COLLEGE NEWS

Whether may depend on weather: According to research, the feeling or impression that students get about enrolling in a particular college may be strongly influenced by weather conditions during a campus visit: students are 10% less likely to apply when their tour is hot and 8% less likely when precipitation occurs during their tour. Maybe just pack an umbrella?

Not just for Floridians: A measure to limit the nonresident undergraduate enrollment at Florida’s pre-eminent research universities from ~10% to 5% failed to pass. Those Yankee dreams of earning a degree in the Sunshine State are still alive, but finding a way to finagle a generous Bright Futures scholarship is still mostly out of reach.

Excellence older than the Aztecs: Oxford University has once again topped the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, beating out the most prestigious schools in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. This hallowed institution also ranks very high on unofficial lists for the most tortoises on campus!

Believe it or not, now is the time to plan for both spring and summer testing. If you’re not already working with someone, let me and my expert team at Chariot Learning help you make the most of the months ahead!

BIG IDEA

Did you know that Boston College saw a 30% increase in applications over two years following QB Doug Flutie’s renowned last-second touchdown pass in 1984? The famous face of Flutie Flakes was obviously only instrumental in one instance of irrational enrollment exuberance, but ever since then, the sudden surge colleges see after a major athletic victory has been called the Flutie Effect.

Is the Flutie Effect real? Nick Saban’s successful seasons certainly added allure to the University of Alabama. Another famous coach–Coach Prime–earned a namesake effect of his own: after Deion Sanders became the football coach at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), the Prime Effect elicited a record-breaking 68,000+ applications for the 2024 freshman class, a 20% increase over the previous year.

That said, most examples of the Flutie Effect center on college basketball:

• After their iconic 2007 Fiesta Bowl victory against Oklahoma, Boise State University saw an 18% increase in applications.

• Following their historic 2018 NCAA Tournament upset of #1 seed Virginia, University of Maryland, Baltimore County experienced an 18% increase in applications and significantly increased their student population, a major surge.

A team doesn’t have to win it all to give a college a glow-up from tournament success: George Mason University in 2006 and Florida Gulf Coast University AKA Dunk City in 2013 were smaller schools that experienced significant national visibility gains from big wins over higher seeded schools.

In the midst of March Madness, should smart applicants succumb to what some academics refer to as The Dynamic Advertising Effect of Collegiate Athletics? Of course not! Obviously many teens aspire to be lifelong fans of storied collegiate sports teams and feed off the exultant vibes of victory both on campus and forever after. But a long list of factors should be considered before imagining your future alma mater winning it all on a big stage:

1. Academic fit and rigor

2. Economic fit and scholarship opportunities

3. Specific majors and programs

4. Campus life and culture

5. School size and structure

6. Location and distance from home

7. Anticipated plans after graduation

These seven broad factors all matter more than how successful a school’s teams are in a couple of specific sports… unless you are on the team, of course. Don’t let March Madness induce a more lasting form of insanity in choosing a school based on basketball prowess. If your dream college happens to also go far in The Big Dance, all the better. But don’t fall for the Flutie Effect.

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. The only public university in the United States to have held classes and graduated students in the 18th century, starting in 1795.

2. The university’s very first student walked 170 miles to enroll and is still memorialized today.

3. Renowned as a top-tier public research university with premier programs in health sciences, business, and liberal arts

4. Legend has it that a drink from the lucky well on campus on the first day of classes will guarantee a student a 4.0 GPA for the semester.

5. The school’s recognizable color scheme was based on the representative colors of its two debating societies.

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Take steps to make your AP exams count.

🎓 Explore ways to manage and solve math anxiety.

🎓 Prepare constructive ways to handle college rejection.

🎓 Learn the (slim) odds of a high school athlete playing in college.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) just fired men's basketball coach Hubert Davis after another early exit in the NCAA tournament. Go Tar Heels?

COLLEGE NEWS

Borrow with care: While taking out student loans have long been seen as standard practice for college students, the other part of the financial contract–paying them back–has become more challenging and, apparently, rare. A million or so borrowers defaulted on their federal student loans in 2025, and nearly 10% of student loan balances are more than 90 days past due. Maybe the tradition of taking on six-figure debt for college should be reevaluated.

Earnings over education: The new trend in confusing college for career training has reached Indiana, which may be asking its public universities to cut programs deemed to produce “low earning” graduates. Here’s hoping Hoosiers enjoy engineering…

Bearcats are a bargain: U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Binghamton University the #3 best value public institution in the nation and the #1 best value public institution in New York State. Meanwhile, Seawolves are in shambles.

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BIG IDEA

The consensus among experts has long been that the summer after junior year presents the ideal time to work on college essays, mainly due to a brief respite from the intense grind of the academic year during 11th and the first half of 12th grade. That said, anyone looking to get a head start on the 2026–27 Common App essay prompts is in luck: Common App essay prompts will remain the same for 2026–2027.

Interestingly, Common App shared the popularity of each of the prompts in the last admissions cycle, even though insight into whether certain topics piqued admissions interest over others is regrettably lacking:

• Topic of your choice: 28%

• Facing adversity: 23%

• Personal growth: 20%

• Background, identify, interest, or talent: 18%

• Intellectual curiosity: 5%

• Gratitude: 3%

• Challenging an idea: 3%

All of these options may present a false choice. According to essay expert Susan Knoppow, the real Common App prompt is always, “What do you want readers to know about you beyond grades and test scores?” Always focus on revealing character traits and insights not already evident in other components of the application.

Excellent resources abound regarding how to write (or how not to write) an excellent application essay, so no one should enter into this exercise unprepared. But also be sure to put the essay in perspective and tackle it in its own time. Current juniors should use the spring season to mentally prepare themselves for both the preliminary ideation and actual writing of their college essay even while nailing down those grades, test scores, and extracurriculars that carry the weight of most admissions decisions.

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1850 as the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute

2. known for its distinctive 12-3 plan: 12-week traditional semesters followed by an immersive 3-week term for focused courses, travel study, or projects

3. Emphasizing close, personalized instruction with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio

4. Leverages a rural setting with a focus on field science with access to forests, streams, and research sites for environmental and biology studies

5. A U.S. President not only graduated from this school but also returned as a professor.

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Find out what makes a great college town.

🎓 Do the math on where your tutoring dollars should go.

🎓 Apply for “The Math Gift” scholarship for high school students.

🎓 Explore the benefits of the International Baccalaureate program.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Northeast Ohio’s Hiram College celebrates its most famous alum James A. Garfield by preparing students to be proactively engaged citizens at the The Garfield Center for Public Leadership. Go Terriers!

COLLEGE NEWS

Degree length debate: If four years sounds like too long to commit to education, Ensign College in Utah has you covered as the first U.S. institution to offer a three-year degree option for all its majors. Meanwhile, some community colleges in Iowa are now piloting a plan to offer four-year degrees. Has taking six years to graduate suddenly become unfashionable?

Faster work but less learning: The virtual horse has left the digital barn as far as students using AI is concerned, but the tradeoffs are still worth considering. A small study by Anthropic found that coders who used AI to complete a skills-oriented task participants worked a little more quickly but scored nearly two letter grades lower than those who coded by hand. Doesn’t bode well for corner-cutting college students…

U.S. abroad: While domestic policies complicate international students abroad, American schools are leaning back into international branch campuses and learning the hard way what it takes to succeed. So take hope–if you don’t get into NYU stateside, you may still have a shot at NYU Abu Dhabi!

Believe it or not, now is the last best chance for many juniors to work towards an amazing test score before summer. With APs, Spring Break, prom, and a ton of other distractions ahead, the March SAT and April ACT make the most sense for serious students. If you’re not already working with someone, let me and my expert team at Chariot Learning help you make the most of the months ahead!

BIG IDEA

In our last issue, we explored the myriad of professionals perfectly positioned to help applicants with one part or another of the college admissions process. Assistance with any aspect of academics, testing, extracurriculars, essay writing, college selection, scholarship search or anything else related to the college journey is out there, if you know where to look–or who to ask.

But what do you once you find a potential consultant, coach, or tutor?

The question matters more than you might think because you’ll invariably find many prospects for the same position, all of whom bring their own perspectives, policies, and value propositions. To find the right fit, ask the right questions:

WHO WILL I WORK WITH?

If you can work with experienced, well-trained, and professionally supervised consultants, coaches, or tutors with histories of success, you’ll have a head start towards your targets. Working with a founder is nice but not always necessary.

