The College Admissions Process
overview
• Keeping the Process in Perspective
• Nature of the Marketplace
• Factors Impacting College Admission Decisions
• Research
• Developing a Balanced List of Schools –
Applying Strategically!
• Application Options & Managing the Process
• Presenting the Person Behind the Numbers
an initiation:
• Is a process and not only an event
• Is genuinely hard
• Always has an element of fear/anxiety
• Forces self-examination
• Calls upon all skills previously learned
• Can only be done by the initiate only
your role in their initiation
• Make home a safe refuge
• Keep them calm
• Keep your eye on the ball - it’s about growing up, not
about getting into a certain college
• Teach doing one’s best, not perfection
• Be the shoreline
Ups and downs
Elated
Optimistic
Alarmed
factors impacting college admission
decisions
nature of the marketplace
We can’t rely on the college admissions landscape that we
were familiar with…
Good News/Bad News:
While the odds for admission into a four year
school are excellent, the competition for very
selective colleges, especially those in the
northeast, is more intense than ever.
from Northeastern University…
“Our Undergraduate Admissions
team has been actively reading
more than 50,000 applications for
2,800 freshmen seats available
this fall…..”
The Silver Lining:
Students who do their research and are realistic about the
process, often end up very happy with the outcome.
It’s a great school but it wasn’t my first choice.
factors impacting
college admissions decisions
TOP TWO from NACAC’s 2014 State of College
Admission report:
• Grades
• Strength of Curriculum
the IB and college admissions
• Most schools view the IB as a very rigorous curriculum
and wonderful preparation for college.
• How the IB is factored in varies by school:
• Some recalculate GPA
• Others consider it a factor in a holistic review
Other factors include
Admissions Test Scores
Class Standing
Demonstrated Interest
Essay
Counselor Recommendation
Teacher Recommendation(s)
Activities, Work, Hobbies, Talents
Interview
Weight varies by school
College Admissions Testing
• SAT and/or the ACT+Writing
• Later this spring (May/June) and once again in the fall
(October/November) . Student can register now.
• Differences in format and content, therefore we have
encouraged juniors to explore both.
• https://www.khanacademy.org/college-admissions/making-high-
school-count/standardized-tests/v/overview-of-sat
• College Board (SAT) and ACT web sites: offer a free
“question of the day” prep option, a practice test and online test registration.
• “Test Optional” Schools – FairTest.org
• SAT Subject Tests
research
Student Driven Process
• FIT - Thoughtful Process of Introspection
The questions is not “Which is the best college?”
The question is “Which is the best college for me?”
• Wide Array of Internet Tools
Begin with objective sites utilizing facts/statistics
• Collegeboard.org, petersons.org
• Colleges That Change Lives
• Ctcl.org
• Association of Universities & Colleges of Canada
• www.aucc.ca/canadian-universities
campus visits/interviews
• Best Way to Assess Fit
• Formal and Informal Visits
• Ideal Time to Visit
• Interview
fit
• http://collegespecific.com/toolkits/junior_vid4/
developing a balanced list of schools
creating a balanced list
• http://collegespecific.com/toolkits/junior_vid3/
apply strategically
• Solid Schools
• Financially Feasible Schools
• Probable Schools
• Possible Schools
• The Statistical Reach
example: New England College
Betty’s SAT Scores:
540 CR
520 Math
560 Writing
example: New England College
Betty
• 3.1 GPA
• Q: Is Betty in the mix?
• Q: Is Betty at the top,
bottom, or middle of
the mix?
example: Umass Amherst
Financial considerations
It is important to have a financially feasible option:
• It too should be a good fit
• Out of state publics/some private schools
Research schools’ Financial & Merit Aid policies:
• Keep in mind most colleges can’t fully meet a student’s
demonstrated need
• Net Price Calculator – provides rough cost estimate
• netpricecalculator.collegeboard.org
• Not all schools offer merit awards
Have a
conversation
about
finances: This
allows parents
and students to
plan
accordingly
what is financial aid?
* Merit Based Aid vs. Need Based Aid.
*Types of Aid
Grants
Scholarships
Federal
State
Work Study
Loans
Institutional
Comparing financial aid awards
EFC remains constant, but Cost of Attendance changes
from school to school
managing the process
the college application
Electronic Apps the norm
The Common Application
School Specific Applications
Wait until early fall
Counselor support:
• High school transcript
• School profile
• Counselor recommendation
Student responsibilities:
• Application forms & fees
• Essay(s)
• List of activities, offices held,
honors/recognitions
• Direct College Board or ACT
to send OFFICIAL test
scores
• Request/follow-up on teacher
recommendations
• Request high school
transcripts
managing the application process
Use form hand-out
• Create a separate e-mail account
• Know application requirements
• Monitor application deadlines
• Track financial aid forms & deadlines
• Routinely check application status
admissions policies
Non-Restrictive Application
Plans
Restrictive Application Plans
the person behind the process
college admissions is an
art not a science
• It’s human beings making decisions about
human beings, and cannot be reduced to a
single formula
• Colleges are admitting individuals and shaping a
freshman class
• Essay and recommendations add depth and
dimension
essay
• Individualizes the applicant
• Narrate a slice of life – attempting to cover too
much territory diminishes the story
Students will be given time and direction in English classes
this spring
the essay
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRqjDYbwi8
letters of recommendation
A well written essay and strong recommendation
letters can sway an admission decision – careful
attention can positively impact the outcome.
learn more…
looking to the future
• College Admissions Overview with juniors/parents
• Individual meetings
• Application workshops in early fall
• College Financing Seminars
• Making an Informed Decision Seminar
• May 1st Universal Reply Date
be the shoreline
.