The friendships freshmen form can influence their academic success and emotional well-being, new research suggests.

Janice McCabe, an associate professor of sociology at Dartmouth College (NH), has mapped out three common patterns students follow when choosing friends.

“Tight-knitters” mesh with a close group of friends who become like family. “Compartmentalizers” spend their time with two to four unrelated clusters of friends. And “samplers” develop one-on-one relationships with individuals who don’t necessarily know one another.

Continue reading New Research Shows College Friendships Influence Academic Success →

Access, College Readiness

Study: Empathy Training for Teachers Could Reduce Student Suspensions

November 10, 2016 Mary Stegmeir

Exercises designed to help teachers empathize with their students may lead to a drop in suspensions, according to a recent study from Stanford University (CA).

Researchers provided professional development to 31 middle school math teachers. Half of the educators were assigned readings that encouraged them to think about the underlying reasons students misbehave in class. The other half read about how technology can enhance learning.

“Students in the group whose teachers received professional development on empathy were half as likely to be suspended over the course of the school year than students whose teachers were in the control group, and the differences remained significant after controlling for race, gender, and other factors,” according to an Ed Week report about the new research.

Continue reading Study: Empathy Training for Teachers Could Reduce Student Suspensions →

Access, College Admission

150 Colleges Now Offer Sober Living for Students in Recovery

November 9, 2016 Mary Stegmeir 3 Comments

As opioid abuse rises to epidemic levels, a growing number of US colleges have started to provide sober living options.

According to an article published by Stateline this summer, roughly 150 universities in 49 states now offer housing for students in recovery. As recently as 2012, there were only 35 such programs.

Continue reading 150 Colleges Now Offer Sober Living for Students in Recovery →

Access, College Admission

Idaho College Initiative Helps Seniors Cement Postsecondary Plans

November 7, 2016 Mary Stegmeir

Educators in south-central Idaho say the state’s direct college admission initiative is working.

The strategy — which involves sending pre-admission notices to qualified 12th graders — was adopted by the Idaho Board of Education two years ago as a way to boost the number of degree holders in the state.

Under the new initiative, students are sent a letter in the fall of their senior year informing them which state colleges they are pre-qualified to attend. The decisions are based on grades and test scores.

Continue reading Idaho College Initiative Helps Seniors Cement Postsecondary Plans →

College Admission, College Admission Resources

New Web Resource Provides Info About Community Colleges

November 4, 2016 Mary Stegmeir

Looking for information about community colleges and tools to advocate on their behalf?

Check out ACCT Now, a new resource that delves into trends and data affecting two-year colleges in the US. The site, which launched this month, is overseen by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).

“The site includes original reporting, research, and perspectives from ACCT’s public policy staff and guest authors, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates,” according to an email sent to supporters.

Continue reading New Web Resource Provides Info About Community Colleges →

Access, College Admission

Obama Dubs November National College Application Month

November 2, 2016 Mary Stegmeir

President Barack Obama wants young Americans to set their sights on higher education, and he’s asking parents, educators, and community leaders to help.

The commander-in-chief issued an official proclamation last week declaring November National College Application Month.

“This month, we recognize the limitless potential in every student and reaffirm our commitment to offering them the resources they need to succeed,” Obama said in his announcement. “Together, let us forge a future where every student has the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and hard work will take them.”

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Career Exploration, National College Fairs, STEM

Survey: Students Lack Exposure to STEM Career Paths

November 1, 2016 Mary Stegmeir

This post originally appeared on Admitted in June.

Teens who are interested in science need better career preparation pathways, according to a recent national survey.

The study — funded by Change the Equation and the Amgen Foundation— showed that although students like science, they aren’t crazy about the way the subject is taught. In addition, many lack the out-of-school resources and connections needed to explore STEM careers on their own.

“Teens know what good science education looks like, but they lack engaging learning opportunities, career guidance, and professional mentors,” the report states. “Science advocates in our schools, businesses, and communities can change that.”

Continue reading Survey: Students Lack Exposure to STEM Career Paths →

College Admission, NACAC News

#NACACreads: Help Shape the Upcoming Discussion of ‘Generation Z Goes to College’

October 31, 2016 Mary Stegmeir

generationz How will the next generation of students approach the college search and selection process?

Share your insights during an upcoming #NACACreads discussion of Generation Z Goes to College. Special guest and author Meghan Grace will take part in the Twitter chat and address how this new cohort of students views higher education.

Continue reading #NACACreads: Help Shape the Upcoming Discussion of ‘Generation Z Goes to College’ →

Financial Aid, Paying for College

Reminder: Keep an Eye on Financial Aid Deadlines

October 28, 2016 Mary Stegmeir

Need financial aid for the 2017-18 academic year?

The US Department of Education is reminding students to remain cognizant of deadlines when completing the FAFSA.

While the FAFSA is primarily used to award federal financial aid, many colleges, states, and scholarship programs also use the form to assess eligibility for their aid programs.

Continue reading Reminder: Keep an Eye on Financial Aid Deadlines →

Regular updates on NACAC and the world of college admission counseling. For more information about NACAC, visit nacacnet.org.