High School Counselor Week

For Many Students, Homeless Means School-less — and Things Could Get Even Worse
The 74 – October 9, 2024
For the nation’s homeless students and their families, the pandemic was truly catastrophic. As unimaginable as it might seem, the situation could get much worse — unless Congress steps up soon. But pervasive misconceptions about homelessness have stymied such efforts:

How have statewide race-conscious admissions bans impacted college and labor outcomes?
Higher Ed Dive – October 15, 2024
A new working paper examines what happened in four states that barred these practices within their borders over two decades ago. Here’s how the barring of race-conscious admissions affected a variety of groups and demographics, with some being affected negatively while others saw positive returns.

The 10 most common questions teenagers asked about the election
Chalkbeat – October 10, 2024
We’ve asked these teenagers some big questions: How are you engaging with the election? Why are you engaged, or why not? What issues matter to you? So far, we’ve heard from a broad range of students, from self-described political junkies to those more hesitant or uninvolved. With each questionnaire, we also invited students to ask us their own questions about the election. Here’s a synthesis of what we’ve heard from them.

Self-Care for College Counselors: Finding Balance During Application Season
ACCIS AdmitAll Blog – September 26, 2024
As the leaves start to turn and the school year gains momentum, college application season kicks into high gear. For college counselors, this time can feel like a whirlwind of personal statements, deadlines, and late-night essay reviews. While guiding students through this pivotal moment in their lives is fulfilling, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care amid the hustle. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Self-care isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessary practice for maintaining your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, especially in a demanding role like counseling. When you’re juggling numerous student and family needs, the pressure can easily mount. When you’re at your best, you’re better equipped to guide them through this stressful journey.

4 in 5 Teens Believe They’ll Achieve Their Life Goals—But Wish They Had More Technical Skills Post-High School
Parents – October 15, 2024
A new survey, conducted by 4-H, America’s largest youth development organization, found that teens are optimistic and confident in their career paths. However, they are looking for more support to develop essential career, life, and technical skills to help them succeed.

How Much Does Family Income Matter for Student Outcomes?
EdSurge – October 14, 2024
A new study, published in the journal Educational Researcher, suggests that some students recieve fewer chances to thrive. The study aimed to figure out how access to opportunities accrued over time for students, and whether they explain the link between how much money their parents made — when the students were in early childhood — and how their lives turned out.

How colleges are reaching out to often overlooked students from rural areas
PBS – October 14, 2024
Students in rural communities graduate from high school above the national average. But when it comes to applying to college or getting their degree, those students’ rates of attendance and completion are well below their peers in urban and suburban areas. A New Mexico initiative is helping to narrow that gap. Stephanie Sy reports for our series, Rethinking College.

Here’s Who You’re Really Competing Against In The College Admissions Process—And It’s Not Who You Think
Fortune – October 15, 2024
Students aren’t competing against all other applicants, but rather a specific subset of individuals with similar academic interests, extracurricular experiences, and backgrounds. In order to craft standout applications and maximize your chances of admission, it is crucial to understand the actual competition and how you fit into it.

Tips for Deciding Whether Online College Learning Is Right for You
U.S. News & World Report – October 14, 2024
Although many college-bound high school students spent several formative years learning remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that doesn’t mean they are ready to make the online leap in higher education, according to some education experts. Therefore, it’s important to consider factors such as cost, accreditation and your individual learning style before choosing online college.

State politics are swaying college choice, survey finds
Higher Ed Dive – October 15, 2024
Students from both sides of the aisle are increasingly citing sociopolitical motivations when ruling out states from their college search. More than a quarter of students, 28%, said they ruled out a college due to the politics of the state where it is located, according to a new survey from education consultancy Art & Science Group.

Applying for Large-Dollar Scholarships? Here’s What to Know
U.S. News & World Report – October 10, 2024
Awards range in size. National or larger college scholarships, for instance, can result in tens of thousands of dollars of additional financial aid. Some even cover the full cost of tuition. However, these scholarships tend to be more competitive and difficult to win due to their larger applicant pool, experts say. Here’s what to know about applying for large-dollar scholarships and how to stand out with your application.

How Student Loans Work: Applying, Borrowing, and Repayment
The College Investor – October 12, 2024
There’s a staggering lack of financial literacy when it comes to how student loans work when paying for college. Every college financial aid office says ‘just apply for student loans’, but nobody tells you how student loans work! Where do student loans come from, how much can you borrow, and what is the true cost?

Some students are fighting to stay in college after the FAFSA delayed financial aid
NPR – October 10, 2024
Colleges traditionally ask students to commit to their school by May 1, but the National College Attainment Network estimated that, compared to last year, about 408,000 fewer high school seniors had successfully completed their FAFSA as of that week. Some colleges responded by pushing their commitment deadlines, but the delays forced many students to make decisions about college without knowing how they would pay for it. Now, those same students are fighting to stay in school.