BIG DECISIONS THIS WEEK!

March 26, 2026

EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s a BIG week in the college world.

With major decisions being released today—including Vanderbilt University and Emory University—and Ivy Day tomorrow, emotions are running high for so many families.

In this edition, we’re covering everything you need to know right now—from how money is reshaping the Cinderella story of March Madness to smart ways to find scholarships (because yes… there is money out there!). We’re also diving into a growing trend: why some colleges are turning to oral exams to combat AI.

Plus, a perspective that really resonated with me this week—a dad shares why he’s actually grateful his daughter didn’t get into an Ivy League school.

In the Travel Corner, we’re heading west with a California Dreamin’ College Crawl—think UCLA, USC, and more.

We’re ending on a feel-good note with a story you don’t want to miss: a janitor who is now a doctor.

And of course, in our Bed Party Corner, we’re giving new meaning to “bed party in a bag.” 🎁

Let’s get into it—

The College & Dorm Corner Team

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IN THIS ISSUE 👇

🎓 Decision Day Is Here
Major decisions are dropping today!

🏀 March Madness… but Make It Money
How NIL deals and big funding are changing the Cinderella story

💸 Scholarship Secrets
Smart ways to actually find and secure money for college

🧠 Oral Exams Are Back?!
Why some colleges are turning to live assessments to outsmart AI

💬 A Dad’s Perspective
Why one parent says he’s grateful his daughter didn’t get into an Ivy

🌴 The Travel Corner: California Dreamin’
A college crawl featuring UCLA, USC and more

🎉 Bed Party in a Bag
A fresh (and very cute) take on celebrating acceptances

❤️ Feel Good Story
From janitor to doctor—this one you don’t want to miss

HOW TO FIND AND WIN SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships are one way to reduce the cost of college, and aren't awarded only to high school valedictorians or students with significant financial need. "Apply, apply, apply," says Diona Brown, director of school services with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. "Most scholarship awardees are not at the top of their class. And I think that's a misconception amongst a lot of students – they just don't apply because they assume that they're not going to be awarded (a scholarship) because they don't have a 4.0." Here's what students and their families should know about the college scholarship application process. READ MORE HERE

HOW MONEY IS CHANGING MARCH MADNESS
So who killed Cinderella? Don't freak out. I'm talking just about basketball. This year's Sweet 16 is set for both the men's and women's brackets, and there is not a Cinderella in sight. READ MORE HERE

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR SCHOOL DOESN'T OFFER AP CLASSES
There are other ways to earn AP credit such as taking online classes. Advanced Placement courses give students a chance to strengthen their transcripts by demonstrating academic rigor, and earn college credits. But these courses aren't offered at every high school. Nearly 80% of U.S. public high school students attended schools in 2024-2025 with five or more AP classes available, according to recent College Board data. However, not all students had similar access: 49% of Native American students had at least five AP courses at their high school compared to 93% of Asian students, 82% of Hispanic students, 76% of white students and 75% of Black students. READ MORE HERE

WHY COLLEGES ARE TURNING TO ORAL EXAMS TO COMBAT AI
The assignment involves no laptop, no chatbot and no technology of any kind. In fact, there's no pen or paper, either. Instead, students in Chris Schaffer's biomedical engineering class at Cornell University are required to speak directly to an instructor in what he calls an "oral defense." It's a testing method as old as Socrates and making a comeback in the AI age. A growing number of college professors say they are turning to oral exams, and combining a variety of old-fashioned and cutting-edge techniques, to help address a crisis in higher education. READ MORE HERE

“I’M GLAD MY DAUGHTER WAS REJECTED FROM AN IVY”

I came across this story this week that really resonated with me and I wanted to share it! As parents, we’re wired to want the “best” for our kids—and for so many families, that can feel synonymous with a certain list of schools. But the more I read this article, the more it resonated—especially this time of year.

With decisions rolling out (and Ivy Day tomorrow), I couldn’t help but think of the moment so many families experience… the waiting, the hoping, the imagining of what could be.

And then the reality.

What this dad shares is such an important reminder: sometimes the path that doesn’t go as planned ends up being exactly the one your child needed.

READ THE STORY HERE

BED PARTY IN A BANDANA BAG!!
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THE TRAVEL CORNER: CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

THE ULTIMATE COLLEGE CRAWL
by Lauren Sorof, Allyson Sorof (SDSU '25) & Sam Sorof (UCSB '28)

So you're thinking about college in California? As Bay Area natives, we totally get it. This is an amazing place to live, learn, and explore! From LA palm trees to Santa Barbara beaches, San Diego surf, Silicon Valley energy, and Berkeley hills, this road trip shows you what living the college life in California could really feel like. We've got mid-range to high-end hotels, tasty restaurants, and enough California charm to keep it fun for you and your family—or just you if you're road-tripping with friends. Each of these schools has a vibrant sports culture, so see if you can catch a game depending on the season. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL GUIDE

PIC OF THE DAY - FORMER JANITOR RETURNS TO YALE NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL - THIS TIME AS A DOCTOR! CLICK THE PIC FOR STORY!

WANT TO READ PREVIOUS VOLUMES OF OUR NEWSLETTER "THE CORNERSTONE?" CLICKHERE

The College & Dorm Corner

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