Creative College Connections

The Common App opens today! We are busy going through, finding new questions and features, and creating a guide for our students.

What an honor for Hannah to serve as a faculty member in the development of this training course for new educational consultants.

Professional Certificate: Core Concepts for Independent Educational Consultants - National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Coming in early July! This introductory professional certificate course provides new and prospective independent educational consultants (IECs) with a foundational understanding of their role in the college search and application processes, tips and strategies to build and maintain a successful prac...

Sending off our seniors each year is bittersweet.
We’ll miss them AND we wish them well as they move on to new adventures.

Hannah is on the road. Guess the college.
Hints:
Medium size student population - large campus
Private
City
Competitive admission
Diverse student population
Known for economic mobility
Safe campus
Pre-Med powerhouse

For everyone who still looks the the Ivy League with rose-colored glasses...

Exclusive: Employers Are Souring On Ivy League Grads, While These 20 “New Ivies” Ascend You’re not imagining things: The Ivy League is forfeiting its standing as America’s producer of great talent. Here are the schools producing the hard-working high achievers that employers crave.

Harvard announces their return to requiring test scores for admission.

Harvard announces return to required testing — Harvard Gazette Leading researchers cite strong evidence that testing expands opportunity.

Virgina's Public Universities to eliminate Legacy Admission preferences. Virginia Tech made this decision independently last summer. Now the State is requiring the rest to do the same.

Virginia House votes to end legacy admissions in state universities Should the bill be signed by Gov. Youngkin, Virginia would join a small contingent of states that have effectively banned consideration of legacy status at its public colleges and universities.

UT Austin is following the developing trend among the ultra-selective universities of reinstating testing as a requirement for admission.

UT Austin Reinstates Standardized Test Scores in Admissions AUSTIN, Texas — After four years of test-optional admissions for undergraduate applications, The University of Texas at Austin will return to requiring

Brown is the third Ivy in recent weeks to reinstate test scores as a requirement for admission. The legacy admission preference is intact for now as they evaluate “a range of complex questions.”

Brown University to reinstate standardized test requirements for undergraduate admission - The Brown Daily Herald Serving the Brown community since 1891

Third university of the tour, third oldest university in Scotland (5th oldest in the UK), the ancient University of Aberdeen sits on the coast of the North Sea (yes, students surf!). 14,000 students (10,000 undergraduates), 1/3 international, can choose from among 60 programs and a 400 total degree combinations. Most popular are law, biology/environmental sciences, engineering, geosciences, music, and psychology. 2000 students take advantage of University Village, guaranteed housing for freshman but many others choosing to live on campus in later years. It is very common to take advantage of the Scottish option to study more than one subject here (thus the 400 different combinations) ending with what we would call a “double major.” The newest building on campus is the $40 million new multi science building but also utilizes its 600 year old original buildings too, and takes full advantage of the largest national park an hour away for field work and recreation and nearby Aberdeen airport makes quick (and inexpensive) vacations in easy for the breaks. Beautiful campus and city.

Good news. No changes to the Common App essay prompts for the Class of 2025.

Common App Announces 2024–2025 Common App Essay Prompts The Common App essay prompts offer diverse topics, inviting students to share personal stories, challenges, growth, and meaningful experiences.

School #2 on the Scotland tour: University of Sterling, one of the newest universities in Scotland (1967). Sterling has the most “American” feel of any of the UK universities I’ve ever visited, primarily because of its green campus, ample on campus housing, and big-time athletic options. A 20 minute train ride from Glasgow, Sterling is a midsized school (11,000 UG; 18,500 total) well known for Biology, Environmental Science, Film and TV, and Psychology, with an even more flexible curriculum than other Scottish programs; is rated tops in student satiafaction; guaranteed on campus housing for all students; and hosts a very Scottish vibe due to its own loch (lake), castle, and 9-hole golf course (though the team competes at Glen Eagle down the road). Did I mention sports!? Multiple Olympic athletes train in Sterlings facilities and athletic scholarships are available for undergraduates. Main competitive teams are soccer, swimming, golf, tennis, rugby, curling, and triathlon (though volleyball ball and handball just won regional championships). One of the most affordable schools too ($27,000 tuition 2024-2025). Interesting trivia: the campus was used for filming for Braveheart and Outlander. A most welcoming and accessible university for US students.

