College Admissions

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Math Fluency and College Admissions -- My notes from Jeff Selingo's office Hours

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Jeff Selingo is one of my ‘go-to’ people. he’s a voice of reason and balance within the college admissions arena—his ‘Office Hours’ is such an invaluable resource, but today’s session on Math Fluency resonated so much that i wanted to share my notes …..

🔹 Shalinee Sharma – CEO of Zearn & Author of 'Math Mind'

Core Philosophy

• Math fluency is not innate—it’s learnable for all students.

• The U.S. mistakenly classifies children as “math kids” vs. “non-math kids,” which limits potential and creates inequity.

• International comparison proves this belief wrong—countries like Singapore and Japan outperform the U.S. by emphasizing effort over talent.

Math Anxiety & Student Mindset

• 80% of students with math anxiety are average to high performers.

• Math anxiety is deeply tied to our cultural emphasis on speed and performance, rather than effort and understanding.

• U.S. students believe math success is innate; top-performing international students believe math success comes from hard work.

Speed vs. Automaticity

• Speed in math is misunderstood. It should not be competitive.

• Automaticity in basic facts allows cognitive space for higher-level reasoning (e.g., algebra, optimization).

• Lack of automaticity leads to brain overload or “blanking out” on multi-step problems.

Early Tracking & Exclusion

• Exclusion from advanced math starts early, often via public and humiliating signals from teachers.

• Gatekeeping practices—such as limiting who can continue to calculus—can create lasting psychological harm.

Algebra’s Central Role

• Algebra is the most predictive course for success in high school, college, and beyond.

• Timing of Algebra (8th–10th grade) is less important than ensuring students complete it.

• Delayed algebra can prevent access to STEM majors due to prerequisite timelines.

Calculus, Statistics & Career Readiness

• Calculus completion is highly correlated with lifetime earnings and STEM readiness.

• Statistics is increasingly valued and correlates with earnings in non-STEM fields.

• Advanced math of any kind in high school improves college outcomes—students need more access, not less.

Future-Proofing with Math

• Students need math for reasonableness, estimation, and problem-solving—especially in an AI-driven world.

• Proficiency in Algebra and advanced math prepares students to actively participate in the digital economy.

🔹 Chris Gruber – Dean of Admission & Financial Aid, Davidson College

General Admissions Lens on Math

• Admissions officers evaluate math sequence and endpoint, especially what students are taking senior year.

• Pre-calculus is often the floor, and calculus is the norm at selective colleges like Davidson.

• What students could have taken (based on school offerings) matters.

Calculus vs. Statistics

• Calculus generally seen as more rigorous, especially for STEM applicants.

• Statistics is respected and useful—particularly for liberal arts students and non-STEM majors.

Senior Year Math Counts

• Math taken in 12th grade does count, even for early decision/early action applicants.

• Doubling up (e.g., Calculus + Statistics) in senior year shows strength and is often discussed in admissions committee.

AP, IB, Dual Enrollment

• Evaluation depends on how the high school weights and represents these courses in the school profile.

• Colleges do not universally rank AP > IB > DE—it’s contextual to the school.

• If a high school lacks advanced math, students can pursue dual enrollment or online courses to stay competitive.

Math as a Competitiveness Signal

• Math sequencing creates a clear ladder—easy for colleges to compare across applicants.

• Humanities sequencing lacks consistency, making math a more visible measure of challenge.

• Math rigor in the transcript signals college readiness, especially when a math requirement exists.

Not Taking Calculus

• Not having calculus is not always a deal-breaker, but:

• - It matters more for competitive colleges and STEM majors.

• - Students should ensure they at least reach pre-calculus to stay eligible at many selective colleges.

Advice to Families (from Chris Gruber)

• Ask early: If specific colleges or majors are being considered, inquire about math expectations now.

• Focus less on when students start Algebra and more on where they land senior year.

• If necessary, bridge gaps through summer coursework, online classes, or dual enrollment.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

The book Math Mind: The Simple Path to Loving Math by Shalinee Sharma

What’s New with the Common App: 2025–2026

Thanks to Common App for great webinar update today….Here’s points to remember come August 1st, 2025

 The 2025–2026 Common App cycle launches August 1, 2025. Below is a recap of the most important changes, features, and reminders for students and parents working through the application process. Whether you're applying to one school or twenty, these updates aim to make your experience smoother and more supportive.

✨ No Changes to Essay Prompts

·        The seven personal essay prompts will remain the same as last year, allowing students to begin drafting early.

·        This consistency helps students focus more on authentic storytelling than adjusting to new topics.

🆕 User Interface Update

•        The Common App now has a redesigned layout with a left-side navigation menu (instead of tabs on top).

•        Students will see clearer dashboards, progress tracking bars, and easier navigation between sections.

•        College Search, Financial Aid, and Scholarship tools have their own dedicated tabs under a new 'Explore' category.

 

✍️ Essay & Writing Section Changes

Ø  The Additional Information question is now limited to 300 words (down from 650).

Ø  The optional ‘Community Disruption’ question has been renamed to ‘Challenges and Circumstances’ to better reflect a broader range of personal hardships.