• Will I be working directly with you/the founder?

• How do you hire or assess staff?

• How are your staffers trained?

• What qualifications do you require/prioritize from staff?

• How do you determine who on your team works with my teen?

• Will I be working with an employee or independent contractor?

• How much experience do your staffers have, especially whomever I’ll be working with?

• What options are available if my child doesn’t connect or work well with the staffer?

• Do you assign different professionals for different subjects, tasks, or test sections?

WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE LIKE?

All things being equal, solo and smaller practices provide more accountability and consistency than large retail organizations, especially because the experience of the practice more directly reflects the experience of the professional you’ll be working with:

• For how many years have you or your organization been in this industry?

• What kind of results do your clients typically see?

• Do you or your organization belong to a national industry association?

• For how many years have you or your organization served this area? (if working with a local/regional practice)

• What sets you or your practice apart?

• Where can I find testimonials for you or your practice?

• Where can I find reviews for you or your practice?

WHAT ARE YOUR SERVICES LIKE?

Since every student has different needs, you should inquire about how broad and deep a provider’s services are:

• Do you offer individual instruction/service?

• Do you offer group instruction/service?

• Do you meet in-person, online, or both?

• Does your model focus more on direct instruction/guidance or self-directed work?

• Do you have resources and/or expertise for students with learning differences?

• How long are your average programs?

• Do you have a set curriculum/program?

• Does every student go through the same curriculum/program?

• To what extent and on what basis are programs customized or individualized?

• How or by whom have your curriculum/programs been developed?

• How often is your curriculum/programs revised and when was your last revision?

• What other materials/resources do you use or recommend?

WHAT IS YOUR PRICING STRUCTURE?

• How much do your services or programs cost?

• Do you require certain commitments or work session to session or à la carte?

• Are special packages available?

• Are discounts available and to whom?

• Do you offer any kind of guarantee? (A guarantee is often a bad sign.)

Important decisions deserve the time and effort required to make choices you can not only live with but feel good about both in the moment and many years later. Asking the right questions in advance can help you find the perfect fit professional for any milestone on the road to college.

What other questions do you find helpful in the search for quality service providers?

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. First opened its doors in 1964 but has grown to the ninth largest student body in its state

2. Built on a World War II training base for B-29 bomber crews

3. Recognized as a high-research (R1) university with a leading marine science research center known for deep-sea exploration

4. Instead of being confined to one campus, the school spans 110 miles of coastline.

5. Just committed to becoming the first university in its state to publicly host a large, dedicated quantum computer on site

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Apply to the 2026 Scholarship for Word Lovers.

🎓 Consider and cultivate overlooked test-taking skills.

🎓 Understand how to ask for a letter of recommendation.

🎓 Explore colleges in the US that are need-blind for international students.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Yes, it’s true–Florida Atlantic University will be installing an Advantage2 annealing quantum computer on the university’s Boca Raton campus later this year. Go Owls!

COLLEGE NEWS

FAFSA flood: The high school class of 2026 has completed a collective 1.6 million federal student aid applications for the 2026-27 school year as of Jan. 23–about 52% more than the class of 2025 by the same date. It’s too soon to determine whether this is attributed to the earlier FAFSA release date or maybe rampant economic panic.

Looking to the East: Looking for a college that ranks highly in terms of scientific impact, collaboration, gender diversity, and sheer number of scientific papers? According to the Leiden Ranking 2025, you’ll probably want to study in China, as only 4 of the top 20 schools are located in the Americas. Time to brush up on your Mandarin…

Handsome Dan discount: Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, Yale will offer free tuition to students whose families earn less than $200,000 a year and also cover all costs of attendance for families with incomes below $100,000. Just one catch: you have to get into Yale.

We are all judged on the words we use, especially when we take high-stakes exams that use vocabulary mastery as a leading indicator of reading acumen. The free Roots2Words Word of the Day is just the beginning of learning to unlock the English language word by word and root by root. PRO TIP: Parents can also subscribe to randomly test their teens on the latest words!

BIG IDEA

My friend, colleague, and expert IEC Jodi Rosenshein Atkin recently recorded a Tests and the Rest podcast conversation about when a college consultant is needed, and the general consensus was that turning to a trusted professional to help with complex processes usually helps. Obviously, the road to college requires a lot of personal introspection and prioritization, which is to say that nobody can tell a teen what they should plan to do with the rest of their life. But while parents and students engage in the heavy emotional lifts, maybe letting someone else keep the machinery of myriad application tasks moving forward is a good idea. That assumes, of course, that you know what kind of professional you need and how to evaluate them.

What kind of professional do you need with the college process?

Most college-bound students already have school teachers and counselors helping with at least some aspects of the application process. However, while some school counselors do have the opportunity and resources to actively support students through every step of choosing and applying to schools, most counselors have far too many other competing responsibilities on their over-full plates. By the same token, just because a school offers a small test prep program or access to some online resources doesn’t mean that students are going to hit their score goals.

Consider all the different components of a competitive college application. Every one, no matter how specific, has an associated professional completely dedicated to its successful completion:

ACADEMICS

• Subject tutors

• Test prep tutors

• Executive function coaches

• Learning specialists

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

• Specialized sports coaches

• Club league coaches

• Athletic recruiting consultants

• NCAA eligibility advisors

COLLEGE APPLICATION & ADVISING

• Independent educational consultants (IECs)

• Specialized consultants (e.g, music, military service academies)

• College essay coaches

• Major and career consultants

• Specialized program advisors (e.g., pre-med, pre-law)

• College match specialists

• Gap Year consultants

• Portfolio review consultants

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIP

• Financial aid advisors

• College financial planners

• FAFSA consultants

• CSS Profile advisors

• Scholarship consultants

This basic list doesn’t even include all the high school, college, and community-based resources different students may draw on. And while many of the functions seem similar, they often diverge substantially in ways that are not apparent from the outside. For example, not every math subject tutor is the right choice for test prep, and vice versa. IECs who love helping students find their ideal fit schools are not always equally excited by the process of crafting a compelling college essay. Even within particular roles, many professionals niche down even deeper to help families with very specific goals, needs, or circumstances.

So, the first step in getting help with the college admissions process is recognizing how many options are available. The second step, which we’ll cover in the next newsletter, is to ask the right questions to find the professional that you can trust and rely on.

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1888 after a prominent politician bequeathed his estate to create a public agricultural and mechanical college

2. Started as an all-male military school and required military training for all students until 1955, at which point the school became co-ed

3. Known for its 37/43 rule, a residency requirement stating that students must complete a minimum of 37 of their final 43 credit hours at the school to graduate

4. A popular lake adjacent to campus was created in the 1950s as part of a massive federal flood-control project

5. Before every home football game, players rub a rock and run down a hill!

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Take a free third-party practice SAT.

🎓 Dive into free FAFSA resources at NCAN.

🎓 Understand the good and bad about the Classic Learning Test.

🎓 Apply to the Four-Year Full-Tuition Cameron Impact Scholarship (plus the Math Gift Scholarship if applicable).

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Clemson University has been in the news recently for some not-so-hot reasons, namely a measles outbreak on campus. Go Tigers?

COLLEGE NEWS

Is college admissions declining? As of this year, not at all. According to National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, Fall 2025 enrollment reached pre-pandemic levels, with 19.4 million students enrolled nationwide. Surprisingly, international undergraduate admissions increased, though grad enrollment did go down. Now all eyes turn to 2026…

Is college worthwhile? Alas, five quick questions cannot answer all of life’s confusing questions, but this interactive Washington Post quiz asking Is College Worth It? shares lots of facts about ROI in a fun way. No extra credit though.

North Texas Promise: Beginning in Fall 2026, the University of North Texas (UNT) will guarantee that qualifying first-time freshmen—Texas residents graduating from Texas high schools with a total family income of $100,000 or less—pursuing their first bachelor’s degree can attend UNT tuition-free for up to four years. One more catch: you have to attend University of North Texas.

PRESENTED BY CHARIOT LEARNING

If you are in the Rochester, NY area and looking for highly effective in-person SAT prep classes, you are in luck! Chariot Learning is offering several SAT/ACT Boot Camps at local schools and a rare Extended SAT Class at Allendale Columbia that is open to all students. Don’t miss out—check the Chariot Learning calendar for details.

