As we witness 'freak' event after 'once in a century' event, it gets tougher to argue that we're not, in fact, watching the effects of climate change in real time. If we're going to meet the challenges of this new abnormal head on, schools are going to have to equip students with the tools and resources necessary to make an impact and build a more resilient future. 

Show of hands –who loves confusing jargon, vague definitions and misleading calculations? That’s what I thought. Consistency and transparency should be hallmarks of financial aid award letters. Sadly, most colleges don’t feel likewise.

Financial Aid Comparison Tool

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/guid/aid-offer/2023-24collfinanplantempugrad.pdf

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/05/1140807450/a-new-gao-report-takes-a-look-at-college-financial-aid-letters

In admissions offices across the country, early applications are now being read. In his book Who Gets In and Why, Jeff Selingo offers some behind closed doors reporting of what goes on. Let's discuss some of the highlights.

About to hit submit on some early applications? Let's cover what needs to be done to ensure they're in tip-top shape. And if a class is too difficult for some students, should that lead to a professor being fired?

Schools that allow self-reporting: https://www.compassprep.com/self-reporting-test-scores/

Tread lightly when it comes to putting your trust in any college ranking system that puts reputation over outcomes. Let your own set of metrics guide your search, one that prioritizes the criteria most important to you.

A number of selective and ultra-selective (highly rejective) colleges are filling a larger % of their incoming classes from the Early Decision round. It's a win win for the schools, but whether or not it makes sense for you and your family requires a solid understanding of the pathway.

ED vs. RD Admit Rates: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16PjHchBxB9RPZPbWydhllS6PK0QTbf7i_cedPIDiN2M/edit#gid=0

4 Points to Consider: https://www.collegematchpoint.com/college-matchpoint-blog/2017/7/is-early-decision-right-for-you-a-simplified-approach-to-a-complicated-question?rq=early

I have my mind on your money and your money on my mind. Let's talk best practices, data mining and the most helpful resources available.

https://studentaid.gov/aid-estimator/

https://myintuition.org/quick-college-cost-estimator/

https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/library/handbooks-manuals-or-guides/2021-08-25/2022-2023-expected-family-contribution-efc-formula-guide

That went fast, didn't it?  One day you're a junior and the next you're a rising senior. There are a few important action items you'll want to keep in mind as we roll into summer. From refining your list, to demonstrated interest, money matters to essay ideas, let's hit the essentials in this episode.

https://www.commonapp.org/blog/2022-2023-common-app-essay-prompts

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

There is no shortage of contributing factors to why so many students feel exhausted and disillusioned, but trying not to fixate on, say, how broken the college admissions system is can make that thought even more powerful. Control what you can control. Test prep and your college search process can offer agency and meaning. That's no small thing.

Just when you thought admit rates (at a certain tier of schools) couldn't drop any lower, this cycle proved that last year wasn't a black swan event. As long as test-optional policies stay in place, there's no reason to believe this isn't the new abnormal. Let's talk perspective, locus of control and The Smiths.