A readable daily digest of college admissions developments — testing policies, financial aid, federal enforcement, and enrollment — with Test Ninjas analysis of what it means for applicants.
DOJ said Duke Law used essay tags tied to race to admit Black and Hispanic applicants over white and Asian applicants with stronger LSAT scores — its first finding against a law school.
About 61% of colleges expect to hit fall 2026 enrollment goals, but small schools are far less confident — and discounting hard to fill seats.
Starting fall 2027, Rice will cover tuition for families up to $200K and a full ride (tuition, fees, room and board) under $100K — still loan-free.
McMahon's "National Call to Action" asks every U.S. college to publish a statement by year's end on how it keeps admissions merit-based and transparent. It's voluntary — but not nothing.
More than 440 private nonprofit colleges — roughly a quarter of the sector — may be at elevated risk of closing or merging as demographics and budgets tighten.
A final DHS rule ends “duration of status” for F and J students, capping most stays at four years unless USCIS grants an extension — effective September 15, 2026.
The University of California sped up its testing review. Faculty recommendations are now expected by June 2027 — while UC remains test-free for now.
Yale’s president confirmed DOJ negotiations over alleged race discrimination in medical-school admissions, with probes also covering Yale College and Yale Law.
IIE’s spring snapshot found 59% of U.S. campuses saw fewer international applications, and most expect another enrollment drop next year.
The Times reported Yale was pursuing settlement talks as DOJ scrutiny expanded from the medical school to undergraduate and law admissions.
Despite a Faculty Senate vote urging a pause, the University of Michigan kept binding early decision for Ann Arbor applicants.
Columbia — the last Ivy still test-optional — will require SAT or ACT scores starting August 2027, remaining optional for 2026–27.
After UCLA and Yale findings, the Justice Department opened 15 new Title VI probes into medical-school admissions. Schools were not named.
Yale ended its short-lived test-flexible policy and will again require the SAT or ACT, restoring the pre-2020 rule.
NCAN reported 54.7% of the Class of 2026 had completed the FAFSA by May 1 — a record before the usual June 30 benchmark — with every state improving year over year.
The Justice Department alleged Yale School of Medicine violated Title VI by favoring Black and Hispanic applicants over white and Asian applicants for recent entering classes.
A NAFSA-linked survey found spring 2026 foreign enrollment down about 20% year over year at participating U.S. campuses, while many Asian universities gained.
After a year-long probe, DOJ found UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine illegally considered race — the first major public post-SFFA medical-school finding of its kind.
ED’s Office for Civil Rights opened a Title IX investigation into Smith College’s policy — in place since 2015 — of admitting transgender women.
On Ivy Day, Yale admitted 2,328 of 54,919 applicants — about 4.2% — from its second-largest applicant pool ever.