Howard High School
College Admissions Night
This Whole College
Application Thing
Chip Saltsman
 Vice-President, Capgemini
 MIT Alumni Interviewer
 Parent
More education means more
earning power
Education
Didn’t finish high school
Average Annual Earning
Power
$22,000
High school diploma
$31,000
Associate degree (2-year)
$38,000
Bachelor’s degree (4-year)
$50,000
Source: College Board, Education Pays, 2004
College “lifetime” payoff
(US Census Bureau Day and Newburger study, 2002).
The value isn’t just money
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Longer life-span
Greater economic stability and security
More prestigious employment and greater job satisfaction
Less dependency on government assistance
Greater participation in leisure and artistic activities
Greater community service and leadership
The self-respect you get from your achievements
Broad base of knowledge on which to build and solve more of life’s
problems.
Much of what you gain in college comes from learning outside the
classroom, from participating in clubs, campus organizations and “testdriving” careers through internships and practicums.
With some jobs, a degree is a requirement. For other it is a “check mark”
and door opener.
It is a ticket to compete that puts you in the running for a better future—but it
isn’t a guarantee. Everything else is up to you.
For a lot of people, it isn’t the destination, it’s the journey!
Words to know:
Associate Degree (AA, AS, AAT) = Twoyear degree program
 Bachelor’s Degree (BA, BS) = Four-year
degree
 A “Credit” = one hour of class + two
hours of other work
 FAFSA = Free Application for Federal
Student Aid
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Chip’s Top Ten Rules . . .
10. There are SEVERAL perfect
colleges for you out there!
Put together a “portfolio”:
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1-2 “Safety schools” (that you would attend)
3-4 “In your zone”
1-2 “Stretch schools”
The challenge is actually narrowing down the
list!
Narrowing Down the List
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Location
Setting – Urban/Suburban/Rural
Size
Diversity
Activities & Sports
Majors & Academic Programs
Admissions Selectivity & “Degree of Difficulty” –
How much do you want to challenge yourself?
Cost
Other specialization
Narrowing Down the List
www.collegeboard.com and use “College
Matchmaker” tool.
 www.princetonreview.com
 Guidance office reference tools
 Library reference books
 www.kiplinger.com/tools/college - “Best
values in Public Colleges”
 Just type “college search” into Google
(106,000,000 hits)
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Popular Maryland Four-Year Schools
College
Accept Rate
Average
Reading SAT
Average Math
SAT
Frostburg Univ.
66%
450-550
450-500
Goucher
67%
560-670
540-640
Loyola
46%
560-650
570-660
McDaniel
79%
490-610
500-620
Morgan State
19%
880-1050 total
Salisbury
57%
520-600
530-610
Towson
64%
490-580
510-600
UMBC
71%
540-650
570-670
College Park
49%
580-670
600-700
Stevenson (used
to be Villa Julie)
70%
450-560
450-560
Popular Out-of-State Schools
College
Accept Rate
Average
Reading SAT
Average Math
SAT
Boston College
30%
610-700
640-720
Clemson Univ.
57%
550-650
550-670
Delaware, Univ. of
47%
550-640
550-650
Elon University
41%
560-640
570-650
James Madison
68%
530-620
540-630
Lehigh University
41%
600-680
640-720
Penn State Univ.
62%
530-630
570-670
Virginia Tech
72%
540-630
570-660
William & Mary
31%
630-730
630-710
York College
75%
500-600
500-590
9. They really do consider “the
whole package”
 There
there!
are SEVERAL perfect colleges for you out
The key rule . . .
There is no magical
combination of attributes
that will ensure acceptance
to any college.
“We’re looking for kids who have pursued their passion,
whatever it is, and have become very good at it while
they’ve been top-notch students. There are an awful lot
of kids across the country that fit that outstanding
profile—one in nine are accepted.” --Martha Homer,
Harvard Senior Admissions Officer
“95% of last year’s 11,300 applicants were qualified on
paper to join the freshman class of 1,000. We are looking
for students who are self-motivated, who are willing to
take risks, who are willing to risk their ego and who are
OK with being wrong. We want the nerdy, very un-cool
kids who live full industrial strength for their interests
and have a passionate curiosity.” --MIT Dean of
Admissions
What are they actually looking
for, anyway?
The Wesleyan checklist (each application is reviewed
three times):
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Can they do the work?
Class rank
They read the essays
SAT scores as an indicator
Stand out in two extracurricular activities
The track record of other students from your high school
Are they living up to their potential?
Do they match, and can they handle the culture at our school?
Are they interested in us?
So, how much does the SAT
actually matter anyway?
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It is one of 20 things in the whole application
packet.
