to start. However, this year’s delayed prompt release has left us with a much shorter window. If students want to stick to our typical “Finish by September” timeline, we recommend getting started on these Common App essays right away. Please email our admin team if you have any questions about the timeline!

In other news, there’s an exciting opportunity this month that Fairfax County Teens looking for a job won’t want to miss! The Fairfax County Teen Job Fair is a great chance to look for a summer job, network with local businesses and organizations, and/or attend career-building sessions to enhance your skills. The event is conveniently being held on three Saturdays in March: the 11th, 18th, and 25th. You can register for one of the dates here.

Weekly Update: February 27

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SUPREME COURT HEARING IS SET FOR STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM

Tuesday could be a big day for thousands with student loan debt. President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program will go before the Supreme Court. The program, which is estimated to cost $400 billion dollars, would offer up to $20,000 in debt cancellation for students who qualify. Some argue that the president does not have the authority to implement such a program. However, the Biden administration maintains the program is in line with the HEROES Act, which grants executive power to implement such a program during a national emergency- in this case, COVID-19. Although no announcements have been made, many speculate that the Supreme Court could release a decision by early summer, in which case, debt cancellations could be issued “fairly quickly.” 

CONTROVERSIAL AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES COURSE TO BE OFFERED IN FAIRFAX COUNTY SCHOOLS

Fairfax County School District will pilot the controversial AP African American Studies course in three schools next year. Students at McLean, Centreville, and Westfield will have the opportunity to enroll. Currently, Virginia is one of four states reviewing the course that made national headlines in recent months.

UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDER SCENE TO BE DEMOLISHED

The University of Idaho announced its plan on Friday to demolish the house where four students were brutally murdered in November. According to the school’s president, the owner of the home offered it to the university. Administrators then made the decision to demolish the house in an effort to promote healing and prevent sensationalizing the tragedy. To honor the four victims, the University of Idaho is establishing scholarship funds and an on-campus memorial garden.

SEVERAL COLLEGES PLAN TO CLOSE IN 2023

Recently, several colleges announced plans to close their doors at the end of the school year. Although application numbers are soaring at “name-brand” colleges, private universities without the name recognition are suffering. Since the pandemic began, enrollment numbers have dropped at these smaller schools, and economic uncertainty has weighed on endowment funds. Too, applicants are foregoing the high cost of private university tuition in favor of in-state institutions and alternative degree programs. For many, this is a concerning trend, especially since the number of university closures has quadrupled over the past decade. It is predicted that we will continue to see more closures in the near future.

MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY CUTS HUMANITIES MAJORS

Speaking of small schools, Marymount University in Northern Virginia announced its plans on Friday to address enrollment and financial concerns. The university will begin phasing out several majors, which have not been popular with students in recent years: art, English, history, mathematics, secondary education, sociology, theology and religious studies, and a BA program in economics. The goal, according to university officials, is to focus more on preparing students for “in-demand careers of the future.” Classes in these subject areas will continue to be offered, as the school insists they remain committed to educating the whole student.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ISSUES NEW SAFETY PLAN

Montgomery County School District (Maryland) released its new safety plan on Friday to address concerns over escalating behavior problems in school bathrooms. In an effort to curb drug use, threats, and vandalism, the district has organized immediate, short term, and long term plans. Most notably, the district will move forward with a bathroom monitoring strategy, a pilot program for student badges, and new staff training programs.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

In the 1970s, Title IX changed the face of college sports for women, opening a world of opportunity. In the process, it also opened up a world of elite international athletes at American colleges. Over the past forty years, female athletes from around the globe have flocked to U.S. colleges and universities, where they take part in academic and athletic programs that aren’t typically available in their home countries. While the advantages are obvious for these women, who oftentimes go on to become Olympic and/or professional athletes, some find their international presence on American campuses problematic. Some question whether U.S. schools should invest their resources in athletes who will ultimately compete under a different flag. Several coaches have responded by citing the pressures to form successful teams, regardless of an athlete’s origin. 

Chances are that if you’re the parent of a high schooler, you’ve probably retired the child’s bedtime routine. However, psychologist Lisa Damour believes there’s one bedtime habit parents of teenagers should definitely institute: let your child tuck you in! She believes it’s a powerful way to create important connections and conversations with high schoolers. Why? Well, teens aren’t always willing to chat at the dinner table, and many dread the “how was your day” question. Demour has found that teens are more inclined to talk with parents if they feel like they are steering the conversation and really being heard. That’s why she suggests creating a space for teens to chat at night when they feel a greater sense of independence over the exchange. It could be a tiring endeavor, but Demour insists it’s worth it for relationship-building and mental health.

Get ready for sticker shock! Stanford University recently announced a 7% tuition increase for the upcoming academic school year. Why such a sharp spike? Inflation! There is some good news, though. To combat the rising costs, the university plans to expand financial aid and raise minimum thresholds for support. Although Stanford’s increase is described as an “outlier,” experts say we can expect to see tuition increases in the 3-5% range at other schools. Many institutions froze tuition prices during the pandemic and are now trying to make up for COVID-related and inflation-induced losses. 

ChatGPT- a new technology that can produce large-scale pieces of writing for students- has been creating big problems for teachers over the past few months. And now it’s cause of concern for those in the college admissions world. Beatrice Nolan, a writer for Business Insider, decided to test ChatGPT’s ability to write a college admissions essay. Within minutes, she had three pieces of writing ready for her own “committee” to review. Two college admissions professionals carefully looked over the essays and drew some interesting conclusions. First, they felt the essays wouldn’t immediately be flagged as AI-generated. And the professionals did give credit to ChatGPT for directly answering the prompts, using sound grammar, and employing first-person narration. However, the responses wouldn’t hold up as part of an application for a highly selective school, they insisted. As one might predict, there was a lack of personal detail, and one expert believed the overall narrative was way too predictable. As for our opinion, we absolutely echo these experts’ rejection of the AI-induced college essay! This piece of writing is a chance to show off your unique voice and share a story that’s deeply meaningful to you. No technology can do that for you, nor should you want it to! 

Ahoy, Matey! That’s how students at California Polytechnic State University at Humboldt might be greeting their new roommates next year. In response to on-campus housing shortages, the university is considering renting a barge and turning the boat into a makeshift dorm. This creative semester at sea might seem fun, but some are worried about the dangers of young adults living on the water. And many don’t see this as a viable solution for a bigger housing problem. In a state where it’s notoriously difficult to find affordable housing, many California schools are trying to find new ways to accommodate students. Thus far, California Polytechnic State University hasn’t made any decisions yet, but just the talk of a boat dorm is leaving some students excited and others seasick.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We have been absolutely swamped with transfer apps in the lead-up to the 2/15 and 3/1 deadlines. And it’s on to the juniors now…. word on the street is that Common App will not be changing the essay topics for the Class of 2024! We are waiting to confirm that information tomorrow before clearing the way for our juniors to get started, but expect to send out essay instructions very soon.

Also, we found out that FCPS has released applications for the 2023 Student Representative to the School Board! Open to any 9th, 10th, or 11th grader in FCPS who lives in either Fairfax City or Fairfax County, this is a huge leadership role that would look phenomenal on any college application - plus, what a cool position! The first part of the application is due on March 17, so check it out!

Weekly Update: February 21

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

VIRGINIA TECH RELEASES EARLY ACTION DECISIONS

The last of the major Virginia early action releases occurred with Virginia Tech on Friday evening. VT reported more than 47,000 applications for 7,085 seats in the freshman class, and so many qualified students were unfortunately waitlisted. We definitely encourage all students to read VT's Waitlist FAQ . Note that VT's released numbers represent totals, not just their EA pool. 

Note If you are interested in learning more about other VA schools and their early action data, keep reading! There’s more on this topic and my thoughts later in this post.

STUDENTS PROTEST AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY 

There’s a call for big changes at Georgetown University. In response to incidents over the past several months, students formed the group Georgetown University Protects Racists (GURP) and have been protesting the ways in which the university handles hate crimes and bias incidents. Georgetown officials are now working with student leaders to address these issues, and an external review of the university’s systems is being conducted. 

TRAGIC SHOOTING AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LEAVES THREE STUDENTS DEAD

Last week a gunman opened fire at Michigan State University, killing three students and injuring five others. The attacker- Anthony Dwayne McRae- fled the scene and was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He reportedly did not have any ties to MSU, and his motive is unknown at this time. As of Sunday night, university police reported that three of the injured students remain in critical condition. Meanwhile, the MSU community resumed classes on Monday. Faculty and administrators are working to support students through the rest of the semester with lighter course loads and credit/no credit options for academic classes.

WELLESLEY COLLEGE APOLOGIZES FOR MISHANDLING SEXUAL ABUSE CASE

Last week, Wellesley College president Paula Johnson issued an apology for the school’s mishandling of a sexual abuse case. The written statement was released the same day The Boston Globe published an expose on Wellesley’s former running coach, John Babington. Babington was accused of sexual abuse by a student in the late 1990s but continued working at Wellesley until 2013. In her letter, President Johnson thanked the alumna for sharing her story with The Boston Globe and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to preventing sexual harassment. She insisted,  “There is no question that Wellesley would handle such conduct very differently today.”

