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When test centers around the country and world were shut down in 2020, colleges had no other choice but to allow students to apply without standardized test scores. This was a major shift in the admission process and one that has changed the face of admissions. While there are many upsides to this this policy, it often leaves students confused about how they should navigate this new process. Below are a few helpful recommendations to consider as you work through the college search and application process. WHICH SCHOOLS ARE TEST OPTIONAL? Fairtest.org maintains an updated list of all test policies. These policies are also on the college websites under admission requirements. Question 1: WHAT IS YOUR GPA? The most important thing to consider when deciding to be test optional is what test score you need to achieve in order to match your GPA . For instance, if you have a 4.2 weighted GPA, your SAT or ACT score needs to be pretty darn high to reflect the merit of that GPA. While there is no exact science to this, I would imagine colleges expect a student who earns a 4.2 GPA to get at least a 1350 on their SAT. If you take your PSAT and an SAT and are scoring around an 1100 with a 4.2 GPA, you might consider putting your energy into other areas like your essay or extra-curriculars, rather than studying for the SAT. This is not because an 1100 isn't good; rather it is because your GPA is a stronger metric than an 1100 SAT so if given the choice, I advise students to choose test optional. Question 2: What is the average SAT score at the college? After comparing your SAT/ACT scores to your GPA, your next step is to see where your score compares to the average score at the college. Remember- colleges are reporting ONLY the test scores that were sent. And students who chose to send their scores, likely have higher scores than the average of the college. Therefore the test averages of most schools are skewed to a higher scale. Example: Two students- One student earned a 1040 on her SAT and the second student earned a 1500. Guess who sends their scores? The one with the 1500! As for deciding to send based on the average, my advice is that the SAT has to trump your GPA AND also be at least the higher end of their average. For instance, if the average GPA of a school is 1380-1500, you would want to have at least a 1430 to send. So do I still test? With all of this information, you are probably wondering if you should even take these tests. My recommendation is yes and there are a few reasons why: S ome schools require an test score and you will not have a firm list until after you have missed the window to test. It would be a shame to not test and then later find out that a school you really like requires test scores. Some scholarships or special academic programs still require test scores. You might find out that your schools do not require test scores for admission, BUT they do for a limited enrollment program (nursing, computer science, engineering) or for a scholarship. It's better to be safe than sorry and just have the test score. Fatal flaws of the process: One of the most important tasks of the college application is to DESIGNATE on each application whether you choose to be test optional or not. It is very possible that you choose test optional at one school and you choose to not be test optional at another. Each test optional school provides a space for you to make this choice. If you choose NOT to be test optional, then the college will expect you to send your test scores. If you do not, then your application is incomplete. The top takeaways: 1. Students must select test optional on EACH college application. 2. Students should weight how impactful their GPA is to their application. If it is a very strong GPA, and you haven't scored great on your PSAT, then consider applying test optional. Also, remember to compare your scores with the average of all students. 3. There are currently over 2100 schools that are test optional. For all of those students who just don't perform great on standardized tests, this gives you a chance to showcase your talents from the classroom and other areas of your life!

I was recently talking with a student about their college essay topic. The student shared that their independent college counselor recommended they volunteer at the Special Olympics or at a food pantry to try to create experiences for their essay. Let me start by sharing that I am fully in favor of volunteering, especially when it involves experiencing a life different than yours while also providing a service to others. I also understand how these experiences can broaden the perspective of an adolescent which in turn can help shape an essay. However, I cringe at the idea of engaging in these activities to solely fabricate a college essay. The point of the college essay is to provide a snapshot of your personality and lived experiences , while also demonstrating your ability to communicate through writing. I've worked with 1000's of students and every student has a unique story . Truly every student. Perhaps you did not start a business or volunteer 1500 hours for a local charity, but you have compassion, grit, empathy, wisdom, leadership, responsibility or another personality trait coupled with 1000's of life experiences that will shape a meaningful college essay. Rather than searching for new experiences or embellishing old experiences, do an archaeological dig into your life and uncover stories and experiences in your life that have shaped who you are today. The strongest essays often include the simplest stories , paired with the strongest connection to values and beliefs . So before you join a volunteer organization or try a new class in order to augment your college essay, STOP. Instead, spend time reflecting on your values and beliefs. Contemplate what you will offer to the college and brainstorm all the stories, experiences, and situations in your life where these values have shown up. Working with students to create their college essays is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences. As their college coach, I get to guide students through a journey of self-exploration and self-discovery with the ultimate goal of helping them realize who they are and who they want to be. And at the same time, we often uncover the most amusing and special stories along the way!

