High School Counselor Week

Weekly stories, facts, trends, and other information from around the country

 

November 14, 2019

Big Picture

Facing lawsuit, DeVos erases student loans for 1,500
AP News – November 8, 2019
Facing a federal lawsuit and mounting criticism, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Friday said she will forgive certain student loans for more than 1,500 borrowers who attended a pair of for-profit colleges that shut down last year.

Half of young people believe high school degree is enough for good-paying job
CBS News – November 12, 2019
The finding alarms some experts who say young Americans don’t seem to be getting the message that college pays off. Federal labor data show a widening earnings gap between Americans who do and do not have a college degree.

Report: Growth in state aid to college students hits decade high
EducationDive – November 12, 2019
States increased their undergraduate grant aid by nearly $950 million in the 2017-18 academic year, marking the largest yearly increase in the past decade, according to NASSGAP.

Columns and Blogs

Parents: Before You Yell at Your School Counselor
Post – November 13, 2019
Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor Ph.D

Focus on Finances
Tribune News Service – November 13, 2019
College Admissions Strategies with Lee Bierer 

Headlines from NACAC’s 2019 State of College Admission
Post – November 6, 2019
The Explorations Blog with Nancy Griesemer

Counselors

Ethical College Admissions: Counseling vs. Coaching
Inside Higher Ed – November 11, 2019
The roles are not identical, writes Jim Jump.

How this NYC counselor helps her students get into college — and stay there
Chalkbeat – November 11, 2019
Through a program called College Bound Initiative, Kane helps students at The Young Women’s Leadership School of Queens learn the intricacies of applying to college.

Should Career Counselors Use Digital Personality Tests to Help Students Choose Majors?
EdSurge – November 7, 2019
At Butte College in Northern California, Brian Donnelly is the only career counselor for about 10,000 students.

Parents

These are the words your teen applying to college needs to hear from you
Today – November 8, 2019
Yes, we know they act like they don’t care what you think. Trust us, they care so much.

College applications: What I’ve learned as a parent the second time around
Today – November 8, 2019
Calm down! There’s a school that’s right for your kid, one that they can get into.

Ready or not? What to do when your teen isn’t prepared for college
NBC News: Know Your Value – November 7, 2019
A mother shares her journey and struggles with her 17-year-old twins.

Admissions Process & Strategy

10 Steps to Choosing the Right College
Yahoo! Finance – November 6, 2019
Choosing a college is about more than the name on the diploma. Where a student goes to school touches numerous aspects of his or her life, from academic studies to social activities and beyond.

The 5 college majors American students most regret picking
CNBC – November 12, 2019
Obtaining an undergraduate degree is almost always worth it — bachelor’s degree holders earn 84% more than those with just a high school diploma. However, not all majors are the same…

13 Colleges With the Lowest Acceptance Rates
U.S. News & World Report – November 12, 2019
While the national acceptance rate is much higher, the average at these highly selective colleges was 7%, per U.S. News data.

Colorado’s college admission officers don’t have time to look at your Instagram. Here’s what they’re looking for.
The Denver Post – November 6, 2019
Some universities might spend 20 minutes with a prospective student’s application. Others just 7 minutes. Academic rigor of high school coursework, grades and test scores rank high on the list of importance…

Career & Technical Education

Should Skills Training Replace Higher Education?
Forbes – November 11, 2019
It’s not a “go to work” or “go to college” question anymore. Instead, it should be “what’s the best path to purposeful contribution and a lifetime of learning?”

Helping Florence Work informs school counselors about technical education, manufacturing jobs
SCNow – November 9, 2019
During the program, 13 school counselors in Florence One toured several Florence-Darlington Technical College departments, among them welding, HVAC, automotive, and machine tool and industrial maintenance.

Livingston schools offer class to encourage girls to consider automotive careers
The Advocate (LA) – November 13, 2019
Student ambassadors and high school counselors from each of the nine high schools in Livingston Parish were invited to attend an information session at the parish’s automotive learning center

Financial Aid/Scholarships

3 Legit Reasons for ‘Negotiating’ Your Aid Package
Student Loan Hero – November 10, 2019
Any student can try to ‘appeal’ their financial aid package. But just because they can doesn’t mean they should. Here are three scenarios when your chances are best:

Five facts about student loans
Brookings Institution – November 12, 2019
The increase in total student debt, stories of families struggling with six-figure loans, and the response of politicians have turned student debt into a high-profile issue. To inform that conversation, here are five facts…

These 75 Colleges Promise to Meet 100% of Students’ Financial Need
Money – November 12, 2019
Here’s a guide to help you understand the financial aid terms that deal with colleges’ financial aid policies and need-based aid — plus 75 schools that meet this criteria.

What to Do If You Missed the FAFSA Deadline for Financial Aid
Student Loan Hero – November 11, 2019

Student Voices

First-generation college students: you belong here, even when it doesn’t feel like it
The Daily Mississipian – November 7, 2019
The author is a junior public policy leadership major from Meridian, Mississippi
Dear first-generation college student: As a high schooler, I wanted nothing more than a way out of my hometown. For hours upon hours…

Subscribe to our Weekly Emails

Inside The Admissions Office

14 Things Better Left Unsaid
Tulane University Admission Blog
November 8, 2019

I’ve been doing this whole admission thing for going on fifteen years now, and in that time, there are a few frequently used words and praises that I might suggest you (and your mom) steer clear of.

Interviews and Authenticity
Georgia Tech Admission Blog
November 13, 2019

What I share is not solely about interview preparation, but also how to present yourself as a self-aware, authentic person in other areas of life.

Teen Health

‘Not sudden, impulsive acts’: School shooters showed warning signs, Secret Service finds
NBC News – November 7, 2019
The study, which looked in depth at 41 school attacks, is one of the most comprehensive reviews of school attacks since the Columbine shootings in 1999.

9 Myths About Anxiety Debunked
Youth Health – November 8, 2019
Anxiety is, indeed, a serious disorder. As such, believing in common misconceptions can become threatening to the health of those struggling with the illness.

After 4 students died by suicide at Prosper High School, here’s how the district responded
The Dallas Morning News – November 11, 2019
The school district recognized that things would change only if young people led the way. Members of what is known as the Hope Squad are talking candidly about mental health and suicide, seeking out lonely and troubled students, and making referrals to school counselors.

Here’s one more reason to delete Facebook: To get better exam results
MarketWatch – November 12, 2019
New research appears to validate what many parents and educators have long suspected. Students whose grades are below average could boost their results if they devoted less time to Facebook and other social networking sites…

SAT, ACT & AP

3 Things To Know About ACT Section Retests
U.S. News & World Report – November 11, 2019
Students who are interested in ACT section retesting should know these three facts:

Drive for college puts pressure on students to score well on SAT, ACT exams
Santa Fe New Mexican – November 7, 2019
In New Mexico, it was recently decided that the SAT will be a mandated test for all high school juniors — the first time the state has funded students’ college entrance exams.

Universities buy test-taker information to market to prospective students
News Channel Nashville – November 6, 2019
While many buy the names for recruitment purposes, others allegedly buy them to help their college ranking by enticing more students to apply but only accepting the same amount, making their rejection rate go up, and amplifying the perception of exclusivity.

Disabilities

Disabled students, staff struggle to navigate challenges on campus
The Purdue Exponent – November 11, 2019
Disabled students and staff at Purdue experience challenges like these every day, and the occasional broken button is just one of their struggles.

Free Guide to Understanding Dyslexia Now Available
NACAC Admitted Blog – November 13, 2019
The free 41-page publication is packed with tips for students, parents, and educators