Tips for Building Your College List

As we transition over to the active stage of the application process with all of our Class of 2023 juniors this fall, we’re working hard to help them build their college lists! We’d love to share some tips to consider as you work toward building a balanced list (and if you are visiting colleges now as a senior, don’t forget to check out our tips for choosing your college for more help with those visits!). 

One major source of anxiety that we hear about from students and families all the time is not having options. Students are nervous that come decision time, they will feel “stuck” with a choice that they don’t love. The problem is usually that the student has a list of only super-selective schools. And while every student should absolutely apply to one or more of what we call “dream reaches,” there are often dozens of schools where the student could be equally (or more!) happy and successful. 

The other common mistake that students make is having just one “safety” school - that they would never want to attend! Yes, it is important to have less selective options, usually more than one, but that doesn’t mean that you should throw a school on there just to have one. With just a bit of extra research (or help from a counselor), you can find safety schools that actually meet your criteria, where you’d be excited to attend! The goal is that every school on your list is there for a reason beyond, “Well, I could probably get in.”

So if you are looking to build a list of colleges that makes you feel like you’ve got a TON of great opportunities, follow these tips:

---

1. Start early

Now really is the time to start building a list - we’ll start brainstorming with our class of 2023 students in a few weeks! When you start early, the process becomes a lot more fun and a lot less stressful. You can also capitalize on fall and winter breaks at school to visit campuses, and make sure that you don’t miss any important info sessions or college visits to your high school. 

2. Get to know yourself

During our first brainstorming meeting with students, we ask a TON of questions! We want to get to know exactly what our clients are looking for in their schools - from academics, to extracurriculars, to community experience. There are so many different areas of consideration when choosing a college, and it is helpful to have a sense of what you are looking for, and what is an absolute deal-breaker. 

Secondly, make sure you know how important those characteristics are. We put different aspects in four categories: Must Have, No Way, Would Be Nice, and Don’t Love. That way, we know exactly how important each characteristic is to a particular student. One student might prefer a suburban environment, but be willing to attend a rural school if it has a specific program or major. For another student, a city school is a Must Have - if it’s rural, they’re not going! Make sure you know what your priorities are so that you can build your list accordingly.

3. Do your research

Once you have some idea of the type of school that interests you, you can begin research. There are websites and free resources online that can be very helpful (we particularly like the Princeton Review), as well as paid resources like the Fiske Guide that you may also be able to borrow from your school counselor or local library. 

But of course, nothing beats a visit to the school! Some campuses are open now for in-person visits, while others are remaining virtual. Whether you do a tour in person or online, taking the time to really learn about the campus and community is the best way to figure out whether it matches your criteria. Also, in-person visits are the number one place that we see students’ criteria change - you may think you want a mid-size school, but realize after a few visits that a smaller campus is the best fit for you.

4. Check your balance

We recommend at least two likely/safety schools and at least three target schools to make up the base of your list. Once you have this foundation, you can build on some reach or “dream reach” schools. But without that core of likelies and targets, you are putting unnecessary pressure on yourself - if your mindset is “If I don’t get in, I’ll be miserable!” it is a lot harder to enjoy the process.

5. Check your own time!

Careful not to go too far with the list - be mindful of your time and other commitments. Again, the earlier you start, the easier this will be, but keep in mind that some schools can have six or more supplemental essays, and they add up quickly! We try for a list of 8-10 schools with our students, though of course there is always some range depending on the individual student’s needs. Just keep in mind that if you are planning on applying to 20 different schools, you will need to be prepared to complete the work. 

Building your college list should be a fun part of the process, not a stressful one. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a list that makes you feel happy and excited about the rest of the process! If you’d like to learn more about how we can help, book a Meet & Greet to discuss our brainstorming process in more depth. 

Weekly Update: September 3

A bit of a chill in the air when we came into the office this morning, kids back at school, and seniors submitting applications almost every day - happy September!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

TULANE EXPERIENCES BACKLASH FOR IDA RESPONSE

Early on Tuesday, Tulane University began evacuating students to Houston in response to Hurricane Ida. Students won’t be permitted to return to campus until October, and classes will continue online, so many are headed home while others will stay with faculty in New Orleans. 

Tulane blamed faulty forecasts for the late evacuation, and people on Twitter became ANGRY! Criticisms of the university’s response went viral, demonstrating that the path of the hurricane had been predicted to hit New Orleans several days in advance of the evacuation. We touched base earlier this week with a current freshman we have at Tulane and were glad to hear that she is safe and doing well, but really sad that she won’t be able to return to campus for six weeks. 

(Side note: Despite the sometimes unpredictable weather, Tulane is growing increasingly popular with students - their acceptance rate dropped from 30% a few years ago to 9.73% this past year! The class of 2025 at Tulane set records for diversity as well as academic excellence.)

BUT THE AMHERST COVID BACKLASH IS WAY WORSE

I have always been on the more conservative side with Covid - just this week I kept one of my kids home from school for days as a precaution because kids in other classes there were testing positive and I didn’t want to risk exposure. So I do understand being cautious and in general applaud that.

But what is Amherst thinking? They are taking their Covid restrictions way too far, in my opinion, and students are furious. This piece from the New York Post made me laugh - “Students, all of whom were already required to be vaccinated, will spend non-class time in their dorm rooms and may leave campus only in a handful of defined emergency situations. One of these is apparently going to the bank, though what a bunch of would-be rowdy undergraduates who can’t hit up the local dive bars or have a coffee will need money for is a mystery.” Sounds fun, right? I really like Amherst, but yikes.

COVID-19 OUTBREAK AT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

On the other end of the spectrum, Liberty University switched abruptly to remote learning this week following a coronavirus outbreak on campus. Their numbers tripled within the last week and they now have 4x as many students with Covid as UVA, JMU, VCU and Virginia Tech COMBINED!!! To put this into perspective, their student population is about 15,000, and the combined student population at those four schools is about 115,000. Time to start getting vaccinated, guys! With limited ICU space at the only local hospital, the university had to pivot to protect its students. Liberty is just one of several schools, including Rice and Duke, that have made changes in the last few weeks in response to the Delta variant. 

One week ago at Liberty. Seriously???

COLLEGE FOOTBALL KICKOFF

College football started this week, with fans eagerly awaiting yesterday’s top-25 matchup between Ohio State and Minnesota. As universities struggle with the Delta variant, it is up to the colleges to manage COVID-19 during these travel games. Some football teams, including Ole Miss, Arizona, and Boston College, have 100% vaccination rates headed into the season.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

My favorite college rankings were released this week! I look forward to the Princeton Review’s rankings every year, and we often recommend them to our clients. Instead of ranking the colleges from best to worst in a general sense like many other guides, Princeton Review identifies the characteristics that students seek in an undergraduate education and identifies the top 25 schools that best fit each one. They are called "Great Lists" and range from "Great College Dorms" to "Great Career Services" to "Great Professors" and more. 

I also really like the write-ups in the Princeton Review rankings - they give a "School Says" and a "Students Say" section for each aspect of the school. This gives you a more realistic sense of what's happening on campus. For example, the "School Says" part about Wash U's campus life reads: "Washington University offers a nurturing, yet intellectually rigorous, environment where students from all identities and backgrounds thrive." But what do the students say? "WashU is ‘the package deal. Great academics, amazing extracurricular activities, and the best people.’ There’s ‘always funding for student groups, student initiatives, university-run activities, research, and the infrastructure is unmatched’: ’Dorms are five-star hotels, food is delicious with tons of variety, [and] the buildings are gorgeous.’ (I agree!). 

Create a free account on review.com to check out all of the rankings and write-ups, or buy the brand-new "Best 387 Colleges" book, which contains the same information all in one place.

Tulane and Penn State joined together this week for a webinar on “Making the Most of Your Common App.” If you missed the event, you can check out this recap. There are some common sense tips from each school, but our biggest takeaway is the importance of demonstrated interest at Tulane. As we mentioned above, their acceptance rate has dropped into the single digits, and Tulane is a school that takes demonstrated interest seriously! Students who are applying this cycle should make sure to prioritize visits, optional essays, and interview opportunities to maximize their admissions strategy. 

Lastly, the WSJ published a fascinating piece that I know would strike a chord with MANY of our readers here in Northern Virginia. It explores the increasingly problematic issue of public universities rejecting their own state’s students in order to accept more out-of-state applicants. Why is this happening, you ask? Because the out-of-state students pay a whole lot more in tuition. Texas and North Carolina were identified as two schools that are bucking this trend, which is why it’s next to impossible to get into UT Austin or UNC Chapel Hill from out of state. According to the article, the other “48 out of 50 flagship universities increased their share of out-of-state freshmen from 2002 to 2018. The average increase was 55%, although some … increased by more than 150%.” So basically everyone just pays extra to go to their neighboring state’s universities since they can’t get into their own, which brings the states more revenue but also increases student debt.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

As I have mentioned before, we are continuing to transition from working primarily with our original Class of 2022 cohort to kicking off the application process with our juniors and spending more time with our Late Start Seniors and grad students. And we’re hearing from our Class of 2021 students as many of them finish up their first week of classes, which is so fun!

One of our 2021 students sent us this absolutely adorable plant a few weeks ago (the picture doesn’t do it justice). I’m considering kidnapping it for my home office instead because I like the color so much ;)

Remember, if you just started senior year and are feeling overwhelmed - it’s NOT too late for help! Seniors who book a Meet & Greet within the next several weeks will likely be able to finish their applications by November 1. It never fails to amaze me how we can completely dig these families out of a bad situation and put them on a path to success in a matter of days, and it’s really gratifying because they are always so thankful and appreciative. A mom told me the other day that working with us was like taking a magic pill and losing ten pounds overnight. I wasn’t sure where she was going with that (haha) but then she explained that while it’s always better in retrospect to do things the right way (I.e. diet and exercise, or spending a year on the college application process), sometimes you really just need a quick fix and that’s exactly what we gave her! :) I can appreciate that!!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

SAT Score Submissions: All You Need to Know!

Every year around this time, as our seniors finish up, we try to think about the tasks students can do at home with their parents if they are running out of hours.

I have posted before about how it’s really hard to mess up application submission (AFTER the entire application has been throughly proofread, of course - just talking about the act of clicking submit and paying for the application fee, etc). It’s so straightforward that it would be next to impossible to submit by mistake.

