Navigating the New College Admissions Era

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mary rose and nikki danos

The college admission landscape has never felt more complex, or more dynamic, than it does today. As families navigate shifting requirements, new technologies, and evolving expectations from colleges, what students need most is clarity, grounding, and a trusted guide who understands both the trends and the heart of the process. 

At Forest Ridge, we are fortunate to have that guide in our Director of College Counseling, Nikki Danos. Last week, I sat down with Nikki to talk about what’s changed in the college landscape, what lies ahead, and how Forest Ridge continues to ensure our students are not just prepared for college, but seen, known, and celebrated throughout the journey. Leaving our conversation, I felt energized knowing that with Nikki’s leadership, our students are in the best possible hands for whatever the future of college admissions brings. 

One major takeaway from our conversation is that the test-optional movement is here to stay. According to Nikki, one of the biggest shifts the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated was the decision by many colleges to become test-optional. Now, five years later, roughly 90% of colleges remain test-optional or test-blind. 

This shift means the transcript has become the single most important part of a student’s application. Nikki emphasized that colleges evaluate each transcript within the context of the student’s school and academic environment. For Forest Ridge students, who study within the well-respected Sacred Heart Network, this context strengthens their application. 

But test-optional does not mean tests don’t matter. It means choice matters, and the strategy behind submitting scores is increasingly nuanced. That is why Forest Ridge became the first independent school in Puget Sound region to offer SAT School Day. Today, all juniors have the opportunity to: 

  • Take the SAT on campus in a supported, low-stress environment 

  • Meet one-on-one with Nikki to determine whether test scores should be submitted to their choice schools 

  • Receive SAT prep during the academic day for two full Mods 

“Our job is to give them every pathway they might need,” Nikki said. “We don’t ever want a student to feel boxed in.” 

When asked what the next five years will bring, Nikki didn’t hesitate: “Artificial Intelligence will reshape college admissions.” 

Colleges are already using AI to categorize extracurriculars and leadership roles, identify patterns across thousands of applications, and detect inauthentic or AI-generated essays. At the same time, the increasing use of AI is prompting colleges to deepen human connection. 

“Interviews are likely going to matter more,” Nikki explained. “They’ll be a way for colleges to hear a student’s authentic voice, something AI can’t replicate.” 

This trend aligns beautifully with the Forest Ridge experience. Through the required Research and Presentation class, the AIS Capstone Project, and leadership opportunities across campus, our students spend years developing the skills interviews require: clarity, confidence, reflection, and a strong sense of self. 

For families looking ahead to the college process, Nikki offers grounded guidance: 

1. Explore early. 
Middle school is the time to try everything. Students can’t discover what they love without experimenting. 

2. Depth beats breadth every time. 
Once students find what energizes them, Nikki encourages them to follow that path deeply. “The more unique, the better. It has to come from genuine interest, not from what parents and students think colleges want.” 

3. Be open to schools you do not know. 
“There are incredible institutions outside of the small set everyone talks about. Fit matters far more than name recognition.” 

This is where the Forest Ridge experience shines. Our Endorsement Pathways, AIS, and expansive elective offerings help students uncover passions that become compelling elements of their story. 

One of the defining strengths of college counseling at Forest Ridge is the deeply individualized support. With 10–12 touchpoints per student, our program offers a level of personalization few schools can match. Thanks to our Mod Schedule, we can innovate in ways that directly respond to student needs, including: 

  • Two full Mods of College Counseling Class, pairing application work with dedicated writing support 

  • SAT prep embedded directly into the school day 

  • Flexibility to design programming around students rather than institutional limitations 

“Because of our size, we can adapt quickly,” Nikki said. “When we see a need, we fill it.” 

This individualized support is reflected in another remarkable statistic: last year, Forest Ridge students applied to 132 universities around the world. This breadth speaks to a culture where students craft individualized paths, not cookie-cutter ones. 

When asked what helps our students gain admission to their reach schools, Nikki highlighted several strengths rooted in our academic philosophy: 

  • Endorsement Pathways that showcase depth of study 

  • Advanced Integrated Studies, which mirrors a first-year college research class 

  • A wide range of rigorous courses uncommon for a school our size 

  • Leadership opportunities everywhere: because no one stands on the sidelines 

  • A culture that empowers students to found clubs, lead initiatives, and take ownership 

Colleges want students who explore deeply, lead authentically, and think critically. Forest Ridge students do all of that. 

As I finished my conversation with Nikki, what struck me most was not just her expertise, but her unwavering belief in our students. 

“The process is changing,” she said, “but the heart of it remains the same. Colleges are still looking for real, curious, joyful kids who know who they are. And that’s exactly who our girls become here.” 

In a landscape full of shifting expectations, Forest Ridge remains anchored in what matters: purpose, authenticity, depth, and the formation of young women ready to shape their world.