Summer Research and Preparation
Choosing Schools
 Do your homework – this is half the battle
 Trust logic & Sanity – there is more than one school
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where you will be happy
Be Realistic – use your support Network – parents ***
Evaluate your grades, skills and SAT/ACTscores –
compare in Naviance
Craft reasoned & thoughtful applications
Only apply to those schools you really want to attend
If want 1 school – may apply early – Look at early
acceptance rates for that school
Select a range of schools (big, small, urban, ivy)
Questions to ponder?
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What are your academic Interests?
What kind of student are you?
How do you learn best?
What activities outside of class matter most to you?
How important is prestige to you?
Do you want a diverse college? Race, Gender,
international students?
 Where do you want to live for the next 4 – 10 years?
 What kind of social and cultural environment would
you like best?
The Liberal Arts
Choice
•Focus on undergraduate education
•Social science, science humanities and arts
•Almost 90% of the 220+ liberal arts colleges
are private
•Core foundation in english, philosophy,
history, music, science and math
•Not career focused
•Often in small towns or non-urban centres
•Sense of community – close bonds with staff
•Easier to get involved in sports and other
extra-curricular activities (newspaper,
debating, clubs)
•Examples: Pomona, Claremont-Mckenna,
Reed, Davidson, Chapman
The Research
University
•Generate new knowledge
•Well equipped with top faculty and
facilities but classes may be large
•Provides opportunities as an
undergraduate to do research with
faculty, particularly in science
•Discovery and scholarship are the
primary focus
•Examples - All Ivy Leagues are in this
category (Brown, Yale, Harvard etc) but
also schools like Dartmouth, CalTech,
and UCLA
Special Colleges
Religious Affiliations
 Jesuit Colleges (Examples
include Georgetown,
Boston, Brandeis,Univ of
San Francisco)
 Religion not always evident
on campus
 Most welcome students of
all backgrounds
Other Colleges
 Specialty colleges – Harvey
Mudd for Engineering,
Cornell for Hospitality
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Women’s Colleges
Single Sex
Academically strong
Supportive environment
Examples include Scripps,
Wellesley, Mount Holyoke,
Smith, Bryn Mawr
Consortium Colleges –
allow for flexibility with
classes and add variety
www.womenscolleges.org
Scripps
Selection of Schools
Six to ten universities, these should include:
- 2 “reach” schools – use SAT admission scores to
determine eligibility
- 2 “choice” schools
- 2 “for Sure” Schools
- Back up Schools are good insurance
- Other factors: Location, program of study
(curriculum), distance from home, professional
network, financial cost, future goals
- Encourage students to look beyond the “brand name”
SAT Scores
Subject Tests
 Range of scores is what
 Should reflect your
students should compare
 If you are in the range
the institution will
consider you
 Score Choice – some
schools will ask to see
ALL your scores anyway
 Caution to not write too
many times
intended major
 Research indicates that
AP courses help to
improve overall SAT
subject scores
 Language subject tests
may or may not be an
advantage in this process
Prep Me – Naviance
 Personalized Learning through Naviance
 SAT training with support – access this anywhere as it
is web based
 Lower fee – approx. $100 - $110 annually
 Other choices: Choose an accredited program:
1) Princeton Review
2) Kaplan
*** If hire an independent counsellor be sure they are
accredited and member of IECA***
How NOT to choose a School
 Solely on where your sibling, parent or grandparent
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attended (although being a legacy can be helpful)
Don’t be a lemming (Boyfriend, girlfriend best friend
is going there)
Do Not let distance be the sole deciding factor
Do not let tuition cost determine your school
Do not choose solely based on campus appeal,
although visiting campus is helpful!
Landscape of Admissions
 US hit an all time high in numbers of applications in
2009 and they continue to be high for the most
competitive schools
 Some US schools using Application software to sort
initial applications (Diversity is an issue here –
consistent standards and measurable outcomes are
legally important in the US)
 Ivy League schools by sheer volume reject 60% of
legacy candidates, valedictorians and class presidents
 Some schools have international quotas
Admissions Philosophy
 *Students should be able to show they can handle the
rigour and challenge of first year
*Assessment of depth and scope of learning
* Students are evaluated within the context of their
school *(school profile goes with every application)
* External AP courses are not seen as necessary and
may impact negatively on the selection process
The Admissions Office – What are
they Looking for?
