Why Your Digital Footprint May Impact Your Candidacy

Every week, I read college admissions news so I can stay current and help my clients understand the ever-changing world of college admissions.  Here’s a recent article from the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) regarding social media usage and how a student’s digital footprint can have an impact on admissions.  At My Best College Plan Counseling, we have always encouraged our students to be strategic and carefully evaluate their social media posts as college reps and coaches sometimes turn to social media to learn more about candidates.  In their eyes, what you post is fair game for evaluation. The Washington Post article below highlights differences of opinion between younger and older generations on what is considered appropriate content.  

Young People Face Harsh Reality As Colleges Reject Them For Social Media Posts 

The Washington Post (2/16) reported that after a 19-year-old’s TikTok videos “reached the coaches of the college water ski program she hoped to join,” they sent her an email “saying her videos were ‘too negative,’” and she “was denied a spot on the team.” While corporate social media campaigns “‘raised awareness’ around subjects like mental health and body positivity, young people shared their experiences in droves.” But as they “hit college or the working world, they’re met with a harsh reality: The standard of professionalism among older generations hasn’t changed, and it doesn’t make room for the type of authenticity social media companies tend to encourage.”

Washington Post

What Makes My Best College Plan Special?

Over the last month or so, each time my phone pings, beeps, or buzzes, I’ve seen sweet notes from my students excitedly telling me where they’ve been accepted. And each time, I get a flutter in my stomach until I read:

….UPenn said YES!!

…couldn’t wait to tell you - I’m going to Vassar!!

….can you believe this - WOOHOO! I just received an amazing scholarship from Miami!

I exhale with gratitude that these students are headed where they want to be for Fall 2023.The months and months of discussing, writing, editing, and rewriting have finally born this much-anticipated fruit. Our team at My Best College Plan (MBCP) forges personal connections with each student, crafting a college list which provides the best fit for them. We encourage them to write unique stories for each essay they encounter, and help them navigate the multi-step process before, during, and after applying to colleges and universities.

But that flutter I mentioned above stems from the knowledge that sometimes there is a deferral or rejection; that some folks won’t get immediately accepted. Those texts and phone calls are harder to hear, but at MBCP, my team and I are here for the highs and the lows.  We’re here to listen and, when you’ve had a chance to digest whatever news you’ve received, help you develop the next steps on your journey.

While students who didn’t apply Early Decision, Early Action (or to a college/university which offers rolling admission), are waiting to hear their news, the charged environments at school and in peer groups can sometimes be overwhelming. At MBCP, we can help alleviate the stress and all-consuming thoughts/feelings which are often an inevitable part of the senior year college admission season. 

Nonetheless, as with many circumstances in life, our students inevitably land in a good place and head off to college in the fall full of excitement and curiosity. 

Come take a look at our Testimonials and see what families think about our work, our attention to their needs, our professionalism, and our track record.

All the best to those students who have already heard, are waiting to hear, and those who are trying to make decisions. Please remember to care for yourselves and reach out for the assistance you need along the way. Remember that we are dedicated to supporting and guiding you to success and happiness! 

From NACAC - More Students Take Optional SAT, ACT

The Wall Street Journal (7/1, Sarraf, Subscription Publication) reported that an increasing number of high school students are opting to take college-entrance exams amid surging competition for admission, despite most colleges are not requiring applicants to take them. About 1.7 million students in the high school class of 2022 took the SAT at least once, an increase by 200,000 from the previous class.

Although most colleges are test-optional again for the fall 2022 application cycle, and some colleges are test-blind for the foreseeable future (University of California and the California State University systems), we at My Best College Plan Counseling advise students to consider taking a standardized test if they are applying to highly selective colleges where a score may help their candidacy.  Once students have a  score, we then evaluate whether it’s more strategic to report the score or apply test-optional. 

