This year's college admissions cycle is wrapping up, and it's been eventful. Before high school seniors even started submitting applications in the fall, several factors were poised to shake up the admissions season. Separately, college students and administrators' responses to the Israel-Hamas war has brought even greater scrutiny to higher education institutions. And despite issues like the FAFSA delays, some colleges still wanted incoming students to make a decision — and a deposit — by May 1. Durso Finley and Burks Becker shared insights from what they've seen working with students and families throughout this unusual school year.

---

Persons: it's, Jeffrey Durso Finley, Holly Burks Becker, Durso Finley, Burks Becker Organizations: Federal Student Aid, College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, University of Southern, The Lawrenceville School, CNBC Locations: Israel, University of Southern California, New Jersey