Beyond the College Fair:
College Admission
Counseling
ASCA 2008
Bob Bardwell, Director of Guidance,
Monson High School
Jean Jordan, Director of Admission,
Emory University
A little test…Jeopardy style
The other common application
A.
B.
C.
D.
What is Worldwide Common App
What is the Universal Common App
What is the Complete Common App
What is the Only Common App
Here’s another question
When a college tracks the number and ways
a student makes contact and uses that
information to make admission decisions
A. What is applicant tracking
B. What is demonstrated tracking
C. What is applicant tracking
D. What is demonstrated interest
And yet another question
The new College Board program which
allows students to choose which SAT scores
to send to colleges
A. What is Score Choice
B. What is Score Select
C. What is Student Select
D. What is My Choice
And the final one….
The term used for applicants whose first
contact with the institution is the
application.
A. Who is a stealth applicant
B. Who is a first timer
C. Who is a primary contact
D. Who is a primary applicant
The changing admission world
• A record number of 18 year olds will be
graduating from high school
• The majority of colleges are receiving a
record number of applications
• The methods in which students and
admission offices communicate have
changed considerably
The changing admission world
continued
• The increasing cost of higher education has
a dramatic impact on college choice &
selection
• The current financial aid and loan scrutiny
will impact access and affordability for
many families
• The media has a great influence on
admissions
The Age of Technology
• Online applications
– College’s own process
– www.commonapp.org
– www.universalapp.org
• Contact with applicants
– Internet – websites, IM’ing, blogging
• Once enrolled
The hiring of Independent
Counselors/Coaches
• Good or bad?
• Do they help or get in the way?
• What to look for
– Affiliations/certifications/memberships
• IECA
• NACAC and its affiliate associations
– Rates
• Work in partnership, not in opposition
Using Data
• Why is data important?
– It improves our programs and the services for
students and families
– Students benefit from it
– You probably already have it
– Others are using it
– Real estate agents want it
– We are accountable
– Why not?
Using Data
(continued)
• Tracking data
– Naviance, Connectedu; myfootpath.com;
www.inresonance.com
– Microsoft Access
• Analyzing data
– www.ezanalyze.com
• Reporting data
– Scattergrams
– Other reports
Counselor letter of
recommendation
• Should provide an overview of the
applicant’s strengths and potential for
success in college
• Don’t repeat what is already in the
application (I.e.: activities)
• Reveal things that are not necessarily
known to the reader
• Make connections, especially with events
which have shaped their goals/choices
Counselor letter of
recommendation (continued)
• Fill in the gaps
• Give insights that most people wouldn’t
know
• Explain problems/issues (assuming you
have the permission of the student)
• Respect confidentiality
• Be positive, yet honest
• Don’t state the obvious
Counselor letter of
recommendation (continued)
• Three parts
– Introduction - context in which you know the
student
– Body - provide specific examples and
documentation; can include teacher comments,
but……
– Conclusion - summary of recommendation
• To show or not to show?
Counselor letter of
recommendation (continued)
• Where to gather information
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From student interactions & past experiences
From faculty
From records/cumulative folder
From parents
• How long should it be?
Teacher Letters of
Recommendation
• Don’t have too many; 2-3 at the most
• Have different disciplines represented
unless specific individuals are needed
• Try to include letters from outside of the
school if appropriate
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Clergy
Coach
Advisor
Employer
Teacher Letters of
Recommendation
• Ideally a student should have had the
teacher for at least two classes
• Choose teachers from junior or senior year
courses
• Student should provide information sheet
• What does the teacher do with it after it is
written?
The Personal Statement/Essay
• This is a personal experience; don’t talk
about other people or if you do, how he/she
impacted you
• Be yourself
• This may be the only subjective information
that the reader has about the candidate
• Should provide reflection about the
individual’s strengths and weaknesses
The Personal Statement/Essay
• Should expand upon the application, not
repeat it
• Should be your best effort, not a last minute
piece
• Don’t write about what you think they want
to hear
• Answer the question(s)
• Follow directions
The Personal Statement/Essay
• Provide concrete, vivid examples Avoid
gimmicks, humor (if you’re not funny) and
preaching
• Avoid controversial topics
• Can be used to “explain” something
• Develop an outline prior to writing
• Don’t use big words or thesaurus words
• Make your introduction memorable
The Personal Statement/Essay
• Demonstrate higher level thinking; make
the connection
• If you are going to mention the school,
make sure to send the correct one
• Revise & rewrite
• Have others proofread it
• How long?
