Weekly Update: November 19

We can’t believe we’re already more than halfway through November - hope everyone stayed warm this week!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

GEORGETOWN LAW RECEIVES APPLICATION INCREASE

As we’ve mentioned before, we expected the COVID-19 pandemic to lead to more students attending graduate school. And right in our backyard is a great metric - Georgetown Law receives more applications than any other law school in the country. And for Fall 2021, applications went WAY up - 41%! As a result, the admit rate dropped from 21% to just 12% last cycle. This is reflective of an increase in law school applications overall, which were up 26% around the country. 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHANGES GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Soon, students in Montgomery County Public Schools will have to take 0.5 fewer elective and PE credits - bringing the total number of required credits down to 22.5, just half a credit above the state required 22 credits to graduate. PE teachers are opposing the change, arguing that with the mental health implications of COVID-19, physical activity is more important for students than ever. 

CDC INVESTIGATES FLU SPREAD AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

In just over a month, over 500 cases of the flu have been diagnosed at the University of Michigan - an extreme level of spread. Due to the unusual size of the outbreak, the CDC has stepped in to provide support and evaluate vaccine uptake. The university is urging as many students as possible to get their flu vaccines, especially before traveling home for Thanksgiving break and potentially increasing the spread. 

HOWARD PROTESTS COME TO AN END

We’ve been covering the ongoing student protests at Howard University, and now, a month after the student occupation of the Blackburn Center began, the students have reached an agreement with the school administration. The changes promised by the administration include a revision of the school’s sexual assault policy, a review of campus policing, and a food bank for students on campus. 

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Colleges around the country have been dealing with worsening mental health of students, an issue that the pandemic has brought to the forefront. A Fairfax County student, now a junior at UNC, was an integral part of developing the student response to the two suicides at UNC earlier this year. Ethan Phillips was helping to implement “postvention” strategies, to help avoid “suicide contagion” in the wake of campus suicides. This article covers some of the essential steps of postvention, and how students and schools can support their communities after tragedies. 

We mentioned the creation of the University of Austin last week - a new school spearheaded by conservative founders who hope to change the way that colleges admit students and champion free speech on campus. The Washington Post published an op-ed this week that dives into how the school will function. Notable changes include the idea of an entrance exam graded by professors in lieu of a traditional admissions process, which the university’s founders say will increase the role of merit in college admissions. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Now that many of the early deadlines have passed, we are keeping our fingers crossed and our eyes on the list of decision release dates for our class of 2022 students. This time last year, UGA and Tulane decisions were rolling out! While we’re not sure we’ll see such early releases this year, students should expect to start receiving these notifications in early to mid-December - so keep an eye on your email! 

In the meantime, we’ve enjoyed working with our class of 2023 students to start their college lists and plan their research for the holiday breaks (we’ve had some eager class of 2024 students planning visits as well!). This is a great time to spend looking at colleges, so take advantage of it! If you or your student are feeling overwhelmed by putting together a list and completing research, book a Meet & Greet to hear more about how we can help set you up for success over the holiday break. 

Our office will be closed next Thursday - wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving! 

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

The Right Fit

Hi everyone, Staci here! As someone who spends all of her time helping students write personal essays, it’s about time I practice what I preach. I’m taking over the blog today to reflect on right fits and share a bit more about my new role at DC College Counseling.

In college admissions, we often talk about finding the right fit--the school that offers (almost) everything you need and want. As I tell students, the search for the right fit can sometimes land you exactly where you hope to be. However, this quest can also lead you to the most wonderfully unexpected places. 

Finding the right college fit was easy for me. I became a proud diplomat at Franklin and Marshall College, where I started planning for a future career in law. But then a year studying abroad changed everything. My literature professors at University of Oxford inspired me so much that I decided to pursue a PhD in English. As part of my program I taught undergraduate writing classes and discovered my love of teaching. I eventually abandoned my dissertation in favor of another graduate degree in education. For over a decade, I taught at the university and high school levels, both in the U.S. and abroad. My experiences were diverse, to say the least. I became a department chair, academic director, and special education teacher; developed curricula and designed e-learning courses (long before the pandemic); crossed into marketing and admissions; and even trained classical ballerinas. I often wondered where my increasingly eclectic skill set might take me in the future. 

And then came that wonderfully unexpected place. When I started my “first semester” at DC College Counseling a few years ago, I found my own grown-up version of the right fit. Having taught high school English, I was well-prepared to step into the role of a part-time essay coach. Each week I looked forward to helping students craft their stories while trying to make college applications (dare I say) fun. Of course the process wasn’t always easy, but there was something really exciting about the challenge of a crazy essay prompt or strict word count. My favorite part, though, was always the final draft- not because we were finished but because I loved seeing the look of pride and confidence on the student’s face. 

Gradually my schedule and responsibilities expanded, and I happily accepted the new title of Student Success Coach- a position that allowed me to work even closer with all of our families and provide support to other essay coaches. Now I’m thrilled that my role is evolving once again as I transition into a full-time position. I’ll still be on the frontline of college essays, but I’ll also be working behind the scenes on our media and outreach. It’s just the right fit! I get to do what I love and put my diverse skills to good use. 

WHAT ABOUT YOUR RIGHT FIT?

In the spirit of the right fit and my new role, I’d love to hear from all of our families, past and present. Why was DC College Counseling the right fit for you? Send us a quick note or video HERE

Weekly Update: November 12

Good luck to everyone submitting in advance of the November 15 early deadline on Monday!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

EARLY APPLICATION NOTIFICATION DATES

College Kickstart has released their list of notification dates for early decision and early action applications. If you submitted an early application, you may want to bookmark this page - they keep it updated regularly with statements from the schools, as well as information on last year’s release dates. Keeping our fingers crossed for those of you expecting mid-December decisions!

UNIVERSITY OF AUSTIN ESTABLISHED

No, not UT Austin - a group of scholars and activists have set the plans for a new college, the University of Austin, which they say will be dedicated to free speech. A soft opening is planned for the new institution next summer with a non-credit discussion course on censorship at institutions of higher education. And this is no online-only university - the plans allow for in-person classes and a campus in Austin. Still, the university aims to reduce tuition costs below the national average. 

But the University of Austin isn’t the only new college opening even as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on older institutions. Some of these new colleges, like the Roux Institute in Portland, Maine, focus on in-demand disciplines like computer science and technology. Others are aiming to serve underrepresented populations in traditional colleges, or to keep costs down by avoiding the traditional structures of higher education. 

JILL BIDEN KICKS OFF VACCINE CAMPAIGN IN MCLEAN

The first lady and the surgeon general visited Franklin Sherman Elementary School to offer a message to students and parents at the school’s vaccine clinic. So far, over one million children have received the COVID-19 vaccine! 

LOUDOUN COUNTY HIRES FIRM TO INVESTIGATE SEXUAL ASSAULT

Two weeks ago, we wrote about the student walkouts at Loudoun County schools in protest against the school’s handling of sexual assault cases. Now, the school system has hired a firm to provide an independent review of their response to the situation. We will see whether the review leads to any changes in how these events are handled in the future.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We’ve covered the change in TJ’s admissions policy on the blog before, and this article from NoVA magazine dives deep into the two sides of the argument when it comes to admission. The Coalition for TJ argues that the new admission policy discriminates against Asian American students, and also that it could lower academic standards and lead to deserving students being denied admission. On the other side, the TJ Alumni Action Group believes that broadening the admissions pool will combat inequity and a lack of diversity at the school. And while this issue is salient to those of us in Northern Virginia, it may also set an example for other elite schools around the country. 

Even as new colleges are being created, many liberal arts colleges continue to suffer in the wake of COVID-19 changes. This article explores whether the liberal arts model can survive - especially in a world that rewards research and innovation over teaching, discussion, breadth of knowledge, and other key attributes of the liberal arts. But all hope is not lost - the article lists several ways that liberal arts colleges could innovate in order to stay relevant post-pandemic and beyond. 

Finally, as schools continue to be the focus of political battles, school board members have been facing threats. The threats come as a result of everything from objections about the way children are taught about race in the classroom to COVID-19 restrictions like mask-wearing. While clashes between parents and school board members are not new, the escalation of threats of violence demonstrates just how contentious school-related issues have become.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We are so excited that Staci has started full time with our team this week! Our students already know and love Staci from all of their essay work, and we are thrilled that she will be able to continue working with our students and helping them to achieve those “17-year-old perfect” essays! Keep an eye out for more from Staci on the blog next week :) 

Right now, our juniors are really focused on the college search process, and we are so excited to get their feedback! It really is like a puzzle, finding a great list for each individual student, and so much fun to hear about the schools that our students feel would be a perfect fit. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the choices or unsure how to research schools, book a Meet & Greet to learn more about how we can help!

Enjoy the weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Academic Planning for Middle School Students Part II: Public or Private High School?

A few weeks ago, we published a post about academic planning for middle school students, where we delved into course selection for your middle schooler, and how the courses they take in middle school may affect what is available to them at their high school. 