What I do fine to be pretty tricky, though, is the process of submitting official copies of SAT scores through the College Board website (ACT score submissions are easy).

Keep reading about the submission process to learn the SAT misstep a lot of families make by accident!

Getting Started

After students sign into their College Board account and select the option to submit a score report, the website instructs them to add their colleges to the list.

This isn’t too difficult - just confirm that you have the correct school names (one year we had someone submit her SAT score to American University of Paris instead of American University, but we caught it after reviewing the confirmation email!).

Score Recipients

The next screen takes you to a list entitled “My Score Recipients.” This is where things go wrong: So. Many. People quickly proceed to the next page after reviewing the list of schools.

What they don’t realize is that the list defaults to sending ALL scores to each school. You have to manually change this option for every single school in order to be able to choose to send your best scores!

In the screen shot above, do you see the yellow arrow next to SMU, pointing to “All Scores”? The entire column looked like this before we began working our way down the list school by school.

We started with Boston College at the top of the list, and clicked the “Choose Scores” link next to each school to manually change our selection from the “All Scores” default.

See how the orange arrow shows that Princeton is set to receive “Selected Scores,” along with the three schools above it? You want the entire list to look like this before you proceed to the next step in the score submission process.

Selecting Scores for Submission

But first, let’s look at what happens after clicking “Choose Scores.” You will be taken to a page where all of your scores are laid out for you.

Assuming the school practices score choice and allows you to submit your best scores, you should figure out which test date, or combination of test dates, results in the best Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores. That’s what you want to send. The others should be toggled to “No.”

In this particular case, the student had a 760 in math each time she took the test (she is so smart!). But we do not want to send her December 2020 or March 2021 test date, because she did better in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing on the May 2021 test date. In this case, we would toggle the December and March test dates to “no” and the May 2021 test date to “yes.” Then we would proceed ahead and repeat for the next school.

Don’t Forget to Double Check!

After making all of these selections, when all of the schools are set to “Selected Scores,” you can proceed to the next screen. At this point, click the plus sign next to each school just to confirm that you actually selected what you intended to select. We clicked through each one here to make sure that it listed the May 2021 test date ONLY!

Pay and Finish Up!

Whew! The hard part is done. At this point, you can proceed to the next screen and enter your credit card information. Don’t forget to wait for the confirmation that shows that the scores were successfully submitted before clicking out.

Common Questions

Is it better to send the scores before or after application submission?

The truth is, it doesn’t matter at all. If you already know that you are done testing, and you already know your college list, you may as well go ahead and send the scores to get this step out of the way. But I would highly recommend waiting until after your list is 100% set, or this can become confusing.

Is it a good idea to rush scores?

No! Never! Because scores are now sent electronically, the rushed (i.e. sent through FedEx or similar) score reports will almost always arrive slower than ones sent normally. Strange, I know, but trust me on this and don’t rush your scores.

Is it necessary to send score reports if self-reporting scores on the application?

For some schools, no, it is not. For example, UVa is very clear about the fact that you can just self-report your scores on the application and follow up with the official score report if you enroll there, for fact-checking purposes. And this will save you some money, as the score reports cost $12 per school. But many other schools DO require official reports, and there’s a lot of conflicting information out there in terms of who does and who doesn’t. After a lot of back and forth last year with inaccurate information, my preference is for students to just go ahead and send official reports everywhere.

Is it necessary to send scores to test-blind schools?

Technically, no, as they don’t consider them in the review process. But human nature is human nature, right? If there is any remote chance that someone will see their high scores, even if they aren’t technically considered, I’d rather a student pay the $12 to send them and hope for the best. That’s why I had this student send her scores to UCLA.

You’ve sent the scores.. great! But one last step - don’t forget to monitor your application status portals to confirm that the schools received your scores!

Weekly Update: August 27

Happy back-to-school week! With a few exceptions, most of our students are back to the grind (and the seniors are really glad they worked so hard over the summer on their applications)!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

VIRGINIA SOL SCORES RELEASED

The Virginia SOL results were released for the 2020-2021 school year and we find them very concerning (although not all that surprising, I suppose). The navy column on the left represents Fairfax County's performance in 2018-2019, and the navy column on the right represents Fairfax County's performance in 2020-2021.

Note that these results only measure students who participated in the SOL exams, and many students opted out. In addition, these were only available for students attending in-person school. I read on one site that the results only reflect about 80% of the FCPS population, although I do not know if that is true or not.

The reason that this is such an issue is because coursework builds on itself, especially in areas like math, science, and foreign language. You can't perform well in AP Calculus until you master concepts from Pre-Calculus. You can’t do well in Spanish 3 if you have gaps from Spanish 2. You get the picture.. and now we have confirmation that many students really did miss key concepts last year.

We recommend that parents stay on top of this and take a very proactive approach, particularly if their students were enrolled in courses like the ones I just mentioned. I am less worried about courses like Geometry, which isn’t all that relevant for the next course in the math sequence, Algebra 2. Or World History, which is good to know in general but won’t impact most students’ performance in U.S. History, the next course in the history sequence. But for the those who are enrolled in courses that build on previous years’ material, it’s never too early to start with a tutor!

EARLY ADMISSION PLAN CHANGES

We love the lists on the College Kickstart blog! This past week they shared a list of schools with changes to their EA, ED, and ED II plans for the upcoming 2021-2022 admissions season, and it’s worth a look. Some standouts: Princeton reinstated SCEA, Carnegie Mellon added ED II, Syracuse removed EDII, and Loyola Marymount added EDII. Remember that we may still see some additional changes in the next month or two, as well!

COVID’S FALL SEMESTER IMPACT MAY VARY WIDELY FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL

It looks like Covid’s impact on undergraduate education during the fall semester will vary greatly from school to school, according to this Washington Post article. The University of Michigan’s chief health officer is optimistic and excited for the semester to begin, believing that we’ve turned a corner, and the president of Wellesley College agrees that this year will be different because of the vaccine. But not at the schools without mandates! At Florida A&M University, one out of every four students living in a residence hall has not been vaccinated. That does not bode well…

GETTING BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

If you’re on the fence about which major to pursue, we liked this research showing the best ROI for three different types of programs: bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees, and certificates. This is a smart way to look at it, because the type of degree obviously impacts earnings and there may be certain fields that are better for students to pursue if they know from the get-go that they don’t want a four-year degree. I actually thought there would be more variation than the study showed - nursing for the win!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We saw this graphic from Binghamton University that we LOVED! This is hard for a lot of parents, including me. You should have seen the “tell me about your child” worksheet I filled out for my daughter’s teacher the other night! I had a lot to say :)

So I get it - we want to fix their problems, or even better, we want to prevent their problems in the first place. But it’s so important to recognize the message under the “Roll” graphic - we are HELPING our children by letting them problem-solve on their own. Yes, we can be there for support and we should. But they need these skills, even if they are a little painful to learn at times. If you aren’t convinced, pick up a copy of Grit!

…Or just read this WSJ article, “Lessons From the Parents Who Raised the World’s Top Soccer Sisters.” It was published earlier this summer, but we just saw it and thought it was worth spotlighting. Pretty amazing that two sisters made the same Olympic team! Their parents made sure that the girls were the ones driving their soccer training as young children - particularly when it involved missing school for camps and making up a ton of work. “Every single time they went, they were taking responsibility and commitment to say they wanted to do it,” their mom explained.

While most of our students complained about online learning this past year, we have a few for whom it was a very positive experience. They are not the only ones! The New York Times published a piece on the positive impact of remote learning for students with disabilities, and it brings up some very interesting points. I wouldn’t have thought this before reading the article, but it looks like there may be some legitimate legal reasons for colleges to offer virtual or hybrid options to students who need it.

Lastly, check out this Philadelphia Magazine article about the broken nature of the college admissions process. I know, I know, we’ve read about twenty of these so far this year, and I almost skipped right over it because of that. But this was a good article that’s worth a read, particularly for parents of sophomores or juniors who are about to start the process in earnest.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We still have a few stragglers whose private schools haven’t opened yet, but our whole team enjoyed having a few minutes during the school day to breathe this week since most of our students were back at school. Of course, this just means that afternoons are busier than ever!

Hope everyone had a great first week! My two are very happy to be back at their respective schools and I’m crossing my fingers that ALL of our kids are able to attend in-person school all year long!!

And if you are getting back into the swing of things and already at home Sunday afternoon working on homework, check out the NWHE Virtual Information Session featuring Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins, Wash U and Emory. Don’t forget to sign up in advance!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Introducing: Our Pro Bono Program!

A few weeks ago, we announced our pro bono program in partnership with the Fieldstone Foundation. We are so excited to be able to serve more students through this program, and we wanted to take some time today to tell you more about our new project and answer your questions!

---

What is the Pro Bono program?

As you know if you are a client or regular reader of the blog, we at DC College Counseling specialize in helping students who need one-on-one assistance with the college process. However, there are many students out there who need some extra support, but don’t have the ability to pay. While we love helping students, we know that there are ongoing issues of equity in educational consulting and in the college process as a whole. We are so excited to be able to help in a small way by providing one-on-one college counseling services to economically disadvantaged students, completely free of charge for the student and family!

What is the Fieldstone Foundation?

The reason that we are able to make this happen! One of our favorite clients and an active FCPS parent, Heather Hawa, founded the Fieldstone Foundation and is providing generous support that will allow us to do this work without passing on any of the costs to the student. In Heather’s own words: 

“I AM SO INSPIRED BY THE SERVICES DC COLLEGE COUNSELING HAS PROVIDED MY FAMILY. I AM A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE GRAD SO I APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF A COLLEGE DEGREE. I WANT TO MAKE THE SAME SUCCESS POSSIBLE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF COLLEGE STUDENTS.”

Who is eligible?

Students who are enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12 for the 2021-2022 academic year who reside in Fairfax County and receive free or reduced price lunch at school are eligible to apply. 

We hope that students who are interested in this program are eager to maximize their application strategy and demonstrate their commitment and desire to succeed in the college process and beyond.

How are students selected for the program?

Students interested in the pro bono program can fill out our application. If we receive more applications from students than we have spots in the program, we’ll evaluate them based on their essays, passion, and determination when it comes to being successful in the college process. 

