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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.

 

 

Demonstrate Interest in DigiPen, Get a Computer

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DigiPen Institute of Technology is taking rewards for demonstrating interest to a new level.

While many colleges and universities reward students who demonstrate interest (including visiting campus, communication via phone or email with an admissions officer, taking part in a regional information session, etc.) with an edge in the admissions process, DigiPen has announced that through August 13, 2021, when prospective students attend any of its Online Information Sessions, Degree Program Deep Dive sessions, or Preview Days, they will automatically receive an entry for a chance to win a laptop computer (with specifications meeting the requirements for incoming DigiPen students). Students may receive an additional entry each time they attend a qualifying event during this period, but no more than one entry per event per registered attendee. For more information on full rules click here.

DigiPen is a private, for-profit university based in Redmond, Washington with additional campuses in Singapore and Bilbao, Spain. It’s best known for offering degree programs in computer science, animation, video game development, game design, sound design, and computer engineering. In 2019, Animation Career Review ranked DigiPen as the sixth best Video Game University in the United States and Princeton Review ranked DigiPen as number four on its annual list of “Top 50 Undergraduate Schools to Study Game Design.”

An introduction to attending college in France and beyond

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While many students dream of studying abroad for a semester in college, fewer students seem ready to take the plunge of completing their entire college or university experience in a foreign country. Yet, from my experience working with students and families, the main reason students don’t consider earning their degrees abroad is the perceived complexity of doing so. People in general like to follow the pack and do what others are doing. With relatively few peers or family members earning their degrees abroad it goes to figure that many students can’t imagine themselves doing it themselves – even if they are intrigued by the prospect of doing so.

As I’ve shared previously, there are huge benefits of going to college in Europe or at least engaging in a summer program in Europe. With that said, researching college options in one’s home country can be complicated enough; researching degree programs located in a foreign country is often a bridge too far for even capable and proactive students. Adventurous and internationally-minded students and families need a strong primer or orientation to their foreign degree options in order to get moving in the right direction. Luckily, for those interested in studying in France in particular, but also a handful of other exciting locations, The Association of American Women in Europe has published a great user-friendly resource: the second edition of Beyond the Bac – Higher Education in France and Abroad. This unique “all-in-one” resource is ideal for international students considering higher education in France, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, or Australia. The title of the book pays homage to the French Baccalaureate, also known as “le Bac,” which is an intensive national examination taken by French students at the end of  high School (lycée in French). Completing the Bac is the typical mode by which French students transition to higher education.

Beyond the Bac opens with a detailed look at the structure and workings of the higher education system in France, degrees and diplomas, the costs, and application procedures. It also explains the diversity of French higher education, which includes universities, prépas, grandes, écoles, law and medical studies, and the numerous specialized schools for business, the arts, film, and fashion. Readers learn about studying in France and the EU – in French or in English – as well how to pursue graduate studies in France. The book even has a glossary that translates relevant higher education-related acronyms and French terms.

The book then explores options for bilingual students who wish to pursue higher education in English speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, UK, Netherlands and Australia. Chapters on each country address the education system, application procedures, deadlines, costs, and financial aid.

For students seeking to work or explore other interests, a chapter covers numerous gap year possibilities in France, the U.S., and around the world. Tips and personal anecdotes from students provide an inside look into various educational paths.

All in all Beyond the Bac is exactly the orientation to foreign study that many students and families need to gain the confidence to think outside the box and pursue post-secondary education goals that may very well take them beyond borders.

Best College Acceptance Gifts for the Class of 2021

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After applying ED to Tulane, my first two students in the Class of 2021 received their offers of Fall 2021 admission this week. Thus, around these parts at least, College Acceptance Season has officially begun!

With the bulk of Early Decision and Early Action notifications set to be released in December, now is the time to determine what you will buy your special someone (maybe even yourself) who hopefully will be getting into college real soon (if he or she hasn’t gotten in already). While most Early Decision and Early Action acceptance notifications coincide with the height of Christmas-Hanukah shopping season, this year, to mark getting into college, you really don’t want to give simply a fruitcake or a Rudolph sweater. You want to make your gift college acceptance-centric.

So, go on and surprise your special someone or treat yourself with gifts that mark the occasion of getting into college and celebrate college life in general by browsing through the 2020-2021 College Acceptance Gift Collection presented by admissions.blog.

A bit of a back-story: for nearly a decade I sent acceptance gifts to my students accepted Early Decision and Early Action at their first-choice colleges, and these gifts’ massive popularity got many people both near and far asking, “Where did you think of that?” or, “That’s the perfect gift for my future Terrapin (or Gator, or Bruin, etc.), how can I get my hands on more just like it?” So, several years back, I decided to open up admissions.blog’s online gift shop designed specifically for your future or current college student.

Gifts detailed in the gift collection run the gamut from college apparel to dorm safety products. No matter your budget or needs, we’ve got the perfect college-themed gifts that are fun and practical.

So, what are you waiting for? Start Shopping below!

Congratulations on getting into college Rolling, Priority, ED, or EA!

Represent with or Protect your Tech (and this year, life!) with College Pride!
Skinit makes some of my favorite phone cases and laptop, AirPod, PlayStation, and Xbox skins around. What’s great is that on some of these items you can not just find styles that match your personality; you can also find designs that flaunt your college colors. Below are some examples of some of my favorite skins or cases.