Some schools don’t even look.
It matters when it is out of synch from the rest of
your story.
Every year, Harvard rejects people with 800’s,
and every year, MIT admits people with SAT’s in
the 500’s
8. Visit. Really VISIT!
really do consider “the whole package”
 There are SEVERAL perfect colleges for you out
there!
 They
7. Who needs Harvard?
 Visit.
Really VISIT!
 They really do consider “the whole package”
 There are SEVERAL perfect colleges for you out
there!
The “Highly Selective Universities”
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7% - Juilliard School
8% - Harvard
9% - Stanford, Yale
10% - Columbia, Cooper Union, Princeton
12% - MIT
13% - Brown, Dartmouth, Amherst
14% - US Naval Academy, US Coast Guard Academy
15% - US Military Academy (West Point), Swarthmore
16% - Pomona, Claremont McKenna
17% - Cal Tech, University of Pennsylvania
18% - Middlebury, Georgetown
19% - US Air Force Academy, Williams, Bowdoin, Duke
20% - Cornell, CUNY – York
21% - UC Berkeley, USC
22% - Washington University (St. Louis), Rice
23% - College of the SouthWest
24% - Tufts
Only 2.6% of schools admit less than 25% of applicants!
US News & World Report, 2008.
What do these colleges have in
common?
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Harvard
Yale
Michigan
Columbia
United States Naval Academy
Georgetown
Eureka College
Whittier College
Texas State San Marcos
The studies show: When it
comes to long-term success,
75% of the educational benefit
is determined by the
student’s efforts and abilities.
Some of it comes from the
school.
6. Actually, you should apply to
Harvard!
 Who
needs Harvard?
 Visit. Really VISIT!
 They really do consider “the whole package”
 There are SEVERAL perfect colleges for you out
there!
If it is so hard to get in, why on earth apply?
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Contact with people who are exceptionally bright, motivated, interesting, and who come from diverse
backgrounds. From all over the world.
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Academic depth and breadth in your selected fields
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Academic and administrative flexibility.
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Academic challenge and the highest possible standards.
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A professional reputation that opens career paths and employment opportunities.
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To learn self-discipline and time management skills from having to apply yourself to your studies.
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The self-respect that you will gain from your achievements.
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To be challenged and grow to meet these challenges.
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The chance to be among other students who regard learning as fun, rather than a chore.
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Being taught by professors who actually enjoy teaching.
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The cultural and artistic environment on campus.
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Prestige.
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To get to know another part of the country.
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To avoid the housing and class scheduling problems typical of large state schools.
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Taking freshman classes from Nobel laureates and well-known authorities in their fields.
5. You can probably pay for it
 Actually,
you should apply to Harvard!
 Who needs Harvard?
 Visit. Really VISIT!
 They really do consider “the whole package”
 There are SEVERAL perfect colleges for you out
there!
How?!?!?! Some strategies . . .
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FASFA – The “Expected Family Contribution”
(EFC) at $45,000 is zero
Go to Community College, then transfer
State schools are a LOT less expensive than
private schools.
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Average 4-year private university expenses:
Average 4-year public university expenses:
Average 2-year public university expenses:
$30,000+
$13,489
$2,361
Schools compete for particular students
The “transfer student” strategy
Barack Obama
Stephen Colbert
Columbia
Northwestern
(Occidental College transfer)
(Hampden-Sydney transfer)
How?!?!?! There is more
financial aid than you think . . .
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Hope Scholarship Credit
Lifetime Learning Credit
Grants
Federal Loans
Coverdell ESA
Private Scholarships
Unsecured private loans
Home-equity loans and lines of credit
Work-study programs
529 savings plans
ROTC
Is Community College for you?
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You know where you want to be but need some training to get
there
You want to explore different choices before settling on a path
You need to cut the cost of a four-year college degree
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Average 4-year private university expenses: $30,000+
Average 4-year public university expenses: $13,489
 Average 2-year public university expenses: $2,361
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You want to sharpen your study skills before enrolling at a
university
You want small classes and personal attention during your first
college years
You want to continue to work at your job while going to college
You want to live at home
Timeline: Community College
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Registration is 1st come, 1st served!
Fairly straightforward process:
 Accuplacer
test
 Meet with advisor
 Create your schedule
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You can register up to the day the class starts
Most classes fill up – sign up early to get the
best times for you!