We will review applications on a rolling basis, so apply as soon as possible! In order to ensure that we can provide dedicated time and assistance to each student, we will not accept applications once all slots are filled.

Are pro bono students treated differently from full-pay students?

No! While pro Bono students will have a different package that provides a more standardized set of services and meetings, they will receive access to all of the resources that we use with our full-pay students. These include a customized college plan through College Kickstart, a paid subscription to the Wow Writing Workshop college essay curriculum, access to weekly drop-in hours for ongoing assistance, and reminders and support to keep track of tasks and provide accountability, as well as strategy sessions and meetings with our essay coaches. 

If there are any needs that we are not able to meet, we can provide recommendations and referrals to other resources, such as College Access Fairfax.

What can I do to help?

Spread the word! We are currently accepting applications for our first class of pro bono students, so if you know anyone who may be interested (or want to pass on the opportunity to your own school counselor), please let them know and send them to our website: http://www.dccollegecounseling.com/probono.

How can I learn more about the program?

If you can’t find the information that you need on our website or in this post, email Shannon or give us a call at (703) 66-ADMIT ((703) 662-3648).

Weekly Update: August 20

We made it!!!! The weeks between August 1 and the start of the school year for FCPS are always the craziest of the year for our office.. but we reached the finish line and have so many students finished as a result. Because of this, we just took a few students off our Late Start Waitlist this past week- don’t hesitate to reach out if you are a rising senior family that needs some last-minute help!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FACULTY PROTEST LAX COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS, AND STUDENTS SEEK TO SPREAD INFORMATION

Tensions are on high this week as students have returned to campus and cases have risen. At Duke, more then 100 mostly-vaccinated students tested positive, which is very alarming. As a result, faculty at many colleges and universities are protesting the lack of strict COVID-19 precautions on campus. At Penn State, the faculty senate passed a vote of no confidence in the administration’s plan to allow unvaccinated students to return to campus. And students heading to Clemson may be in for a surprise - faculty are planning a walkout on the first day of classes to protest the lack of a mask mandate. 

Yet the faculty aren’t the only ones concerned! Students at 40 different colleges and universities across the country have joined the Covid Campus Coalition, an organization founded by a Cornell student, and are working on TikTok and Instagram campaigns to educate their peers with science-backed information.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH COLLEGE REALLY COSTS?

Turns out, many students and families underestimate the cost of attending college. On average, parents of high school students expect to pay $22,000 annually, even when asked to include room and board, books, and fees. In actuality, this number isn’t too far off for students who attend in-state public colleges, but students interested in private schools can expect to pay more than double: $51,000 per year on average. And keep in mind - that’s an average that encompasses many types of private institutions. The more selective private colleges that many of our students put on their lists cost right around $80,000, all in.

VACCINE REQUIREMENT RULING SETS A PRECEDENT

Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s denial of the lawsuit against Indiana University, which we covered on the blog a few weeks back, may have set a precedent about what colleges and other organizations are allowed to require of their students. It sets up a way, for instance, for the NCAA to require that student-athletes be vaccinated - something that hasn’t occurred yet, but that we’ll be watching closely as the Delta variant continues to spread. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We know that parents are getting nervous about sending kids off to school, and I LOVED the advice in this guide for parents of new college students and thought that so much of this was spot on - except the frequency of contact part. To the contrary, I actually think it would be almost strange for an 18 year old NOT to be in touch with a parent once per day or so via text to say hi. I am 36 and I still text with my mom most days! These don't need to be long conversations but just a way to stay in touch. Also, if you have a student at UVa, there was exactly one spot left in the author’s class as of earlier this morning!

On a more somber note, this article is definitely worth reading for the parents of any (soon-to-be) freshman boys (and though the article is specific to boys, a lot of the advice could help parents of girls too!). But generally, boys tend to share less with close friends and family, and so may need a more watchful eye to make sure that they are staying healthy and taking care of themselves when they’re away from home. 

This interview with University of Maryland president Darryll Pines is a much-needed shot of hope in a time that has been so tumultuous for higher education. Despite the crises in his first year as president (a global pandemic and a nationwide racial reckoning), he turned these challenges into opportunities for UMD to change and move forward.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Good luck to all of the FCPS students heading back to school next week! And a special congratulations to our rising seniors, who have been putting in serious work on essays and applications and are on the final stretch.

If your student is heading back to school, now is the perfect time to check out academic coaching. Many students and families don’t think they need a coach when the workload hasn’t started up yet, but really, this can be the most effective time to start working with a coach! Shannon can help your student go through their syllabus, plan out major projects and assignments, and work on figuring out what organizational systems and study skills work best for them - before things get too crazy later in the semester. Book an academic coaching Meet & Greet to talk more with her about how we can help your student succeed. Trust me, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and you don’t want to be scrambling to bring up grades and complete late work during finals week! 

And for students who struggled with finding productive opportunities for enrichment this summer, you’re in luck! Cornell is offering their pre-college program online this fall, including some little-known language courses and an Introduction to Evolution and Diversity. A great way for a student interested in biology or environmental science to get some helpful experience this fall. 

Lastly, we can’t sign off without mentioning that we can't get the situation in Afghanistan out of our minds this week. If anyone knows of any refugee families in the DC area who need help with anything relating to education as they are resettling, please let us know. It’s so hard to watch this without being able to help in some way, and it would make us feel good to be able to do something useful for them - whether helping to get their children placed in the right classes at school, finding ESL courses, or anything else related to secondary, higher, or even elementary education. Let us know if there is a need and we will either take care of it ourselves or find someone who can. You can email me (Colleen) directly here.

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Tips for Organizing Your College Applications (and a Cautionary Tale!)

Our students are starting to submit their applications - yay! Unfortunately, the process doesn’t end just because they click “review and submit.” In many ways, that’s when they really need to start paying attention to details!

Each school has different requirements for applications (recommendations, test scores, transcripts, etc.) and will keep track of those requirements in different ways, in different status portals, with different login information and passwords… you get the idea.

It is incredibly important for every applicant to make sure that they find a way to keep their application components organized. Otherwise, you could have a nightmare scenario (stay tuned) where an admissions committee is unable to review your application because you’re missing important documents and aren’t aware of the problem in time to fix it.

We already do this with all of our clients as part of our regular service offerings. No missing materials on our watch, that’s for sure! But if you are a non-client blog reader, you will need to find a way to monitor components that works for you. Here are some of our favorite ways to keep track of all the elements you need:

---

Asana

In our office, we use Asana to keep track of all our students’ applications. The best way I can describe it is that it’s similar to an electronic version of a list, with a lot of really cool functions like reminders, messaging, project-sharing and more.

If you like lists and you appreciate efficiency, it’s hard not to fall in love like I did. While we have a version of Asana that is meant for businesses, they also offer a free version that can work well for keeping track of personal tasks too! This is the one I make the other members of my household use so that we can link our accounts and collaborate together :)

Here is an example of a status chart for one of our students in Asana: 

But once students apply, we’re keeping track of different materials, to ensure that their file is complete:

Note that any form of organization that you use should contain this basic information: how you access the status portal, your login information, the materials the college has already received, and the materials that are currently missing as of given dates. We also like Asana because there is an app with push notifications, so our students can keep track of everything on their phones!

Trello

Trello is another service with a free level that can help students to keep everything organized, and it has an app too. We actually used Trello in our office for one admissions cycle back when we caught the project management bug and hadn’t discovered Asana yet. While we like Asana better, we still appreciate Trello, and it’s particularly great for people who are more visual and like a high-level overview without seeing all of the details.

The nice thing about these online services is that the student, parents, and anyone else helping with the application can all access the information and mark things off in real time. That way, parents don’t have to worry that the spreadsheet they have is no longer up to date, and students will know any changes parents make to the application. You can opt in for notifications every time someone else makes a change, too.

Trello uses kanban boards to help the user sort components into different categories:

You can also add checklists to individual tasks within a board, which helps to break some of the big tasks down into their smaller parts (and make sure you don’t forget anything!):

Google Sheets

You can also use free software like Google Sheets (or something similar, such as an Excel spreadsheet), which is perhaps not quite as fun but will get the job done. This type of system is probably best for a student who doesn’t need a lot of reminders, as it is much harder to set up automatic notifications in this system than in some of the others we mentioned. Or for parents who aren’t comfortable with learning new technology and like to keep things old-school.

The reason we prefer Google Sheets to Excel is that the file lives on a cloud. This makes it easy to share with parents and anyone else that needs to be able to keep track of applications in real time, and it’s also easy for students to update at any time without needing to be at their personal computer.

No, it’s not as pretty, but it’s functional:

P.S. - this is Shannon’s actual application spreadsheet from when she was applying to college! She’s learned a few new tools since then, but still stays just as organized :)

---

If you’re not bought in yet, I’ll leave you with a true story that resulted in a major change for us here at DC College Counseling:

Long ago, we let families decide how involved they’d like us to be after application submission.

Many decided that they didn’t need professional help at this point and opted to take care of tracking components themselves with varying degrees of success (although a lot of times we’d hear back a few weeks later asking for our help after all!).

One winter morning, I woke up to a panicked email from one of my favorite students who had repeatedly assured us he had taken care of all the tracking.

Great kid, super smart, Mr. Personality - he was really a lot of fun to work with. For all of his positive qualities, he was not so amazing at checking email or just following through on tasks in general. Not to stereotype, but I am sure we all know a number of young men who would fit in this category :)

But this student was very confused because he did not receive an admissions decision from one of his top schools on their decision release date the way his peers did. Weird, right?

Several months earlier, he had asked his mom to send his ACT scores to all of his schools, and so she did. She forgot that one of his schools required the ACT with Writing (at the time - not anymore). Unfortunately, she did not send his ACT with Writing score - she sent a different score from an administration without the writing component.

This was such an easy mistake to make. Anyone could have done this, and the mistake itself was not the issue. The issue was the fact that we were not aware of the mistake.

The school emailed him a few reminders to set up and monitor his post-application status portal, but he missed the emails. Most schools don’t even send email reminders, by the way. They just expect that students are taking care of post-submission tracking on their own.

As soon as I got involved and learned that he’d never set up his portal, I knew that his lack of decision notification wasn’t because the mailman was late that day, and that we were likely not going to be happy with the outcome. I helped him find the emails and set up portal access.

