Wow, the holidays are already upon us! Is it just us, or was April just yesterday?
We’ve been through a lot this year. From entering a new decade, to the onset of COVID-19, and the disruption of life as we know it, this year has been transformative in many, many ways.
Unprecedented challenges in every sector of economy, unprecedented constraints in both home and work life, and unprecedented impacts to physical, mental and psychological health.
But also, a year with exceptional innovation especially in education and healthcare, excellent resilience on every human-being, and extraordinary empathy with outpour of help and support by people within their communities.
Even amidst a pandemic, senior and September “No Sweat” Scholarship winner Kinja Bagalwa has gone above and beyond in her academics, extracurriculars and her community. As president of the French club and a member of JROTC, Kinja is in the top 10 percent of her class at Hutch Tech High!
Wow, we’re finally at the end of an...interesting...year (to say the least). As we wrap up and head toward Winter Break, many can find it difficult to stay focused and motivated. And guess what? We get it.
That’s why we’re here. While you’re toughing it out the next week, counting down the minutes until you can log off of Zoom, here are some ways to get through it:
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we may rightfully be inclined to think about the COVID, tragedies, the election, and many more newsmaking topics that upended schools, college admissions, and homelife. However, we must take the time to think about and honor what 2020 has taught us.
As expected, COVID-19 cases are rising around the country as temperatures drop. For many, this means that school, which was briefly opened for in-person classes, will go back to online-only formats.
We’re less than two months away from 2021 and it’s safe to say that 2020 was a rough year.
COVID-19 hit us like a ton of bricks. Most didn’t expect it. Many students went from being in school one day to being in an online class the next. Some thought it would last two weeks, and then kids started missing their proms, graduations, summers, and first days of school. Yep, it’s been rough!
Whether you’re a high schooler who just turned 18 or an 91-year-old grandma watching as her grandkids play in the front yard, it’s your responsibility to cast a ballot at every opportunity you get. It is how each and every one of us has our voice heard and participates in our democracy.
SEATTLE-- Yesterday, Reetu Gupta, CEO and Founder of college admissions platform Cirkled In, placed second place among 139 companies in a national fast pitch competition organized by Women Founders Network. In addition to placing second, Gupta was chosen for the Popular Choice Award, which was awarded by audiences using popular vote.
How can teens and parents have conversations around voting at such a stressful time? Here’s a few ways nonpartisan ways to have a positive conversation:
If you’re reading this, you are most likely in the midst of applying, or preparing to apply, to colleges all across the country. One thing is for sure--no matter how prepared you are, it can still be a perplexing process for both students and parents. One point of confusion: early action vs. early decision.
Whether you’re a high school student or parent, you need to know about Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). If you’ve never heard of it, it is used to apply for financial aid for college or graduate school. Generally, parents of the students applying for FAFSA also have to input their information, like income, marital status, and more, to determine what aid the student is eligible for from the federal government.
Times are changing for standardized testing. In a landmark case, a superior court judge has ruled that The University of California system can no longer use ACT and SAT tests as a determinant for admissions. While only a portion of recruiters and students have ties to The University of California system, it is only a matter of time before other colleges and universities follow suit beyond the suspension of scores due to COVID-19.
Our society is continuing to adapt rapidly in the midst of this pandemic, and one of the most important aspects of our community is undergoing major evolution and iterative change: the higher-ed industry. Continuing with our podcast series of speaking with university-level professionals has helped us better understand what to expect from colleges and universities going forward. We had the opportunity of speaking with Cezar Mesquita, the Director of Admissions at Western Washington University. Our CEO, Reetu Gupta, conducted the interview via video call to abide by social distancing policies.
Earlier this year, Cirkled In CEO Reetu Gupta wrote for Puget Sound Business Journal about one of the far and few between benefits of COVID-19: The end of standardized testing. While the end of cramming for a test that could weigh heavily during the college admissions seems exciting for many, the upended testing system presents a challenge for some students. How can their application stand out above the rest without testing scores that, in some ways, reflect their intellect?
Raise your hand if the 2020-21 back-to-school season is different than any other you’ve experienced before.
Here at Cirkled In, we’re so excited to welcome students into their senior year of high school. We know things are still very uncertain in a post COVID-world and school may be online school. But one thing is certain: You’ll be applying to colleges soon! Many students find the first step of college search process stressful. Don't worry, it can be easy and actually a fun activity!
Watch the entire video with Ms. Miner to hear her interesting perspectives on how COVID-19 has impacted and will continue to leave its mark on universities nationwide. Ms. Miner began by pointing out the silver lining in this cloud of change by revealing how the shift to an online space has allowed for widespread accessibility. Virtually meeting with students has opened up tens of thousands of more doors to connections with people across the country. This being said, the digital environment has also opened up a lot more opportunities for students to pursue at a wide array of colleges and universities. As a result, colleges are working extra hard to distinguish themselves and establish their institution as a unique option for students.
Back when all "this" started in March, I doubt that most people thought we would still be dealing with Covid-19 going in August. But we are. In working with families on the college process, I always stress that I don't have a crystal ball that foresees where students will be admitted. I certainly wish I did.
By now you are probably in the final stages of planning for the upcoming school year which could be all virtual or a hybrid model. Either way, e-leaning will be the new norm that is complemented with Cirkled In as an e-Portfolio. Cirkled In is like "LinkedIn for students".