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW MAJOR

There will be a new major to choose from at Clemson University in the fall of 2023! Clemson announced its plans to offer an undergraduate automotive engineering program next year- the first of its kind in the United States. The university is already regarded as a leader in this field of study, having launched a graduate program in automotive engineering in 2006. Now undergraduates will have the opportunity to prepare for dynamic careers in automotive manufacturing thanks to Clemson’s interdisciplinary and experiential curriculum, as well as its “unique geographic advantage.”

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Does college need to be four years? That’s the question Professor Steven Mintz (University of Texas at Austin) recently tackled in his opinion piece for Inside Higher Ed. With the rising cost of college tuition, many students are dodging the traditional four-year model. Rather than paying for required electives and stressing out over overloaded semester course schedules, students are turning to online course alternatives and dual enrollment programs. The result is cheaper, more efficient credit earnings, but at what cost? Many wonder if these pathways diminish the value of a college education. The question is one that continues to incite big debates, and Mintz is happy to share where he stands. Ultimately, Mintz believes that students are bogged down in courses that don’t mean anything to them and are subject to far too many lectures and discussion-based classes. He hopes that in the future schools will turn to more meaningful, project-based learning opportunities for undergraduates, as well as increased options for “career-aligned degree pathways.” 

Race, politics, religion–these topics may be controversial, even off-limits in some places, but not at the University of Austin (and no, that’s not a typo - University of Austin, not UT Austin!). The university’s Forbidden Courses summer program creates a space for civil engagement on topics that are often “forbidden” as topics of discussion. Students have the chance to “inquire openly into vexing questions with honesty and without fear of shame.” In other words, students are free! Whether they want to ask questions, offer a dissenting opinion, or challenge a belief, they can do that. If you’d like to hear students share their experiences in the forbidden courses or see the lineup of Summer 2023 offerings, click here.

Watching the Howard University swim team is a marvel for many, and it’s not because they’ve got the school dance team cheering them on at the sidelines. In a sport where only 2% of college athletes are Black, Howard University swim coach, Nic Askew, has made historic strides. Since taking over the program eight years ago, he’s revamped a once hopeless team. Over sixty school swim records have been broken, and last year, Howard earned a second-place finish at the Northeast Conference championship. Although Howard’s team is admittedly not a national powerhouse, they are “on the front line of change” in a sport that has historically denied access to the Black community.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

As I mentioned earlier in the post, we’ve been spending a lot of time tracking early decision and early action data for this year’s admission cycle as well as doing our best to make meaning of what we see.

If you were surprised to find yourself on the VT waitlist, you’re in good company with a lot of others! Let’s take a step back in time to understand more about what’s been happening over in Blacksburg. During the 2016-2017 admissions cycle, VT accepted way too many students and over-enrolled their freshman class. As a result, they decided to be very conservative with acceptances in 2017-2018, but took it too far and ended up way below their enrollment goals. Ultimately they had to take about 2,000 students from the waitlist to fill the class. But then they went too far in the opposite direction again the following year! (Are you noticing a trend..?). Yes, in 2018-2019, they accepted far too many students again, and the situation attracted national attention because of the housing crisis in Blacksburg that resulted.

A few years ago at Virginia Tech!

Since that point, they have consistently under-enrolled - better than over-enrolling, I guess! During the following years, they took 3,961 (2019-2020), 3,286 (2020-2021) and 2,458 (2021-2022) students from the waitlist, respectively. These numbers represent HUGE percentages of the freshman class as a whole - taking 3,961 students off the waitlist for a freshman class of 7,000 is extremely significant.

This year, I’m wondering whether the possibility of a pending recession will impact the new pattern of under-enrollment leading to large waitlist acceptances. It could: historically, we see more students choosing public universities during periods of economic uncertainty. If more VT accepted students choose to enroll instead of pursuing private options, this could result in less spots for waitlisted students. There’s also the chance that VT accounted for this possibility when it came to building out this year’s model. Time will tell!

As for UVA, they released their EA decisions about a week before VT, and their numbers are up as well. As is typical for their office, UVA broke everything down to make the differences between EA and ED clear. It’s also really nice that they provide an in-state vs. out-of-state breakdown, but at the same time, keep in mind that data representing the entire state of Virginia may not represent the breakdown for Fairfax and Arlington counties. Anecdotally, I found UVA to be a little more predictable in their decision-making than they were over the last two years, which was a welcome surprise! VT was just completely unpredictable.

Last but not least, JMU's decisions came out about a month ago, and their increases were perhaps the most significant of all. Their 2022 EA numbers (for the HS Class of 2023 - it can get tricky because JMU releases in December while the other two release in the new year) were up 30% from the previous year and up 83% from two years ago. INSANE! Despite those enormous increases, I did find JMU to be pretty predictable for our applicants.

Bottom line? Even though we had pretty good luck with predictability this year, none of these schools are safeties anymore. Make sure to plan accordingly - if you want a Virginia public safety, you need to explore other options. We have so many great schools, so try to keep an open mind and check some of the others out.

Weekly Update: February 6

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MORE BAD NEWS FOR MARYLAND 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

Another board member at Maryland 529 has resigned. Jessica McClain- a member of the audit and governance subcommittee- stepped down as the organization continues to face intense scrutiny. After freezing college savings accounts over an interest calculation error, Maryland 529 sought to correct the discrepancies. However, families are not happy with their newly adjusted totals, and now Maryland 529 admits that the issue may take until late 2023 to resolve. In response, Senator Mary Washington is requesting that the Attorney General launch an investigation. 

CONTROVERSIAL CHANGES REVEALED IN THE NEW AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES DRAFT

On February 1, The College Board released a newly revised draft of its AP African American Studies course. Several scholarly terms have been deleted, and now there is more emphasis on “foundational history” rather than “contemporary theorists.” Concepts such as reparations and the Black Lives Matter movement are no longer included in the course–but some current topics are offered as optional project ideas instead. Although many suspect the changes were the result of “political pressure,” The College Board insists that the revisions were made in response to teacher feedback. Meanwhile, educators across the country are expressing their concerns over the new draft and what it could mean for academic freedom. 

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT IS REBOUNDING

The data is in, and college enrollment numbers are on the rise! Last week the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center released their report, offering hope for the state of higher education. After significant dips in enrollment since the start of the pandemic, regions around the country are seeing an uptick in undergraduate enrollment. Most notably, the number of first-year college students increased by 4.3% in just one year. It’s not all good news, though. Undergraduate enrollment is still down 5.8% from where it was in 2019, and graduate programs experienced drops as well. However, experts insist that the numbers are ultimately encouraging as higher education continues to recover from COVID-19. 

DESANTIS PROPOSES NEW BAN AT FLORIDA UNIVERSITIES

On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced his plan to prohibit state universities from funding diversity and inclusion initiatives. The proposed legislation would also prevent schools from implementing such initiatives, even if “the money isn’t coming from the state.” 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

After spending nearly half of their high school years facing quarantines, Zoom classes, and virtual social lives, the class of 2022 is out of isolation and settled into college campuses across the US. So how are they doing? That’s the question NPR posed to six first-year undergrads, who opened up about how the pandemic has affected their college experiences. While some commented on academic gaps, most focused on the social and emotional impacts of COVID-19. Many students are struggling to develop the skills it takes to be part of such a socially-driven community. As one freshman noted, “We came basically from middle school to college not knowing how to act or who we were.” Slowly, first-year students are finding their ways and creating stability in real-life once again. 

Google, Amazon, Meta- it was a “take your pick” situation for years, as computer science undergraduates in top programs across the country secured impressive internships and lucrative entry-level jobs with these tech giants. This “pipeline” steadily fed technology corporations with new talent and young professionals with job stability and high salaries. However, hiring freezes are breaking the pipeline and forcing students to reconsider their professional options. Rather than focusing on name recognition, young professionals are pivoting toward roles with lesser-known companies, while others are opting for graduate school or technology jobs in other fields, such as healthcare and finance. Fortunately, computer science continues to be a growing field, and there is no shortage of jobs if students are willing to create their own pathways.

What is the ultimate job of a college president? Last week, John Petillo- president of Sacred Heart University- shared his thoughts. He believes that in such a highly politicized world, it’s more important than ever for colleges and universities to uphold free speech and be “safe havens” for open discourse, dissenting voices, and truth. At Sacred Heart University, the core curriculum directly supports such freedoms, encouraging students to grapple with essential questions of human existence. Petillo insists that schools need to “get out of the business of higher ed becoming an echo chamber for a single political ideology” so that “our society may continue to thrive and prosper.”

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Last week was BUSY! The latest round of EA decisions was challenging and it just gets harder and harder each year. I feel like a broken record saying that during my 10th and 11th grade meetings, but it’s true and it has become tougher each year for me to stay upbeat in the face of a totally broken system.

And I know I’m absolutely biased - but wow, this is not a time to DIY the college process unless you know what you’re doing. It’s just.. brutal out there.

I was talking to a parent last week who characterized it perfectly when he noted that for years, we all heard those horror stories of the mythical good kid from the next town over, four degrees of separation away, who supposedly “didn’t get into college.” As he pointed out, these stories are not urban legends anymore. There are legitimately good kids who will not go to college next year because they (or their parents) were in denial and didn’t take the changing landscape seriously.

If a school has early decision, that school’s early action program is not a safe option for ANYONE anymore. And if it’s a popular public flagship, same deal. Plan accordingly! I hope to write a mid-week blog about this soon because I think it’s very interesting to reflect on how our role as college counselors has changed so much over the last few years. The value we provide is so different today.