Secondary School Report
• Basic academic information
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GPA
Rank
Strength of curriculum in comparison to others
Ratings/checklists
Statistics about placement rates
List of senior courses/grades
Transcript request
Letter of recommendation/counselor comments
Discipline/suspension issues
Campus visits
• Are a must
• Make an appointment; be sure to get
“credit” for being visiting
• Bring a notebook to take notes
• Ask questions
• Observe students on campus and in the
student center
• Visit a class
Campus visits (continued)
•
•
•
•
•
Don’t schedule more than two a day
Don’t schedule your first choice school first
Visit classrooms and talk with faculty
Eat in the cafeteria if possible
Take part in activities if possible
Campus Interviews
• This is a chance for the student to get to
know the campus as well as the admissions
office to get to know you
• Don’t schedule first choice school first
• Learn as much as you can about the school
before the interview
• Ask questions that are not already answered
in the literature
• Be positive
Campus Interviews (continued)
• Be yourself
• Explain things not already found in your
application
• Dress neatly
• Practice before going
• Don’t try to bluff; if you don’t know say so
• If possible, apply before interviewing
• Send thank you note
Alumni or Off Campus
Interviews
•
•
•
•
Make an appointment
Individual vs. group interviews
Have one if far from campus and can’t visit
Do it even if you have been on campus;
shows enthusiasm and interest
• Will give you a different perspective
The Common Application
• Used by 320 institutions
• Provides common form
• May be used in lieu of the school’s
application or may be the only application
• Easily reproduced
• www.commonapp.org
The Discipline Question
• Has the applicant ever been found responsible for a disciplinary
violation at your school from 9th grade (or the international
equivalent) forward, whether related to academic misconduct or
behavioral misconduct, that resulted in the applicant’s probation,
suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from your institution? 􀀾
Yes 􀀾 No
• To your knowledge, has the applicant ever been convicted of a
misdemeanor, felony, or other crime? 􀀾 Yes 􀀾 No
• If you answered yes to either or both questions, please attach a separate
sheet of paper or use your written recommendation to give the
approximate date of each incident and explain the circumstances.
• 􀀾Check here if you would prefer to discuss this over the phone with
each admission office.
Confidentiality
• Counselor expectations
– FERPA
• Student expectations
• Follow SPGP guidelines
• Be sure to get student permission to send
anything or make contact
Standardized Testing
• To test or not to test
• What scores are needed and
who wants them?
• Why even use test scores?
• Do they predict college
success?
ACT Assessment
•
•
•
•
Formerly called American College Test
Includes World-of-Work Map
$30.00 basic fee
4 areas
– English
• 75 question, 45 minute test; 2 subscores
• Usage/mechanics
– Punctuation (13%)
– Grammar and usage (16%)
– sentence structure (24%)
ACT (continued)
• Rhetorical skills
– Strategy (16%)
– Organization (15%)
– Style (16%)
– Mathematics
• 60 question, 60 minute test
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Pre-algebra (23%)
Elementary algebra (17%)
Intermediate algebra (15%)
Coordinate geometry (15%)
Plane geometry (23%)
Trigonometry (7%)
ACT (continued)
– Reading
• 40 question, 35 minute test; 2 subscores
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Social studies (25%)
Natural sciences (25%)
Prose fiction (25%)
Humanities (25%)
• Questions ask to derive meaning by referring to
what is explicitly stated and reasoning to determine
implicit meanings
ACT (continued)
– Science Reasoning
• 40 question, 35 minute test
– Data representation (38%)
– Research summaries (45%)
– Conflicting viewpoints (17%)
• Includes biology, chemistry, physics and earth/space
sciences
• Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation,
reasoning and problem solving skills required in the
natural sciences
ACT (continued)
– Writing Test
• Optional
• 2 additional scores
– Combined English/Writing score (1-36)
– Writing subscore (2-12)
» Scored holistically by 2 readers (1-6)
• 30 minute test
• Writing prompt with two viewpoints
• $44.50
PLAN
• Practice test for sophomores
• Similar to ACT but less time and fewer questions
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English - 50 questions, 30 minutes
Mathematics - 40 questions, 40 minutes
Reading - 25 questions, 20 minutes
Science Reasoning - 30 questions, 25 minutes
• Can be given at any time from September through
December
• $9.30 per test depending upon # of tests to score
SAT Reasoning Test
• Formerly called Scholastic Aptitude Test
• $45 Basic registration fee
• Mathematics, critical reading and writing
sections
• Scores range from 200-800
• 1 point for every correct answer; no points
for omitted questions; lose a fraction of a
point for each wrong answer