Enrollment Cap Remains in Place for UC Berkeley

On March 2nd, California's Supreme Court decided to pass a case between the University of California Berkeley and a community group known as Save Berkeley's Neighborhoods. Save Berkeley's Neighborhoods has successfully sued the university, creating an enrollment cap. The organization sued the school for its expansion plans, successfully enacting California's Environmental Quality Act. This abrupt change in admissions is expected to reduce Berkeley's headcount by 3,050, meaning the university will decrease its acceptance letters by 5,100. 

The Statements from the two parties have been vastly different. Dan Mogulof, a UC Berkeley spokesperson, announced that the lower court order would freeze UC Berkeley's Admissions at 2020 -2021 levels. According to Dan Mogulof, the devastation lies in the thousands of students accepted into the fall class of 2022. The University is attempting to mitigate the damage by finding alternative strategies for enrollment. Berkeley plans on prioritizing California residents and transfer students for in-person learning. However, for other students, the university is planning on increasing online enrollment and asking students to push back their enrollment until the fall of 2023. 

Phil Bokovoy, the President of Save Berkeley's Neighborhoods, made a statement regarding the Supreme Courts decision on upholding the lower courts decision, "we'd like to assure deserving California high school students that we are as disappointed as they are that UC has tried to use them as pawns in UC's attempts to avoid mitigating the impacts from the massive enrollment increases over the past few years." Bokovoy is encouraging the university to increase student housing before increasing enrollment. According to Bokovoy, pausing enrollment and increasing housing first would help the displacement of lower-income residents. 

Click the link below for more information regarding Berkeley's Enrollment Cap and California's Environmental Quality Act.

California State University Will Drop the ACT and SAT From Admissions

In March, the California State University system will vote on various recommendations and strategies on how to properly eliminate SAT, ACT requirements from their admissions. Like several other universities and colleges across the nation, California State University has suspended standardized testing requirements throughout COVID. The latest concern regarding standardizing testing in the admissions process is due to the testing being largely unfair to students from low-income and minority backgrounds. 

A new system must be put in place to move forward with eliminating the SAT and ACT from the admissions process. According to various reports, universities and colleges are looking into a multifactor admission score that will account for 21 different factors. California State University will join the University of California in this decision. The University of California’s nine campuses made the decision last year to no longer accept standardized testing in their admissions. 

To learn more about this, click below.

The SAT Is Set To Go Completely Digital by 2024

By 2024 the SAT will go completely digital in the United States; students will take the test on a tablet or laptop, which will shorten the test from three hours to two. This announcement has come as several colleges and universities have offered test-free and test-optional admissions. As of now, around 1,800 schools with not require the ACT or SAT for 2022 admissions. Additionally, the number of students taking the SAT has decreased substantially - 2.2 million in 2020 to 1.5 million in 2021. This includes the University of California system, which announced last year that tests like the ACT or SAT would no longer be a factor in their admissions process. Shortly after, Harvard announced they would follow suit for the next four years. These announcements come as the SAT has come under increasing criticism from those who say that the standardized test handicaps poor and minority students.

To learn more, click the link at the bottom of this post!

How Are Your Top Schools Conducting Tours?

As Omicron surges throughout the United States, colleges and universities are taking precautions to ensure safety throughout campus. Ivy League schools like Harvard and Stanford have temporarily shut down on-campus tours. The Admissions & Financial Aid Office and Visitor Center at Harvard is closed while their staff works remotely. Stanford is allowing families to visit the exterior space of the school and postponing tours until later in the school year.

Schools like Harvard and Stanford have not experienced a decrease in applications. Canceling on-campus tours for a few weeks will not impact enrollment for ivy league schools. However, Data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that undergraduate enrollment for the fall of 2021 across other universities and colleges decreased by 3.2 percent.

The College of the Holy Cross is a private Jesuit liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts. They canceled all in-person information sessions to maintain safety but have continued small on-campus tours. The College of Holy Cross explains on their website the value and importance of in-person college visits and how they will impact your final decision.

Schools like the University of Pacific in Stockton, California, have maintained on-campus safety by requiring masks and social distancing during tours. Additionally, they are currently creating an augmented-reality self-guided tour.