On a different note, I made time to share my thoughts on double majoring in U.S. News and World Report. While some students think more is automatically better, I encourage them to reflect on whether it’s worth it. Will the extra time, tuition, and/or effort have a good return on investment? It really depends on the industry and your career goals, as well as the flexibility of your school and the requirements of the majors involved.

Last but not least, I got to spend my free time delivering Girl Scout cookies! I am fairly confident that anyone reading this has already been hit up by 123,428 Girl Scouts already, but if not, I’ve got your hook up. We also have a few boxes of Thin Mints, Tagalongs and Trefoils (aka Shortbread, for those of you in my generation) that are ready to be delivered right away and can be at your house tomorrow if you are local and send me an email!

For those of you who are not budding Girl Scout entrepreneurs, don’t worry - we have a career-related opportunity to kickstart your path, too! Fairfax County’s Instruction 2 Industry Career Fair Expo gives teenagers a chance to learn more about in-demand career paths and hear from experts in different industries–all from the convenience of their laptop screens. The Expo is a series of live Zoom webinars that take place during after-school hours, February 13-15. Click here to learn more and register for the event. 

Weekly Update: January 30

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MORE MEDICAL SCHOOLS PULL OUT OF NATIONAL RANKINGS 

Last week Harvard Medical School made headlines when it withdrew from the U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings. Now four other medical schools have followed suit. Columbia, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, and Mount Sinai have all announced that they are withdrawing from the rankings due to concerns over inaccurate representations of data.

COLLEGE BOARD RESPONDS TO CONCERNS OVER AP AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES COURSE

On Tuesday, The College Board announced that it will reveal the new framework for its AP African American Studies course on the first day of Black History Month- February 1. Many are concerned that the framework will be influenced by political agendas, given that Florida governor Ron DeSantis recently rejected the course for its “lack [of] educational value.” The College Board issued a letter to its members on Thursday, reaffirming that the curriculum has only been shaped by educational experts and was completed prior to DeSantis’ public rejection. 

CHARGES AGAINST FORMER LOUDOUN COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT ARE UPHELD

During a court hearing on Thursday, a judge ruled that misdemeanor charges against Scott Ziegler- former superintendent of Loudoun County schools- will be upheld. Ziegler is being charged with making false statements about two high-profile sexual assault cases in the county, as well as unfairly firing a teacher.

MARYLAND COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ARE REVISED- AND PARENTS AREN’T HAPPY

After freezing college savings accounts due to interest calculation errors, Maryland 529 has revised its account balances for hundreds of families. However, many are upset by the new numbers. Families are claiming they are owed a 6% interest rate on all contributions, but this rate is only being applied to money invested from November 2021 onward. The result is a staggering discrepancy between what families thought they had available for college funds versus the newly adjusted totals. We will continue to track this story, as Maryland 529 plans to hold a meeting today.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

A woman with a mission to help college students turns out to be a $175 million dollar fraud. No, this is not the premise for a new blockbuster movie. It’s reality! Charlie Javice, a woman once recognized as one of the most creative people in business, built a career in social enterprise, promising to help millions of families navigate the college financial process. However, when JPMorgan paid $175 million to acquire her financial planning company, they discovered they had been conned. This is a pretty incredible story and one that I haven't seen floating around my normal education spaces. Instead, we discussed it in my Goldman Sachs session last week. Our advisor reinforced what the article stated- that it's a good example of a situation where the lenders didn't have enough institutional knowledge - specifically, they didn't understand the financial aid process and how it works. They should have called us :)

In 2021, an infamous Supreme Court decision changed the world of college athletics. No longer would players be restricted from earning money. Instead, they were free to profit off of their NIL- name, image, likeness. Since then college athletes have earned significant figures through donations, endorsement deals, and even business ventures. And while many support the rights of these athletes to profit off their talents and skills, others are concerned about the potential long-term impact. Advertisers and donors are now investing in individual players rather than school programs, which affects budgets and the overall strength of athletic departments. Too, not all college athletes have the name recognition to make NIL profitable. This is a new “unregulated economic frontier” fraught with both excitement and worry over the future of college athletics.

When it comes to college admissions, we often defer to the experts for their thoughts on rankings, costs, and quality. But what about students? What matters most to college applicants as they make important decisions about the future? The New York Times assembled a focus group of eleven high school seniors to find out these answers. And some of their responses may surprise you! It appears that many students are trying to balance practical considerations, such as tuition and career preparation, with a desire for mental well being and happiness. The group also weighed in on college rankings, regrets over the admissions process, and advice for high school juniors.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

WHERE OH WHERE are the 2023-2024 Common App essay prompts? OMG - I look for them every morning and they still haven’t been released yet. Driving me crazy! We are very excited to jump right into essays with our juniors so they will be finished with their main essay around the timeframe of spring break. At that point, they will move on to preparing supplemental essay content and teacher/counselor recommendation input. We like to stay on track so we can have all of our students finished with their college apps by September as planned!

In other news, so many schools released their EA decisions over the past week! If you didn’t receive the decision you were hoping for, don’t panic! Instead, book a session with us to plan a letter of continued interest, otherwise known as a LOCI. Current clients, schedule your meetings here. If you are not a current client but would like to book a one-time meeting, please click here.

We also want to remind our current students to please always update your status chart each time you receive a decision. It’s also important to update with the decision itself rather than just checking off that a decision came in - otherwise we won’t know what it was! Please watch my quick instructional video if you have any questions about whether you’re doing this correctly.

Finally, be sure to check out our internship database. We’ve listed some great opportunities for Summer 2023, but they might disappear if you don’t apply now! Many programs have February deadlines.

Weekly Update: January 23

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

MORE COLLEGES BAN TIKTOK

The University of Texas and Texas A&M University have just been added to a growing list of schools banning TikTok. In recent months, several states and colleges have blocked the popular social media app over growing cybersecurity concerns. If you’re interested in seeing where you won’t be able to access the app on campus networks and devices, click here. This list also includes summaries of state policies and on TikTok.

HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL DROPS OUT OF POPULAR RANKINGS

Despite earning a number one spot as the best medical school for research in 2023, Harvard Medical School announced last week that it is “dropping out” of the U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings. The decision came after Harvard Law School announced last fall that it would no longer submit data to the U.S. News & World Report, which has long been an “influential guide” for students. Several law schools followed in Harvard’s footsteps, and now many are speculating about the impact this decision will have on medical school rankings. Will other medical schools follow suit? How might these “dropouts” affect other programs and rankings? We will continue to track this story, as well as the changes that U.S. News & World Report is planning to implement in this year’s law school rankings.

YALE ANNOUNCES MAJOR CHANGES TO ITS MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES

On Wednesday, Yale announced major changes to its mental health policies. No longer will students have to fear losing their health insurance if they take a leave of absence for mental health reasons or face a complex process for reinstatement. These reforms come after the university made headlines in The Washington Post last November for its pressure-inducing mental health policies. Weeks after the article was published, several Yale students filed a lawsuit that accused the university of discriminatory practices against those with mental health problems. University administrators have responded with “sweeping” policy changes that make it easier- logistically and emotionally- for students to seek treatment.

MARYLAND BOARD CHAIR RESIGNS UNEXPECTEDLY 

The board chair of Maryland 529, Peter Tsirigotis, made a surprising announcement on Friday, resigning from his position in the midst of a major crisis. For months Maryland 529, which offers college savings programs, has been under scrutiny. The organization froze interest payments on a college savings program after a calculation error was discovered. The error has left many families unable to make tuition payments for spring 2023. Tsirigotis appeared in front of the Maryland House Appropriations Committee on Friday to address the issue, only to resign the next day. Now the organization is focused on finding a replacement and taking steps to resolve program errors.

PENNSYLVANIA DROPS COLLEGE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE JOBS

There’s a big shift in the job market for Pennsylvania residents! On Wednesday, governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order eliminating the four-year degree requirement for 92% of state jobs. This change allows for greater focus on skills and experience rather than a diploma. As part of the order, Governor Shapiro also launched a new website for job seekers to easily search for open positions.

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITIES BAN CRITICAL RACE THEORY

Florida’s state and community college system - 28 colleges and universities in all - announced on Wednesday that they will eliminate any academic requirement or program that “compels belief” in critical race theory or intersectionality. The ban will come into effect on February 1, and comes on the heels of an order by Governor Ron DeSantis that public colleges submit lists of their spending related to diversity initiatives and critical race theory.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” That’s the attitude many colleges and professors are taking with ChatGPT, a new chatbot that doesn’t just provide students with answers to all of their questions. It can write essays, too! For months, school officials across the United States have feared the new technology, speculating the ways in which it will complicate academic integrity standards and methods for monitoring student work. Rather than trying to ban ChatGPT, many colleges are learning to work with the reality of the A.I. tool. Professors have begun revamping curriculum, trading in at-home assessments for in-class writings and building writing workshop processes into syllabi. Some instructors are also finding creative ways to incorporate ChatGPT into the classroom to help students understand the advantages and limitations of A.I. At the administrative level, institutions have begun reworking policies on plagiarism and investigating new digital systems for detection. With these efforts, colleges and universities will hopefully find the right methods for determining what’s human and what’s bot! 

