There is no question that COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. Schools are closed, students are having to learn remotely through a variety of means. Adjustments to time and family life have had to been made. Social distancing, quarantines, stores and restaurants closed, and lots of bad news. It is hard to keep one’s head focused on the future. But that is what is necessary.

Here are a few things to remember:

1. It could be worse. The actions that most countries are taking are helping to resolve the pandemic that is beginning to work. China has drastically improved the situation to the point where things are beginning to get back to normal-ish.
2. The old adage One Day at a Time is an important one to live by. While the world seems to be crumbling, it is not. What you can do is focus on what you need to do today – school work, projects etc… Do your best.
3. Use your time wisely, avoid procrastination. Set a schedule to get things done. Schoolwork, exercise, read, write stories, play games with your family (not computer games, but good old fashion ones or create something new.) Being active and engaged keeps you on task. In other words, keep busy!
4. Keep balanced. Manage your time wisely, don’t overindulge.
5. Avoid negativity. There is nothing worse for the psyche than negativity. It wears you down, brings on depression, bad habits and can grow into a vicious cycle. Make a gratitude list – small things that you are grateful for – a roof over your head, food on the table, good health, your education, a loving family and good friends. Keep it simple.
6. Create positivity – instead of focusing on the not so good things, create change. Think of your family, your home, your neighbors, your community. What positive things can you do? Remember there are people worse off than you. They need your good energy.
7. Be creative. Think of ways you can engage your left brain. Try something new, research or investigate topics that have always interested you but maybe you haven’t had the time.
8. This too will pass. It may get worse in places, but as we have seen there is change coming. Don’t have regrets that you didn’t do well or get something done. You cannot blame a virus or the circumstances. There is only you.

A lot of the above is not only personal but about school. Remember that how you do through these circumstances is important. Many of you have applied to boarding schools or university. With the recent news standardized test scores – e.g. ACT, SAT, TOEFL, IB exams, A Levels and possibly take-home exams for AP, schools, and colleges will need to rethink their side of admissions. What we do know is that how you manage this time, before the end of the semester/term will be the most important validation. KEEP YOUR GRADES UP, in other words. Schools will be looking closely at your grades and COVID-19 is not an excuse (generally speaking).

If you are going to apply next year to schools, the same applies. But there are other things you should be doing if you are about to enter the admission cycle.

1. Research schools and research them deeply. Be broad and wide at first, then narrow over time.
   1. Attend virtual tours and admission sessions
   2. For schools that you are interested in, click on the More Information tab in admissions so that you get on their radar.
   3. Talk to current students or alumni
2. Prepare for standardized tests even though they have been postponed.
   1. Take a Duolingo English Test – many schools have added this to their English requirements either as a replacement for TOEFL or IELTS or add additional information.
3. If you are a junior, you can start working on your application:
   1. Open a Common Application account if you are planning to apply to the US. Other countries you need to wait awhile. Make sure you are opening an account for the next admission cycle 2020-21.
   2. Start thinking about or writing your personal statement. I strongly recommend avoiding – How I Survived COVID – 19 as a topic. But instead, think about some of the factors that lead to change in you. Be a little more creative and thoughtful. It will be an overused topic.
4. Build your resume starting from the Grade 9 equivalent to now: sports, clubs, organizations, other activities, and interests.
   1. Think about how these interests have changed, guided and developed you
   2. Why do you do them? Because you are good at them or genuinely interested.
   3. What have they provided you?

You have the ability to make your world right-side up. Don’t allow it to be upside down. Human intelligence has solved far greater problems and issues. Be part of the change even if it is in a small way. Work now and you will be better prepared for the future.

Stay safe, be healthy and as always remain grateful.

