Influx of Law School Applications Complicates Enrollment
Law School applications have seen a surge this year; The Law School Admissions Council reported that there have been nearly 63,000 applicants so far in the current admissions cycle. This boost represents a 20.5% increase over last year. Although projecting fewer applicants than in the late 90’s and early 00’s when the number of law school hopefuls was at its zenith, the present influx represents a boon for law schools, while also threatening to create a very narrow enrollment pipeline. Georgetown University, for example, received 14,000 applications this year for only 650 available seats.
Takeaways:
Experts point to several potential reasons for the uptick in applications. Firstly, the recent change to the LSAT: this year’s is the first cohort applying after the LSAT removed the “Logic Games” section, which had represented a hurdle for some applicants. Secondly, the current political shift in the U.S.: law school applications tend to rise during election years, and the controversial changes made by the Trump administration could have further bolstered interest for some in choosing to study law. Finally, the wider technological landscape: law is a profession that some consider AI-proof. Regardless of the reasons for the surge, many Law School Admissions are currently at risk of being overburdened but remain wary of over-enrolling students. According to Matthew Saleh, the head of admissions at New Jersey’s Rutgers Law School, “There are just not enough jobs out there.”
The Competition to Get Into Law School Is Brutal This Year (WSJ) – 3/15/25
UK Testing Demystified: A Guide for International Applicants to UK Universities
It was such a pleasure to present and sponsor for the third time at IECA’s annual European Symposium in Glasgow last month.In case you weren’t able to attend my deep-dive presentation into UK Testing for non-A-Level students, I’ve included the slides at the link below–I hope the presentation is helpful for talks with your students and families. There’s a particular emphasis on the content gaps for students coming from the IB or AP systems.
Testing for UK Universities: What to Expect for U.S. & European Students
Ohio State, One of Nation’s Largest Universities, Reinstates SAT/ACT Requirement
Last Wednesday, representatives of Ohio State announced that, beginning in the 2026 admissions cycle, the university will be reinstating SAT/ACT requirements for all applicants to its Columbus campus. This move reverses five years of test-optional admissions policy, put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only students at the flagship Columbus Campus will need to submit scores; regional campuses associated with the university have an open-access policy for Ohio residents and will, therefore, continue to not consider SAT/ACT scores for admission.
Takeaways:
Ohio State University, a public research institution, is one of the largest universities in the U.S. in terms of enrollment, boasting approximately 50,000 undergraduate and nearly 15,000 graduate students. The Columbus campus acts as the hub of the University; it is ranked as the #41 National University (tied with Boston University and Rutgers) according to the U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings. Ohio State switching to mandatory testing requirements is significant as it is the largest institution by enrollment to do so. According to Ohio State’s Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management, James Orr, the institution is still committed to a “holistic” process, but test scores help “create a fuller picture of future academic success” for Ohio State students. “Our analysis shows Ohio State students who submit test scores have higher grade point averages and are more likely to progress through the university.”
Ohio State shares decision on test requirements (Ohio State News) – 3/12/25
Nearly 50 Percent of Education Department Staff Laid Off Amid Sweeping Cuts
The Trump Administration announced last week that it will be eliminating 1,300 jobs within the U.S. Department of Education, a number which accounts for nearly 50 percent of the department’s current workforce. The Administration also plans to terminate leases of Department of Education buildings in New York, Boston, Chicago, and Cleveland. These changes come amid widespread downsizing of other government offices and just a week after business mogul and former wrestling promoter Linda McMahon was sworn in as the new Secretary of Education. After her confirmation, Secretary McMahon vowed, in an email to DOE staff, to shepard the department through its “final mission.”
Takeaways:
The layoffs affected multiple divisions within the Department of Education, including The Office of Federal Student Aid, The Office for Civil Rights, Technical Support, and Customer Service. Although the Department contends that it will still be able to process its key functions of overseeing Pell Grants, managing student loans, and distributing federal aid to schools, some are concerned that such a drastic reduction in staff could significantly impair the DOE’s ability to execute in a timely and effective manner. Especially with college enrollment decisions on the horizon and last year’s FAFSA debacle fresh in mind, many higher education stakeholders are understandably weary over such a severe reduction in workforce.