Return on investment is a crucial factor in any decision-making process, including college. Before signing up for tuition payments or student loans, it’s important for students to “crunch the numbers” on an institution to determine what their degree will ultimately be worth. However, this process may prove difficult. Federal restrictions on data sharing, as well as inconsistencies in the ways colleges report data often prevent students from fully understanding the realities of their financial investment. As a result, many are calling for legislation to ensure colleges and universities provide accurate, transparent data about graduation rates, financial aid, and earnings potential for specific programs. These policies will mean nothing, though, if students aren’t taught what to do with the data once it becomes available. That’s where schools and counselors will play a part in teaching young adults to make informed decisions about their academic and financial futures. 

Unfortunately, metal detectors are common in many U.S. high schools. Now they are being installed in elementary schools as well, most notably in Newport News, Virginia, where a first-grade student recently shot his teacher. The shocking incident prompted increased security measures in the Newport News school system, where young children will now use clear backpacks and pass through metal detectors. Many wonder if secure measures like these are appropriate in an elementary school setting. What impact will they have on the physical safety, as well as the mental well-being of such young students? Some administrators are seeking alternative solutions to school safety, focusing instead on social-emotional learning programs that help students learn to process emotions and interact with others. There is no quick-fix for eradicating school violence, but teaching empathy may play an important role in change.

What’s it like to be a queer student at a religious university? Challenging! Student-athletes at Brigham Young University are opening up about their experiences at the private, Christian school. Despite the university's efforts to foster change through initiatives, discrimination prevails, according to many. Several queer students have accused the school of stifling personal expression while appearing to promote inclusivity. In fact, any form of “same-sex romantic behavior” is still an Honor Code violation at BYU. (PS: Students in search of LGBTQ+ friendly college campuses should consult the CampusPride website. This nonprofit organization puts out an annual list, ranking schools based on policies, programs and practices).

Like many in the college admissions world, we’re waiting to see how the Supreme Court’s decision on the recent affirmative action case will affect the admissions process. As colleges scramble to keep up a diverse population on campus without affirmative action, we may see more schools continuing with test-optional admissions, as well as the elimination of legacy preference or even Early Decision. Other strategies for increasing racial diversity on campus, like fly-ins and designated scholarship programs, could also come to an end. This article dives deep into some of these issues, and we’re waiting to see how far-reaching the changes might be after the Court’s decision!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are busy working with juniors on filling out their Common Applications - if you’re a junior looking at the “Honors and Awards” sections of their applications and thinking you have nothing to say, here are some opportunities:

The U.S. Global Change Research Program is looking for student artists ages 13-17 who are passionate about solving climate change to submit artwork related to “climate, people, and nature.” Drawings will be included in the Fifth National Climate Assessment. Interested students should submit their artwork by January 27.

NPR’s fifth annual Student Podcast Challenge is open! Entries for applicants in grades 5-12 must be submitted by a teacher or educator by April 28. And if you’re a college podcaster, keep an eye out for the College Podcast Challenge this fall, which will open September 1.

Weekly Update: January 9

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SIX-YEAR OLD STUDENT SHOOTS TEACHER

Shocking news was reported from Newport News, Virginia, on Friday afternoon. A six-year old student at Richneck Elementary School was taken into police custody after shooting his teacher. According to reports, the shooting was not accidental. Fortunately, the teacher was able to receive immediate care and is in stable condition.

VARSITY BLUES MASTERMIND IS SENTENCED

On Wednesday January 4, William Singer–the mastermind behind the Varsity Blues admissions scandal– was sentenced. After pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to defraud the US and obstruction of justice, Singer was given 3.5 years in federal prison. Additionally, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit over $10 million. During the court proceeding, Singer issued an apology, admitting a loss of moral and “ethical values.” He is scheduled to report to prison on February 27.

VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL LAUNCHES CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATIONS AT TJ HIGH SCHOOL

Last week Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares launched two civil rights investigations at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, VA. These investigations are in response to recent claims that the school failed to recognize National Merit Award winners in the fall of 2022. Miyares’ team is also looking into recently revised admissions policies that many have deemed discriminatory. School officials referred to the National Merit notification as a one-time human error. However, emails have now surfaced showing similar patterns with award notifications from 2020, and two more schools (Langley and Westfield) have also indicated that they failed to notify students this year. More on our thoughts below…

NEW DETAILS EMERGE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDER CASES

University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger appeared in court last week and was then transferred from Pennsylvania to Idaho. As Kohberger awaits a January 12 hearing, new details about the case are emerging. Court documents reveal information about Kohberger’s actions the night of the murder, including key details about his car and phone usage. Based on the information, investigators suspect that Kohberger may have planned the attack. However, police have not been able to determine a motive yet. 

PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL GETS A CONSERVATIVE OVERHAUL 

New College of Florida made headlines on Friday when Governor Ron DeSantis appointed six new members to its Board of Trustees. Many feel that DeSantis is seeking to “overhaul” the college, which has a reputation for being one of the most progressive schools in the state, with conservative leadership. This move comes after DeSantis recently asked all state colleges and universities to document the resources they use related to diversity, inclusion, and critical race theory initiatives. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Racial justice has been at the forefront of university initiatives over the past three years. In response to the killings of George Floyd, several colleges established new programs, buildings and research opportunities to promote racial justice. Penn State is one of those schools–or so it planned to be. However, plans for the formation of a Center for Racial Justice were halted after a change in school leadership. New president Neeli Bendapudi expressed concerns over budget and instead wants to direct funds to already-existing campus programs and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion. Many are upset by the decision and feel that the “broken promise” undermines the transformative work so many within the Penn State community are trying to accomplish. 

Employers may no longer care where you went to college, according to analyst firm Gartner. The firm recently released a report predicting that the most successful companies in 2023 will be those that look at “nontraditional” employee candidates. As part of a growing trend, many organizations are dropping education requirements to attract new talent in a “tight labor market.”  Companies are encouraged to focus instead on soft skills and training opportunities for new employees. 

What’s in store for higher education in 2023? Last week, Higher Ed Dive released their list of trends to look out for this year, noting that for the first time in three years, we don’t have to examine everything through a pandemic lens. Very exciting! Instead, experts predict greater focus on financial aid and student loans, as well as efforts to address enrollment declines. Many are also watching the U.S. News & World Report rankings, which have long been a well-respected source of data for undergraduates and graduate students. This fall, Yale and Harvard law schools made headlines when they announced they would no longer cooperate with the rankings. Will other law schools follow in their footsteps? And what could this mean for undergraduate rankings moving forward? Time will tell! 

Ding, dong: the traditional participation grade is dead! For decades, college students have been awarded participation points for being physically present in the classroom and speaking up. However, the pandemic changed the very nature of participation. In online formats, teachers were forced to figure out a new way to define engagement. Many noticed that students who didn’t participate in a traditional classroom setting were thriving in Zoom thanks to chat boxes and breakout rooms. And for other undergrads, they successfully mastered the course content asynchronously. So what does that mean for the value of traditional participation? If and how should it be weighted? Well, educators aren’t quite sure yet. For now, many professors are experimenting with incentives and alternative ways for students to show their engagement with and understanding of course content. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Last week I had the chance to speak with Aimee Cho of NBC4 about the National Merit controversy at TJ. I am at the 1:44-ish mark, but watch the whole video - it’s interesting! Especially the part from the TJ parent.

Having worked alongside TJ students for years, and having worked in multiple high school counseling offices, I truly do not think this was intentional in any way. That doesn’t make it okay - at all. But when I hear people saying that the administration purposely hid the awards to result in “equal outcomes for every student,” or even worse, to promote anti-Asian discrimination, I’m just floored.

Having been on the other side of this, I know how much paperwork these counselors and administrators get flooded with and how many similar delays happen at high schools all the time, everywhere. I also know how hard the TJ staff works to maximize opportunities for their students. They really do a lot behind the scenes, so much more than parents probably realize. Remember, the staff at the school are not responsible for the admissions changes at TJ or the greater equity issues happening in Fairfax County Public Schools right now. No matter where you fall on those issues, the hardworking staff isn’t responsible. They are just trying to do their jobs, and too few people are responsible for too many tasks. In those situations, things fall through the cracks. Again: not okay. At all. They need to do better. But I just don’t believe this was intentional.

(Side note: I think it’s incredibly important that we don’t throw baseless accusations of discrimination around. These kinds of allegations are very serious. When people start saying that everything is discriminatory, that dilutes the very real issues of discrimination that do exist. And there’s SO much anti-Asian bias in the college admissions process - I have written about it so many times.)

In my opinion, mistakes like this will continue to happen until we can ensure that the counselor: student ratios are lower in public schools. The counselors could have then taken this on (as many private school counselors do) to notify the students and take it off the principal’s plate.

And as I said on the segment - no TJ student will have their chances of college admissions success in jeopardy because their commended student status was not shared in a timely manner. This is the runner-up to a larger award - it pales in comparison to the typical awards that TJ students have. These are the best and brightest students out there.

I am actually much more concerned about the Langley and Westfield students who were also impacted, which we just learned about in the last day or two. If a student with generally average academic qualifications had failed to report this, that could have been more of a difference-maker.