Avoid Absolutes — Encourage Exploration    Jill Altshuler Definition- Absolute : Certain and Undoubted.   For example, an “absolute truth” would be a truth that is unquestionable and beyond doubt. Reflection:    A former English colleague of mine shared a story with me a while back. A presenter in her 11th grade classroom told the class to “not worry about letters of recommendation because no one reads them.”  In a matter of seconds, a whole classroom of students now believed that recommendations don’t matter. Do recommendations matter? As most know, the answer is sometimes . When we talk with students or our children about college and career exploration, our messages must avoid absolutes and encourage exploration and open mindedness. Why? The job market has changed—and continues to change. College admissions has changed—and continues to change. Students change.  They grow. They mature.  What we tell one child might not apply to the next. So how do we help students make informed choices without resorting to absolutes? Sometimes it’s tempting. For example, a student in front of you is failing Algebra 1 for the second time and shares that they want to study Engineering. It’s tempting to say, “You can’t do that.”  After all, you know that Engineering requires an intense amount of math. But when you say never  or you can’t , you close a door that doesn’t need to be closed—at least not yet.  Or you instill a belief that isn’t ALWAYS true. The Reality: How do we know the student won’t ever achieve a certain goal?  Or if the college our student is applying to doesn’t require letters of recommendations.  None of us are all-knowing.  Or fortune tellers?   Given the right timing, circumstances, support, environment, and mindset—who’s to say what someone can and or can’t achieve? I’ve seen more than one person surpass every expectation I had for them—often in ways I never imagined possible.  And I’ve seen colleges change the way they admit students and watched job industries shift their philosophies.  Next Steps: As professionals our role  is to help students recognize there are many ways to achieve their goals.  There is almost never one right answer.  Career and college exploration is personal, complex, and ever changing.  And most importantly, we are present to help our students discover their limitless possibilities and to help students believe  in the worth  we know they possess .  Even if they haven’t shown it yet. So next time you think about espousing what you know to be true- Pause. And ask your child/student a question about their dreams and goals.

Last week, I attended the Exploring College Options  breakfast at Miss Shirley’s, where representatives from six elite colleges shared insights about their institutions.   While the presentations themselves were fairly standard, the real value came during the Q&A session. One question, in particular, stood out—posed by a counselor from Bullis. She asked about the level of competitiveness surrounding extracurricular involvement at selective schools, referencing a former student who had been rejected from multiple clubs after enrolling . I expected the admissions reps to dismiss the experience as an anomaly—but to my surprise, they didn’t. Instead, the UPenn representative candidly shared her own freshman-year struggles. She recalled being turned away from several student organizations—including the ballet club, backpacking club, and even the campus tour guide program. This echoed a recent webinar I attended with Jeff Selingo, who previewed his soon to be published book, Dream School . He shared a similar story about a student at Columbia University who had high expectations but was disappointed when he was rejected from multiple clubs and struck out trying to find research opportunities.  As the UPenn admission counselor spoke, I couldn’t help but think about how many of our students build up a dream school in their minds.  They’re dazzled by glossy brochures, polished tours, rankings, student blogs, and a flurry of social media hype.  These colleges look like beautifully wrapped presents—neatly tied with the perfect bow. The trouble arises when students never actually "open the box." They become so enamored with the image that they overlook the lived experiences behind the scenes—the real campus culture, the level of access, the competitiveness, the sense of belonging (or lack thereof). As counselors, we need to help students go beyond the surface. Let’s encourage them not just to admire the wrapping, but to shake the box, peek inside, and  fully unwrap the box. How competitive is it to join a club?  Get involved in campus life? Schedule classes? Where will they find their people? What research opportunities are available?  Internships?   These are great life lessons for students since colleges are just one example of packages we forget to unwrap!

Before Spring Break,I had a great conversation with an elementary school counselor about helping a student who was feeling disconnected from school. This student has a strong interest in physical activity—football, boxing, martial arts—so we began exploring ways to connect those passions to a meaningful future. The Traditional Route: My instinct was to start brainstorming careers directly tied to fitness or sports. But aside from becoming a professional athlete, the options can feel pretty limited—which, honestly, can be discouraging for both students and counselors. A New Perspective: Instead, I shifted gears. Rather than focusing only on specific careers, I started thinking about industries  that reflect the student’s interests—organizations where the culture  revolves around sports and fitness. Think Under Armour, the Baltimore Ravens, Orioles, college athletic departments, etc. These types of businesses employ hundreds (if not thousands) of people across a wide range of roles—from marketing to logistics to finance to technology—all tied to something the student already loves- sports . Why This Matters: This approach gives students a broader, more expansive view of career possibilities. It helps them see how their passions can align with different types of jobs within  an industry they care about. It shifts the conversation from “What job do you want to do?”  to “What kind of world do you want to be part of? ” Takeaway: I’m not suggesting we replace our current methods—just that we add this strategy to our toolkit. There are so many organizations in our backyard that could resonate with students (Southwest Airlines, Johns Hopkins Hospital). Tapping into those connections can be a powerful way to re-engage students and spark curiosity about their future.