The last few years have resulted in sweeping changes to the college admission counseling landscape. In this session, NACAC will unpack the latest admission trends, presenting key takeaways to empower your work as a counselor. NACAC’s research and analysis will be enriched by perspectives from college and admission counseling professionals. You won’t want to miss this deep dive into the latest shifts in the field.

We live in interesting times. A great deal has transpired in the last year that has radically changed how we engage with international students. How can we adapt and adjust our approaches to international student outreach – and stay sane & balanced – while remaining principled to the missions, visions, and values of our respective institutions? How might we augment our approach to counseling to ensure students across the world can navigate these headwinds? What are the best paths forward for creating more innovative & sustainable ways to reach right-match international students? We hope to encourage a longer-term path forward, informed by recent data insights and responding to recent policy changes. A panel of global leaders, representing a diverse cross-section of the international education community, will reflect on recent changes, and recommend best practices for moving forward, with integrity, open-mindedness, caring, and a commitment to authentic international student engagement. We will also discuss what institutions & organizations can be doing collectively to weather this storm.

FAFSA season is here, with the 25-26 FAFSA launching on December 1st. After the fall of beta testing the FAFSA, we hope to avoid the issues and glitches experienced last year and to have a smoother and more straightforward financial aid process for students, families, school counselors, and colleges. Join us as we share the highs and lows of the first month of the 25-26 FAFSA. We'll highlight any issues we see with the form for students we serve and provide best practices, strategies, and resources for supporting students and families as they navigate the financial aid process. We'll answer your FAFSA questions throughout the session to ensure you have the necessary information to support your stakeholders.

Selective colleges have long treated high school calculus as a gold standard in the admission process. Even though very few require calculus, many colleges have a preference for applicants with calculus on their transcripts, according to surveys conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling in collaboration with Just Equations. But there is growing awareness of the drawbacks of this reliance on calculus. Not all high schools offer calculus, and not all high-achieving students are put on a path to take the course even if their school does offer it.

Jewish students and their families often have unique questions and considerations when exploring college options, from campus Jewish life and religious accommodations to safety and cultural inclusion. This interactive session equips college admissions officers and other recruitment personnel, such as tour guides and interviewers, with the knowledge and skills to effectively support Jewish students in their college search process. Participants will learn how to address key questions about religious observance, antisemitism concerns, Jewish student organizations, kosher dining, and more. We will also explore best practices for training newer admissions staff to ensure that prospective students feel welcomed and informed. This webinar is designed to offer tools that admissions staff members might implement in support of a more inclusive and knowledgeable admissions process—one that empowers Jewish students and their families to make confident, well-informed college decisions.