Martha is in Scotland this week, visiting 3 universities (Glasgow, Stirling, and Aberdeen). Today was Glasgow, one of the “ancient” universities. A healthy rivalry exists between the city and the slightly smaller Edinburgh, extending to the Universities as well. Like two other ancient “uni’s” UEdinburgh and St. Andrew’s university, Glasgow was founded before 1600 (1451 to be exact) and offers a wide ranging, highly rated program for undergraduate’s up through the PhD level. Over 35,000 students from more that 140 countries attend, choosing from over 120 undergraduate programs (23 of which are rated in the top 10 internationally). Unlike schools in the UK, students in Scotland have a more open approach to majors and are required to study 2 subjects during the first two years (instead of only one main area of study in England), and extend their studies to a 4th year to earn both bachelors and masters degrees. Famous alumni include Adam Smith (created economic theory), William Kelvin (Kelvin scale in Chemistry), multiple signers of the Declaration of Independence, and 8 Noble Laureates. UGlasgow to not just trying to be the best in the world but to do the best for the world. It is a terrific option in a vibrant city.

Both Dartmouth and Yale have announced this month that they are returning to requiring test scores for college admission. Will other elite colleges follow their lead? We wouldn’t be surprised. Will it be a larger trend outside of this elite group? Probably not, at least this year.

Testing Policy Announcement | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions For nearly four years Yale’s undergraduate admissions process has been test-optional. The experience, originally necessitated by the pandemic, has been an invaluable opportunity to think deeply about testing policy and to generate new data and analyses. With testing availability now fully restored...

News from UVA on Early Action - decisions will be released today (Feb 2) at 5pm EST.

2024 #UVA Early Action Admission Statistics (Unofficial) A blog about college admission and the admissions process at University of Virginia.

11% increase over last year. Early Action decisions today (Feb 2) at 5pm EST.

Record high: Virginia Tech receives more than 52,000 first-year applications First-year applications have increased more than 50 percent since 2018, when the university changed its admissions process to include the development of a more holistic review process.

Sara is touring at American University today. The tour starts at the lovely Kazan Arts Center. Have any questions about American, drop them below!

Check out this article on extracurricular activities that our founder Hannah Serota is quoted in!

The Extra Mile: How Extracurricular Activities Impact College Admissions How do extracurricular activities impact college admissions? Admissions experts from Virginia Tech and Fairfax High School share answers.

Sara is at Elon this week. Elon is known for its hands-on faculty and highly ranked Study Abroad program. In addition, they have some Study USA programs in LA, NYC, DC, and even Disney World!

At about 6,000 students, it is a great size for being able to make an impact, but not knowing every single person on campus.

Sara is on tour in North Carolina this week. She is visiting NC State today. There is a great long line to the Coliseum and the Talley Student Union is bustling at lunchtime!

Sara was at UMass Amherst on Wednesday, the flagship campus of the UMass system. UMass has strong programs in Engineering, Computer Science, Sports Management, Nursing, and Psychology.

The campus has an eclectic architectural style centered around a pond with plenty of ducks. Their core classes include requirements in writing, math and analytic reason, bio/physical science, US and global diversity, social studies, and an integrative experience.

Students who can't find a major among the 110 degree programs can design their own with the BDIC (Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration). Tour guides told us about the eventual third-generation Wisconsin farm owner creating a major in "cheese management," combining food science with business and agriculture classes.

UMass is also a part of the five college consortium, where students can take classes at other local colleges - Mt. Holyoke College, Hampshire College, Smith College, and Amherst College.

Two takeaways from UMass - food and research. The food is ranked #1 in the country with the meat, poultry, and dairy coming from local partnerships. Twenty-seven percent of undergraduates do research, hands-on, with faculty members, and not just wet-lab STEM research. All faculty do research projects in all subjects.

