SPRING 2024 • NUMBER 262
FACING FAFSA Counselors and admission professionals across the country explain the domino effect of challenges from the FAFSA rollout and the solutions they’ve tried to implement along the way. | 20
SCHOOL IS HOT THIS SUMMER | 26 A MATTER OF CHOICE | 32
ADVERTISE WITH NACAC Your message could reach thousands of college admission counseling professionals.
THE JOURNAL OF COLLEGE ADMISSION
CONTENTS |
COLLEGE ADMISSION The Journal of SPRING 2024 • NUMBER 262
20 FACING FAFSA By Melissa Brock
26 SCHOOL IS HOT THIS SUMMER By Rachel Williams From pre-college programs to bridge programs and full semester courseloads, summers offer plenty of opportunities for students and many benefits for institutions.
32 A MATTER OF CHOICE By Jim Paterson
A variety of factors influence where students go to college. Here, experts share which ones are most influential today and how institutions can tailor their strategies accordingly.
Counselors and admission professionals across the country explain the domino effect of challenges from the FAFSA rollout and the solutions they’ve tried to implement along the way.
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS 4 INSPIRE Finding Energy Through Community and Connection By Angelica Melendez
PROFESSIONAL TRENDS
38 INSIDE NACAC EXTRA CREDIT
16 ADVOCACY
Ways to Continue Advocacy Outside of Legislative Sessions By CJ Powell
Happenings at Headquarters
40 VIEWPOINT
Diversity in AI is Lacking. We Need School Counselors to Help By Sean Peters
6 MEET
18 LEARN
Eydie Balsam Rae-Anne Mena
A Peek Behind the Curtain By Amy Hutton
44 UPLIFT
8 SERVE
12 ADVICE
When in Doubt, Turn to Your NACAC Familia By Carlos Cano
Intrusive Success By Kenya McCullum
How I... Rest and Recharge Over the Summer
SPRING 2024 • 1
2 • THE JOURNAL OF COLLEGE ADMISSION
COLLEGE ADMISSION The Journal of SPRING 2024 • NUMBER 262
NACAC STAFF
NACAC 2023–2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOSEPH MONTGOMERY Director
ANGEL B. PÉREZ, PH.D. Chief Executive Officer
ANGELICA MELENDEZ Board Chair College Bound Advisor, Luther Burbank High School (TX) PHIL MORENO Chair-Elect Associate Director of College Counseling, The Nueva School (CA) VERN GRANGER Immediate Past Board Chair Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Connecticut (CT) JEREMY BRANCH Director Associate Director of College Counseling, The Haverford School (PA) TAHIRAH CRAWFORD Director Senior Associate Director, Director of Multicultural Recruitment, Columbia College (NY) NOLVIA DELGADO Director Executive Director, The Kaplan Education Foundation (NY) CHRIS LOO Director Co-Director of College Counseling, The Stony Brook School (NY) ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER The National Association for College Admission Counseling does not explicit- ly or implicitly endorse third parties in exchange for advertising. Advertising does not influence editorial content, products, or services in any way.
Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC)
ASHLEY M. PERZYNA Chief Operating Officer
EDWARD PICKETT III Director
MELANIE MARQUEZ PARRA Chief Communications Officer
Senior Associate Dean of Admissions and Director of Recruitment, Pomona College (CA)
RACHEL WILLIAMS Content Editor and Writer
ID STATEMENT The Journal of College Admission (ISSN 0734-6670), established in 1956, is publi- shed quarterly by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, 1050 N. Highland St, Ste. 400, Arlington, VA 22201– 99914. Digital subscriptions are US$75. Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management & Dean of Admission, University of Dayton (OH) ANGEL B. PÉREZ, PH.D. Ex Officio Chief Executive Officer, NACAC (VA) MYRONEE SIMPSON Director Director of College Counseling, Shorecrest Preparatory School (FL) CATIE TAYLOR APC Coordinator Senior Associate Director of Admission, University of Evansville (IN) KASEY URQUÍDEZ Director Vice President, Enrollment Management & Dean, Undergraduate Admissions, University of Arizona (AZ) DONNELL WIGGINS Director
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The Journal of College Admission Number 262/Spring 2024 was published with the help of NACAC contributors.
MARY STEGMEIR Contributing Editor
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Copyright © 2024 National Association for College Admission Counseling. All rights reserved. Material published in The Journal of College Admission is neither endorsed by nor official policy of the National Asso- ciation for College Admission Counseling. NACAC NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The National Association for College Admission Counseling adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination in all of its activities, programs, and practices, and pledges to treat people equally without concern for age, gender, race, creed, disabling condi- tions, national origin, sex, sexual orienta- tion, gender identity, or political affiliation.
SPRING 2024 • 3
INSPIRE
Finding Energy Through Community and Connection
A message from the NACAC board chair.