BIG IDEA

The dramatic digital SAT revision in 2023 changed more than just content and question types. The Bluebook app designed for test delivery represented a massive transformation in how test takers accessed everything College Board had to offer. When I spoke last year with Vice President of SAT Suite Program Maureen Forman to review the first year of a domestic digital SAT, she shared insights into the thoughtful planning that determined both the contours of Bluebook at the time and how it might grow in the future. Since then, we’ve seen new tests, new practice material, and tweaks to testing accommodations. Now, the new year is bringing new changes to Bluebook.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Anyone preparing for the SAT or helping test takers prep gets excited at the prospect of new test content, so get psyched: College Board will be releasing a new full-length digital SAT in February 2026. Huzzah!

TESTING CHANGES

Expect a variety of changes meant to improve test security in place by the date of the March SAT:

• Smart glasses will be prohibited during testing.

• Minimum operating system requirements have increased across the board. Windows 10 will be supported during Spring testing, but Fall 2026 test takers will need Windows 11.

• Students on school-provided Chromebooks will need verified mode enabled.

• College Board released a new SAT Test Coordinator Manual for the Spring 2026 testing window—perfect for a little light reading.

Unless you’re a test site administrator, you’re probably most affected by the addition of a new practice SAT, a welcome opportunity for students who have already taken the existing seven practice tests. But maybe SAT Santa didn’t bring you everything you want this time… what addition or alteration would you like to see in the next update?

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1820 as the State Seminary, this is one of the oldest public universities in the United States.

2. The school is known for its exceptional music programs and has facilities comparable to major opera houses.

3. Boasts the nation’s largest living alumni network with over 805,000 alums

4. Recognized as an R1 research institution and a pioneer in the field of informatics and computer science

5. The most well-known (or infamous) research institute dedicated to the study of human sexuality and relationships can be found on campus.

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Apply to a slew of scholarships.

🎓 Make sure you know what a conjunction is.

🎓 Explore how to find best fit colleges in 2026.

🎓 Learn the power of the Letter of Continued Interest.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

You may have heard that Indiana University just won the College Football National Championship, making them the newest first-time champion since the 1996 Florida Gators. Go Hoosiers!

COLLEGE NEWS

Maybe major matters: According to a December 2025 study in Journal of the American Philosophical Association, studying philosophy makes people better thinkers. Specifically, philosophy majors rank higher than all other majors on verbal and logical reasoning. Data regarding average salary after graduation were notably absent from this study.

Is your teen really attending class? Artificial intelligenceI has now become so sophisticated that an AI model can be enrolled anonymously as a real student in a graduate level course, excel in all the work, and earn a grade near the top of the class. But does it have to pay full tuition?

A true student-athlete degree: Considering how demanding participation in college sports can be, many students struggle to balance academic and athletic commitments. SVU to the rescue: Southern Virginia University now offers a bachelor’s degree program in sport performance that emphasizes reflective participation in competitive sports. Whatever happened to basket weaving as a major for athletes?

The Tests and the Rest podcast—rated one of the top ranked college admissions podcasts—just celebrated its 700th episode. If you’re looking for engaging expert answers on all your questions about testing, learning, admissions, and education, you’re almost certain to find them in the Tests and the Rest archives or the next 700 episodes. Tune in now!

BIG IDEA

If you follow higher ed commentary to any extent, you’ve already noticed that test scores are back on the menu. Not that the Ivy Leagues are representative of the broader array of U.S. colleges and universities, but most of them require SAT/ACT scores now (Harvard, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, and Yale) or soon (Princeton is reinstating score requirements for the 2027 cycle); only Columbia remains permanently test-optional for now.

Which three popular schools will definitely require test scores from applicants in the 2026-27 cycle?

1. Johns Hopkins University
   Johns Hopkins University will resume requiring ACT or SAT scores for undergraduate admissions to the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering, starting with applicants seeking entry for the fall 2026 semester.

2. The Ohio State University
   The Ohio State University announced the reinstatement of the ACT/SAT test requirement for all new first-year undergraduate applicants to the Columbus campus in the 2026 admissions cycle and beyond.

3. The University of Miami
   The University of Miami will require prospective students to include standardized test scores as part of their undergraduate admissions application beginning with the Fall 2026 semester.

Which three popular schools might require test scores from applicants in the 2026-27 cycle?

When colleges announce short-term, clearly defined extension windows for policies, they signal the potential for swift change. Three notable schools specified test-optional admissions for the 2025-26 cycle only:

1. Duke University

2. Northwestern University

3. New York University (NYU)

Note that NYU is a special case that has historically adopted a test-flexible policy that permits the provision of AP, IB, or other scores in place of an SAT or ACT requirement.

Of course, changing the wording of a testing policy might not provide sufficient clarity into the weight those scores carry in an application. Many test-optional schools value scores so highly that submitters see a large advantage in acceptance decisions. In fact, the only certainty in 2026 is that plenty of schools will continue to keep us guessing!

What other schools do you predict will require test scores for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle?

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1851, it is the oldest institution of higher education still on its original site in its state.

2. The campus incorporates Mission Santa Clara de Asís, a Spanish Franciscan mission built before the school existed.

3. The school awarded the first bachelor’s degree and first graduate degree in its state.

4. Home to the de Saisset Museum, founded in 1955 and free to the public, with a collection of nearly 10,000 pieces of art and historical artifacts.

5. Students can look forward to nearly 300 days of sunshine a year! 🌞

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Master the Top 15 SAT Words of 2025.

🎓 Explore underrated engineering colleges.

🎓 Understand your options for saving for college.

🎓 Celebrate and integrate 12 Days of Time Management for Teens.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA just received a $10 million grant for its Jesuit School of Theology, a fitting tribute to the school’s Jesuit founders. Go Broncos!

COLLEGE NEWS

The FAFSA is ready: The 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is available now at fafsa.gov. While most states allow plenty of time to lay bare your assets, some want immediate action (sorry, Washington staters) so get cracking.

One enrollment cliff has arrived: While institutions of higher education are bracing themselves for a demographic decline in domestic applicants, The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey found that the U.S and Canada both experienced declines in international enrollment. This shift can’t be chalked up to demographics, as schools in Europe and Asia saw increases. Instead, the problems are primarily policy based.

Arms-free in Oregon: After sustained student pressure, the Lewis & Clark College board of trustees approved amendments to its environmental, social and governance investment policy, including a provision explicitly stating the college “shall not directly own any securities publicly issued by weapons manufacturers.” Now how do students feel about crypto?

PRESENTED BY CHARIOT LEARNING

Is 2026 really right around the corner? If you don’t already have a plan for acing the SAT or ACT this winter, speak to someone who does. Contact us to schedule a free consult about what your next best step might be. 💯

BIG IDEA

In May 2020, with the nation rocked by the rise of COVID-19, the regents of the University of California system famously voted to phase out SAT and ACT scores as a requirement for admission—over the unanimous vote of faculty to keep test scores as part of the holistic admissions process. Since then, UC has been waving the banner of test-blind admissions, promoting a form of blindness so selective that it only obscures two tests.

How is that working out? UC San Diego assembled a Senate–Administration Working Group on Admissions to explore that very question, specifically in the context of college readiness among incoming students. The results, particularly in terms of math readiness, weren’t pretty:

The full report, though dense, is worth reading for educators, but the relevant recommendations from AVC of Enrollment Management James Rawlins are easier to understand:

The majority of the workgroup recommends that our representative on the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) should advocate for a systemwide reexamination of the possible return to standardized testing, following the lead of some other institutions that have recently reinstated such measures. This recommendation follows directly from the findings in this report that high school math grades are only very weakly linked to students’ actual math preparation. In fact, for more than two decades the Mathematics Department has found that out of all available student data, the single best predictor for math placement has been the SAT (math section) score, with the ACT score being an equally good predictor. The Math department still uses these scores as the best predictor for math placement if the student provides this data after they are admitted…

Although many other universities also dropped their standardized testing requirement at about the same time as UC, with the onset of the COVID pandemic, several peer universities have now reinstituted the use of standardized tests for admissions. These universities have found that high school GPA on its own is inadequate for admissions. For example, MIT reproduced the analysis of the UC STTF report and found that at MIT standardized tests provided much needed additional information beyond high school transcripts.