1,300 Education Department employees will be laid off (PBS NewsHour) – 3/11/25
Harvard Freezes Hiring Amid President Trump’s Attack on Higher Ed
Harvard University announced a hiring freeze this week – in response, it says, to the uncertainty over the future of federal funding for the university. It joins other institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, which enacted similar stops to hiring as well as ceasing other discretionary spending such as staff and faculty raises. Both institutions face scrutiny from the Trump administration over the universities’ responses to on-campus Gaza protests and over DEI initiatives. Both fear that they could receive similar censures as Columbia University, which had its funding cut by $400 million last week.
Takeaways:
Targeting higher education has been a cornerstone of President Trump’s agenda for his first 100 days back in office. This comes as no surprise to those who have followed the rhetoric of Vice President J.D. Vance, at least since his reinvention as a MAGA champion. The Vice President’s message leading up to the election was clear: “If any of us want to do the things that we want to do for our country…we have to honestly and aggressively attack the universities.” Higher education institutions are, thus, steeling themselves for a difficult road ahead. It is worth noting that Harvard University has the largest global endowment, totaling over $50 billion. If Harvard has to tighten its belt, it follows that less well-heeled schools could be at serious risk of financial catastrophe.
Harvard Announces a Hiring Freeze as Funding Is Threatened (NY Times) – 3/10/25
Major Technical “Glitch” Leads to Compromised SAT Scores
This past weekend’s official SAT test turned disastrous for some students when a potentially global technical issue resulted in some students having their answers submitted before their testing time was complete. The test’s timing system appears to have been set to auto-submit at 11:00 AM local time. With a test that is under 150 minutes, most students did not see a disruption, but those whose exams started after 8:36 AM local time and those with any extended time accommodations could have been affected. It seems as though proctors at some sites were given instructions on how to solve the issue with enough time to guide their students to sidestep any issues, while some received instructions during the test, resulting in students missing test time. So far, many of the reported issues come from students in Vietnam, although some students from the United States, Italy, and Mongolia have documented problems.
Takeaways:
It is currently unclear how many students were affected by this weekend’s problem. Even if it turns out to be a small percentage of test takers, this is not a good look for The College Board – especially in light of their spotty communication surrounding this issue. As of this writing, there has been no press release or newsroom post about the glitch. Instead, students received an email stating that without action on their part their scores will be canceled. According to this email, those students will also be provided with instructions for a free March 22nd make-up date. For any stakeholder reading this who knows a student affected by the glitch, we echo the writer of this piece’s advice: “Unless you are sure your scores are compromised beyond recovery, do not cancel them.” If students who received the email from College Board choose to keep their scores, they must contact College Board customer service by March 20th via phone or the form at www.sat.org/inquiry and select the topic “Scores,”.
The March SAT Test Crisis: What Happened And How Students Can Navigate The Chaos (Forbes) – 3/10/25
Syracuse Remains Test-Optional – At Least for Now
On Friday, Syracuse University officials announced that the popular New York State private research university will be extending its test-optional admissions policy for another year. Syracuse has not mandated SAT/ACT scores from applicants since 2021; students applying for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 admission will not be required to submit standardized scores for either admission or merit scholarship consideration.
Takeaways:
In recent months, more high profile U.S. colleges and universities – most recently the University of Pennsylvania – have returned to requiring SAT/ACT scores from students, but Syracuse joined a select group – including Carleton College, which permanently moved to test-optional admissions last week– to pivot the other way. According to a statement from Maurice A. Harris, dean of Admissions at Syracuse, “With our test-optional policy, we place greater emphasis on other aspects of a student’s journey, including academic performance, the rigor of their chosen coursework, and their extracurricular involvement.”