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Verification of qualifications
Prediction of performance
Indication of long term potential
Suitability to intended Study
Assessment of ability to cope away from home –
emotionally and psychologically
 Authenticity/Synergy
***You may have all the qualifications and still not be
accepted at the Ivy league schools****
See Smith Evaluation Sheet for Applicants
Holistic applications include:
 Completing forms accurately – Common App
 Essays
 US Recommendations – Teachers
 Counsellor Recommendations
 SAT score and Subject tests should be a reflection of
your entire application
 Other Recommendations (professional)
 Visits to Prospective Schools
 Interviews
Admission Cycles
 Regular Decision – apply Dec. 15th
 Early Decision – Apply by Nov 1 – Binding Can only
apply to one school
 Early Action- Apply Nov. 1 Non-Binding
Who Should Apply Early?
 Compelling argument for one school – legacy, program
available, geographic location
 More than 35% accepted through early cycle
HOW to get Ready to Apply:
 Naviance – register and manage your applications & access
resources, talk to your counsellor
www.connection.naviance.com/croftonhouse
 Complete the Survey in Naviance for your counsellor NOW
 College Board (www.collegeboard.com) for checklists and
support
 SAT – Plan out your subject tests
 Other resources:
 “How to Survive Getting into College” Rachel Korn, Special
Editor
 “Less Stress, More Success”…Marilee Jones and Kenneth Ginsberg
 Our focus at CHS is help you to find the “Fit”
 See www.collegedata.com or www.cappex.com
to project your suitability (MATCH)
Common Application
 Complete online by the student (Personal Data,
Education, Test Data (SAT/ACT), Family, Extracurricular,
elect Privacy notice) Opens August 1st
 Secondary School Report and Teacher report– completed
on-line by CHS staff through Naviance. These accompany
the Common Application and are linked electronically
 Incomplete forms will be result in a delay in your
application or risking the file to be designated incomplete
 Financial Statements for the family generally are required
Common Application
 Accepted by most US institutions-
https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx
 Should be completed on – line by early December - only
one account
 Can be accessed through Naviance – Family Connection on
the schools web site
 http://connection.naviance.com/croftonhouse
 https://succeed.naviance.com/signout.php
 CHS does not calculate GPA or rank students due to small
size because it is statistically not valid
Tackling the College Essay
 Follow directions and answer the question
 Be honest and be yourself….do not write what you
think they want to hear. Be Original! Authenticity
Counts! DDI
 Target your essay to the Institution
 Leave yourself time to do a good job, rewrite and
reflect – then finalize
 Seek input on your final draft from people you respect.
Some DO’s
 Write about something you really care about
 Remember the point is that you are an interesting ,
mature person and that you can write
 Submit extra material if it is called for
 Be neat and well presented
 Avoid generalities. Write about something specific –
readers will remember this
Some Don’ts
 Don’t repeat information from other parts of your
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application
Avoid generalities. Write about something specific –
readers will remember this
Avoid politics, religion, sex ,drugs or the importance of
a college education
Don’t apologize or explain
Every essay does not need a moral – too contrived
The Essay
Should Demonstrate:
 Serious intent to pursue an education
 Genuine desire to attend THEIR institution
 A match between interests, abilities and what the school
has to offer
 Your ability to think clearly, logically and creatively
 Your ability to write an engaging and thoughtful essay that
keeps the reader’s attention
Qualities of an effective essay:
 Be truthful and authentic – Who are You?
 First person is more powerful and interesting to the
reader
 Emphasize skills and achievements
 Relevant to course work
 Include: Goals and Aspirations
Work Experience
Volunteer work
Admissions offices are looking for unique individuals:
intellectual curiosity, leadership - in and out of class,
strong academics, commitment to community and
engagement with life in general
Essay Resources
1)Dr. Rebecca Joseph – Telling your Story – Website/Facebook:
www.getme tocollege.com
 Check out the VINE for handouts from her session at CHS 2010
 Search out topics on the school web sites – in advance (June/July)
3) Sources of Information on Essay Topics /Techniques:
 www.collegedata.com
 Read model college essays – lots of resources available
 Do not talk about money, sex or other controversial topics
 Essay should entertain and engage the reader
 Litmus test – could anyone else have written your essay?
 Counsellor Feedback
 English teacher Feedback
 Have a trusted adult read – not edit your essay for tone, message,
meaning
Essay and Application Howlers
 Spelling – Have a trusted Adult Proof read, this may
include a teacher/counsellor
 Typos - “At school I held the position of Head Gig”
 Meaningless verbiage “As a direct result
of my interest in the human race…I became
increasingly fascinated by the scientific trend to
emulate mankind.”