Weekly Update: January 3

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COLLEGES BAN TIKTOK

Some college students are in for a big surprise when they return to campus after winter break. One of the world’s most popular social media apps will now be off limits at some US colleges and universities. Several schools in Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma have recently blocked TikTok from campus computers and networks in response to state executive orders, which banned the app on state-issued devices. Growing cybersecurity concerns have also prompted many schools to delete their university-administered TikTok accounts in favor of other platforms. Students are vowing that the bans won’t stop them from using the popular platform, though. There’s a convenient workaround: they can still access TikTok from the comforts of their personal devices and phone plans. 

PROSECUTORS REQUEST SIX YEAR SENTENCE FOR VARSITY BLUES MASTERMIND

Last Wednesday prosecutors filed a sentencing memorandum, asking that William Singer- the “mastermind” behind the Varsity Blues scandal- serve six years in prison and pay over $10 million in restitution. This request is in stark contrast to what Singer’s attorneys have proposed: community service and three years of probation. So why the disparity? Prosecutors claim that Singer’s fraud was “staggering in scope” and “breathtaking in its audacity and the levels of deception it involved.” Singer responded by issuing a statement of apology and remorse to the court. We will continue to track this story, as Singer is scheduled to be sentenced on January 4. 

IDAHO PROFESSOR FIGHTS BACK AGAINST TIKTOK MURDER ALLEGATIONS

TikToker Ashley Guillard made headlines this past week for her psychic attempts to solve the University of Idaho murder case. Guillard, a tarot card reader, created over 40 posts on her social media platform implicating Idaho professor Rebecca Scofield in the tragedy. Professor Scofield’s attorney issued two cease and desist letters before filing a lawsuit for defamation. Guillard doesn’t seem worried, though, about the lawsuit. According to reports, Guillard said she’s “gleaming with excitement” at the chance to share her ideas in court.

IDAHO MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED

On Friday, officials arrested a suspect in the University of Idaho quadruple homicide case. Bryan Kohberger was apprehended in Pennsylvania, after officials confirmed his DNA was a match to evidence found at the scene of the crimes.

NATIONAL MERIT AWARDS GO UNRECOGNIZED AT TOP VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL

There’s a “war on merit” at Fairfax County’s Thomas Jefferson High School (more widely known in our area as TJ). The school has been accused of failing to notify or recognize students named as Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. As a result, nearly 1,200 students missed the chance to bolster their college applications with this honor. Many parents are calling this a “criminal act” and are insisting that the school take responsibility. According to a recently released statement, Fairfax County Public Schools is “looking into the matter” and will correct the notification process going forward.

CAUSE OF PRINCETON STUDENT’S DEATH REVEALED

For months, many have speculated about the cause of a Princeton University student’s death. In October, the body of Misrach Ewunetie was found near campus tennis courts, just two days after Ewunetie was reported missing. Although there were no indicators of foul play, many wondered what happened and why. This past week investigators revealed that Ewunetie died by suicide: a fatal mixture of antidepressants and anxiety medication. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

$60,000 college tuition price tags, tens of thousands in student loans, raging debt: how did we get here? That’s the question David Love is posing, as he traces the history of the American student loan crisis. He examines the shift from college education being perceived as a “public good” to an individual “private endeavor.” Love also looks at the politics and policies that have informed access to college education over the past forty years, making it a luxury for those who can afford the soaring costs. Ultimately, Love calls for an ideological shift back to college as a public good “rather than a profit center.”

Teachers got an unwanted holiday gift this year: a new technology that makes cheating even easier for students. ChatGPT is a newly released AI bot that provides well-written, almost “human-like” answers to any question the user may pose. While this may be a handy app for the curious, it’s anything but for teachers and professors who are concerned about academic integrity. Gone are the days of checking for plagiarism via a Google search. Many educators are worried that ChatGPT will make it impossible to determine originality in student work. And with ChatGPT’s refined features, which include the ability to script paragraphs in different writing tones, teachers will have to work extra hard to distinguish a student’s authentic writing style from an AI response. ChatGPT is aware of the potential for cheating and has offered teachers advice: educate students about cheating; provide them with support so they won’t cheat; and change up typical essay or exam questions to make them more sophisticated. We’re not convinced that these measures will solve the potential problems of AI and cheating. But students beware: your teachers know about this technology, and they’re on the watch! 

A recent New York Times opinion piece delves into a topic that comes up quite frequently in our office: whether or not to disclose mental health issues in college applications. As the author found, this type of disclosure can be a red flag to admissions officers and can have a significant negative impact on admissions decisions. All things being equal, we do not recommend disclosing. However, sometimes all things are not equal - if it’s obvious from other aspects of a student’s application that something serious was going on, it can be better to go with the truth instead of leaving admissions officers to make guesses that are often times worse than the reality.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It’s a new year, and we have a new collection of Summer 2023 opportunities for high schoolers! Visit our database to see the latest internships, pre-college programs, and volunteer experiences available. And don’t delay! There are several opportunities with January application deadlines.

If you need help with summer program applications, resumes, or cover letters, book a session with us. Meeting times in January are filling up fast!

Weekly Update: December 27

biggest college-related news of the week

EARLY DECISION RESULTS CONTINUE TO SHATTER RECORDS

More early decision results have been released, and the numbers are continuing to shatter records! Across the country, colleges and universities are reporting historic increases in early decision applications. JMU announced they are “rewrit[ing] the record books” with a 30% increase in ED applicants this cycle, while Brown and Williams also released staggering data. Unfortunately for many hopeful seniors, what goes up must come down. With ED applications at an all-time high, acceptance rates are at an all-time low.

STUDENTS PROTEST ANTISEMITIC ACTS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD 

A “Jews Not Welcome” sign at the entrance to a high school in Montgomery County, Maryland, has created outrage. Students at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda organized a walkout last week in protest of the sign, as well as other antisemitic acts. According to data, there’s been a recent surge in antisemitic incidents in Montgomery County (and nationwide), prompting students to ask: “why is this happening?” Students are encouraging school officials to ask the same question and generate solutions. Meanwhile, Whitman’s Jewish Student Union has responded to the incident with an action plan. They’re meeting with school administrators to plan community educational events, and they’ve already hung a new sign over the school entryway: “Everyone is welcome here.”

STUDENT DATA IS KIDNAPPED FOR RANSOM 

Students at Knox College received an unexpected email recently. After breaking into the school’s systems, a group of hackers emailed students to let them know about the breach. The group is holding important information for ransom, in the hopes that the school will pay for the safe return of students’ confidential data. This is the first known case where hackers have contacted students directly, and the school community is hoping that administrators can resolve the issue promptly. Currently, the hackers’ website lists an entry for Knox College data, but the entry point doesn’t lead users to any actual information…for now.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

California has found a creative, new way to help students afford college! This year the state developed the California College Corps, a program that provides undergraduates from low-income backgrounds with financial assistance in exchange for community service. Program participants complete 450 hours of community service, supporting a variety of organizations, and then receive $10,000 for tuition and living expenses. The goal is to reduce the burdens of college loans while promoting meaningful civic engagement and possible career pathways. Over 500 students have participated in the program thus far, many of whom are first-generation college students and students of color. Governor Newsom is particularly proud of the program, and many are hopeful that the Corps will create a hopeful future for thousands of students. 

“Stanford University has lost its mind” this past week, according to Fox News contributor Sarah Carter. Thousands took to Twitter and other social media platforms, criticizing and mocking Stanford’s Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative - a multi-year project aimed at eliminating harmful language from the school’s website and codes. The 'naughty list’ of phrases - which is organized into ten distinct categories - includes “users,” “survivor,” “American,” and “Karen.”

In response to the negative press, Stanford representatives insist that the glossary of terms does NOT reflect university policy. Furthermore, there is no ban on these words. Rather, the discussion surrounding such phrases is meant to “support an inclusive community.” PS: If you are curious to view the glossary of terms, you’re out of luck! The university has locked the list behind a passcode after receiving so much backlash. But my family was able to get it before it got locked down and we have all been laughing about it for the last week!

How are we going to afford college tuition? That’s the question hundreds of Maryland families thought they answered years ago when they invested in the state’s 529 college pre-paid savings accounts. This type of plan allows families to lock in future tuition payments at the current price. What seemed like a secure investment in a child’s future is now anything but!

After discovering a calculation error in the spring, the Maryland Prepaid College Trust suspended interest payments on accounts. Not only did families lose access to interest they were counting on; many say they no longer have access to their principle amount either. Parent groups have formed to fight against the frozen accounts, as hundreds are scrambling to pay spring tuition bills.

Imagine getting a B on an English essay just for turning it in! Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it’s actually a growing reality for undergraduates enrolled in first year composition courses. Many universities are turning to a labor-based grading model for writing classes. This alternative approach seeks to deemphasize the focus on numeric scores and alleviate the pressures to produce “perfect” essays. Instead, professors outline expectations for effort, which typically include class participation, writing conferences, and multiple drafts. Proponents of the labor-based model believe this approach will help solve problems with grading biases and uplift students from marginalized backgrounds, as well as those with learning disabilities. Others worry that it will be difficult to measure the effectiveness of such a model and may promote student “laziness.” For now, undergrads are largely praising labor-based grading, insisting they are more confident communicators thanks to a new take on the traditional writing process. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We hope everyone is enjoying the holiday and taking time to relax with friends and family! My kids and I spent the week in Hilton Head which was fun and relaxing but cold!

