Bay Area families need to pay close attention as the American education system undergoes a seismic shift and as the Department of Education faces structural changes and budget cuts. For those aiming for elite universities like Stanford and UC Berkeley, these shifts can be crucial to your children’s future. Read on as we break down the risks and suggest strategies to safeguard your child’s education.
The Crisis in Education
The special economic aid given to districts during the pandemic is now discontinued, leaving them scrambling. Districts like San Francisco Unified, Oakland Unified, West Contra Costa Unified, Santa Rosa City Schools, and Hayward Unified are all facing significant shortfalls, including teacher layoffs, program cuts, and even school closures. On a bigger scale, Education Department cuts are also happening, which could mean a significant decrease in funding and access to federal aid.
These Department of Education cuts hit low-income and middle-income schools the hardest. Resource constraints in public schools will diminish their ability to provide necessary tools and academic rigor. Less budget also means fewer teachers, larger class sizes, reduced AP course availability, and less individualized support. With little or no resources like these, students’ readiness for college is compromised.
The looming budget cuts will significantly exacerbate the existing gap between students from affluent backgrounds and those from middle and lower-income families. This will make it harder for less privileged students to compete for elite university spots compared to their upper-class peers, who retain access to private school resources, such as SAT prep, internships, and research opportunities.
Ultimately, this could push elite universities to favor applicants from private schools with polished profiles over students from struggling public districts.
College Prep Strategies for Bay Area Families
Here are some tips to stay on top of your college preparations despite the challenges.
1. Craft a Compelling Story
To craft a compelling essay, there has to be an interesting story. Encourage your child to take risks and explore their passions. An admissions essay or personal statement is not developed overnight. In fact, you should start working at least one year before applying. Brainstorm with your child to help them choose the best topics and themes that reflect their uniqueness, resilience, and determination to succeed. Numerous practice writing and feedback, either with you or a writing coach, will help develop writing skills, identify personal writing styles, and produce compelling essays that admissions officers will notice.
2. Beyond Academic Support
Early intervention can help students build a strong academic foundation. This includes tutoring and enrichment programs to supplement the school curriculum. However, there might be a need for higher-level academic support like specialized academic coaching that not only focuses on the core subjects but also cultivates executive function skills, such as time management, organization, study skills, and critical thinking. All these act as the blueprint for sustained success in individuals—something students take with them beyond school and into the career world.
5. Leverage Local Resources
Explore enrichment programs that demonstrate passion and intellectual curiosity. There are many to choose from, including Honors and AP classes, summer programs offered by colleges, research projects, and internships—all designed to delve deeper into your child’s areas of interest. Encourage your children to engage in community programs in the Bay Area, like the SF Food Bank or tech startups, to demonstrate leadership.
6. Test Prep
Many colleges are requiring standardized testing again while some remain test-optional. Regardless of the requirement, it is still advisable to submit test scores whenever possible. With the intense competition in college admissions, test scores, essays, and extracurricular activities differentiate applicants from one another.
There are many test prep programs and resources available online that are free and easily accessible. Choose one that not only focuses on the content but also teaches test-taking strategies. There should also be unlimited access to practice tests so your child develops confidence as they become familiar with the flow of the exam.
While budget cuts and federal changes cause feelings of uncertainty, proactive families can still position their children for success. By combining academic rigor, strategic extracurriculars, and compelling narratives, Bay Area students can stand out–even against the most resourced candidates.
So stay focused and keep on motivating your child to take risks, explore, and be different.
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Allen Koh is the CEO of Cardinal Education, a globally recognized consulting firm specializing in admissions to elite private schools and highly selective universities. A Stanford graduate with nearly two decades of experience, Koh uses holistic and merit-based strategies to guide families, including Fortune 500 executives and Forbes-listed leaders, through the admissions process. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Business Insider, and more.
Email: allen@cardinaleducation.com
Phone: (855) 891-2528