At the University of Charleston in West Virginia, the university has made enormous additions to its touring options. When the pandemic first emerged, the school strategized ways for students to see their campus virtually. This has proven helpful beyond the pandemic allowing the university to reach international students who typically cannot visit campus before enrolling. Not only does the campus offer a library full of online content, but future students located near the campus can keep up with current students through live and on-demand footage.

Enrollment Intelligence Now predicts that colleges and universities that have historically seen a high demand will see minimal impact on enrollment by the omicron variant. However, lesser-known schools will experience a decrease in applicants. Enrollment Intelligence Now is an organization that advises new college Vice Presidents and Deans.

According to PlatformQ Education, after nearly two years of the pandemic, as schools and universities have moved their tours online, they have discovered the importance of high-quality content rather than quantity. Platform Q Education is an online platform that provides schools and universities a way to engage their students all in one place.

UC Test-Free Admissions

The University of California will no longer consider SAT or ACT test scores during the admissions process or for scholarships. Alternatively, test scores can be used for fulfilling minimum requirements or for placement for classes after admission. However, if you decide not to submit your SAT or ACT, this will not impact your admissions decision. 

If you are an international student, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English. To determine your next steps, please visit UC’s page on English Proficiency. 

Additional information regarding the SAT & ACT:

• If you’re not a California resident, you are not required to submit the ACT or SAT.

• University of California Admissions no longer accepts your tests, essays, or writing scores. If you so choose to submit these, submit your highest score. Again, these scores will not impact your admissions decision. However, they could meet UC’s entry-level writing requirement.

Please click here if you have any other questions regarding UC’s updated admissions process. 

Planning on Studying Abroad in the UK? Read More Below!

US Students Looking to Study Abroad

If you have an interest in studying abroad during college specifically in the United Kingdom please review these helpful notes below:

Facts about applying to universities and colleges in the UK:

• Universities and Colleges throughout the United Kingdom are about 25 percent international students.

• The Visa process does not start until you are admitted. The earliest you should apply is 6 months prior to the start, but a typical timeline is 3 months. 

• The application process is invisible, so other colleges and universities cannot see where you applied.

• Qualifications for the applications are all self-reported, including cumulative GPA, standardized tests, and courses. AP and standardized test scores are important. 

• A short personal statement and one letter of recommendation are required. The letter of recommendation is typically 4000 characters. Your school counselor will help you prepare with input from your professors. 

• You can only apply to Oxford or Cambridge, not both.

Facts about loans, tuition, and financing your degree in the UK:

• As a student from the United States, you are eligible for scholarships abroad.

• Student loans can be applied abroad; however, grants cannot. 

• Students should expect tuition to be around £10,000 - £26,000 per year, however, medical school is around £50,000 per year.

Facts regarding majors:

• Students studying in England, Wales, North Ireland, or Scotland will dive into majors right away freshman year.

• If you pursue your undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom and would like to pursue your graduate degree you can do so.

• If you study in the United Kingdom for your undergraduate, masters, or both, you may apply for your graduate degree in the UK. Otherwise, you can work up to 2 years with no specific skill or job required. 

  
  For more information, please visit airr.na.org. You will find information sessions regarding all aspects of studying abroad during college. Information sessions such as Why Study Overseas, Debunking Myths and Sharing Benefits, American Universities Abroad/Mainland Europe, the Study Abroad Experience, etc.

Do You Need Test Accommodations for the SAT or ACT?

Standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT offer testing accommodations for students with disabilities. These accommodations vary by test and disability. Documentation is needed for both. For information on SAT and ACT deadlines or specifics regarding accommodations, refer to the US News article link on SAT, ACT Testing Accommodations at the bottom of the blog. 

SAT accommodations include but are not limited to Braille, large-print exam books, extended time, speech-to-text technology. Accommodations for the ACT are similar to those of the SAT, such as fidget devices, food/beverages, etc. 

