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University of Exeter makes international student scholarship and admissions news

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University of Exeter, a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities, has shared some exciting news for prospective international students: a new scholarship opportunity.

The UK university, which has four campuses – Streatham and St Luke’s (both of which are in Exeter) and Truro and Penryn (both of which are in Cornwall), is offering a range of full, £10,000 and £5,000 tuition fee scholarships for international fee-paying students starting in September 2021. These undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarships are on offer across a number of academic programs. In particular, Global Excellence Scholarships recognize high academic achievement and assist students in accessing Exeter’s dynamic teaching and learning community. For more information click here.

Yet, news of Exeter’s international student scholarships isn’t all there is to report from the southwest of England. Exeter is also currently running a number of online live chats for a number of undergraduate programs. These live chats are a chance to talk to a current student and, where available, a member from an academic department from the subject a student is interested in studying. Students can ask any questions about course content, teaching, assessment, applying and student life at Exeter. To find dates and sign up for such a chat click here.

Meanwhile, if a chat isn’t enough for you, but you can’t make it to Exeter’s campus in person, the university’s new virtual tours are the next best thing. These 360 Virtual Campus Tours of Exeter’s impressive campuses in Devon and Cornwall allow students to take a look around the university’s accommodations, sports centre, library, seminar rooms, and lecture theaters. To learn and experience more of Exeter and its campuses, we recommend perusing the university’s YouTube channel.

With so much valuable information at your fingertips online, there’s not better time to seriously consider studying at Exeter.

What the death of SAT Subject Tests means for strong high school students

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What are high achieving members of the high school Class of 2022 and younger to do now that SAT Subject Tests are no more?

That’s the question many of my students have been asking me since the CollegeBoard pulled the plug on the rigorous one-hour content-based tests that at one time covered everything from Biology to Writing. In more recent years, the Writing Subject Test was subsumed into an optional section of the main SAT, but with the news that all SAT Subject Tests were being cancelled also came word from CollegeBoard that the optional Writing section of the SAT would also be canned. So much for the importance of writing, at least from the perspective of the powers that be at both the CollegeBoard and most American colleges, none of which made so much as a peep opposing the CollegeBoard’s decision to no longer attempt to assess students’ writing.

Oh well, I don’t make the rules; I simply help students play the game, and what a perverse game the American college admissions process has become.

Below are my first thoughts about what students can and should do to pump up their chances of college admission now that a very important objective measure of knowledge mastery has fallen by the wayside.

Amherst Shares Latest Admissions Stats

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Amherst College received 857 Early Decision (ED) applicants this admissions cycle, which represents a forty-three percent increase over last year. This led to a twenty-five percent ED admit rate, which is down from a thirty-two percent ED admit rate last year.

This news came from Cate Granger Zolkos, Amherst’s Dean of Admission. As a result of the application increase, Amherst expects forty-five percent of its Class of 2025 will be drawn from its ED admits (up from thirty-nine percent last year). Meanwhile, 13,930 students applied to Amherst Regular Decision (a thirty-one percent increase over last year).

In other news, Amherst has announced that for domestic Early Decision applicants this fall, a whopping forty-five percent applied without testing (test-optional) and a full thirty-nine percent of Amherst’s ED admits were test-optional. Among all Regular Decision applicants, forty-nine percent have applied test-optional. With the applications flooding in, Amherst will continue to be test-optional for high school seniors applying during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 admissions cycles.

At some point before the 2023-2024 admissions cycle Amherst will evaluate whether the test-optional policy will remain in place permanently.

Learn all about being an undergrad in the UK

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Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. If this describes how you are feeling right about now and you are an American or Canadian high school student, NOW is the time to seriously consider and start researching options for completing your undergraduate degree in the United Kingdom.

“But how do I go about do that?” you ask? “I wouldn’t know where to begin!” you declare.

Start by signing up for the invaluable TH!NKUK event running from January 18 through 22, 2021.

TH!NKUK is like a massive multi-day virtual college information session, and it will be the largest scale event organized specifically by UK universities for a North American audience this year. TH!NKUK highlights diverse higher education opportunities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and will cover everything from how to submit UCAS applications to what it’s like to arrive in the UK as an international student. Best of all, participants will have the chance to engage with International Admissions Officers, academics, current UK university students from North America, and UK university alumni.

This flier highlights all of the participating UK universities, the huge range of sessions available and schedule, and – most importantly – the link to register.

Students, parents, and high school counselors are encouraged to attend to learn more about studying in the UK.

Before or after attending, here are five ways applying to attend college in the UK is different from applying to attend college in the US.

Long time readers of admissions.blog know that I’ve often said that there are at least two great reasons for Americans to get their degree in the UK.

What’s that you say? The UK is not exotic enough for you? Here are four reasons to consider going to college in Europe and an introduction to going to college in France.