Hamilton Gregg is the founder of International Educational Consulting and has worked in education since 1985. He helps students and their families understand their personal and educational needs and find the right school to meet their requirements. If you are a student or parent who would like to ask Gregg a question on our blog, please email hsgregg45@gmail.com

Photos: Unsplash, Hamilton Gregg

Flights canceled, borders closed, health care strikes, ethnic discrimination, test kit shortages, epidemic or pandemic – there is a crisis and navigating the complexities of the Coronavirus will take caution, patience, and flexibility. The virus had terrible timing to hit during the largest movement of people on the planet and combined with poor oversight, the virus has now spread to 23 countries with 17,000 lab-confirmed cases and over 360 deaths. In comparison to other infections, this virus is still in its infancy. SARS only hit 8,098 people and MERS only about 2,500. The H1N1, otherwise known as Swine Flu, killed 285,000 which is still less than the normal flu which occurs every year. Approximately the flu sends about 700,000 people to the hospital every year according to the CDC.

Now the Coronavirus is getting the attention it deserves in China, and across the rest of the world major precautions are in effect. Having been in the States for the last three weeks on school visits, most schools were operating business as usual. Please know that schools are taking appropriate actions by providing support to current students. Many boarding schools are encouraging students to monitor their health, requesting students to stay healthy and if not feeling well visit the school infirmary or doctor.

With several holidays coming up (Presidents Day and Spring Vacation), schools are also providing solutions for Chinese students who may otherwise have no place to go. Schools will either allow students to stay on campus or provide tours or other opportunities so students have solutions. Obviously, students will not be able to travel home. Please know that schools take your child’s health and welfare seriously.

As many have heard, there has been an increase in racism and bullying usually sparked by fear and anxiety. Schools are taking the necessary precautions to ensure that students feel safe. Diversity is an important part of a school’s culture, and ensuring students’ emotional wellbeing is paramount. All schools do not tolerate any form of racism or bullying. Faculty have been instructed to be alert to any behavior that is not supportive to the overall community, making sure that students feel safe. Students are also encouraged to let trusted faculty know if they feel unsafe in any way, either by word or deeds.

Looking ahead, families currently seeking places in the US for summer school or for placements in the coming school year, it is important to not let emotions and fear deter future plans. Schools will not decrease or close admission to summer programs or to next year’s class for Chinese students. The same can be said of colleges and universities.

Having said that, it is also prudent to have several plans in place. Plan A should be to remain focused on moving forward with the current course of action. Plan B may most likely involve being flexible with summer plans in the event that restrictions remain in place, particularly if a summer program requires a student visa (F1).

As with any crisis, it is important not to fall prey to rumor. Anxiety creates fear, fear creates supposition, supposition creates misinformation, misinformation creates more anxiety. Rely only on trusted sources of information. While schools do not want to be bombarded with phone calls and email, they are posting updated information on their websites. Please be aware that if you have a student at a school currently, they too are feeling anxious. Be supportive and help them focus on what they need to do – be healthy, do well in school. If you are anxious, they will be more so. Please know they are safe and well-taken care of. That is what schools do. You have entrusted your child to their care, they take that responsibility very seriously.

Be safe, stay healthy. Be united in maintaining calm and we, all of us, will get through this together.

Hamilton Gregg is the founder of International Educational Consulting and has worked in education since 1985. He helps students and their families understand their personal and educational needs and find the right school to meet their requirements. If you are a student or parent who would like to ask Gregg a question on our blog, please email hsgregg45@gmail.com

Photos: chinausfocus.com, itv.com, Hamilton Gregg 

There has been some controversy whether or not 2020 is not only the New Year, but also the new decade. Some think we have embarked on the next decade while others believe it actually starts next January. What we all know is that we are in a new year and with that comes a new round of admissions items.

Some students who applied ED or EA to university had pre-Christmas presents of positive decisions coming their way. Others may have to wait while decisions are still being made or they have been deferred. Just a reminder – a Deferral is not a Denial. You are still very much in the game even though the news was a bit disturbing. While you may feel a bit of Bah Humbug, you can still win that race if you are keen to do so.

As we are now about to enter the second week of January a whole new set of deadlines come starting next week. EDII for many schools and if you are applying to boarding school your applications are also due at the same time – January 15. It’s time to put the last tweaks on your essays, make sure all of your test scores have been sent and if requested, interviews.