By Angelica Melendez
F or many college admission coun- seling professionals, spring can be an intense time — from the flurry of activity in the admission offi- ce to staffing recruitment events to the home stretch of the school year for those working with high school students. And this year we’re doing all of this with the addition of a stressful rollout of the new FAFSA. I hope you’ve had the chance to review NACAC’s enroll- ment deadlines directory. We quickly compiled this information from mem- ber institutions to provide this public
resource as students navigate chang- ing enrollment deadlines and await financial aid information. The direc- tory quickly became the most visited page on the NACAC website when it was released. I see the challenges my students
need to provide them with as many resources as we can to help answer questions on the FAFSA. With all the uncertainty brought on by the FAFSA delays, many of us may be seeking ways to keep up our own energy and motivation. How
and families have faced to complete the FAFSA since its launch. My hope is their frustration will not keep them from pursuing postsecondary educa- tion altogether. As a profession, we need to work together to encourage students and families to move for- ward and stick with the process. We As a profession, we need to work together to encourage students and families to move forward and stick with the process. We need to provide them with as many resources as we can to help answer questions on the FAFSA. do you rest and recharge? I need ways to do this every day — even a small break during the day to find my moment of joy and reconnect with my why. One way to find more energy is to cultivate community and con- nection with fellow professionals.
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a member and haven’t accessed Engage yet, log in with your NACAC credentials to get started. Another new opportunity for con- nection is through NACAC’s inaugural HBCU Advance. This one-day event is being held on June 10 at Coppin State University in Baltimore. Building off the success and interest in the HBCU Roundtable at NACAC Conference 2023, the goal of HBCU Advance is to elevate successful practices of HBCUs to help scale equity goals. As you find ways to create connec- tions and find community, the NACAC board of directors will con- tinue to seek ways to advance our professional association and cultivate the opportunities that best support you.
development. That’s why NACAC has also focused on expanding support for advocacy among affiliates. NACAC is increasing its advocacy efforts at the state level by supporting regional and state affiliates in their state advocacy days, holding quarterly meetings with all affiliate govern- ment relations chairs, and develop- ing resources that will help state and regional affiliates in their efforts to advocate on issues that impact stu- dents and professionals. In thinking about the many ways there are to connect, we should cel- ebrate that this spring marks the first anniversary of NACAC’s mem- ber-driven platform called Engage. This online community is available to all NACAC members, and offers an easy way to build your network, ask and answer questions, share and find resources, and have easy access to expert insights that will help you in your day-to-day work. If you’re
Whether it’s through participating in a Special Interest Group or attending an affiliate conference, taking time for your own learning and network- ing will help sustain you profession- ally and personally. The NACAC Board of Directors will gather this month for an in-person meeting at NACAC headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. In addition to board business, our gath- ering offers the opportunity to learn from each other and support each other as we grow in our positions and overcome challenges. In addition to our own meeting, many of the board members and NACAC CEO Angel B. Pérez are on the road this spring attending affiliate conferences across the country and in Canada. Each affiliate has a board liaison, and we’re trying to attend as many of the affiliate conferences as we can. NACAC affiliates are essen- tial to ensuring regional impact and opportunities for leadership
Angelica Melendez is chair of the NACAC Board of Directors.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Find support and create professional connections with NACAC Engage.
Get Started!
SPRING 2024 • 5
MEET
Eydie Balsam Owner/Director College Bound Advising/Head Toward College Foundation (MA)
NACAC MEMBER SINCE 2009
WHAT DREW YOU TO THE WORLD OF COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING? One of my first jobs after complet- ing my master’s degree in social work (MSW) was as the director of alcohol and other drug education and special assistant in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at Bentley University (MA). In that role, I had the oppor- tunity to meet regularly with many students. What I saw in them, over and over, was their struggle with why — why were they at this partic- ular school, why were they in college at all, big-picture questions like that. Even though answering that question was not why they had come to see me, I was fascinated by how the deci- sions they made before stepping foot on campus were unfolding as they forged ahead in college. After spend- ing so much time with college stu- dents, I decided to go back to school to learn more about adolescents and their decision-making ability. College admission counseling is all about empowering students to uncover their why while offering them skills on how to achieve their goals. So in my work now, I am able to help students make the right choice for them before they get to college. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB? All of it! Seriously, I love help- ing students find their story and tell it. I love researching new programs and opportunities for students and
kids as best we can. I feel fortunate that I can put on my MSW hat when working with many students and their families these days, as I am often needed to focus on mental health during the college admission process as much, or more than, the technical work of list building or essay writing. WHEN YOU AREN’T WORKING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO? I love reading, mostly nonfic- tion social science or history books; walking my dog, Yogi; listening to podcasts about the college admis- sion process or growing my busi- ness; building the Head Toward College Foundation; writing my blog for College Talk for Moms; and being a mom to a college senior, college freshman, and high school junior. IF YOU COULD BE ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I would be Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy had a way of finding the best in people, using their strengths to create a community that works together to benefit each other’s goals. This is how I approach my work, so she’s definitely a model character. Plus, I love shoes!
connecting their why to those oppor- tunities. I also love working with my students through my Head Toward College Foundation. Through the work of the foundation, I counsel stu- dents from underserved communities and advise the students of Working Towards Change, our student volun- teer initiative, who plan and imple- ment community service projects throughout the year.
