Getting into Selective Colleges & Universities

1. Getting into Selective Colleges & Universities 1

2. How are these schools different from public universities? • Timelines for admission vary, depending on your college or university • Content of the application varies • Extensive essays are generally critical to the process • Letters of recommendation can make or break your chances • Your sources for recommendations are critical • Common Application can be used for many schools • CSS Profile is expected with most of these schools • Typed applications are a must • Your sources for recommendations are critical • Scholarship Opportunities • Cost per year • Cross Disciplines for undergraduate degrees

3. Selection • Narrow your search • Geographically Desirable Locations • What is it that you want to get from your college experience • Look for alternative majors that are not common trademarks • What is the school’s demographic design • What endowments does the school have to offer

4. Great Beginnings: AICCU Webpageaiccu.edu • AICCU - Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities • www.aiccu.edu • The Guide to AICCU Colleges • Search for AICCU schools by geographical area, type of school, category, or academic program.

5. Great Beginnings: Colleges That Change Livesaiccu.edu • www.ctcl.org • Guide to 40 colleges that have Ivy League results, but without the stiff competition. • Compare the differences • Explore a different way of looking at education

6. Great Beginnings:Comparing Independent Colleges or Universities-Ucan-network.org www.ucan-network.org • Compare private colleges in the United States • Search by categories like: -Average GPA accepted -Average loan debt

7. Commit to 100 + hours Community service, extracurricular activities September SAT & ACT Testing Registration Create Student Resume Timetable to Remember -Keep an agenda!

8. Student Personal Statements SAT I or II ACT Testing October Ask Sources for Letters of Recommendation Timetable - Keep an agenda!

9. November Common Application/ College Specific Applications Received Pre – Type Portions of recommendation forms for Sources and Distribute SAT I or II Or ACT Testing Finished Timetable

10. December Scholarship or Endowment Opportunities Generally need Application Received by The 10th or 15th Analyze Results of SAT or ACT Testing Determining Realistic Options Filter your choices: 1- Dream School 2- Realistic Option 3- 2nd Choice Timetable

11. Common Application www.commonapp.org • Apply to many colleges at once • Some schools have fee waivers • You may have to pay for some schools ($55) • Supplemental sections will vary per school (i.e.: graded document, additional personal statements) • Check college websites! Sometimes they have a free application on their website.

12. Universal Application www.universalcollegeapp.com • Similar to common Application • Review list of colleges that honor this application

13. www.collegeboard.com CollegeBoard • Sign Up for SATs • Sign Up for AP tests • Fill out College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile -you can transfer information to FAFSA

14. FAFSA!? www.fafsa.ed.gov. • Government financial aid analysis • Will need Parent Taxes • Will need your Social Security Number • Schools need this to give you a financial aid package

15. Personal Statements • Generally, you will need three different types of letters: • How did you develop your interest in your major? Describe experiences. • Describe a personal quality, accomplishment and/or accomplishment. • Life defining moment. Do speak of empowerment, do not dwell on the hardships. • Start Early and complete all three • *use as needed in applications*

16. Letters of Recommendation • Higher Education Coordinator • School Counselor • Community Service Supervisor • Athletic Coaches • Club Advisors or individuals who can speak of your character • Teachers • > You will need 2 to 3 letters • > Ask in advance • > How long have they known you? Do they know you? (if not, introduce yourself now)

17. Visitations/Orientations • Connect with your Higher Education Coordinator frequently regarding presentations from Private Schools that are being conducted throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties • Research when visitations are scheduled for your primary choice colleges or universities throughout the Fall semester and go with your family to visit each one • If your college is out of state, don’t be shy to ask about fly out programs. Many times THEY WILL (and it does not hurt to ask).

18. High School Coursework • Try to take AP classes somewhere throughout your high school years. • Challenge yourself by keeping a rigorous schedule. • However – There is no need to take every AP course available especially if it will compromise your overall GPA. • Unweighted GPA’s & Class Ranks are also critical aspects to the admission process.

19. High School Coursework - continued • Be careful to not bite off more than you can chew. Colleges are looking for the well-rounded students – ones who can balance their time among coursework, community service, and school activities or sports

20. High School Coursework - continued • Enrich your academic program by taking classes at the community college. This shows the admission team that you are serious about higher education and that you are not afraid to be challenged.

21. Pros for attending selective colleges & universities • A four year undergraduate degree is obtained in “4 years” about 95% of the time.

22. Pros for attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Public Schools, such as the CSU & UC system, generally take at least 5 years, sometimes as much as 6 or 7, to obtain the same “4 year” degree.

23. Pros for attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Class size – do you know what kind of learner you are? Class sizes range from 12-30 students.

24. Pros for attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Opportunities to know your professors are heightened due to the smaller class size

25. Pros for attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Selective colleges have “endowments” that supplement the financial aid packages given through FAFSA • Endowments = internal private discretionary funding

26. Pros for attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Many selective schools have study abroad opportunities and internships that can’t be matched at public schools

27. Pros for attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Employment and other opportunities for graduates are established through the relationships and connections they make throughout their four years

28. Pros for attending selective colleges & universities - continued • The reality is student loans will need to be obtained no matter where you go. The sooner you graduate, the sooner you can start paying them off

29. Pros for attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Loans amount will vary. • Your family income and their desire to have YOU on campus will be crucial. • >UC Berkeley: $7,000 per year • >Cal-State Humboldt: $4,500 • >Goucher: $5,000 per year • >George Fox: $5,500 • >Colgate: $1,700

30. Cons for not attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Majors & minors can sometimes be lumped together for lack of extensive course options

31. Cons for not attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Diversity is minimal. Non-Caucasian students sometimes feel isolated and alone when they are not emotionally prepared to deal with this new experience

32. Cons for not attending selective colleges & universities - continued • Fewer students from similar socio-economic backgrounds. Sometimes, this makes assimilating to the new educational environment an on-going adjustment

33. Websites: Colleges Careers • CollegeBoard.com • CaliforniaColleges.edu • Fafsa.ed.gov • Selective School sites : (ie:standford.edu,harvard.edu, usc.edu) • Volunteermatch.org • Universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/ undergrad_adm/apply/how_apply/personalstatement.html • http://www.khake.com/page2.html • http://www.careerexplorer. net/ • http://careers.state.gov/ • https://myroad.collegeboard.com/ • http://www.educationplann-er.com/ • http://californiacolleges.edu/ • http://www.aessuccess.org/ • Myroad.collegeboard.com/myroad/navigator.jsp?t=colleges&i=index

34. Early Action vs. Early Decision vs. Regular Decision • Early Action = Binding Agreement (YOU have to Go) • Early Decision = Your decision arrives earlier. • Regular Decision = Your decision arrives within college’s “regular” time frame.

35. DEADLINES VARY • As early as November 15 • Many applications due December 15 • January through February • Rolling Admissions (until class is filled)

36. Early Action - continued • One – the admissions “team” for selective schools all know each other. Should you think you will be pulling a fast one over on them, believe me, they will know. They will question why a student is applying to multiple selective schools if they are trying for Early Action to theirs.

37. Early Action - continued • Two – if you are not admitted in the Early Action timeline, you can NOT re-apply for “general” admission”

38. Q & A • What questions do you now have?