The good news is that you are almost done, aside from the seemingly eternal wait. What is critical at this time of the year, one might say the Winter Blues, is that you stay focused. Focus on your academics and extra-curricular activities, revise for upcoming exams – IGSCE, A2, IB or AP, whatever your particular case may be. This is particularly true for students who were deferred or denied in the early rounds of college applications.

Being denied can definitely throw you for a serious downward loop. Remember, don’t take a denial as a personal affront. No doubt you put together a fantastic essay, did all the right things, and had amazing test scores. But, somehow your application didn’t cut the final round. It hurts, definitely. Time to move on. Do not spiral out of control, please! You are better than that and most likely your expectations were a bit off target. Know this, the world is still revolving and you are OK. There are still great schools, if your list is appropriate, who will take you.

If you did get in, this is not the time to rest on your laurels and let the world slide by. Remember that that university is expecting you to bring home the results that you presented in the application process. US universities, unlike UK universities, do not state clearly in their decisions (actually they do, but you might not have read that part of the congratulation letter) that the offer is conditional. Just know that it is; the conditions being that you finish your Senior year presenting final results that match your predicted and previous semester’s grades. Basically, you aren’t done until you’re done.

For everyone in the application process, know that there is a right, good fit school for you. It may not be the one you truly hoped for when you were dreaming, but learning and living in any school will provide you with the academic and life experiences that will change your life if you are open to making your education wherever you go!

Hamilton Gregg is the founder of International Educational Consulting and has worked in education since 1985. He helps students and their families understand their personal and educational needs and find the right school to meet their requirements. If you are a student or parent who would like to ask Gregg a question on our blog, please email hsgregg45@gmail.com

Photos: time.com, thoughtco.com, unsplash

Over the next couple of weeks, universities will be releasing their decisions on Early Decision and Early Action. As the dates creep closer and ever faster, no doubt anxiety is building as students wonder whether or not they will be accepted to those primary target schools. Of course, each and every student has high hopes for these impending notifications.

If you have applied Early Decision and are admitted – Congratulations!
You are now done, completely with your college application process. What a HUGE relief! Lest you think you are entirely done, PLEASE remember that you need to complete your Senior year with the grades (predicted or otherwise) that were sent along with your application. “You ain’t done until you’re done” with high school. As is always the case, any admission is based on you completing your high school with the same enthusiasm and excellence you showed throughout.

If you applied and were accepted Early Action – Phew!
The stress is off and you now know that you will be going to university next year. That is a huge burden to take off your shoulders. But, that also means that you most likely have other applications to complete if you have not completed them yet. If not, get on with it! Now! While there is the fire of confidence in your head.

If, in either case, ED or EA you were Deferred, congratulations are also in order.
While it may feel like a denial, it is not. Far from it. A deferral just means they really want you to take a little more time to prove yourself to them. What does that mean? Most likely they want to see the end of your first semester grades (Mid-Year Report). Hopefully, they are on target or better than the end of Junior year. They may want to know more about what you have done since you sent your application (did you mention that you were starting a club or working on a project? – they may want to know how that turned out). They may want to know if this school is still your #1 Choice and why is it still #1 now that you have been deferred. Schools may also want some further information from your school.

A Deferral is not the end. It is just a continuation of the application. Students in this situation still have the chance of admission, you just need to keep waiting. There is a myth that a deferral is the death knell, but it is not and you are still very much in the game. Keep playing, and playing with gusto.

Now on to the not so good news – the Denial.
First of all, students need, no must, know that this is not a rejection of you as a person. Most likely you did everything right: great grades, scores, recommendations and so forth. But, somehow, someway your application did not have the wee little thing to overcome the ultimate hurdle to get the acceptance. Be aware that there are most likely thousands of students with similar profiles as yours who also did not get in. This is the nature of the beast. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to win, even the best and the brightest. Small consolation, I know, but also know that your life is not over just because you did not get into your Top Choice. If you have put together a solid list of schools, you will be just fine. Life will go on. But if you crash and burn because you put too much expectation on getting in, then you need to get on with focusing on your other applications and school.