What will University of California do to assess college readiness and ensure that students are ready for higher education? The 2020 vote to ignore SAT and ACT scores came with a claim to create a new assessment test, but UC abandoned that position by 2021, after an internal report stated that neither creating a new test nor using an existing assessment 11th graders have to take already would be feasible. But today, the consequences for making widescale admissions decisions across one of the largest public university systems in the U.S. without objective college readiness data are becoming glaringly obvious. The question is whether an administrative body with an ideological aversion to standardized testing will do anything about it.

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded by an abolitionist in 1855, the school was the first interracial and coeducational college in the American South.

2. Famous for being a “work college” where students engage in 10-15 hours per week of work study rather than pay tuition

3. The campus is carbon-neutral, known for many advances such as the “greenest” residence hall in the world.

4. Tightly connected to serving academically promising students from Appalachia and the U.S. South, with a focus on economic mobility and social justice

5. Has a long history of crafts, including woodcraft, weaving, broomcraft, and ceramics

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Check out the newly released 2026-26 ACT dates.

🎓 Consider the best & worst extracurriculars for high schoolers.

🎓 Learn all about The Hidden Curriculum successful students master.

🎓 Browse the Washington Monthly’s 2025 College Guide and Rankings

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Barrea College is a unique Appalachian liberal arts college known for its progressive legacy, commitment to service, and tuition-free promise. Interestingly, the school has two mascots: the historical Mountaineer and the more recent official mascot, Blue the Bear. Go Mountaineers?

COLLEGE NEWS

Two-years are to die for: While overall undergraduate enrollment is up 2.4% so far this year, community colleges are carrying the day with a 4% increase. Experts credit the rise to certificate offerings and trade majors but seem to be ignoring the charms of continuing to live in your old bedroom.

Don’t read and you’ll weep: Much has been made of declining NAEP scores, but only Stanford researchers are bold enough to claim that restoring student achievement to 2013 levels would raise the lifetime earnings of today’s average student by an estimated 8%. Apparently, reading is not just fundamental but also fiscally sound.

Princeton goes test required: Columbia must be feeling pretty lonely as the last test optional Ivy League institution, now that Princeton University declared a return to requiring standardized testing for undergraduate admission beginning with the 2027-28 admission cycle. Go get ‘em, tiger!

PRESENTED BY CHARIOT LEARNING

PSAT scores are in… now what? If you don’t fully understand the implications of the admittedly information-light PSAT score report, speak to someone who does. Contact us to schedule a free consult about what your student’s score means and what your next best step might be.

BIG IDEA

True education extracts a high cost in terms of time, effort, and money--lots and lots of money when we look at higher education. At least that’s what the public perception is. What do the numbers say, though?

I recently attended a thorough analysis of trends in higher education at the College Board Forum 2025 that provided clarity and context to the meticulous annual report College Board publishes. A few clear points stood out.

First and foremost, tuition and fees have increased from 2.7% (public two-year in district) to 4% (private nonprofit four-year) over last year’s rates. Did you know that prices have gone up and down over time with a very noticeable drop after 2021-22?

Tuition and fees are rising again. Public four-year schools are back to 2010-11 rates, and private four-years have made further progress toward their 2010-11 peak charges

Despite the rising graph, net prices (what students actually pay after scholarships and grants) seem to be stable or declining. According to the report, the average net tuition and fees paid by first-time full-time students enrolled in private nonprofit four-year institutions declined from $19,810 (in 2025 dollars) in 2006-07 to an estimated $16,910 in 2025-26.

This drop in net income must be attributed to factors beyond spending power, as average income increased by 58% for the top quintile of families and by 33% for the lowest quintile of families, after adjusting for inflation:

So the overall outlook for students applying to private nonprofit four-year schools seems to be slightly rising published cost of attendance but falling net cost of attendance. At least that’s the way the lines are trending. Future applicants undoubtedly hope for what college administrators fear–that the looming enrollment cliff will shift further leverage back to the buyer side. Stay tuned!

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in the 1960s, the school has grown to serve over 20,000 students—becoming one of the largest and most dynamic public universities in the Midwest.

2. Regularly ranked as a top-producing institution for study abroad among master’s-level universities, with programs in over 60 countries and a strong focus on global citizenship

3. A national leader in sustainability with over 25 LEED-certified buildings, eco-friendly operations, and green infrastructure—plus an active student Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) farm

4. With over 10,000 pieces, the school has one of the largest university art collections in its state.

5. Represented with gusto by anchor-toting mascot Louie the Laker

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Learn important grammatical terms.

🎓 Stop conforming to a debunked learning style.

🎓 Explore some uncommon college intramural sports.

🎓 Find out why you might want to be ready for a transfer.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a fast-growing public university in Michigan known for its beautiful campuses, strong academics, and high-energy Laker pride. Anchor up, Lakers!

COLLEGE NEWS

Early Decision Implications: While Early Decision isn’t necessarily legally binding, the consequences of backing out aren’t always clear. Tulane may not have been able to penalize an applicant for flouting the rules, so the school punished the student’s high school instead.

Not The List You Want To Be On: The average underemployment rate for new college graduates is 38.3%, but employers clearly favor certain fields of study over others. If you dare, check to see if your major appears on the list of The Most Underemployed College Degrees in America. Apparently, there is no justice for Criminal Justice majors.

Education And Economic Success: Mark Zupan, President of Alfred University, has been a staunch defender of colleges and education. Not only is Zupan a strong proponent of knowledge work as a path to economic prosperity, but he recently penned an op-ed on the value of openness in enriching nations. Thank you for the reminder that what makes colleges great translates to society as a whole.

We are all judged on the words we use, especially when we take high-stakes exams that use vocabulary mastery as a leading indicator of reading acumen. The free Roots2Words Word of the Day is just the beginning of learning to unlock the English language word by word and root by root. Plus, this week celebrates Halloween with some truly wicked words!

BIG IDEA

One of the fundamental tenets of test prep is that the most valuable tests are the ones you can learn from. Yet, an official ACT score report alone does not provide much in the way of feedback. Far better are those administrations that permit test takers to order everything they need to analyze what happened on test day:

—Which questions did you get right?
—Which questions did you get wrong… and WHY?

ACT offers the ACT My Answer Key (MAK) service for specific national test dates. This service used to be called Test Information Release. Students who order MAK don’t just receive the correct answers and list of their own answers, but also a digital copy of the actual test booklet. Note that they do not receive their actual test booklet, but rather a clean copy.

You can order a Test Information Release during the registration process or during the three-month period after your test date. Of course, you’ll pay an extra fee, currently $34 if the order is placed before the test begins or $42 if ordering after the test.

Regrettably, My Answer Key is only an option for tests taken on October, April, and June national test dates, at least during the 2025-26 school year. This means that many students find themselves unable to take advantage of this valuable service.

What exactly does “national test dates” mean?

The My Answer Key option is only available for tests administered in the United States on the official Saturday test date administered during specific months in a given year.

What if I test on a day other than Saturday?

The Test Information Release service is only available for Non-Saturday National Testing in April.

When will I receive my Test Information Release materials?

Expect digital ACT My Answer Key materials to be provided a few weeks after your score release, so maybe 4-8 weeks after the test. Do not expect to receive them before the registration deadline or in time to study for the next test date.

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1870, this school is one of the oldest technological universities in America.

2. The school’s founders were pioneers in engineering and innovation, inventing everything from the first steam-powered ferry to early railroads and harbor defenses.

3. Awarded the nation’s first undergraduate mechanical engineering degree

4. Consistently ranks among the top STEM schools in the country, especially for engineering, AI, cybersecurity, and data science.

5. Current motto is “Inspired by Humanity, Powered by Technology,” but used to be “Per Aspera Ad Astra,” which means ‘through hardship to the stars’

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Learn important grammatical terms.

🎓 Remember 5 questions to ask students when you visit colleges.

🎓 Find out which colleges allow self-reporting of SAT and ACT scores

🎓 See if you qualify for the nationwide need-based merit Hagan Scholarship

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Stevens Institute of Technology recently announced The Stevens Investment, a plan to offer full tuition coverage to certain students whose families earn $75,000 per year or less. If that isn’t cool enough, the school’s mascot is Attila the Duck. Go Ducks!

COLLEGE NEWS

No reset like a tuition reset: While the the national discount rate for first-time, full-time undergraduates at private colleges recently rose to over 56%, many applicants are still intimidated by high sticker prices. That’s why schools like Whitworth University have been resetting–AKA slashing by half–their costs of attendance. We can only hope more schools feel ready for a reset.