Syracuse University Extends Test Optional Policy for Students Applying for Fall 2026 Admission (Syracuse University News) – 3/7/25
Columbia Docked $400 Million in Federal Funding Over Antisemitism Concerns
Claiming that the institution failed to control on-campus antisemitism, the Trump administration has pulled $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University. Columbia’s response to on campus pro-Palestinian protests has drawn scrutiny from people on all sides of the issue and helped lead to the resignation of its president, Minouche Shafik, in August 2024. The Justice Department has yet to detail which grants and programs have been cut – nor has it yet released any specific descriptions of antisemitism in its findings. “Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding,” wrote Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “For too long, Columbia has abandoned that obligation to Jewish students studying on its campus.” Columbia University subsequently vowed to work with the Trump administration moving forward in a university statement: “We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously and understand how serious this announcement is and are committed to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.”
Takeaways:
In light of the very real dangers faced by some Jewish and Israeli students, some have applauded the Justice Department’s move, arguing that taxpayers should not need to support an institution that fails to ensure the safety of its students. A previous university task force found evidence of on-campus ostracization and verbal abuse directed toward some Jewish and Israeli students. However, critics argue that while antisemitism must be taken seriously, criticism of the current Israeli government’s policies is not inherently antisemitic. Some also worry that the administration’s actions may set a precedent that could be used to suppress free speech on contentious political issues.
Trump administration cancels $400M in grants and contracts with Columbia University (Associated Press) – 3/7/25
Loan Forgiveness Denied for Americans in Groups Opposing Trump
On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order modifying the terms of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to exclude “individuals employed by organizations whose activities have a substantial illegal purpose.” The program is designed to support teachers, social workers, military members, and other public servants by providing student debt relief in exchange for a certain number of years of service. In 2021, the Biden administration had temporarily relaxed the rules for the program to help mollify its complex requirements, and worked to forgive the loans of everyone who had made at least ten years of payments into the program. President Trump’s new order puts some of the 2 million Americans enrolled in the program at risk. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated during her confirmation hearing that she would not end the program: “That’s the law,” but what she does in office remains to be seen. Any new approved regulation should theoretically not take effect until 2017.
Takeaways:
The “illegal activities” detailed in the executive order are explained, in short, as follows: “aiding and abetting violations of…Federal immigration laws,” supporting “Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” “child abuse,” “aiding and abetting illegal discrimination,” “trespassing, disorderly conduct, public nuisance, vandalism, and obstruction of highways.” These “illegal activities” clearly connect to groups and policies the Trump administration has promised to target: undocumented Americans, pro-Palestinian groups, transgender Americans, DEI initiatives, and protestors. In fact, the order specifically defines “child abuse” to include gender-based medical treatment and “transgender sanctuary States.” Aaron Ament, president of the National Student Legal Defense Network decried the order, stating, “Threatening to punish hardworking Americans for their employers’ perceived political views is about as flagrant a violation of the First Amendment as you can imagine.”
Trump order denies student loan relief to nonprofit workers engaged in ‘improper’ activity (Associated Press) (3/7/25)
Trump-Appointed Attorney Threatens Georgetown Law Over “DEI” Practices
This week, Ed Martin, conservative activist and interim US attorney for Washington DC, sent a letter to Georgetown law school demanding that it end all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. His letter pledged that the Justice Department will not consider students from any institution that engages in DEI practices “for our fellows program, our summer internship, or employment in our office.” In the letter there was no specific explanation of what Martin – or the greater administration – considers “DEI.”
Takeaways:
Georgetown released a statement underlining its commitment to free discourse: “As a Catholic and Jesuit university, Georgetown was founded on the principle that serious and sustained discourse among people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs promotes intellectual, ethical, and spiritual understanding.” Firing back at Martin’s potential overreach, the statement claims that “restricting or suppressing legally protected speech would contradict the First Amendment, contravene the University’s mission, and undermine the educational experience that prepares students to navigate an increasingly complex world.”