As is clearly evident by this post, life is comprised of success and challenge. This is just the beginning of those experiences that life will bring along its pathway. How you manage and cope with both the successes and possible failures are the core of developing resilience, internal confidence, and self-esteem. For certain the only truly bad outcomes are the terminal ones. How we make, to use a somewhat trite phrase, “lemonade out of lemons” shows our true character.

Hamilton Gregg is the founder of International Educational Consulting and has worked in education since 1985. He helps students and their families understand their personal and educational needs and find the right school to meet their requirements. If you are a student or parent who would like to ask Gregg a question on our blog, please email hsgregg45@gmail.com

Photos: Hamilton Gregg, unsplash

There has been a lot going on behind the scenes of college admission over the last couple of months. There have been some major changes to what colleges and universities can do during the admission season.

Most students may be completely unaware of what the National Association of College Admission Counseling is, and the organization’s purpose. NACAC, as it is commonly referred to, is the umbrella organization that represents universities and counselors, primarily in the US but there are many international members – both schools and universities. Schools and universities who are members agree to abide by NACAC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practices (CEPP). This code of ethics basically tries to keep admission practices fair and on a level playing field focused primarily on students. But there are also certain rights given to students. For the past year or so, NACAC has been engaged in a lawsuit by the US Justice Department regarding competition among colleges for students – basically a fair trade issue. At the last NACAC Conference this last September the CEPP underwent certain changes which change how colleges and universities can act. Every student going forward – this current Senior class and future classes applying to the US – need to be aware of the changes.

So why is this important? Here is what you need to know as a student:

Changes to Early Decision: Previously colleges could not provide any incentives for students to apply early decision; for example, special housing, enhanced Financial Aid or special scholarships. NOW, and effective this year, colleges can offer students incentives to apply ED. It is important to remember that applying ED is a serious commitment to a specific school and for very personal reasons. This change can affect how a student perceives a college and be enticed by these incentives. It is important that any student who receives requests from any college speak with their college counselor immediately to get advice on the decision-making process and evaluate these offers.

May 1 Reply Date: Once you have been admitted, decided on which college you will attend, and enrolled you must make your final decision by May 1. Previously, colleges needed to respect the May 1 deadline and not try to make any effort to change students’ minds. NOW, colleges can reach out and extend offers to you. This may make things a bit confusing. Why? Because those offers may have financial or other incentives for you to change your mind. In common speak, this is called “poaching.”

Transfer Students: The same applies to transfer students who may receive offers from another school(s) once they have enrolled in a new university.

What makes this more complicated is that schools can reach out at any time to make offers of this sort. This may impact an international students’ ability to obtain a F-1 Student Visa. For example, let’s say a student chooses to enroll in College X and pays the deposit May 1. In late August or even later, student receives an offer from another College Y with some financial or other incentives. If they take that offer, they will of course lose their deposit at College X but now try to change their visa status so they may attend College Y. There will not be enough time to arrive for the start of classes.

While we all hope that at least for this year colleges and universities will respect the previous CEPP and the ethical guidelines prior to September 2019, and that schools will respect the integrity of a students’ interests in the admission process, we need to be aware that universities are a business and financial considerations may trump good behavior.

Hamilton Gregg is the founder of International Educational Consulting and has worked in education since 1985. He helps students and their families understand their personal and educational needs and find the right school to meet their requirements. If you are a student or parent who would like to ask Gregg a question on our blog, please email hsgregg45@gmail.com

Photos: Hamilton Gregg, unsplash

Now that we are in the midst of application season, students applying for schools – boarding and university – are evaluating and re-evaluating their school choices. Many aspiring students take their aspirations when they build their list of schools, hoping beyond hope to reach their Dream School. But then the testing comes – SSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL/IELTS, and their list is confronted by the stark reality that their goal is now beyond reach – or is it?

