By Ed Devine Second semester is in full swing! As college freshmen are re-inserting themselves into their new communities, along with their seasoned friends from the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior class, we hope they find their connections and are turning those...
By Ed Devine Are we "Turning the Tide?" Creating lockers full of hope and fairness? Testing for something new? Or just putting lipstick on a pig? Many enmeshed in the world of college admissions are rightly exclaiming “Our poor junior class! Look at all the new...
By Ed Devine Wow...the ease of summer is a distant memory. We have already completed three weeks of the fall recruitment season, and on the eve of the San Diego NACAC Conference, it seems like the treadmill never shut off. I love reflecting at this time, on the funnel...
As we launch into a new school year, I hope your batteries are charged and ready to engage a new class. As college seekers begin the whirlwind that is their senior year, it is always wise to remember that this is their first time navigating the college search. With...
At the National College Fair in San Francisco last weekend, I was reminded of the collegiality and ongoing cycle of our work. Moving from table to table, high school counselors commented on their seniors who had just committed to the colleges, excited for their...
For high school seniors, the wait is over; admissions decisions are in hand. College admissions staff are now waiting to see who will accept their offers. Will that student whose essay was passed around the office and brightened our day choose to attend? Next fall...
As I write this, I am awaiting the arrival of this year’s District Directions participants, the middle and high school counselors from the Vista Unified School District near San Diego. Of the many endeavors through which WACAC supports professionals who work with...
In the halls, on Facebook, email and Twitter, the conversation on Halloween wasn't about what costume to wear. It was a refrain of "how are you doing with November 1? How many early letters are you writing this year?" I would like to shift the conversation. How many...
My students’ stories are sometimes hard to hear. There is the pain in the voice of the student recounting that he is one of the hidden homeless and in the voice of the student recounting the impulsive bad decision that caused her to be expelled from her first high...
The rhythm of the school year calendar is one of the elements of college admissions counseling that I most enjoy. Each season brings a different set of priorities to my office and the start of each new school year brings the anticipation of new possibilities. During...