BUT if you are a senior who can’t relax because you have looming college deadlines or last-minute essays to write, let us bring you some holiday cheer. We still have some appointments available between now and the new year. Book your session today!

Weekly Update: December 19

if you’re one of our long-time readers, you might notice something different this week. We’re posting on Monday! Yes, we are going to try moving our weekly updates to Mondays from here on out, and you’ll see additional content later in the week. Would love to hear any thoughts or comments!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

RUTGERS MOVES TO THE COMMON APP

In an email to counselors on 12/12, Rutgers announced that they will be moving to the Common App for the HS Class of 2024. Great news!

EARLY DECISION ACCEPTANCES ARE AT RECORD LOW

Data is starting to emerge as colleges release their early decision/ restrictive early action news this month. Several schools received a record number of early applicants, including Duke, Dartmouth, and Yale, and once again this has driven acceptance rates to record lows. We will continue to track the data as more early decision data is shared. So far, we were fortunate to have our students accepted ED to a lot of great schools - Tufts, Barnard, Northwestern, Emory, Syracuse, Villanova, Elon and of course a number to UVA! We also had more students than ever choose to opt out of ED because their favorite schools only offered EA (or REA). Still waiting on some of those decisions, but Clemson and UGA came in really strong.

MISSING COLLEGE STUDENT IS FOUND

A missing college student will make it home for Christmas after all. In late November, St. John Fisher University senior Kenny Deland Jr., disappeared from University of Grenoble Alpes, where he had been studying abroad. Friends reported him missing, and investigators undertook a multinational search. Last week Deland was found safe in Spain, but no further details have been released. For now, the mystery of why and how Deland ended up in Spain remains. 

INVESTIGATORS SEARCH 22,000 CARS IN EFFORT TO SOLVE IDAHO MURDER CASE

As we reported last week, investigators in the horrific University of Idaho murders finally got a lead in the case. A white Hyundai Elantra was spotted near the crime scene, and police have been trying to identify the individual(s) in the car. They are currently searching over 22,000 vehicles that match the description. Meanwhile, investigators continue to scour surveillance footage and encourage community members to be on the lookout for the white Elantra as well.

LOUDOUN COUNTY SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE INDICTED

Loudoun County’s school system has made headlines over the past year for high profile sexual assault cases. Last week two school officials, Scott Ziegler and Wayde Byard, were indicted as part of the investigation into how the district has handled sexual assault reports. Ziegler has been accused of publishing false statements related to a sexual assault in a school bathroom that took place in 2021. He is also indicted on unlawfully firing a teacher who filed sexual assault complaints about one of her students. At this time the reason for Byard’s indictment is unclear. Several local area parent groups have responded to the news, expressing gratitude for the investigation and the efforts to address these problems within the school system. 

best articles of the week

If you are struggling to make sense of a college decision, check out Jon Boeckenstedt’s Why You Were Denied. The bullet-point list is on point, and while some of them are more obvious than others (i.e. we all know that recruited athletes are likely to be in a better position than the rest of us), so rarely do we consider the role that sheer randomness can play.

There’s a surprising new class appearing on high school students’ schedules across the country: Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (otherwise known as JROTC). For over a century, JROTC has been a volunteer program for young adults potentially interested in a military career. However, this class may not be optional anymore. Recent data indicates a rising trend in automatic and/or mandatory enrollment at several high schools, especially those in predominantly non-white, low income areas.

These numbers have created a great deal of controversy, and not just from teens who oppose an additional class. While the program has the potential to provide students with discipline and direction, many insist that it takes advantage of vulnerable young adults. Some are worried that JROTC pressures students into a military career and prevents them from considering other pathways. A number of families have successfully challenged required enrollments, and community debates continue to unfold about the nature and direction of the JROTC program. 

What’s the best way to relieve student debt? For months, there’s been a national debate centered on debt cancellation programs, which are meant to support those with limited means. Specifically, President Biden’s proposals focus on people earning five-figure salaries whose debt far outweighs their earnings. But what many don’t know is that there are also programs in place to help even the wealthiest of families better manage the steep price of higher education. Most of us have 529 college saving plans for our children - but “dynasty” 529s allow those with “hundreds of thousands of dollars to spare” to create hefty savings accounts that avoid taxation- provided that future generations use the money for college tuition. These “dynasty” plans have come under attack, as many view these accounts as just another advantage for the economically advantaged.

Speaking of college savings, there’s a great deal going on at Colby-Sawyer College: half off tuition! As part of the great “tuition reset,” several small, private colleges have recently cut tuition prices in an effort to fill their classes. How can they manage such a financial hit? Well, for years many schools have used hefty price tags to denote status and align themselves with the most elite institutions in the country. Here’s a secret, though: the majority of students don’t actually pay the steep price, thanks to scholarships, loans and grants. This financial “game,” as some in the education world label it, has worked for years but hasn’t been so successful in the economically conscious climate of late. Many applicants are now being deterred by sticker shock and opting to apply to schools seen as a “better deal.” In response, schools have begun to lower their prices, which could be a big gamble. Those who are part of the great tuition reset will need to carefully watch the data and see what story the numbers will tell in upcoming admissions cycles. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

As you might have seen from my social media posts, I made an appearance on CNN last week discussing private versus public schools. We are so fortunate to have lots of great options here in Fairfax County- both of my kids attend amazing schools with incredibly dedicated teachers and administrators.

I personally believe that strong public school systems breed strong private school alternatives, and that healthy competition in the educational marketplace promotes accountability and a culture of excellence across the board. If you’d like to see a clip of the CNN segment, head over to our Facebook page. 

As mentioned above, decision notifications continue to roll in, and we are thrilled that so many of our students have been admitted to their first choice schools! If you’re a current client and haven’t shared your news with us yet, please send us a quick email! 

For those who may not have received the ED news they were hoping for, we can help! If you’re NOT a current client, book an emergency strategy session ASAP, so we can begin planning your next steps. We also have essay coaching meeting times available for students who need to write a letter of continued interest. If you ARE a current client, email us to figure out your next step!

And lastly - it’s hard to believe that we are right in the middle of the holidays already! Hanukkah started last night and Christmas is in just a few days. We hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday with family and friends. But try to keep the college admissions talk to a minimum with extended family! This article is a few years old, but it still rings true!

Weekly Update: December 9

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

A NEW TOOL FOR COMPARING SAT AND ACT SCORES

Students who received their PSAT scores this week should take a few minutes to check out the concordance widget. Compass Prep released this new tool that makes it easy for students to convert their scores from SAT to ACT and use the comparisons to make important decisions about future test prep.

CONTRACEPTIVES BOOST COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES

There’s good news this week for young women in Colorado. Researchers have found that the state’s Title X Family Planning Initiative (CFPI) - which increased access to low and no-cost contraceptives in 2009- has also increased college graduation rates for women over the past decade by up to 12%. Additionally, the data shows improvements in high school graduation rates, as well as the number of women in Colorado who earn their bachelor’s degree by the age of 24. Researchers feel these numbers are significant because they emphasize the importance of Title X policies and programs, as well as the impact contraceptive access can have upon a woman’s future. 

HIGHEST PAYING COLLEGE MAJORS OF 2022

What is your college major worth? Payscale released their annual list of highest-paying majors, so check them out. As many might expect, a majority of the top spots are held by engineering industries, computer science, and math. However, there are a few surprises on the list this year, especially for those preparing to become dental hygienists or physician assistants. And if you’re still in search of a well-paid career path, you might want to look into marine transport management! Aspiring entrepreneurs should check out this recent Forbes piece - a lot of interesting data here about small business ownership.

A NEW LEAD EMERGES IN THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDER CASE

After receiving over 6,000 tips, investigators in the University of Idaho student murders have a new lead. On Wednesday, police announced that a white Hyundai Elantra was spotted near the off-campus house during the time of the attacks. They believe the person(s) in the vehicle could have critical information into the case. Meanwhile, the two surviving roommates - who are believed to have slept through the attacks- opened up for the first time since the tragedy. During a memorial service last weekend, they shared memories of their friends and spoke about the impact of the tragic event.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

With affirmative action at the forefront of college admissions over the past several months, many are taking a fresh look at disparities in higher education. For decades, experts have cited a long list of factors that create a system of imbalances for students: athletic recruitment, legacy admissions, elite prep school education, to name a few. And now, in the words of Taylor Swift..

via GIPHY

Well, according to Evan Mandery, anyway. In his article for Time Magazine this week, he looks closely at the rise of private college counselors like us, which he calls the “gatekeepers.” He writes that we take “disparities between rich and poor, which diverge from birth, and explode them exponentially.” Yes, because college admissions have become increasingly competitive and complex, many families are turning to expert counselors like us at DC College Counseling for one-on-one support. I can’t deny that he’s correct about the advantages of working with us, but it’s not accurate to say that we only work with wealthy families. We also work with quite a few middle-income families as well as an increasing number of low-income families through our pro-bono program. We also do not charge anywhere near the amounts mentioned in that article - wow.

Can race impact your chances of college admissions? That’s the question many Asian-American students are asking in the wake of Harvard’s discrimination lawsuit. While students highlight their racial backgrounds on college applications, that doesn’t seem to be the case for a lot Asian-American students. In fact, many say they prefer not to disclose their race and even avoid “stereotypical” activities out of fear of bias. I can understand the stereotypical activities part - it’s awful that this has to happen, but I can understand why a student would make that choice given this landscape.