International admission overhype? One U.S. political party has been relentlessly attacking both students from abroad seeking American higher education and the institutions that admit them. But are international students crowding local kids out of college? The data suggest otherwise.

To virtue, knowledge for free: Smith College announced The Next 150 Pledge: free tuition for families earning less than $150k. For all other families that qualify for aid, Smith will meet need with no loans. There’s just one catch: you have to get into Smith. ;)

🏆 December SAT & ACT dates are approaching quickly! If you’re not already working with a prep expert, prep with me and my team at Chariot Learning!

BIG IDEA

High school graduates more concerned about economics than education tend to favor options that lead to more immediate payoffs ranging from trade school or apprenticeship to military service to just entering the work force. Those who instead enter higher ed may be cash-negative for a while and maybe even incur substantial (or crippling) debt but ultimately outstrip their peers in terms of lifetime earnings. In most instances, though, high schoolers fully expect to enter professional life sooner or later.

Are they ready, though?

Maybe not, or at least that’s the gist of the new report, The New Hire Readiness Report 2025: Insights from Hiring Managers on Entry-Level Workforce Preparedness. This joint study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and College Board surveyed 500 hiring managers nationwide, most of whom have low regard for the work readiness of current high school graduates:

• Four in five (84%) surveyed hiring managers agree that most high school students are not prepared to enter the workforce.

• A strong majority (80%) agree that current high school graduates are less prepared to enter the workforce compared to previous generations.

• These hiring managers cite trade schools (40%) and 4-year colleges (37%) as ways to acquire early-career skills.

• The vast majority (92%) said there should be more business courses in high school.

The last point certainly explains College Board’s participation in this study, considering the recent announcement of the new AP Career Kickstart program featuring offerings in AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity.

That said, this report may not provide as much incentive for students to adopt these new AP courses as College Board thinks. Generally, AP courses are taken by college-bound students, whereas those planning to stream right into the workforce focus on more practical vocational-technical programs.

Also, the interviewed hiring managers also promoted soft-skills such as critical thinking and communication (which should be on the informal syllabus at any high school) and real-world experience (which is tough to earn when in class). But insights like these–as thin as they are–can help inform ways for faculty and staff to better support the inevitable entrance of their graduates into the work world. Just don’t give up on the education part in favor of job training!

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1867 under the Morrill Act to provide agricultural and mechanical education

2. This R1 research institution leads in fields like energy, neuroscience, and forensics

3. The school’s Health Sciences Center plays a vital role in delivering care to rural communities across its state.

4. Home to one of the only Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems in the U.S.—a fully automated mini-monorail that connects different parts of campus on-demand.

5. The school’s buckskin-clad mascot carries a real rifle that fires blanks at games.

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Understand why you should fill out the FAFSA.

🎓 Look at which schools slight the Common Data Set.

🎓 Learn how to complete the Education section of the Common App.

🎓 Consider how parents can support rather than derail the admissions process.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Kicking things off with the WVU rallying cry of “Let’s Go!” the president of West Virginia University recently delivered the school’s first State of the University address. Go, Mountaineers!

COLLEGE NEWS

Alas, poor local, regional colleges: Large, selective colleges enroll the greatest share of international students, but early data shows they’re not the institutions suffering enrollment drops so far.

Is anyone still reading? The latest NAEP scores show the percentage of students at the Advanced achievement level in reading has fallen from 2019, even among students from middle class or higher backgrounds. So much for passing on generational wealth of knowledge.

Education for citizenship for free: Ohio State University announced that in-state students who meet certain criteria–including but not limited to perfect test scores–will attend tuition-free. There’s just one catch: you have to live in Ohio ;)

🧮 ACT Test takers: If you’re not already a calculator pro, Mastering the TI-84 CE Plus Calculator on the ACT will add points to your performance.

BIG IDEA

The tale of test optional admissions has become an ongoing saga (or maybe soap opera) that draws new viewers in every season. Over the last year or two, colleges have come around to the idea that college admission exams actually help improve college admissions decisions. However, the extent to which test optional admissions policies apply at individual schools remains a choose-your-own-adventure exercise. What broad trends might help applicants assess where test scores might be required, recommended, or redundant?

Brooke Hanson at SupertutorTV recently updated The Truth About Test-Optional Admissions based on data from the 2024-25 admissions cycle. This analysis sorts the top 100 National Universities in the U.S. News and World Report rankings along with an additional 13 top-ranked Liberal Arts Colleges based on percentage of Fall 2024 enrolled students submitting SAT or ACT scores. The numbers broke out as follows:

• Test-Required: 22 schools (10 of the top 20)

• Test-Preferred: 19 schools

• Slight Test Advantage: 14 schools

• Test-Agnostic: 11 schools

• Truly Test-Optional: 37 schools

• Test-Blind: 10 schools (9 in California)

Adding extra liberal arts institutions may skew the degree of test optionality that applicants to highly selective schools might encounter at their target schools, but the numbers accurately depict how wide the range of score requirements still are. Hanson takes pains to point out that 50% of the top 20 colleges are now test-required and that only about 35% of schools in the top 100 are truly test-optional. That said, this saga still continues to unfold as we await the data for the most recent wave of college freshmen.

Stay tuned… but also do your best to bring strong test scores to your applications until you hear otherwise!

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1898 as St. Vincent’s College but rechartered in 1907

2. Home to one of the 10 oldest business schools in the U.S.

3. Currently the largest Catholic university in the country and historically the first in the nation to admit women

4. Nationally ranked in game design and animation but especially known for theatre with a unique BFA in Costume Technology

5. The school’s colorful mascot goes by the name DIBS, which is an explanatory acronym.

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Master test math formula flashcards.

🎓 Understand what is meant by the rigged college game.

🎓 Find out if 529 funds can be used for tutoring and test prep.

🎓 Learn what coaches really mean during the recruitment process.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

DePaul University’s diabolical mascot goes by the cheeky handle DIBS, which stands for Demon in a Blue Suit. Go Blue Demons!

COLLEGE NEWS

Income influences educational outcomes: The latest High School Benchmarks report from National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reveals that students graduating from high-poverty high schools experience lower enrollment, first-year persistence, and graduation rates than peers from low-poverty high schools. In other words, the poor get poorer…

College convergence in Charlotte: Elon University with Queens University of Charlotte announced an intent to merge, in which Elon would operate Queens in partnership with existing and legacy leaders starting in fall of 2026. Is this the future of higher ed?

Peace and light for free: Tufts University announced that U.S. undergraduate students whose families make less than $150,000 a year will attend tuition-free, beginning in the fall of 2026. There’s just one catch: you have to get into Tufts ;)

I’m moderating an exciting free webinar this month: Scholarships & Majors: How College Major Clarity Unlocks More College Aid. Join us on September 30 at 7:30pm EDT to learn practical tips from scholarship strategist Dave Peterson and master career coach Lisa Marker-Robbins PLUS one real scholarship example for each of the six most popular majors! Register here.

BIG IDEA

In the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, roughly 1.4 million applicants submitted applications using the Common App. This impressive number of higher ed aspirants doesn’t even include those who applied to four- and two-year schools in other ways. There’s no doubt that a huge percentage of young adults see college as the most obvious or attractive next step towards their life goals.

The main question every applicant should ask is, “Why apply?”

Tons of reasons are trotted out to explain why students should pursue higher education, the most compelling of which is usually economic: on average, college graduates make more money than high school graduates:

But job training hardly explains the passion teens–and, by proxy, their parents–pour into every aspect of college admissions or the pride alums feel for their former schools. Reasons to attend college usually transcend mere economic incentives. From all the specific motivations, at least four major trends emerge:

1. CREDENTIAL

This is most clearly career-centered reason to apply to college–to earn a degree or certificate that opens doors to career opportunities or higher degrees. For some applicants, the name of the school carries more weight than the degree.

2. EDUCATION

Believe it or not, some students apply to college because they want to learn more or at least learn what they want to learn more about. This motivation has more to do with the academic process than the credential at the end.

3. EXPERIENCE

Many applicants prioritize culture, community, sports teams, and other accoutrements of college life over what they’ll be studying. This reason motivates far too many high schoolers, who are undoubtedly transfixed by the premise of college as “the best four (or more) years” of their lives.

