The College Admissions Process

overview

• Keeping the Process in Perspective• Nature of the Marketplace• Factors Impacting College Admission Decisions• Research • Developing a Balanced List of Schools –

Applying Strategically!• Application Options & Managing the Process• Presenting the Person Behind the Numbers

an initiation:

• Is a process and not only an event• Is genuinely hard • Always has an element of fear/anxiety• Forces self-examination• Calls upon all skills previously learned• Can only be done by the initiate only

your role in their initiation

• Make home a safe refuge• Keep them calm• Keep your eye on the ball - it’s about growing up, not

about getting into a certain college• Teach doing one’s best, not perfection• Be the shoreline

Optimistic

Excite

dElated

Concerned

Alarmed

Relieve

d

Ups and downs

factors impacting college admission decisions

nature of the marketplace

We can’t rely on the college admissions landscape that we were familiar with…

Good News/Bad News:

While the odds for admission into a four year school are excellent, the competition for very selective colleges, especially those in the northeast, is more intense than ever.  

 

from Northeastern University…

“Our Undergraduate Admissions team has been actively reading more than 50,000 applications for 2,800 freshmen seats available this fall…..”

The Silver Lining:

Students who do their research and are realistic about the process, often end up very happy with the outcome.

It’s a great school but it wasn’t my first choice.

factors impacting college admissions decisions

TOP TWO from NACAC’s 2014 State of College Admission report:

•Grades•Strength of Curriculum

the IB and college admissions• Most schools view the IB as a very rigorous curriculum

and wonderful preparation for college.

• How the IB is factored in varies by school:• Some recalculate GPA• Others consider it a factor in a holistic review

Other factors include

Admissions Test Scores

Class Standing

Demonstrated Interest

Essay

Counselor Recommendation

Teacher Recommendation(s)

Activities, Work, Hobbies, Talents

Interview

Weight varies by school

College Admissions Testing• SAT and/or the ACT+Writing

• Later this spring (May/June) and once again in the fall (October/November) . Student can register now.

• Differences in format and content, therefore we have encouraged juniors to explore both. • https://www.khanacademy.org/college-admissions/making-high-

school-count/standardized-tests/v/overview-of-sat

• College Board (SAT) and ACT web sites: offer a free “question of the day” prep option, a practice test and on-line test registration.

• “Test Optional” Schools – FairTest.org• SAT Subject Tests

researchStudent Driven Process

• FIT - Thoughtful Process of Introspection

The questions is not “Which is the best college?”

The question is “Which is the best college for me?”

• Wide Array of Internet Tools

Begin with objective sites utilizing facts/statistics• Collegeboard.org, petersons.org

• Colleges That Change Lives• Ctcl.org

• Association of Universities & Colleges of Canada• www.aucc.ca/canadian-universities

campus visits/interviews• Best Way to Assess Fit

• Formal and Informal Visits

• Ideal Time to Visit

• Interview

fit• http://collegespecific.com/toolkits/junior_vid4/

developing a balanced list of schools

creating a balanced list• http://collegespecific.com/toolkits/junior_vid3/

apply strategically• Solid Schools

• Financially Feasible Schools

• Probable Schools

• Possible Schools

• The Statistical Reach

example: New England College

Betty’s SAT Scores: 540 CR 520 Math 560 Writing

example: New England College

Betty

• 3.1 GPA

• Q: Is Betty in the mix? • Q: Is Betty at the top, bottom, or middle of the mix?

example: Umass Amherst

Financial considerations

It is important to have a financially feasible option: • It too should be a good fit• Out of state publics/some private schools

Research schools’ Financial & Merit Aid policies:• Keep in mind most colleges can’t fully meet a student’s

demonstrated need• Net Price Calculator – provides rough cost estimate

• netpricecalculator.collegeboard.org 

• Not all schools offer merit awards

Have a conversation about finances: This allows parents and students to plan accordingly

what is financial aid?

* Merit Based Aid vs. Need Based Aid.

*Types of Aid

Grants Work Study

Scholarships Loans

Federal State Institutional

Comparing financial aid awards

EFC remains constant, but Cost of Attendance changes from school to school

managing the process

the college application

Electronic Apps the normThe Common Application School Specific Applications Wait until early fall

Counselor support:• High school transcript • School profile• Counselor recommendation

Student responsibilities: • Application forms & fees• Essay(s)• List of activities, offices held,

honors/recognitions• Direct College Board or ACT

to send OFFICIAL test scores

• Request/follow-up on teacher recommendations

• Request high school transcripts

managing the application process

Use form hand-out

• Create a separate e-mail account

• Know application requirements

• Monitor application deadlines

• Track financial aid forms & deadlines

• Routinely check application status

admissions policies

Non-Restrictive Application Plans

Restrictive Application Plans

the person behind the process

college admissions is an art not a science

• It’s human beings making decisions about human beings, and cannot be reduced to a single formula

• Colleges are admitting individuals and shaping a freshman class

• Essay and recommendations add depth and dimension

essay

• Individualizes the applicant

• Narrate a slice of life – attempting to cover too much territory diminishes the story

Students will be given time and direction in English classes this spring

the essay• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRqjDYbwi8

letters of recommendation

A well written essay and strong recommendation letters can sway an admission decision – careful attention can positively impact the outcome.

learn more…

looking to the future

• College Admissions Overview with juniors/parents

• Individual meetings

• Application workshops in early fall

• College Financing Seminars

• Making an Informed Decision Seminar

• May 1st Universal Reply Date

be the shoreline.