HOW HAS NACAC PLAYED A ROLE IN YOUR CAREER?
NACAC has been a source of edu- cation, peer networking, and sup- port. I often find myself turning to the resources NACAC offers, or to other members, when I have a ques- tion or need to bounce an idea off a colleague. Being an IEC is often a solitary position; being part of NACAC allows me to feel part of a commu- nity and makes the career choice less lonely. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING OUR PROFESSION TODAY? The biggest challenge I see is the adolescent mental health crisis. As advisers who work with teens, many of us have taken on an additional role of therapist, even though we are not, as professionals, credentialed in that manner. But we must do what we can to support our clients and all
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Rae-Anne Mena Associate Director of Admissions Creighton University (NE)
NACAC MEMBER SINCE 2008
IF YOU COULD BE ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I think I’m going to go with Nancy Drew. In my middle management years, one of my colleagues called me Nancy Drew for my ability to size up a situation, figure things out, and solve problems. I’d like to think that I am as smart, resourceful, and energetic as Nancy Drew is, too!
WHAT DREW YOU TO THE WORLD OF COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING? Like so many in the field, I was a tour guide and admission intern at my alma mater (University of Miami). As a public relations major, I quickly realized that so much of admission is PR and 25 years later, I have so loved my role as a college admission counselor that it doesn’t even feel like work most days. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB? Working with students during such an exciting and hope-filled time of their lives. I know the college admis- sion process comes with stress, but I love reminding students to take a deep breath because everyone is getting in somewhere and that the best is yet to come in terms of their growth opportunities in college. HOW HAS NACAC PLAYED A ROLE IN YOUR CAREER? I am so thankful to NACAC for providing opportunities across all the phases of my career. As some- one who has spent 19 of her 25 years in college admission as a regionally based admission counselor, NACAC has given me some of the leadership and professional development oppor- tunities that weren’t always available
in the early days of regional represen- tatives. I’ve had the chance to pres- ent at NACAC conferences and serve on the Local Advisory Committee (LAC) for the NACAC conference in Denver. Those interactions led to an opportunity to lead panel conversa- tions to help inspire emerging leaders in the field. These days I enjoy serv- ing NACAC and my fellow regionally based admission professionals as one of the co-leads for the NACAC Special Interest Group (SIG) for Regional Admission Counselors. As I have grown in experience in the field, so have the opportunities from NACAC! WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING OUR PROFESSION TODAY? It feels like the well-being of our high school and college students is one of the biggest challenges we face. I hear from colleagues in high schools and on college campuses about their need to support students where they are right now and often hear about the challenges from stu- dents directly in their essays and outreach. WHEN YOU AREN’T WORKING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO? I love hiking and am a huge fan of road trips. A scenic road trip to a good hike would be a perfect day!
SPRING 2024 • 7
SERVE
Intrusive Success
OneGoal, a community-based organization in Chicago, Illinois, makes postsecondary planning an intrusive part of students’ lives — something that is key to its success.
By Kenya McCullum
W hen former U.S. President Barack Obama spoke about the success of Caleb Na- varro during the College Opportunity Summit in 2014, OneGoal made na- tional headlines. That’s because the community-based organization had helped Navarro — a struggling teen from the west side of Chicago who went on to earn a doctor of pharma- cy degree — change his life through postsecondary education. In a way, with that moment in the national spotlight, OneGoal had gone full circle. The organization, which has helped countless students over the past 15 years, was founded because of a headline. In 2006, the Chicago Tribune ran a story about how only six out of every 100 students from Chicago pub- lic schools would earn a bachelor’s degree by the age of 25. According to Melissa Connelly, OneGoal’s chief executive officer who was a fifth- grade teacher in Chicago at the time, this was a stunning revelation for educators in the area. In fact, fel- low Chicago teacher Jeff Nelson was so astonished by this headline that
he knew he had to do something to address the problem. “Educators looked at that and thought, ‘What are we doing?’” said Connelly. “Just being that transpar- ent was a wake-up call to our entire school system, including my founder and predecessor, who at that time was teaching fifth grade five blocks away from where I was teaching fifth grade. And so the way Jeff, our
founder, tells this story is that head- line sparked something in him and he realized he needed to do more and figure out what happens after ele- mentary school and then what hap- pens after high school that creates this reality.” CREATING A NEW REALITY OneGoal was born to help cre- ate the reality Chicago educators
Participants at the OneGoal Student Summit in Metro Atlanta, which brought nearly 650 OneGoal high school juniors and seniors together in March 2024.
