10 trends to watch as testing reopens (short version: ACT/SAT tests still matter).
Why January application deadlines are just a bad idea.
Advocates say a comprehensive approach is required to address mental health challenges on college campuses, but more information is needed about what does and doesn’t work. Bipartisan legislation introduced in Congress aims to find that information out.
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Summer program alert!
As a BOA Student Leader, you will participate in an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization where you will learn first-hand about the needs of your community and the critical role nonprofits play. In addition, you will learn valuable civic, social and business leadership skills. Each Student Leader will attend the Student Leaders Summit held in Washington, D.C. where you will learn how government, business and the nonprofit sector work together to address critical community needs. Note: in-person events will be in line with local and national guidelines around gatherings and travel and may be subject to change.
To become a Student Leader, you must:
*In-person events will be in line with local and national guidelines around gatherings and travel and may be subject to change.
Click here for FAQs on our Student Leaders program.
Applications for the 2022 program will be accepted from Monday, November 1 through Friday, January 28. Apply Now for the 2022 Student Leaders program.
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The non-profit My Friend Abbey is awarding grants for peer-to-peer projects. The Fall 2021 grant cycle is now open to youth and young adults! The application deadline is November 15, 2021. The theme for this season is “Share Your Light.”
Here are some suggested ideas for grant projects:
Sharing your talent and teaching someone else your craft! For example, gardening is good for your mental health, so if you garden, buy some bulbs and teach your friends how to plant them and care for the plants. Or if you knit or sew, show a group of friends how to make something for the holidays that they can give as a gift.
You can always find a way to #37HelpOthersInABigWay or highlight the good in others.
You could complete a ‘compassion project’ in which you and/or a group agree to raise awareness in the area of mental health and wellness through kindness. You can document this project by performing a short play, blogging, researching and joining an existing group you never knew about (for example, an LGBTQ group, cultural group, or volunteer group like a soup kitchen.)
Or start your own group! Spread your kindness and compassion for all to see!
These are just a few suggestions. What will YOUR project be? Don’t forget to tell your friends and family, and request an application!
To request a grant application, email Gillian@myfriendABBY.org.
Click below to read about recent grant recipient’s projects:
Remember, applications must be received by November 15th!
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New NCAA eligibility guidelines released!
Admissions as a Game of Chance? New Research Says Lotteries Could Decrease Diversity.
High School Students and Counselors Are Burned Out. We feel this.
One response: “Our kids are really burnt out. Their usual ability to persevere is significantly lower. They are needing schools to come to them not the other way around. Doing virtual events is NOT helpful as they don’t even want to look at a screen.”
Another response: “Students are experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety with being back in person. Even the brightest students are struggling with completing homework and being present.”
And another: “Our students are markedly less mature this year, and moving through the college application process slowly. I don’t know that Ursinus can help, but the pandemic definitely hurt the students’ development and maturity.”
This article is definitely worth a read as we all need to keep mental health and wellness at the top of our to-do lists with our students.
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To all our seniors: just submitting applications is a huge accomplishment!!!
Take 7 minutes to listen to Kelly Corrigan’s case for celebrating the litany of accomplishments that a completed college application represents.
There’s so much more to applying to college than where you get in or don’t. Listen here!
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Our friends at GenHERation have a post up from our Fireside Chat! Read more here, and check out their programming while you’re at it!
And for all things college essay, check out our book, The Complete College Essay Handbook!!!
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Penn Admissions has shared four great informative guides to help students with their college application process—and they are NOT Penn specific (although the samples they provide are)!
Narrowing Down Your List
Fill out a worksheet for each school on your list while visiting school websites, exploring virtual tours, and attending information sessions. Compare worksheets and see which schools match your must-haves. Download Guide 1
Curriculum & Majors
This second guide will help you narrow down which colleges will be the best fit for you based on academics offered. Use this worksheet to learn more about a school’s curriculum, majors, and learning opportunities. Download Guide 2
Tracking Application Requirements & Deadlines
There’s a lot to keep track of when you’re applying to multiple colleges. Use this worksheet to stay organized and take some of the stress out of the application process. Download Guide 3
Highlighting Your Extracurriculars & Activities
This worksheet will prepare you for the activities section of your college applications. Think of this guide as a way to brainstorm what you’ve been involved in through high school, what your commitment looked like, and how things may have changed in the past year. Download Guide 4
Bonus: Watch this video for even more tips on activities!
Thanks, Penn! Pair this advice with The Complete College Essay Handbook and get ready to apply!
College Kickstart helps you track those merits $$ deadlines. Students: yet another reason to get apps in EARLY! We suggest submitting as many RD apps as you can by 12/1.
To help you stay on top of free money opportunities for your students, they’ve compiled a list of popular schools with hard merit deadlines for the 2021-22 cycle.
For each school listed, they’ve included the stated deadline, as well as the percentage of students receiving merit aid, the average amount of aid awarded and a link back to the school’s merit scholarship page.
Get there now!
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Bringing back some higher-ed/admissions news shares—each week if we have time!
No more legacy admissions at Amherst (a win!)
UC faculty shut down idea for state-wide admissions exam (they are currently test-blind)
Having a professor, adviser or other mentor can greatly help in navigating college and launching a career, but many students aren’t seeking out such relationships
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Virtual Event!
Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Time: 7-7:30 PM EST/4-4:30 PM PST
During this virtual session, college admissions expert Dr. Brittany Maschal will discuss how to select the best topic for the personal statement and supplemental essays, what makes an essay stand out, and the best strategies for presenting a well-rounded set of application essays.
GenHERation will also raffle away a copy of The Complete College Essay Handbook at the end of the session!