The Changing Face of College AdmissionMrs. Cicily Shaw

Director of College Counseling

ThursdayMarch 22, 2012

6:30 pm

Brief Overview & Current Trends

• Some colleges have created a more difficult (lengthy) application. What does this mean?

• Many colleges have dropped their testing requirements

• www.fairtest.org/university/optional

• Colleges have adopted a super scoring policy for SAT’s

• Colleges are costing over $50K a year and their admission policies are constantly changing

• Colleges are now using what they call “priority”, “VIP”, Fast Apps”, etc

• Many are taking on these no/low debt financial aid policies

• http://projectstudentdebt.org

The rise of applications

• Colleges are seeing an increase in college applications.

• Lasell College: up 40%

• Northeastern University had 44,189 apps for 2,800 spots

• Boston University : up 5% and 19% for International apps

• UMass schools up 20%

• So what does this mean for your student?

Stay informed…Visit Naviance

• Visit Naviance (Family Connection) to learn what schools they are looking at.

• You can also learn what they have yet to accomplish

• Visit college websites and campuses to learn of any new changes.

• Understand the process to help eliminate stress levels.

Rules to remember!

• This is your child’s experience….let them experience it!

• Always encourage your child on their college selections.

• Do not let money be a factor during the initial selection process (it will be important late on, so plan accordingly).

• Always stay informed and up to date on your child’s search and application process. Don’t be left in the dark…ask questions.

• Pray….Pray…Pray, for guidance and peace from God during the process.

What is taking place right now

Junior Students :

Are currently enrolled in the College Prep Resource Class

Have drafted a resume

Have drafted their first college essay

Have completed initial research on colleges and are learning how to create a college list

Are enrolled in a SAT prep class during the school day

Have completed a sample college application

Some have already asked teachers for recommendation letters for next year

Understanding the admission process:

• First and foremost, it’s never too early to start thinking about and planning for college

• This is NOT a fair process

• Research is the best tool to get through the process successfully.

Understanding the process

• Think of Admission as a funnel

• Starts broad and narrows down. At this

point, your student should be here

• What comes out at the bottom are the college acceptances received.

Beginning research

Some research, create a list

Final list, applications submitted

The application itself…

• There are several things that make up a college application

• Application and Fee (some applications require a supplement)

• Essay

• Recommendations

• Transcript

• Test scores

• Interview (some institutions require them)

• Additional supporting documentation (resumes, activity sheets, etc)

So what’s important?

Many colleges and universities use this ranking order:

Strength of curriculum

Grades and Scores

Essay

Recommendations

Everything else…

What will make them stand out?

• Being unique during the process

• Be themselves, don’t try to be something or someone they are not.

• Be realistic… instead of selecting the most competitive school, choose “safety” or “likely” schools where they will be a big fish in a small pond.

• Meeting counselors face-to-face is always helpful. Encourage them to attend an official college visit on campus and to attend college fairs this spring.

The College Essay

• http://www.bu.edu/buniverse/view/?v=29MPG7hM

Does the Early bird get the worm anymore?

• Early Decision

• Early Action

• Single Choice Early Action

Early Decision (ED)

• Early decision plans allow you to apply early (usually in November) and get an admission decision from the college well in advance of the usual notification date. But there is a catch. Early decision plans are "binding," meaning if you apply as an early decision candidate, you agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although you can apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to other colleges under regular admission. If you're accepted by your first-choice college early, you must withdraw all other applications. Usually, colleges require a nonrefundable deposit well before May 1.

Early Action (EA)

• Early action plans are similar to early decision plans in that you can learn early in the admission cycle whether a college has accepted you. But unlike early decision, most early action plans are not binding, meaning you do NOT have to commit to a college to which you've applied for early action. Under these plans, you may apply to other colleges. Usually, you can let the college know of your decision in the late spring or by May 1.

Single Choice Early Action

Some colleges offer an admission option called single-choice early action. This plan works the same way as other early action plans, but with single-choice, candidates may not apply early (either early action or early decision) to any other school.

You can still apply to other schools regular decision and are not required to give your final answer of acceptance until the regular decision deadline. This allows you to compare offers of financial aid in the spring before making a commitment

The Standardized Test gameSAT vs. ACT

• Both exams cost the same amount

• Colleges look at both equally

• SAT is offered more times than ACT

• ACT with writing will waive all SAT II requirements in the college admission process

• You cannot waive out of classes with the ACT like you might be able to with SAT II subject test

• ACT scores only correct answers and SAT deducts points for wrong answers

How are they scored?