Fastest Growing Professions 2008-2018 (2-year
Degrees)
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Dental Hygienists (+36%)
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians (+36%)
Physical Therapist Assistants (+33%)
Forensic Scientist Technicians (+31%)
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians (+30%)
Occupational Therapist Assistant (+30%)
Registered Nurses (+22%)
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, Dec. 2009
Associates Degree jobs that pay
serious money
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Accounting - $57,020 (average annual income)
Employment & Placement Manager - $42,420 (study
Business/Human Resources)
Registered Nurse - $57,280
Dental Hygienist - $30.19/hour
Private Investigator - $33,750 (study Criminal Justice)
Paralegal - $43,040
Chef - $34,370 (study Culinary Arts)
Fashion Designer - $62,610 (best to go to NYC)
Computer Systems Administrator - $62,130
Engineering Technician - $49,440
(source: Yahoo Education web page & CNN Education web page)
Community College Grads
Jim Lehrer
Jeanne Kirkpatrick
Newscaster
Victoria University, TX
UN Ambassador
Stephens College, MO
Career Profile:
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Grew up in Philadelphia.
Quit high school to help
support his family.
Joined the Navy, worked
as a corpsman, finished
his GED.
Went to Temple and
majored in Phys. Ed.
Paid for it with a Football
and Track scholarship
Career Profile: Bill Cosby
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Grew up in Philadelphia.
Quit high school to help
support his family.
Joined the Navy, worked
as a corpsman, finished
his GED.
Went to Temple and
majored in Phys. Ed.
Paid for it with a Football
and Track scholarship
4. Your parents, relatives and
friends all have opinions. So
what?
 You
can probably pay for it
 Actually, you should apply to Harvard!
 Who needs Harvard?
 Visit. Really VISIT!
 They really do consider “the whole package”
 There are SEVERAL perfect colleges for you out
there!
3. This is your Senior Year longterm assignment
 Your
parents, relatives and friends all have opinions.
So what?
 You can probably pay for it
 Actually, you should apply to Harvard!
 Who needs Harvard?
 Visit. Really VISIT!
 They really do consider “the whole package”
 There are SEVERAL perfect colleges for you out
there!
Do’s and Don’ts:
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Do:
 Get
psyched! A bunch of schools really want you!
 Think about your recommendations.
 Look at the programs they have. Understand their
educational philosophy. It isn’t a resort.
 Get organized. Know the deadlines.
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Don’t:
 Don’t
ask, “It’s December 15. Umm, tell me where I
should apply?”
 Don’t pick safety schools you would never attend!
 Don’t get hooked on “the one and only” school.
 Don’t get intimidated!
Timeline: Four-Year College
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Take the SAT (March 25 registration deadline for May 1,
2010 SAT test)
Note admissions packet deadlines!
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Many schools – Jan 1
Salisbury – Jan 15
College Park – Jan 20
Stevenson (Villa Julie) – rolling, Feb 1
UMBC – Feb 1
Towson – Feb 15
Admissions packet (they are all slightly different):
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Your personal information
Your essays
Guidance office forms
Teacher recommendation forms
SAT scores forwarded
About that essay!
“The euphemism we use is ‘polished.’
If you're paying someone that much
money, there shouldn’t be
fingerprints. But some essays have
that sheen, that lemony-fresh smell
that makes you wonder.” --Parke
Muth, Admissions Dean, University of
Virginia on college essay specialists
Be honest
 Take a risk
 Write. Re-write. And re-write
 Get a second opinion. And a third.
 Proofread it again
 Don’t make the essay too important
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“The danger lies not in writing bad essays, but in writing common
essays—the one that admissions officers will read dozens of. My
advice? Ask your friends what they are writing—and then don’t write
about that!” Scott Anderson, Associate Director at Mercersburg
What is the parent’s role?
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It is not this . . .
What is the parent’s role?
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It isn’t this either . . .
The way your parents see it:
What is the parent’s role?
 You
know your student better
 You know the stakes better
WHAT’S NOT OKAY
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Write the essay (Admissions
offices will know if you do.
Only grownups use semicolons or words like
“heretofore”!)
WHAT IS OKAY
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Brainstorm with your
student about essay topics
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Read the first draft and talk
about what “works” in the
essay from an adult’s view
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Encourage a 2nd draft and
review by others
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Sit on them (make “essay
time”)
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Keep a log of their
accomplishments
What is the parent’s role?
TO KEEP PERSPECTIVE
2. “I have no clue what I want to
major in” is an OK place to be!
 This
is your Senior Year fall semester project
 Your parents, relatives and friends all have opinions.
So what?
 You can probably pay for it
 Actually, you should apply to Harvard!
 Who needs Harvard?
 Visit. Really VISIT!
 They really do consider “the whole package”
 There are SEVERAL perfect colleges for you out
there!
Bachelor's Degree Starting $$$
Accounting
$48,020
Business Administration/Mgmt.