Though so much has changed in the last year, high school students need to remember that the world is your oyster! Don’t settle for an American college degree if it’s not a good fit for you. Research until you find your ideal post-secondary path. Good luck!

Ohio State moves Early Action Deadline in Fall 2021

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Ohio State University has announced that it will be moving its traditional November 15 Early Action Deadline to November 1 starting in Fall 2021.

The news was shared Monday by Beth A. Wiser, Ohio State’s Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission, who also said that the university has yet to decide if it will again be test optional during the 2021-2022 admissions cycle like it was during the 2020-2021 admissions cycle.

What we do know is that Ohio State is loving being test optional as evidenced by Wiser’s additional revelation that a whopping thirty-eight percent of the 13,500 students admitted so far for Fall 2021 asked for their test scores not to be considered. Expect this number to climb when Ohio State releases more acceptances at the end of this month, as Wiser acknowledged that students admitted Early Action “tend to be some of our strongest students academically.” Overall Ohio State has seen Early Action applications increase by roughly 15% in Fall 2020 compared to Fall 2019.

 

 

Dear 12th Grader: Don’t Blow Your Ivy Chances Now

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So many high school seniors are still in real contention for an Ivy League acceptance in the first few weeks of twelfth grade. Then, something happens that takes most of these smart and well-intentioned young people out of the running entirely.

Don’t let this happen to you! Watch the video below to find out what you must do to give yourself the best shot of closing the deal with the Ivy League or similarly selective college of your dreams during the first few weeks of senior year.

The advice in the above video is particularly relevant to students who have not made major mistakes in 9th grade, 10th grade, or 11th grade.

Sadly, many high school students make major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

If you are a student (or a parent of a student) who wants to proactively and wisely tackle every challenge high school throws your way and reach your college admissions potential, the best advice I can give you is to meet with me for a Strategy Session as soon as possible.

A Strategy Session is for students and parents who desire expert and peer guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! Students and parents who take part in a Strategy Session are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and clarify what they are most concerned about or unclear on as it relates to the college admissions process. My goal is to ensure families leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented to them until we meet again.

During your Strategy Session, you’ll gain access to timely best-in-class college admissions counseling that will empower you to make the right moves regarding academics, testing, extracurricular activities, and college applications in order to meet with future college admissions success. Since we’ll have limited time together, I am direct as possible during a Strategy Session, so get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected.

Consider having a Strategy Session an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

What are you waiting for? Schedule your Strategy Session with me today.

Dear 11th Grader: Don’t Screw Up Your Ivy League Chances Now

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One decision you make in eleventh grade, your third year in high school, will directly influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League or similarly selective college or university when you are a high school senior.

If you don’t make time to focus on this one endeavor during your junior year, you won’t be meeting your college admissions potential. In the process you will be kissing Ivy League colleges and similarly selective American colleges and universities goodbye – particularly if this misstep is coupled with similarly destructive mistakes in 9th grade, 10th grade, or 12th grade.

Yet, in an ideal scenario, you won’t be making any major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

If you are a student (or a parent of a student) who wants to proactively and wisely tackle every challenge high school throws your way and reach your college admissions potential, the best advice I can give you is to meet with me for a Strategy Session as soon as possible.

A Strategy Session is for students and parents who desire expert and peer guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! Students and parents who take part in a Strategy Session are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and clarify what they are most concerned about or unclear on as it relates to the college admissions process. My goal is to ensure families leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented to them until we meet again.

During your Strategy Session, you’ll gain access to timely best-in-class college admissions counseling that will empower you to make the right moves regarding academics, testing, extracurricular activities, and college applications in order to meet with future college admissions success. Since we’ll have limited time together, I am direct as possible during a Strategy Session, so get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected.

Consider having a Strategy Session an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

What are you waiting for? Schedule your Strategy Session with me today.

Dear 10th Grader: Don’t Become An Ivy League Reject!

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One decision you make in tenth grade, your second year in high school, will directly influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League or similarly selective college or university when you are a high school senior.

Make sure to make time for the major pursuit described in the video below during your sophomore year because if you don’t, your chances of getting into highly selective colleges or universities in two years will nosedive – especially if coupled with similarly destructive mistakes in 9th grade, 11th grade, or 12th grade.

Yet, in an ideal scenario, you won’t be making any major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

If you are a student (or a parent of a student) who wants to proactively and wisely tackle every challenge high school throws your way and reach your college admissions potential, the best advice I can give you is to meet with me for a Strategy Session as soon as possible.

A Strategy Session is for students and parents who desire expert and peer guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! Students and parents who take part in a Strategy Session are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and clarify what they are most concerned about or unclear on as it relates to the college admissions process. My goal is to ensure families leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented to them until we meet again.

During your Strategy Session, you’ll gain access to timely best-in-class college admissions counseling that will empower you to make the right moves regarding academics, testing, extracurricular activities, and college applications in order to meet with future college admissions success. Since we’ll have limited time together, I am direct as possible during a Strategy Session, so get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected.