The process for requesting accommodations is different for the ACT and SAT. For the SAT, you should request your accommodations through your high school. The process for all requests will go through your school’s SSD coordinator. For the ACT, you must go through the ACT Accessibility and Accommodations system.

An official form is required for both tests. The College Board, which is the organization that oversees the SAT, requires a Student Eligibility Form. The ACT requires a Consent to Release Information to ACT. Other forms that may be required are a 504 plan, IEP, or an individualized education program. Accommodation requests for the College board typically take seven weeks. Whereas the ACT processes accommodations within 10 - 14 days. 

If you are overwhelmed by the accommodations process, you should reach out to your school counselor or a special education teacher at your school. Although colleges and universities continue to increase their test-optional admissions process, it is important to do your research.

U.S. College Enrollment is Declining

Several colleges and universities have observed a decline in admissions even a year after the pandemic initially disrupted admissions. This is particularly prevalent among low-income communities. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, “undergraduate enrollment is down 3.2% since fall 2020, largely mirroring last fall’s drop of 3.5%.”

In addition, community colleges saw no advantages from the recession-driven by the pandemic. Admissions among community colleges have been declining at a steady pace since 2019. Based on research from the Chronicle of Higher Education, “The first-year enrollment numbers at all institutions are 12.3% smaller than they were in 2019.” However, three schools in the Mississippi community college system have seen an increase in enrollment. Those schools are Northeast Mississippi, East Mississippi, and Mississippi Delta Community Colleges; however, these community colleges are an anomaly among the other schools throughout the United States.

To dive deeper into why college enrollment continues to decline, please review the links below:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/10/26/college-enrollment-down/

https://www.chronicle.com/article/undergraduate-enrollment-continues-its-slide-dipping-3-2-percent-from-last-year?cid2=gen_login_refresh&cid=gen_sign_in

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/10/25/community-college-enrollments-worry-campus-leaders

https://www.studentclearinghouse.org/

Education Department Revises Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Earlier this month, the Education Department declared they strive to help public servants such as teachers and nurses qualify for the student loan forgiveness program. Relaxing the program's rules and regulations will help push 550,000 borrowers closer to loan forgiveness and create eligibility for 22,000 other borrowers. 

The program was created in 2007 to encourage college students to enter public service. However, since its inception, only 16,000 borrowers have had their debt forgiven, while around 1.3 million public servants are waiting to have their loans forgiven through the program. 

When the program was created, if a student went into public service, made ten years of payments, the rest of the student loan would be forgiven. However, many borrowers realized they had taken a loan or began a payment plan that was not eligible for the forgiveness program. Relaxing the rules and regulations surrounding the program will help make it easier for people to apply. 

According to the Washington Post, several people had reported that the program was complicated. The loan servicing companies hired by the Department of Education steered them in the wrong direction. This resulted in loans and repayment programs that were not eligible. The Department of Education is looking into the issues and promises to forgive those loans as long as the borrowers have made ten years of payments while working in the public sector.

Moving forward, around 22,000 will have immediate eligibility into the program, and another 27,000 will have their debt forgiven. 

To learn more about the overhaul of the public service student loan forgiveness program, please refer to the list of articles below:

https://www.axios.com/doe-public-service-student-loan-forgiveness-e3c30d54-fe7d-4901-9040-dbd4275926cb.html

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2021/10/06/public-service-student-loan-forgiveness-biden/6011023001/

https://www.usnews.com/news/education-news/articles/2021-10-06/biden-administration-to-make-major-changes-to-student-loan-forgiveness-program

https://apnews.com/article/business-congress-student-loans-education-cecef88ebeebe2f524022f603f22a83b

https://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2021100701nacac&r=8794670-5bac&l=007-409&t=c

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/teachers-may-see-student-loans-forgiven-under-new-ed-dept-changes/2021/10

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/06/us/politics/student-loan-forgiveness.html

Is Cheating an Issue at Your University?

As the 2021 school year is in full swing, institutions are paying close attention to cheating, especially with remote learning. According to an interview published between Insider Higher Ed and Rettinger, the perception of cheating has immensely increased since the beginning of the pandemic and the introduction of online classes.