$46,171
Economics
$51,062
Finance
$48,158
Business
$46,800
Marketing/Marketing Mgmt.
$41,506
Computer Science
$61,110
Information Sciences & Systems
$52,322
Chemical Engineering
$63,773
Civil Engineering
$51,780
Mechanical Engineering
$57,024
Electrical/Electronics Engineering
$57,603
English Language & Literature
Psychology
Visual & Performing Arts
Sociology
(NACE Fall 2008 Salary Survey)
$35,453
$34,095
$35,073
$35,434
Fastest Growing Professions 2008-2018 (4-year
Degrees)
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Biomedical Engineer +72%
Network Systems/Data Communications +53%
Financial Examiners +41%
Physicians Assistants +39%
Athletic Trainer +37%
Computer Software Engineers +34%
Environmental Engineers +31%
Survey Researchers +30%
Personal Financial Advisors +30%
Management Analysts +24%
Accountant/Auditor +22%
Elementary School Teachers +15%
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, Dec.
2009
Strong local schools:
Towson top-ranked teacher’s school, and
you can get a degree in e-business
 UMBC one of US News ‘the best values in
education’ and Newsweek ‘School to
Watch’
 Stevenson (Villa Julie) a Newsweek
‘School to Watch’ & US News #16 “Best
Comprehensive”
 College Park #18 in US News Top Public
Universities, #18 Best Business Program
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Speech Therapy Major
Jay Leno
Emerson (MA)
Philosophy Major
Phil Jackson
NBA Coach
University of North Dakota
Sociology Majors
Barbara Mikulski
Michelle Obama
Loyola (MD)
Princeton
Electrical Engineering Majors
Amar Bose
Judith Resnik
(Astronaut)
(Bose Electronics)
Carnegie Mellon
MIT
Did Doctorate at Maryland
Roommates at Harvard
Al Gore
Government major
Tommy Lee Jones
English major
(All-Ivy football player)
English Majors
Julia Stiles
Stephen King
Columbia University
University of Maine
Economics Majors
Donald Trump
Sam Walton
University of Pennsylvania
Missouri
Computer Science & Math
Sergey Brin
(founder of Google)
University of Maryland
History Major
Steve Carell
Denison University
Math AND Physics Major
Rear Admiral Grace Hopper
(Computer Pioneer)
Vassar
Dentistry Major
Thurgood Marshall
Lincoln University (PA)
Biology Majors
Susan Hockfield
Lisa Kudrow
Vassar
(President of MIT)
University of Rochester
Business Major
Mick Jagger
London School of Economics
Education Major
Gene Simmons
Sullivan County Community College, NY
Psychology Majors
Natalie Portman
Harvard
Jon Stewart
William and Mary
1. There are ways to increase
your chances of admission!
 “I
have no clue what I want to major in” is an OK place
to be!
 This is your Senior Year fall semester project
 Your parents, relatives and friends all have opinions.
So what?
 You can probably pay for it
 Actually, you should apply to Harvard!
 Who needs Harvard?
 Visit. Really VISIT!
 They really do consider “the whole package”
 There are SEVERAL perfect colleges for you out
there!
And what are they, please?
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The best single thing you can do to
strengthen your application is to take the
tougher classes and do well in those classes.
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The double-edged sword of “Early Decision”
Have an Interview (MIT 2009 admit rate if you had an
alumni interview – 15.4%. If you didn’t – 4.7%)
Visit the campus, and make sure they know it
The length of your resume doesn’t matter nearly as
much as quality/value of experience
Don’t do gimmicks
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Parents, I feel your pain. This is
what I learned:
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My experience of 25-30 years ago is no longer valid.
I needed to help my kids think as broadly as possible
early on about all the schools out there. Just because
you haven’t heard of a school doesn’t mean it’s no good.
Remember that 75% thing (the value that comes from
the student, not from the school).
Don’t set your student up to consider they are a “failure”
if they didn’t get into a super-selective school.
You are the coach and the cheerleading squad.
Celebrate each step, but they should do the work.
Here is what really matters in the
long run . . .
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Finding the right fit – schools that
 Share
the same fundamental values and
priorities as the student
 Are a place where they are comfortable
enough to take the social and intellectual risks
that make college really worthwhile
Supporting Slides beyond here
Why is college so #$%^@ expensive?
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Quest to be as good as they can drives up per-student
cost.
Reduced state government support
It’s weird, but higher cost increases perceived desirability
Top-talent bidding war for faculty
Building all those plush amenities
Cost of providing financial aid
Plain old supply and demand
"Basically, if you can pass on your costs, you don't care
what your costs are!" –Joel Naroff, MIT Economics
Professor