College Admissions and Applications 101 Suzette Stille Director of Admissions College of Charleston [email protected] 843-953-8148.

College Admissions and Applications 101

Suzette StilleDirector of AdmissionsCollege of Charleston

[email protected]

Topics for Discussion

Considering options College Visits The Admissions Process Trends and Tips Important Factors Transcripts Standardized Testing Essays, Recommendations, Activities Admissions Decisions Scholarships /Financial Aid Helpful Websites Questions

Begin by thinking about the characteristics that are important to you ……what learning environment is best? What social, cultural and physical atmosphere do you prefer? Size, distance from home?

Don’t have any idea? Talk to friends and family members about their college experience

Familiarize yourself with college campuses whenever you have the opportunity. What do you like/dislike?

It’s about finding the right FIT for you, not anyone else!

Considering Your Options

Summer Pros: More time to see schools, Less high school

classes to miss Cons: School not in busy session so not realistic

view, List may be very long Fall

Pros: School in session so more realistic Cons: Missing high school classes/work

After acceptances (usually Spring) Pros: Less schools to visit (maybe!), More time to

research Cons: Late for visits, May miss out on seeing some

other options Second visits: Helps you make the final

decision

Now, get out there!

College Visit Tips Be prepared! Bring umbrellas, comfortable shoes,

change for meters, cash for garages, etc. Be on time. Allow time for parking and getting to

the Admissions Office or Visit Center. Research school/stats/majors before arrival. Ask questions you can’t find the answer to on the

website. Talk to current students and Admissions front

desk staff. Eat the food on campus. Get the contact information for your Admissions

Counselor. Write down your impressions right away! Do the “bench test”

The Admissions Reality

It’s never been easier to get into college

It’s never been harder to get into college

College enrollment in the US is at an all-time high. Total college enrollment is expected to continue to increase until at least 2017.

Largest HS graduating class peaked in 2009. Number declines until 2017 when it rises again.

Almost all colleges are reporting record numbers of applications, but because of competition with other colleges, more students are being admitted than ever.

Students are adding a “financial safety” to their list of college options.

The Admissions Landscape

What factors are most important in the admissions decision?

Factor Considerable Moderate Limited No Importance

Grades in college prep courses 84.3% 11.9% 2.3% 1.5%Strength of curriculum 67.7 20.4 5.8 6.2

Admission test scores (SAT, ACT) 59.2 29.6 6.9 4.2Grades in all courses 51.9 39.2 6.9 1.9Essay or writing sample 24.9 37.5 17.2 20.3

Student’s demonstrated interest 20.5 29.7 24.7 25.1Counselor recommendation 19.2 39.8 27.2 13.8Class rank 18.8 31 31.4 18.8Teacher recommendation 16.5 41.9 26.5 15Subject test scores (AP, IB) 6.9 31.2 31.5 30.4Portfolio 6.6 12.8 30.2 50.4Interview 6.2 25.4 25.8 42.7SAT II scores 5.4 9.7 22.6 62.3Extracurricular activities 5 43.1 38.1 13.8

State graduation exam scores 4.2 14.9 23.8 57.1Work 2.3 17 43.2 37.5

Source: NACAC Admissions Trends Survey, 2011

Transcripts

What are we looking for?

Strength and rigor of courses – AP, IB, Honors Variety and depth in academic subjects Consistent grades throughout high school Overall GPA, rank in class, trends in grades Full senior year schedule

Standardized Testing

SAT vs. ACT Take BOTH! Look at equivalency chart to compare

scores (example: 26 ACT = 1200 SAT). Electronic submission directly from

testing service is fastest. Best preparation for these tests is a

rigorous and broad college prep program.

Writing component

Essay

Answer the question. Use the appropriate amount of words. If

the max is 250, write close to that. Be yourself (one of your only

opportunities to do so)! Proofread it yourself (read it out loud). Let someone else read it. Be open to suggestions but keep it true to

you. Use the right college/university’s name

(double check)!

Letters of Recommendation Academic letters are best (teacher or

counselor), then employers, mentors, coaches.

Check if required. Check number required. Do not send more than required,

usually no more than two.

Good way for us to get insight into your attitude, motivation and ability.

Extra Curricular Activities

Quality over quantity. No right or wrong choices. Highlight leadership. Great to tie into essay or free write

section if an activity is important to you. Look at what is offered as extracurricular

at the college to see if you will have things to do that interest you outside the classroom.

Miscellaneous Application Components

Interviews Some schools will require. For others, it is

optional and not used for admissions. Make sure you know which kind you are going into.

Be on time and dressed appropriately. Bring questions and be prepared to answer

questions about yourself. Speak clearly and professionally but still be

you! Check if particular programs require

additional materials or specific application deadlines. Auditions Portfolios

Tips for the Application

Biographical Information Use full legal name for all correspondence Make new e-mail address for college

applications and check often Sound professional

[email protected] vs. [email protected]

Save everything! Document conversations and

submission of documents Stay ahead of the rush!