At a recent conference, a panel discussion with several universities and Bob Schaeffer from FairTest.org presented about how schools that are test-optional/flexible are seeing not only an increase in applications, but more importantly no adverse decline in the quality of students nor their overall performance once in school. Fair Test lists all the schools that currently do not require test scores in evaluating students. There is a fair number of schools and lest one think that good schools are not on the list, one only needs to look to the University of Chicago! But one should also know there are over 1,000 colleges and universities which no longer request scores.

It is important to thoroughly research each school that offers this benefit before committing, as some schools may have this policy for domestic students only and there may be other caveats in place. But in the end many schools have considered a few of the following questions to determine that test scores add little value in determining whether a student is prepared for the rigors of academics at their school:

• Do the tests really have predictive validity at this institution?
• Does that validity hold for all ethnic, age, and income groups as well as for both men and women?
• Do the tests add anything significant to what admissions officers already know about applicants?
• Are test score requirements deterring potential applicants who would make suitable students?

For schools that have decided “no” to those questions, the benefits have outweighed any downside. Let’s consider the first question – do tests really predict performance? In a test-based culture where test prep runs to the extremes, one could easily conclude that students outperform the value of the test. Students become hypersensitive to their scores and constantly compare their scores to others. Which creates a vicious cycle of adding to the money machine of test prep. Schools and colleges (boarding and universities) know that the value of test scores is diluted in the frantic score race.

But what is the race for? The highly competitive race to get into one’s dream school. Then we come to the next question which addresses validity focused on income among other criteria. It goes without saying that families with more income have more money to spend on test prep. Without being too focused on some of the issues of this question there are certain types of students who do do better on standardized tests because of the benefits of living in higher income areas – better schools, better opportunities. By moving to test optional, schools can place more value on relevant aspects of a student’s application – performance in school.

Which brings us to a point that is never really talked about but inherently present – many students are enrolled in AP, IB and A Level programs at schools here. Each of these programs are considered college level in terms of their content and expectations. So, if a student is successful in achieving high grades in college-level courses, why would one need to take a 3 hour and 45-minute test to validate something they have already validated by being academically successful?

So back to the main topic of this piece – if scores don’t match what should a student do? Re-evaluate and look at a wider set of schools. Most importantly focus on the programs and courses schools offer. Check out schools that are test-optional. Know the requirements but in the end, your list of schools should have a good balance of reach, core, and foundation. It is always important to keep expectations reasonable as there are no guarantees in admission to any university of any caliber.

Hamilton Gregg is the founder of International Educational Consulting and has worked in education since 1985. He helps students and their families understand their personal and educational needs and find the right school to meet their requirements. If you are a student or parent who would like to ask Gregg a question on our blog, please email hsgregg45@gmail.com

Photos: courtesy of Hamilton Gregg, unsplash

As November 1 looms on the horizon, the first major application deadline (other than for the University of Virginia), the word or words take on new meanings. Confronted by explaining oneself, telling a “personal” story, a reflection that captures one’s essence challenges most teenagers. Let’s be honest, many students at the age of 17 or 18 have rarely if ever spent much time considering who they really are, what have they learned on that short, yet seemingly long journey.

Up to this point in a teenager’s life, most of their encounters have been around things that are must-dos, or want-to-dos, without much deep thinking as to why and what each has learned along the way. And taking some introspective time and putting words to those thoughts are exactly what the main essay(s) are looking for. An honest personal reflection on those times when something changed, an inspiration came, or a connection was made.

Considering the idea of a Personal Statement one must come to the conclusion of several important factors – Who am I anyway? How do I communicate that in the space provided (650 words in the US or 4000 characters for the UK)? Beyond that it is also important to think about tone, language and vocabulary; these too are part of one’s personality. How all those things come together should give the reader – not a school, but a person reading the essay – a better or clearer sense of who the person is behind all the other data and information: grades, test scores, and letters of recommendation. How that all comes together is about the words used.

One of the challenges of getting personal in the way expected is tied into the misconception that the essay needs to look a specific way or be a certain kind of essay. With the thousands of essays I’ve read, they come in all forms from truly creative and imaginative to the simple. But one thing remains clear in the success of those essays – the honest, personal reflection of self, using one’s own language to express feeling and examples to bring life to what is being said.

