college admissions information night kim cullen, guidance counselor tuesday, february 3, 2009

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NightNight

Kim Cullen, Guidance CounselorTuesday, February 3, 2009

The Ivy League consists of eight prestigious learning institutions in the northeastern United States: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Columbia and Brown Universities, the University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth College. Seven of these were established before the American Revolution. Which one was founded last? BrownPrincetonCornellDartmouth

Cornell

Cornell University was founded April 27, 1865, in Ithaca, New York. Senator Ezra Cornell offered his farm as a site and half a million dollars as the initial endowment for the school. He also gave the school its motto: "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study". Incredibly, Cornell was the first Ivy League school to enroll women, beginning in 1870.

Which Ivy League school, established in 1754, was originally named King's College, after receiving a Royal Charter by King George II of Great Britain? YalePrincetonBrownColumbia

ColumbiaThe school was renamed Columbia College in 1784

and Columbia University in 1896. It is located in the borough of Manhattan, in New York City. The American Revolution was not friendly to Columbia. All programs were suspended from 1776-1783 as control of the area changed hands, and the campus was used as a military hospital by American and British forces during these years. Former U.S. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt attended Columbia but did not graduate. Barack Obama is the first President of the United States to graduate from Columbia University.

Computers are an integral part of a university student's life. Which Ivy League school made it mandatory for every student to own a personal computer in 1991? DartmouthHarvardCornellUniversity of Pennsylvania

DartmouthDartmouth prides itself on its high level of

technological advancement. In 2001, it became the first Ivy League institution to offer complete wireless internet access in all buildings and most outdoor spaces, providing over 1,400 access points. "Blitzmail", is an e-mail network created by Dartmouth. On campus, there are over one hundred terminals in place for Blitzmail use. The students use it for communication just as much as cell phones.

Liberal arts colleges are small institutions focusing on teaching undergraduates that are not well-known to the general public. What three East Coast institutions were the three top liberal arts colleges in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges - 2007"?Williams, Amherst, and SwarthmoreMIT, Stanford, and the U. of California - BerkeleyPrinceton, Harvard, and YaleReed, Oberlin, and Sarah Lawrence

Williams, Amherst, and SwarthmoreLiberal arts colleges are four year colleges which

generally have few if any graduate programs or professional degree programs. Princeton, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, and the University of California - Berkeley are in the National University category in U.S. News and World Report's college rankings. Reed, Oberlin, and Sarah Lawrence are all excellent liberal arts colleges with politically liberal student bodies but did not rank among the top three.

Many excellent schools are not well-known by the general public. What were the three top engineering programs at institutions without doctoral programs in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges - 2007"?MIT, Stanford, and University of California - BerkeleyGrinnell, Oberlin, and MacalesterOhio State, Michigan State, and University of FloridaHarvey Mudd, Rose-Hulman, and Cooper Union

Harvey Mudd, Rose-Hulman, and Cooper Union

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of California - Berkeley were cited as the three top engineering programs at universities that offered doctoral degrees.

Where is…Where is…Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington

Baylor University Waco, Texas

Emory University Atlanta, Georgia

Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York

Rollins College Winter Park, Florida

Duke University Durham, North Carolina

Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee

Naropa University Boulder, Colorado

Did you know?Did you know? Located in Boulder, Colorado,

Naropa University is based on Nalanda University. Nalanda flourished in India from the 5th to the 12th centuries. At Nalanda University, Buddhist philosophy and the discipline of meditation provided the environment in which scholars, artists and healers from many Asian countries and religious traditions came to study and debate. Nalanda is known for its joining of intellect and intuition, and for the atmosphere of mutual appreciation and respect among different contemplative traditions. This was the inspiration for the development of Naropa University.

Celebrity Alma MatersCelebrity Alma MatersJohn Adams was the second President of the United States. He was educated in the field of law at this Ivy League university. Harvard University University of Pennsylvania Yale University Princeton University

Celebrity Alma MatersCelebrity Alma MatersOne of the actors starring in 'Friends' graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Courtney Cox Arquette Jennifer Aniston Lisa Kudrow David Schwimmer

Celebrity Alma MatersCelebrity Alma MatersJohn F. Kennedy studied at all of these schools

except one. Harvard University London School of Economics United States Military Academy (West Point) Princeton University

Celebrity Alma MatersCelebrity Alma MatersJohn F. Kennedy studied at all of these schools

except one. Harvard University London School of Economics United States Military Academy (West