US attorney tells Georgetown law he won’t hire from any school with DEI (The Guardian) – 3/6/25
Federal Antisemitism Task Force to Investigate University of California
On Wednesday, the Department of Justice announced that the newly-formed Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism will be launching a formal investigation into the University of California system to determine if it acted in opposition to the Civil Rights Act by “allowing an Antisemitic hostile work environment to exist on its campuses” in the wake of the pro-Palestinian protests over the past sixteen months. Attorney General Pamela Bondi vows that “This Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and leverage our resources to eradicate institutional Antisemitism in our nation’s universities.”
Takeaways:
Civil Rights Attorney and Leading Task Force member Leo Terrell has gone on record accusing his alma mater of UCLA of allowing an “outbreak of antisemitic incidents. The task force promises to investigate a “pattern or practice” of antisemitism at over 60 “leading institutions of higher education in America.” The University of California subsequently released a statement restating its “unwavering in its commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting everyone’s civil rights.” The statement contends that the University “continue(s) to take specific steps to foster an environment free of harassment and discrimination for everyone in the university community.”
U.S. Justice Department Launches Investigation of University of California Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (U.S. DOJ Press Release) – 3/5/25
Linda McMahon Confirmed, Future of the U.S. Department Of Education in Doubt
After being sworn in as Education Secretary, business mogul Linda McMahon, instructed her staff to ready itself for the department’s “final mission.” President Trump has made it clear that he plans to dissolve the Department of Education, and it appears as Secretary McMahon intends to follow through with the president’s aims. In her email to her staff, Secretary McMahon promised “disruptions” that would have a “profound impact” and “daunting” changes to the status quo. “This is our opportunity,” wrote McMahon, “to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students.”
Takeaways:
McMahon’s staff letter presented a different position than the one she put forward in her confirmation hearing, during which she stated that she does not intend to “turn off the lights and walk out of the department.” In her communication to staff she clarified her intention to “restore the right role of state oversight in education” and to focus on “patriotic education and classes.” Currently, the Department of Education “establishes policy for, administers, and coordinates most federal assistance to education.” If the department is, indeed, dissolved, it is as-of-yet unclear how the federal Pell Grants – over $7 billion in federal financial aid – will be managed.
‘Final Mission’ for Education Dept. Begins Now, McMahon Says (NY Times) – 3/4/25
Pell Grant Poised For a Significant Budget Shortfall
The United States Congressional Budget Office’s latest projections on the state of the Pell Grant program are not promising. According to data released in January, the program is expected to have a $2.7 billion deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Future expectations look even bleaker, with the shortfall projected to grow to $10 billion for 2026-27.
Takeaways:
Funding from the Pell Grant finances the need-based aid of over 30 percent of U.S. college students. Therefore, if the program continues on its current financial trajectory, many Americans could be at risk of not being able to access higher education. Congressional funding could help make the program financially solvent again, but, in light of the slash-and-burn approach of President Trump’s second term, it would be unlikely to see the Pell Grant receive a lifeline from the federal government.
Amid Federal Upheaval, a Pell Shortfall Looms (Inside Higher Ed) – 2/24/25
Facing Funding Crisis, University of Pittsburgh Halts Ph.D. Admissions
On Friday, the University of Pittsburgh announced that it would, for the time being, be making no new Ph.D offers of admission. The institution faces uncertainty around the future of governmental financial support, and its research aid from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is currently frozen. A newly proposed NIH policy, if resolved, would reduce the funding cap on research universities to 15 percent of indirect research expenses such as building maintenance and support staff. Consequently, as the University of Pittsburgh’s current funding cap is 59 percent, the institution could be at serious risk of financial insolvency.
Takeaways:
The NIH cap on ancillary funding is currently in limbo; this week, a federal judge extended a pause on the policy. That being said, many top research universities are taking preemptive measures to reduce expenditures. Both University of Southern California and Vanderbilt university put freezes on certain graduate admissions. Boston University also recently suspended certain Ph.D programs, citing financial struggles just after B.U. grad workers succeeded in securing a favorable union contract. As for the University of Pittsburgh, it is facing the loss of $115 million in funding, a shortfall that, according to a university statement, would cause “irreparable” harm to the research institution’s mission.