This week, we are going to focus on public vs. private high schools. Many eighth graders may be in the process of completing those private high school applications, and plenty of parents are wondering - is it worth the time and money?

The answer is… yes and no. Now, we know that may not be exactly what you want to hear, but the truth is that this is a very personal decision, and your ultimate choice will depend on what works for your individual student and family. However, we hope that these considerations can shed some light on the factors at play!

---

Will a public or a private high school help my student more during the college process?

The fact is, top private schools tend to send a larger percentage of their students to highly selective colleges than public schools. But it is important to remember that private school applicants are a self-selecting pool - often more affluent or more ambitious (or both!) than the pool of students at public schools. So whether this is the case because private schools prepare students better for college, or simply because the students who attend private schools are also more likely to attend a certain sub-set of colleges, we can’t say for sure. 

However, private schools do typically offer smaller class sizes and extracurricular activities that enable students to get to know their teachers and school counselors better. This often results in more personalized attention than one would have at a public school where teachers and counselors have many more students to support. This is not a hard-and-fast rule, though, so make sure you do your research when it comes to school selection!

So, you’re saying my child will have less support at a public school?

Maybe. Private schools often have smaller class sizes, as we mentioned, and some have certain religious and social supports in place that are certainly not available at a typical public school. These are all great reasons to look to a private school education for your child. 

However, if your child has a diagnosed learning difference that requires more extensive support, your best option may actually be a public school. Accessibility is more carefully monitored and provided at public schools, which usually have more structures in place to support students with learning differences. 

Where will my child have better teachers?

Again, it depends. As we said above, students at private schools often have the opportunity to bond more with their teachers, and teachers have smaller classes to manage and can give more individual attention to each student. However, public school teachers are required to have a teaching credential, while private school teachers are not. Are there good and bad teachers at all high schools? Definitely. But at a public school, you know that every teacher has a teaching credential. 

My student is an academic high-flier. Won’t she do better at a private school?

We’ll say it again - maybe. Some students who are academically successful LOVE to be in an environment with other smart kids. Seeing other people around them working hard pushes them to perform to their max academic potential - they thrive on that friendly competition. 

Other students like to be the smartest kid in the room, and would much rather be the big fish in the small pond of their public high school than be surrounded by other (maybe more!) successful students at a selective private school. Only you and your student know their personality best and have a sense of which which environment is going to help them succeed.

Another factor to consider is that private schools are sometimes limited in the high-level classes they can offer. Public high schools often have a larger variety of courses, and almost always offer more specialized options for students who want to pursue engineering, entrepreneurship, or another particular academic pathway in high school. And certain school systems go way beyond that - did you know that FCPS offers options ranging from veterinary science to fashion marketing (held at a mall - how cool is that!). This chance to specialize can definitely be helpful in the college application process!

---

The bottom line is: do your research. The above are just some of the things you’ll want to consider, but the available curriculum and level of support for students varies from school to school. Look up the course progression and opportunities available at your local public high school, so you can directly compare with any private schools you are considering. 

You may also want to consider an important factor we haven’t mentioned here: social influence. This is heavily specific to each individual school community and less about whether the school happens to be private or public. For example, public schools aren’t the only ones with drug problems - certain private schools struggle with substance abuse much more than their public school counterparts!

So as you weigh all of the options, don’t forget to carefully examine the culture of every school on your list to try to get a better sense of what your student’s peer group will look like. This is often the single most important factor that will influence your student’s choices relating to risky and undesirable adolescent behavior.

If you want more help in the high school search, book an 8th grade strategy session with us and we’d love to talk more about you and your family’s goals. And if you are interested in a presentation about academic planning for middle schoolers for your club or group, email Shannon to get on our calendar!

---

Weekly Update: November 5

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

ELECTION DAY IMPACTS

The results of this week's elections will definitely have an impact on the local educational landscape. First, the 2021 School Bond Referendum was passed, providing Fairfax County Public Schools with an additional 360 million dollars to fund a number of projects. One of the most controversial of these projects is the acquisition of land for the new "Western High School" that may impact the boundary lines for Langley HS. The good news for the Langley-zoned families reading this blog is that your children will likely not be impacted, even if the Langley boundaries change - we're looking at a solid decade before the high school would open.

On the other hand, we'll likely see the impacts of the gubernatorial election very soon, as Youngkin's commitment to education reform played a major role in his win. NBC4 put together an easy reference list of the changes we can expect to see.

NEW COLLEGE COMPARISON TOOL

The Gates Foundation released a new tool, called the Equitable Value Explorer, which will allow users to compare colleges on factors such as the percentage of students who receive Pell Grants, cumulative net price, completion rate, and even percentage of STEM majors. While the tool still has some gaps, the foundation hopes that it will enable students to make better choices about where to attend colleges - and help college leaders and administrators strive for more equity at their institutions. 

JMU LEAVES THE COLONIAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

JMU is moving up to the Sun Belt, leaving the CAA conference. JMU is one of the league’s founding members, and is the latest school to leave for a higher-level conference. Unfortunately, the CAA has ruled that JMU’s athletes will not be able to compete in conference championships this year as a result of the change. This article explores the impact that decision will have on student-athletes who have been working hard to compete. 

UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN, WAGES UP FOR NEW GRADS

The Fed released new data today on the labor market for recent college graduates. The unemployment rate for new grads fell to 5.4% in September and wages are up too. This is great news in our office, because it means less competition with grad school applications!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We wrote in a recent blog about registering for college courses (and how college experience coaching can help!), but what about law school? This article contains some advice from law school professors at the University of Virginia on which courses students should take - a great read for any future lawyers out there!

Not a ton of great articles this week (maybe everyone was focused on Election Day!)… stay tuned for more next Friday!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

November 1 deadlines may have passed, but things are still busy over here! We are focusing on wrapping up applications for our late-start seniors, as well as law school and MBA applications. We’re also getting started on military academy applications (remember to start these early!) and brainstorming college lists with our class of 2023 juniors.

Finally, we are continuing to finalize course selection and scholarship applications with our college experience coaching students. UVa freshmen enrolled in spring courses today and it was like the Hunger Games of course registration... even the fourth and fifth backup choices were full for some students! If ever log into SIS again, it will be too soon! But everyone has a solid spring semester planned now - phew! One of these days we will take a vacation ;)

Have a great weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Best of the Blog: Post-Submission Emails and Grade Updates

Now that first quarter grades have been released, we are receiving a ton of questions from seniors who want to know if they should be sending those grades to colleges - and if so, how do they do it?

We decided to share our post from last fall on this topic to provide some insight! Keep reading to learn more about whether you should send grades, how to follow up with colleges, and what a sample email would say!

---

We are so excited to be DONE with submitting all of our early applications! But as our clients know by now, the work does not stop when you click “submit!” Not only is the post-submission portal tracking extremely important, as we have mentioned before, but some students may also want to consider sending follow-up communication to the various admissions representatives to share first quarter grade updates.

Let me start by mentioning that this is not a one-size fits all approach. Some schools specifically indicate that they do not want follow-up emails with grades.

If that’s the case, don’t send them! While schools that track demonstrated interest are generally the ones to whom these emails should be directed, it’s important to note that there’s a fine line between an enthusiastic update and over-the-top bombarding.

We do not recommend sending repeated emails. Down the line in a deferral or waitlist situation, depending on the school - possibly. But definitely not at this point in the admissions cycle. You do not want to annoy anyone, and repeated emails will be annoying - no two ways about it.

With that warning out of the way, we suggest that if you do have new grades to report that reflect positively on your candidacy, you take the initiative to reach out to the admissions office and let your assigned admissions officer know.

A handful of high schools will send out first-quarter grades as a matter of course, but most will not do so unless asked - especially this year, when school counselors are already overburdened. So if you believe your first-quarter grades will improve your application, it is up to you to take on the responsibility of sharing them with the admissions office!

One more note of caution: while I would not recommend proactively sharing poor first-quarter grades (or even ones that are relatively strong, but do show a downwards trend), it’s also important to recognize that it’s not necessarily possible to hide them, either.

I think that many applicants believe that admissions offices are too busy to follow up on particular aspects of a single application - but this is not necessarily the case! For a student who has had a shaky math score in 11th grade, the admissions officer is definitely going to want to see how that student is doing in math at the beginning of 12th grade. 

So, now that you know why to send a post-submission email, here’s how:

1. If you can, address your email to your regional admissions officer. At many schools, you can find this information on the website with just a bit of research. Your email is more likely to be read by the right person if you address it directly. You can also ask your school counselor if you’re not sure.

2. Identify yourself by name and indicate that you have applied to the school already.

3. Show that you have done your homework. This is a place to address any questions that you have that were not answered by the school’s website. You can also ask if the representative is planning a virtual visit to your school this semester, or reference a previous visit if you have met them before. 

4. Report your grades. Tell the admissions officer that you want to update your application with your first-quarter grades, and provide them in a clear way that is easy to read. 

5. Close your email by thanking the admissions officer for their time and reiterating your interest in attending their school. If this is your top-choice school, make sure to let them know!