So many students worry that their essay won’t be good enough. They compare essays with each other, they read sample essays or try to be formulaic to write a Hollywood movie-type thriller. There are companies and people expounding on “How to write the essay” and one thing comes away from all that anxiety: essays that read like they are copy-pasted or formulaic.

The best essays come from the heart not the head. Overthinking kills pretty much everything and usually knots up creativity and personal voice. Trying to be someone other than oneself ends up shallow and dull. Each person is an individual with a unique personal perspective. Let it shine through.

Most students worry that their topic is boring or that it won’t be unique. Well, that is probably true. You’re 17 or 18. Not much has really happened, and in general most topics have been written about. But again, it is how you write that makes it unique. One of the most profound essays I’ve read was about a simple conversation over dinner.

Some traps to avoid: Over-explaining or too much detail that takes away from the topic – the student (give the reader some credit that they are intelligent). Using big words or language to impress (for example Hence, Therefore – who says that anyway unless it’s truly formal?), always leaves the reader unimpressed. Avoid the applause factor and focus on the learning – “I scored the final goal!”, “We earned 1,000 RMB” are truly unimportant other than feeling good. There is much more to the experience than the applause; that should be a side factor to overall learning and achieving process. Finally, show don’t tell. Examples give life, create an image, leaving much more for the reader to grasp and understand.

As one approaches the personal statement consider the following – will the reader learn about me or more about the topic? Do the words and content flow? What are the takeaways the reader will have when they are done? Will they see, in the short space some important factors that make you, you? Finally, get on it and have fun writing!

Hamilton Gregg is the founder of International Educational Consulting and has worked in education since 1985. He helps students and their families understand their personal and educational needs and find the right school to meet their requirements. If you are a student or parent who would like to ask Gregg a question on our blog, please email hsgregg45@gmail.com

Photos: courtesy of Hamilton Gregg, unsplash

I just read an article by a close friend about senior year. In the article, he talks about seniors relishing in their newfound position in high school, their last year. Students often in this state of awe often forget that there is much work to be done not only related to school but to applying to college.

While some students are reveling that they are done with SAT/ACT and language exams, others still have one or more tests to complete. Everyone also needs to complete applications and fill in all the bits and pieces, which amount to a relatively arduous task of seemingly menial information. But it is anything but menial – these are the important details, which create a picture of the student. Whether it is biographical information or the resume section of the Common App. All this information is important and needs careful thought and crafting.

Even more important is the Personal Statement. Many students underestimate the time needed to really polish and write a solid PS. Typically, a student will need to write and revise the essay four or five times, depending on the quality of a student’s writing. Most of the time, an essay reads like a dull chronology of some experience. I cannot recount how many essays I have read that have put me to sleep in the first sentence. Others start out great, only to lose me mid essay with some overbearing uninteresting overly detailed explanation of that experience. Yawn!

A couple of weeks ago, I may have mentioned that a college representative stated that students need to remember they are writing this essay to a person, not the institution. Yes! Remember that PEOPLE are going to read your essay. This is not some SAT/ACT writing prompt.

One of my students the other day stated that he did not want to boast in his essay. There is boasting – “I organized the school athletic festival, and everyone cheered!” Ok, it’s fine to say that you organized the event, but did you alone organize the whole event? How did the team work together? Things like earning 20,000 RMB for a charity event are nice, but how did that change that charity? Did you do more than just raise money? Did you deliver the books or whatever you hope to see used with the money? How did you change people’s lives and how did your life change. Take credit where credit is due but be careful of taking undue credit. Money and applause are not a reason to do something. Changing people’s lives is. But more importantly, how did that event change you.

Further, most students think very superficially about the topic on which they are writing. One of my students is writing an essay about how he always wanted to sing but had no inner confidence to perform or sing to an audience. Then one day, a teacher heard him sing and was amazed. She encouraged him to take part in the school choir and eventually sang a solo in front of his school. He thought that was going to be the essay. So when I asked him to think deeper about how that one comment from his teacher changed his life, his self-image and perspective overall, he was flummoxed. He was so focused on the topic of singing that he forgot his essay was about growth.

