A Roadmap to the College Admission

Process

Roderick Rose,

Associate Director

Undergraduate Admission

1)Students decide where to apply

2)Colleges make admission decisions

3)Students choose where to enroll

“Three-Step Process”

There are over 3,000 four-year schools and 1,600 two-year schools…

“Play The Field”

• Take your time - enjoy the process

• Use your imagination and consider a range of schools

• Research based on best match – academics, financial, personal

• Apply to enough schools to provide options and good comparisons

It’s NOT a question of IF you’ll be accepted, it’s a question

of WHEN and WHERE you’ll be accepted.

(National Accept Rate= 68%)

STEP 1: Where to apply? “Play the Field”

Selectivity

National Share of Institutions

Selectivity

Accept fewer than 50% 19.8%

50 to 70% 37.1

71 to 85% 28.4

More than 85% 14.8

What questions do you get?

1) What do you want to study?

2) Where are you applying?

3) What do you want to be when you grow

up?

4) Are you going to go out-of-state?

• Rural or city location?

• Small, medium or large enrollment?

• Diversity?

• Great weather?

• Modern facilities/amenities?

• Reputable academics/majors?

• Professors or Graduate Assistants?

• Internship and job opportunities?

• Strong persistence and graduation rates?

• Extracurricular activities?

• Athletics?

Do your research - remember that one size does NOT fit all.Know what you want in a school!

Question that you should be asked… so ask yourself!

Early Decision: Binding plan where students make a commitment to a first-choice school if admitted.

Early Action:Non-binding plan that allows applicants to receive an earlier decision; students can still apply to other colleges.

Restrictive Early Action or Single Choice Early Action:Non-binding plan but students are restricted from applying EA or ED to other schools.

Regular Decision: Last deadline to apply.

Rolling Admission: Applications reviewed as submitted.

Application Types

Don’t be fooled by the ratings game!

College is what YOU make of it, NOTwhat US News & World Report or the

Princeton Review make of it.

Reputation alone does not determine a good fit!

The Prestige Factor

Name the school???

US News & World Report

Princeton Review

#2 – National Universities

#8 – Best Value Colleges

US News & World Report

Princeton Review

#15 – National Universities

Best Midwestern College List

Name the school???

US News & World Report

Princeton Review

#25 – National Universities

#1 – Top for Entrepreneurship

Name the school???

US News & World Report

Princeton Review

#14 – Liberal Arts Colleges

#6 – Best Classroom Experience

Name the school???

US News & World Report

Princeton Review

#1 – Liberal Arts Colleges

#2 – StudentsStudy the Most

Name the school???

US News & World Report

Princeton Review

#91 – National Universities

#3 – Most Beautiful Campus

Name the school???

An Overview:

Harvard Notre Dame Michigan Grinnell Williams U of San Diego

Undergrad Enrollment 6,500 8,530 28,983 1,699 2,000 5,711

Acceptance Rate 5.00% 18.70% 28.60% 18.00% 16.80% 52.00%

Graduation Rate 98.00% 95.30% 90.40% 87.60% 95.40% 75.90%

Student-Faculty Ratio 7:1 10:1 15:1 9:1 7:1 14:1

Tuition $43,280 $47,929 $59,784 $46,990 $51,790 $46,140

Location Camgridge, MA Notre Dame, IN Ann Arbor, MI Grinnell, IA Williamstown, MA San Diego, CA

Area Boston Metro 100 miles from Chi. College Town Rural Rural City

Avg. Jan. Temperature 31 27 26 18 25 56

Enrollment goals:

• Meet or exceed enrollment goal within budget!

• Academic profile: grades and test scores

• Diversity: geographic, race and ethnicity, economic, academic major, gender, etc.

• Motivated, honest and open to new ideas

• Talent - music, art, theatre, athletics

• People who will contribute to campus and will become “part of the place”

STEP 2: How do colleges make admission decisions?

“Shaping the Class”

The “Real Story”

• GPA (about 50% of our decision)

– Overall GPA (weighted when available)

– Academic courses

– Trends

– Close review of junior year

– # of As and Bs vs. Cs and Ds (“stub toe” vs. “offensive trend”)

• Test Scores – We are Test-Optional (about 40% of our decision)

– ACT or SAT

– Super Score (mix/match)

– SAT- Critical Reading and Math (No writing)

• Supporting Documents/Information (about 10% of decision)

– Strength of Curriculum (CP, Honors, AP, IB; # per term and year)

– Strength of High School

– Essay

– Recommendations- Counselor and Teacher

– Activities

– Need-aware

The Great Debate:

How DU Makes Admission Decisions

First-Year Student Averages

GPA: 3.76

SAT: 1279

ACT: 28

First-Year Student Middle 50%

Ranges

GPA: 3.6-4.0

SAT: 1190-1370

ACT: 26-32

Meet the Admitted Students, Fall

2019

• Hundreds of “admissible” students are waitlisted or denied each year for downward

trends and/or disciplinary infractions (many would have received merit

scholarships)

• A sampling from previous years:

4.0 GPA, 34 ACT- two disciplinary cases (one for selling drugs; other for credit

card theft)

3.78 GPA, 30 ACT, 1330 SAT- “Offensive” downward trend (multiple Ds and Fs)

3.34 GPA, 30 ACT, 1220 SAT- “Offensive” downward trend

3.88 GPA, 25 ACT, 1220 SAT- “Offensive” downward trend

Wait list and Denies

• Hundreds of “borderline” students are admitted each year for upward trends,

unique circumstances, talent, strong recommendations, rigorous curriculums,

etc.