Remember: keep it concise and simple. Here is a sample:

Congratulations to all of the students who have submitted their remaining early applications this week! Comment to let us know if you will be following up with your first-quarter grades! 

Weekly Update: October 29

Happy Halloween!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

LORI LOUGHLIN PAYS TUITION FOR TWO COLLEGE STUDENTS

After being released from prison for her role in the Varsity Blues scandal, Lori Loughlin paid more than $500,000 in tuition for two college students. There haven’t been any details released about the students yet, but the amount is roughly the same as Loughlin and her husband paid to have their daughters admitted to USC as recruits for the crew team. 

HOWARD’S PRESIDENT RESPONDS TO STUDENT PROTESTS

As the student sit-in at Howard University’s student center entered its third week this week, the president of the university released a letter calling for an end to the “occupation” of the Blackburn center. The president called the sit-in a health and safety risk that impeded essential student services on campus. Students insist that they will continue to occupy the center until their demands are met for improved housing on campus.

SCHOOL CURRICULA AT THE CENTER OF VA GOVERNOR’S RACE

As election day for the Virginia governor’s race draws closer, the issue of public school curricula has become central to the campaign. After Youngkin’s campaign released an ad this week featuring a mother who fought for parents’ rights to veto certain books after her son read Toni Morrison’s Beloved in his AP English class, parents’ rights and curriculum decisions have become notable issues for both candidates. 

STUDENTS HOLD WALKOUTS AT LOUDOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On Tuesday, students at several Loudoun County schools held ten-minute walkouts on Tuesday to protest the schools’ handling of sexual assault cases. The walkouts were a response to two incidents allegedly perpetrated by the same student at two different high schools, one in May and one in October. Parents and students are demanding more transparency from the school district when it comes to sexual assault cases.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

A controversial piece in The Atlantic explored Amherst’s decision to end legacy admissions, and the “fairness” of college admissions. The author doesn’t believe that ending legacy admissions will suddenly make the process fair for under-served populations, but it’s a great start, he feels. “Amherst took one step closer to it this week. And for that, I’m happy to light a sparkler.”

One note about this article and legacy admissions in general: I personally believe that the general public has a TON of misconceptions about the impact of being a legacy candidate. Whether you’re for it or against it, it’s important to recognize that the student must already be qualified for legacy status to make a difference. This is just fact.

So nobody’s getting into a school because of legacy status if they aren’t qualified, I promise. To the dismay of their parents, they are rejected just like everybody else that’s not qualified! Development legacy cases are different, but those kids are being admitted because of the development part, not the legacy part. Where legacy can make a big difference, though, is when it comes to narrowing down a pool of highly qualified applicants. Especially when it comes to those who choose to apply to the school through a binding Early Decision plan.

Speaking of qualified applicants… according to a Washington Post poll, about half of high school students said the pandemic had a negative impact on their academics. That is by far the largest group, with a third of students saying that there was no impact, and ⅙ who felt that the pandemic actually improved their academics. Some of the positive impacts that students saw were a closer relationship with their parents, as well as less stress and a less intense workload than during in-person classes. 

Undergraduate college enrollment is still down due to COVID-19, particularly when it comes to low income students or non-traditional students with children and families. Unfortunately, it seems like last year’s huge decline in enrollment wasn’t just a blip - and we may soon be faced with a large population of students who did not complete their college degrees. Especially now that the labor market is strong and wages are going up, it is likely that low income students may choose to enter the workforce rather than go to college. 

In the past two years of the pandemic, college enrollment has fallen a total of 6.5% - the largest two-year decrease in fifty years. But the decline is not spread equally - selective schools are bouncing back, while community colleges are continuing to see declining enrollment.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It’s that time of year again - lots of speaking engagements! Shannon had the opportunity yesterday to speak at a College Selection webinar through the office of the DC Student Loan Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s role is to help make higher education available and affordable for all DC residents, and Shannon was really excited to participate and talk to students about what they should consider when selecting a college, essay preparation, and application timelines. And timehop reminded me that I spoke at a junior parent night at Marshall HS two years ago today!

The shift to online events has presented a challenge for a lot of organizations during COVID-19, but it’s been almost 20 months and we’re virtual presentation pros at this point! From moms’ groups, to school-sponsored presentations, to community and religious organizations, to sports teams - we’ve done it all! If you have a group whose members could benefit from our (free!) guidance, please reach out and we’ll do our best to fit you into our calendar for the upcoming year. 

I also wanted to mention that the office of the Student Loan Ombudsman is an excellent resource for DC families with questions about paying for college. College Access Fairfax provides resources for Nova families as well - if you need help with the FAFSA, CSS profile, or other financial aid issues, I really recommend attending one of their free virtual seminars. These events are open to anyone and can be really helpful in figuring out financial aid questions. 

CONGRATULATIONS to all of our seniors who have submitted their early applications! We are so proud of all of you. Enjoy the Halloween weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

College Experience Coaching - Applications & Special Programs

Last week, we covered the ins and outs of the course registration process and how college experience coaching can help. While course registration is often one of the most complex and nuanced parts of the first few years of college, it is by no means the ONLY challenge that students will come upon their first year (and beyond!)

College experience coaching can also help when students find themselves needing to complete internal applications within their college or university. Unfortunately, these have become a common part of the college experience!

---

What do you mean, more applications?

Yup. As a college student, there are two main types of applications that we help students complete (while ensuring they put their best foot forward!).

The first is an academic application for a special program, school, or course experience that interests them. Many schools offer selective programs within the university that students can potentially enter in their second or third year. These are often pre-professional programs; for example, both the McIntire School of Commerce at UVa and the Robins School of Business at William & Mary will only accept students through a selective internal application process. And this is quite common elsewhere, too. There may also be scholarship opportunities, honors colleges, or even research funding for which students can apply while at school.

The second type is actually an extracurricular application. Believe it or not, many clubs and organizations also require (sometimes extensive!) applications and even interviews from students looking for leadership opportunities or membership in campus organizations. Frankly, this can be a pain, but these experiences are worth the effort; not only do they help students develop practical skills they need for the workforce, they are very useful when it comes to building resumes for job or internship opportunities. We help students stay on track to put together the best possible application packages - all while balancing their academic work.

What type of applications can you help with?

Applications are our expertise! Here are just some of the application types that we’ve successfully provided coaching to help students complete:

• Honors College applications

• Internal applications for selective schools or majors within the institution

• Study abroad applications

• Internship applications

• Research or grant funding applications

• Internal and external scholarship applications

• Leadership positions, including those in greek life

• Campus organizations requiring applications for baseline membership

• Student government, student ambassador, and other institutional applications

Does my student’s school even have these types of opportunities?

Most likely, the answer is yes! But many of them may not be highly publicized, or your student may not know about the deadlines for some more selective programs. It can be really disappointing to realize junior year that research funding would have been possible, if only you’d taken a one-credit research seminar that is only offered to sophomores! We can help students investigate the possibilities on their campus and make sure they are on track to achieving their goals and making the most out of their experiences.

Can’t I just help my student with this stuff?

Yes! For some families, this works well and parents can help and encourage their students to make the most of the college experience. If that is you, college experience coaching may not be the best fit.

However, if any of the following sounds familiar, this may be a good investment for your family: “I don’t think she has any idea what she wants to do.” “I’m worried that he’s not thinking about his future.” “I’m not sure how to support her without imposing my own ideas.” “He says he’ll apply but the deadline is in two weeks and I don’t see how that’s possible.”

We hear issues like these from parents all the time. You want to support your student, but you also want them to have their own college experience. Or you think they need someone to talk to about their future plans, but you just can’t get them to talk to you without feeling like you’re nagging every time you get a phone call! A check-in with a professional can provide a sounding board outside of the family for both you and your student, giving you peace of mind and helping to keep your relationship intact.

Have an upcoming application deadline?

Reach out to Shannon today to learn more about college experience coaching, and check out our Packages and Fees page for more information on costs.

Weekly Update: October 21

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

AMHERST COLLEGE DOES AWAY WITH LEGACY ADMISSIONS

Amherst is the one of the first highly selective colleges to announce that it will no longer take legacy into consideration during the college admissions process. Other top-tier schools that do not consider legacy include MIT, Johns Hopkins, and CalTech. 

If the announcement has left you with questions about what exactly legacy is, which schools consider legacy, and how it might impact your college process, check out our blog post on the topic!

MIZZOU SUSPENDS FRATERNITIES ON CAMPUS

After a freshman at the University of Missouri was found unresponsive following a frat party, the university has announced that all fraternity activities on campus are suspended. The school also intends to complete a review to determine if any changes need to be made to Greek life on campus. The last such review at the university took place in 2016, after a hazing incident. 

HOWARD UNIVERSITY PROTESTS CONTINUE INTO A SECOND WEEK

Last week, we covered the student sit-ins in protest of living conditions on campus at Howard. Students have now entered a second week of sit-ins in the student center, with some even sleeping in tents overnight. The students are complaining of issues like rats, roaches, and mold that make university housing unlivable. 

