High School Counselor Week

Cheers and questions as some states and big school districts remove virtual learning option for fall
Chalkbeat – May 26, 2021
After a school year marked by stops and starts, New York City’s top schools official drew a line in the sand this week: This fall, there will be no virtual learning option. But plenty of places have already said they’re going the other direction — maintaining a virtual option that they are confident will be in demand next year.

Colorado Ends ‘Legacy Admissions’ for Higher Education
U.S. News & World Report – May 25, 2021
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Tuesday making the state a leader in the nationwide effort to ban legacy admissions at public colleges and universities.

The Persistent Grip of Social Class on College Admissions
The New York Times – May 26, 2021
In contrast with much of the rest of the world, American admissions officers have a lot of discretion. The history of the so-called holistic approach — looking at the whole applicant and not just academic metrics — has not always been encouraging.

Graduation gift ideas revisited – creative ways to say congrats to every grad
Tribune News Service – May 26, 2021
College Admissions Strategies with Lee Bierer 

12 Expected Family Contribution Tips
Post – May 25, 2021
The College Solution with Lynn O’Shaughnessy  

It Takes a Team, Not Superheroes, to Support College Success
Magee News (MS) – May 26, 2021
Too often we celebrate an incredible high school teacher or school counselor when what we really need to do is take a broader approach to helping students apply and go to college, especially during a pandemic. As my school’s sole school counselor for nearly 600 students, I realize…

Mental Health Problems Loom for the COVID Generation. Here’s What Schools Can Do
Education Week – May 24, 2021
The nation’s schools were already struggling to meet students’ mental health needs when the pandemic hit. How can schools rise to meet students’ ballooning needs in that area as a massive school reopening gets underway?

With policing in the spotlight, districts search for alternatives to SROs
Concord Monitor (NH) – May 25, 2021
The role of school resource officers is often described as threefold: They are expected to be law enforcers, counselors and law-related educators. Advocates for removing officers from schools question whether police are the best people to respond when students act out, citing the negative effects of becoming involved with the criminal justice system as an adolescent.

Teens encourage parents to talk to them about tough mental health topics
WMUR-9 (NH) – May 25, 2021
Even before COVID-19, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among teenagers and young Americans. Several teens agreed to talk candidly with News 9 about the challenges of staying mentally and emotionally healthy.

Homeroom: My Daughter Doesn’t Use Social Media—But She’s Being Cyberbullied
The Atlantic – May 18, 2021
Is the school responsible for helping?

Signs your teen is still dealing with mental health issues from the pandemic
ABC 27 (PA) – May 26, 2021
How can parents tell if their child is struggling right now? There are red flags, including a big drop in grades or isolating themselves and not talking with friends. Eating and sleeping habits

How Do You Make College Pay? Consider Risk
Forbes – May 24, 2021
‘A college degree is one of the best investments you can make. If you want to succeed financially in life, go to college.’ High school students hear this conventional wisdom from everyone…Economist Beth Akers says this is true, but it’s only half the story.

Tips for College Admissions: Class of 2022
edhat Santa Barbara (CA) – January 22, 1900
Based on this year’s college acceptance trends, what factors will be important for the next cohort of graduates? How can you increase your chances of being accepted to the college of your dreams?

How the Common Black College Application Helped Fuel a Surge in Applicants to HBCUs
The Chronicle of Higher Education – May 25, 2021
To alleviate the stress and expense of the application process and get more students of color to college, Robert Mason created the Common Black College Application. For $20 students can apply to all 61 member HBCUs, and specify their top four choices.

Lots of financial aid and a ton of scholarships still up for grabs this summer
WFAA-8 Dallas – May 26, 2021
You can appeal to your school, you can still file a FAFSA form, and you can apply for a trove of scholarships before the fall semester arrives.

More high school students are rethinking their college plans due to financial stress caused by pandemic
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA) – May 26, 2021
High school students across the country are emerging from a year of COVID-19 shutdowns with a shift in their mindset concerning higher education as the majority of them are expanding their post-graduation options