Selective College Admission
Rae Ann M. DiBaggio
Senior Associate Director
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Case Western Reserve University
Vern Granger
Associate Vice President and Director
Enrollment Services
The Ohio State University
What’s the hype with the
college selection process?
◦ Media attention
◦ Consumer mentality
◦ More than one good choice
◦ Being knowledgeable: helps you focus on what is
important and is not as important
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Deciding where to apply to college can be a daunting
task
US boasts more than 3,800 colleges- majority accept
more than half of those who apply
More than 13 public and 50 private colleges in Ohio
But what is important to remember is that THERE IS A
COLLEGE FOR EVERYONE!
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Private colleges comprise about half of the accredited
colleges and universities in the US
They are located in all 50 states
Private colleges are not funded by the state
government or taxpayers. They depend on tuition,
fees, private gifts, corporate gifts, and endowments
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Private colleges are typically more expensive than
publics
BUT private colleges tend to offer more scholarships
and grants
Possible to get a better financial aid package from a
private college
Publics out of state can cost as much as privates
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Public schools have significant graduate, masters and
doctoral programs
Offer a broad range of academics to chose from,
including engineering, business, health and fine arts
Opportunities: including large athletic programs,
student involvement, research, study abroad and
internships
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The largest universities in the country are all public,
however size of public universities can vary greatly
Public universities are typically less expensive than
private colleges
Public schools receive some but not all funding from
state government or taxpayers. They also depend on
tuition, fees, private gifts, corporate gifts, and
endowments
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Open Admission
◦ HS diploma, accept on first-come first-served basis
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More Selective
◦ Largest group
◦ More selective than open enrollment
◦ Look at a variety of factors
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Very Selective
◦ Small number of schools
◦ Receive 10-15 apps per slot
◦ Tough review process for admission
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Admission and Application Process
Types of admission:
◦ ED
 ED admit/deny
 ED defer
◦ EA
 EA single choice – restrictive EA
 EA defer
 EA admit/deny
◦ Regular Decision
◦ Common Application
◦ Deadlines vs. Rolling Admission
◦ Final grades do matter
What are we looking for?
◦ strong record of academic performance
◦ enthusiasm for learning
◦ willingness to contribute to school and community
◦ academic promise in part by standardized testing
◦ distinctive achievements or talents
◦ knowledge of self & appreciation for individual
differences
◦ demonstrated interest
◦ institutional needs/goals
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Vital to continue taking the most challenging courses
and achieving good grades. Decisions can be
reversed
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Essays:
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Recommendation Letters:
◦ The essay is also a key element
◦ Essay should grab your reader’s attention, be willing to take a risk and
talk about something unique
◦ Don’t retell information already included in your application
◦ Choose a given topic to discuss or use the essay as a chance to tell
the reader something about you that we may not learn form reading
your application
◦ Appropriate topic/subject/language : consider if you really want the
committee to know what you’re telling and HOW you’re telling it
◦ What image is left with the reader
◦ PROOF READ
◦ Choose recommenders carefully, ask those who know you well
◦ Diverse, can speak about you in several different ways
◦ Maybe ask someone with whom you have struggled, can talk about
your ability to overcome
◦ Usually no more than 3 are needed
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Review Process
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First Read:
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Second/Final Read:
◦ Typically - counselor assigned to high school
◦ Make admission/scholarship recommendations
◦ Another admission counselor – adds another dimension
◦ Approaches review from a non-familiar look at app
◦ Committee:
◦ Some files – borderline cases
◦ All files – some schools may review every app in a discussion
environment
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Review Process
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First and Second Read:
◦ Our applications are read by two independent readers for
admission to the University
◦ Scholarships and enrollment into specific academic majors are
decided after a student has been admitted
Third Review:
◦ If the two independent readers have differing recommendations
for admission, then the application is brought to a committee for
final review
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Get to know your admission counselor
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Contact the schools, ask questions
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Events hosted locally
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Alumni connections
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Deadlines matter
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Be organized and read information
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Work in partnership with school counselor
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Understand that this is a process
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Please feel free to contact us if you have additional
questions:
Rae Ann M. DiBaggio
Senior Associate Director
Case Western Reserve University
216-368-6568
raeanndibaggio@case.edu
Vern Granger
Associate Vice President and Director
Enrollment Services
The Ohio State University
614-247-6281
granger.74@osu.edu