4. NETWORK

The power of certain alumni or fraternity/sorority networks to facilitate future success cannot be overstated. Students with strong regional, national, or global ambitions seek strong personal connections that will last a lifetime.

Ultimately, every applicant applies for different conscious or unconscious reasons, but clarity at the outset can help improve fit and future success. Any time is the perfect time for a current or future college applicant to think about their true motivations, but September 19–WhyApply Day– is particularly auspicious.

#WhyApply (to college) Day is sponsored by the American College Application Campaign, an initiative of ACT’s Center for Impact and Learning. On Friday, September 19, 2025, ACAC encourages college students and graduates to wear your college gear and share why students should apply to college and/or why they applied to college on their favorite social media platforms, using the hashtag #WhyApply.

What makes the concept of WhyApply Day powerful? Everyone has a different reason to apply to college, which should inform how, when, and to where to apply. The more you understand your personal motivations, the more likely you’ll land at the right school and accomplish your goals.

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1913 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame

2. Home to one of the oldest fashion design programs in the country as well as a unique historic fashion archive with garments dating back to the 1700s

3. Known for strong programs in occupational therapy, dietetics, biology, and counseling and a strong focus on serving first-generation college students and underrepresented groups.

4. One of the only schools in its state to be to be designated by the federal government as a Hispanic-Serving Institution

5. Single-gendered at the undergraduate level, but its graduate programs are coeducational

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Explore the 15 Safest Colleges in America.

🎓 Learn about the schools that allow pets to live in dorms.

🎓 Consider how to use extracurriculars to really stand out.

🎓 Understand what intentionality on the road to college means.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Kudos to the all-girls Mount Mary University and all the other Wisconsin schools determined to keep supporting underrepresented students despite federal funding cuts. Go Blue Angels!

COLLEGE NEWS

SWAT’s going on at colleges? At least 16 colleges across the U.S have been the targets of swatting hoaxes over the last two weeks. Any motive beyond sheer chaos is unknown, and there may be more to come: the group allegedly behind the crank calls suggests at least two more months of pointless, potentially dangerous disruption.

So there’s still a chance? Is even the start of a new semester too late to accept students off the waitlist? Not if you are an ultraselective school: elite colleges have been sending out acceptance letters throughout the summer to fill vacant seats. Who’s selective now?

So long, Siena Heights: Siena Heights University in Michigan announced that, due to financial and operational challenges, the 105-year old private Catholic school will close at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 academic year. The university plans to facilitate student transitions to regional partner institutions.

We are all judged on the words we use, especially when we take high-stakes exams that use vocabulary mastery as a leading indicator of reading acumen. The free Roots2Words Word of the Day is just the beginning of learning to unlock the English language word by word and root by root. Encourage the test takers, language learners, and word lovers in your life to subscribe today. Then do the same yourself!

BIG IDEA

Now that Labor Day has passed, summer is unofficially over and school is back in session just about everywhere. As children mourn and adults celebrate the new rhythms of their lives, we should all take a moment to think about how best to handle the business of going to school.

This is to say that most children go to school because they have to. While being taught reading, writing, and 'rithmetic, most students learn hard lessons about showing up, shutting up, and forcing themselves to try to master topics they don't much care about. Some inquisitive minds love to drink at the font of knowledge, while other more orderly types appreciate the predictable structure of an academic environment. Most students, however, attend school because they must, not because they want to.

What happens when these students--dutiful and passive in regards to their educations--attend college?

Most parents imagine a magical switch flips during the college application process, where indifferent students suddenly become passionate scholars ready to actively take charge of their calendars and commitments. Alas, in the way that magical thinking is rarely redeemed by reality, an alarming number of college students struggle with the independence and agency higher education demands--some despondently drop out, others restlessly change majors, and still others passively persist to earn degrees without any idea about where their new learning will take them.

In other words, intrinsic interest in learning is one of the most essential ingredients in college success.

Thus, as a new school year begins, think about the college-bound students in your life. If they aren't self-directed agents of their own educations, help them grow in that direction. Self-directed learners have answers to the following questions:

• What interests me?

• What do I want to learn more about?

• What problems do I want to help solve?

Even more than what they are good at, what students care about informs their attention and inquiry. This year, above and beyond the subjects they are taking, make sure your college-bound students learn what they want to learn and why!

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Do you think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1858 as an Agricultural College and Model Farm

2. As the first state university to admit both men and women on an equal basis, the school’s inaugural class included 136 men and 37 women.

3. Distinguished in the fields of science, engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine, this school was the site of many notable inventions, including the first binary computer, the round hay baler, and the first trampoline!

4. Boasts the largest public art collection in the United States

5. Becoming an official member of the student body is said to require being kissed as a particular bell tower tolls midnight.

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Learn what to read to write a great college essay.

🎓 Understand the implications of the Yerkes–Dodson law.

🎓 Add all the 2025-26 ACT Score Release Dates to your calendar.

🎓 Hear about how to successfully align majors, credits, and careers.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

This year’s college football season began in Ireland, where No. 22 Iowa State overpowered No. 17 Kansas State. Go, Cyclones!

CHECK YOUR CALENDARS

Don’t look ahead to September just yet. Friday, August 29 is an important date for both SAT and ACT test takers:

• August 29 is the regular registration deadline for the September 13 SAT, which happens to be an excellent test date for both juniors and seniors, especially those who took the August test.

• August 29 is the Device Readiness Cutoff Date for the September 6 ACT. Students taking this exam on BYOD computers (even though paper makes more sense) need to make sure their devices meet technical requirements. Learn all about the ACT Device Readiness process here.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Chariot Learning has added two exceptional online September classes for SAT and PSAT test takers:

The 12-hour SAT Cohort Class for the October 2025 SAT starting September 15 brings 4-6 students together online with one expert instructor for in-depth, interactive lessons on math, grammar, reading, and testing content strategies for much less than 1-1 tutoring would cost.

Don’t let the official PSAT be your first Bluebook testing experience. The 4-hour PSAT Seminar consists of a 2-hour Class (September 23) covering the structure, skills, and strategies for PSAT success and a 2-hour Group Review (September 30) of a Bluebook PSAT. Register for either or both!

RESOURCES FOR THE ROAD TO COLLEGE

ARTICLE: Navigating Teenage Pressures: A Guide for Parents of Student Athletes

PODCAST: How Much AI Is Just Right In The College Essay?

SCHOLARSHIP: $25,000 Chick-fil-A Community Scholars Program

BOOK: Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies for College Applications

(What other kinds of resources are you looking for? Let us know!)

COLLEGE NEWS

International admissions adversity: According to recent projections from NAFSA: Association of International Educators, international enrollment at U.S. colleges could drop by as much as 150,000 students this fall, leading to a potential loss of $7 billion in revenue for colleges and 60,000 jobs. Will the federal government expedite visas to address this potential higher education disaster? We’re starting to find out…

FAFSA First Step: The FAFSA application is open for early testing, but if you didn’t get an invite, you’re not part of the first beta test. You will be able to request participation in the second phase of testing in September or wait until general access in October. Maybe it’s better to wait as long as possible to find out how much you’ll owe 😭

Education as investment: According to a commissioned study, the University System of Georgia (USG) generated $23.1 billion in economic impact in fiscal 2024. According to Chancellor Sonny Perdue, “A degree from one of USG's 26 public colleges and universities is a million-dollar deal for graduates and a billion-dollar boost for Georgia.” What a peach of a deal.

Are you or your 11th grader eager to earn an exceptional score on the PSAT in October? Chariot Learning is planning its annual September PSAT Seminar—a comprehensive math, reading, and writing overview followed by a full practice test review. When will this online program run? Help decide! Complete this form with your schedule preferences and you’ll be informed when the class is ready for registration.

BIG IDEA

A new lawsuit is taking aim at some of the most prestigious colleges in the U.S., claiming they’ve turned the Early Decision (ED) admissions process into an anticompetitive scheme that hurts students and families. The August 8 complaint alleges that 32 elite schools, two major application platforms, and the Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE) effectively colluded to restrict student choice and drive up tuition.

What’s the Issue?

• Early Decision (not Early Action) requires students to commit to one college before comparing financial aid offers.

• While colleges present ED as “binding,” it isn’t legally enforceable, especially since most applicants are minors.

• However, by sharing information through COFHE and coordinating through Common App and Coalition App, the schools allegedly created a system where students are locked in, limiting competition for aid and scholarships.