• Calculators permitted on math sections
SAT Reasoning Test (continued)
• Critical reading
– 3 sections; 2 @25 minutes and 1 @ 20 minutes
• Reading comprehension
• Sentence completions
• Paragraph length critical reading
• Math
– 3 sections; 2 @25 minutes and 1 @ 20 minutes
• Multiple choice
– Number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry;
statistics, probability, and data analysis
• 10 student produced responses
SAT Reasoning Test (continued)
• Writing – 2 sections
– 35 minute multiple choice
• Identifying sentence errors
• Improving sentences
• Improving paragraphs
– 25 minute essay
• Always the first section of the test
• Scored from 1-6 by two readers online
• Equating section - math or verbal 25 minutes
– not included in your score
SAT Subject Tests
• Formerly called SAT II’s
• 20 individual subject tests; $20.00 basic
registration fee + $9 per test (Language
w/listening $20)
• Listening tests are only offered in November
• Should be taken at the end of the course
• 1 hour long; can take up to three in one day
• Not offered in the March/April
administration
SAT Subject Tests (continued)
• Required by more selective colleges
– Will indicate if specific tests are required
– Will usually want 2 or 3 tests
• English literature
• Math
• Third in an area of intended study, in an area of
strength or an area of extended study
– New SAT Reasoning test has caused colleges to
change their requirements
PSAT/NMSQT
• Preliminary SAT
• Given the Wednesday after Columbus Day
or 3rd Saturday in October at high schools
nation wide
• $13.00 per test, although administrative fees
can be charged
• Normed for juniors although some
sophomores take it
– Should this be encouraged?
PSAT (continued)
• Register directly with the high school;
online registration not available
• Very similar to the new SAT, except
– No Algebra II will be included
– No essay
• Try to emulate the SAT as much as possible
Standardized Testing
• Comparison from SAT I - ACT
– Can be used to predict scores on the other test
– Based upon scores from previous test takers
who took both tests
– May find different tables depending upon data
used by an individual institution
Test of English as a
Foreign Language
(TOEFL)
• Most countries, including US offer internet based
test
• $150 - $185, depending on where you take it
• www.toefl.org
• Measures proficiency in reading, listening,
speaking & writing
• Approximately 4 hours long
• Score is based upon on how well you answer the
questions (0-120)
College Level Examination
Placement (CLEP)
• Over 2900 colleges grant credit or advanced
standing for satisfactory scores
• 90 minutes long
• $55
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Composition & Literature - 6
Foreign Languages - 3
History & Social Science - 12
Science & Mathematics -7
Business - 5
Advanced Placement
• 34 subjects offered
– Art History & Studio Art
– Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science,
Physics B & Physics C
– Calculus AB, Calculus BC & Statistics
– Computer Science A & AB
– English Language & English Literature
– Music Theory
Advanced Placement
(continued)
– Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, European
History, Comparative Government & Politics,
U.S. Government & Politics, Human
Geography, Psychology, U.S. History & World
History
– French Language, French Literature, German
Language, Latin Vergil, Latin Literature
Spanish Literature & Spanish Language
– Coming soon – Italian, Japanese and Chinese
Culture and Literature
Advanced Placement
(continued)
• Tied to standardized curriculum
• Earn credit or waive courses in college
• Tests are given in the first two weeks of
May of each year; set schedule
• Scores range from 1-5
• Exposed to college level material
International Baccalaureate
• The International Baccalaureate
Organization aims to develop inquiring,
knowledgeable and caring young people
who help to create a better and more
peaceful world through intercultural
understanding and respect
• Available at 1600+ schools in 121 countries
• Is a non-profit educational organization that
was established in 1968
International Baccalaureate
• 3 program in schools worldwide
 the Diploma Program, for students in the final two
years of school before university
 the Middle Years Program for students 11 to 16
 the Primary Years Program is for students 3 to 12
• The IBO provides IB schools with:
 detailed curriculum guidelines
 teacher training workshops
 online access to 3,000 education resources, subject
area experts, and discussion sessions with teachers
Fee Waivers
• Must meet eligibility guidelines set by
testing service based on household size
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
SAT
ACT
Fee Waivers (continued)
• Must be used initially to register for SAT
Reasoning/ SAT Subject Tests or ACT
– Subsequently can be used for application fee waiver
• Utilize school free/reduced lunch lists
• There is a limit to the number of fee waivers you
can use, so be careful to ensure the most needy
students get them; You can request more, but…..
