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The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions -
College Admissions Consulting

And The Award Goes to…, Part 3: Availability, Flexibility, Foresight

by Emily Toffelmire, former admissions officer at University of Southern California

This is part three in our awards series. Check out our previous posts related to financial aid and admissions.

The 2020-2021 admission cycle has been a beast. It’s caused even more anxiety and stress than would normally be expected, and it’s laid bare inequity of our education system as well as the fragile state of so many of our institutions of higher learning. It’s been hard to identify any slices of good news out there but I do consider the move to test optional and test free admission policies to be a win—a silver lining of a mean and ugly cloud. And there are other silver linings. Despite the enormous pressure and unpredictability of the last year, many admission offices saw 2020 as an opportunity to improve the work they do: to become more accessible to more types of students; to upend years of the same old, same old in their app review process; and to increase transparency when it comes to that process.

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February 25, 2021by Emily Toffelmire
College Admissions Consulting

Standardized Test Policies for 2021/22; Listener Q&A

When COVID hit in March 2020, it disrupted life for everyone across the globe, including college admissions. Standardized test dates were cancelled, rescheduled, and cancelled again, and ultimately more than 1200 colleges and universities made them an optional part of their admissions process. We’ll update you on test optional policies for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle and share our thoughts on whether or not juniors should still plan to take them. In Office Hours, we’re answering your college admissions and finance questions.

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February 24, 2021by College Coach
College Admissions Consulting

And The Award Goes to…, Part 2: Transparency, Accessibility, and Social Awareness

College Admissions and Finance Awards

by Emily Toffelmire, former admissions officer at University of Southern California

This is part two in our award series. Check out our previous post and stay tuned for part three.

The 2020-2021 admission cycle has been a beast. It’s caused even more anxiety and stress than would normally be expected, and it’s laid bare inequity of our education system as well as the fragile state of so many of our institutions of higher learning. It’s been hard to identify any slices of good news out there but I do consider the move to test optional and test free admission policies to be a win—a silver lining of a mean and ugly cloud. And there are other silver linings. Despite the enormous pressure and unpredictability of the last year, many admission offices saw 2020 as an opportunity to improve the work they do: to become more accessible to more types of students; to upend years of the same old, same old in their app review process; and to increase transparency when it comes to that process.

Continue reading

February 23, 2021by Emily Toffelmire
College Applications

The Rise in College Applications and Avoiding the Panic

stamp-114438_1280

by Elizabeth Heaton, former admissions officer at University of Pennsylvania

The news on college applications can feel a little scary this year—applications are up in huge year-over-year numbers at Brown (26%), Oregon State (40%), UC Berkeley (28%), University of Pennsylvania (34%) and Colgate (100%!). How to account for these increases?

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February 16, 2021by Elizabeth Heaton
College Admissions Consulting

Should I Report My Test Scores? Filing the FAFSA; Missing Out On Your First Choice College

Standardized test date cancellations across the world have led many universities to institute temporary and permanent test optional policies. This week we’ll help you decide whether or not to report your test scores to the colleges on your list who aren’t requiring them. It’s October 1, and the FAFSA is out—we have all the details you need to know to file this important financial document. Finally, host Ian Fisher joins the show to share his story about not getting into his first choice college.

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October 7, 2020by College Coach
College Admissions Consulting

Demystifying Test Optional During COVID-19

cancelled letterboard

by Sara Calvert-Kubrom, former admissions officer at Lewis & Clark College

As we field calls from high school seniors and their parents, we have noticed that there is substantial confusion and uncertainty about what “test optional” is, and how to navigate the college admission process during this time of extensive SAT and ACT exam cancellations. Here are some tips and insights to demystify the landscape of standardized testing and college admission for this year’s seniors and to empower you to make informed decisions:

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September 29, 2020by Sara Calvert-Kubrom
College Entrance Exams

University of Michigan’s New Testing Policy: Unfair and Illogical

student biting pencil at desk

by Steve Brennan, former admissions officer at Occidental College

At Bright Horizons College Coach, we speak with hundreds of families every week about college admission. And every week, we try to put a stressed out family at ease by saying something like, “Don’t worry about the PSAT or PreACT – colleges will never see that score.” Or, “It’s true that the 11th grade PSAT can have implications for merit scholarship consideration, but no college admission officer will ever see it and use it for admission.”

In the too-often opaque admission process here was advice that didn’t start with, “Well, it depends…” or have multiple caveats. And? Families had one less thing to be anxious about. Anytime we can dial down the stress surrounding the college admission process for students and families, that’s definitely a win.

Enter the University of Michigan.

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July 21, 2020by Steve Brennan
College Entrance Exams

[Video] What Has Changed About Applying to University of California?

The University of California leaders had already been toying with the idea of going test optional when COVID caused them to hit the fast-forward button.

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June 18, 2020by College Coach
College Entrance Exams

COVID-19 Leads to More Test Optional Admission Policies

planning-4897792_1280

by Sally Ganga, former admissions officer at the University of Chicago

As I talk with high school juniors and their parents, it’s clear that one of their biggest concerns around the COVID-19 situation is standardized tests. With the March, May, and June SAT and April ACT test dates cancelled, students are hoping to test sometime in summer but are aware that even that may not be an option in every state. Such uncertainty is stressful, to put it mildly.

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April 21, 2020by Sally Ganga
College Admissions Consulting

Some Stress Relief from California: University of California Relaxes Admissions Requirements due to COVID-19

letters spelling out time for a change

In this complex time of high school and college closures, distance learning, standardized testing cancellations, financial upheaval, and great uncertainty, our team predicts that many colleges and universities will adjust their admission requirements for students applying to enroll in the fall of 2021. We anticipate that many colleges will become test optional (at least temporarily) and are keeping a close eye on changes to admissions practices and policies. Subscribe to the blog to stay in the know.

On April 1, the University of California, one of the largest university systems in the U.S., announced changes in their admissions requirements due to the disruption in schooling and standardized testing caused by COVID-19. The UC system is sensitive to the added stress on families right now, and decided on these temporary adjustments to alleviate college admission-related anxiety.  

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April 2, 2020by Sara Calvert-Kubrom
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The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts is where College Coach experts weigh in on the latest college admissions topics. We cover everything from application timelines and strategies to tips on financing your child's education.

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