The result, the lawsuit argues, is that wealthier students—meaning the ones who don’t need to weigh aid packages—gain an edge, while less cash-rich students lose bargaining power and end up paying more.

Could anything change as a result of this lawsuit? If the plaintiffs win, schools might be forced to amend or completely abandon binding Early Decision, opening the door for students to compare offers freely. Obviously, tipping that domino would then potentially trigger greater price competition among colleges and greater access to ultra selective schools for students who rely on financial aid.

In short, this case isn’t just about a few students challenging their admissions offers. Instead, it could redefine how fairness, affordability, and competition work in the college admissions marketplace.

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Do you think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1866 and built on the highest point of its not very high state.

2. An R1 research university, the school is particularly noted for distinction in pharmaceutical chemistry, aerospace engineering, and public health.

3. One of the first universities in the U.S. to establish a center for students with disabilities

4. Boasts one of the oldest schools of journalism in the nation along with some serious basketball credibility

5. The school’s memorable mascot is named for anti-slavery guerrilla fighters during the Civil War era.

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Understand the impact of dual enrollment programs.

🎓 Learn about the viability of the 3-year college degree.

🎓 Don’t miss the August 29 deadline for the September 13 SAT.

🎓 Explore the benefits of earning a college degree outside the United States.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

The University of Kansas just announced an unprecedented alumni gift of approximately $300 million, quite a boon for the Crimson and Blue. Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU!

COLLEGE NEWS

Dean for a day: Ever think that you could run a college better than its current leaders? Play the ranking game to get a taste of the multivariate frustration that higher ed execs dine on daily. Chances are you won’t quit your day job.

Academic aesthetics: Does where you study matter to you more than what you study? Then you’ll love the Architectural Digest list of The 64 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America.

Research for a stronger America: At a time when the current administration is cutting federal funding for university-based research, some higher ed leaders feel compelled to inform the public about what will be lost. The president of Arizona State University took his turn at the mic.

BIG IDEA

The calculations behind college admissions have always been somewhat opaque, especially as selectivity rates have skyrocketed among the most popular schools. But we’re not so far removed from a time when students with certain grades and test scores were almost assured entry even to Ivy League institutions. What changed?

Institutional priorities.

When the term institutional priorities is bandied about, thoughts often fly to charged concepts like quotas. However, reasonable observers can recognize why colleges consider more than just grades and test scores when considering a freshman class. The admissions process is tantamount to curating a guest list for a great party–diversity is highly desirable to spark serendipitous encounters and unexpected conversations. Now imagine the party lasts four or more years. Bringing together a passionate group of academics, athletes, artists, activists, and aficionados from all backgrounds and walks of life contributes to a vibrant culture of learning and personal growth.

Obviously, every school should commit to enrolling students who can meet its specific academic standards and thrive in its unique environment. College readiness matters. But even after those factors are considered, any selective school will still have many more applicants than available seats. At that point, institutional priorities must prevail–teams need athletes, clubs need members, and costs need to be met. Last but certainly not least, every school seems to want more applications and higher rankings.

What do students want? Clarity about how realistic individual chances for enrollment would be nice, as would greater transparency about optional and mandatory elements of the application process. But students also want community, both in terms of school spirit at large and in ways related to individual interests and identity.

Clearly, students don’t just select schools based on academic rigor. College visits focus on campus fit and feel, not how quiet the library is. Students seek communities where they will both fit in and find more of themselves as emerging adults. Diversity may be a discredited term in certain circles, especially as the U.S. government seeks to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs, but students from every background want to see peers like them on campus. They want to feel welcome and accepted.

In the recent past, higher education institutions asserted the right to individually establish the degree to which college entrance exams factored into specific admissions decisions, and even professionals who were accused of making money off tests agreed that test optional policies were common sense for many schools. The discussion about the role of test scores continues to evolve at a time when every other aspect of college admissions is under scrutiny. Those of us outside an institution's admissions office can’t possibly know all of the priorities being juggled as applications are evaluated. We do know, however, that a school’s future success (or survival) depends on meeting those priorities both for themselves and for each individual attendee. Consider the challenge of curating the perfect incoming class before rushing to tell colleges how they should operate.

💲💲College bound students: You don’t need perfect grades or test scores to earn tons of scholarship dollars. Find out how to get that money.💲💲

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Do you think you know a lot about colleges? Try to guess this institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. When it was founded in 1889, its location wasn’t officially a state yet.

2. Famous for agricultural research and home to over 40 research and extension centers

3. Known for a unique indoor stadium with a barrel-arched wooden roof, used to host football, basketball, tennis, and concerts

4. Backs up to a 2,600-acre Experimental Forest, a living classroom for forestry students and outdoor lovers alike

5. The school’s mascot has the distinction of being named for an infamously destructive Germanic tribe

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Apply to the $35,000 VFW Voice of Democracy Contest.

🎓 Find out why more attempts often lead to higher ACT scores.

🎓 Explore 87 Excellent Small Colleges That Give Great Merit Aid

🎓 Unpack a thorough college testing plan for the HS class of 2027

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Did you know that the University of Idaho has been the No. 1 Best Value Public University in the West for five years running. Go Vandals!

COLLEGE NEWS

Threats to student speech: College campuses have long represented incubators for expression and activism, but the current political climate has some schools silencing students. Case in point, recent administrative actions at Carnegie Mellon University have elicited outrage on both sides of the political aisle. Finally, a bipartisan issue.

Recommendations vary by school: Researchers algorithmically analyzed over 600,000 student applications and counselor recommendation letters submitted through the Common App and found tremendous variance. Private school letters are longer than ones from public schools, and socioeconomic status tends to work against an applicant. No, not even letters of rec are fair anymore.

Rochester represents the macrocosm: Many colleges are seeking a path through the perfect storm of cuts to federal funding, healthcare funding, and international student access. Leaders at the University of Rochester recently discussed the potential impact of recent changes to the institution and area community, striking a resolute and realistic tone. ROC on!

BIG IDEA

AAs the average American family seeks to balance economic uncertainty with the gamble that a college degree still opens doors to a better life, large public research universities have become more attractive destinations. But these institutions–even the respected state flagships–have been dealing with their own financial, cultural, and political challenges, forcing certain compromises in investment and expansion. One unfortunate consequence is that these schools are underinvesting in student housing, leaving private investors to pick up the slack:

Crisis by Design: Student Housing and the Hidden Cost of Higher Education, a new research publication from Shanshan Jiang-Brittan at UC Berkeley, diligently lays out the major factors at play:

• Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) with features and services that go beyond the basic necessities now accounts for one-third of college housing nationwide.

• The recent PBSA boom occurred despite a nationwide decline in college enrollment—from 21 million students in 2010 to 19 million in 2020.

• The PBSA trend has transferred student housing control from local landlords to corporate entities with minimal local connections.

• The financialization of student housing redefines what “affordable” housing means and warps local real estate values.

The author’s conclusion connects the dots of a dire image:

As higher education contends with declining public trust, it is time to look beyond tuition and reexamine one of its most significant hidden costs: housing. In recent years, public institutions have welcomed higher enrollments, particularly of out-of-state and international students, without corresponding investments in housing. Into this vacuum stepped the PBSA industry, offering private, luxury apartments near campus with the support of the global capital. The normalization of luxury off-campus PBSA fuels a student housing crisis that is not incidental, but by design. It also reflects a deeper commodification of college studenthood. The image of college life has shifted: no longer the frugal student in a modest dorm, but a consumer surrounded by rooftop terraces and pools. Student rents are structured to deliver returns to investors, not to meet student needs.

What does all this mean for current and future college students? Expect room and board to account for a greater portion of expenses, especially if you are forced to pay for luxury amenities. Pay attention to school policies and local housing options because your only choices may be pricey ones.

NAME THAT SCHOOL

This week’s institution of higher education just added a new leader. Can you name it? (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in a church basement in 1867 and later named for a Baptist minister

2. The college’s motto is “Et Facta Est Lux” (“And There Was Light”), and social justice is central to its mission.

3. This all-men’s school is known for its distinctive culture, including formal dress codes for special events.

4. The College Glee Club has performed around the world, including for Presidents, the Pope, and even the Super Bowl halftime show.

5. Boasts many famous alumni, including civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Learn about the Little Ivies.

🎓 Consider the case for the September SAT.

🎓 Catch up on admissions notes for the HS class of 2026.

