On Sept. 26-28, the college counseling team at KD College Prep (KD) attended the annual NACAC Conference in Los Angeles, gaining valuable insight into the ever-changing college admissions landscape.
Chief of College Counseling Services Ashley McCarrick and Vice President of College Counseling Services Idris Jatoi represented KD at the three-day event hosted by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC). Through attending live presentations and networking events, McCarrick and Jatoi connected with college admissions officers, financial aid experts, high school counselors, and other leaders in the education industry. They also had the opportunity to vist 11 colleges located in Southern California.
“Attending conferences like NACAC is essential for us to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in college admissions and financial aid. Our team values being able to provide the most current information to the families we work with,” said McCarrick.

What is the NACAC Conference?
Founded in 1937, NACAC is a non-profit organization serving more than 28,000 members. Its regional affiliates include state admissions counseling groups like the Texas Association of College Admission Counseling. KD has been a member of NACAC for nearly a decade.
“What sets NACAC apart is its commitment to maintaining high ethical standards in college admissions and its focus on fostering a more equitable and accessible college admissions process. It also offers a broad range of professional development opportunities and access to a network of experts in the field,” McCarrick said.
The Changing Admissions Landscape
KD has guided students through the admissions process for more than 30 years—and if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s the importance of staying up-to-date with admissions trends, especially in recent years. That’s why our team attends the NACAC Conference every year, as well as various other admissions learning opportunities.
Using fresh insight presented at this year’s conference, KD will adapt its current college counseling offerings to align with emerging admissions trends.
“Some of the most interesting topics covered this year were the impact of artificial intelligence in college admissions, trends related to the number of college-going students the nation will see in the next 15 years, and how colleges are dealing with the changing landscape,” said McCarrick.
Exploring 11 College Campuses
One important aspect of the NACAC conference was the ability to explore college campuses. Each year, members of the KD team visit a number of colleges. So far in 2024, McCarrick alone has visited 30 colleges, ranging from liberal arts colleges to large research institutions.
“Visiting 10 colleges in the area was an enlightening yet exhausting experience,” McCarrick said. “These visits provide an opportunity for us to assess how each college’s environment might align with the needs of our current students back home. It is also beneficial to meet with admissions officers and get a deeper understanding of each college’s offerings.”
The multi-day college tour consisted of the following 11 colleges:
- California Institute of Technology
- Claremont McKenna College
- Harvey Mudd College
- Mount St. Mary’s University
- Occidental College
- Pepperdine University
- Pitzer College
- Pomona College
- Scripps College
- University of Southern California
- University of California, Los Angeles
During the visits, McCarrick and Jatoi also had the pleasure to catch up with some familiar faces. We always love to see former KD students thriving at their current colleges!


Helping Students Reach “Their Full Potential”
The main goal for attending the NACAC conference is to improve the programs and advice we offer to our students. From helping students determine their best-fit colleges to training our college prep advisor0s on the latest admissions trends, KD aims to position students for success.
“This experience will help KD better serve students by enabling the team to offer the most relevant, updated, and practical advice. Whether it’s providing insights into how specific colleges are handling admissions changes, or helping students manage the pressures of the application process, the knowledge gained will directly contribute to supporting students in reaching their full potential,” McCarrick said.
Need help preparing for college?
With admissions changing frequently over the years, we know that what worked 15 (or even 5) years ago may not work today. As more families have turned to our experts for advice, we have expanded our college counseling offerings. With the APPLY NOW! Advantage Program and KD’s new College Prep Packages, families can access courses that will help them better prepare.