We immediately discovered that the Portal showed he had not fulfilled the test score submission requirement, so his application remained incomplete for months, and they ultimately withdrew him from consideration without his knowledge.

This would have literally taken all of five minutes to fix if we had known about it when it occurred. But we just never knew! So all of his hard work - three supplemental essays, a visit there, that extraordinarily time-consuming business school portfolio (if you know, you know!).. it was all for nothing. We are talking about 10+ hours of work literally thrown away. The school never even read the application.

At that point, I decided that we were going to start keeping track of application components whether our families believe they need our help or not!

It all goes back to one of my favorite sayings, “if you don’t know, you don’t know,” and many people just don’t understand what a big deal application component tracking is. I feel a professional responsibility to make sure things like this don’t happen on my watch!

We then modified our packages to include specific hours dedicated to administrative work, including those ever-popular ongoing reminders from Donna as well as the application status tracking this post explains. These are the same packages we have today.

And because we have access to every single portal, nothing like this could ever happen again, and it never has, despite the process becoming so much more complicated all these years later.

---

Moral of the story? Whether you go with Asana, Trello, Google Sheets or something else entirely, the important thing is that you have all of the information you need in one place both during the application process and well after submission.

Moreover, you need to monitor your portal carefully until all materials are accounted for and the application file is considered complete. Only then can you breathe a sign of relief and put everything aside until decision day!

Want more about the ins and outs of applications? Check out these posts!

Weekly Update: August 13

Another busy August week, another late weekly update :)

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

AND IT BEGINS.. (OR NOT?)

Ughhhhh. The University of Florida is planning to switch back to virtual learning for the first three weeks of classes during the fall semester. I wonder if this is going to be the first of many such decisions? Closer to the home front, FCPS is holding a “Return to School Town Hall” next week and they appear to be optimistic about sending kids back for five days. Fingers crossed!

Edited 8/14: Looks like UF reversed course on this after all! There was a lot of backlash last night, and the school sent out another email to the campus community less than 24 hours later.

COLLEGES AND VACCINES

Another week with a huge amount of news about colleges and vaccine requirements (or lack thereof). The issue of vaccines for colleges has gone beyond the campuses themselves, with state and local lawmakers weighing in on vaccinations. While Texas public colleges are not allowed to require vaccines (and UT Austin plans to start its school year online for this reason), the city of Philadelphia has issued a vaccine requirement for colleges. 

Vaccine requirements are likely to stand, at least for now - the Supreme Court recently rejected a case that students brought against Indiana University’s requirement. But if you are thinking about faking your vaccination status to attend school next year, don’t! This wouldn’t only lead to disciplinary action from the school, but is also a federal crime. Not to mention, you certainly don’t want to be the cause of a campus outbreak.  

P.S. If you’re headed to Tennessee State in the fall, get your vaccine on campus before August 27 and receive a $100 gift card!

SMALL COLLEGES CHARGE “COVID FEE”

In one example of an extreme vaccine incentive, West Virginia Wesleyan College has announced its intention to charge unvaccinated students a $750 “COVID fee” to cover the costs for testing on campus. So though the college does not mandate the vaccine, there is certainly a cost to not receiving one.

Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama implemented a similar fee, charging unvaccinated students $500 in lieu of a vaccination mandate. So don’t be fooled by the article in the Onion - these COVID fees are a real thing!

ELITE COLLEGES REQUIRE COVID-19 TESTING

This week, Stanford joined Brown, Harvard, and Princeton in requiring mandatory weekly COVID tests for all students, even those who have already been vaccinated. Students will also be required to wear face masks on campus. This is a shift in the university’s previous policy, which allowed vaccinated students to skip weekly testing.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Jeff Levy and Jennie Kent are two educational consultants who take the time every year to compile data on RD and ED decision rates - and I always look forward to it! They put it together based on the Common Data Set information, which is really the most updated and the only truly accurate information available online.

We highly recommend that students and families check out the CDS data for themselves - it is easy to find if you Google the school’s name and “Common Data Set,” because most schools make the data publicly available - they just don’t advertise it! But knowing this information is really key to educating yourself on the difference between ED and RD acceptance rates.

Here are some standouts from this year:

On a lighter note, we always love to check out dorm room decor, which has gotten more and more elaborate in recent years! According to a study from Deloitte, Americans will spend nearly $7 billion on dorm room appliances, furniture, and decor. This article covers many of the retailers and online spaces where parents and students are discussing and purchasing their dorm room decor for next year.

Can you believe those are DORM ROOMS? Incredible. And speaking of dorm rooms, this was a sweet blog post on Grown & Flown about taking time to grieve after dropping your kids off at college.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Hard to believe we are halfway through August already! We have been starting to submit applications with several of our seniors, and even more of them are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as they finish up their essays. We had MULTIPLE students who completed 8-10 essays in this past week alone - their hard work is so impressive and inspiring for all of us.

Despite some power outages last week (for us and for our clients), we still managed to have over 100 hours of client meetings this week - and that doesn’t include all the post-meeting follow-up! Shannon or I do an additional review of every single supplemental essay, so there’s a lot of behind the scenes work.. not to mention Donna tracking every single document, appointment, you name it for every single kid (she is a saint)!

Have a great weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Interview Series 3 - Make a Good Impression

If you’ve read our previous interview series posts, you’ve signed up for the interview and prepared some questions to ask your interviewer. Now the day is here, and while you know you’ve got the content prepared, you’re worried about making an impression. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Read on for our tips to put your best foot forward during your interview - before you even say a word.

Lay out your outfit the night before.

Choosing what to wear (and making sure it’s clean!) the day before your interview will eliminate a lot of stress for you in the morning. Sometimes, the school will provide guidelines about attire in your interview invitation or confirmation email, so make sure to read those carefully. If you’re still not sure, err on the side of dressing more formally: a shirt and jacket for boys and a nice blouse and skirt or slacks for girls are usually appropriate! Business casual should be your default, even in a more informal informational interview - remember, every time you interact with the admissions office, you’re making an impression. 

(Note - If you’re wondering what to wear for a campus visit that does NOT involve an interview, check out our blog post on the subject here).

Avoid fidgeting!

Especially when you’re nervous, it’s natural to get a bit fidgety. You might not even notice you’re doing it! So eliminating anything that you’re tempted to play with is a good idea. That means avoiding necklaces, bracelets, watches, or earrings that you’ll be tempted to toy with, and even pinning or slicking back the front of your hair so that you don’t feel the need to push it out of your face. And if you are interviewing on Zoom, avoid sitting in an office chair that spins - that spinning will be very tempting during the interview!

Pay attention to your introduction.

Some research shows that it takes as little as a tenth of a second for someone to make an impression of who you are - so it definitely doesn’t hurt to make sure those first few seconds of the interview leave a positive impression on the interviewer. When you meet them, introduce yourself warmly, smile, and make eye contact. If you need to wait for the interviewer in a waiting room or Zoom room, sit and look around or read brochures about the school if they are provided - you don’t want the interviewer to walk in/log on and see you looking at your phone.

Arriving ten minutes early is a great way to calm your nerves. You could even find a private place to take some deep breaths or even strike a power pose, and walk into the interview feeling confident. 

But don’t arrive too early - when I worked in admissions, it would always drive me a little crazy when kids showed up 30-60+ minutes in advance - and a huge number actually did this. I’m sure they thought that showing up earlier would make them look better, but this was not the case at all.

Instead, I would feel unspoken pressure in these situations to start before our scheduled time if I wasn’t in a different meeting. This would in turn disrupt my schedule and often meant that I had to cut my lunch short! And you don’t want your interviewer to start off the interview annoyed and hungry, trust me :)

---

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but this is really an exciting opportunity - you get to show the admissions office who you are and help them put a face and a personality to the words on your application! You are meeting with someone who wants you to be successful, because that’s how they’ll get to know you better.

Follow these tips and walk into the interview with confidence, and you’ll be ready for a valuable conversation! If you need more help, though, you can always book an interview preparation session to work on these tips with one of our coaches. 

Want more about essays and interviews? Check out these posts!

Weekly Update: August 7

August is here, and we are busy!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

DC SCHOOLS GRAPPLE WITH COVID-19 LAWSUITS

American, Georgetown, George Washington, Howard, Catholic, George Mason, and the University of Maryland are among many other universities around the country that have been sued by current or former students for partial refunds of tuition fees. The students argue that they paid tuition expecting an in-person education, and the online schooling during COVID-19 is a breach of contract. There doesn’t seem to be a consensus yet on whether these suits have merit - the cases against Georgetown, George Washington, and American have been dismissed, while those against Howard, Catholic, and George Mason have been allowed to proceed. 

CALLING ALL DC AREA FUTURE LEADERS!

ABC and McDonald’s are seeking nominations for high school and college-age students with strong leadership skills and experience to be featured on the evening news’ “Future Leaders” segment. If you know a student whose leadership and service is an inspiration to the community, complete the form to nominate them!

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS AT FCPS

If your student receives accommodations from school, unfortunately they do not carry over to the PSAT or SAT (though luckily, the ACT recently announced that it will give students accommodations from their IEP or 504 plan!). If you are an FCPS student planning to take a test on the October 13 test date this fall, you will need to submit an accommodation request by August 10 (this Tuesday!) to receive accommodations for the exams. 

Speaking of accommodations, FCPS students seeking them for dual enrollment classes will also need to submit an accommodation request through the college or university where they are taking the class, as well as through their high school. Submit your requests sooner rather than later to make sure that you receive the accommodations you need!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

A few weeks ago, we featured an article about students taking out loans for graduate school that they were unable to pay back. Some of you may have read that article thinking, “Well yeah, of course, if you go to graduate school for art or film, you’ll graduate with a lot of debt!” But even the graduate schools that were once considered “sure bets” may no longer be the best financial choice. With the job market so uncertain during COVID-19, law schools too have seen a big increase in applications, but law students are already graduating with high levels of debt. 

We often tell undergraduate students to pay less attention to the school rankings - fit is much more important at the undergraduate level, and the rankings usually do not accurately reflect the student experience (for example, the number of books in the library is a big factor for US News, but usually NOT a factor at all in whether someone enjoys their four years at college!). When it comes to graduate schools, though, rankings do matter, and it is usually students at top-tier law schools that find high-paying jobs after graduation. But salaries for most legal jobs are not rising at the same pace as tuition, and students graduating from lower-ranked schools may find themselves with a lot of debt and no way to pay it off. And this will only increase in the next few years, as more students than ever graduate from law school and the job market becomes more saturated!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Week 1 of August is done! Many of our students have rolled over their Common ApplicationⓇ, our essay coaches continue to work through supplemental essays, and we are so impressed with how hard our students are working! For many of them, this is the final stretch - and they will definitely see their hard work pay off this fall! 

