High School Counselor Week

How a Pandemic Could Change Higher Education
EdSurge – March 27, 2020
This is the second installment in what is now a weekly video town hall on how colleges should respond to the pandemic.

Colleges move to refund student fees, but can their budgets take the hit?
Education Dive – March 31, 2020
After the coronavirus emptied dorms, some schools are repaying students’ room and board — a decision sector leaders fear will strain their bottom lines.

Coronavirus upends high school seniors’ college decisions
KSDK-TV (MO) – March 30, 2020
Colleges and universities have begun preparing for prospective students to have additional questions about their offers as the economy continues to spiral.

How Students Are Navigating College During the Time of Coronavirus
NBC Miami – March 25, 2020
Whether you’re a student at Yale or an assistant professor at Broward College, you are adjusting to the brave new world of college via a teleconferencing platform such as Zoom.

The Kids Are in College. Now What?
Post – April 1, 2020
Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor Ph.D.

What to do? …. A Treasure Trove of Ideas for high school students
Tribune News Service – April 1, 2020
College Admissions Strategies with Lee Bierer 

Colleges still welcoming applications for fall 2020
Post – April 2, 2020
The Explorations Blog with Nancy Griesemer

Virtually Possible: Locking Down The College Search In A Global Pandemic
Forbes – April 1, 2020
We are living in uncertain times, and as a college counselor I am watching students (from my appropriate social distance) start to come to terms with the feelings of loss that the novel coronavirus has introduced into their lives. As the reality sets in

Butler County school counselors supporting students in new ways during coronavirus shutdown
Journal News (OH) – April 1, 2020
Area school counselors are trying to keep the lines of communication and emotional support open to home-bound students, but it’s not easy, they say. Digital interactions are poor substitute for face-to-face counseling

‘We’re here for you’: Floyd County Schools start counselor hotline
Mountain News WYMT (KY) – March 31, 2020
As messages to school counselors poured in, they decided to create a counseling hotline. ‘They will be greeted with a friendly voice, hopefully, a familiar voice…’

Local Guidance Counselors Offer Support, Advice in Adapting to New Normal
The Sandpaper (NJ) – March 25, 2020
Local teachers and administrators have put in extra effort in the past two weeks to ensure that children keep up with studies from home. But guidance counselors have also been offering help to parents through the unknown.

WNC school counselors get online to help students, parents deal with COVID-19 outbreak
WLOS Ashville, NC – March 25, 2020
Some school counselors in Buncombe County have set up Google classrooms in an effort to reach students or parents who might need help adjusting to all the changes brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.

Economic effect of coronavirus comes at critical time for the college-bound
WGRZ Buffalo (NY) – March 25, 2020
Here’s why it is important to let the college your student plans on attending know about any changes in your current income status

How to Help Your High School Senior Through COVID-19 Pandemic
Chicago Parent – March 25, 2020
We turned to a few experts to get some advice for parents and their seniors who are finding their plans for senior year totally turned upside down.

Concerned about your college student being home due to coronavirus? 5 tips to make it more cordial
ClickOrlando.com – March 31, 2020
Ways to make the best of an unexpected situation

Ditch the desk, ignore the clock and more advice on helping your kids learn — from a teacher and former home-schooler
Washington Post – March 30, 2020
School at home is a new and daunting world for many of us, but a shift in perspective and expectations can help. I’m a veteran public school math teacher, but I’ve also been a home-schooler, teaching my two kids during some of their middle and high school years while we lived on our small sailboat.

Many students must decide on colleges without a campus visit: How do virtual tours work?
Burlington Free Press (VT) – March 31, 2020
Two weeks ago this wasn’t even a concept,’ Ryan Hargraves, Executive Director of Admissions for the University of Vermont, said about translating what happens on campus into a virtual environment.

10 Free Resources For High School Students To Get Ahead While School Is Out
Forbes – March 30, 2020
High school students preparing for college applications might be wondering how they can spend this time wisely. Extracurricular activities, science fairs and other competitions have been canceled, leaving many high schoolers wondering how they can fill gaps on their resumes.

College Admissions & Social Distancing
Hearst CT News Blogs – March 27, 2020
While high school students are “distance learning” from home, they still need to do what they can when it comes to college admission. For seniors, this means choosing which college to attend and for juniors, which colleges to apply.

Don’t let coronavirus slow down college planning
My Central Jersey – March 27, 2020
The schedule has certainly been turned upside down for high school juniors, preventing them from taking the March or May SAT exam, touring potential colleges over spring break, and meeting with guidance counselors to launch their college application process. But there is much that can be done to keep on track

Can hands-on career education go online during school shutdowns?
PBS News Hour – March 31, 2020
In fields like history, literature and French, transitioning to online learning might sound challenging but doable. In some career and technical programs, it’s a different story. At Peninsula College in Washington state, Eoin Doherty, who coordinates the school’s welding program, is scrambling

Career tech programs see major changes as they move online
Post Register (ID) – March 31, 2020
The closing of schools across Idaho earlier this month due to the coronavirus created a very different experience for career-technical programs, where hands-on work is a necessity.

Career tech students miss hands-on learning experiences
Record-Courier (OH) – March 22, 2020
We are doing critical thinking and exercises at home, but there’s no way to duplicate a machine shop or having the opportunity to do customer service in cosmetology, culinary arts or animal science. Those are educational opportunities you can’t provide…

These States Offer Tuition-Free Community College
Forbes – March 25, 2020
Interestingly, some states have programs that make community college tuition-free for qualifying students. Eligibility typically depends on…

How to Find Nonfederal Student Loans, Aid Programs
U.S. News & World Report – March 25, 2020
State-based and nonprofit organizations offer low-cost, borrower-friendly loans that can help families tackling college costs.

Find Local Scholarships in Your Own Backyard
U.S. News & World Report – March 30, 2020
Local scholarships are often less competitive than national scholarships but similar in amount.

College Board will shorten AP tests to give them online. Smart move?
Atlanta Journal-Constitution – March 25, 2020
Critics see problems with plan that eliminates multiple choice and reduces three-hour exams to 45 minutes

Coronavirus Drives Colleges to Test Optional
Inside Higher Ed – March 30, 2020
Many other tactics are being used as well.

How to Prep for SAT, ACT Amid the Coronavirus Outbreak
U.S. News & World Report – March 30, 2020
If your ACT or SAT test date was canceled because of the pandemic, keep preparing and follow these tips to stay focused.