The University of Pittsburgh pauses its Ph.D. admissions process amid research funding uncertainty (WESA) – 2/21/24
Could Test-Optional Admissions Be At Risk?
In the fallout of the U.S. Department of Education’s “Dear Colleague” Letter, which espoused a controversially broad interpretation of the Supreme Court’s judgement that ended race-conscious college admissions, higher education stakeholders are beginning to question exactly how expansively Trump’s DOE will enforce “indirect” and so-called “insidious” pushes toward diversity on campus. Specifically, colleges and universities are uncertain if the administrations might attempt to require standardized testing as an admissions criterion.
Takeaways:
Currently, over 2,100 colleges and universities – including Columbia University, University of Michigan, and Northwestern University – are test optional. Exerting influence on the policies of such a large number of schools could garner backlash as being either government overreach or even as a willful misinterpretation of the court’s decision meant to further a narrow agenda. In his response to the letter, Akil Bello, Senior Director of Advocacy and Advancement for anti-testing advocacy group FairTest, did not mince words. “The letter demonstrates a commitment by the administration to chaos rather than governing.” According to the “Dear Colleague” brief, the Department of Education will begin compliance assessments of higher ed institutions as soon as February 28th. Speculation about how far the Trump administration intends to push its anti-diversity rhetoric may not be necessary for much longer.
Will Trump DOE Try To End Test-Optional College Admission Policies? (Forbes) – 2/18/25
Higher Ed Institutions Ordered to End “Racial Discrimination” or Face Penalties
On Friday, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, published a “Dear Colleague” letter directed to all educational institutions requiring that they must cease the use of racial preference in “admissions, hiring promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.” According to the letter, any institution that fails to comply with this mandate will face potential loss of federal funding. The Department of Civil Rights plans to start compliance assessments as early as February 28th.
Takeaways:
Ostensibly, this letter outlines the current administration’s hard-line interpretation of the June 2023 “Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard” Supreme Court case, which ended affirmative action in the United States. In the decision, Chief Justice John Roberts specified that it is legal for colleges and universities to “(consider) an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.” From the content of the “Dear Colleague” letter, it seems that the Trump Administration plans to deprioritize or even subvert Chief Justice Roberts’ caveat. The letter accuses DEI initiatives – and other programs – of “discriminat(ing) in less direct, but equally insidious ways.” According to Acting Assistant Secretary Trainor, “Although some programs may appear neutral on their face, a closer look reveals that they are, in fact, motivated by racial considerations. And race-based decision-making, no matter the form, remains impermissible.” It remains to be seen how broadly this new dictate is enforced. Some question whether ubiquitous identity-based campus groups, such as Black student alliances or Hillel houses, could put a college or university’s funding at risk.
U.S. Department of Education Directs Schools to End Racial Preferences (U.S. DOE) – 2/15/25
University of Pennsylvania Returns to Test-Mandatory Admissions
“With the goal of bringing clarity and transparency to the application process,” the University of Pennsylvania has decided to once again require SAT or ACT scores as part of its admissions criteria. As detailed in Friday’s announcement, submitting standardized test scores will be mandatory for all applicants beginning in the 2025-26 undergraduate admissions cycle. This move reverses five years of test-optional policy following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Takeaways
In its announcement, the university focused on how mandating SAT/ACT scores will simplify the process and will “remove uncertainty for applicants trying to decide whether to include their test scores.” That being said, “Penn’s updated policy will allow students facing hardship in accessing testing to submit a testing waiver with their application.” With UPenn’s policy change, all but one Ivy League Institution are either test-mandatory or “test-flexible” (Yale allows students to submit SAT or ACT scores or AP/IB predicteds). Columbia University remains firmly test-optional for its Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science programs.
