Discovering the right college begins with exploration. It's the kind of exploration that can take you And the exploration doesn't need to wait until high school.
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Once you begin exploring colleges, you'll learn something about who you are and what you want to be. You may even learn that there's more than one right college for you. It can begin with a middle school decision about algebra or foreign languages. Or it can start with informal visits to local colleges and discussions about programs or majors. Wherever you find yourself in the process, College Exp
lorations can help by providing information, organizing college search and applications, answering questions, and helping you discover the college that best fits your unique talents and interests.
"...it may be misleading to look purely at the earning potential of graduates from certain majors, because research has also shown that students from the same major often transition into a surprising variety of occupations, thereby earning very different incomes."
Many students opt to major in STEM fields even if they have a strong passion for the humanities. Why? Job prospects and lifetime earnings. Is that really true?
While Caltech dropped a calculus requirement and introduced another path for demonstrating math proficiency, still many other colleges expect calculus particularly among prospective engineers.
Queries sent to 20 top schools, many known for engineering programs, found that 11 do not require calculus while 6 strongly recommend or encourage it.
What happens when artificial intelligence tools are asked to review and evaluate college applications?
Artificial intelligence tools should never replace human admissions officers, says CU Boulder scientist Sidney D’Mello. But new research suggests these platforms could help colleges and universities identify promising students amid mountains of applications.
"Taking and doing well on more than 5 AP course exams doesn’t significantly improve a student’s chances of getting good first-year college grades and four-year degree completion, the [College Board] found. In fact, just doing well on their first or second exam indicates future college success."
For years students and families have grappled with how many AP classes to take for college. New research sheds some light on an answer.
Over 200,000 students with Common Application accounts may be receiving acceptances prior to even applying through the Common App's expanded direct admissions program with 70 participating colleges in 28 states!
The online portal has started two programs, one with Connecticut institutions and a second with 70 other U.S. colleges.
"I didn’t need to attend my dream school to do well or to be happy at college. I am validated by my name on the dean’s list, my work at The Temple News and the friends I’ve made during my time at Temple; all of which were made possible solely by my own personal qualities and hard work."
A student reflects on a disappointing college admissions process and learning to find joy beyond attending her dream school.
“'The biggest challenge during applications is definitely not losing my mind,' Veronica Lindstron ‘24 said. 'It’s a lot of drudgery and filling out little boxes which is frustrating, but on a more structural level it’s seriously messed up.'”
Sadly can't argue with Ms. Lindstron!
NYU has an “academically-driven review process.” Colby-Sawyer college says “we review applications holistically.” UNC says “there is no formula for admission.” As students start the college application process, they often wonder ‘how do I give colleges what they want?’ “The biggest...
"Class sizes, especially for upper-level courses in which students receive more personalized attention, are ballooning; some students are unable to get seats in their desired courses. And while departments can grow to accommodate the increased demand, financial limitations on hiring more faculty—coupled with the fact that most computer science Ph.D.s can make far more in industry—complicate that effort."
High interest in the field has led to overcrowded classes and other issues. Now some institutions are adding requirements to help force students out of the major.
In case you missed it, Duke is allowing students to submit videos by NOVEMBER 6 in support of their early decision applications. Scroll down to "Supplements" for instructions:
"Applicants are welcome to record a Glimpse video. Glimpse is an opportunity to share a 60-90 second video helping us to get to know you better. For more information about Glimpse please visit the Glimpse website. Currently, Glimpse is only available for students attending high school in the United States. For consideration in the Duke Admissions Process, Glimpse videos must be submitted by November 6 for Early Decision and January 16 for Regular Decision."
How to apply for admissions and financial aid at Duke University
And for students who want to factor the paranormal into their college lists, here are EIGHT haunted colleges to consider (spoiler alert: the College of William and Mary is on the list)!
Students and staff at these schools have reported hearing voices and footsteps, and seeing figures.
1. These eternal beings have changed and adapted over the centuries.
2. Freud has something to say.
3. More than scaring us, ghosts unsettle us. �
4. Different ghosts for different folks.
5. They remind us of the unknown—and possibly unknowable.
Why are ghosts such a persistent presence in literature? Professor Liliane Weissberg, who teaches the course The Fantastic and the Uncanny in Literature, shares her thoughts.
Are students focusing too much attention on the personal statement at the cost of leaving too little time to work on essay supplements?
Most students spend months writing their supplemental essays. For schools with no supplemental essays, it can be an easier way for students to diversify their lists.