The protest is making even more of an impact as this is Howard’s homecoming week. Gucci Mane, who was scheduled to perform at homecoming, canceled his appearance in support of the protests.  

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

After financial hardships for many colleges and universities during the pandemic, this article explores how colleges might use their endowment funds to help students and faculty during times of crisis. Traditionally, the role of the endowment has been to sustain colleges over the long term, not to respond to immediate needs. Even in the height of the pandemic, only 8% of colleges and universities had any intention of changing how they used their endowment funds. But those that did draw on endowment funds were able to absorb some of the worst impacts of the pandemic, by reducing layoffs for faculty and staff and sending more money to student services. 

UVA clinched the second spot on the Princeton Review’s list of best-value public colleges, right behind UC Berkeley. We always say that those of us in Virginia are so lucky to have such great in-state options! For private institutions, Princeton and MIT were top for ROI. Return on investment for the schools was calculated using the average amount that students spend in tuition compared to the salaries they were making shortly after graduation.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Merit scholarship deadlines are coming up quick, and for students that do not complete their applications early, it may be difficult to even find deadlines you are missing! We love this list from College Kickstart, which keeps track of the hard scholarship deadlines at popular schools. If you are applying for merit scholarships, bookmark this list!

As I’ve mentioned before, I find it very gratifying to work with last-minute students because we are able to restore order in their lives so quickly. Here's some feedback I received this week from one of their moms!

This student worked with us for six weeks and was able to submit his first round of early applications this week! We have been working with a lot of students who are just beginning the process, and it was great to hear this positive feedback. If you are interested in working with us for those regular decision deadlines (they are coming up faster than you think!), please book a Meet & Greet.

Have a great weekend?

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

College Experience Coaching - Course Registration Time!

Did you know that in addition to educational consulting, we also offer college experience coaching to help students navigate their first year of college and beyond? Whether students are hoping to prepare for success in graduate school admissions, enter the job market with a strong resume, or simply just maximize the undergraduate experience, working with us can help make it happen!

So while our high school seniors are submitting their applications and waiting to hear from their schools, we’ve been busy helping our Class of 2021, Class of 2020, and Class of 2019 students with their spring course registration!

---

Can’t their advisors help with that?

At many schools, course selection and registration are notoriously difficult - especially for underclassmen. Even at ultra-selective private universities, advisors are meant to help facilitate schedules and share information about graduation requirements. So while they can certainly help, it’s not typically the kind of personalized assistance that most of our students (and their parents) expect!

Yes, there are a few exceptions, but most do not sit down with students to examine options and plot out the best possible schedule permutations. They can’t - they just don’t have time to do that for each student. It’s just like the school counselor vs. independent counselor issue we’ve discussed so many times before.

How does it work?

We do the research and leg work to help put together a personalized schedule tailored to your student’s preferences, goals, core requirements, and major/minor requirements - as well as backups (and backups to the backups!) to be covered when registration hits those inevitable snafus. Worried about getting stuck with a hard or boring professor? Not on our watch! Want to make sure no classes start before 10 a.m. and Fridays are free? We make it happen all the time!

Revealing our secrets…

Want to try to put the best possible schedule together on your own? Here’s some tips and tricks right out of our playbook:

1. Map out a four-year plan from the start. Colleges typically provide lists of various requirements (general education, major, minor, etc), but they don’t always put everything together in one place. Sketching out a general four-year plan is a necessary first step that we take with each of our students - we put all of their requirements together in one place and incorporate space for study abroad, co-ops, and any other deviations from a traditional schedule.

   This provides an easy way for students to visualize exactly which types of courses they need to take and when, and how much flexibility they have - for example, how many times they can change their major before they are at risk of graduating late! - or whether they have room to pick up a new minor, etc. It also really helps to have a baseline when it comes to planning out each individual semester. We do modify this four-year plan as things change, but we rely heavily upon it.

2. Create a master list early. As soon as course schedules are released for the upcoming semester (typically about a month in advance of registration), start planning out options. Look at the four year plan, determine which requirements are slated to be met during that particular semester, and start playing with the schedule to determine which available courses will fit the requirements. Come up with a master list of potential options.

3. Identify the top two criteria of choice and start removing courses from consideration. We recommend prioritizing the quality of the instructor more than anything else. Even the most boring material can be interesting with a great professor. We always look for those who aren’t harsh graders, but are engaging and make learning fun. Depending on the material and the student’s needs, we may also look for those who are highly effective in terms of teaching the subject matter. This is less important in some situations (i.e. an English major trying to meet a Natural Science graduation requirement)- but it’s essential in others (I.e. a nursing major who ultimately needs to pass the NCLEX exam, an accounting major who ultimately needs to pass the CPA exam, etc). In addition to instructor quality, we also prioritize aspects including time of day, day of week, difficulty of subject matter when compared to alternatives, etc.)

4. Keep careful notes for future semesters. Maybe it comes out that Prof. Smith is the most amazing in the psychology department, but he’s only teaching 9am classes this semester and that’s a deal-breaker. No problem! Write down a reminder to check out his courses during the following semester’s registration period. After we research various professors, we often put together short descriptions of their characteristics - bad and good - to make for easy reference down the line.

5. Put permutations together! Start with the classes that seem to fit the top two criteria best, and put together a whole bunch of permutations that fit the general preference guidelines. There will be pros and cons to each permutation, and we like to rank them in order of preference. We also make sure that there are options available with a wide range of classes, because we don’t know which ones will fill up immediately on the morning of registration. For example, if every single schedule permutation includes POL315 and that one fills, it would be a problem!

6. Monitor closely and adjust when needed. Freshmen typically register last, and even juniors can find that their top-choice courses have filled by the time their registration window opens. It’s important to be aware of which courses are filling, and which seem likely to fill. This way we can remove those permutations from the list and examine whether we have a sufficient number ready for registration day. Sometimes we need to go back to the drawing board to add more.

7. Be strategic on registration day. After all of this prep work, it’s vital to make sure that students don’t miss their registration windows - and these usually happen very early in the morning. Be at the computer, ready to go, at least fifteen minutes in advance. Make sure to have a list of courses (in order of importance - those with fewer spots or which are most critical to the schedule should be prioritized). Start refreshing about a minute before the window to make sure to gain access immediately, and start registering from the pre-determined list. Make sure that the backup permutations are readily available to make for an easy pivot if courses fill unexpectedly.

Money Well Spent

Does this sound incredibly time-consuming? Well - that’s because it is (now you understand why advisors could never do this!). That’s why many parents ask us to step in - we are experienced and can take care of this much more efficiently than a student or parent could.

Still, our services aren’t free, or inexpensive. But put it into perspective, the cost of college today makes our fees look like chump change in comparison! Planning out course selection this way will greatly maximize the likelihood that a student will be able to graduate on time, and with the best possible grades. Every time something goes wrong (the student misses a requirement by mistake, or signs up for a course with a difficult professor and has to drop mid-semester, or doesn’t leave enough slots to be able to take all of their major/minor coursework on time), the likelihood of graduating in four years decreases.

Just about a week ago, the National Center for Education Statistics released updated data on graduation rates, and it’s pretty bleak. Did you know that only about 40% of students graduate from four-year universities within four years, and perhaps even scarier, only 64% graduate from four-year universities within SIX years! Even at an in-state public university, an extra year can cost around $35,000 - and that’s not including the opportunity cost of the year of lost income (average starting base salary for a B.S. graduate from UVa’s Commerce School: $78,000). Even using conservative estimates, we’re talking about a six-figure loss. So the investment of professional direction can be well worth it, and often ends up saving quite a bit of money down the line.

Need some help with Spring 2022 Registration?

Reach out to Shannon today to learn more about college experience coaching, and check out our Packages and Fees page for more information on costs.

Weekly Update: October 15

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

NEW ASPIRE RESIDENCE HALL AT ST. JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY

Students on the autism spectrum will have the opportunity for a typical college living experience at St. Joseph’s University. The new Aspire Residence Hall will assist students with personal care, problem-solving, and the social skills necessary for dorm life. If you or someone you know are looking for this level of support in college, the hall is now accepting applications for next year’s class!

SIT-IN AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Howard students staged a sit-in and protest on campus this week. They were protesting the lack of COVID-19 testing on campus in addition to other residential safety concerns, including mold in the walls of residence halls. The students’ current demands include an improved housing plan for incoming freshmen, as well as representation on the university’s Board of Trustees. 

TENURE CHANGES IN THE GEORGIA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

The concept of tenure for college professors is an often-controversial one - with some arguing that it is necessary to protect academic freedom, while others argue that it is an outdated method of retaining professors. Now, the Board of Regents for the Georgia university system has given its universities, including UGA and Georgia Tech, the power to fire tenured professors without faculty input. 

Faculty argue that the move limits academic freedom, and may also prevent the state university from attracting and retaining top professors, given the higher risk of termination under the new policy.  

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Considering going back to school for a graduate degree? This article explores the master’s degrees that give the biggest increase in salary. Topping the list is a master’s degree in biology - professionals with the graduate degree make on average 87% more money than those with a bachelor's degree! Other top master’s include business, education, and communication. Surprisingly, finance and accounting were at the bottom of the list - professionals with a master’s in accounting make only 4% more on average than those with a bachelor’s degree. 