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It’s about taking the existing assets in our schools and school systems and focusing them on some of these longer-term outcomes that honestly often matter more to communities, parents, and young people than any- thing else,” said Connelly. ONEGOAL IMPACTS STUDENTS OneGoal’s unique approach mat- tered a lot to Loreal Latimer when she was part of OneGoal’s first cohort. Although she earned good grades and was always motivated and pas- sionate about her education, as one of 10 children in a family living on the South Side of Chicago, she faced the common barriers that come with a lack of resources. She knew the direc- tion she wanted to go in, but OneGoal was instrumental in helping her nav- igate the college admission process, as well as introduce her to schools she’d never considered before. “I remember they took us on an overnight college tour to the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign that year, and I didn’t even know it existed,” Latimer said.
wanted for their students. The orga- nization, which was originally called Urban Students Empowered (US Empowered), began as an after- school program to support students in 11th and 12th grade at Dunbar High School transition to college. After three years, the growing orga- nization made a transition of its own to ensure it could help students with the tactical part of college admission, like filling out school and financial aid applications, while also address- ing the factors that preclude stu- dents from reaching their college aspirations. In order to do this, OneGoal adopted what Connelly calls an intrusive counseling model, where cohorts of students participate in a credit-bearing elective course during the junior and senior years of high school and continue to receive support from program directors through their first year of college. While the word “intrusive” may have a derogatory connotation, for OneGoal, this intrusive approach is far from negative. The program becomes
a regular part of students’ days, just like any other class. As such, they’re not able to easily overlook their col- lege preparatory activities. “I would say physical education is pretty intrusive in the high school schedule, and so the intrusive com- ponent of it is it’s almost impossible to not engage. That’s how we think about what intrusive advising is, that you should have to opt-out as opposed to opting in to this kind of life coaching,” said Connelly. To help make intrusive counseling successful, the organization adopted a model where it provides support to educators and those who regularly interact with the students. Connelly feels that this helps get the best results in the 300 schools OneGoal partners with because the program directors and school administrators understand the needs of their stu- dents best. “I think what is so brilliant about the model is that it’s not about trying to make time where there is none, or nurture relationships where they don’t naturally or organically exist.
PRESIDENTIAL SPOTLIGHT
By the time Caleb was a sophomore, he wasn’t doing all that well in school. He wasn’t motivated to try harder; starting to give
up on himself. The folks at OneGoal saw a spark of something that was special in Caleb. Once he joined their program, he started to believe that maybe he was capable of achieving more. Expert teachers helped him focus on academics and taught him how to stick with his studies, even when it was hard.
- Former President Barack Obama, College Opportunity Summit, Dec. 4, 2014
SPRING 2024 • 9
SERVE
Part of who Latimer became thanks to OneGoal is a resourceful and resilient woman who was able to access the resources she needed when she went away to college, as well as bounce back when she was disappointed by her academic performance.
“That became my top choice and I applied and I got in and I went there on a full ride. OneGoal definitely set a high expectation and had an impres- sionable impact on who I wanted to become.” Part of who Latimer became thanks to OneGoal is a resourceful and resilient woman who was able to access the resources she needed when she went away to college, as well as bounce back when she was disappointed by her academic per- formance. Used to being a straight-A student in high school, she initially struggled in college, but persevered to earn an undergraduate degree in communications and a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology. “That (initially struggling in col- lege) might make some people quit and drop out, but it was very
at OneGoal. “In some ways, it was a nice way for my brain to switch gears where it wasn’t focused on slope-in- tercept form or quadratic formula, and more on something that seemed to be more applicable to students’ real lives. I could be a human and students could be humans in my class.” That experience with students, including Caleb Navarro, has stayed with Stricker for years, even though he’s no longer in the classroom. “I think it continues to be reward- ing. It’s cliché, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving,” said Stricker. “I’m able to still be in contact with stu- dents who are now 28 years old, and so OneGoal built these bonds that I was a little bit skeptical of when I first started. I didn’t know if I had the per- sonality for this, but OneGoal really opened me up. This was before I had kids of my own, so it expanded my heart in a way that allowed for some- thing where I can still be in touch with students all these years later.”
“As a student, I would say that OneGoal shifted the trajectory of my life in so many positive ways. Those were formative years for me — I was 16 years old navigating so much — and OneGoal would put me in rooms with people and just told me to let my light shine,” she said. “I took that very seriously.”
The rewards of OneGoal reach far beyond the students served:
Program directors also have profound experiences through the work they do.
ONEGOAL IMPACTS EDUCATORS, TOO The rewards of OneGoal reach far beyond the students served: Program directors also have profound experi- ences through the work they do. “I loved teaching math for a num- ber of years, but there seemed to be something different, more exciting, perhaps more at stake, in trying to guide students toward their postsec- ondary pathways,” said Drew Stricker, senior director of data and learning
humanizing for me,” said Latimer. “The resilience on how to bounce back from that is certainly something that I learned immediately.” Latimer later returned to OneGoal as a senior director of program inno- vation and now works as the man- aging director of talent development and culture at College Track, a college completion program that serves stu- dents from low-income communities. She credits OneGoal as a launchpad to her success.