Virginia is among the first in the country to post fall of 2023 admissions statistics. And the good news is that score ranges, class sizes etc. seem to be stabilizing after all the post-pandemic craziness. Check it out!
https://research.schev.edu/enrollment/B10
Yes, applying to college has become enormously complicated. Students manage deadlines across multiple portals, submit resumes, write essays, coordinate letters of recommendation, and request test scores and transcripts. ADMISSION MATTERS was created as a reliable, easy-to-use resource for anyone attempting to navigate the complexities of today's college admission process.
Applying to college complicated, and over half of students rank college applications as their most stressful academic experience.
Guaranteed admissions programs are getting more creative: Under VCU’s new program, first-year freshman applicants who are among the top 10% of their high school graduating class OR have at least a 3.5 GPA will automatically qualify for admission; Radford requires a 3.3 GPA and completion of Algebra II; VMI offers guaranteed admission to students from military high schools in the region who have a 3.25 GPA, have completed Algebra II and have held a leadership role within their high school’s corps of cadet;. UVA Wise requires students to have a 3.0 GPA, be ranked among the top 50% of their high school class and have a minimum 2.0 GPA, or have a score of 17 on the ACT or 1900 on the SAT score and have a minimum 2.0 GPA.
VCU is the latest school to roll out a program that grants admission to any high school senior with a certain GPA.
In case you missed the policy, early admission applicants (ED and EA) at UVa will receive one of three possible decisions (https://admission.virginia.edu/node/401) :
1. Admit
2. Deny
3. Waitlist
There will be no deferrals to the regular decision pool. And waitlist decisions can take well into June depending on how many accepted applicants decline their offers.
"Computer science majors and jobs are on the rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that careers in computer science will grow by 21% in the next decade, much faster than other careers." Here are some scholarships to consider: https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships/articles/computer-science-scholarships?
VCU has expanded its guaranteed admission program to include students with 3.5 and over GPAs. The program is no longer restricted to schools that rank.
https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/guaranteed-university-admission/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx4vEpo-UggMVi4PICh3M6Q5KEAAYASABEgK9YPD_BwE
"Students who need to borrow should first do their research on the types of loans available, including federal and private. "
Before taking out a federal student loan, borrowers should first research the four different types.
"Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has teamed with George Mason University (GMU) for a new program that gives students automatic enrollment at the university. The Common App Direct Admissions Pilot program is available to ACHS seniors who maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher."
ALEXANDRIA, VA-Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has teamed with George Mason University (GMU) for a new program that gives students automatic
10-18-2023 University of Mary Washington
If you haven't visited UMW recently, now is the time!
If you're invited for a college interview, be prepared for:
Questions About Your Background
Questions About Your Candidacy
Questions About Your Future Goals
College interviews offer admissions committees the opportunity to get to know applicants on a personal level and a glimpse into the students’ personalities.
SAT registration is open for spring!
This past summer, the College Board only opened fall and winter SAT test dates so they could plan for the March digital test launch in the US. Now it's ready, and students can register for test dates from March through June 2024 on the College Board websites
Official SAT test dates and registration deadlines to help you plan. All deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. ET, U.S.
The average Composite score declined by 0.3 points, from 19.8 in 2022 to 19.5 in 2023; average English scores declined 0.4 points (from 19.0 to 18.6); average mathematics scores declined 0.3 points (from 19.3 to 19.0); average reading scores declined 0.3 points (from 20.4 to 20.1); and average science scores declined by 0.3 points (from 19.9 to 19.6).
Showing a lack of student preparedness for college-level coursework, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test.
"Harvard seems to be an outlier in the Ivy League for its extreme parity in admissions rates between male and female applicants, even at the expense of equal shares of men and women in the class."
Harvard seems to be an outlier in the Ivy League for its extreme parity in admissions rates between male and female applicants, even at the expense of equal shares of men and women in the class.
Who or what exactly is reading your application?
Even as fears of robot-generated admissions essays abound, colleges are increasingly using AI in application reviews, raising new possibilities and ethical concerns.
Over the past 3 years, the average admit rate for non-Washington students applying direct to major in computer science or computer engineering at the University of Washington was 2%.
Overall 3-year average admit rates by residency
Receive FREE advice on how to improve or present your portfolio, and experience a small taste of what it’s like to attend a professional art or design program at an event hosted by more than 100 post-secondary institutions that hold regional accreditation and accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
https://nationalportfolioday.org/
One college takes on the “the most significant methodological change in the rankings’ history” and disputes the new methodology used by USNWR. It's an old story and until colleges stop cooperating, nothing will change.
The new methodology downgrades measures of academic quality while relying on misleading metrics for affordability and career outcomes, Daniel Diermeier writes.
Fairfax County
Virginia
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