Admission Case Study:
Inside the Admission Committee
.
Plymouth Shores University
Case Study
Plymouth Shores
University
SUNBERRYPORT, MA
1826
www.regionaladmissions.com
Providing out-of-state options for California
Goals for Today’s Exercise



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Define our university
Define our admission objectives
Consider enrollment goals
Make decisions on four applicants
Admit
Waitlist
Deny
www.regionaladmissions.com
Providing out-of-state options for California
Plymouth Shores University
Founded 1826 in Sunberryport, MA
6,276 undergraduate students/ 2,100 graduate - Research
50 states, 75 countries
Programs: Business, Medicine, Engineering – Social justice focus
FA – Meets full need, 50% receive aid
92% on campus
30% accept rate
60/40 Public vs. Private
3.55 GPA un-weighted
SAT - 1920 / ACT - 29
NCAA Division I Sports
P
S
www.regionaladmissions.com
Providing out-of-state options for California
U
Candidate Review Form
Student Academic
Activities Personal
Name
State
Resume
Leadership
Persistence
Summer
GPA
SAT/ACT
AP and Honors
Core Courses
SAT II/AP Exams
School type
School profile
Grade trends
Essay
Recommendations
Their story
Michael Stewart
From Downey, CA
3.45 weighted
19 core courses, plus internship, Film 1-3
4 Honors (School does not offer AP),
CR 650, MA 590, WR 620 = 1860; ACT 28
Film
Public school - 548, 71% to 4 year
Yes applying to FA
Rec – just starting to realize potential, Scouts and Film
Essay achieving Eagle Scout, short
Eagle Scout, clubs, Film at LA Film Fest
No interview or visit
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Providing out-of-state options for California
Dorri Johnson
From Lancaster, CA
3.79 GPA weighted
20 core courses, plus Journalism Sr.
4 Honors and 4 AP
CR 600, MA 500, WR 640 = 1740; ACT = 29
Undecided/Communications Journalism
Public school, 82% to 4- Year
No to applying for FA
ADD, Farsi at home,
Blogger, school newspaper,
Essay about masks and beating ADD
Met at HS visit, came for campus visit
Visited PSU
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Providing out-of-state options for California
Matthew Jordan
From Carlsbad, CA
3.64 weighted
18 core courses - 4 AP, light senior year
CR 640, MA 650, WR 610 = 1900; ACT = 27
Accounting and Economics
Private school, 100% to 4-year,
Yes applying to FA
Rec – dependable, easy going
Essay – locker room, now and then theme
Disciplined sophomore year – bullying
lacrosse captain, soccer
Junior Secretary, community service
Tries new things and fits in with many groups
Contact with coach, possible walk-on
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Providing out-of-state options for California
Marissa Wallace
From San Francisco, CA
3.77 GPA weighted
21 core courses - 4 Honors and 3 AP
School offers 12 AP
CR 720, MA 730, WR 760 = 2210
Biology
Private school - 378, 89% to 4 year
Yes applying to FA
Dad graduated from PSU
Komen Walk
Camp counselor, cancer research, VP Students of Tomorrow
Co-captain track – school record, community service
Essay about camp, some typos.
Supplement short, no senior grades submitted
Toured with Dad- unofficial campus visit, PSU first choice,
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Providing out-of-state options for California
Marissa
Matthew
San Francisco, CA
3.77 weighted; 3 AP and 4 Hon;
21 Core; PSU GPA – 3.37
CR 720, MA 730, WR 760 = 2210
Biology
Private school - 378, 89% to 4 year
Yes applying to FA
Komen Walk, camp counselor, cancer research, VP
club, co-captain track, community service
Essay about camp, some typos. No 7th
Supplement short - Dad graduated from SSU
Met at HS visit, SSU first choice
Carlsbad, CA
3.64 weighted; 4 AP,
18 core; PSU GPA – 3.45
CR 640, MA 650, WR 610 = 1900; ACT = 27
Accounting and Economics
Private school, 100% to 4-year,
Yes applying to FA
Essay – locker room, now and then theme
Disciplined sophomore year – bullying
Lacrosse captain, Soccer, Jr Secretary, community
service, light senior year, fits in with many groups
Alumni interview. Possible walk on Lax
Dorri
Michael
From Lancaster, CA
3.79 weighted; 4 Honors, 4 AP;
20 core courses PSU GPA – 3.36
CR 600, MA 500, WR 640 = 1740; ACT = 29
Undecided/Communications Journalism
Public school, 82% to 4- Year
No to applying for FA
ADD, Farsi at home,
Blogger, school newspaper,
Essay about masks and beating ADD
Met at HS visit
Strong alumni interview
From Downey, CA
3.45 weighted 4 Honors;
19 Core Courses; PSU GPA – 3.20
CR 650, MA 590, WR 620 = 1860; ACT 28
Communications - Film
Public school - 548, 71% to 4 year
Yes applying to FA
Rec – just starting to realize potential, Scouts and
Film
Essay achieving Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout, clubs, Film at LA Film Fest
Questions to consider
Strongest curriculum?
Best high school?
Best test scores?
Best extra curricula’s?
Best essay?
Best recommendations?
Best character
Best leadership?
Best fit for Plymouth Shores University?
www.regionaladmissions.com
Providing out-of-state options for California
Points to Ponder
 To AP/IB/Honors or not?
 Will test scores rules a student in our out?
 Can an essay compel a committee?
 Hooks – what they are, how to leverage them?
 Demonstrate interest – when can it help?
 Fit/match and how can it be conveyed?
 Do you think other groups had same result?
www.regionaladmissions.com
Providing out-of-state options for California
Desired Outcomes
 Understand admission process
 Understand college/university objectives
 Learn how college/university evaluates students
 Introduction to the admission funnel
 Learn how to package yourself
 Holistic Review – what counts
 Where will you be the wanted student
www.regionaladmissions.com
Providing out-of-state options for California
Name
Admit
Waitlist
Deny
Deny
Michael
Stewart
0
0
0
0
Dorri
Johnson
0
0
0
0
Matthew
Jordan
0
0
0
0
Marissa
Wallace
0
0
0
0
TOTALS
0
0
0
0
www.regionaladmissions.com
Providing out-of-state options for California