• A sampling from previous years:

– 3.15 GPA, 1280 SAT- Impressive recommendations; strong upward trend

– 2.62 GPA, 1330 SAT- Death in family; upward trend

– 3.8 GPA, 18 ACT- English is not first language; Unique and motivated

student

“Borderline” Admits

• Profile:

3.14 GPA (UW)

1390 SAT (1600 scale)

Engineering major

• Admit or Deny?

• Denied

Downward trend

Low grades in science and math courses

No explanation of poor grades by student

Sample “Borderline” Decisions

• Profile:

3.07 GPA (W)

1340 SAT (1600 Scale)

Biochemistry major

• Admit or Deny?

• Denied

Downward trend (but poor throughout)

Low grades in science and math courses

(C in Honors Chem; F in AP Chem)

No explanation of poor grades by student

Sample “Borderline” Decisions

• Profile:

2.83 GPA (UW)

28 ACT

Psychology major

• Admit or Deny?

• Admitted

Upward trend

Overcame anxiety issues

Very involved

Strong essay

Great counselor rec. Spoke to

improvement and maturity.

Sample “Borderline” Decisions

• Profile:

2.84 GPA (UW)

1200 SAT (1600 scale)

Economics major

• Admit or Deny?

• Admitted

Upward trend

Very good essay

Teacher rec – “Intellectual leader;” “Advances

discussions.”

Counselor rec – “Persevered through low grades.”

“Strong work ethic, social justice leader.”

Sample “Borderline” Decisions

“College choice is a reflection of identity –

a statement about how you see yourself, who you are now, and who you hope to become.”

STEP 3: Where to Enroll?

Affordability

• Apply for financial aid!!

All schools require the FAFSA - available October 1

Some private schools also require the CSS PROFILE - available October 1

• Check and know all deadlines!

• Most schools will automatically consider students for merit scholarships, but

do your research to see if any additional steps are required.

• Do research for outside scholarships – check websites for info!

• Inform the financial aid offices of any unusual circumstances – income

reduction or job loss.

• Compare and Contrast offers from all schools!

Pay attention to the proportion of scholarships and loans. Can you earn the

work-study award? Are Parent Loans included?

Pay attention to your NET COST at each school.

The Campus Visit: The Best Way to Know

• Choose 3 to 5 schools to visit.

• Register through the Admission Office.

• Visit during the week when classes are in session.

• Don’t rush your visit or schedule more than one per day. It is difficult to “fit” a four-year experience into one day.

• Schedule a variety of activities: Information sessions,

campus tours, counselor appointments, attend a class, meet

with a professor, spend the night in the residence halls, etc.

• Take notes…months later some campus visits seem the

same!

Questions to Ask Colleges!

• How academically qualified are your students?

• How satisfied are your students with the quality of their educational

experience? Supportive learning environment?

• Describe a “typical” student? Are the students happy?

• What is your one-year persistence rate?

• What is your four-year graduation rate?

• How qualified and student-centered are your faculty?

• Does your financial aid keep pace with price increases?

• How many students enroll in graduate/professional school?

• How many students are employed in their fields/majors at graduation?

6 months? 1 year?

• Average starting salaries? Average mid-career salaries?

Decision Time!

• Process of “elimination” rather than a process of “selection”

• Identify your criteria and eliminate schools that don’t meet your needs

• The perfect school does not exist!

• The perfect match for you does not exist!

Choose a place where you will grow academically and personally, and is affordable for your family. Find a place where you will be happy. Trust your instincts!

Students…get advice from parents, counselors, and friends. But…make your own decision! You are the one attending the school!

Parents…be a sounding board and share your opinions. But…you shouldn’t tell them where to enroll!

Make Your Own Decision

Most Would Do It Again!

In a national survey of college seniors, 81%

would attend the same school!

• 48% - “Probably Yes”

• 33% - “Definitely Yes”

(Only 5% stated “Definitely No”)

Undergraduate Admission

2197 S. University Blvd.

Denver, CO 80208-9401

303-871-2036

Fax: 303-871-3301

admission@du.edu

www.du.edu/admission

“It’s not enough to want to make the world a better place. You

have to go out and do it. The genius is in the doing.”

Chancellor Rebecca Chopp

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