Ø  Students should only respond to this question if they have significant context to provide.

 

📋 Student Responsibilities Checklist Added

Ø  A new checklist in the Activities section lets students report significant responsibilities like caregiving, financial support, or household duties.

Ø  This optional section does not include an essay—just checkboxes to highlight unseen commitments.

 💸 Expanded Scholarship Matching

• The Common App now matches eligible students with local and national scholarships before they apply to college.

• Students with U.S. addresses are automatically matched; Colorado students must opt in during account creation.

• To be matched, complete your Profile, Education, and Activities sections early.

📬 Direct Admissions Offers

• Over 700,000 students received direct admissions offers this year from 136 colleges, including public institutions.

• Many offers come with waived requirements (e.g., no essays, no letters). Students can review offers directly in the application.

🏫 Community Colleges Now on Common App

• Students can now apply to a growing number of community colleges using the Common App.

• A new filter allows you to search specifically for associate-degree granting institutions.

📌 Final Reminders

• Students can add up to 20 colleges in their Common App account.

• Recommender and advisor invites DO NOT roll over after August 1—students must re-invite teachers and counselors after signing the new FERPA waiver.

• Counselor and teacher accounts remain active and may carry over students from previous years.

College Board AP Exams and IB Exams

Last week, many students were not successful in submitting their at-home, online AP Exams.

Consequently, College Board is addressing the issue with an alternative submission method - BUT ONLY FOR THOSE EXAMS THE WEEK OF THE 18th. See the Washington Post article

For IB Exams, all have been cancelled, and students will receive credit based on the following:

The IB has put into place the following actions:

  • The DP and CP examinations scheduled between 30 April and 22 May will no longer be held.


  • The student will be awarded either the Diploma, Career-related Programme certificate or a course certificate which reflects their standard of work. The achievement will be based around the students’ coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor and quality control already built into the programmes.

For more on IB - see Covid 19 updates as of May 15th

Lots of news coming out of California today - college entrance exams and Fall 2020 Classes

Leading the News

University Of California President Recommends Multiyear Suspension Of SAT, ACT Requirements

The Los Angeles (CA) Times (5/11, Watanabe) reports University of California President Janet Napolitano on Monday recommended a “complex and unusual five-year plan” that would make the SAT and ACT tests “optional for two years and eliminate testing requirements for California students in Years 3 and 4.” Starting in Year 5, “UC would move toward a standardized assessment developed specifically for the 10-campus system.” According to the Times, “Napolitano’s decision could tip the scales against the tests among Board of Regents members, who are scheduled to vote on the controversial issue next week.”

        The AP (5/11, News) reports if UC is unable to develop a new test for fall 2025 applicants, “Napolitano recommends eliminating its standardized testing requirement for admissions altogether.” If the test is available, “it would be made available to students from out-of-state schools. International students could submit either the new test or scores from the SAT and ACT.”

        The Washington Post (5/11, Anderson) reports many public and private colleges in recent weeks “have joined a movement to halt or end testing requirements. Some were spurred by the education crisis created by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Others said test scores were not as useful as grades and transcripts in rating applicants.”

        EdSource (5/11) reports current high school juniors applying to UC schools for fall 2021 entrance “already are excused from taking those exams” due to that requirement “was suspended last month after high school classes switched statewide to online due to the coronavirus emergency and testing dates were canceled.”

        Also providing coverage are the San Francisco (CA) Chronicle (5/11, Bauman) and Business Insider (5/11, Davis).

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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES - FALL 2020 Instruction

By Nina Agrawal Staff Writer  (LA Times)

May 12, 2020

12:01 PM

The 23-campus California State University system plans to all but cancel in-person classes in the fall and instead will offer instruction primarily online, Chancellor Timothy White announced Tuesday.

The vast majority of classes across the Cal State system will be taught online, White said, with some limited exceptions that allow for in-person activity. The decision comes as schools throughout the country grapple with how long to keep campuses closed amid the coronavirus crisis.

“Our university when open without restrictions and fully in person… is a place where over 500,000 people come together in close and vibrant proximity,” White said at a meeting of Cal State’s Board of Trustees. “That approach sadly just isn’t in the cards now.”

White’s announcement came the same day that infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key member of the White House coronavirus task force, told a Senate panel it would be “a bridge too far” to think treatments or vaccines could be available in time to facilitate students’ reentry into schools this fall.

It also follows an earlier move by Cal State Fullerton, which in late April became one of the first universities in the nation to announce it was planning for remote instruction this fall.

 

Covid19 considerations for Higher Ed

After several days of web conferences with higher education, I believe it necessary to highlight some of the growing areas of concern resulting from Covid-19:

 

  • Many colleges have been substantially impacted financially by Covid-19. This may be especially true for smaller regional public institutions and lesser known private colleges. If your child is planning on attending one of these types of schools, you need to ask how the 2020-2021 operating budget could be impacted, and if your child’s scholarship might result in some type of adjustment from year to year (however, if you are in the process of appealing for financial aid, do not ask these types of questions until you have the final financial aid decision).