• Request from the college directly
Test Prep Thoughts
• Lots of options
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Princeton Review, Kaplan, Sylvan, etc.
Colleges/universities (I.e.: Westfield State)
High schools
Private companies (College Counseling
Services)
• Are they worth the cost & time?
• Access & equity issues
Admission Categories
&Decisions
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Early decision
Early action
Restrictive early action
Wait List
Rolling admission
Denial
Deferment
Early Decision
• Binding contract with the school
• Clearly one’s first choice
• Student promises to withdraw all other
applications from other schools if accepted
• School must provide adequate financial aid
• October 15 - November 15 deadlines
• Early notification, usually within a month
• If denied ED, can have file reviewed under regular
application pool
• Counselor should only send 1 transcript ED
Early Action
• A non-binding admission process by which
a student can apply to multiple schools
• Can have until candidate reply date to
respond if attending
• Early deadline in November or December
• Early notification usually a month later
• Student does not have to withdraw other
applications
Restrictive Early Action
• Recently changed for the 2007-08 admission cycle
• Similar to early action, however institutions may
place restrictions on the student applying to other
early plans
• Restrictions will be part of the written agreement
• Admitted students are not obligated to accept the
offer or submit a deposit until the regular
candidate reply date
Early or not?
• Many students see this as an advantage
since in many institutions a greater
percentage of applicants are admitted early
• Creates havoc in the admissions office
• Seen as a clear advantage for the college gets committed students early; affects yield
• Has gotten away from the original premise
of one’s first choice school
Wait List
– You’re almost good enough…but
– To get on the WL is tied to number of
applicants and strength of applicant pool
– To get off the WL is tied to the number of
students who deposit
– Will not know the status of the wait list until
well after May 1
– Will not likely get any financial aid
– Students must deposit elsewhere or get
permission to have their spot “held”
Rolling Admission
• Process by which students are accepted and
notified anytime after their application is
complete
• Schools usually have a February or March
deadline (or no deadline)
• Majority of these schools are non-selective
with no early deadline
• Usually send financial aid award letters
under separate cover
Denial
• Or rejected? Either way, it is the same
• The thick or thin envelope?
• In some cases, it is to a major and other
options are given, but in most cases it is to
the institution
Candidate Reply Date
• Universally accepted as May 1
• Applicants must pay non-refundable deposit
of at least $200
• The timing of the deposit may be tied to
housing
• Should never deposit until student knows
the status of financial aid
Options after May 1
• Many schools are still accepting qualified
applicants
• May not get financial aid
• New England Board of Higher Education
– www.nebhe.org
• NACAC
– www.nacacnet.org/survey
Deferment
• Student knows which school s/he wishes to attend,
but is not ready to start school
• Could be for one semester or one year
• Not all colleges participate
• Must have valid reason
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Earn money
Travel
Volunteer work
Family obligations
• Advantage - have the acceptance in place
Taking a Year Off Options
• Explore the world
– Global quest - www.gquest.org - Thailand
– www.ithaka.org - Greece
• Volunteer work
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www.dynamy.org
www.city-year.org
www.americorps.org
www.nascc.org
• www.takingtimeoff.com
13th year
• Opportunity for students with weak
academic credentials to continue their
education; gives them a better shot at
getting into a more competitive college
• Most private prep schools will admit
students for a 13th year
• Sometimes athletes will be encouraged to
participate to improve athletic skills and
become more competitive
What will make the difference
between acceptance and denial?
• Academic performance
• Strength of academic schedule
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Test scores
Personal statement
Recommendations
Application
Activities
Interview
Financial Aid
• General Thoughts
– As important as admission
– Student is the applicant, not the parent
– Cost of attendance - Expected Family
Contribution = Financial Need
– Special circumstances should be reported to the
financial aid office directly
Financial Aid Resources
• Your financial aid administrator (FAA)
• 1.800.4FEDAID (800.433.3243)
• State agencies
– Mass. Education Financing Authority - www.mefa.org
•
•
•
•
www.fafsa.ed.gov - FAFSA online
www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide
www.finaid.org
www.wiredscholar.com
Working with special populations
• These students are in all schools
– Students of various colors, cultures &
ethnicities
– Students of varying socio-economic status
– Students from different religious backgrounds
– Students with learning differences
– Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered students
– Gender
• How do deal with issues of diversity?
