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Getting Started in the College Selection Process

Getting Started in the College Selection Process. 5 Topics. Private & Public College Perspective College testing Researching colleges What Factors Influence Admission?. PRIVATE & PUBLIC SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE. Cass Johnson, Ph.D. Director of Admission Otterbein College &

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Getting Started in the College Selection Process

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  1. Getting Started in the College Selection Process

  2. 5 Topics • Private & Public College Perspective • College testing • Researching colleges • What Factors Influence Admission?

  3. PRIVATE & PUBLIC SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE Cass Johnson, Ph.D. Director of Admission Otterbein College & Jefferson R. Blackburn-Smith Sr. Associate Director Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience Ohio State University

  4. Selecting a College: Where to Start? • 1. Develop criteria • Your ideal school? Size, location, majors, types of students… • 2. Gather Information • Resources: guidebooks • web/internet searches • counselors/teachers/professionals…

  5. 50+ in Ohio, over 130,000 students Diversity of schools: liberal arts, nursing, professional schools (CCAD) Small classes taught by professors Opportunities for research, leadership, internships Strong graduation rates Tuition ranges $8,400 - $40,240 Financial aid/scholarships Private Colleges

  6. 13 in Ohio with 27 regional campuses Range in size from 2,000 to 40,000 Wide variety of academic major options Opportunities for research, leadership, internships Tuition ranges $2,600 - $11,400 Merit and Need-based Financial Aid Public Colleges

  7. Visiting Campuses Effectively: • Plan ahead for a visit. (spring of junior year!) • Ask the college what they recommend • Be certain that classes are in session. • Information session or formal interview • Is the tour a walking tour?

  8. 2) Ask a lot of questions. • Prepare a list ahead of time. • Be prepared-know about the institution • Be ready to talk (students!)

  9. 3) Find the experts • Students: social life, dorm life, what classes are like, what teachers they like, dislike… • Faculty: Department strengths, successes of their graduates, special opportunities like internships • Coaches, Band director, Cheerleading advisor, etc.: schedule of their activities, what kind of competition for participation can you expect, how to prepare for auditions, etc.

  10. Admission/Financial Aid Counselors: Costs, scholarship opportunities, college stats like retention rates, chances of being admitted, special support services, safety issues –those things that are a concern to you.

  11. 4) Remember, • -Eat the food • -See a room or two • -Arrange an overnight visit if possible • -Attend a campus event if you are looking at a residential campus, the student is going to live there, not just go to school.

  12. 5) Ask interactive questions: • Describe the interactions you have with your professors • What do you and your friends do for fun? • What did you do last weekend? • What extra expenses surprised you? • How do you get around the campus? Into town? • How many times did you go home last term?

  13. Apply (with care!) • Gather application materials (paper, web, common app) • Note deadlines • Note requirements: -HS Transcript -Standardized tests ( ACT, SAT I, SAT IIs,) - Essay - Recommendations - Interviews

  14.  What Colleges Look for… A.High school performance • -Rigor of curriculum • -grades/grade trend • -class rank • -competitiveness of high school

  15. B. Standardized test scores • -can help to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses • -may be used for placement • -may be used for scholarship cut-offs • -may not be weighed as heavily if high school record is strong • -may not be required!

  16. C. Extra curricular activities • -never take the place of academic preparation • -consistent involvement and leadership important

  17. D. Service • Consistent involvement • May lead to special scholarships

  18. E. Other • -legacy • -ethnic diversity • -geographic diversity • - religious affiliation • -special talents • -interview/alumni

  19. Researching Colleges

  20. Over 3200 (2 & 4 years) Colleges • How do I find a good match?

  21. How Do I Research Colleges? • College handbooks and guides • Websites • College catalogs and viewbooks • Suburban College Fair • Suburban Multicultural College Fair • Colleges visiting high schools • Guidance counselor • nCampus visits

  22. Favorite College Search Sites • www.collegeboard.com • Select “Find A College” • www.princetonreview.com • Select “Counselor-O-Matic”

  23. Important Considerations • Admission Policy • Majors and course offerings • Support services • Campus life and housing • Location and size • Private or public • Religious affiliation • Physical facilities • Cost

  24. What Factors Influence Admission? • NACAC 2009 Admission Trend Survey

  25. The Flow of Students • Number of HS Grads will Peak at 3.33 Million for 2008–09 • Wide Variations By State and Region • Racial/Ethnic Composition Changing • Total College Enrollment Will Increase At Least Through 2016

  26. Tops Factors in the Admission Decision • Top Factors Unchanged • Grades in College Prep Courses • Strength of Curriculum • Test Scores (SAT/ACT) • Overall GPA • New Question:Why Colleges Revoke Admission Offers

  27. Colleges Considered Factors in the Admission Decision • Grades in college prep • Strength of curriculum • Admission test scores • Grades in all courses • Essay or writing sample • Class rank • Demonstrated interest • Counselor recommendation • Teacher recommendation • Interview • Subject test scores (AP, IB) • Extracurricular activities • SAT II scores • State graduation exam scores • Work

  28. Local Admission Trend • Students are being encouraged to apply earlier and more often • Earlier • Early decision (binding), early action (non-binding), single choice early action (hybrid) • Want students they select to enroll • More Often • Improves selectivity

  29. Local Admission Trend • Students and parents are surprised by increasing selectivity of colleges • Different for current students than siblings and parents

  30. Local Admission Trend • Increasing use of technology for college exploration and application • Makes exploration easier • Makes application more difficult

  31. Getting into college is the hardest part For most students, completing college is the hardest part Student Misconceptions about Preparing for and Attending College • My senior year does not matter • Senior classes determine which classes you can take and how well prepared you are for those classes

  32. It’s better to take easier classes in high school and get better grades One of the best predictors of college success is taking rigorous courses Student Misconceptions about Preparing for and Attending College • Most colleges require entering students to take placement exams in core subject areas • I can take whatever classes I want when I get to college

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