On a much more difficult note, UNC gave students a day off for mental health this week following two suicides and at least one attempt on campus this semester. The tragedies and UNC are just an example of the mental health challenges that many students are encountering during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has only exacerbated what was already an issue of limited mental health resources on many college campuses. 

Note: if you are struggling with mental health, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We’re wrapping up the last of those early applications this week, and crossing our fingers for all of our readers with 10/15 deadlines - UNC and UGA early action applications are due today! SAT results from the October test were also released today, and we have been excited to get some good news from our students - especially since some of those applications, like UGA, require test scores this cycle. 

Enjoy the weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Academic Planning for Middle School Students

We’ve been hearing the question a lot lately: “How soon is too soon for my child to begin thinking about the college process? He’s only a seventh grader, does he really have to worry about this right now?”

The answer: yes and no. Your seventh grader certainly does not need to start drafting a Common Application essay or begin taking AP exams quite yet! But with just a bit of thought toward the end of middle school, you can help set your student up for success later on - during the active phase of the college process.

---

Believe it or not, middle school coursework often sets the stage for high school. Take a look at the basic progression:

As noted, this student would not be able to take high school Calculus if she were to continue on this path - which may be a dealbreaker for a student applying to an engineering or other STEM program. And that student might not even realize that her seventh grade math course is closing such a big door!

Compare that progression to this very advanced progression that would allow a student to take higher-level high school math courses:

This progression can differ from school to school, so talk to your student’s counselor about their individual school’s progression and whether middle school credits count toward the high school transcript.

If at all possible, we recommend that all middle school students plan to take Algebra I and at least one year of a foreign language. If your student does well in Spanish I and Algebra I in middle school, he will be able to continue with a more challenging high school progression.

But if your student doesn’t do well, there is no harm done - he will just retake Algebra I in high school and the previous grade will likely not appear on the transcript! So working to get that head start in middle school course planning can really only benefit most students, with the caveat that this can depend on the school system.

In the end, colleges are far more concerned that students are challenging themselves during high school - so if taking Algebra I in the eighth grade is going to mean an extremely stressful year for you and your student, it is better to wait!

Remember: colleges won’t know which types of opportunities students had in middle school, but they will want to see students who choose the most challenging classes in their progression once high school begins (and of course, students who excel in those courses!). 

The bottom line is that your student should take the most rigorous curriculum available to them in high school.

Their placement at the start is relevant, but it doesn’t matter nearly as much as it matters to take advantage of everything their high school offers!

---

Still have questions about middle school course planning? Book a strategy session with us and we can help set your student up for success, in high school and beyond!

---

Weekly Update: October 8

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS VIRTUAL COLLEGE WEEK

Fairfax County Public Schools are continuing with a virtual approach to college fairs this fall. They will have live virtual sessions from Monday, October 18 - Thursday, October 21. There will be three sessions each evening, and students should take a look at the schedule to see which sessions they may be interested in attending - there are sessions available for everyone from ninth graders to high school seniors. 

COVID-19 JOB MARKET BOUNCES BACK

As you may have noticed from all of the “help wanted” signs, the job market is coming back as more people are vaccinated. While class of 2020 students graduated into a very difficult market, the class of 2021 is finding a much easier time when it comes to the job search. On campus recruiting has begun again at several schools, helping to connect these students with employers. Part-time work and internships have also been picking up.

If you are (or you know!) a local college student looking for an internship, we are hiring! Interested students should send us their resumes via email. 

FIRST VARSITY BLUES TRIAL WRAPS

Lawyers delivered the closing arguments in the first Varsity Blues trial on Wednesday, and the jury is deliberating as we write this blog. The lawyers for the two fathers facing trial argued that they did not know the methods that Rick Singer was using, and believed they were making legitimate donations. We’ll be watching closely for the outcome of this trial, which will likely set precedent for the upcoming trials of parents and others involved in the scandal.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We liked this post from Akil Bello (featured in the Varsity Blues documentary!) a lot, and wanted to share it because it has a lot of helpful information in terms of making the decision to take a standardized test. However, there were two pieces of information from Akil that don’t align with the advice that we’d give students, so we want to also provide a clarification. Keep in mind that all advice is subjective and dependent on many factors such as geographic location, etc.! 

1. We believe that students should take their first SAT/ACT during the fall of junior year if possible, and finish testing by the end of junior year. This empowers them to make final decisions about their college list after they know their scores. Otherwise, they'd be making these decisions based on guesses about what their scores might look like. That can lead to overshooting or undershooting in terms of selectivity, and we prefer to work with actual numbers.

2. We really agreed with everything in the test prep section and found that to be very valuable. For example, the 6-8 week span and the potential for improvement. The one part we didn't agree with is about potentially making the choice NOT to prep if a student scores above the 90th percentile with no prep after the fall of 11th grade. This is accurate from a national standpoint, but not at the schools to which most of our students hope to attend. 90th percentile scores are not going to cut it at their schools of choice - even UVA's 25th-75th% range reflects the 97th-99th percentile of ACT-takers. This means that only a quarter of UVA's admitted students who sent ACT scores came in lower than the 97th percentile (depressing, right?). So don't be lulled into a false sense of test prep security if you reach the 90th percentile and hope to attend a highly selective school.

When the College Board got rid of the SAT II earlier this year, many of us speculated that AP exams would come to be more significant in the college admissions process. This article in Psychology Today explores why that may not be such a great idea for students. In fact, the way that many AP classes are taught - “to the test,” to prepare students to take the AP exam - is the exact opposite of how many actual college classes are designed. In college, it will be far more important that students learn to think critically than that they memorize facts (that they promptly forget!) in order to score well on a standardized exam. 

While we agree with much of what this article says, the fact is that for many students, AP classes are part of setting themselves up for success in the college process. And until schools stop offering them as part of the curriculum (as many private schools have!), it is important for students to take a rigorous curriculum based on what is offered by their high school. So we are sorry to say that our general advice is, take the AP class! Of course, this is also particular to the student, and there are certainly students for whom the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to managing an AP course load. 

While we like to think that the work we do is pretty important, we wouldn’t have said it was a “matter of life and death” - until this interview! Angus Deaton, a Nobel prize winner and professor emeritus at Princeton, suggests that four-year college graduates are less likely than those who did not attend college to succumb to “deaths of despair” - suicides, drug overdoses, and the like. The gap between people with a bachelor’s degree and those without when it comes to these tragedies is only growing in the United States.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

I was so honored and excited to co-host a roundtable session on “The Joys and Challenges of Being a Female Entrepreneur” today for IECA, the professional organization to which Shannon and I belong. Here’s a snapshot of some of the attendees! I’m on the top row to the left with my co-host, Dr. Pat Smith, to my right.

October is National Women’s Small Business Month, and this roundtable was a great way to celebrate. It was heartwarming to see how all of these individual consultants run very different businesses, yet we all care immensely about providing our families with the best possible experience.

Have a great weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Should I Disclose My Student's Learning Profile or Evaluation to Colleges?

After getting this question from a parent this week, we thought that other families might be wondering the same thing. It isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but we wanted to offer some considerations for students and parents who may also be wondering about how much to disclose.

As a general rule, we recommend against disclosing your student’s learning profile during the application process. The reason for this is that admissions officers do not typically have the training or experience to read this type of document.

This is important - without an understanding of the way these evaluations typically read, or how learning differences present themselves, the admissions officer may conclude that the student isn’t able to handle the transition to college - even when this isn’t the case at all! Parents whose children have evaluations will know that these are written in a specific way to try to make the student eligible for accommodations - they emphasize the “differences” and to an untrained eye, they can sound extreme.

Especially for selective schools with large applicant pools, they are essentially looking for reasons to say “no” - and there are many unconscious biases. While no admissions officer would intentionally discriminate against a student with a disability, there is no point in providing information that could be perceived in a negative way.

And one note here - admissions officers CANNOT ask you to disclose your student’s learning profile! This is against the law and you do not need to disclose unless you want to do so.

That said, there are some cases where you may have a reason to disclose something specific about your student’s learning differences. We recommend doing this in an essay, additional statement, or counselor recommendation letter, rather than sending a learning profile, testing report, or other more involved document.

For instance, if your student had undiagnosed dyslexia that caused his grades to plummet during ninth and tenth grade, but received a diagnosis and saw rapid improvement in eleventh grade, that would be a reason to disclose the diagnosis. 

In short, it is helpful to disclose only if the disclosure will help to explain something in the student’s transcript (like a drop in grades) or an issue elsewhere in the application.

You may also want to discuss with your student’s school counselor whether they feel that there is something specific they need to disclose in their counselor letter in order to give context for the student’s performance in high school. This is an area where it’s very important to trust the counselor’s judgment. If they believe that they need to make a disclosure in order to say something positive, there’s probably a good reason for that.