Kenya McCullum is a freelance writer based in California.
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REGISTER TODAY!
REGISTRATION BENEFITS Your NACAC Conference 2024 registration gives you access to these benefits and more!
EDUCATION
NETWORKING
COMMUNITY
• 175+ Exhibitors including 30+ First-Time Exhibitors
• Advocacy and Community Support Initiatives
• 100+ Education Sessions
• Access to all Main Stage Sessions including State of the Association/ Membership Meeting
• Unlimited Networking with 6,000+ College Admission Counseling Professionals, Sponsors, and Exhibitors
• Special Interest Group (SIG) Meetings
• Affiliate Meetings
• Solutions Showcase Presentations
• Access College Fair
• First Timers’ Orientation
• Regional College Tours
• Preconference Workshops and Seminars*
• Welcome Reception and Closing Celebration
• Meet Your Match and NACAC Scavenger Hunt
• Counselors’ College Fair
• NACAC Booth
SPRING 2024 • 11
ADVICE
HOW I… REST AND RECHARGE OVER THE SUMMER Tips and insights from college admission counseling professionals.
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High school counselors and advisers are in the business of supporting students’ college and career goals and helping them navigate social and emotional issues. It is often difficult for us to unwind and give ourselves permission for self-care. Through the years, I
I actually work a part-time job that has nothing to do
have learned to actually plan time for the leisure activities that I enjoy. This may include visits to the local museums (the Dallas/Fort Worth area has several), nearby lakes, and parks; lunch with family and friends at a new restaurant; or reading a great mystery novel. Taking time for yourself during the summer will give you the positive energy to tackle the challenges of the fall semester.
with education. I like to stay busy and have an outgoing personality, so it feeds both of those. I also travel, garden, read, and spend a lot of time outdoors. Nancy Wolfe
Veronica Adams Counselor L. V. Berkner High School (TX)
District College Counselor Huntsville City Schools (AL)
I’m an avid, amateur woodworker
and carpenter. Over the summer, I spend a lot of time in my workshop building furniture ranging from Adirondack chairs to tables. My wife loves it when I build new furniture for her craft room. I also love
barbecuing for large crowds. An ideal summer day is spent with something being cooked low and slow on the smoker and a project ongoing in the workshop.
Daniel Monahan Associate Director of College Counseling Cushing Academy (MA)
SPRING 2024 • 13
I spend a lot of time outside and setting goals for
ADVICE
the fall semester, whether it’s personal or work-related. Summer is a good time to do that and to reflect on the past year. I journal my goals using a one-a-day entry journal, which is great to track them and look back.
Madeline Mancuso Admission Counselor Tulane University (LA)
I go on lots of walks first thing in the morning
In the spring and fall, I’m in catch-up mode, but in the
before it gets too hot, and I make sure to leave my phone at home while I do that. It’s nice to have the time to fill your own cup before you try to fill others. I also like to go somewhere different for lunch during the week. You can feel so cooped up working from home sometimes, it’s nice to mix it up and have some excitement there. Casey Padgett Assistant Director of Admissions University of Delaware
summer, I’m not trying to chase my routine anymore. It’s my favorite time of the year because I can enjoy the mornings, go for a walk,
and enjoy my coffee. The recharge in the summer includes a lot of sunshine, seeing family and friends, and getting back into the routine that serves me best.
Kelsey Livingston Regional Recruiter The University of Arizona
I spend as much time as I can with my family, for sure.
I have an 8-month-old at home now, so I spend as much time with my family as I can. I use vacation time in the summer to recharge mentally and physically. It can be a lot being on the road sometimes, so just taking time to mentally recharge before coming back for the fall.
Michael McGurl Admissions Counselor Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (PA)
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Enhance your knowledge and advance your career by earning a professional certificate with NACAC!
NACAC offers a variety of certificate programs developed in response to the current needs of college admission counseling professionals.
For more information, visit: www.nacacnet.org/certificate-programs
ADVOCACY
Ways to Continue Advocacy Outside of Legislative Sessions With many state legislative sessions now behind us, consider strategies that can guide your advocacy efforts all year long.
By CJ Powell
E ach state’s constitution de- termines the length of their legislative sessions and dates for when those sessions must occur. Perhaps surprising to some, not all state legislatures meet every year — Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Texas meet in odd number years, un- less a special session is called. Many state legislative sessions take place within the first quarter or half of the year, leaving a significant portion of the calendar year for advocates to prepare for the next session, reflect on the most recent session, and focus advocacy away from the legislative branch. Check out some ideas of how you can make sure your advocacy happens year-round. Draft legislation to share with policymakers: If there is a spe- cific policy you would like to see introduced, take a pass at drafting legislation to share with potential champions in the legislature. Use this resource to find your state’s drafting manual. Don’t feel pressure to get the legislation exactly right — that’s the policymaker’s job — but if you can PREPARE FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Many state legislative sessions take place within the first quarter or half of the year, leaving a significant portion of the calendar year for advocates to prepare for the next session.