Penn reinstates standardized testing for undergraduate admissions (UPenn Announcements) – 2/14/25
Department of Education Poised to Cut Jobs in Favor of Generative AI
As part of a push to drastically decrease the federal workforce, members of the Department of Education – reportedly allies of Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk – have suggested using generative artificial intelligence to manage federal student aid. If put in place, this generative AI would replace the current and more rudimentary chat bot – as well as many of the DOE’s 16,000 contracted workers. Currently these call centers field more than 15,000 daily questions from borrowers.
Takeaways:
With the FAFSA fiasco of last year still fresh in the minds of stakeholders, some are very skeptical about such a sweeping and sudden change. According to an internal DOE document, there is real fear that moving toward a generative AI model could lead to a “severe degradation” in services for “students, borrowers, and schools.” Additionally, removing the human element could raise questions around privacy, accuracy, and security. If the tech used ends up being Musk’s proprietary generative AI, this change also could raise conflict of interest questions.
Musk Staff Propose Bigger Role for A.I. in Education Department (NY Times) – 2/13/25
Community Colleges Partner with the Common App for the First Time in History
For the first time in its fifty year history, the Common Application has partnered with a select group of Illinois community colleges. Sauk Valley Community, Rend Lake, Carl Sandburg and Black Hawk Colleges will be accepting the Common App for its next batch of applicants. Additionally, Lincoln Land Community, Oakton and Triton Colleges will be designated as Common App partners for next year’s admissions cycle. These schools will join a growing list of over 1,100 institutions that utilize the Common App for hopeful students.
Takeaways:
Executive director of the Illinois Community College Board, Brian Durham, lauded the partnership with the Common Application as a means to increase these colleges’ visibility and legitimacy. “We want to make sure that community colleges are seen as an option on that list…potentially a first choice for students.” The colleges’ association with the Common App could also boost enrollment among those who, after completing the general application, realize that financial concerns might make community college a better fit.
Common App Welcomes Community Colleges (Inside Higher Ed) – 2/12/25
Students with Undocumented Parents Fear FAFSA May Attract Scrutiny
Federal student aid can be the difference between pursuing or not pursuing higher education for many students from marginalized communities, and completing the FAFSA can help to carve incredibly important future pathways for these students. For a certain demographic of Chicago students, however, doing so could bring with it as much risk and reward. Children of undocumented immigrants fear that providing certain sensitive information to the federal government could compromise their parents, potentially resulting in deportation. In a virulently anti-immigrant climate, with leadership that is hyper-focused on data collection and utilization, some students are considering prioritizing their families’ safety, imperiling their own higher education goals.
Takeaways:
The Trump administration has not stated that it will use information from the FAFSA as a means to target families for deportation, and, as of this writing, no parent has been deported because of a submitted FAFSA; however, in light of President Trump’s anti-immigration policies, rhetoric, and executive orders, there is tangible cause for concern. Aidé Acosta, chief college officer for the Noble Schools charter network in Chicago advises the undocumented families she consults to carefully weigh their options. “We want them to be informed of the risks that might come…but we also want to acknowledge that there is an incredible opportunity in completing the FAFSA for many of our students.”
Under Trump administration, some Chicago students think twice about FAFSA (WBEZ Chicago) – 2/6/25
NCAA Echoes Trump Executive Order in Ban on Transgender Women Athletes
Last month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and womens’ sports. The order allows federal agencies to penalize entities who violate the order, including withholding funding from the offending institution. One day after the order was signed, the NCAA officially limited competition in womens’ sports to those assigned female at birth. This policy change is immediate and retroactive across all of the NCAA’s 1,200 member schools and over 500,000 athletes. At this time, it is unclear how many transgender – or intersex – athletes are directly affected by the ban.