But my personal opinion - which I understand others may not agree with - is that there’s rarely a point to opting out of race disclosure. It’s almost always pretty clear whether a student is Asian based on other information in the application, so I don’t think it’s effective, and a student who chooses not to disclose when it’s obvious can instead give off the impression they are trying to hide something. Again, just my personal opinion, and of course these concerns extend far beyond college admissions. Many experts believe that heightened self-consciousness over race can have detrimental effects on students’ mental health.

The college essay is dead! This bold statement might leave essay-averse undergrads cheering, but our office of English majors was devastated to see the headline. And it’s not referring to the admissions essay, by the way! According to Stephen Marche in The Atlantic, growing AI technologies are changing the face of humanities. Students are now relying on auto-generated programs to write “original” works, from analytical essays to poetry. Some argue that the use of AI technologies isn’t actually cheating, but the issue certainly raises important questions about the role of technology in the study of humanities. Will the art of writing be relevant in the future? What value will natural language hold? Marche believes that academia will need to work hard to answer these questions and create a new vision for the future–one where humanities and technology won’t be at odds. I think writing will always be an essential skill for success in any career field and life in general!

Financial aid letters are in desperate need of revision, according to researchers at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. A recent report revealed significant problems with the ways in which schools present financial aid packages to admitted students. These letters can be confusing and misleading for families, who struggle to make sense of the numbers and compare offers across multiple schools. That’s why researchers are calling for standardization of information in financial aid packages, as well as legal disclosures, so that students can avoid costly mistakes.

Computer science may be one of the highest paying majors of 2022 (as we mentioned above), but recent undergrads could have trouble finding a lucrative job in the industry. Over the past decade, the number of students majoring in computer science has tripled, as undergrads are lured by dreams of six-figure salaries and office napping pods. However, a weakening economy has led to recent cuts within major tech companies, such as Meta and Amazon. But don’t panic yet, computer science majors! Recent data shows that there’s an increasing demand for computer science majors in the automotive and finance industries. Job seekers may just have to give up their dreams of working for Twitter and imagine a future at Toyota instead. 

If you like kids and want to earn a six-figure job within a few years out of college, we've got a school for you! Norland College, located in Bath, England, has been the premiere educational center for nannies for 130 years. The school is known for its rigorous curriculum - a mix of early childhood development studies and training in martial arts, evasive driving, and even cybersecurity. Who knew?! Graduates are in high demand and often go on to work for elite households, from the house of Windsor to ​​the house of Mick Jagger. Just don’t tell anyone if you’re admitted. Privacy is one of the hallmarks of Norland College! 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We have a lot of students hearing back from their ED schools both tonight and over the next few days. I feel so anxious! For our current students, please let us know as soon as you find out. We are crossing our fingers.

If you watch CNN, look for me early next week on a segment with Don Lemon about public vs. private school and which is better. I’m not sure which day yet, but I’ll post it when it comes online. Spoiler alert: it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, in my opinion. I have children at both! They are fortunate to go to amazing schools and have incredibly dedicated, hard-working teachers. As I listened to the other panelists, I could not help but reflect on how beyond fortunate we are in the D.C. area to have so many diverse school choices. This is definitely not the case in other parts of the country!

On another note, while you’re busy making plans for winter break, don’t forget to start planning for summer as well! Several summer pre-college programs and internships have been announced recently, and deadlines are approaching fast (we know it seems early, but many applications close by mid-January!).

To see a list of summer academic, internship, and volunteer opportunities, visit our database. We update the listings weekly. And if you need help with summer applications or your resume, we can help. Book a session with us here (scroll down to the bottom) if you aren’t a current client and here if you are.

Weekly Update: December 2

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

EARLY ACTION/EARLY DECISION RELEASE DATES

It’s officially December and that means thousands of seniors are eagerly awaiting early decision and early action news. Luckily, College Kickstart can help ease the anxiety of the “waiting game.” Their comprehensive list of EA and ED decision release dates is updated almost daily. We encourage early applicants to bookmark this page AND monitor their applicant portal for each school. As you can see from College Kickstart’s list, some schools are notorious for releasing decisions earlier (and sometimes later) than anticipated. The applicant portal is the only way to ensure you don’t miss important updates.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY REINSTATES SAT/ACT TESTING REQUIREMENTS 

High school juniors, get ready to crack open those study guides! This week Purdue University announced the return of SAT/ACT testing requirements. Since 2020, the university has been “test flexible” - like thousands of other schools responding to the pandemic. But those who plan to apply to Purdue in 2023 must also plan to take the SAT or ACT. Purdue’s decision is significant and may represent a much bigger shift in testing requirements across the US. 

NEW DETAILS CALL UVA SHOOTING INVESTIGATION INTO QUESTION

This week more details emerged as police continued investigating Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., the man accused of killing three UVA students in a deadly shooting last month. It was revealed that Jones had left “a trail of warning signs” over the past few years, including murder-themed rap songs and video, which Jones published online; a concealed weapons violation; and a misdemeanor charge. In the months leading up the shooting, UVA officials had begun investigating Jones after a student reported that Jones mentioned having a gun. However, Jones did not cooperate with the investigation. Now officials are conducting a review of the events leading up to the murders. 

CONTROVERSY AND CONFUSION OVER UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO MURDERS

One word became the “target” of controversy this week, as officials continued their investigation into the murders of four University of Idaho students. After a local prosecutor made claims that the students’ house - where the murders took place - was “targeted,” police officials sought to clarify the remarks. At this time, investigator believe the attacks were targeted but are unsure of the killer targeted this particular area or these particular students. What may seem like a matter of semantics for some is much more for local residents. The college campus and surrounding town have been overcome with fear and confusion as many wonder if the killer will strike again. In response, the University of Idaho has increased its security measures and is giving students the option to finish the semester remotely.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

After a two year investigation, the US Department of Education has determined that Fairfax County Public Schools did not provide adequate support for students with disabilities during the pandemic. The department’s Office for Civil Rights found that the county significantly reduced special education services during the height of COVID-19 and neglected to offer “compensatory services” when restrictions lifted. The Fairfax County school district has signed a resolution with the Department of Education and will offer compensatory services for those students impacted. Current or former FCPS families whose students had IEPs and 504 plans during this time frame should definitely look into this. I am particularly interested in learning about reimbursement for supplementary services or private school tuition! 

Mount Holyoke alumna Annabella Rockwell made headlines this week after revealing her “cult-like” college experience on Tucker Carlson Tonight. During the brief interview, Rockwell claimed that she was “brainwashed” by “woke” ideologies while attending the small women’s liberal arts college. In particular, Rockwell feels that she was made to believe she was victimized and oppressed. In the years since graduation, Rockwell explained that she has undergone a “deprogramming process,” which include lifestyle changes and educational videos made by her current employer. Rockwell’s claims have sparked controversy, inciting several online debates about the culture of college campuses.

Is a college degree essential in the current job market? According to the Wall Street Journal, it might not be! The tight labor market has prompted employers to reconsider college degrees as a condition of employment. Instead, many companies are focusing on skills and experiences. Such a move will not only help the labor market; some argue that this shift might also address racial and economic disparities often seen in higher education, as well as in the workforce. However, there are still many industries where a college degree is essential, and data shows that college graduates have significantly greater lifetime earnings potential. Our take? We don't anticipate this trend continuing for much longer, as the labor market will likely catch up with recent economic shifts

The 48,000 researchers and teaching assistants still on strike at the University of California are calling more than salaries into question. What began as a stand against “unfair labor practices” and demand for livable wages has transformed into a critique of the higher education system. For years, there have been disparities in job security and earnings between full-time tenured professors and part-time employees. However, these gaps have only grown as colleges and universities experience greater financial pressures. The massive strike at UC has highlighted the important roles part-time staff play in an educational institution and the need to better support all employees. As one employee commented, “This is really a fight for the future of public education.”

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

I was recently interviewed by U.S. News and World Report and shared my take on gap years and the college admissions process. You can read more about my tips and advice here. 

As we mentioned earlier in the blog, ED and EA decisions will be released over the next few week. Current clients, please email me when you receive the news. And if the decision wasn’t what you were hoping for, don’t worry! We can help you strategize your next steps. 

If you are not a current client but would like help navigating your early decision news, we have appointments available in December. Book a meeting now!

Weekly Update: November 25

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

A SHUTTLE BUS CRASHES AT BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY

On Saturday night, tragedy struck at Brandeis University when a shuttle bus full of students crashed into a tree. One student was killed, and twenty-six others were injured. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time, but an investigation has been launched. Meanwhile, the university canceled classes on Monday and Tuesday, allowing students to leave early for Thanksgiving break. Additional opportunities for support were offered to those still remaining on campus.

UVA SHOOTING VICTIM IS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL

There is some good news to share in the aftermath of the UVA shooting. After undergoing two surgeries, UVA football player Mike Hollins was released from the hospital this week and is recovering at home. Hollins told investigators that he was one of the first students to escape from the bus during the deadly shooting where Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr., opened fire on classmates, killing three. However, he returned to the bus to help other students escape. Hollins was shot in the back but is walking again.