To combat the increasingly normalized culture of online cheating, institutions believe placing academic integrity at the forefront of their school’s core values will help. Several colleges and universities use the ostrich method when it comes to addressing cheating. Only confronting the issue when an event occurs that can no longer be ignored. 

Moving forward, Inside Higher Ed has laid out key steps institutions can take to help eliminate cheating as remote learning becomes the norm:

1. “Create Policies and practices to address academic misconduct”

2. “Develop a culture of integrity”

3. “Engage in faculty development on teaching techniques that motivate robust student learning while preventing cheating”

4. “Incorporate authentic assessment strategies that actually further learning versus serving as “gotcha” moments that focus on what students do not yet know”

5. “Know your institution”

Do you know if cheating is an issue at your school? To learn more about how your school can combat cheating, click the link. 

Do You Understand the Cost of Your Education?

According to Forbes, public universities receiving less financial assistance from their states are not turning towards tuition increases to supplement the decline in funding. Universities have been researching how to cut down on expenses while examining their tuition structures and utilizing financial aid. 

Considering inflation, the costs of higher education have remained the same over the past 20 years. However, as education funding has decreased, prices have increased for students and their families. This is a direct result of a tax increase for students and their families. States have chosen to tax the families instead of the entire state in the hopes of better-funded colleges and universities. 

Several factors are coming into play as universities attempt to decrease their expenses while maintaining their costs. These factors include the following:

1. The financial burden brought on by the pandemic. Many families have less to spend, and the education quality isn’t as much of a concern as the cost. Cost is the primary driver in their decision-making.

2. The diversification amongst college demographics. This includes the increase amongst non-traditional students, veterans, returning students, transfers, and hybrid students. A more traditional undergraduate student is increasingly mobile and more likely to attend schools farther from home.

3. “Increased regulation and requirements for compliance, increased oversight at the state and federal levels, and increased expectations of even sense of entitlement by state legislatures and higher education coordinating boards, even as they continue to reduce support to public universities."

4. The closing gap between private and public schools.

Public universities have two target audiences - the state and the public. While there is some overlap with messaging and marketing, the overall strategies are not the same. Overall, the families and students are most concerned with their costs rather than state support.

To shift the conversation, we need to understand what these educational institutions are to their states; the following issues need to be addressed:

1. “Sticker price vs. actual cost”

2. “Value proposition and ROI”

3. “Educational debt vs. lifestyle debt”

Overall, public higher education should not be viewed as a waste of resources, rather an excellent investment for students, families, states, and the communities. If you are interested in diving deeper into this subject, please review the Forbes article linked to this blog.

Is Your College Planning on Returning to Remote Learning After Thanksgiving?→

Looking ahead to the upcoming holiday season, a handful of colleges and universities across the United States are planning to return to online learning after the Thanksgiving break. A small number of colleges are following suit after last year to decrease the number of students traveling to and from campus. Although only a few schools have announced their plans for learning post-holiday, more will follow suit as Thanksgiving nears. 

Donna H. Oliver, the provost at Edward Waters University, announced that finishing on-campus classes before Thanksgiving will help alleviate COVID- 19 exposure, allowing staff and students to have a safe and healthy holiday season. 

Other schools, such as California State University at Fresno, are still considering plans moving forward. Gerri Taylor, the Co-Chair of the American College Health Association’s Covid - 19 task force, recommends universities and colleges take a similar approach to last year to prevent increased cases and exposure. While considering their approach to post-thanksgiving learning, schools should consider the vaccination rates amongst students. Taylor suggests unvaccinated students should reconsider. 

Do you know what your school’s plans are for this upcoming holiday season?