It is important to be aware that the Personal Statement is about you, the person. It is not really about the examples. They are the “show” part of the “telling.” Tell the story of who you are giving by “showing” how you changed. Remember that your tone of voice, language, and vocabulary should reflect the language that you actually use. Answer the question. Avoid getting sucked into the eddy of over detail. At the end, the reader, should know a lot about you, not so much about that one or more examples you cited. It’s a PERSONAL statement.

My final bit of advice – write. What you think is too challenging does not get any less so by avoiding get words down on paper or a screen. And lastly, too many eyes are too many eyes. Pick one trusted person to read your essay. The other day one of my colleagues was bemoaning the fact that one of her student’s fathers had trashed the student’s essay; an essay that was one of the best this colleague had seen in her career.

There is no best essay. There is no right way. There are lots of not so good essays. But if you write from your heart and not your head, there will be passion and your reader will want to see more that you have to say in the application.

Photo: www.ivywise.com

I just got off a webinar on the state of international admissions for colleges. One could easily transfer most of the same issues to boarding school admissions. Many of the issues are exactly the same and it is no real surprise.

The session started off with a comment that, at a conference a number of years ago, a counselor stood up and said basically that international student enrollment was here to stay and would keep growing. Well, the facts don’t actually support that viewpoint now when in fact enrollment at both universities and boarding schools has either declined or flattened.

What is interesting is that the number of applications has risen, but actual matriculations at US schools are down.

What are the reasons?

• Trump and residual effects
• Nationalism and other rhetoric around the world
• Increased options and awareness of new pathways
• Safety and Mental Health
• Racism
• Currency fluctuations
• Cost of attendance
• Visa issuance concerns

These are just some of the reasons, but certainly these and others are impacting how students and families are making choices, which affect applications and enrollment around the world at both universities and schools. One of the factors here in China is the increase in options particularly for high schools. The number of schools now offering innovative (for China) education seems to grow by the day. From bilingual schools to schools experimenting with curricular concepts to schools planning to use the Mastery Transcript in the future. Families have more options and are thus more discerning in their choices. Commonly heard are comments like, “If I/we can’t get into a  “good” school I/we will stay where we are.”

One side affect of this last point is that families are, to some extent but not always, willing to use unethical means of securing a place at a top school. The Varsity Blues Scandal only highlighted some of the inequities in admissions, but strangely parents response was not only shock, but “How much do I need to donate?” Further, colleges and universities are also seeing grade inflation or unreliable GPAS and predicted grades (AP, IB, A Level to name a few). This has only increased the pressure on student’s expectations, challenged perceptions, and added more confusion to their application and research process.

Because of the reasoning above, schools and universities are now seeing more and more melt, to the point that one university mentioned they lost 5 students who had gone through the complete enrollment and visa process. They just didn’t show up. For some universities 5 students is not an issue, but for smaller institutions, it can be significant. We have seen the same thing with boarding schools. Great schools have in the last couple of weeks announced that they are still looking have lost students who had committed.

Of all these current issues, it places enrollment management in a challenging situation as they seek more stable channels for students without relying on one specific region, country, or population. With decreased budgets, expectations, or institutional priorities for greater socio-economic and ethnic diversity in the student populations, admissions staffs are challenged to meet and manage expectations of higher management, boards, and other key members of the community.

It goes without saying that the world is not what it used to be five or ten years ago. But the impact of the changes present interesting challenges to all stakeholders – students and their families, schools, and universities. In some ways this will force recruiters to look deeper at their marketing to really point out significant advantages to their schools, be clearer and cleaner in admission processes and associated benefits – merit scholarships, financial aid for universities, and also focusing on direct outcomes of their institution rather than relying on ranking to drive admissions. One can only hope this to be true!

Everyone has a stake but one thing is clear there will always be challenges in any kind of admissions. The world is in flux, just as it has always been. The response to an ever-changing world is to adapt, educate and move forward.

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