High School Counselor Week

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

 

September 19, 2019

Big Picture

Colleges provide misleading information about their costs
The Hechinger Report – September 16, 2019
In lieu of regulating universities, Trump administration encourages them to furnish students with information on expenses and results — but some of the data is inaccurate

What does it take to get into college? Here’s a snapshot.
The Christian Science Monitor – September 12, 2019
How should college admissions be determined? On the eve of the sentencing of the first parent in the Varsity Blues cheating scandal, we look at recent data revealing what admissions officers say matters most.

Three Changes To Higher Education That Both Republicans And Democrats Endorse
Forbes – September 13, 2019
Two-thirds of Americans believe higher education is in need of substantial changes, and they tend to agree on specific reforms

Columns and Blogs

Applying to College? Watch This Video
Post – September 18, 2019
Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor Ph.D

Application deadline decisions
Tribune News Service – September 18, 2019
College Admissions Strategies with Lee Bierer 

Resumes continue to add value in the college admissions process
Post – September 11, 2019
The Explorations Blog with Nancy Griesemer

Counselors

Critical decision – tight deadline
Payson Roundup – September 17, 2019
Payson (AZ) faces a tight deadline to apply for state money to either continue funding for a police officer on campus or add to its pool of almost overwhelmed school counselors.

How low expectations force low-income students to miss out on college aid
The Chicago Reporter – September 6, 2019
High-achieving students at East Aurora High School say they were “undermatched” and missed out on generous financial aid packages from selective universities because they were not properly guided or encouraged to apply to them.

Oregon schools gear up for new laws addressing teen mental health
Portland Tribune – September 13, 2019
Suicide prevention plans, redefined sick days, more screening aimed at helping end stigma

Can virtual advising shift where students go to college? Yes, but only a bit.
Chalkbeat – September 17, 2019
When Shannon Binns was navigating the college admissions process, she had a sounding board hundreds of miles away at CollegePoint, an ambitious initiative designed to push high-achievers from low- and middle-income families into better colleges.

Parents

Out of the way, helicopter parents: Bulldozer parents mow down their child’s every obstacle
North Jersey.com – September 17, 2019
Their actions are well-intended but not harmless, say counselors and parenting experts, who stress that young people need to learn to handle obstacles on their own even if they sometimes stumble or fail.

Parents, We’ve Created “The Loneliest Generation”—Here’s What We Need To Do About it Now
Herviewfromhome.com – September 12, 2019
I serve as an academic advisor at a major university. It puts me in the unique position of witnessing firsthand a lot of what most of you only speculate about higher ed and the college experience today. I am here to tell you that it is NOT the same as when we went to school, and that is for a variety of reasons.

Too many colleges aren’t telling student parents this valuable piece of information 
Marketwatch – September 16, 2019
College students with kids could be missing out on money to defray childcare costs, a new report says. Some schools aren’t publicizing the federal funds, and the Department of Education isn’t encouraging the schools to spotlight the subsidy either, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Video

Opioid Education Video for Student-Athletes Features Advice from Pro Sports Icons
NJCares and NJSIAA – September 13, 2019
In a video released to New Jersey high school students, a U.S. women’s national soccer team legend and a starting wide receiver for the New York Jets team up to deliver a powerful warning about the risks associated with sports injuries and opioid use. Student-athletes across the state will be required to watch the video as a condition of participation in NJSIAA sports programs. More information about the making of the video is available here.

Admissions Process & Strategy

An Open Letter to College-Bound Students and Their Parents
Inside Higher Ed – September 16, 2019
A group of 24 higher education enrollment managers offers advice.

College Admissions Process Mistakes Students Make
U.S. News & World Report – September 16, 2019
Two current college students offer advice on mistakes to avoid when applying.

6 Common College Admissions Myths
U.S. News & World Report – September 11, 2019
Get a feel for how much grades, tests and your resume really matter from those who review the applications.

A Gap Year Students Can Get Credit For
Inside Higher Ed – September 16, 2019
Budding programs like Verto Education could offer an alternative route, giving college freshmen the opportunity to partake in a gap year while simultaneously receiving college credits.

Career & Technical Education

The Workforce Is Calling, Higher Education, Will You Answer?
Forbes – September 10, 2019
If you consider the urgent need to retrain the U.S. workforce, there is unmet market demand to serve a population more than half the size of the current undergraduate classes.

We Desperately Need a Merger between Education and Work
Scientific American – September 9, 2019
Right now, in the U.S., we have more jobs open than people looking for work. So why aren’t we at 100 percent employment?

Financial Aid/Scholarships

File early for next year’s college financial assistance
Times Union (NY) – September 14, 2019
College students and their families can begin to submit two key applications for financial aid on Oct. 1, the CSS Profile and the FAFSA

FAFSA Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid
NASFAA – Fall 2019
The most common errors that can delay your application or limit your eligibility, and links to the FAFSA4caster tool, the NASFAA’s FAFSA Checklist and more

Financial Aid Advice for Middle-Class Students
Community for Accredited Online Schools –
What to do when your income makes finding financial aid difficult

The best tools and tips for finding a college you can afford, according to a financial aid expert
CNBC Make It – September 16, 2019
Links and tips for narrowing down your college list and saving money.

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Inside The Admissions Office

Crushing Your Supplement
Tufts Admissions Blog
September 18, 2019

Most schools have supplements, and it’s when they typically ask you a series of short questions that demonstrate fit for their school specifically. They require additional work. But they’re worth the effort, because the supplements are where your application can really stand out.

Teen Health

Sandy Hook Promise Premieres Latest PSA “Back-to-School Essentials”
PR Newswire – September 18, 2019
In conjunction with the PSA video, SHP also provides a downloadable “Know the Signs” brochure that highlights many of the warning signs of a potential act of violence, to help students and adults recognize them.

These scientists want to make psychotherapy sessions much, much shorter
Vox – September 17, 2019
Can single, 30-minute sessions of therapy help kids struggling with depression?

Lake Holcombe School District brings telemedicine for counseling services
WQOW Wisconsin – September 5, 2019

SAT, ACT & AP

Applying to Test-Optional Colleges: What to Know
U.S. News & World Report – September 13, 2019
Many colleges are giving applicants the option not to share SAT and ACT scores.

Where Can I Get In With My Scores? Search Colleges by Admission Test Score
College Simply
College Simply parsed admissions data from over 4,000 U.S. colleges and analyzed what SAT and ACT test scores get in where. Select your test score to find out where you may fit in best and estimate how likely you are to get accepted. The guide is organized by SAT and ACT score and presents the best colleges which have historically accepted students for each score.

Disabilities

Federal funds for students with disabilities can be used for postsecondary ed
Education Dive – September 18, 2019
Vocational rehabilitation funds and funds from the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) can be used to support the enrollment of students in postsecondary programs while still in high school, the U.S. Department of Education clarified Tuesday.

Access as Model: How Students with Intellectual Disabilities Can Improve Higher Education
Diverse: Issues In Higher Education – September 13, 2019
The real rewards—and challenges—come when a larger university curriculum is inclusive and accessible.