 Student e-mail addresses
 Wrong dates or city or college
Teacher Recommendations
 Ask teachers early in the year
and consider subject area in
relation to program applied
for
 Provide background resume
and information to
teacher/counsellor
 Provide ample time for
teacher/counsellor in respect
of deadlines
 Recommend begin by
utilizing the journal option in
Naviance and making this
available to CHS staff
Athletics
 Over the summer you should create
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an athletic resume detailing your
sport, competitions, strength and
endurance tests , awards, etc.
Connect with the coaches at each of
the schools where you want to apply
Research the requirements as they
relate to athletes for specific schools
Be clear that ONLY ADMISSIONS can
actually present you an offer for
admission, regardless of what the
coach promises.
Be certain that you review the
university to see that they offer the
academic program you truly want
This summer
 Create e-mail account
 Wall calender for dates and deadlines
 Start a binder, file or folder with names, contacts,
deadlines and financial info
 Visit schools of interest
 Focus on field of study
 Look at essay topics and plan, begin drafting essays
(www.collegeessayoptimizer.com)
 Identify 6 t0 10 schools MAX, through active
research
 Make a plan for ACT or SAT’s & Subject tests,
Parental Checklist
1.Learn factors that matter to your
daughter – programs , location
2. Arrange to visit the schools that
most interest her
3. Get onto Naviance so that you
can share in your daughter’s
journey
4. Have financial discussions early
in this process to avoid
disappointment
5. Meet with your daughter’s CHS
counsellor
6.Read and look at some resources
(see handouts)
***Keep in mind that this is a
journey for parents as well
CHS ADMISSION STATS - US
Institution
2012 (15)
2011 (20)
2010 (15) 2009
(21)
Berkeley
2
3
Johns Hopkins
1
4
Cornell
Duke
1
2
1
1
1
1
(Georgetown)
1 (George
Wash)
1
2
2
Rhode Island School of
Design
1
1
2
Stanford
1
1
Georgetown/
George Washington)
New York University
2008
(16)
1
2
UCLA/USC/UCSB
3 (UCLA)
5 (UCLA) 4 (USC)
1 (UCLA)
1 (USC)
1 (USC) 1
UCSB
Ivy Leagues
1 (Brown), 1 (Columbia)
3 (Brown, Cornell,
Penn)
1 (Columbia) 1
(Yale)
1 (Princeton)
2(Penn)
1 (Brown)
3
(Columbia)
1 (Harvard)
Other (Rice, Berkley,
Wellesley, etc.)
1 (Rice), 1 (North
Eastern), 1 (Notre
Dame), 1 (U of Texas,
Austin), 1 (Pitzer), 2 (U
of California, Berkley), 1
(Claremont McKenna)
6 (Chicago,
Pitzer, Scripps,
Smith, UW,
Carnegie Mellon
1 (Wellesley)
5Marymount,
Rice,
Berkley,
Boston,
Claremont
7 – FIDM,
Chicago,
Pomona
Haverford,
UW, Maine
(2)
CHS ADMISSIONS STATS - US
Institution
Admission %
CHS Admission %
Boston
28
70
International
Admission %
10.3
Brown
9.3
22
16.7
10
25
32
18
26
22
12
42
21
16
44
49
20
100
41
10.9
9.4
9.3
15
8.7
9.9
11
9.3
11.5
Stanford
7.3
9
7.5
Wellesley
36
36
10.6
Berkeley
Cornell
Columbia
Johns Hopkins
New York University
U of Pennsylvania
Pitzer
University of Southern
California
Data from www.Collegedata.com (2013) and Naviance CHS stats 2008 - 2012
CHS Graduates at US Universities
 Recent CHS Graduates are in attendance at:
Brown, Boston University, Berkeley,Chapman ,Claremont
McKenna, Princeton, Columbia, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell,
Dartmouth, Duke, FIDM, Harvard, Haverford, Johns
Hopkins, Northwestern, Rice University, Rhode Island
School of Design, Smith, University of Santa
Barbara,Stanford, University of Michigan, University of
Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, University
of Washington St. Louis, Wellesley, Yale, and many others.
Resources:
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collegeessayoptimizer.com
collegeweeklive.com
collegedata.com
youniversity.com
collegeprowler.com
zinch.com
naviance.com
collegeboard.com
collegedata.com
cappex.com
Questions?
 Two University Counsellors and all the Planning teachers
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are available in Planning classes to assist students with
their queries
Encourage you to come to the source for accuracy of
information and a direct line to the Admissions Offices.
Ms Manhas and the new University Counsellor are
available for individual interviews with students and
parents anytime and throughout the year as needed
Students are able to take advantage of posted Office hours
during the year, to drop in and discuss concerns – without
an appointment
Parents are also welcome to make appointments and meet
as a family with the counsellors