If you do decide to offer an additional statement that touches on learning differences, it is important to include the strategies that your student has used to improve or maintain classroom performance. The disclosure will be so much more compelling if your student can point to ways in which they’ve worked hard and improved. This will also increase the confidence of that admissions officer, who may not have a full understanding of the student’s abilities. Overcoming a challenge can be a really positive thing to mention in an application!

Once your student is admitted, however, you should absolutely talk with the college’s learning center about what kind of support they can expect. Every college has a learning center (Shannon came to us from the one at Boston College!) and they will all provide similar services. The most popular ones are usually notetaking assistance, extra time on tests, and distraction-reduced testing environments. Generally, learning centers are much more likely to take the time to meet with admitted students than prospective ones, so you should absolutely reach out as you try to make your final college decision! 

And if your student is currently struggling with a learning difficulty, including ADHD, academic anxiety, and executive functioning challenges, we can also provide some extra assistance through academic coaching! If you are interested in learning more about academic coaching, you can book a Meet & Greet here.

---

Weekly Update: October 1

Happy October!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

THE FAFSA IS OPEN

Finally, the moment some of you have been waiting for… the FAFSA opens today! If you intend to complete the form, I encourage you to do it as soon as possible. If you are unsure whether or not you should complete the FAFSA, you can check out my earlier posts here and here to help make the best decision for you and your family. There are a lot of myths about the FAFSA that circle around every year, so if any of our current clients have questions about the process, make sure to reach out to us so we can help you make this decision.

WILL STUDENT-ATHLETES BECOME EMPLOYEES?

At the very least, they are a lot closer this week than ever before! On Wednesday, the National Labor Relations Board released a memo classifying some college athletes as employees and allowing them to petition to unionize. Some experts think that students will make the push to unionize this year, which will definitely complicate the relationship between the school and its students (now employees).

NORTHWESTERN STUDENTS PROTEST GREEK LIFE

In the wake of reports that students were drugged without their consent at fraternity parties, protestors at Northwestern are asking the school to abolish Greek life on campus. In response to the allegations, the university has suspended social events and recruitment activities at its fraternities for at least the next two weeks. 

FORENSIC SCIENCE STUDENTS AT GMU WILL USE REAL HUMAN BONES

GMU is launching a new, five-acre research center where forensic science students will learn how to find and recover human remains, using real human bones from donors to recreate actual crime scenes. Students will begin being able to use the center next semester. 

SCHULER EDUCATION FOUNDATION DONATION TO THE LIBERAL ARTS

In an effort to promote equity in the liberal arts, the Schuler Education Foundation plans to donate $500 million to 25 liberal arts colleges, including Bates, Tufts, and Union. The donations are intended to expand access for underserved students to these institutions, which the foundation selected because of their historic support for underrepresented students.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

Now that it is already October, it seems that students have had to transition rapidly back to going full steam ahead at school. But after so many months off, this transition can be tough!

This New York Times article explores the effects of the pandemic on students who are now returning to the classroom, many of whom need to catch up on academics (and the college planning process!). It is sobering to read the statements from these students. And if your student is one of those seniors wondering how to move forward with college planning or how to ask teachers they barely know for recommendations, book a Meet & Greet with us and we can talk with you more about getting back on track. 

In college admissions, one of the most unpredictable movements of the year is “melt” - students who have made a deposit to the college over the summer, but for one reason or another, do not ultimately matriculate in the fall. This is the reason why some colleges will pull from waitlists as late as the first week of classes! This podcast from NPR explains more about melt and why it has been so much more difficult for colleges to calculate during the pandemic. 

U.S. News put together this helpful guide for planning college visits in the DC area. We are so lucky to live in an area with so many different (and excellent!) colleges and universities. A good strategy for current sophomores and juniors is to take day trips to nearby schools on weekends to start to figure out their preferences before they start traveling around the country. If you know the difference between the way GW and Georgetown feel, for instance, you also have a pretty good understanding of how it might feel at Boston University versus Boston College, or NYU versus Columbia, and will be able to prioritize your list for out-of-state visits. 

This expose on sexual assault at Moody Bible Institute is a difficult, but important, read. Moody is the most prestigious evangelical bible college in the country, and eleven alumnae who were assaulted at Moody have recently decided to speak up about their experiences. The pressure on women to stay “pure” in the evangelical tradition often translates to school administrators placing blame on the women who were assaulted rather than the perpetrators. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We’re so excited that local events are (slowly) coming back for our students to attend! On Monday, the deans of admission from the University of Chicago, Vanderbilt University, and Brown University will be holding an information session on the admissions process at highly selective institutions. Interested students can register here. 

Shannon really enjoyed presenting as part of Illuminos Academic Coaching & Tutoring’s “Less Stress Parenting” webinar series this week - if anyone knows the stress that the college application process can bring for parents and families, it’s us! Shannon is currently booking presentations for school and community groups for the rest of the school year and can speak on a variety of topics, including:

• Finding the Best College Fit for Your Child

• Top Tips to Avoid Parenting Stress during the Admissions Process

• Academic Planning for Middle School Students

• Demystifying College Admissions

• College Selection

Shannon can also tailor a presentation specifically for your school or organization. If you are interested in getting on our calendar for this school year, reach out to her directly at shannon@dccollegecounseling.com. These presentations are completely free to organizers as a service to the community, and your organization can either charge a modest fee for attendance and use the profits as you see fit, or offer an event to participants at no charge.

And after some heavy news and articles this week, if you need a laugh, check out this Daily Princetonian article!

Have a great weekend - I hope everyone has a chance to get outside and enjoy the weather!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Weekly Update: September 24

The official start of fall is here - hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

LIVESTREAM LEARNING BEGINS FOR FCPS STUDENTS

Students in Fairfax County Public Schools will be able to stay on top of their coursework even when they are quarantined or exposed to COVID-19. Students who can’t make it to class will be offered livestream instruction (via Zoom or Google Meet) and interactive check-ins with teachers during the period in which they are out of the classroom. 

COLLEGE RANKINGS FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

As we always say, it is good to take college rankings with a grain of salt - and one way to do that is to look at a variety of different rankings systems (there are many out there beyond U.S. News!). We’ve already shared on the blog the rankings from Forbes and our personal favorite, the Princeton Review rankings. 

Different ranking systems use different criteria, and the most important factor for the WSJ is one we think is super important too- career outcomes and ROI! This ranking measures where they work, how much they earn, and how much debt they have. So it's not shocking to learn which schools topped the list: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, and Duke. Keep scrolling down, though - there are some surprises. For example, Carleton College is #35 while UVA is #55.

COLLEGES ADD NEW PROGRAMS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

As the workplace shifts, so do college programs, and many schools have added new programs in response to the major changes brought by the pandemic. New offerings include options in health communications and health law, for obvious reasons, and those in e-sports and cybersecurity respond to our increased time in the virtual space. NYU has also added a masters’ program in health law & strategy. 

PENN CHANGES RECOMMENDATION LETTER REQUIREMENTS

The University of Pennsylvania announced this week that they will be changing their requirements when it comes to letters of recommendation - starting this cycle! In the past, Penn has required a counselor letter and two teacher letters of recommendation. Now, they will continue to require letters from counselors and one teacher, but the third letter can be from any adult you choose: it might be a teacher, but may also be a coach, employer, mentor, or even just an adult who knows you well. If you are a student who has already applied to Penn, don’t panic! Two teacher letters are still perfectly acceptable, and in fact that is still our strong recommendation.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

The Wall Street Journal published a great article this week about how Rick Singer’s “side door” worked - examining the Varsity Blues scandal in depth as trials continue this week. USC’s assistant dean of undergraduate admissions testified that the eleven students who were admitted after using Rick Singer’s services would not have been accepted without their (fabricated!) athletic experience. At USC, the admissions rate for recruited athletes is 85-90% - compare that to just 15% for all applicants! In the wake of Varsity Blues, USC plans to audit team rosters and to implement increased scrutiny in reviews of academic credentials. 

Our colleagues at College Kickstart released some of their latest admissions data in a private session for members that Shannon attended yesterday. To recap, some of the major trends we noticed last cycle were:

• An 11% increase in applications across the board (Virginia Tech, for example, saw a 39% increase! 😬)

• Schools relying more on early decision to fill their classes

• Smaller schools (like Williams and Dartmouth) having the inability to absorb gap year deferrals and admitting smaller classes as a result.

These factors combined to make for a very competitive admissions cycle, particularly for regular decision applicants!

This cycle, we are probably going to continue to see these elevated application volumes, as well as a widening gap between ED and RD acceptance rates. That means that schools like Colgate and BC, which would have been targets for many of our students a few years ago, are now reaches; same goes for flagship public schools like UGA and UC system schools, which are becoming more competitive. We always encourage our students to take advantage of early decision options where possible, and that just became easier thanks to the new ED II plans available at Carnegie Mellon, Emerson, and Loyola Marymount. 