SAT reasoning test

• 3 hours and 45 minutes in length

• Measures critical reading, writing, and math reasoning skills

• Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800

(For a total score 2400)

2012 SAT Test Dates

• May 5 SAT and subject tests

• June 2 BTA Graduation

_________________________________________________________________

Anticipates 2012-13 dates:

• October 6 SAT and Subject tests

• November 3 SAT and Subject tests

• December 1 SAT and Subject test

• January 26 SAT and Subject test

• March 9 SAT only

• May 4 SAT and Subject tests

• June 1 SAT and Subject tests

2012 ACT Test Dates

• April 14

• June 9

_______________________________________

Anticipated 2012-2-13 dates:

• September 8

• October 27

• December 9

• February 9

• April 13

• June 8

How are they scored? ACT Assessment

• The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science.

• The Writing Test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

• Scores range from 1-36 for the exam. The writing score would be reported separately ranging from 1-12 and the English and writing score combined would range between 1-36.

Advanced Placement

• Many colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, as well as colleges and universities in 60 other countries, have a policy granting incoming students credit, placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam grades. To locate a specific colleges policy visit:

• http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp

Benefits

• Earn credit, advanced placement, or both for college.

• Demonstrate to college and universities an ability to succeed in rigorous academics.

• AP’s were designed to mirror the rigor of coursework they will face in college.

AP EXAMS 2012

Test Date Time

Studio Art May 4 (Materials submitted electronically)

Psychology May 7 12 Noon

Calculus AB&BC May 9 8 am

English Literature May 10 8 am

US History May 11 8 am

European History May 11 12 noon

Biology May 14 8 am

English Language May 16 8 am

College Acceptances

Each year we have had successful college acceptances. BTA currently has a 100% placement rate to four year colleges and universities.

Class Graduates Avg. GPA Avg. SAT Submitted Apps Apps per student % Accepted

2006 16 2.93 1654 83 5.2 60%

2007 17 3.07 1691 104 6.1 61%

2008 28 2.87 1595 214 7.6 43%

2009 35 3.02 1692 310 8.9 48%

2010 33 2.87 1675 323 9.8 54%

2011 44 2.81 1744 418 9.5 43%

Class of 2012

38% of class applied EA/ED or priority

39 students 388 apps 9.9 per student

This trend is standard nationally

As apps increase, admissions rates decrease.

How can you help?

• Encourage and edify!

• Ask to read their essay and give positive feedback. This is not an English paper, rather an opportunity to let the college know more about them.

• Look over their college application before they submit it.

• Let them grow through this process, don’t do everything for them.

• Support (from a distance). No helicopter parents allowed!

Helpful websites

The College Board

• www.collegeboard.com

The ACT

• www.act.org

The National Association of College Admission Counseling

• www.nacacnet.org

Naviance (Family Connection)

• http://connection.naviance.com/bta

Next we’ll talk a bit about money!

Did you know?

The average college costs 2011-2012

Public 2 year: $2,693

Public 4 year: $8.244 (in state)

Public 4 year: $20,770 (out of state)

Private 4 year: $ 28,500

$$$Sticker Shock$$$Sticker Price vs. Affordability

Although some of the college price tags you hear about can be quite daunting—$30,000 or more for yearly tuition and fees—most colleges are more affordable than you might think.

For example, did you know that about 65 percent of students attend four-year schools with annual tuition and fees below $9,000? After grants are taken into consideration, the net price the average undergraduate pays for a college education is significantly lower than the published tuition and fees. And remember, financial aid will further reduce the amount your family will actually pay.

Average salaries

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/know-yourself/learn-more-earn-more

But let’s be realistic

• Planning is essential.

• Look at both private and public institutions

• Be creative in college choices (commuting vs. resident).

• File all necessary paperwork EARLY

• Cut back on spending now. A small sacrifice now is worth the investment for the future. College is an investment.

Common Costs for Senior Year

Standardized Tests

SAT $49 (on avg. Students take 2-3 SAT)

SAT subject $22 reg. fee plus $11 each exam

AP exam $84 per exam (max could be $336 each year)

ACT w/ writing $49.50

TOEFL $150

Application Fees can vary in range

• $40 - $75 each school and the average number of schools students apply to is 7-10. Therefore costs can go as high as $750 just to apply to college.

• Enrollment Deposits (on average $200-$400)

Other expenses:

Prom

Senior Trip

Yearbook

What should I be focused on now for the summer?

• Help your student with their Summer Capstone experience (see handout).

• Help them explore college majors. Be sure the colleges considered offer the majors in which they are interested in. Use search engines and the college board website to find out which majors are offered at which colleges.

• Visit college campuses

• Request applications, brochures, and financial aid information from colleges.

Thanks for coming!!!

QUESTIONS&

ANSWERS