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Happy Labor Day, Prospective College Applicants! Now Get to Work!

Happy Labor Day! While some students wait for buses and learn new teachers' expectations, those applying to college should be focusing on completing their Common App and supplements. (We know unCommon students are progressing well!) For their parents, it's about cutting through the hype, staying off the internet, blocking out the mom groups and understanding the realities of the process. Let's dig in, starting with questions that are front of mind at the beginning of the school year. 


I have to pay that much for college? Seriously?

We saw it coming: college costs are approaching six figures. As reported on CNBC, some big brands, including Yale, Brown, NYU, WashU and Tufts, are already over $90,000 for 2024-25 and could hit the huge number next year. Relax (just a bit); most families don't pay the sticker price. But also understand that while elite colleges often fund 100 percent of need-based aid, merit aid might be limited at your student's top choices.Academically talented students may be awarded aid upon acceptance; some apply for special scholarships. At the same time, there are still great colleges that will try to snatch away a hot candidate by offering a financially pleasing deal. Let's discuss it while building your student's list!


How is AI changing the college experience?

The Chat is everywhere, and this college counselor is watching out for how AI will affect your students, both as applicants and then once they land at their colleges. When it comes to AI, how much is hype and what is the reality?



When Applying

Take a look at Boston University's AI policy for applicants:



"As an innovative, teaching and research institution, Boston University encourages the exploration of new technologies and recognizes the growing importance of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. However, the Board of Admissions believes that the most compelling personal statements are representative of the writer’s authentic voice–a nuance that generative AI tools have yet to achieve. If you opt to use these tools at any point while writing your essays, they should only be used to support your original ideas rather than to write your essays in their entirety.”


I have tried out various AI applications and am concerned about how soon they will mimic a student's authentic voice (see below). But for now, we'll continue to urge students to develop effective, individualized and authentic essays!



In Admissions

We've always known that an institution's concern once they admit students is about how many will actually attend, a concept known as yield. Carnegie Mellon University - no shock - is using AI to help address that question. According to Arci Insights, CMU is into analytics in a big way. "By analyzing thousands of data points—grades, extracurriculars, even social media activity—AI can predict not only who’s a good fit for the university but also who’s likely to say yes to that coveted acceptance letter. This helps schools tailor their outreach to students who are more likely to enroll, making the whole admissions process more efficient.”


On Campus

The Wall Street Journal recently reported on the "love-hate relationship with ChatGPT." The article singles out a Colorado State professor who states he can easily identify the tone of an AI-generated essay and doesn't allow them. Yet ASU's freshmen were asked to have AI generate an essay in their authentic voice. At Carnegie Mellon, a professor specifies how students are to cite AI use. A Columbia computer science professor "hands students an answer to a coding problem that was generated by AI and asks them to identify the errors in it. It serves the additional purpose, he said, of teaching students not to blindly trust the AI."


As the Journal points out, "The lack of AI detection tools is also forcing some universities to reimagine the way they test and assess learning." What about college writing centers, typically staffed by humans? EdSurge explains that access to generative AI is leading colleges to reconsider the role and staffing of such hubs, but the approaches and outlook are understandably inconsistent. The article quotes the president of the International Writing Centers Association as saying that “it's an important moment, and our role as leaders is to help provide resources for our colleagues so that we can be leaders in the conversation about generative AI.” Will universities be tempted to eliminate the centers altogether? Won't humans staffing such centers have to learn much more about the potential and pitfalls of AI before helping students?AI might be quick, it will take quite a while for policies to be fair and consistent. 

 

The $XX,XXX question: Will my student get an internship?

Recently, the Wall Street Journal decided to dig into this ever-popular question, reporting findings in In Demand: The Colleges Where Students Start Jobs Right Away. As all readers of this blog would expect, the mighty Northeastern got some major recognition, having partnerships with Google, Tesla, hospitals and others as part of its co-op learning. Northeastern's sticker price is now about $90,000, not exactly in line with he university's (old) reputation as a college for the upwardly mobile. According to the article, Northeastern students are getting their desired internships; 95 percent of them are employed within nine months of graduating. Interestingly, we learn that about one-third of students change their major as a result of their co-op experience, and in the end most are employed in their major - a rare feat!



While Northeastern reports a seven percent admit rate, it continues to acquire campuses, most recently in Northeastern - New York City, allowing it to spread accepted students around different locations. Last year, unCommon students did quite well with Northeastern Admissions, especially those willing to venture outside of Boston with the N.U.In program.


What about studying business (in Florida)?

In our meetings, the subject of how and where to study business comes up quite often. As we know, many elite institutions don't offer a business major, or they don't do it explicitly. Vanderbilt, an institution where aspiring investors often tap into the economics major, is pursuing a business-only campus - in Florida! As early as next month, according to The Palm Beach Post, the upscale city will donate acreage to Vanderbilt, hoping that a 300,000 square-foot business campus will "generate $7.1 billion in total local economic activity over the next 25 years." Vandy sees about 1,000 students studying business, AI and computer science at the new location, which will include an innovation hub. According to the article, the University of Florida scrapped plans to do something similar in West Palm two year ago, yet officials remain hopeful that the new venture with Vandy will materialize. 


Why can't test giants stop confusing my child?

We can't even kid around about nonprofit status, as College Board's rival ACTwill be operating as a "single, unified public benefit corporation" after its '"partnership" with Nexus Capital Management. In the wake of the revamped digital, adaptive SAT, which students applaud for its shorter length, ACT struck back. How? Beginning in 2025, students will also offer a shorter exam, though not adaptive, and students can even opt out of the Science section. My underclassmen and parents often have questions about which test to take and are approaching test-taking as if the tests are mandatory. I advise sophomores to use the PSAT as a barometer for the SAT and check with their school counselors about the timing of the PSAT (it should be in October) and whether their school is doing on-site testing. 


What's going on in the world (literally) of football?

Labor Day weekend marks the start of the college football season, though some teams got a jumpstart. Look at those Georgia powerhouses! First, Georgia Tech stunned rival FSU in the Aer Lingus Football Classic, which, not surprisingly, was held in Dublin. The Classic has been going on there for some time, but this year's broke records: over 25,000 international visitors and over 115 miilion Euro. Then on Saturday, the Georgia Dawgs overwhelmed Clemson, 34-3.Who requires test scores? Georgia Tech. Georgia and FSU!Southern colleges continue to appear on my students' lists, which I attribute to climate and admit rates, which soared while tests were optional. 





Suddenly, Next Summer

Here it is Labor Day weekend, and I just met with a student and parent about summer programming for 2025. Before paying big bucks for a summer experience, be sure to check who will teach the course(s), how selective they are and what benefits your student will receive. Do not assume that taking a college program will have anything to do with admissions to that particular college! They are ways of gaining revenue, often substantial, while the campus is otherwise not in use. 

 

The new school year, particularly the new application cycle, is a reality. That can be exciting but also anxiety-provoking. Lessen the stress; get in touch with questions or to set up a meeting.






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