Point) Princeton University

Celebrity Alma MatersCelebrity Alma MatersHollywood star Brad Pitt attended the University of Missouri, where he studied this. History English literature Philosophy Journalism

Celebrity Alma MatersCelebrity Alma MatersAt first Condoleezza Rice's plans were to become a pianist. However, after she attended a course on international politics taught by this person, she changed her mind and at age 19, Rice earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Denver. Josef Korbel Henry Kissinger Noam Chomsky None of these

Celebrity Alma MatersCelebrity Alma MatersAt first Condoleezza Rice's plans were to become a pianist. However, after she attended a course on international politics taught by this person, she changed her mind and at age 19, Rice earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Denver. Josef Korbel (Madeleine Albright’s father)Henry Kissinger Noam Chomsky None of these

Celebrity Alma MatersCelebrity Alma MatersBefore altering the course of his career towards drama, this actor received a master's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney, and was eventually awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to MIT. Sean Connery Dolph Lundgren Clint Eastwood Nicolas Cage

College College

Admissions

Admissions

Information

Information

NightNight

Kim Cullen, Guidance CounselorTuesday, February 3, 2009

Guidance Office/College Guidance Office/College CounselingCounseling

Kim CullenUpper School Guidance and College Counselor

[email protected]

Anna PointingUpper School Guidance Secretary, CAS Coordinator

UCAS [email protected]

Juan OrtizDirector Técnico (Selectividad, LOGSE)

[email protected]

The goalThe goalAs a college-preparatory school ASM

Guidance Office focuses on helping to identify those colleges or universities that most closely match the individual student’s interests, needs, abilities, and potential.

Guidance Office Guidance Office Assists students and parents to develop a

reasonable list of colleges, based on student’s interests, needs, abilities, and potential.

Assists students through the college application process: transcripts, records, recommendations, essays.

Coordinates SAT and ACT testing.Advocates for the student, through the

recommendation letter, and ongoing contact with the colleges and universities.

Serves as a sounding board for both parents and students when questions or concerns arise through the application process.

Purpose of tonight’s Purpose of tonight’s presentationpresentationPreview the college admissions processGet students to start thinking about where you

might like to go to college, and what you might like to study

Highlight what is in the College Admissions Handbook

Encourage parents and students to begin working with the Guidance Office on college-career plans

Answer questions

The importance of “fit”The importance of “fit”The degree to which the student and their

choice of university “match” is crucial in making the college experience positive.

Dr. William Scott Green, Dean of Undergraduate Education at University of Miami says:

There are two things in life you cannot take back:your criminal record, and your academic record.

Finding the right fit will enable you to flourish.

Self-AssessmentSelf-AssessmentDo you want to go to College?

◦ Why? ◦ What do you hope to gain – personally and

professionally?How do you learn best?Do you want to study anything that requires

special facilities or programs?What are your extracurricular interests/needs?

Alternative Options◦ Gap year, Community service, Work

Characteristics of US Characteristics of US Colleges: typesColleges: typesUniversity vs. CollegeLiberal Arts CollegeJunior CollegeEngineering or Technical CollegeSpecialty Schools (for example):

NursingMilitaryHotel Administration/TourismBusiness

Special interest groups (Historically Black Colleges & Universities; single sex schools)

Characteristics: sizeCharacteristics: sizeSmall: usually under 2,500 studentsMedium: generally 2,500 to 10,000

studentsLarge: any campus over 10,000

students.

Characteristics: selectivityCharacteristics: selectivity

Competitive, Less Competitive, and Non-Competitive

Very Competitive: ◦ Accepted students general

do not have lower than a B- in any course

◦ SAT scores between 525 and 575

◦ Admissions rates between 50% and 75%

Highly Competitive: ◦ Accepted students have a

“B+” to “A” average in most difficult classes

◦ SAT scores between 575 and 625

◦ Admissions rates between 30% and 50%

Most Competitive: ◦ Accepted students have

an “A” average ◦ SAT scores between 625

and 800 ◦ Admissions rates under

30%

What do colleges look at?What do colleges look at?Transcript

◦ Quality of student’s course selection◦ Quality of high school program

Standardized test scores (if applicable)◦ How they compare with the typical profile of accepted

students

Recommendation letters◦ Typically English/Math, also Humanities/Science

Short answers and essays◦ Activities and interests◦ How a student presents him/herself

Standardized Testing – the Standardized Testing – the tests (US)tests (US)Standardized testing is an important factor in admission of using

new procedures at most colleges and universities, however, they generally count less than the curriculum and grades.