Issues of Race
• Supreme Court Rulings
– Regents of Univ. of CA v. Bakke (1978)
• Can use race to determine admission; it is a
compelling interest of the institution
– Grutter v. Bollinger et al. (2003)
• Univ. of Michigan Law School
• Can use race as one factor in determining admission
– Gratz et al. v. Bollinger et al. (2003)
• Univ. of Michigan Undergraduate Admissions
• Can no longer automatically award points for
minorities
Students with Disabilities
• Disclose or not disclose?
• Are supports/services/accommodations
available?
• Is there a cost for these services?
• 504 plans go with a student to college; not
the IEP
Testing Students with Disabilities
• College Board Programs
– Register as early as freshmen year for
PSAT/NMSQT, SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject
Tests, AP
– Must have documentation on file that supports
the need for an accommodation
– Receive and utilize the requested
accommodation on school tests
– Student only has to complete the registration
form once
Testing Students with Disabilities
(continued)
– Center testing vs. school testing
• Center
– regular Saturday exam
– Extended time up to 50% extra (time and 1/2)
• School
– 100% extended time
– All other accommodations
» visual assistance, auditory assistance, scribe, etc.
• ACT has similar accommodation plans
• Each school should have designated testing
coordinator
Student athletes
• Never tell a student which division
they can play at; let the coach do that
• Make sure that students speak to coaches
and ask the important questions; not parents
• Make sure the college coach has your
schedule
• Visit during NCAA approved times
• Don’t give in easily; be persistent but not
pushy
Student Athletes
• NCAA Clearinghouse
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For Division I & II schools only
List of Approved Courses (Form 48-H)
Core GPA calculation & Test score
Initial eligibility vs. final eligibility
Register after completion of junior year
Send final transcript after graduation
(continued)
Military Academies
• Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Military
Academy (West Point) & Merchant Marine
Academy
• US Coast Guard doesn’t require nomination
• Must be nominated by U.S. Congressman, U.S.
Senator, President, Vice-President or military
affiliated nominations
• Maximum of 5 students per academy at one time;
may nominate up to 10 candidates per vacancy
Military Academies
(continued)
• Must be between 17 & 23, U.S. citizen,
single, not pregnant and no dependents
• Very selective admission requirements
• Must meet physical aptitude requirements
• Should complete preliminary application
with the academy in spring of junior year
• Should complete required file with
Congressman by deadline (fall senior year)
Senior Slump/Senior
Slide/Senioritis
• Why?
• Colleges can withdraw acceptances if
serious; most give severe warning or put on
academic probation
• What can you do to motivate these seniors?
• Some schools provide unique senior
programs during the second semester or
final quarter to avoid this problem
College Admission
Counseling Resources
• National Association for College Admission Counseling
(NACAC)
– Networking with over 10,500 members
– Focused on professional and ethical issues facing
college counseling
– Access to national conference and professional
development opportunities
– Web site (www.nacacnet.org)
– E-list (Listserv@peach.ease.lsoft.com)
– Newsletters/Journals
– 23 affiliate organizations
Statement of Principles of
Good Practices
• All members must adhere to these
ethical and professional policies
– Post-secondary members
– Counseling members
• Reviewed annually
• Mandatory practices vs. best practices
Resources (continued)
•
College Search
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www.collegeboard.com
www.nces.edu.gov/collegenavigator
Counselor-o-matic -www.princetonreview.com
www.collegeview.com
www.UCAN-network.org
Testing organizations
– www.collegeboard.com
– www.act.org
– www.fairtest.org
•
Financial aid organizations
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www.finaid.org
www.nasfaa.org
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.collegeanswer.com
www.fastweb.com
Resources (continued)
• Research/access issues
– www.teri.org
• Athletics
– www.ncaa.org
– www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
– www.naia.org
• Diverse populations
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www.hbcuconnect.com
www.campusclimateindex.org
www.hacu.net
www.hillel.org
www.catholiccollegesonline.org
www.christiancolleges.com
• Ethics
– www.nacacnet.org
– www.educationconservancy.org
Final thoughts…...
• College admission counseling is
an ever changing process which
requires continual professional
development
• Your role as a college counselor
will depend on the community
in which you work
• For some students, you may be
the only help that they have