 

  • All colleges have lost substantial revenues this current semester, and will most likely continue to do so during the summer (they are trying to determine if programing, available courses and faculty/staff, and resources need to be reduced for school year 2020-2021).

 

  • For students enrolling in comprehensive learning support programs, it is essential to ascertain if the program will continue at the same level of programming and professionalism for 2020-2021.

 

  • Fall Semester classes may be impacted too (we just do not know) – you may want to ask if deposits are refundable if the college is not able to provide in-person, on-campus instruction and residential life (and if tuition and fees might be modified if students end up with distance learning).

 

  • Finally, many families have been impacted financially, and many have lost employment. It is NOT too late to appeal a financial aid decision or file for financial aid – contact the college’s financial aid office for guidance (I’m happy to talk you through this process before you connect with the college).

 

Every week seems to offer us some new aspect from the fallout of Covid-19. These perspectives may look different by the end of April, and again by the end of June, and even August. But I do want you to be aware of the possible implications for school year 2020-2021 sooner rather than later.

 

Your children are resilient like their parents. With every change, comes an opportunity. I am anticipating that colleges will rise to this moment, and be more innovative and adjust accordingly. I am confident that our youth will emerge as even stronger, more creative, better problem solvers.

Today’s AP Article highlights these growing concerns - Financial Hits pile up for Colleges as some fight to survive

 

Virtual College Fair - Strive Scan - April 20-23rd

Strive Scan is offering a tremendous opportunity for high school students to gain more exposure to colleges through their upcoming Virtual College Tour Sessions - to register, see Strive Scan

Sponsored by StriveScan in partnership with these national organizations:

NACAC, TACAC, PACAC, MACAC, WACAC, KYACAC, NEACAC, WACAC, IACAC, MOACAC, PNACAC, rmacad, MT, GreatPlains ACAC

Talking Points for Parents with College-bound Children

Addressing Financial and Health Issues

- Power of Attorney - gives parents the right to sign documents, pay bills, oversee financial accounts, etc., in case the child cannot take care of these items for some reason.

- Health Care Proxy - gives parents the right to make decisions for the child in cases of emergency. Whoever is appointed the proxy should be identified on a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, form to give medical professionals permission to share information about their patient. If your child is attending college out-of-state, check in with your health care provider. Medical directives are also specific to the state in which your child will be attending college.

- Living Will - states your child’s wishes regarding the extent of life-extending medical treatment that they would want to receive in case they are incapacitated, as well as their interests in donating organs. A will is especially important for families that have invested in estate planning techniques aimed at passing wealth down through the generations, because the adult child's assets will go back up to parents if nothing is in writing to stipulate otherwise.

- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is when a student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, then all rights afforded to you as a parent under FERPA transfer to the student ("eligible student").

However, FERPA provides ways in which a school may — but is not required to - share information from an eligible student's education records with parents, without the student's consent.

For example:

➢ Schools may disclose education records to parents if the student is claimed as a dependent for tax purposes. ➢ Schools may disclose education records to parents if a health or safety emergency involves their child. ➢ Schools may inform parents if the student, if he or she is under age 21, has violated any law or policy concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance. ➢ A school official may generally share with a parent information that is based on that official's personal knowledge or observation of the student.

Miscellaneous Items for discussion:

➢ Traffic Tickets – sometimes even one ticket can impact insurance rates

➢ Parking Tickets – impounded cars incur costly fines!

➢ Rental Agreements / Security Deposits (Renter’s Insurance) / Co-signer’s Responsibilities

➢ Credit Card Debt / Bank Overdrafts

➢ ID Theft

➢ Property Theft such as expensive electronics and computers, jewelry

➢ Repaying student loads . . . is real, regardless of your situation. Be aware of what you are signing up for – see https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/understand/plans

➢ Upcoming changes with filing for aid

- FSD ID - https://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/051619AddEnhancementstheFSAID.html

-IRS plans to stop faxing and mailing 3rd party tax transcripts - https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-takesadditional-steps-to-protect-taxpayer-data-plans-to-end-faxing-and-third-party-mailings-of-certain-taxtranscripts

Schools have better security than ever, but students are ultimately responsible for their own safety. Safety tips to discuss with your child include:

- Know your surroundings and trust your instincts - Keep campus safety phone numbers in your cell for emergencies - Lock your door. Don’t loan your key to friends. - Don’t accept drinks (alcoholic or otherwise) from others. Remember alcohol is the #1 date-rape drug - Students should let someone know where they are going, who they will be with, and when returning - Students should not prop doors open - Students should be careful about posting personal information and statuses on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites

- Safety first . . . Students should understand what steps upper classmen take to maintain their safety. Check out some of safety apps available for your phone such as Circle of 6, Guardly, bSafe, Panic Guard, MyForce, On Watch - Check the Education Department’s Campus Safety Resources - http://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/ - Students should understand their rights covering Sexual Harassment Protection and Due Process - http://clerycenter.org/policy-resources/the-clery-act/ - Students should educate themselves in regards to Hazing Awareness and Prevention - http://hazingprevention.org/

WELLNESS

– For more on emotional well-being and what to expect, see The Jed Foundation - http://transitionyear.org/.