Takeaways:
According to the NCAA’s president, Charlie Baker, President Trump’s re-interpretation of Title IX helps to provide clearer guidelines for the association’s member institutions. “We strongly believe that clear, consistent and uniform eligibility standards would best serve today’s student-athletes instead of a patchwork of conflicting state laws and court decisions…To that end, President Trump’s order provides a clear, national standard.” After issuing the order, the White House claimed to already be conducting an active investigation into potential “civil rights violations” at two Universities – UPenn and San Jose State – that allowed trans women to compete.
NCAA bars transgender athletes from competing in women’s college sports (The Guardian) – 2/6/25
“Non-Binary” Identifier Removed From FAFSA
According to a Tuesday news release by the Department of Education, the “non-binary” gender identity option has been removed from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The memo praised the revisions as “commonsense,” a now oft-used but rarely elaborated buzz word, with Acting DOE Under Secretary James Bergeron celebrating a reflection of so-called “biological reality.” The ‘“Prefer Not to Answer” option has also been excised from the form. Current and future FAFSA applicants, thus, can identify only as either male or female.
Takeaways:
Even if praised as a win by an “anti-woke” administration, this change actually has no real bearing on the FAFSA – other than making it a little more difficult to fill out for some teens; the form’s gender identity question is solely for demographic purposes. As part of the Tuesday memo, Under Secretary Bergeron also pledged that “the Trump Administration will correct the failures of the last Administration and ensure students and families can easily access the FAFSA form in a timely manner.” It is worth noting that the 2025-26 form was already opened to all stakeholders back in November and has been praised as a significant improvement over last cycle’s disastrous form.
Education Department Removes Nonbinary Gender Option on FAFSA (Inside HigherEd) – 2/5/25
Legacy Admissions Declined Significantly Over Past Decade, Study Finds
According to a new brief by nonprofit think tank, Education Reform Now, more than half of higher education institutions that previously gave admissions preference to children of alumni and donors have ceased to do so over the past decade. Currently, only 24 percent of four-year colleges and universities – 420 institutions – give preference for legacy status, down from 49 percent in 2015. 30 percent of private colleges and universities and a mere 11 percent of public institutions consider legacy status. Moreover, in 24 states, no public colleges or universities weigh legacy status in their admissions process.
Takeaways:
The movement to ban legacy preference in higher education admissions has gained much momentum in recent years. Currently five states – California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, and Virginia – have banned legacy admissions since 2021. Even so, 86 percent of colleges and institutions that removed legacy preferences from their admissions process did so without any pressure from state legislatures. The brief notes that at least five other states will consider legacy bans in 2025.
Colleges Using Legacy Admissions Drop By More Than Half, Report Finds (Forbes) – 2/4/25
The University of Maryland System to Cut 400 Jobs
The University System of Maryland announced that it plans to eliminate 400 statewide jobs across its network schools. Still reeling from $69 million in state budget cuts in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the university system is facing an additional $111 million in cuts as part of Governor Wes Moore’s (D-MD) proposed budget reduction. UMaryland officials project that the job cuts will recoup $45 million, still leaving a significant shortfall.
Takeaways:
Colleges and universities have faced widespread financial struggles over the past five years, and the current trajectory is alarming – especially for institutions without large endowments or widespread name recognition. Cutbacks, such as those at the University of Maryland system, can imperil some students’ abilities to graduate on time – or at all. As many students at UMaryland and similar university systems are in-state, this trend could have deleterious effects on those states’ workforce pools. Many fear that the Trump Administration’s federal funding freeze could be too much for some institutions to bounce back from.
University System of Maryland prepares to cut hundreds of jobs amid state deficit (Baltimore Banner) – 1/31/24
Written by
Zachary Adler
Since 2010, Zach has been helping students achieve their college readiness goals, specializing in all sections of the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and SHSAT. Prior to joining Onsen, Zach worked for a global investment firm, as well as in various roles in the education space. He has served as a youth mentor and has run college readiness information sessions for students in under-resourced communities. Additionally, Zach is a writer and filmmaker. He is an International Baccalaureate scholar and a graduate of Boston University.