Consider having a Strategy Session an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

What are you waiting for? Schedule your Strategy Session with me today.

Dear 9th Grader: Don’t get rejected from the Ivy League so soon!

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One major decision that you make in ninth grade, your first year in high school, will directly influence your chances of getting into an Ivy League or similarly selective college or university when you are a high school senior.

If you can avoid making this one big mistake (described in the video below) in your first year in high school you will salvage your chances of getting into a highly selective college or university later on – as long as you don’t make similarly destructive mistakes in 10th grade, 11th grade, or 12th grade.

Yet, in an ideal scenario, you won’t be making any major academic, extracurricular, or personal missteps throughout high school. As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” Why get yourself into unnecessary trouble or cause yourself needless anxiety or stress later in high school just because you didn’t know that certain decisions that you make as a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior could actually turn out to be mistakes serious enough to derail your smooth sail towards achieving your post-high school goals?

If you are a student (or a parent of a student) who wants to proactively and wisely tackle every challenge high school throws your way and reach your college admissions potential, the best advice I can give you is to meet with me for a Strategy Session as soon as possible.

A Strategy Session is for students and parents who desire expert and peer guidance as they navigate the college admissions process, which actually begins the moment a student starts high school! Students and parents who take part in a Strategy Session are encouraged to ask their current college admissions questions, discuss where they are in the process, and clarify what they are most concerned about or unclear on as it relates to the college admissions process. My goal is to ensure families leave each session armed with the knowledge they need to make the most of every opportunity presented to them until we meet again.

During your Strategy Session, you’ll gain access to timely best-in-class college admissions counseling that will empower you to make the right moves regarding academics, testing, extracurricular activities, and college applications in order to meet with future college admissions success. Since we’ll have limited time together, I am direct as possible during a Strategy Session, so get ready to bust the most common college admissions myths and prepare to glide through the entire college admissions process calm, cool, and collected.

Consider having a Strategy Session an amazing insurance policy to protect against the lack of college guidance or downright poor college counseling many students experience during their four years – but especially during their first two years – in high school. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure – especially if that cure comes too late (which from my experience is too often the case with students who only start getting good or better college counseling in 11th grade or later).

What are you waiting for? Schedule your Strategy Session with me today.

 

 

University of Rochester Application Deadlines Extended

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University of Rochester Library.

The University of Rochester has announced a major shift it its Regular Decision and Early Decision II application deadlines for the current admissions cycle.

Dr. Robert J. Alexander, Rochester’s Dean of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Enrollment Management, informed high school counselors on December 4, 2020 that applications for both admission plans, which are typically due in the first days of January are now due January 20 – a full two weeks later than normal.

“In recognition of these turbulent and unprecedented times, the University of Rochester is offering an extension to both our Regular Decision and Early Decision II application deadlines.” wrote Alexander. Students applying by the new deadlines will still be considered for both admission and merit scholarships. He added, “We hope this extension allows students, families, and counselors more time to navigate the challenges associated with COVID-19 and virtual interactions, and to take care of themselves and their families.”

While those are lovely sentiments, as we mentioned previously when discussing Tuft’s decision to move its Early Decision deadline into late November, such dramatic shifts are not taken out of altruism alone. While we don’t have access to internal data from Rochester, what’s becoming clearer is the decision to go test-optional this admissions cycle by many selective and hyper-selective colleges has boomeranged back particularly hard on many typically selective colleges like Rochester that don’t have the name recognition of the Dukes, Penns, or Browns of the world. This is because many students who would have never considered hyper-selective colleges are applying to them instead of colleges that are typically slightly less selective; even the Ivies are test-optional this cycle.

For instance, let’s say you are an average straight A student in the high school Class of 2021 with a 1030 on the SAT; in a typical year you would never apply to anything other than your state university and a few others with relatively low test score averages. This year, you say to yourself, “I might as well put in an app or two to Duke, Harvard, and Vanderbilt since they won’t look at my scores.” And he or she has heard of them in pop culture.

Meanwhile, the typical Rochester applicant, one with, let’s say, a 1350 on the SAT, is now also looking to trade up the rankings lists to Carnegie Mellon, Wash U., or even Yale this year. Rochester likely finds itself in what we’ve call previously a doughnut hole of a situation; Rochester is getting overlooked by both its typical applicants and those academically weaker than its typical applicants all because both groups of applicants are applying to higher ranked schools OR opting for options with retail prices lower than private Rochester (in-state universities, community colleges, etc.) considering the economic disaster brought on by governors and mayors shutting down so much commerce. What a shame for a great school like Rochester! Yet, what a great year for a strong student looking for a great college and a scholarship to consider Rochester. And now such a student has even more time to apply (though we always say, “the early bird gets the worm”). Stay strategic.