College Deadlines, Headlines & Sweet New Arrivals
The Cornerstone | October 20, 2026
Editor's Note
November 1st is almost here, and with it comes a big wave of early decision and early action deadlines! If your house is anything like mine, you’re probably ready for the applications to go out… and already thinking about when the decisions will come in. 💙
In this issue, we’re covering the latest college headlines: ChatGPT’s new college planner for teens, what employers think AI means for the value of a degree, and how the situation at Cornell is prompting some applicants to rethink their plans. We’re also digging into the latest ACT data and what admissions officers are saying about competition this cycle.
On the sweeter side, we’re excited to introduce The Candy Corner and our new college-themed candy boards, plus share new finds for The Bed Party Corner. Those celebrations will be here before we know it!
Need a little help keeping track of what comes next? The Corner Club is our monthly college roadmap for grades 9–12, with grade-specific checklists, helpful resources, and tips and tools to make the process feel more manageable.
And keep scrolling. We’re ending with a fun text chain with my very own mom. Apparently, you never outgrow being someone’s daughter.
Happy reading, and good luck to all the applicants!
xo,
Ali
Make sure to follow us on Instagram for daily tips, trends, and must-know moments along the college journey!
In This Issue
- ChatGPT’s new college planner for teens
- AI and the value of a college degree
- Cornell concerns: Some applicants rethink their plans
- What the latest ACT data reveals
- Admissions officers weigh in on competition this cycle
- The best extracurriculars for college applications
- Introducing The Candy Corner!
- New finds for The Bed Party Corner
- Your monthly roadmap: Join The Corner Club
- A text chain with my very own mom
OpenAI Announces College Planner in ChatGPT for Teens to Track Applications and Financial Aid
OpenAI just announced that it’s adding a college planner tool to ChatGPT for Teens, along with new study features on the platform. The company says the college planner will launch in the next few weeks, helping users organize application requirements, deadlines, tasks, and financial aid steps across the colleges they’re considering.
48% of Employers Say AI Will Make College Degrees More Important
Despite fears that AI will replace many entry-level white-collar jobs, new data shows that many employers still want workers with a college degree. According to a survey of 2,500 employers that the Lumina Foundation and Gallup published Tuesday, 48 percent of employers believe artificial intelligence will make college degrees more important over the next five years, compared to just 26 percent who believe they will become less important.
Cornell Case Has Some Prospective Students Rethinking Their Plans
As Cornell University faces scrutiny over its handling of sexual assault allegations, some prospective students are reconsidering whether to apply, according to college admissions consultants who spoke with CNBC. The concerns come just weeks before Cornell’s Nov. 1 early-decision deadline, when applicants must decide whether to submit an application under a binding agreement to attend the Ivy League university if admitted. Amid public outrage over the handling of the alleged 2024 incident and the ensuing Jane Doe lawsuit, some high school seniors have decided to take the school out of consideration.
ACT’s 2026 Class Data
ACT recently unveiled its annual Graduating Class Release, a snapshot of students’ college and career readiness for the Class of 2026. This year’s data, based on the 1.46 million graduating students who took the ACT test at least once between 10th and 12th grade, tells a simple story: readiness is shaped over time with early signals, second chances, and multiple paths to success.
“This is what it looks like when data reflects a student’s journey, not just a single moment,” said ACT CEO Steve Tapp. “These results give us — and, more importantly, give students and families, educators, and decision-makers — real insight into how readiness builds over time.”
College Admissions Officers See a Competitive Application Cycle, but Worry About the Enrollment Cliff
College admissions officers expect competition to remain strong even as they brace for the potentially far-reaching consequences of the looming enrollment cliff, according to a new survey from global education company Kaplan. Ninety percent predict that the 2026–2027 admissions cycle will be at least as competitive as the 2025–2026 cycle, including 11 percent who expect it to be much more competitive, 33 percent somewhat more competitive, and 46 percent about the same.
Extracurriculars: Beyond the Classroom
BestColleges shares 10 types of extracurricular activities students can highlight on their college applications, from part-time jobs and athletics to creative pursuits and personal projects. Its key reminder: there’s no single “right” set of activities. Focus on interests that matter to you and describe your commitment and contributions.
Sweet New Gifts!
Introducing our new candy boards, currently available for local friends in Fairfield County. Local friends, shop here. Not local? Shop our amazing vendors offering nationwide shipping. Shop gifts with nationwide shipping.
Shop the Round Wood Candy Board.
New Pillows!
We’re already prepping for bed party season! Shop our new finds in The Bed Party Corner, and stay tuned for a whole new collection coming soon.
Pic of the Day: Text Chain with My Mom!