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Most bills do not pass out of committee upon their first introduction, much less the whole legislature, but they do often introduce new ideas.
of committee upon their first intro- duction, much less the whole legis- lature, but they do often introduce new ideas. Building public support for these new ideas may take anywhere from one to several more sessions. Analyzing bills that were introduced but came close to passing can help you develop a legislative strategy to get the bills you like across the finish line and prevent the bills you oppose from getting out of the starting blocks. CONSIDER ADVOCACY THAT ENCOURAGES EXECUTIVE ACTIONS Highlight actions for your gov- ernor to take: Are there activities or practices the governor’s office can spotlight? For example, you could ask the governor to highlight College Application Week in your state. Or you could ask your governor to create a task force to explore a specific topic related to your policy agenda. These sorts of actions can create positive attention or more research on topics you care about. Respond to notices for public comments: State departments of education often are required to seek public input on various policies, such as grant implementation. If your policy agenda includes the equita- ble distribution of resources across the state, there may be an opportu- nity to share that perspective during the public comment phase of a grant implementation. Track your state’s department of education website for more information on which policies require public input.
left out of any potential policy to earn your support. Find allies: Use the time in between legislative sessions to iden- tify other like-minded advocates. Building a network that can share information, expertise, and resources to advance a common goal can be an efficient use of time as you prepare for future legislative sessions. Perhaps you want to form an official coalition that’s known for advocating on a spe- cific topic, such as support for school counselors and college advisers. It could also be a great time to recon- nect with other advocates who you may not have worked with in a while. REFLECT ON THE PREVIOUS SESSION Write a blog or letter to the edi- tor: Write a public reflection on the previous session. Highlight policies that were good, explaining why they will benefit key constituencies, as well as less favorable policies, articulating how they miss the mark. This helps you voice your approval and disap- pointments while showcasing your expertise. The ability to communi- cate statehouse happenings in plain language can be incredibly helpful in building a pool of people that you may want to activate and engage later. Analyze bills that came close to passing: Most bills do not pass out
get them some of the way there, you are certainly making their job easier and increasing the likelihood they take your recommendation. If taking on a whole bill seems like too much, you can draft policy principles that are related to your topics of interest and lay out what must be included or
CJ Powell is the director of advocacy at NACAC.
SPRING 2024 • 17
LEARN
A Peek Behind the Curtain
The chief enrollment officer at the University of Colorado Boulder sheds light on the many nuances of the college admission process.
By Amy Hutton
A s the chief enrollment officer at the University of Colorado Boulder, one of the most com- mon questions I get is what it takes to be admitted to the university. Of course, another common question I get is if I know Coach Prime, but that’s for ano- ther time. As far as admission, counselors want to know all they can so they can sup- port their students, and students want to know how to prepare a successful application. Yet, the reality of what goes into college admission is more com- plex than a single answer. Institutions are grappling with whether to remain
test-optional, how to navigate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding race in college admission, how to pre- pare for the declining number of high school graduates, how to balance budgets with inflation, and how to prepare for what litigation might be coming next. Positioning a university for long-term health is critical and plays into how colleges make admis- sion decisions. As counselors look to help stu- dents navigate this complex system, I know it can be beneficial for them to have a peek behind the curtain.
18 • THE JOURNAL OF COLLEGE ADMISSION
HOLISTIC ADMISSION
read applications, and some hire tem- porary staff or seasonal readers to assist during peak seasons. For less selective institutions, some automa- tion may be used. Clearly, the higher education landscape is complex, and no two institutions are the same. As coun- selors assist students in their college admission journey, they should seek to understand the unique situation of each institution their student is inter- ested in to determine if it’s a good fit. The insight here is just a fraction of what’s available to counselors, who must not only consider the varying types of institutions, but also different types of students. As someone who PUTTING IT IN PRACTICE
partner, as are fellow high school counselors. College admission and financial aid personnel are happy to answer questions, share information, and connect with students. An immediate resource to turn to is NACAC’s sixth edition of the Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling textbook, which is now available for purchase. In it, I delve into other nuances of the college admission process, including school rank, essays and short answers, let- ters of recommendation, demograph- ics, disciplinary review, and more. Remember: This profession will constantly challenge us to learn and grow. There will be students who will push you to learn new things in order to support them effectively. When
Gone are the days of focusing solely on admitting students. Now, institutions are interested in holis- tic admission and understanding the entire student to determine if they’re a good fit for the institution’s mission. Students will be part of the commu- nity and culture of their institutions, so understanding who they are out- side the classroom is important to reviewers as they seek to admit stu- dents who are most likely to succeed. For example, if an institution values leadership, they want to see how stu- dents have demonstrated leadership on a sports field, in volunteer work, or within the classroom, among many other potential avenues. With that said, counselors must understand that while a student’s holistic experience is taken into con- sideration, performance in the class- room will always play an important role in college admission decisions and course rigor will be considered highly in determining who to admit. While an exact rubric may not be publicized, each institution does pub- lish key data points that can help counselors and prospective students understand their likelihood of being admitted. These common data sets include the average or middle 50 per- cent of standardized test scores, GPA, class rank, and more. HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE Further complicating the process is the array of ways an institution can choose to admit students. Some institutions admit students to the college or university as a whole, while others admit by program of study. Some institutions will wait until a round of students is ready to review, while others will compare students to a set standard and make an admis- sion decision on a rolling basis. Many institutions employ full-time staff to
Gone are the days of focusing solely on admitting students. Now, institutions are interested in holistic admission and understanding the entire student to determine if they’re a good fit for the institution’s mission.
