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Fair enough - it wasn't my best session being concise. Here's an AI summary of the session, which I thought captured the major points: Meeting summary for Debbie Schwartz's Personal Meeting Room (12/18/2023) Quick recap Debbie and Luanne discussed the surge in college application numbers, with over three million applications submitted by November, a 65% increase compared to 2019 and an 18% increase from the previous year. They noted trends such as more students applying early, an increase in applications to public universities over private ones, and a rise in deferrals from early action to regular decision. They also discussed the impact of switching from the Coalition application to the Common App by several universities on the increase in applications. Summary College Application Surge: Three Million Submitted Debbie reported a significant increase in college application numbers, with over three million applications submitted as of November, marking a 65% increase compared to 2019 and an 18% increase from the previous year. They suggested that this surge could be attributed to more students applying early, and predicted that the total number of applications could be higher than previous years. Luanne added that the switch from the Coalition application to the Common App by several universities could have contributed to the increase. Both noted a trend of students sending more applications and a rise in deferrals from early action to regular decision. A more comprehensive update was promised for January. College Application Trends and Cost Considerations Debbie and Luanne discussed trends in college applications, noting that a higher percentage of families with income below the national median are applying early, but the majority of applications still come from families with above-median income. They also observed an increase in applications to public universities over private ones, suggesting that cost may be a factor. Debbie and Luanne suggested that families should research potential costs and benefits of different institutions before making a decision, as private universities might offer merit scholarships or other advantages that could make them more affordable than public institutions. College Application Trends Shifting Debbie and Luanne discussed the trends in college applications. Debbie noted that while the number of high school students graduating and going to college has remained steady or slightly decreased, there has been an increase in applications from underrepresented minorities and first-generation students. They also pointed out that students are applying to more schools, potentially as a safety net, and that there has been a significant increase in international student applications. Luanne expressed concern over students applying to schools they have no intention of attending and the potential for qualified students to be turned away due to the sheer volume of applications. Both agreed that the next few years would be interesting due to these shifting trends. Test Scores and College Admissions Trends Debbie shared information about the number of schools that are test optional and the percentage of students reporting their scores. They encouraged everyone to look at a school's common data set to get a better understanding of a school's preference for test scores. Luanne and Debbie also discussed the trend of schools reverting to test-required, especially for expensive schools and technical majors. Debbie mentioned an article about the financial implications of early decision and how it affects a school's yield. The importance of test scores, especially for merit scholarships and certain majors, was emphasized. Early Decision Acceptance Rates Trends Debbie discussed the trends in early decision acceptance rates at various colleges and universities. They highlighted that schools like Tulane and Boston College have significantly increased their early decision acceptance rates, making it more challenging for regular decision applicants to get accepted. They also mentioned that Cornell University announced a policy change on early decision acceptance rates after the deadline, which could impact future applications. Debbie encouraged understanding the underlying numbers behind the acceptance rates and noted that some schools, like Harvard and the University of Georgia, saw decreasing application numbers despite increasing acceptance rates. They concluded by discussing the impact of test-optional policies and the elimination of supplemental essays on college applications. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision: Pros and Cons Debbie and Luanne discussed the benefits and drawbacks of early decision and early action applications for college admissions. They agreed that applying early can help reduce pressure and ensure applications are completed before the holiday season, but noted that regular decision is not detrimental and can be a good option for students who procrastinate. They also discussed potential changes to the early decision process, such as eliminating legacy admissions, which could increase competition for non-legacy students. The conversation also emphasized the financial considerations that often come into play when applying for college, with Debbie and Luanne noting that applying for early decision can be risky due to the potential financial burden. Towards the end, they discussed the college application process for the class of 2025, highlighting the introduction of a new digital SAT and changes to early decision. They stressed the importance of considering all aspects of the financial situation before making such a decision. Fafsa Changes and Impact on College Costs Debbie and Luanne discussed the upcoming changes to the Fafsa and its potential impact on college costs, particularly for families with two students attending college simultaneously. They clarified that submitting the Css profile might not directly affect admission but could influence financial aid and scholarship opportunities. They announced plans for an "Ask Us Anything" session on January fourth to address any questions or concerns about the new Fafsa. They also emphasized that the FAFSA should not be a priority for students in lower income brackets, especially those who depend on state aid, and advised them to apply for state aid directly. They also discussed potential delays in the dissemination of FAFSA information to colleges, which could impact the May first decision day. Next steps • Debbie will research and share the demographic trends of high school graduates going to college. • Luanne and Debbie will host an "Ask Us Anything" session on January 4th after the FAFSA opens.