Finally, we are still encouraging our students to take a standardized test if it is available to them - but talk to us before sending the scores, because we can’t emphasize enough that this is a very individual decision. Some schools, like Georgetown and all of the Georgia public universities, are back to requiring tests this cycle, but even for those that don’t, testing still seems to make a positive difference for most (not all!!) applicants. At very selective schools, applicants were nearly two times more likely to be admitted with test scores than without! At Emory, for example, students who submitted test scores were 2.3 times more likely to be admitted. Colgate and Boston University showed similar results. Meanwhile at other schools, like Boston College, Vanderbilt, and Harvey Mudd, there were very slight difference in admissions rates between those with test scores and those without. 

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon will be presenting at a free event next Wednesday at 12:00 pm as part of the Less Stress Parenting webinar series. Great concept, right? We are all about less stress parenting here! If you feel overwhelmed by the college admissions process, you can register here to check out the event!

I was so surprised and excited to be featured in the Tysons Reporter this week by the amazing Realtor Laura Schwartz (alongside Emily of Tangible Designs - she did all of our branding and logos a few years ago and was so great to work with)!

And yes - I’m transitioning back to my maiden name! (From one hard-to-spell name to another, but at least this one is mine 😀)

Lastly, our earlier blog covered a variety of virtual info session options this fall, but we are so excited that there are also some in-person events coming to our area! Notre Dame will be coming to the Tysons Corner Marriott on Wednesday, October 6 - this is an excellent way to learn more about the school and to demonstrate interest. Students can register here to attend!

Have a great weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics: Pre-Med Edition

When a high school student applies for undergraduate admission, there’s no question that they will be able to go to college.

It’s not about “getting into college” - anyone can get into college. There are many 4-year schools around the country with acceptance rates that are close to 100%. Whether students are interested in those particular schools is a different conversation altogether - but everyone has options, even if they may not like their options.

The medical school admissions process is very different. Everyone is just trying to get in somewhere and if you have the luxury of a couple of choices, that’s amazing. Around 55-57% of applicants to medical school in any given year simply do not get in anywhere.

Can you imagine?! And this is after going through an excruciating application process.

Given this, it’s only natural that students and parents are interested in the medical school placement statistics for each college or university under consideration. It seems obvious that if you ultimately want to go to med school, you should select an undergraduate program with a high medical school placement rate. It’s only natural to assume they must be doing something right if nearly all of their applicants are admitted!

Have you ever heard of Berry College?

It’s a small private school in Georgia with an undergraduate acceptance rate around 40% and a four-year graduation rate around 65%. I am sure it is a fine place, but it is not one that I would imagine would attract a whole lot of out-of-state applicants with super-high test scores and grades. In fact, I would bet that none of our current students have ever even heard of the place.

But wait! Check out this screen shot from their website:

Screen shot taken from Berry College website

Wow! A 98% acceptance rate to med school. That’s amazing. Remember, the national average is around 43-45%.

Let’s check out other schools for comparison’s sake. Here’s UVA:

Screen shot taken from University of Virginia website

What in the world?

Let’s find another school to compare. Here’s UC Berkeley:

Screen shot taken from UC Berkeley website

If you scroll up and re-read the text above the Berry statistics, it explains that private school costs more, but when you consider the quality of education, mentorship and post-graduation outcomes… hard to argue with that, right? Is Berry the next big thing? Should we all fly down to Georgia to visit?

Probably not.

Here’s what’s happening:

A lot of colleges and universities advertise very high pre-med acceptance rates that don’t actually represent all of the students who wanted to apply to medical school.

Instead, the acceptance rates represent a select group of top students that the institution hasn’t already weeded out.

These schools require a pre-application process to internal committees that will make a decision about whether or not their institution will support each individual student’s medical school applications. If the committee deems the student worthy, it will then provide what is called a “committee letter” to send along with their medical school applications.

If a student attends a school that has a committee, but does not have a committee letter, they can technically still apply - but at that point they’ve essentially been blackballed and have an extremely low chance of admission.

This would be like applying to college and having your school counselor refuse to write a rec letter on your behalf - except worse.

So it turns out we aren’t going to fly down to Berry after all. As you can see, it’s really easy for a school to manipulate their students’ medical school acceptance rate - all they have to do is restrict the applicants they support!

In reality, we have no clue how many students tried to initiate a medical school application from Berry. Maybe 10% of the original group actually got to med school at the end of the day, or maybe 90% did. We just don’t know. But what we do know is that 98% of their hand-picked group of top students was admitted - definitely less impressive when you look at it that way.

And I will stop picking on Berry now, because most colleges and universities throughout the United States do the exact same thing, from ones you’ve never heard of all the way to the Ivy League.

Many do it for law schools too, but it’s not nearly as cutthroat. There are many lower-ranked law schools out there with high acceptance rates, so colleges and universities feel more confident about the chances of at least one acceptance.

---

Interested in looking up this information for schools on your own list?

• If you search for "pre-med committee" on google you can typically pull up each school's policy. As I mentioned, there are a lot of schools that do this, so I’m not suggesting excluding them from consideration. There’s also the relevant factor that if you weren’t strong enough to be accepted by the internal committee, you probably aren’t strong enough to get into medical school either. But I sure wouldn’t want to be one of those borderline students!

• The AAMC website also offers helpful information about the number of applicants per undergraduate institution. This provides some level of context (keep in mind these schools vary in size tremendously - of course UCLA is going to have more applicants coming from their school than Villanova! We also don’t know which were successful and which were not.

• You can also feel free to ask this question at an admissions information session if the school starts bragging about their medical school acceptance rates - obviously, be polite in tone, but you can ask if the percentage shared represents a restricted group or every student wanting to apply.

Lastly, know that you need to take all college admissions statistics with a grain of salt. Everything can be manipulated and often is!

Weekly Update: September 17

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

OPERATION VARSITY BLUES TRIALS BEGIN

The first trial for parents implicated in the college admissions scandal began on Monday. In opening statements, their lawyers blamed not only Rick Singer for duping the parents, but also the college admissions process as a whole for being susceptible to this type of manipulation. 

In other Varsity Blues updates, Georgetown’s former tennis coach was the latest to plead guilty on Wednesday, in advance of his scheduled trial in November. 

WANT TO START A 529? GO TO SCHOOL IN NYC

Starting this fall, every public school kindergartner in New York City will receive $100 in a 529 account. The new initiative is aimed at closing the wealth gap in NYC. In addition to the initial deposit, students will have the opportunity to earn up to $200 in rewards. With the initial deposit as well as rewards and donations, the program is expected to yield $3,500 per student on average by the time the children reach 12th grade. 

While New York is the largest public school system, it isn’t the first to start this type of initiative - in 2011, San Francisco began opening accounts with $50 for every student entering the public school system. 

Though these amounts may not seem like much, studies show that students with at least $500 in a savings account are three times more likely to enroll in college and four times more likely to graduate than students with no savings

WHAT IS THE BEST COLLEGE TOWN IN AMERICA?

ESPN’s new bracket hopes to determine America’s best college football town! Vote every Wednesday for your favorite team, current college, or (hopefully!) future college town as they work to determine the winner this fall.

And if you’re attending a game in a college town, you might want to avoid staying at an Airbnb! This Wall Street Journal article shared information from a study showing that Airbnb hosts “jack up their prices” for their biggest rival teams because of “affiliation bias”—in other words, the hosts just can’t stand the visiting team’s fans.” And many of the units end up going unrented, which ultimately hurts the owners because they lose money - but at least they know they were loyal!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

I loved this article from the New York Times about raising resilient children. If the past year and a half has taught us anything, it is that resilience is key! As we know firsthand, resilient kids are more likely to bounce back and even to thrive when they are faced with disappointment (like a waitlist decision from their dream school!), and this article lays out some actionable steps that parents can take to increase their children’s resistance. I know that I’ll take advantage of these tips, and I encourage every parent to think about how they can model resilience for their kids.

The Wall St. Journal article we covered last week about the widening gender gap in higher education has received a lot of attention in the past few weeks, spawning several response articles. This one from The Atlantic explores the history of this gap, and the role of ideas about masculinity in discouraging boys from seriously pursuing higher education. Not only do boys enroll in college at lower rates than girls, but in middle and high school, girls tend to spend more time studying, get in trouble less often, and get better grades across all subjects. The article suggests that the answer to this issue doesn’t happen in college admissions - instead, we need to address the gap that appears in early adolescence to control the ripple effect for higher education.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

Shannon attended a networking event this week with so many amazing professionals from the DC area! We love being able to make connections and refer our students to people that we trust for tutoring, testing, evaluation, and more. Stay tuned for some collaborations and events that we have in the works!

We are busy with so many virtual tours and information sessions. We had hoped for some in-person tours this year, but you can’t beat the convenience of the virtual options! For a list of upcoming virtual fairs, tours, and information sessions for students and parents, see our latest post, and bookmark it for later - we’ll add new events as the dates are released. Let us know what you think of these virtual events!

Enjoy the weekend!

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!

Fall 2021 Virtual College Fairs, Tours and Information Sessions

We always stress with our clients that it is SO important to demonstrate interest for the schools on your list! Especially now that so many schools have virtual offerings, there is really no excuse for not checking out all of the colleges that interest you.