SAT Reasoning: Measures aptitude and potential

SAT Subject: Many schools require three SAT Subject tests:

English, Math IC or IIC and a 3rd of your choice

ACT: Measures actual learned knowledge

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language –

required of international students by a large

number of universities

Standardized Testing – Standardized Testing – which test?which test?

Different philosophies: ◦ Some colleges have made standardized testing optional

(Bates, Bowdoin, Dennison, Dickinson, Drew, Franklin and Marshall, Goucher, Guilford, Lake Forest, U Miami, Mount Holyoke, Providence, Saint John’s, Union).

◦ Some will not require SAT or ACT if you submit SAT Subject Tests (Connecticut College, Hamilton College, Middlebury College).

◦ Most schools will give you a choice: SAT or ACT.

◦ Some scholarship programs will require specific SAT or ACT.

For more information on which schools have made SAT/ACT optional, see www.fairtest.org/university/optional.

Standardized Testing – Standardized Testing – which test?which test?It doesn’t hurt to take both.

If uncertain: take each one once, then retake the one you like better.

Remember:

SAT Reasoning measures aptitude

ACT measures acquired knowledge

Many students who do not “test well” on standardized exams may do better on the ACT.

Compare school success with success on the SAT. If you are an A student but scoring in the lower 500s on the SAT, you might consider taking the ACT as well.

You can always elect to take the ACT and not send your scores.

Standardized Testing: the Standardized Testing: the TOEFLTOEFL

A note about the TOEFL:Increasingly, the more competitive universities will want

international students to take the TOEFL no matter what; independently of whether the student has studied in an English-language school since kindergarten, or whether the student is in IB HL English.

Students are encouraged to take the TOEFL before the end of 11th grade. This will take off some of the pressure in 12th grade.

Standardized Testing: SAT Standardized Testing: SAT Prep?Prep?Should you take an SAT Preparation course? Consider the

following: Is the SAT optional? How competitive is the university? How did you do on the PSAT?

Add a “0” to your PSAT score to get a rough idea of how you would do on the SAT

50/50/50 on the PSAT would be more or less equivalent to 500/500/500 on the SAT

Several options: ASM-based SAT Prep course – Alpha Review

◦ Spring session leads to May exam. ◦ Fall session is intensive and leads to October exam.

Outside SAT Prep course – e.g. Kaplan, private tutoring

Typical Testing PlanTypical Testing Plan

11th grade:

ACT with Writing – April 4, 2009*

SAT Reasoning – May 2, 2009

SAT Subject – June 6, 2009

TOEFL: offered monthly – take before end 11th grade

12th grade:

SAT Reasoning – October 2009

SAT Subject – November 2009

SAT– Dec 2009/Jan 2010

ACT with Writing – December 2009

TOEFL: monthly

* You can take the ACT without writing, but if you will likely be submitting only the ACT and not the SAT, you should plan to take the ACT with Writing.

Final notes on standardized Final notes on standardized testingtesting

HOW MANY TIMES CAN I TAKE THE SAT?

No more than 4 times, typically 2 Reasoning tests and 3 different Subject tests taken only once each.

WHICH SCORES WILL THE COLLEGES SEE?

Default: All scores for all sittings are sent, and colleges will pick the highest in each sitting for each subject area

e.g. May 09 590 CR 650 M 630 Wr

Oct 09 650 CR 620 M 680 Wr

NEW Mar 09: Score Choice: Allows you to select the scores from a particular sitting

e.g. May 09 590 CR 650 M 630 Wr

Oct 09 650 CR 620 M 680 Wr

The College Search ProcessThe College Search Process

Catalogs in Guidance OfficeOnline

Alumni NetworkCollege Visits


Catalogs in Guidance OfficeAdvantage: compare and contrast schoolsDisadvantage: printed books can become quickly

outdated.

Onlinewww.asmadrid.org/guests/departments/guidance/guidance_home.htm

www.collegeboard.com www.princetonreview.com www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/

rankindex_brief.php www.petersons.com https://connection.naviance.com


Alumni NetworkCollege Connections Program

• Allows ASM student to contact ASM alumni at many different colleges and learn more from the unique perspective of the ASM graduate.