New Methodology for College Rankings

US News has received criticism for utilizing wealth, standardized test scores, and surveys from college administrators in their college rankings. Due to the pandemic, several schools were test-optional or test-blind in their admissions process. Still, standardized testing is 5 percent of the final ranking. However, US News has tweaked its methodology for 2022 to reflect the rise of test-optional and test-blind admissions. US News stated, “if the combined percentage of the fall 2020 entering class submitting test scores was less than 50 percent of all new entrants, its combined SAT/ACT percentile distribution value used in the rankings was discounted by 15 percent.” 

The University of California System has turned to test-blind admissions. US News gave them a ranking based on their lowest test score. Test Blind schools differ from test-optional or test-flexible as the ACT and SAT scores are not available. 

Due to the minor changes in the methodology, the top colleges remained relativity the same from last year. Several were angered since many colleges and universities believe test scores should be removed from the ranking altogether. 

Forbes changed its methodology this year, which resulted in the University of California Berkeley as the top college in the country. This is the first year that a state university is in the number one spot. The most notable changes to the rankings were the addition of return on investment and a student satisfaction category. 

To read more about changes in college rankings, please click the link below:

https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2021/09/13/us-news-tweaks-its-methodology

The Future of STEM Education

Last month, Times Higher Education partnered with a panel of international university leaders to discuss the future of STEM and its transformation with this new age of digital learning. Due to the pandemic, universities and colleges struggle to find a good balance between online and in-person learning. Universities need to develop a curriculum that offers digital and experiential laboratory-based learning. 

Digital learning has presented many challenges for both students and educators. However, DigitalEd and the Möbius platform offer a unique opportunity for students. The platform allows students to work on specific algorithmic questions until they develop a certain level of comprehension of the process. 

COVID-19 has allowed educators to determine which modules and platforms align best with their curriculum and teaching styles. Teachers have found this format of teaching allows for individualized learning plans. It is important to note that the hybrid format is not one-size-fits-all. According to university leaders, hybrid learning can be more beneficial for the learning experience with the correct strategy. Additionally, technology allows for high-quality simulated education where students can revisit specific aspects of the course.

If you are interested in learning more about the future of STEM education, please click the link below:

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/hub/digitaled/p/hybrid-learning-and-future-stem-education

Campus Tours in the Future

Due to the pandemic, the future of college campus tours has changed. The College of the Holy Cross has shifted its tours to more times per day with fewer people. This allows for smaller groups and a more individualized experience. In addition, pre-registration is a requirement. Drew Carter, the deputy director of admission at the College of the Holy Cross, is considering keeping the new format of the tours even after the pandemic.

At the University of Rochester, tours are kept small and are limited to an hour in length. The university is also taking the precautions necessary in case covid cases increase - limiting registration to only a month in advance.

Baylor University has offered an individualized approach to campus tours. Last summer, Baylor permitted only one family to visit campus; however, this month, they now allow for 12 people per tour. The university has received a good response from the more personalized tours - leading to qualified candidates and increased conversion rates. The rate at which Baylor visitors enrolled more than doubled since 2019.

On the other hand, colleges continue to emphasize their virtual tours as these events reach several audiences. Additionally, colleges want to remain prepared in case the pandemic gets worse.

During the last year, Washington University in St.Louis continued to expand its virtual programming; along with virtual tours, the university also offers virtual interviews. However, the university will still provide some on-campus options like the “WashU Walk-Through,” a three-hour on-campus event held June through August. The university expects 2,500 students plus three family members per visitor. This is similar to a typical summer.

To read more about the future of campus tours, please click the link below:

https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2021/07/26/future-campus-tour

Colleges and Universities Offering On-Campus Tours for the Class of 2026

As Covid cases are declining and more people receive vaccinations, national universities and liberal arts colleges are beginning to offer on-campus tours. With the return of on-campus tours, campuses are taking necessary precautions to ensure safe visits. It is essential to note all the regulations before visiting campus, most schools limit families per visit.

College Kickstart has recorded over 500 schools returning to on-campus tours this summer. To view the ongoing list of the top national universities and liberal arts colleges and to schedule a tour, click the link below:

https://www.collegekickstart.com/blog/item/top-colleges-offering-on-campus-visits-class-of-2026