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

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Meet Sarah!

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

Many of you have already met her in essay coaching meetings, and we hope this post helps you get to know her a little better.

Hi, everyone! My name is Sarah Zentner and I am so excited to be joining the DC College Counseling team as a new essay coach.  

My own common app essay consisted of the life lessons I’d learned from the scraps that I was always appalled to find under the lunch tables in first grade -- and while it has yet to be required reading for any college philosophy class (I’m still holding out hope!), it was a blast to write. 

With that essay, I applied to a number of small (primarily West Coast) liberal arts colleges and ultimately decided on the University of San Diego. Only a six hour drive down I-15 from my childhood home in Las Vegas, and decked out in gorgeous Spanish-Renaissance-style architecture, the setting was ideal. But the small class sizes, strong sense of campus community, and proximity to the Pacific (with ocean views from campus!) sealed the deal.

I declared an English major during my sophomore year, thanks to an incredible Intro to Shakespeare class and my new job in the campus writing center. Both of these experiences showed me how much I love working with words and writers, and that’s a passion that has energized me to this day! After graduating from USD, I went on to pursue my M.A. in English at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and now I’m here in D.C., earning my Ph.D. in English at Catholic University. When I’m not studying, you can find me scoping out the best chai latte in D.C., wandering in a bookstore or museum, or indulging in all things “hygge.” 

I connected with DC College Counseling earlier this spring, and I am so grateful to be a part of a team that’s committed to de-mystifying the college applications process and making it as stress-free as possible. Essay writing can be an intimidating part of that process, but I want you to feel encouraged and supported every step of the way.

There’s something deeply fulfilling to me about helping others write clear and engaging content -- especially when it’s serving a goal as important and defining as helping you attend the college of your dreams! As we work together in the coming months, I’m looking forward to hearing more about your experiences and interests, your college plans, and your long-term hopes for the future. I’m excited to meet you!

Want to meet with Sarah?

You can book a session right here!

Wondering who our other essay coaches are?

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

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

• Here’s Staci, our student success coach!

Weekly Update: July 30

Hard to believe this is already our final July blog post! We are working hard to gear up for August :)

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COMMON APPLICATION® RELEASE

The 2021-2022 Common Application® will be released Sunday, August 1, after a several-day shutdown period.  We’re excited! We will be hard at work updating all of our application guides, and our clients and membership vault subscribers will have access early next week!

SUNI LEE HEADED TO AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Suni Lee, the American gymnast who just won gold in the all-around gymnastics competition, has big plans for after her return: she’ll be reporting to Auburn University just a week after returning from Tokyo for her freshman year. She’ll be attending the university on a gymnastics scholarship, and said she looks forward to a more fun, less highly competitive experience. 

WALMART PAYS COLLEGE TUITION FOR EMPLOYEES

Walmart announced Tuesday that it will be doing away with the $1 a day fee that employees formerly paid for college, and now pay for 100% college tuition. They will also pay for books. The program allows employees to choose from ten different academic partners, including the University of Arizona and Southern New Hampshire University. Walmart is the country’s largest employer, with 1.5 million employees. 

UPENN ADDS BITCOIN TO PORTFOLIO

After receiving a $5 million donation in bitcoin earlier this year, the University of Pennsylvania confirmed that it still holds some of the funding in the cryptocurrency. Penn typically immediately liquidates these types of donations as per university policy, but in this case the anonymous donor wanted the university to hold onto some of the donation (it did liquidate a portion).

COLLEGES PROVIDE VACCINATION INCENTIVES FOR STUDENTS

While many colleges have announced that they will be requiring students to get vaccinated, some have gone beyond the requirement to provide incentives to vaccinated students. Auburn University, for example, is giving prizes like $1,000 scholarships, meal plan upgrades, and prime parking spots to vaccinated students. The University of Alabama is offering all vaccinated students $20 in Bama Cash to spend at restaurants and stores around Tuscaloosa. Rider University in New Jersey and Ohio Wesleyan University are taking it a step further - Rider will choose three vaccinated students at random to win a year of free tuition, and Ohio Wesleyan has opened up fifty additional spots for incoming vaccinated first-year or transfer students. Each of these fifty students will be eligible to receive a $25,000 scholarship as long as they meet basic admissions criteria. Pretty good!

“Currently, only a handful of colleges in Ohio are requiring all students to be vaccinated,” said Stefanie Niles, Ed.D., Ohio Wesleyan’s vice president for enrollment and communications. “We know that many students out there would prefer to live and learn on a campus where they feel safe and where they know they won’t have to experience another year of mask-wearing and social distancing.”

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

COVID-19 is continuing to impact college enrollment. After record low levels of enrollment last year, many schools were hoping to recoup tuition dollars and see a more typical campus environment in the fall. But with the spread of the Delta variant, over one-third of college-age students are reconsidering their college plans. Some will go to college closer to home, or attend a community college to save money. Others won’t go to college at all. 

The impact on students who did continue their education during the pandemic exists as well. While the college Class of 2021 will likely have an easier time with the job search than the Class of 2020, this is still a strange year, with many students still looking for full-time employment. If you are searching for your first post-grad job, check out this article with tips to stand out during the hiring process.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are completely full for Class of 2022 students in our initial cohort, but have spots on our Late Start Waitlist for students who still need assistance beginning in late August/early September. Check out our Late Start Waitlist page if you’re wondering how it works, and fill out this form to be added to the list!

In other news, Common App® is rolling over from the 2020-2021 version to the 2021-2022 version this weekend, and we will hit the ground running on Monday with our Class of 2022 students as we help them navigate this rollover process. Check out our June 11 weekly update for a quick refresher of what that entails!

August is our busiest month of the year, but we love seeing our students’ hard work all come together!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Interview Series 2 - Ask the Right Questions

In our blog post last week, we talked about signing up for interviews and how to find out if the colleges on your list are offering interview opportunities in the summer, before you apply. 

This week, we’re continuing the conversation by discussing some of the different types of interviews that you may encounter during the college process!

Interview with an Admissions Officer

At some schools, you will be interviewed by an admissions officer - someone who works for the school reviewing applications and making admissions decisions. So naturally, you want to put your best foot forward - if you impress this person, they will be able to advocate for you to the rest of the admissions committee! 

If you are interviewing after you’ve applied for admission, the interviewer will likely have access to your application, so they may have been able to review the materials you’ve submitted. In this case, it is possible that the person will have specific questions for you about activities or experiences that you mentioned in your application. 

(PRO TIP: We all know that the hours per week/ weeks per year approximations in the activity section of your application can involve extensive calculations, since you can’t vary the time commitment from season to season or year to year.

Since you may not be able to just think back on the spot and remember the final calculation you put in your application, please re-review your activities list and familiarize yourself with this information before your interview.

Worst case, if the interviewer asks you about your time commitment and you freeze up, just explain that you don’t have the math in front of you and you can’t remember the final number, but explain your general thought process -> “Before Covid, I danced for 15 hours per week during spring and fall, but..”

Whatever you do, do not make a number up! One of the things I remember most about my time giving admissions interviews was that so many kids mentioned time estimates for activities that didn’t line up with what they put down on their applications, and discrepancies always set off red flags about possible deception.)

The other type of interview that admissions officers may offer is an “informational interview.” This is an interview that does not have a formal impact on your application - meaning that the interviewer probably will not fill out a report that is added to your file. However, do not assume this means that you do not need to prepare! You definitely do not want to make a negative impression on an admissions officer, even in a more informal, informational setting. And just think about human nature - if they like you, they might go to bat for you. If they don’t, well..

For either type of interview, make sure that you prepare questions for the interviewer. These shouldn’t be questions that you can easily find on the school’s website - you want at least one or two questions that show that you’ve done some research. Here are some good questions to ask an admissions officer:

1. I was [Insert Emotion Here] to read about [Insert Story Here] in the campus newspaper online. Can you tell me [Insert Follow-Up Question Here]? (For example: I was very impressed to read about the new alumni mentoring initiative in the campus newspaper online. Can you tell me if this will be available to all students or just upperclassmen?)

2. What do you think is the most important quality for a [Insert Name of College] student to have?

3. I really loved learning about [Insert Cool Thing Here]. Does [Insert Name of College] have any other unique offerings that you wish were available to you at the college you attended? (For example: I really loved learning about how students laminate their notes during exams so they can study in the amazing leisure pool! Does Miami have any other unique offerings that you wish were available to you at the college you attended? 

Interview with an Alumnus or Alumna

Many schools have an alumni interview program through which graduates of the college can volunteer to interview students in their area (or, increasingly during COVID, virtually). Unlike an admissions officer, the alumni interviewer will likely not have access to your application. They may have a list of your activities or request a copy of your resume, or they may not know anything about you at all! In this type of interview, you can draw on the stories that you told in your application to represent your positive qualities and experiences. You may need to do a bit more “explaining” of your classes and activities, as this person probably does not have the context of your grades or activity list that an admissions officer might. 

But don’t think that this is an informal interview just because you are not meeting directly with an admissions representative! These types of interviews can vary widely depending on the school and personality of the individual interviewer, so be prepared for a formal interview and be flexible when it comes to engaging in conversation with the interviewer. 

Alumni interviewers are usually passionate about their alma mater, so you can ask questions that draw on their experience as a student! Here are some ideas: 

1. What did you like best about being in [Insert Location Here] and how did you take advantage of what the city has to offer?

2. What quality did you develop as a result of your time at [Insert Name of College]? How did this quality help you after graduation? 

3. What is one thing you wish you had done while at [Insert Name of College], but didn’t have time?

Interview with a Current Student

Finally, you may be offered an interview with a current student - typically an upperclassman. These students may be volunteers with the admissions office, but like alumni interviewers, they probably won’t have access to your transcript or application materials, so you can help them get to know you by providing more context when you talk about your experiences. 

