NACAC's List of Colleges Still Accepting Applications

Posted on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 21:44

The annual NACAC Space Availability Survey is now live. At least 375 four-year colleges and universities still have space available for qualified freshman and/or transfer students. The list also includes information about financial aid and housing availability. Seventy percent of the colleges reporting space availability for fall 2012 are private, and 30 percent are public. Among the 375 schools with seats still available are Villanova, Agnes Scott, Chapman, Pace, Seton Hall, Washington & Jefferson, University of Iowa and University of Florida.  And because the survey is voluntary, schools may be added over the next weeks. The survey will remain active on the NACAC website until June 29, 2011. A school's presence on the list implies only space availability. Students must contact the individual colleges directly for application information and admission is contingent upon each school's review of the student's information.

Andrew Flagel, Brandeis University

Posted on Wed, 05/02/2012 - 21:19

Andrew Flagel, Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment at Brandeis University, joins us this month to answer our questions about the private liberal arts university located in Waltham, Massachusetts.

About 3,500 undergraduates live and study on the 235-acre Brandeis campus, which is close enough to Boston to enjoy a view of that city’s skyline. Founded in 1948, the university is named for Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Its origin story continues to inform the school’s mission and milieu — but we will let Mr. Flagel tell you more about that.

In the meantime, some fun facts:

Elsa Heydenreich Clark, Immaculate Heart High School

Posted on Wed, 05/02/2012 - 17:16

Elsa Heydenreich Clark is the Director of College Counseling at Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles, California, a private Catholic college preparatory school for 555 young women in grades 9 through 12.  A graduate of the University of Southern California, Clark also holds a Master of Science in School Counseling from California State University, Los Angeles.

Since 1988, Clark has counseled juniors and seniors at Immaculate Heart, a unique institution with a storied history in Los Angeles. Founded in 1906, today the school ‘s student body includes many who are the daughters and granddaughters of graduates. It is also known for its diversity, reflecting the demographics of the Los Angeles population — two-thirds of those attending are students of color and many are first generation.

Louisiana Tech Joins the Gourmet Guide

Posted on Tue, 05/01/2012 - 21:37

Louisiana-style Cajun cuisine, the "Best Burgers in North Louisiana," and some tart yogurt to top it off. If you're visiting the Ruston, Louisiana, campus of Louisiana Tech University, we've got some recommendations for you. Crawfish, shrimp po-boys, hush puppies, and fried green beans… We wish we were on our way to LA Tech. Check it out here.

National Candidates Reply Date

Posted on Tue, 05/01/2012 - 17:40

Today is the day! Students must formally notify one college that they are accepting its offer of admission -- and seal the deal with a deposit check. Congratulations! But, of course, the school year and your college admission process are not quite over... You may still need to forward the results of your AP exams, deal with housing and even roommate selection at your chosen school for next year, and finish your senior year strong. Remember, acceptances are conditional and your entire senior year is important to colleges. For a good summary of the steps you will need to keep in mind beyond today's decision, check out the excellent May Checklist for Seniors at The New York Times' Choice blog. And we want to add one more item to that check list -- a warning against double depositing. Sending a deposit to more than one college to keep your options open is unethical and may result in both colleges rescinding your admission. See our recent blog post on double depositing here.

The Wait List: Explained

Posted on Fri, 04/27/2012 - 20:23

John Carpenter, author of  Going Geek: What Every Smart Kid (and Every Smart Parent) Should Know About College Admissions, has a column on his website today at AskJohnAboutCollege.com that every student on a wait list could benefit from reading. "Don't You Hate the Wait List" explains how colleges manage their wait lists, the implications for financial aid, and what a students next steps should be. Carpenter's advice is both realistic and reassuring. Check it out.

NACAC's List of Colleges Still Accepting Applications Available May 3

Posted on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 20:16

NACAC's annual Space Availability Survey, a searchable list of colleges still accepting applications for Fall 2012 freshman and transfer students, will be available to the public begging Thursday, May 3 through Friday, June 29 on NACAC’s website. Colleges’ listings also will include information about the availability of institutional financial aid and housing. Counselors, students, and families are encouraged to check the results periodically. NACAC anticipates that many colleges will complete the survey after the initial deadline and will update their listings as space availability changes. In 2011, 370 colleges listed either freshman and/or transfer space availability.  

Diversity: Best-selling Author Lalita Tademy's "Aha Moment"

Posted on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 18:39

Award-winning author Lalita Tademy joins us today for the second installment in our series featuring deans of admission, educators, and public figures and their personal “aha” moments on the subject of diversity.

As that subject receives renewed attention in the wake of the Supreme Court’s agreement to hear a case challenging the University of Texas’ admission policy, we wanted to examine the role diversity plays in college admission.  Why do colleges value diversity? Is it a worthwhile goal? What are its implications – pro and con? It is a subject that is complex, sometimes divisive, and often not well understood by students and parents.

Lalita Tademy continues the discussion today with a remarkable personal story:

In late 1956, my family bought a plot of land in a suburban all-white town in northern California. Our potential neighbors were not pleased with the prospect of African-Americans living so close, and pooled their funds to buy the land back, adding in a profit for us, if we agreed not to move in.

A Q&A on Financial Aid at The Choice

Posted on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 08:19

The Choice blog at the New York Times is hosting a Q & A on scholarships, loans, and financial aid all week, featuring the advice of expert Mark Kantrowitz, founder of FinAid.org. This is a great resource for families evaluating financial aid offers in the run-up to May 1st when all applicants must notify one college of their acceptance of an offer of admission. But even those families who aren't quite there yet should take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about how to pay for college. You can find Part 1 of the series here.