Enjoying winter break?
So are we. NACAC offices are closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 2.
Check back for a new post on Jan. 3. Until then, enjoy these top stories from 2016.
5 Must-Read Posts from 2016
Monthly Archives: December 2016
Debate Continues Over Extracurriculars and College Admission
How much sway should a student’s extracurricular activities have on college admission?
It’s a question that has been posed with increasing frequency over the last few years, and one that will likely continue to prompt discussions among families and admission professionals in the months ahead.
In a recent profile of Richard Weissbourd published by The Atlantic, the Harvard University psychologist lays out his case for reimagining the admission process. Weissbourd helped write the Turning the Tide report published last year and has been a longtime proponent of educational and parenting practices that emphasize the importance of nurturing compassionate children.
Continue reading Debate Continues Over Extracurriculars and College Admission
Survey: Colleges Taking Longer to Meet Enrollment Targets
Admission professionals who are diligently working to build a freshman class face increasing challenges, data suggests.
For the Fall 2016 cycle, only 37 percent of colleges reported meeting their enrollment goals by May 1, according to Inside Higher Ed’s annual Survey of College and University Admissions Directors.
The results stem from answers from 339 admission directors at both two- and four-year institutions, and suggest that it’s getting tougher for admission professionals to lock in their freshman class.
In the previous year, 41 percent of respondents had met their enrollment goals by May 1.
Continue reading Survey: Colleges Taking Longer to Meet Enrollment Targets
New Report Highlights Popular Community College Majors
Transportation and law enforcement majors are seeing declining enrollments at America’s community colleges, while history and math programs remain popular among students at two-year schools.
Those findings are included in a new report released this week by the National Student Clearinghouse.
Continue reading New Report Highlights Popular Community College Majors
States Bolster School Counseling Programs
A growing number of states are using government and philanthropic funds to bring more counselors into public schools.
The trend is outlined in a recent Education Week article by reporter Catherine Gewertz.
“The counseling initiatives are far from the biggest-ticket items in states’ budgets,” she writes. “But they’re a significant sign of a renewed commitment to school counseling, which took particularly heavy hits in layoffs driven by the Great Recession eight years ago.”
ICYMI: Learn More About NACAC’s State of College Admission Report
Want to learn about findings from NACAC’s annual State of College Admission report?
David Hawkins, the association’s executive director of educational content and policy, shared insights from the report and talked about trends in the college admission profession this week on Admissions Live.
The hour-long episode is now available online.
Continue reading ICYMI: Learn More About NACAC’s State of College Admission Report
College Board Streamlines Requests for Testing Accommodations
A new process will make it easier for students to receive accommodations on College Board exams.
Starting Jan. 1, students who are approved for testing accommodations through an Individualized Education Program or 504 Plan will automatically be cleared to have those same accommodations on College Board tests, including the SAT and Advanced Placement exams.
Officials say the move will reduce approval time and help students receive the support they need to do their best on the tests.
Continue reading College Board Streamlines Requests for Testing Accommodations
Panel Discussion Explores Future of Community Colleges
How has the community college sector evolved in recent years? What are the challenges such institutions will face in the future? These were just some of the questions addressed during a recent Urban Institute panel discussion — “Community Colleges since the Great Recession.”
The panel, comprised of Urban Institute researchers as well as various community college stakeholders, discussed a number of issues including college financing and Pell grants, indicators for measuring institutional success, and efforts to increase ties between colleges and employers.
Continue reading Panel Discussion Explores Future of Community Colleges
New Alliance Formed to Address College Access
A group of 30 selective colleges has launched a new alliance aimed at expanding access to postsecondary education.
The American Talent Initiative (ATI) — whose founding members include several Ivy League and public flagship universities — seeks to bring a total of 50,000 low- and moderate-income students to universities with graduation rates of least 70 percent by 2025.
Continue reading New Alliance Formed to Address College Access
NACAC Unveils New Website
Have you visited www.nacacnet.org recently?
You should: The association’s website has been redesigned, and the new user-friendly format makes it easier than ever to connect with colleagues, register for NACAC programs, and access the latest resources, tools, and information about college admission.