While an interview with a current student may seem less formal than an interview with an alumnus or admissions officer, keep in mind that this person is still evaluating you! You want to be personable and comfortable while still making a positive impression. And while this person may only be a few years older than you, please keep romance out of the equation (yes, this actually happens)!

Don’t forget - an interview with a student can be just as beneficial to you as it is to the school. You want to take advantage of the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions that only a current student could answer!

Here are some ideas for questions to ask a current student: 

1. What advice would you give to an incoming freshman? What would you encourage them to do or join to help integrate them into the school community?

2. What are your favorite courses you have taken at [Insert Name of College]? Are there any classes that are unique to the school?

3. I’ve been to an info session with an admissions officer, but I’m really interested in the student perspective as well. What’s something about [Insert Name of College] that I wouldn’t know from the info session and tour?

---

No matter where you are interviewing or who you’re talking to, you can have a successful experience if you come prepared! Practice asking and answering questions at home with your parents or a trusted friend, or set up an interview session with us for extra help. Vault Members and current clients can also see a list of interview questions and best practices by referring to the “Interview Guide” in the Membership Vault. 

Good luck on those interviews!

Weekly Update: July 23

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

AP EXAM SCORES RELEASED

2021 AP Exam scores are out! Check out the full distributions - if you click on the exam name, you can see the year over year differences in pass rates. Overall, students did not perform as well on this year’s exams, but the differences varied substantially from test to test. The pass rate for AP Lit, for instance, plummeted over 16 percentage points from 2020!

PURDUE TURNS TWO-PERSON HOUSING INTO FOUR

If you’ve been reading the blog (or any college news!), you know that many colleges received record numbers of applicants last cycle. Purdue was one of those schools, and will be welcoming the largest freshman class in its history in 2022, bringing 10,000 freshmen to campus. 

In response to the unprecedented number of first year students, Purdue has made the controversial decision to house three or four students in dorm rooms originally meant for two. Purdue is not the only school to have these “forced triple” (or quadruple!) rooms (Villanova is one school that typically offers a housing discount to students willing to stay in forced triples), but students who were used to social distancing for the last year may have to get used to being very close to their roommate(s)! We encourage all class of 2022 students to read any housing information carefully and prepare for potentially overfilled dorm rooms next year.

YES, WILLIAM & MARY IS PUBLIC

William & Mark faced criticism this week after Education Reform Now released a report about equity issues in Virginia higher education funding. The report pointed out that William & Mary is one of the highest-funded public institutions in the state, based on 2019 funding per full-time student - yet it enrolled the lowest percentage of students under a certain income threshold.

W&M responded by saying they consider their peer schools to be private institutions. Ouch! And that may be true in terms of who they consider their peers to be (W&M does fit a certain niche in that it is a public school that feels private!) - but make no mistake, the school is not private.

This Twitter thread about their tone-deaf response and potential student confusion caught our eye. I’ve certainly seen students confused by the fact that schools like University of Miami, New York University and the University of Pennsylvania are private, but William & Mary is definitely a public institution and we are pretty confident that our in-state Virginia students are well aware of this :)

ACT WILL HONOR STUDENT ACCOMMODATIONS FROM 504 PLANS

The ACT announced this week that it will automatically approve students with IEP or 504 plans to receive the same accommodations on the test as they receive at school! We have always recommended that parents initiate the accommodations process for students with disabilities as early as possible, but this is even more reason to do so!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We know that the cost of college is rising, and students, parents, and families pay for college through a variety of means: income, savings, scholarships, grants, work study, loans - it can be overwhelming! This CNBC article explores how many families are funding students’ college education today. The moral of the story? Apply for as many sources of funding as you can! For more insight on whether you should complete the FAFSA, check out our blog post on the topic. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a lot of changes in the job market, and we are seeing many low-wage workers looking for more fulfilling work (and shortages of restaurant and retail workers as a result). Two-thirds of these workers do not have a college degree. This Washington Post opinion piece argues that employers should stop requiring that employees have bachelor’s degrees, instead allowing non-college-educated workers to rely on their skills and experience during the hiring process. 

Also in the Post this week, an article about the impact of smartphones and social media on teens’ feelings of loneliness. Concerns about loneliness and mental health struggles in teenagers have only grown after the year these kids have had, but this report reveals that loneliness in teens has actually been on the rise for years - doubling between 2012 and 2018. Before 2012 - that is, before over 50% of Americans had smartphones - loneliness and depression levels were relatively stable for years and even decades around the world.

Many today believe that standardized testing in college admissions is discriminatory, and equity and inclusion advocates have celebrated the increase in test-optional admissions during COVID-19. But this Atlantic article paints a very different picture, arguing that issues of equity are much more prevalent in student GPA and the course load available in high school, and that standardized testing is in fact an equalizer, at least in the University of California system that he investigates. The difference, though, is that GPA and course load are contextualized, usually by a counselor letter - admissions officers are aware of how a student performs in the context of their high school. The SAT or ACT, by contrast, do not provide the same context. This is part of why it’s really important for students to provide their counselor with thoughtful material for this letter!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon held down the fort last week while I was on vacation in Italy - and in a really fun coincidence, I got to meet up with one of my all-time favorite clients in Venice after discovering that we were both there at the same time! We worked closely together for four years with two different children, but the family doesn't live in the DC area, so it was a real treat to be able to catch up face-to-face and reminisce!

And speaking of all-time favorite clients, we also released a very exciting announcement this week about our new pro bono program, in partnership with the Fieldstone Foundation! Thanks to the incredible generosity of an amazing family with daughters in both the Class of 2020 and 2021, we are now able to offer 100% FREE college counseling services to a select group of talented, ambitious students who might not have access to expert counseling. We are so grateful to them for making this possible!

Successful applicants will demonstrate commitment and a desire to succeed, as well as significant financial need. Check out https://www.dccollegecounseling.com/probono to learn more about this opportunity - and please share with anyone who might be interested in applying! We will have more to say about this program in the coming weeks :)

Have a great weekend, everyone! Exactly one month until school begins for our FCPS families. Hard to believe, right?!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

It's Time To Talk About Interviews - Yes, Really!

We always try to make sure that our blog posts are useful to you at the point in the cycle that you are at now - so why are we posting about interviews in July??

Many schools actually begin offering interviews to prospective students over the summer before they apply, and often this opportunity is not very well-publicized. But we highly recommend that students take advantage of interviews where possible! This is a great way to demonstrate your interest in the school as well as help admissions officers put a face to a name this fall when they are considering your application. 

If you already have your interviews scheduled, make sure that you check out our earlier blog posts with some key tips for interviews and some info on virtual interviewing. But if you are reading this and thinking, Interviews?? What interviews?? Oh my gosh, I’m so far behind! - take a deep breath and read on for some key questions to research and get ahead on interviews now!

Which of my schools offer interviews?

For our ongoing clients, we contact each and every school on their lists to determine their interview policy. Some schools require interviews for admission, and others do not offer them at all. Then, there are all those in the middle - interviews may be “optional,” “highly recommended,” “informational,” even required for certain programs and not others. 

 Your first step toward handling interviews like a pro is to search up the policies for each school on your list. There is no shame in contacting the main admissions office email, either, to ask about their interview policy - this just shows that you are proactive and interested in the school! Just make sure that before you do so, you put in the work of scouring the website for the information (as a general rule, don’t email the admissions office for any information that is easily accessible on their site, but do email with thoughtful questions!).

How are interviews arranged?

Among the schools that do offer interviews, there are many different ways that they work. The two most important questions to ask are:

1. Do students or the school initiate the interview?

2. Can I interview before I apply?

Some schools do not allow students to sign up to interview - the school will contact applicants with interview offers after applicants click submit. Offers may be extended to students that they want to admit, or those that they are not sure would be a good fit and want to learn more about.

That said, don’t read into it. What’s more common is that the school offers the opportunity to every single applicant, or every applicant from certain geographic areas where alumni are present to handle the interviews. If the school is invitation-only and you are in contact with the admissions office, you can always express your interest in being asked to interview. If you do so early enough, some schools will take this preference into account!

At other schools, you will need to be the one to initiate the interview, whether through an applicant portal or other forms of online sign-ups. This is where you need to be very clear about each school’s policy - you don’t want to miss your opportunity!

Regarding the timeline, some schools require students to wait for interviews after applying, but others allow interviews as early as the summer before senior year. Yes, if you’re a member of the Class of 2022, that means right now!

If the school does offer interviews to students before applying, it is very possible that they will run out of interview slots quickly. Make sure that you sign up as soon as you can, in these circumstances, to take advantage of the opportunity (William & Mary, for example, is a school where it is very beneficial to interview over the summer). Wake Forest is a school that has historically encouraged students to self-initiate an interview before applying, but they have changed their policy beginning this application cycle.

So, should I interview?

This is the question that we hear most often - so, this school offers interviews, should I sign up? Nine times out of ten, the answer is yes! An interview lets you demonstrate your interest in the school, helps the admissions office get to know you, and helps you get to ask questions and get to know the school a bit better. Generally, it is a win-win for everyone, provided that you have time to prepare and put your best foot forward. 

That said, there are definite caveats to this rule of thumb. If you are particularly shy or have real trouble speaking to strangers, or know that there is no way you’d present well in an interview setting (and would not be able to do so no matter how much you practice) an interview may not be the best choice. Be honest with yourself, and ask a parent, family member, or trustworthy advisor if you need help deciding whether an interview is the right choice. 

---

Still not sure you’re ready to tackle an interview? Current clients and Vault Members can book interview prep sessions with us now!

Keep an eye out for next week’s post, where we’ll cover different types of interviews that you may be offered and some frequently asked questions!

Weekly Update: July 16

Colleen is out of the office, so it’s Shannon here again with this week’s update!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITIES LATEST TO CONSOLIDATE

Following in the footsteps of other state university systems like Connecticut, the Pennsylvania state system will be consolidating 6 different schools into just 2 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students and faculty have continued to protest for their schools, but unfortunately I expect that we will see more changes like this as universities consider the best way to move forward after such a difficult year.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SYSTEM TO REQUIRE COVID-19 VACCINE

While the University of California system initially planned to require vaccines only once they were fully FDA-approved, the system announced a policy change yesterday that will require all students and faculty to be vaccinated before returning to campuses in the fall. The change was prompted by an increase in cases in California, and the UCs are now the largest state system in the country that will require vaccination. At the moment, nearly 500 schools will be requiring vaccines next year. Class of 2021, make sure you know the requirements for your campus before moving in this fall!