worked on Broadway and used to be a professor of theater, I can attest that a student auditioning for a per- forming arts program requires differ- ent guidance than other applicants. Having worked at three NCAA Division I institutions, I also can attest that athletes have different requirements and expectations, especially if a stu- dent hopes to play at the Division I level. Whatever the situation, each student is unique and so are the skills necessary to be a successful college counselor. I like to remind counselors, both new and experienced, that they are not alone on this journey. The higher education community is eager to
you get the first music performance major at your high school, you can call higher education institutions with strong music programs to ask them for advice, or you can reach out to counselors at high schools with strong music programs. Every expert was once new and many of them are eager to share what they’ve learned along the way. Amy Hutton, Ph. D. is the associate vice chancellor and chief enrollment officer at the University of Colorado Boulder.
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COVER STORY
FACING FAFSA Counselors and admission professionals across the country explain the domino effect of challenges from the FAFSA rollout and the solutions they’ve tried to implement along the way.
By Melissa Brock
20 • THE JOURNAL OF COLLEGE ADMISSION
A s school counselor Mike Cam- panelli takes the 45-minute train ride from his house to Urban Assembly Green Careers High School in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, he thinks through what the day might bring: transition plan- ning for the next school year, a few meetings, schedule planning for stu- dents, and something new — chronic FAFSA hiccups. Since the soft launch of the new FAFSA form on Dec. 30, 2023, school counselors and admission profession- als have been dealing with a series of unforeseen challenges: the FAFSA was only open during limited win- dows of time; periodic maintenance
issues locked students out while others remained on hold; the U.S. Department of Education didn’t send student records until the first half of March, much later than in a typical admission cycle. As a result, the traditional National College Decision Day on May 1 has been postponed at numerous institu- tions and, as it stands, first-year stu- dents across the country have yet to commit to a school. Coast to coast, school counsel- ors and professionals at colleges and universities have struggled with what messages to send to students and families; how to help students make the right college decisions; and
overall, how to ensure they are put- ting those who matter — students and families — first. Here, professionals in college admission counseling share their experiences with the FAFSA rollout, plus the tools and solutions they’ve utilized, and continue to utilize, along the way. With a shake of his head, Campanelli said that financial aid is a huge determining factor in where his students go. “The school I work in is a public school in New York City with first-gen- eration college students; 85 percent NEW YORK
SPRING 2024 • 21
COVER STORY
free and reduced-price lunches,” Campanelli said. His annual FAFSA night, where stu- dents and families are invited to the high school to have assistance com- pleting FAFSA, didn’t go well this year. “We had a fair turnout of parents, but about half walked away not being able to complete the FAFSA, for what- ever reason.” He added that undocumented par- ents have had the most difficult time getting through the FAFSA. To try to alleviate these burdens, he reached out to a handful of col- leges in the hope of getting some answers. They all said similar things: “We know as much as you know. We’re not expecting things to happen in a timely sense.” “The CSS profile schools aren’t as worried about the FAFSA. You can tell your students we understand what they’re dealing with.” “(The FAFSA challenges) are add- ing to the anxiety that people feel around the process,” Campanelli said. “Some parents are able to accept that, but for a lot of families, it’s difficult.” To help alleviate some of the uncertainty, Campanelli said he’s been in contact with NACAC, New York ACAC, and the College Access Consortium of New York for resources and guidance. He’s utilized general information from these sources and attended events hosted by the groups to learn about critical updates and news.
