03/23/2026
I had the chance to visit several colleges across Pennsylvania last week as part of the IECA “Pursue Your Happiness in PA” tour, and I left feeling both energized and reflective.
There’s a lot shifting in admissions right now: AI, test optional practices, affordability, even a projected decline in the number of college-aged students.
But what stood out most wasn’t the uncertainty; it was the intentionality.
Schools like Bryn Mawr, Lehigh, Dickinson, Penn State, and Penn are all thinking deeply about:
➡️ how students learn
➡️ how they grow
➡️ and how to prepare them for a changing world
The biggest shift I’m seeing?
Less focus on “getting in”,
More focus on “getting on” and becoming.
If you’re navigating this process, it’s worth slowing down and asking:
Where will you actually thrive?
If you’re thinking through that right now, I’m always happy to be a sounding board.
Read more here: https://www.corecollegeconsulting.com/blog/pursue-your-happiness-in-pa-what-i-saw-what-stayed-with-me
IECA--Independent Educational Consultants Association
I recently had the opportunity to visit 10 colleges in PA, and it was one of those weeks that leaves you both energized and thinking long after it ends.