Admissions Tips

Treat all correspondence with a school as a first impression and a reflection of yourself. E-mails, phone calls, online chat

sessions, letters, applications, etc. Be proactive! Always include your first name and student

ID number in all correspondence so you are easily identified.

FERPA: Keep notes about all of your conversations.

Try to communicate with the same person each time.

Tips for Parents DO attend college fairs and college visits with your

student. DO help your child stay organized, and follow

application deadlines. DO keep stress levels under control

DON’T let the college process overtake your life. DON’T discuss college issues at home everyday. DON’T take admissions advice from friends. Learn

about the process and ask questions of professionals. DON’T forget that your children are just teenagers. DON’T do the search, selection, and application

process for your child.

Tips for Parents

Trust that it will be fine in the end!

Application Deadlines:Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision*

Early Decision (ED) Binding. Can only apply to one school ED. Must withdraw applications to all other schools

if you are accepted to your ED school. Advantages: Indicates to a college that they are

your first choice and that if admitted you will attend. Typically the percentage of students accepted in ED is significantly larger than those admitted in early action or regular decision.

Disadvantages: Binding yourself to a school can present problems if you change your mind or if something suddenly occurs that changes your situation (finances, the need to stay closer to home etc.).

*Options, terminology, definitions, & advantages will vary by school. ASK.

Application Deadlines:Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision*

Early Action (aka Early Notification) Non-Binding. Not required to withdraw other applications. Advantages: You will receive notification of your

admissions decision earlier than regular decision applicants, typically sometime in December or January of your senior year. You then have a significant amount of time to compare financial offers and make a second visit.

Disadvantages: The Admissions Committee will not see any grades from senior year. Test scores from later tests may not be considered.

*Options, terminology, definitions, & advantages will vary by school. ASK.

Application Deadlines:Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision*

Regular Decision (RD) Non-Binding. Not required to withdraw other applications. Advantages: Keeping your options open.

Regular deadlines typically allow students to submit transcripts with their senior grades attached. You will also have more time to take additional standardized tests.

Disadvantages: Deadlines are usually later and the pool of applicants can become more competitive as the year moves forward and the class begins to fill up. Notification of admission usually comes in March or April which limits your time to decide where to attend.

*Options, terminology, definitions, & advantages will vary by school. ASK.

Admissions Decisions

Accepted – Welcome to college! Denied – No thank you. Deferred – We need more information to make a

decision. Waitlisted – We like you but you are not yet

admitted. Once we start getting enrollment deposits from accepted students, we will reevaluate if we have room for more. Usually need to indicate if you would like to stay

on Waitlist. Waitlist decisions (to accepted students off the

waitlist) typically come after May 1st. You should make other plans in case you do not hear about your status until after May 1. Be prepared to go elsewhere.

May 1: National Decision Deadline. You must have paidyour tuition deposit to the school you will attend.

Scholarships and Financial Aid BE PROACTIVE! No one is just going to

hand you money for college. Learn the lingo:

Merit-based aid (scholarships): based entirely on academic performance.

Need-based aid (financial aid): based on need. FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Based on your taxes and used to determine your “need” based on your EFC.

EFC: Estimated Family Contribution. Determined by the college/university from your FAFSA.

Visit the net price calculator and/or FAFSA forecaster to get estimates of costs

DeadlinesDeadlines

Early Notification (Early Action)Early Notification (Early Action)– Application due: 11/1Application due: 11/1– Notification of decision: 12/30Notification of decision: 12/30

Regular DecisionRegular Decision– Application Due: 2/1Application Due: 2/1– Notification of decision: 4/1 or beforeNotification of decision: 4/1 or before

Scholarship Deadline: 12/1Scholarship Deadline: 12/1– Applications for admission must be submitted by Applications for admission must be submitted by

12/1 to be considered for overall Merit based 12/1 to be considered for overall Merit based scholarships regardless of major.scholarships regardless of major.

Admissions StatsAdmissions Stats

Profile of a typical admitted student (in-state)Profile of a typical admitted student (in-state)

– GPA: Strong A/B+ rangeGPA: Strong A/B+ range– SAT: 1090-1240 (Critical Reading and Math SAT: 1090-1240 (Critical Reading and Math

only; Writing portion is considered)only; Writing portion is considered)– ACT: 23-27 (Composite score only; Writing ACT: 23-27 (Composite score only; Writing

required)required)– Class Rank: top 30%Class Rank: top 30%– Strong curriculum: Honors, AP, IB, Dual-Strong curriculum: Honors, AP, IB, Dual-

EnrollmentEnrollment– 3 years of foreign language3 years of foreign language

Helpful websites

Financial Aid www.college.gov

NCAA http://www.ncaa.org/

SAT/ACT test dates http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-dates http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html

College Matchmaker: www.Collegeboard.com Zinch, Cappex, etc.

Questions?

Suzette StilleDirector of Admissions

College of [email protected]

843-953-8148