CDC URGES SCHOOLS TOWARD FULL REOPENING

Even with those rising cases in some parts of the country, the CDC is still encouraging K-12 schools to fully reopen in the fall. This new guidance recognizes the challenges that students, parents, and teachers have faced with fully virtual learning, what the former CDC director calls the “real costs” of keeping children at home.

Large school systems are coming up with their own guidance for students and families. The New York City school system does not intend to even offer an online option next fall, while here in Virginia schools are proceeding cautiously by still requiring mask-wearing. Meanwhile, eight states including Vermont, South Carolina, and Texas have banned schools from instituting these types of mask requirements.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Community college has really come into the forefront recently with Biden unveiling a proposal this week that would provide tuition-free community college to all young adults. After community college enrollment plummeted during the pandemic, this plan may help more students attend college.

Here in Virginia, UVA’s Guaranteed Transfer Admission program makes attending community college a really attractive (and less expensive!) option. For students who meet the academic requirements at a college in the Virginia Community College System, there is a guaranteed spot at UVA waiting for them after two years! This article from the Wall Street Journal is a great read for anyone who wants to learn more about the pros of attending a community college.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Colleen will be back in the office next week - in the meantime, I am holding down the fort with the essay coaches as we work with students on their supplemental essays! I love being able to read students’ work and get to know them even better. I always discover something new about students in these essays, which is so much fun!

If you are not a client, but still want a sneak peek into what we do when we work on these essays, check out our post from last week: Supplemental Essay Secrets Revealed!

Have a great weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: July 9

Colleen is out of the office today, so it’s Shannon here with this week’s update!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

COLLEGE PERSISTENCE RATES SEE PANDEMIC DROP

As you have probably read already this year, on this blog and elsewhere, the number of students enrolling at colleges during COVID-19 dropped dramatically, particularly at community colleges. Now, statistics are showing an alarming drop in college persistence rates as well - the largest single-year fall since 2009. The college persistence rate (not to be confused with the retention rate) measures the percentage of students entering college in fall 2019 who returned to school in fall 2020 - this year, 73.9%. Like enrollment, persistence and retention rates declined most at community colleges.

IS YOUR COLLEGE REQUIRING THE COVID-19 VACCINE?

With vaccine requirements changing by the day, it can be difficult to keep track of what you need for next year! This helpful graphic tracks the rules that states have when it comes to vaccinations (colleges in Florida and Texas, for example, are legally prohibited from requiring vaccinations), as well as providing a comprehensive list of colleges that will require the vaccine next year.

2021-2022 SAT REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Seats for the SAT are filling up fast, so make sure that you register now! Many local schools are already full (Madison filled up the first day!) so getting a seat could be challenging if you plan to take the test this fall. We recommend completing your registration as soon as you can.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Discussions about student loan debt often focus on undergraduate students, but many young adults are in debt due to a graduate or professional degree - particularly one that did not lead to higher income to pay down the loans. This Wall Street Journal article explores “the elite master’s degrees that don’t pay off,” including programs at Columbia like film, history, social work, and architecture. The same held true at other top colleges and universities, like NYU, Northwestern, and USC, where students with six-figure loan debt from their master’s programs were making low five-figure salaries two years after graduation. Unlike undergraduate loans, there are no limits on the loans that graduate students can take out, making them very profitable for these universities.

For students who are touring colleges this summer and fall, make sure to check out this list of places you should explore on a college tour! Some of my favorites include “facilities associated with your desired major” - these are the building where you’ll be spending most of your time, and it is easy to go the entire tour seeing only the most renovated buildings on campus. Great if you’ll be studying in one of them, but not if your department is housed in that unairconditioned building all the way across campus! Same goes for any facilities related to your hobbies or extracurriculars you’d like to try. The article also recommends keeping an eye on the bulletin boards, which is a great way to see what types of activities are happening around campus.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We have continued to be extremely busy working with students on their supplemental essays (and researching to ensure that our supplemental essay prompts list remains up to date!). We love working with our students on essays - reading their writing really helps us get to know them even better!

We also have a big announcement coming up next week about a project that I have been working really hard on with one of our client parents - stay tuned!

Enjoy the weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Supplemental Essay Secrets Revealed!

Are you hoping to write some amazing supplemental essays during the 2021-2022 admissions cycle? You’re in the right place.. because we are the supplemental essay gurus!

Here at DC College Counseling, nearly all of our Class of 2022 students have already begun work on their 2021-2022 supplemental essays. In fact, most of them started this work before any schools had released their supplemental essay prompts!

Our process allows our students to finish their (amazing) essays with the least amount of stress, and we are definitely not submitting anything the night before the deadline. Students who begin working with us before the end of their junior year complete and submit their college applications by September - yes, 2-4 months in advance!

If you’re wondering why we submit so early, there are a few reasons:

• Students are able to do their best work when they are not rushed and stressed

• The home environment is much more pleasant when parents don’t need to nag

• Even before opening their files, admissions officers will jump to lots of conclusions about the types of 17-year-olds that turn their application materials in far before the deadlines. Spoiler alert: they are good conclusions :) That may not be fair, but it’s human nature and we’ll take it!

Keep reading for a sneak peek into our process and how we get it done:

1. Common App ® comes first.

Even though some of our students start their supplemental essays as early as April, we make sure that every student completes their main essay for the Common Application ® first. That way, when we approach the supplemental essays, we know what the college will already know from the student’s main essay - and where the gaps are! This order is essential, because the Common App ® essay will go to nearly every school on the student’s list, and we need to avoid overlap with the supplemental essays in order to show as many different aspects of the student’s background and personality as possible. 

2. Getting a head start.

Before our students even look at the school-specific supplemental essay prompts, they complete four different “generic supplemental essays,” as we call them. Even though no school will see these exact essays, they still put in 4-6 hours of work with our essay coaches to make sure every line is perfect. Why? Because we’ve identified four themes that come up again and again in the supplemental essay process, and it makes sense to start there. Once the generic essays are complete, students have a strong base of options and can repurpose language they’ve already written - considerably speeding up the essay writing process!

3. Moving to school-specific essay prompts. 

Yes, schools have until August 1 to release their supplemental essay prompts for the coming year. However, many schools do release prompts early, and others do not publicly release the prompts, but are able to confirm them over the phone. We do the work of sifting through to ensure that our students begin the prompts soon after they are released over the summer, freeing up their time in August to tackle those later essays. Want to get the same head start? Check out our listing of supplemental essay prompts for the class of 2022, which we update every week as new prompts come out! 

4. Revision, revision, revision.

A college essay will typically have at least two readers, if not more, who bring different perspectives and biases to the process. We try our best to mimic that process, ensuring that every single essay is not only approved by a coach, but also by Colleen or Shannon as the secondary reader, to make sure we catch any potential issues! The essays are also reviewed by the parents and family, and then Colleen and Shannon again, before they are added to the application. 

5. Finish by September

Senior fall grades can be vitally important in the college admissions process, especially for students who are deferred from their dream school during the early rounds and need to provide grades at the end of the semester. Plus, often students are taking their most challenging high school courses this year! Thanks to our process, they can often put the supplemental essays behind them as early as September and spend the rest of the fall focusing on their grades and excelling in their last year of high school. 

---

Questions about the supplemental essay process? Comment below and we’ll answer in a future blog post! Want some more help moving through the process outlined above? All of our materials, as well as our generic supplemental essay prompts and method, are laid out for you in our DIY Membership Vault! 

Colleen, Shannon and Tyler's Best Tips for Freshman Year

This past weekend, I (Colleen) came across an article in Northern Virginia Magazine entitled 19 Tips Every [College] Freshman Should Know. I very much agreed with most of them* and thought we could do our own spin-off for this week’s mid-week blog post!

*While I do not agree with all of them, I vehemently disagree with #13. Study abroad is fantastic but by all means, do NOT take out a loan to do it!!!

If you do opt out of studying abroad, you can still get a mini-abroad experience by visiting friends! I studied abroad in the UK but here I am meeting up with my friend in Paris during his study abroad in Padova! A year earlier I visited other friends in Madrid during their summer study abroad, and we went to Amsterdam together too. So much fun!

Academic Tips

Go to class (Colleen)

There’s a reason why this piece of advice made the number one slot both here and in Northern Virginia Magazine’s article. It is so, so, so much easier to do well in college if you go to class. Ironically, this is also the tip that most students have trouble fully understanding before they get to college - from a high school student’s perspective, of course you’d go to class. Is that even an option?

Well, the reality is that when you get to college, skipping class may be more of an option than you realize. This is especially the case if you attend a mid-sized or larger school; my own school had about 5500 undergrads when I attended and I would say that approximately half of my professors did not take attendance. It’s so easy to rationalize skipping when the professor just reads off slides that are available online, but the reality is that you will miss information that’s not on the slides. Not to mention, are you actually going to review those slides the same day you missed class, or will you be cramming in several weeks’ worth of them the night before the exam?

My best advice would be to never miss a single one if you can help it, because it becomes like a gateway drug of sorts. You skip one at the beginning of the semester and you realize how nice it was to be able to sleep in. Then you start missing one each week. Then two. Then the next thing you know, it’s final exam time and you haven’t been to class since mid-terms. I see this all the time with our students - it’s so easy to fall into a spiral from which you can’t easily extricate yourself. So GO TO CLASS!

Ask for help (Shannon)

Many college students do not even begin to scratch the surface of all of the incredible resources available on campus! You can likely get a tutor in any subject, work on organization, meet with an academic advisor, attend extra study sessions, go to professor’s office hours… the list is truly endless, but these extra opportunities are only available to students who seek them out.

Make sure you don’t miss the career center, either - this isn’t obvious for most freshmen. They have exceptional resources, but again, they won’t (typically) come looking for you if you don’t proactively make an appointment - which I recommend doing during your first semester on campus.

Their career specialists can help you put together a four year plan to employment (or grad school) broken down into chunks, semester by semester. Remember: just like all four years of high school are important for college admissions, all four years of college are important for the job search or graduate school admissions. The students who have strong grades from the beginning and meaningful internships each summer are much more likely to be happy about their choices post-graduation.