🎓 Check out the timeline for new Federal Student Aid changes.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

F. DuBois Bowman recently stepped up as the 13th president of renowned HBCU Morehouse College. Go Maroon Tigers!

COLLEGE NEWS

Endowed but unbowed: Recent revisions to the excise tax imposed on the earnings of college endowments will more than double the tax bill for schools like Princeton, Yale, and MIT. Other schools like Caltech and Amherst received better news, at least for now, in the form of lower rates. Schools without endowments

Hoosier hollows out humanities: Indiana’s public higher education institutions plan to eliminate or consolidate over 400 programs, roughly one-fifth of their degree offerings statewide. Apparently, most Indiana students major in Business anyway.

Go Mountain West, young man: Grand Canyon University is expediting its move to the Mountain West Conference, aiming for this fall rather than 2026. Apparently intimidated by that level of hustle, five current Mountain West schools announced their intention to join the Pac-12 in 2026.

BIG IDEA

According to Gallup’s latest study, 95% of Americans say math skills are very or somewhat important in their work life, and 43% say they wish they had learned more math skills in middle or high school.

In case you identify as a math–hater, 95% is a lot!

The Math Matters Study: The Value of Math in Work and Life surveyed over 5,000 U.S. adults, including nearly 3,000 workplace managers, and pulled out all kinds of complex emotions about math:

• Nearly half of Americans (47%) have exclusively positive feelings about math, while about four in 10 (37%) have exclusively negative feelings.

• 75% of adults aged 65 and older say math is “very important” in their personal life, compared with just 37% of 18- to 24-year-olds.

• Six in 10 Americans (62%) believe math should be prioritized more highly than other subjects in K-12 schools, including 14% who say it should receive the very highest priority.

• Many managers (85%) wish their direct reports had stronger math skills.

Every step on the road to college involves math, even for Humanities majors. Take this fascinating Gallup survey as a sign that K-12 students don’t always share the priorities of their future selves. Learners who can overcome their math phobias and arithmetic indifference while in school have an opportunity to master skills that will matter to them later in life, all while locking in really high test scores!

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know your colleges? Name this week’s institution of higher education. (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1833 and one of the ten oldest colleges in the U.S. to still exist on its original campus

2. A global learning pioneer, it was among the first U.S. colleges to require study abroad for most students,

3. Every senior completes a Senior Integrated Project, which can be anything from original research to a play, a novel, or a business plan.

4. Every spring, the president randomly announces a Day of Gracious Living, canceling classes and encouraging students to enjoy nature, go to the beach, or just relax.

5. This school’s Theatre Arts Department and Festival Playhouse are nationally acclaimed.

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Break a bad habit.

🎓 Explore a free SAT score report tool.

🎓 Check out how political changes are shaping higher ed.

🎓 Register for a free seminar on Mapping Music Careers and College Paths.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Kalamazoo College, a liberal arts school in Michigan, is known far and wide as K but earns a W for its reputation as a hidden gem of higher ed. Go Hornets!

COLLEGE NEWS

AI may be eroding education: Apparently, many teachers are not OK with the way students are using AI tools in high school, college, or grad school. If it’s true that whoever does the work does the learning, then maybe whoever does the work should get the degree.

Accreditation Southern-style: The UNC system is joining five other Southern states to form a new accreditor for their public universities. In response, SACSCOC, the existing accreditor, said, "Bless your heart."

Free school for returning students: New York just kicked off its new SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program, which covers tuition, books, and supplies for community college students aged 25 to 55. There goes the curve!

BIG IDEA

If a sample of private, nonprofit U.S. colleges and universities represent the whole, hardly anyone is paying full price for tuition anymore. According to the 2024 NACUBO Tuition Discounting Study, schools rolled out the deepest average discounts ever last year: 56.3% for first-time, full-time undergraduates and 51.4% for all undergraduates.

Who is getting aid? Almost everyone:

Most students received grant aid – which covered more than half of their total tuition and fee charges. About 83.4% of all undergraduates at participating institutions received grant aid in 2024–25, up from 82.8% the year before. Study participants estimate the grants in 2024–25 covered 63% of tuition and fees for first-time undergraduates and 58.3% for all undergraduates, up from 61.2% and 57.4%, respectively, in 2023-24.

What does this mean for applicants? Look past the sticker price and work hard to secure better aid packages. The demographic cliff is here, which means overall enrollment is beginning to drop. Colleges use tuition discounts as one of many ways to maintain institutional financial security.

NAME THAT SCHOOL

This week’s institution of higher education has been in the news lately. Can you name it? (Find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)

1. Founded in 1819 by an American icon who considered it one of his greatest accomplishments.

2. The first university in the U.S. to be fully secular, with no required religious affiliation for students or faculty.

3. The heart of campus is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of only a handful of colleges worldwide with that honor.

4. Known for academic excellence across many disciplines from history and government to engineering, medicine, and data science

5. Hosts a magical lighting ceremony every December where students gather on the Lawn for music and poetry

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Learn the most challenging words from the June SAT.

🎓 Understand the differences between the elite colleges and all the rest.

🎓 Make sure you’re focusing on activities you love.

🎓 Find out how Ben Franklin’s wisdom applies to test prep.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

The University of Virginia has been dealing with some stressful challenges lately but will always be the apple of Thomas Jefferson’s eye. Go Cavaliers!

COLLEGE NEWS

International admits in limbo: In a case with repercussions far beyond Cambridge, Mass., a federal judge blocked yet another effort by the Trump administration to keep international students from attending Harvard. Ivy League aspiration remain at an all-time high.

Amateurs going pro: In other legal news, a judge has approved a deal enabling colleges to share up to $20.5 million a year with players, mainly in football and men’s basketball. Paying athletes egregious sums to stay in school should slightly improve the graduation rate.

A new champ: Texas Tech ended Oklahoma University's run of four straight Women's College World Series. Had to happen Sooner or later 😎

BIG IDEA

Clothes, it is often said, make the man. But can the right clothes make the man test better? If we accept that our best scores come from managing every aspect of the testing experience we can, then even something as prosaic as wardrobe choice can impact performance. Dressing for success of test day involves more than remembering your lucky socks, though you can wear them too if that will help.

When laying out your wardrobe (along with all those other test day necessities) the night before a big test, your main concern should be COMFORT. Consideration of comfort should include a few important factors:

Freedom from distractions
Show up at your local testing center on exam day and you’ll see lots and lots of hoodies and sweatpants. Why is the casual look so popular? When sitting in place for hours on end, teens intuitively favor apparel that is non-binding and free flowing. Test day is not a fashion show. Leave the tux or ball gown at home and go with whatever you’d wear hanging out on your couch on a rainy day.

Climate control
For many of us, shorts and a t-shirt define comfort, yet such light clothing may lead to great discomfort when temperatures dip low. You cannot control how warm or cold your testing environment will be, but you can control how warm or cold you are by wearing layers.

Power and pride
Many of us place other priorities above comfort when picking out our daily outfit. Dressing down for the ACT won’t help if you feel too self-conscious to focus on your exam. In the immortal words of Fernando Lamas as famously channeled by Billy Crystal on SNL, “It is better to look good than to feel good.” Have it both ways by choosing clothes that enhance both comfort and confidence. Great ideas include team colors, a sweatshirt from your target college, and, yes, your lucky socks!

NAME THAT SCHOOL

Think you know your colleges? Try your luck with this special school. (Find the answer at the very end.)

• Founded in 1874 as a Presbyterian college open to students of other faiths

• Sandwiched between two major metro areas, its students have access to internships, arts, activism, and snowy coffee shops galore

• Replaces fraternities or sororities with themed residence halls and a strong sense of community

• Delivers a strong fine arts scene and consistently ranks among the top liberal arts colleges in the U.S.

• Boasts a former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Prize winner as an alum

APPLICATION ACTION STEPS

🎓 Crack the Ivy League Code.

🎓 Explore the 2025 AP Score Distributions.

🎓 Register for a fall ACT while seats are still (maybe) available.

🎓 Check out the ranked list of colleges not worth attending in each state.

HOTLINE

Do you have any burning questions to ask or want to share an issue, article, or resource our readers should know about? Dial up the College Eagle hotline through this easy form. We appreciate you!

NAME THAT SCHOOL ANSWER

Minnesota’s Macalester University may have a Scottish Highlander as a mascot, but most students just call themselves Macs. Go Macs!