• http://www.asmadrid.org/alumni/subpages/programs.htm#COLLEGE_CONNECTION_PROGRAM

College Q&A Alumni Panel Program

The College Search ProcessThe College Search ProcessCollege Visits

Visits to ASM from college representativesStudents should attend as many of these as possible.

Visits to college campusesStudents who have the opportunity to visit a campus have a much better idea of the kind of school they want.There are organizations that offer tours, such as The Princeton Review, and College-Visits.com*

Virtual Tourswww.campustours.com free onlinewww.ecampustours.com free onlinewww.collegiatechoice.com (walking tours, 15$ per video)

* Neither ASM nor the counselor have experience with these organizations. The names are provided merely as resources that parents may want to look into.

United States◦ Flexible education that allows you to decide as you go◦ Outstanding educational opportunities at all degree levels◦ Financial aid is readily available◦ Common application (1 application for many) –

www.commonapp.org

Spain◦ Students must pass either the IB diploma or the Selectividad exam◦ Public university options are reputable and inexpensive

UK◦ More “European” in approach◦ A great option for European citizens who wish to continue their

studies in English – less expensive than US◦ Common application (1 application for all) – www.ucas.com

Where to apply?Where to apply?

Canada◦ Very strong education system comparable to the US◦ Significantly less expensive than US schools

American Colleges Overseas◦ College that use the American style of education with locations

all over the world.◦ Offer either full degree programs or 2 year bridge programs

Other options◦ Some students go back to their home country (Japan, Korea,

Sweden, The Netherlands, India)◦ Some students want something different – e.g. veterinary

school in Hungary◦ ASM will work with these students individually, as needed.

Where to apply?Where to apply?

Where to apply?Where to apply?When choosing where to apply, you must face the toughest question of all: Will the college choose you? Assessing your own academic record and the colleges statistics will enable you to apply appropriately.

The average number of colleges to which ASM students have applied is around 6 (with a range between 1 and 18). We like to recommend students limit their choices to 10.

It is recommended that you apply to +/- 3 in each of the following categories:

“Reach” Schools“Probable” Schools“Prudent” Schools

Where to apply?Where to apply?“Reach” Schools

Colleges where your chances of admission are less than 50/50

“Probable” SchoolsColleges that possess the significant features you desire and at which the probability of admission is 50/50 or better

“Prudent” Schools (formerly “safety”)Colleges that have most of the features you desire and at which the probability of admission is “highly likely” to “certain”. It is important that you would be willing to attend one of these schools.

Admissions Plans - USAAdmissions Plans - USA

Early DecisionBINDING agreement between the student and school. Students admitted under this plan are obligated to attend and MUST withdraw all other applications. Decisions issued mid December.

Early Action/PriorityThis is a non-binding plan which allows students to keep other applications active. Decisions issued 4 to 6 weeks after submission of application.

Regular DecisionMost common plan. Admissions decisions are generally issued end March/early April.

Rolling Admission: Universities will accept applications at any time, and will review candidates based on space available. Admissions decisions are generally issued 6 to 8 weeks after receipt of application.

Financial Aid - USAFinancial Aid - USAFinancial Aid is money for education that comes from sources other than the family. It is meant to supplement what the family can contribute.

◦ Merit/Based Aid given to a student in form of grants and scholarships

and is typically based on performance/talent.◦ Need/Based

Aid made available to families who cannot pay all of the post-secondary education costs on their own. Frequently includes loans and work-study opportunities.

Financial Aid - USAFinancial Aid - USAFor U.S. universities, Federal Financial Aid is

available to U.S. Citizens and green card holders. The important forms are:

◦ The FASFA (Free form for Federal Student Aid) www.fafsa.ed.gov

◦ CSS/Profile www.collegeboard.com

Applications for Financial Aid for students attending university in fall 2010 can be filed no earlier than January 1, 2010.

U.S. Federal Tax return (1040) is required for financial aid.

International Financial Support International Financial Support - USA- USA

Financial aid for internationals is not as readily available, but it is not impossible.

International students apply for aid directly to the college/university.

International applicants must demonstrate their ability to pay all tuition, fees and living expenses for the first year of study.

If you require financial aid – go where the money is.

For more information on financial aid for international students, see ASM’s Guidance website.

British UniversitiesBritish UniversitiesGreat option for European Citizens

◦ Costs: As a EU Citizen, tuition & fees are equal to those of British citizens.