I think that many students who were very successful in high school feel awkward and embarrassed when it comes to asking for help in college, but truthfully, those resources are there for a reason! You are making a BIG academic and social transition, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you need on campus.

Map it out (Tyler)

During your first couple days, take the time to walk around the campus! Not only will it help you to know where all of your classes are, but you will also feel more comfortable if you know the lay of the land. Plus, you may run into other curious students!

Tyler’s parents helping him move into his new campus home!

Social Tips

Do live on campus, don’t live with a friend (Colleen)

Northern Virginia Magazine noted (and I absolutely, 100% agree) that it’s so much better to live on campus than off during your freshman year. Typically we don’t see students opting out of that because most are very excited about living on campus!

What we DO see is that a number choose to room with friends from high school, summer camp, etc. Particularly with girls, this rarely ends well. There are exceptions, but our students who are most satisfied with their freshman year residential life experience have typically chosen to live with someone that they did not know before arriving on campus. And definitely don’t be afraid that you won’t be best friends with your roommate! For me personally, my favorite roommates over the years were girls who I enjoyed, but were not in my core social group.

Don’t Worry if You haven’t found “Your People” by Day One (Shannon)

You might get to college and find that your roommate or the person sitting next to you in your freshman seminar is your new best friend. They might be! But I think that freshman year especially, it is easy to feel like everyone on campus is fitting in except for you.

College campuses are diverse places with all different kinds of people, so just because you don’t click with your forever friends right off the bat, don’t give up! Join clubs and take part in extracurricular activities that interest you, put yourself out there by attending social events, and you will find your niche - even if it’s not right away!

[Note from Colleen - you should TOTALLY check out this video that went viral a few years ago! I have sent this to so many kids because I love it!]

LEave YOur Door Open (Tyler)

Yes, literally! Other students who pass by will be able to see that you are open to making friends and talking to others on your hall. If you are feeling bold, you can also just walk around the hall and knock on doors to meet people. Freshman year, everyone is interested in making friends, and they will appreciate your confidence and remember you!

Also, talk with your roommate. You two might not click as best friends, but living with someone else all the time can be hard, so being on the same page and getting comfortable with them from the beginning is a lifesaver.

Try not to attach yourself to a significant other (Colleen)

Whether it’s your high school girlfriend who you’re calling every night, or the cute guy to whom you became attached at the hip during orientation, a serious relationship in college often leads to a less enjoyable experience than you might otherwise have had. Sure, there are some exceptions, but these relationships just don’t typically last. Do you want to look back one day and think about how your college years revolved around someone you don’t even talk to anymore? That’s so depressing!

Get out there and have fun, and if you meet the perfect person, keep it light! We aren’t in 1960 anymore and most people do not get married to the person they met in college. If it’s meant to be, they will still be around after graduation!

Luckily, Shannon and her roommate DID click as best friends (bonding over a mutual love of country music) and are still close today!

Campus Opportunities Tips

Consider Going Greek (Colleen)

I realize this sort of borders with social, but joining a sorority was one of the best things I did in college. I was not someone who came from a long line of sorority women, and this was definitely not a given for me the way it is for some other girls. But it was such a wonderful opportunity for me to find my niche and have a smaller group within a larger community. From Thursday nights in the suite watching the OC (may it rest in peace!) to late-night study sessions to crush parties, there was always something going on and a group to do it with.

I didn’t click with every single girl, but the repeated exposure I did have to the same group of faces led to a lot of long-term friendships. Sororities also provide a lot of chances to develop real-world skills - I know it sounds sort of silly but I’m serious! From event planning during recruitment to leadership skills on the exec board, there were so many opportunities to step up and try out something new.

And it really expanded my network! One of the most surprising parts of joining a sorority for me was how grateful I’d be for it AFTER college. When I moved to NYC and knew nobody, I randomly ran into a girl from my chapter in Columbus Circle who also knew nobody. Three years later, we were in each others’ weddings! I have so many stories like this, and met some of my closest friends in both NYC and DC through my sorority affiliation.

Seek Out Mentors (Shannon)

For many of you, you haven’t had to work at building relationships with the adults in your life. Maybe you had a teacher or coach who you grew close with, but it is easy to let these types of mentors disappear from your life when you graduate from high school.

The interesting people that you will meet on campus aren’t only your fellow students - faculty, staff, and coaches have a lot of wisdom to share, but you won’t know unless you seek them out! So make sure that you go to office hours, take the time to chat with professors and advisors, and let them know that their help and guidance is appreciated.

Bonus: having these relationships in college make it much easier if you need to ask for a grad school or job recommendation or connection down the line!

Go to the Club Fair (Tyler)

The club fair, which usually takes place during the first few days of school, can definitely seem intimidating, with representatives from all the different student clubs trying to get you on their sign-up sheets! But it is definitely worth it to attend and sign up for anything that interests you, and then actually check out a meeting! This is a great way to get involved on campus and connect with more people, especially upperclassmen who you may not be running into every day.

Sorority Recruitment 2006

So much more!

This isn’t an exhaustive list, by any means, and we could have written a book on the subject (maybe we will!). Here are a few more random tips to consider while starting this journey:

• Always look up your professors on ratemyprofessors.com before registering for classes. If they aren’t on there, start googling. Pro tip: you can learn a lot about someone from their twitter feed!

• When you have the choice to pick between what appears to be an interesting class or a good professor, pick the professor. A good one will make any class interesting and then you’ll have both!

• You didn’t hear it from us, but there are usually ways to get around the “no cars on campus for freshmen” rule if your school has it.

• If you do decide to join a sorority, send recommendations to each chapter in advance. You will not regret this, even if your school and the panhellenic council say it’s not necessary. These are not needed for fraternities but a few well-placed phone calls wouldn’t hurt.

• Explore the surrounding area - this may be the only time in your life you’ll live in that city and you’ll have so many fun memories of getting off campus and discovering a new place!

• Try tons of new things! I had never eaten guacamole before my freshman year, which sounds kind of hard to believe, but it’s true. By the time I graduated I was eating all kinds of unfamiliar foods!

• ENJOY! College is amazing. And if you don’t love it, you can transfer!

Attending events freshman year is a great way to bond with new people - Shannon’s friend took this photo at a talk by the Dalai Lama at W&M!

Want to maximize your freshman year?

Whether you’re hoping to play your cards right for a selective undergraduate program like UVA’s McIntire or Batten Schools or W&M’s Mason School; are trying to put together the best possible schedule for yourself; are about to go through fall sorority recruitment and don’t know what to wear or how to prepare (yes, really, this is a thing); or just want to make sure you know all the ins and outs of the school you select, email us to learn more about college experience coaching and how we can help!

Weekly Update: June 25

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF STUDENTS AGAINST NCAA

On Monday, the Supreme Court decided in a rare unanimous vote that the NCAA could not limit the educational perks offered to student athletes. These perks can include everything from scholarships and paid internships to free computers or textbooks. The ruling could lead to further action against the NCAA’s stance on compensating its players, especially in light of many new state laws that will allow athletes to make money off of their name or image, beginning July 1. 

YES, YOU CAN NEGOTIATE FOR COLLEGE AID!

Many students and families don’t even realize that they do have some power to negotiate for more financial assistance from colleges after admission. But this family’s successful appeal to Fairfield University led to a scholarship increase, as do around one-third of funding appeals each year. Of course, the effect of an appeal depends greatly on the school, as well as the reason for the additional funding, but if you are a student whose ability to go to your dream school is dependent on more aid, don’t be afraid to go ahead and ask!

FLORIDA GOVERNOR SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL COLLEGE LEGISLATION

Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation this week that will require students and faculty at state colleges and universities to take annual surveys about their beliefs. The surveys are intended to determine whether a diversity of perspectives are taught at the institution and whether students feel safe to express their beliefs. 

INDIANA STUDENTS SUE OVER COVID-19 VACCINE REQUIREMENT

The Indiana University system is one of a small number of schools in red states that will require students to have the COVID-19 vaccine in order to return to campus in the fall. Eight students filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the requirement violates their 14th amendment right to personal autonomy. The outcome of this lawsuit could have an effect on the hundreds of other campuses that will also require the vaccine this fall.   

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Duke Professor John Rose published an interesting opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, sharing the classroom principles he uses to encourage open debates in often-controversial classes like “Political Polarization” and “Conservatism.” Professor Rose says that his commitment to open conversation in a non-judgmental setting allows students to share a variety of opinions and viewpoints, and improves his class discussions. 

Speaking of Supreme Court decisions, this week also saw the Court agree with a fourteen-year-old high school student that an inappropriate Snapchat post taken outside of school should not have consequences in school. There is no doubt that the ubiquity of technology has blurred the lines between what schools can control and what they can’t, and this Washington Post article dives further into the topic, considering whether teens’ social media posts should be temporary, disappearing as they age. This is especially important to us in the admissions process - we always advise students to be careful about what they post on social media, since 36% of admissions officers say that they use social media to help make admissions decisions, and over half of those say that social media has a negative impact on the decision! 

Since the Israel-Palestine conflict worsened this spring, many schools are seeing a rise in anti-Semitism on campus. In an op-ed for the New York Times, Matthew Bronfman, chairman of Hillel International, argues that schools have to do more to protect Jewish students, while still allowing for debate about the conflict in Israel. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon attended a great webinar this week about preparing students for college success. If you’ve been reading this blog, you know that I love Julie Lythcott-Haims’ book How to Raise an Adult (so much so that we bought the companion book, Your Turn: How to Be an Adult for all of our graduating seniors!). And this slide from the presentation really sums it up - high school parenting vs. college parenting: 

This summer is also a great time for students to learn the important skills that they’re going to need in college, and here is a list to choose from (though, let’s be real, we don’t expect many students to learn how to iron!): 

If you are worried about your student’s organizational skills heading off to college, and you don’t want to be on call for those daily reminders, why not try out academic coaching? It is a great way for students to gain some of these skills and have a head start when they arrive at school in the fall!

Some of our current class of 2022 students have already moved on to their school-specific supplemental essays! Even though the schools are not required to release their essay topics until August 1, many release earlier, and our seniors usually have around half of their essays DONE even before the beginning of August! If you are not a current client, but you want to get ahead on your essays, check out our Supplemental Essay Prompts page, which we are updating every week as we find out new prompts have been released. Happy writing!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!