Day 3 Windy City College Tour in Chicago: University of Chicago. A taste of Oxford in Chicago. Chicago's reputation for academic rigor and excellence is well-earned. But, students say the curriculum encourages exploration in a collaborative environment. Yes, some students study ALL THE TIME. But, plenty of others get involved in campus life and find time to enjoy the city. Caffeine fuels these kids... I think I counted 14 coffee spots on campus!

Day 3 of the Windy City Colleges Tour in Chicago. Stop 1: Columbia College. Film, Audio Arts/Contemporary Music, Entertainment Business, Fashion, Theater Arts, Advertising, American Sign Language... students come here for creative majors grounded in the liberal arts. Located on the famous Michigan Avenue, the university is located on some prime Chicago real estate! There's so much to see - my group toured the music/music production facilities. Student housing is rarely impressive... but it is here: spacious rooms, closet organizers, views, nice furniture, TVs in suites, outside courtyard... The list of successful Columbia College alumni is extensive.

Day 2 Afternoon of the Windy City College Tour. Lake Forest College treated us to lunch in the student dining hall 👍. This is not the Lake Forest College of a generation ago. The #1 ranking for social mobility is impressive. It means that the college is committed to providing financial resources, academic opportunities, career development resources, and other forms of support to first-generation college students. It's a big campus considering the enrollment of 1,800 and Lake Michigan is a short 10-minute walk from campus. For students who want a high-quality personalized educational experience on a pretty campus with proximity to a major city, Lake Forest is worth checking out. Oh yeah, they offer generous scholarships too, including a handful of competitive full-tuition awards!

Day 2 of the Windy City Colleges Tour - we spent the morning at Northwestern University. The campus is even more beautiful than online pics. Unlike many universities, Northwestern offers flexibility in the curriculum. Students can move between colleges and pick up second majors or minors in a variety of subjects (with the exception of the performing arts where students are admitted by audition/portfolio). Although the quarter schedule is fast-paced and demanding, students praise the collaborative culture. You can see the Chicago skyline as you look across Lake Michigan. Water, suburban location, city access, flexible curriculum, top-notch faculty, the arts, interesting architecture, D1 sports with school spirit... no wonder it's as popular as it is.

So, I've seen social media about Sister Jean at Loyola Chicago. 104 years young and going strong. Sister Jean commutes each day from her home adjacent to the downtown campus (she takes the shuttle with the students) to her office on the lakeside campus. And, of course, she attends all basketball camps - home and away. What a dynamo and an inspiration. It was our honor meeting the indefatigable Sister Jean!

Day 1 of the Windy City College Tour in Chicago. Highlights from our full day at Loyola Chicago - beautiful lakeshore campus AND downtown campus. Lots to love here. The entire university is focused on sustainability. In the School of Environmental Sustainability, the BioDiesel lab turns used cooking oil from area colleges and city museums and turns it into fuel to power the campus shuttles. The byproduct is turned into hand soap. And the VERY impressive student-run Inigo PR firm, where students are getting real-world experience developing advertising and PR strategies for companies like United Airlines.

Beautiful day on campus! Thank you

A press release from Virginia Tech reviewed some changes coming up in their application process.

1) They are removing the Early Decision (binding) option for applying. Students can apply Early Action or Regular Decision.

2) They are moving their Early Action deadline to November 15th (previously December 1st).

3) They are no longer considering legacy status in the admissions process.

Read more about the changes here, https://news.vt.edu/articles/2023/07/cm-admissions-cycle.html?fbclid=IwAR2cLTku4OGf4dWYzrQazyCApwYUot5Y5gZUMmZd7gRPgqx1NtT50xagZSA

Virginia Tech implements changes to undergraduate admissions process for 2023-24 admissions cycle The university will end early decision applications, among other changes, as it continues to employ a holistic review process to attract and enroll students of high potential from across the commonwealth and beyond.

Today is the first day of college application season! The Common App opens today!

Tonight we will launch the season with our annual "How to Tell Your Story in the College Essay" webinar at 7:00 pm EDT. It's not too late to join us, you can register here - https://us02web.zoom.us/.../721.../WN_AxLfb3j2ROy115MvlImrNA