UVA CANCELS GAME AGAINST VIRGINIA TECH

Last weekend UVA canceled its football game against Coastal Carolina and instead held a memorial service for victims of the tragedy. The Cavaliers were also scheduled to play Virginia Tech tomorrow, but have decided to cancel this game as well and bring their season to a close.

GOVERNOR YOUNGKIN RESPONDS TO UVA SHOOTING WITH NEW PROPOSAL

In response to the UVA shooting, Governor Youngkin announced his plans to propose new mental health legislation in the state of Virginia. His agenda includes addressing mental health staffing shortages, which were recently highlighted in the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission study on K-12 publication education, and improving access to “day of” treatment. 

IDAHO STRAGEDY CONTINUES TO BAFFLE INVESTIGATORS

As we reported last week, four University of Idaho students were found murdered in a home off campus. Two roommates in the same house were not harmed. Investigators have been working around-the-clock to identify a suspect, vowing to work through the holiday weekend to find answers. This is the first murder the town has had in seven years, and residents have been trying to help police, calling in over 1,000 tips and leads. While the case is still largely shrouded in mystery, officials have pieced together a timeline of events leading up to the murders and are following up on rumors of stalking. For a more detailed account of events and evidence, click here. And if you are a true crime junkie like me, all the theories on Reddit will keep you busy!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

“How does that happen?” That’s the question many are asking administrators at Fairfield University. The school has recently come under scrutiny for its sharp decline in Pell Grants, which support students from low income families. Over the past four years, Pell Grant recipients at Fairfield have dropped by 44%. The 7.5% of Fairfield students who now receive these grants is the lowest of any college in the country. Some argue that the stark decline is the result of Fairfield’s increasing reputation and rising selectivity. Others believe that low income applicants may be finding better fits and more inclusive communities elsewhere. In the meantime, the university has put forth initiatives to support underrepresented students, including the Company Scholars and Fairfield Bellarmine Scholarship. Both programs are designed to create affordable and accessible opportunities to a Jesuit education.

Online gambling is the newest extracurricular activity offered at several universities, The New York Times reports. Gambling companies have begun targeting colleges and universities for sports betting partnerships. Especially for universities that have strong sports cultures and loyal fanbases of students and alumni, these deals can be lucrative. In fact, some claim that sports betting is helping colleges recuperate from pandemic losses and bolster their athletic programs. However, the ethical implications of gambling in higher education has been called into question. Many are particularly concerned with the effects such behaviors may have upon students. Not only could betting lead to gambling disorders among such a young population; some are concerned about the pressure and impact this could have upon student athletes. Only time will tell how big of a gamble these partnerships will actually be.

In his newsletter this week, Jeff Selingo takes a close look into the state of test optional admissions: year three. While some schools are continuing to make year-to-year decisions on testing requirements, other institutions have finally “close[d] the book on testing,” most notably the University of California. UC’s decision raises a host of questions about the future of testing and the overall admissions process. Will other schools follow in UC’s footsteps? Will students continue to sit for the ACT or SAT? And what impact will a lack of testing have upon yield models and student success long term? For now, many schools are delaying announcements regarding testing, as they wait for more data to emerge.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we are offering our ONLY deal of the year!

Whether you’re a 9th-10th grade family wanting help with next year’s summer plans or course registration; an 11th grade family ready to jump right into the admissions process; or a college student wanting to learn about transfer or graduate admissions options… we’ll help you get started before it's too late!

Take advantage of 50% off Meet & Greets OR 50% off Class of 2025-2027 Strategy Sessions now through Cyber Monday.

To book a Meet & Greet: https://zcu.io/r8BI

To book a Class of 2025-2027 Strategy Session: https://zcu.io/MseA

Weekly Update: November 18

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

ACADEMIC WORKERS AT UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA GO ON STRIKE

This week, workers at the University of California staged the largest academic strike in the history of US higher education. Representing over 48,000 researchers, graders, and post-doctoral fellows, the academic staff union has been trying to negotiate higher wages and increased benefits with university administrators for over a year. However, the union believes that administrators have not been bargaining in “good faith.” UC officials have denied this claim and hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible. In the meantime, professors at UC institutions are planning for class disruptions.

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF UVA SHOOTING

Details of the deadly UVA shooting on Sunday night continue to emerge. Just as a group of students returned from a class trip to Washington, D.C., suspect Christopher Darnell Jones, Jr. opened fire on the bus, killing three fellow students and injuring others. The rest of the group fled into nearby campus buildings, and the university went into lockdown until Jones was apprehended. Eyewitnesses are now trying to piece together their last conversations with the victims and offering their observations of the suspect, who some claim was targeting specific students on the bus. We will continue tracking this story as the investigation proceeds.

MYSTERIOUS MURDERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO

As Virginians reel from the devastating events at UVA this week, it’s important to remember that another tragedy occurred at the University of Idaho as well. Four students were found dead near campus on Sunday in an apparent homicide. The case is being investigated in what police describe as a “crime of passion,” but no further details have been released. 

VIRGINIA’S UPDATED HISTORY AND SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS COME UNDER FIRE

Every seven years, the Virginia Department of Education is required to redevelop standards of learning - otherwise known as SOLs - for each subject area and garner approval from the state board of education. Typically this process is routine, but not this year! In August, the board called for an extensive revision of the history and social studies standards proposal. The several hundred page document was streamlined into just 53 pages and submitted for another review this week. While the latest version may be easier to digest, many feel that the standards overlook important areas of history and “minimize diverse perspectives.” Yesterday, the Board of Education voted to push back their review, advising the Department of Education to revise the proposal once again.

SCHOOLS REJECT COLLEGE RANKINGS

In a shocking move, Yale Law School and Harvard Law School announced this week that they will no longer participate in the annual U.S. News and World Report’s College Rankings. Although these institutions typically take top spots on the list, officials at both schools are calling the ranking’s methodology into question. Deans at Harvard and Yale claim the rankings are driven by “misguided formulas” that undermine student choice. They are concerned with what they believe is an over-emphasis on LSAT scores and GPAs and skewed calculations of student debt loads. Many wonder how this move will affect the ranking’s reputation and if other institutions will follow in Yale and Harvard’s footsteps.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Did you know that international students contribute over thirty billion dollars to the US economy? Inside Higher Ed took a close look at the impact of international student enrollment losses in the United States over the past two years. Although international enrollment is rebounding, experts are still concerned. In fact, some policy makers are calling for a national strategy to promote international enrollment, which they note was declining even before the pandemic. Other factors include cost, concerns of gun violence in America, and increased xenophobia. 

Selecting a major is one of the most important decisions an undergraduate will make. So how do you choose a degree that you won’t regret later? According to CNBC, the answer lies in value. Recent surveys indicate that the least-regretted majors are those that yield direct career pathways and high salaries. While these findings aren’t necessarily surprising, the list of top ten most regretted majors may be to some. Take a look for yourself! 

Walk into a dorm room, and you just might find yourself face-to-face with a snake–well at least in the state of Indiana. Recent data has shown a surge in the number of emotional support animals (ESAs) across Indiana’s colleges and universities. Under the Fair Housing Act, students can house emotional support animals as part of their mental health accommodations. Although cats and dogs are the most popular ESAs, Indiana campuses are now housing support hamsters, guinea pigs, and even snakes. Officials have drawn the line, though, at exotic pets and farm animals. Personally, I am not sure how snakes aren’t considered to be exotic pets…?

Parents, you’ll be happy to know that your teenagers do, in fact, trust you! According to recent EAB surveys, nearly half of teenagers polled consider parents to be one of the most trusted sources of college information - an 11% increase from a similar survey conducted just two years ago. According to Robert Alexander, Dean of Admissions at the University of Rochester, parental involvement in the college admissions process is continuing to rise. And while the support may be a welcome relief to stressed-out college applicants, parental overinvolvement is a real danger. Alexander offers a list of dos and don’ts to help parents navigate the process in a way that empowers their children. We especially like his suggestion to schedule a weekly family meeting time. That way, parents don’t run the risk of turning every conversation into an application meeting.

Lastly, Forbes published an article that released some interesting Common Application statistics relating to the current application cycle. Applications are way up, and the highest increase in apps can be found in the group of most selective schools. Trends have also emerged relating to geography - applications to schools in South Carolina, Texas, and Alabama have increased more than they have any other states (this aligns with the viral article from Town & Country that we posted in October - check this out if you haven’t yet!).

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

The holiday season is here, and it’s the perfect time for teens to get involved in the community! There are a variety of unique volunteer opportunities in northern Virginia and DC, especially for expert gingerbread house makers and light-stringers. Visit our database to see an up-to-date list.

If you’re a junior staying in town during Thanksgiving week, consider checking out some local schools to gain an initial sense of your college preferences. Even if you have zero interest in attending any D.C. area schools, it’s easy to spend some time exploring the campuses of Georgetown, GW, American, Catholic and/or George Mason, and the experience can be a really valuable opportunity to learn which factors appeal to you. We can use your observations to help make recommendations for other schools - and also tell you which to skip.

And p.s. - does it even count as a visit to Georgetown if you don’t stop by Call Your Mother for bagels?

I was there this morning and grabbed a Sun City with Bacon, YUM!!! Highly recommend and it’s always packed full of Georgetown students. Make sure to pre-order if you are going on a weekend. I also picked up some treats for my kids while I was there :)

Have a fantastic weekend!