Check out some of the events on this list and make sure to bookmark this page, because we’ll continue to update as we hear about more events!

Discovering U Virtual Group Sessions

Event Description:

Join Columbia University, the University of Chicago, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan, and Yale University for this online info session. This is a great opportunity for students to hear from several highly selective schools at once. 

When:

The next session is being offered on September 30 at 7:00 pm EDT. However, Discovering U is also offering several special sessions that are worth checking out, including a Session with the Deans on October 20. 

Learn more and register for Discovering U here.

UCLA’s Annual Fall Open House

Event Description:

UCLA has made their annual event virtual for the past few years, which is a great opportunity for students on the East Coast who may not have been able to attend an in-person event on campus. There will be sessions on admissions, financial aid, housing, academic programs, and student life, among others. 

When:

Saturday, September 25 through Thursday, September 30. The sessions will be a little late for those of us in the DC area, running from 8:00 to 10:00 pm EDT on weekdays, but the Saturday session will be in the afternoon from 1:00 to 6:00 pm EDT. 

Learn more and register for UCLA’s Fall Open House here.

NACAC Virtual College Fairs

Event Description:

NACAC is offering a variety of virtual fairs this fall, with several that focus on particular regions. Their virtual experience lets you put together a schedule so you can catch the Zoom presentations from the colleges you are most interested in, as well as set up one-on-one meetings with admissions officers. 

When:

The next fair on September 28 focuses on colleges in the Northeast, including Boston University, Drexel University, and Northeastern University. 

Learn more and register for a Virtual College Fair here.

National CCAA Virtual College Fair

Event Description:

The Catholic College Admission Association is offering several virtual fairs this fall. Over 100 Catholic colleges and universities will be in attendance, and the fair will involve one-on-one chats with admissions officers from many of these schools.

When:

Wednesday, October 6, Tuesday October 19, or Thursday October 21 from 6:00 to 8:45 pm EDT

Learn more and register for a Virtual College Fair here.

Greater Atlanta Area Colleges Virtual Exploration

Event Description:

Nine Atlanta-area schools, including Emory, Georgia Tech, and UGA, will host sessions and presentations at this two-day virtual fair, with typical Admissions sessions as well as specific events like “Why Atlanta?” to help students explore schools in the area.

When:

Wednesday, September 29 - Thursday, September 30, with sessions in the afternoons and evenings.

Learn more and register for a Virtual College Fair here.

Six Colleges Events

Event Description:

Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, and Williams have joined together to put on these virtual events throughout the fall. Students can register for individual events, but there is also a single form that students can fill out to receive information about each school and all of the upcoming sessions.

When:

There are several sessions scheduled, including an Academic Experience session on Tuesday, September 21 at 8:00 pm EDT and a “Real Talk” session with students on Monday, October 18 at 8:00 pm EDT.

Learn more and register for a Six Colleges event here.

Explore Maryland Day

Event Description:

This full day of live sessions from the University of Maryland provides students with the opportunity to learn about the various colleges within the university, hear from current students, and learn more about resources on campus. Students can choose to attend just one session or the full day.

When:

Saturday, October 16, 10:45 am - 4:00 pm EDT

Learn more and register for Explore Maryland Day here.

Baylor Premiere

Event Description:

This is another full-day open house, with breakout sessions for academic programs, a live Zoom tour, a parent Q&A session, and other options throughout the day.

When:

Saturday, October 2, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm EDT

Learn more and register for the Baylor Premiere here.

Behind the Curtain

Event Description:

Bates, Claremont McKenna, Lehigh, and UChicago are teaming up to offer this information session where they let students see “behind the curtain” of the admissions process and hear from admissions directors.

When:

There are three events - the soonest is on Sunday, September 26 at 4:00 pm ET

Learn more and register for Behind the Curtain here.

Exploring Educational Excellence

Event Description:

Brown, UChicago, Columbia, Cornell, and Rice are offering this joint session that will include a brief overview from each school and the opportunity to ask questions of the admissions officers. A great way to learn about five highly selective schools at once!

When:

There are four remaining sessions - the soonest is on Tuesday, September 28 at 9:00 pm ET

Learn more and register for Exploring Educational Excellence here.

Weekly Update: September 10

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

UC BERKELEY IN NUMBER ONE SPOT ON FORBES’ COLLEGE RANKINGS

Forbes released its college rankings this week, with Berkeley as number one! Berkeley is the first-ever public school to top the list. Forbes cites the world-class education that Berkeley students receive, many of them at a fraction of the cost of top private schools, as the reason for the UC school’s number one ranking. The new rankings represent a change in Forbes’ criteria - they now consider schools that “educate the greatest number of students from the broadest range of backgrounds” - something that large schools like the UCs can do more effectively than schools like Harvard, which dropped to number seven on the Forbes list. 

HARVARD DROPS FOSSIL FUELS FROM ITS ENDOWMENT

Harvard is not the first campus to divest from fossil fuels, many thanks to the pressure from students and faculty. But with the largest endowment of any school in the U.S., Harvard's withdrawal may have a big impact for activists. The student activist group that pushed for this decision was Divest Harvard, which in 2019 staged a protest by interrupting the Harvard-Yale football game. Yale has also recently adopted what it calls “ethical investing principles,” in which several major oil and gas companies are considered ineligible for investment by the institution. 

AMAZON COVERS COLLEGE TUITION FOR US EMPLOYEES

In a newly competitive market for hourly employees, large companies like Amazon have been working to provide more incentives for employee retention. Amazon recently announced that it will pay 100% of college tuition, including books and fees, for hourly employees beginning in January 2022. Employees can begin to take advantage of this benefit 90 days after employment.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY CLASSES CANCELLED AFTER RANSOMWARE ATTACK

On Friday, officials at Howard University discovered a ransomware cyberattack that took the school offline for the entire holiday weekend, with online and hybrid classes cancelled on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Students headed to nearby stores and restaurants off-campus in order to access wifi during the week. Without internet, professors have also been confused about how much work to assign and what to expect from their students. The university is still trying to figure out whether student data was accessed during the attack.  

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We posted on social media earlier this week about this Wall Street Journal article, which illuminates a widening education gap between men and women across the country. We’ve talked before about the decline in college enrollment over the past five years, but this article highlights that men have been responsible for 71% of that decline. Women now make up nearly 60% of the college-age population in the U.S.

That 60-40 split is a scary line for colleges - it usually marks the point at which both women and men are reluctant to attend a school with an imbalanced population. But given that women are more likely to apply to college, more likely to complete their applications, and more likely to enroll and stay enrolled, it is becoming increasingly difficult for colleges to maintain close to a 50-50 split. 

The efforts to do so mean that men are more likely to receive offers of admission than women, which the article calls a “tacit affirmative action for boys.” There are definitely schools, both public and private, where we see this happen - and often have to remind young women with whom we work that there is this additional chip stacked against them - one which is usually not discussed. The article suggests that people aren’t talking about this difficulty because it is unpopular to work toward support for men in higher education - particularly white men.

The New York Times also published a response this week, noting that despite the fact that women have outnumbered men with college degrees since the 1970s, men are still more likely to have leadership roles and to make more money in the corporate world. Rather than asking about why boys aren’t enrolling in college, this article asks us to consider why girls need additional education to get the same jobs that boys are getting without attending college. 

College disability services offices are contending with a new population of students this year: COVID-19 long-haulers. There are still a lot of questions about long-haul COVID, but we know that many sufferers experience physical symptoms of dizziness or difficulty breathing, as well as brain fog and difficulties with memory and concentration. President Biden announced in July that long-haul COVID cases could qualify as a disability, and colleges will need to continue to consider how their disability services can assist these students. An increase in accommodation request may illuminate existing challenges and lack of resources that colleges face when it comes to accommodating students with disabilities.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

We’ve found out about a lot of cool student opportunities this week and are excited to share them with you!

The Girl Scouts are partnering with PepCo to offer a panel of early career women professionals in STEM careers, particularly in the energy industry. This event takes place next Tuesday and is open to all Girl Scouts - it could be a great opportunity to hear about young women’s experiences in STEM! 

Next, the Daughters of the American Revolution are launching a High School Essay Contest. Students are asked to write about a person, famous or unknown, who contributed to the founding of the nation, and to use primary source material. DAR will be providing first, second, and third place awards. This is exactly the type of award that looks fantastic in the Honors section of the Common Application. 

And finally, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has another really great opportunity for local high school students. SOY is a seven-week fundraising challenge focused on helping 9th-12th graders develop their communication, project management, and presentation skills while raising funds and awareness for LLS’s mission of curing blood cancers. So for everyone who complains about how they can’t find activities because of Covid - here is your chance to add some leadership to your resume :) One of our client dads is hoping to find five more potential candidates to participate, so please let us know if you are interested (whether you work with us or not) and we’ll send you his way!

• Hear from Past SOY Candidates & Parents

• How SOY Impacts Your College Application

• SOY Behind the Scenes

Have a great weekend! 

---

Missed a Notification? Check Out Our Recent Posts!