Berea City School District

1. Berea City School District Looking Ahead to College Berea High School January 12, 2012

2. The landscape for college admissions has changed . . . • College admissions in the late 1970s and early 1980s is very different from today’s admissions • Parents will most likely reflect on their own experiences.

3. Back then . . . • Paper, typewriters and correction fluid (few computers) • First resume was prepared in college • Students typically thought in-state • ACT/SAT was taken once • Students typically applied to very few colleges

4. Today . . . • One click may mean applications for several colleges • Brag sheets/resumes are started when 8th grade ends • College admissions is now global in scope

5. and . . • Some students start taking the ACT/SAT in 6th grade • Some parents pay $$$$ for test prep • Web sites can compute “chances” in seconds; Naviance • Summer is no longer “down time”

6. add to that . . . • less Federal and state funding for education, • a struggling economy, and • the changing demographics of our society.

7. some parents will say . . . • “Who moved my cheese?” • “My son/daughter is gifted and will attend Harvard (or MIT, Caltech, Yale, Princeton, etc.” • “What do you mean Ohio State University is no longer a safety school?”

8. Some students will say . . . • “I want to go to a top school . . . I don’t care which one.” • “I don’t know where to start.” • “My mom and/or dad is pressuring me to go to School X.” • “I can’t afford college.” • “I want to go to school in Florida because of the sun.”

9. Perfect Storm

10. Perfect Storm • HS counseling loads are increasing • Colleges are more expensive • The economy is still struggling • Application numbers continue to rise, but yield rates are declining • Some schools are no longer able to be “need-blind” • Internationals are being courted

11. What do the numbers look like? • Valedictorians • 2 • 93 (Cuyahoga) • 987 Ohio (P & NP) • 2008-09 peak year for high school graduates (3.3 million) • College enrollment is at an all-time high; baby “boomlet”

12. The effects of the economy . . . • Reduced resources for students, schools and colleges • Reduced student-to-counselor ratios • Increase in students planning to attend public colleges (more top students attending in-state) • Dramatic increase in demand for financial aid and the need to understand how it works

13. The effects of the economy . . . • Students are spending less time evaluating the “fit” of their college options • Increased demand from colleges to submit materials online • Increased use in Internet and social media tools into the recruitment process • Financial aid calculators --National Association for College Admission Counseling, 2010

14. More numbers . . . • OSU: “Students should plan for a 5% to 10% annual increase for all costs.” • OU: ACT of 32 = free tuition • Many schools run scholarship competitions to award merit aid • CSU: visit the campus • More colleges are insisting on a college prep curriculum

15. And don’t forget . . . • International applicants • In 2008-9 there were 20,725 international students in Ohio • 2010: Marietta: 12% Oberlin: 6% OSU: 5% Most schools: 2-3%

16. A word about rankings . . . • In 1999, US News & World Report named California Institute of Technology (Caltech) the number one college in America. Due to much criticism, the magazine then changed its criteria to reduce the importance of one measure-expenditures per student. • Different rankings emphasize different criteria: Forbes: post-graduate success, debt & happiness US News: selectivity, alumni giving and guidance counselor opinions Princeton Review: Dorms Like Dungeons, etc. • Individual fit is the most important thing for a student to consider.

17. Understanding the Terminology • Acronyms/Definitions for Navigating the College Process Things that are often missed: • SAT II’s and/or not taking both ACT & SAT • Looking ahead for the FAFSA, CSSProfile • Codes (High Schools, CEEB) • Understanding the differences (e.g., Early Action, Early Decision, Rolling Admissions)

18. Understanding the Terminology • Know the terms • Know what is coming (e.g. PSAT counts in 11th grade) • Always check college web sites for changes in policies (e.g. standardized testing)

19. Where do you start with students? • Look at strengths & weaknesses • Help the undecided • Encourage them to take a rigorous curriculum • Tell them to spend their free time wisely • Encourage honest conversations with parents

20. Where do you start with students? Help them find schools that are a match for their interests/criteria: • Look for “fit” • The “friends” factor • Ask questions: What are the graduates doing? • Evaluate the resources on campus • Look at the applications NOW, not when it is time to complete them • Talk with other parents and students who have been through the process

21. Where do you start with students? • Look at the type of student . . . Pay particular attention to undecided v. focused on career path • Encourage looking at criteria: large v. small, rural v. urban, close v. far away, beautiful campus v. plain, Greek v. not . . .

22. Where do you start with students? • Encourage students to work with their guidance counselors and teachers. • Veterans know student and college history

23. Where do you start with students? • Stress that they need to allow plenty of time for the process • Know that military/arts have a different process • Discuss campus visits – what to look for • Note that admission to highly selective schools can be quirky

24. What is the best advice for a student? • Rigorous curriculum • Spend free time wisely • Keep the brag sheet • Start early • Plan ahead for tests • Choose 2 or 3 things and do them well • Honesty • Reach, Match & Safety • Practice interviewing skills

25. Finding reach, match & safety • Some schools are reach schools for everyone • A reach school for one student may be a safety for another • Some students will always wonder “what if?” • Use the lists, look at the test score mid-ranges, look at other students • Maybe start with the lists of schools known to have strong programs in the interest area the gradually look at the other criteria

26. What are my chances? • Many students want to know . . . almost like dating . . . • Colleges post profiles of incoming classes • Web sites: • http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ • CollegeBoard’s College MatchMaker • CollegeConfidential’s SuperMatch • Princeton Review & others

27. Writing the Essays – Important Points • The essay can make the difference in the end result. • Start early. • The essay must be error-free. • The essay must be interesting. • Optional essays really are mandatory if you want to increase your odds of acceptance. • English teachers will help.

28. Parents will always ask about Financial Aid • More colleges are moving to only giving need-based aid • Admission is supposed to be need-blind • Most recommendations say “aim low” for better aid packages (schools where your child is overqualified) • Apply to different types of schools (private, state, AP credit, etc.) • Always apply for aid • You can always share what the competition is offering • Compile lists (scores needed for top merit scholarships) • New Federal law requires greater transparency

29. Campus Visits • Virtual or Real • A school may look ideal on paper . . . but not be a good fit once visited • Visits help students determine criteria • Dorms like palaces? • TA’s v. profs?

30. Common mistakes • Overestimating the child’s abilities; too many reach schools • Standardized testing (SAT II’s, ACT/SAT) • Not understanding the change in the landscape for college admissions • Waiting until the senior year to do everything • Herd mentality

31. Think of this as a journey . . . but one where you are not alone. • Guidance Dept. • Teachers • Former students • Coaches • Community • Gifted Services • Mentors