Let the Remote College Counseling Begin!

Great News for the Class of 2020’s College Bound Students!
So, the second wave of college decisions has been rolling in for senior Griffins over the last week or so, and the results have been impressive. Among accepting schools so far this year:

• Boston University
• Columbia University (joint program with List College)
• DePaul University 
• Loyola University Chicago
• Lawrence University
• Lewis & Clark College
• Manhattanville College
• Pepperdine University
• Rutgers University
• Tulane University
• University of Colorado, Boulder
• University of Illinois 
• University of Michigan (Honors College)
• University of Puget Sound
• University of Vermont
• University of Washington
• Wake Forest University
• Washington College, MD

Adaptability = College Readiness
In this second week of remote learning during Illinois’ shelter-in-place, we are getting some practice in adaptability, independence, and time management, arguably the most key ingredients for college success. I am here to help with any questions you have. College Counseling Office Hours are from 1 - 2 pm every day. Look for a hyperlink to Google Meets in your email.

This week, the Class of 2021 and I were scheduled to meet to discuss writing personal and supplemental essays. Please check out my virtual version of my presentation and reach out with any questions:

Application Essays for Griffins.

HUGE NEWS!!! Subject Tests No Longer Required By Any College
While some super selective programs within colleges (e.g. Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering) still do require some SAT II Subject Test Scores, they have now mostly become defunct. This week, MIT announced that it would no longer even look at scores. CalTech and Harvey Mudd, two particularly strong tech and STEM schools in California, did so earlier this season. Read more in this week's article from Inside Higher Ed.

Alternatives to Cancelled Spring Campus Tours 
Campuses across the country have taken the lead in physical distancing to help “flatten the curve.” This has meant a wave of cancellations for spring break college visit road trips, and a lot of disappointment for those of us with exciting plans. I count myself among you.  
Students should see their email flooded with alternative waves to learn about campuses virtually. Click into the ones that intrigue you and learn all you can. The colleges measure whether you’re clicking in, with some noting your perusal as “demonstrated interest.” Most colleges also have high definition virtual tours on their websites. Many admissions offices couple that with YouTube channels. Tufts, for instance, has some helpful videos that I have linked here on this mini-site.  If you have questions, reach out by email to your admissions officer at a school of interest, introduce yourself, and ask your question(s). This initiative can often start a helpful relationship throughout the admissions process. 
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SAT and ACT tests… 
If you are registered for an upcoming SAT or ACT test, please keep a close eye out for news about postponements and alternate test dates. As our understanding and best practices for managing this epidemic change from day to day, so do the decisions from colleges, test agencies, and others involved in the college admissions process. Now more than ever I urge you to check your email regularly. 
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Also, please remember: the ACT and SAT do hold test dates in summer. For students applying early decision or early action in the fall, the last test date that “counts” is usually in October. For regular decision, the December test date is often the last one. One important caveat, however, about these “last chance” dates: often you will need to submit scores to colleges before you see your results. Keep in mind that most colleges look only for your best scores.