award and miss the open house events. This is just another way in which low- and middle-income fam- ilies are further marginalized in the college application process.” Along the way, O’Hara has got- ten his information from a variety of sources, including through visits to colleges and universities with his son. He noticed some colleges have been innovative. For example, St. Edward’s University (TX) created its own FAFSA tool to send to all admitted students, turning around a financial aid pack- age within five to seven days. “This initiative felt like a win-win, addressing both student-centered and institutional practices. It pro- vided families with more information sooner, reducing waiting times and potentially increasing enrollment deposits,” said O’Hara. He also used College Aid Pro, a for-profit service that hosts biweekly lunchtime calls for counselors. O’Hara said hearing other counselors ask questions has been beneficial. He also found the College Admission Counselors Facebook group, which includes school counselors, inde- pendent counselors, and admission professionals, to be a valuable crowd- sourcing tool. Another challenge he’s seen stu- dents and families face — which was just recently corrected by the Department of Education — is not being able to submit corrections or add colleges to their FAFSA. “My senior added a college to his list in late January after we had sub- mitted his FAFSA, but there is no way to let that college know there is a FAFSA out there for him,” he said in regards to the previous issue. About 50 percent of O’Hara’s stu- dents stay in New England for col- lege, and 50 percent leave the region. About 25 percent attend public uni- versities, and the rest of the students
All in all, he describes this FAFSA cycle as “one step forward, three steps back.” “It’s just a frustrating process for everyone to know that this was three- plus years in the planning, and this was the best thing we could come up with.” RHODE ISLAND Jonah O’Hara, director of college counseling at Rocky Hill Country Day School in East Greenwich, has felt a double whammy this year. He’s helping his son navigate the college admission process, as well as helping all the other senior students and their families at his school. O’Hara advised families to wait until mid-January to begin the FAFSA process, as he figured the December rollout would be buggy. What he’s noticed in the past few months is that low- and middle-income fami- lies have suffered even more, in ways people might not think of. For instance, these families strug- gle with whether to make campus visits. “Most families who need to wait for need-based aid awards for stu- dents to decide where they will deposit are families who have limited resources to travel to visit campuses where they were admitted,” he said. “Families are forced to decide if they should invest in visiting colleges where their student was admitted but where they are unsure if they can afford, or wait for their need-based
PAYING FOR COLLEGE NACAC has compiled a list of trusted, up-to-date sources that help students and their families navigate the financial aid process. Sources include the Department of Education, The Institute for College Access and Success, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and more.
22 • THE JOURNAL OF COLLEGE ADMISSION
TEXAS St. Edward’s University developed a workaround with the help of Human Capital Research Corporation, a finan- cial aid consultant, which created a website for students that functioned like the FAFSA. The form asked fami- lies to pull information straight from line items on their tax return for the most accurate financial information possible. Human Capital then cre- ated a preliminary offer for prospec- tive St. Edward’s University students who filed the FAFSA simulation. The preliminary offer looks just like the school’s regular offer, though the preliminary offer may change once the university receives complete data from the federal government. “It took students about 20 min- utes to complete. It’s been a really great way to serve families who have had technical glitches with the FAFSA and still cannot complete it,” said Tracy Manier, vice president for enroll- ment management at St. Edward’s. “The answers aren’t instantaneous, but it gives us some insight into stu- dent behavior and their engagement with the university.” In time, all students will receive an official, stated offer, said Manier, who added that the drop in FAFSA-filers It’s just a frustrating process for everyone to know that this was three-plus years in the planning, and this was the best thing we could come up with. Mike Campanelli School Counselor Urban Assembly Green Careers High School (NY)
across the country — 40 percent fewer students — is staggering to her. OREGON Jon Boeckenstadt, vice provost for enrollment management at Oregon State University, lives by a simple motto: “You’ll never go wrong when you keep students and parents first.” Boeckenstadt’s team emails every applicant and parent, and he answers some families himself. He and his team have relied on traditional and social media, the Department of Education website, and almost daily discussions with the university’s director of financial aid to stay on top of what’s happening with the FAFSA. Boeckenstadt acknowledges that there are changes and challenges in every admission cycle but said his team has had to roll with the punches more than usual this year — just like everyone else. “We’ve always had the FAFSA deadline at the end of February; we moved that to March. We always had a deadline of May 1 for tuition depos- its, and we have moved that to June 1,” Boeckenstadt said. The institution made changes to its orientation days, too. Students ENROLLMENT DEADLINES DIRECTORY Due to FAFSA delays, some colleges and universities changed their enrollment deadlines and financial aid priority dates for students planning to enroll in the fall of 2024. To help school counselors and students,
attend private schools and most rely on financial aid to foot the bill. He applauds colleges that have pushed back their deadlines and hopes they will remain flexible over the next phase. “These are the kinds of partner- ships we all need as a gesture of compassion and understanding in the face of so much uncertainty,” O’Hara said. Looking ahead, he can’t tell if it’ll be any better for the class of 2025. He’s looking forward to announce- ments over the summer about when the FAFSA will be ready to launch in October. However, he wonders what’s going to move the needle. “Is it communication from school counselors? Petitions out there reach- ing out to congressmen? Maybe we need to write to members of Congress to make this a high, high priority, to make sure it’s ready in advance of Oct. 1. Grassroots efforts may move the needle a little bit,” he said. There is one silver lining: “When my student and I sat down and did the FAFSA profile together, I found the FAFSA actually really easy to complete, if we’re looking for any upside to this,” O’Hara said.
NACAC created a public directory of fall 2024 enrollment commitment deadlines submitted by nearly 500 member institutions.
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