This year, with a plague all around us, we’ve added a way to show college pride while covering your face. FOCO and Original Retro Brand make some face masks that future college students will love even as they gasp for air.


In the same vain, it’s also important not to misplace your technology and charge your gadgets regularly. I love this all-in-one bamboo charging station by NEXGADGET because it’s compact, which is perfect for a dorm room and it’s also quite stylish.

Protect Yourself!
Sad to say, college dorm showers are gross! Showaflaps make my favorite antibicrobial flip flops for your (hopefully) daily showers while on campus.

At many college campuses it also gets quite cold in the winter; therefore, how about some house boots to keep your feet nice and warm during your first winter on campus? Hanes makes my favorites in this category, and their unisex bad boys double as awesome dorm room slippers. Added bonus: no-slip!

Keep the Peace in Your Dorm Room
They say that good fences make good neighbors. In the context of a dorm room, good room dividers make good roommates. Sometimes we all need a bit of our own space, and MyGift makes my favorite dorm room divider because it can also double as a chalk board.

Look Good On Campus
While it makes the most sense to dress for success during the school day and while in class, once nighttime rolls around, strip down to a graphic tee that showcases your sense of humor. My favorite pop-culture inspired, random, college-themed, and all around fun t-shirt designs that are sure to grab the attention of fellow travelers in your dorm, at the library, or in the dining hall are below.





Look Good In Bed
Get your head out of the gutter! When it’s time to go to sleep or simply nap, there is no need to do so in a drab quilt. You should be able to snuggle up in your college colors, and Dormitory101 makes the very best double-layered, double-sided blankets made from the softest material you’ve ever felt – and they’re easy to take care of. No pilling. No extra care instructions. Just the comfiest, coziest fleece that will last years after graduation.

Congratulations on getting into college/university!

Parents, congrats – your child is going to college!

Students, great job! Now, let’s party!

1404 Error: University of Georgia Early Action Stats Full of Spin

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University of Georgia campus in Athens, Georgia, USA

The University of Georgia releases its Early Action decisions on November 20, 2020; yet, the university has already released aggregate data on those who applied Early Action. In the process UGA has released information indented to skew the public’s view of how selective UGA really is.

For whatever reason UGA is waiting to release the average stats of those students accepted EA, and instead UGA has only released stats for those students who applied EA. Here are the stats shared:

Total EA Applications – 20,900 – This is a 27% increase over last year.

UGA GPA Average – 3.91 – This is calculated by UGA using only core classes, and not the GPA seen on the high school transcript.

ACT Average – 32 – This is based on the students who submitted ACT scores as a part of their file.

SAT Average – 1404 – This is based on the students who submitted SAT scores as a part of their file.

AP/IB/DE Courses – 8 – This is the total number of AP/IB/DE courses taken by our applicants over their 4 years in high school.

Many people who read the above information would come to the conclusion that UGA is more competitive than ever, more difficult to get into than ever before, and in huge demand by students around the world. Not so fast!

UGA is not sharing what percentage of its EA applicants even submitted SAT or ACT scores! After going test-optional this cycle, this means that the intimidating 1404 SAT score and 32 ACT score UGA is sharing is propaganda pure and simple. What if only forty percent of applicants even submitted SAT scores? What if far fewer did? This means that many students – most in fact – getting into UGA this fall have scores well below 1404 on the SAT and 32 on the ACT. If they took them at all. We wish UGA good luck going back to being a test-required institution while also keeping those averages where they are!

Similarly, with the economic turmoil caused by pandemic closures, job losses, and ravaged income streams, is it really a surprise that a public university in a well populated state would get a lot more applications from in-state students who are seeking a lower cost alternative to pricey out of sate publics or privates? A twenty-seven percent increase in total EA applications is to be expected.

Meanwhile, what does a GPA even mean anymore? Most high schools are inflating students grades gratuitously. A 3.91 is actually pretty low sounding to us. Especially when considered in context of the 1404 SAT and 32 ACT averages reported. This means a lot of students are apply test-optional. A LOT!

Finally, the “8” shared in reference to total AP/IB/DE (Dual Enrollment) courses applicants took in high school is also misleading as many applicants won’t finish all the courses they reported on their applications and UGA still will accept plenty of students from schools that don’t offer AP/IB/DE courses at all. The only reason UGA shares it is the only reason UGA is sharing any of this information: to appear highly selective when the simple reality is that UGA is selective but not particularly so.

Applicants who applied Early Action can check their Status page on Friday, November 20 in the late afternoon to learn which of the following four decisions University of Georgia has made on their applications:

  • Admit
  • Defer: This means the UGA admissions committee will review your extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations during the Regular Decision review period and a final decision will be forthcoming in late March.
  • Deny
  • Incomplete Defer: Roughly 1% of EA students did not complete their EA file, and they are now automatically deferred to the next step, and so they will need to get in the missing materials from EA, (remember the teacher recommendation is optional but we suggest also having one sent in)

If UGA is at the top of your list and you applied Early Action, good luck! Here’s hoping UGA releases aggregate data soon for those students it accepted Early Action so we can put this first tease of data in full context.