◦ Proximity: Most British Universities are easily accessible by rail or bus to international airports.

UCASUCASWhat is UCAS?

◦ University and Colleges Admission Service: The central application service for full-time undergraduate courses in the United Kingdom.

◦ All students applying to the UK must apply via UCAS

www.ucas.com

◦UCAS allows students to apply to 5 different universities or programs with a single application.

Oxbridge → Oxford and Oxbridge → Oxford and CambridgeCambridgeApplication Deadline:

◦ October 15th: Deadline for applications to Oxford or Cambridge.

Students apply to Oxford or Cambridge through UCAS. In addition, ◦ Oxford applicants must fill out a separate Oxford

application card. ◦ Cambridge applicants need to fill out a Preliminary

application form.

Students may not apply to both Oxford and Cambridge

Specializations in the UKSpecializations in the UKMedicine (including dentistry and veterinary) – application deadline October 15

◦ Because of the early deadlines students need to research their university choices carefully and make note of all registration deadlines for testing.

◦ Students interested in the medical fields must sit the BMAT and/or the UKCAT.

http://www.bmat.org.uk/index.htmlhttp://www.ukcat.ac.uk/

Law – students must take the LNAThttp://www.lnat.ac.uk/preparation/practice.html

History at Oxford – students must take the HAThttp://www.history.ox.ac.uk/prosundergrad/

applying/hat_introduction.htm

Calendar & Important DatesCalendar & Important DatesSpring Junior Year:

◦ Schedule appointment with College Counselor to discuss plans ASAP

◦ SAT Test Preparation?◦ Attend Naviance and UCAS workshops◦ Register for May & June SAT tests◦ Work on your resume◦ Consider a summer program alternative to the beachside/poolside

summer

Before Summer Vacation: ◦ Discuss college essay with your English teacher◦ Consider which teachers you might to ask for recommendations

from, and give them a head’s up.

During Summer Vacation: ◦ Summer Program?◦ Visit colleges, if possible.◦ Fill out one college application a week for each school to which you

plan to apply. This makes your senior year MUCH easier!

A Note to AthletesA Note to AthletesIf you intend to play sports at the collegiate level – Division I or

Division II:

Spring 11th grade: Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse www.ncaaclearinghouse.net Personally contact each college coach to express interest and ask for information Videotape your gamesAsk your local coach to make contact with the college coach

Summer, if possible:Visit colleges

Throughout 12th gradeMaintain contact with coaches to show that you are really interested.

A Note to Artists/PerformersA Note to Artists/PerformersIf you intend to apply for specialized programs in music, art, theater:

Spring 11th grade: Contact universities to find out specifically what kind of portfolios or auditions are needed.

For music/theater, CD recordings are usually acceptable.Portfolios are usually acceptable on CD, however, you may be asked to send a few original drawings as well.

Throughout spring, work with your teachers to begin preparing your work

Summer, if possible:Visit colleges, do live auditions*try not to do your first audition at your 1st choice school!

Throughout 12th gradeMaintain contact with the universities to show that you are really interested.

Last but not least…Last but not least…BE AWARE OF DEADLINESBE AWARE OF DEADLINESApp deadlines –

US/Canada Usually December 31 or

January 1, 10, 15 or February 1, 15 for Regular Decision

Usually November 1 or 15 for Early Action or Early Decision

ASM deadlines – US The Monday before

Thanksgiving (November 23, 2009) for Regular Decision

October 5 for Early Decision/Early Action

App deadlines – UK October 15 for Oxford,

Cambridge, Medical Specializations

Usually December/January for the remainder

ASM deadlines – UK October 5 for October 15

deadlines October 30 for regular

deadlines

Standardized Testing deadlines for US and UK SAT/ACT/TOEFL registration deadlines. UKCAT/BMAT/LNAT/HAT, IELTS, etc.

Next StepsNext Steps Students:

◦ Naviance – Students will be introduced to Naviance◦ Moodle – Upper School Guidance “class”◦ SAT Preparation or not?◦ UCAS workshop later in the spring◦ Prepare subject specific materials (arts, sports)

Students and parents:◦ Make an appointment to meet with me during the months of

February and March◦ Assess needs, interests, talents, types of colleges◦ Develop plan for preparation and testing

Together:◦ Formulate initial college list by spring break (!!)

Questions?

Questions?

college admissions information night kim cullen, guidance counselor tuesday, february 3, 2009

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