College Admissions Process What types of students are colleges looking for?

Well-Rounded Students? “Colleges are not looking for well-rounded students, they are looking for a well-rounded freshman class” -Paul Lysnsky (MEFA – Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority)

What is the difference between the two? A Well-Rounded student is involved in numerous activities with no clear focus A well-rounded freshman class is composed of a variety of “specialists” – kids who do few activities but show focus and passion for those few areas

Did you know? jobs are open to a person with only a high school diploma 70% of applicants get accepted to his/her top choice school

What components go into a college admissions decision? Transcript Standardized tests Activities, involvement, leadership Interview Essay Letter of recommendation

Did you know? Your grades/transcript are an inadequate factor in the decision to accept you as a student into any particular post-secondary institution. Why?

Competition! You are competing against other students who have similar grades as you. There are lots of kids who present the same grades and standardized test scores as YOU. What makes YOU different!!??

How competitive is it? Last year, Northeastern had 44,189 applicants for 2,800 freshman seats. colleges/northeastern-university colleges/northeastern-university SAT SCORES LAST YEAR Total: Critical Reading: Math: Writing:

More competition stats… Boston College 2012 More than 50% of freshmen were in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT I or over 26 on the ACT; about 60% or fewer of all applicants accepted. University of New Hampshire More than 75% of freshmen were in the top 50% of their high school class and scored over 1010 on the SAT I or over 18 on the ACT; about 85% or fewer of all applicants accepted.

But I ’ m an exceptional student and am really involved….. So what, so is everyone else! For top level schools it is a given that you are exceptional What is different about you?

How can I stand out in a crowd? Figure out what your individual strengths are What do you like? What are you passionate about? Academic or non-academic Take BOTH SAT and ACT Write an unforgettable essay Wow them in the interview Show genuine interest in a particular school

Take the SAT and ACT Almost all colleges take both tests SAT = subject knowledge ACT = aptitude (good for the those who feel they don’t test well) If you take both, you can chose the better scoring test to submit or the college will choose the better score when review your application

You Need to Know On average, college admissions officers spend seconds reading your essay. At larger schools such as UMASS Amherst, UNH, URI, etc. each admissions officer has roughly 1600 files to review. They read 8-10 hours a day for about 10 weeks.

What Does That Mean? Your essay is a critical component that will distinguish you from the rest of the applicants

Write an unforgettable essay! Good Composition (good writing) is assumed to be there. If that is lacking, you will be denied Content is critical – What do I want the reader to know about me? Must be interesting 2-3 points maximum Catch interest with the introduction No one else could write it Strong finish The story is not as important as the impact

The bottom line… What’s the message is more important than the story Basketball story about making the shot vs. what made you take the last shot (the latter is more important and interesting)

“ We don ’ t care if the shot goes in, we care where you got the leadership and confidence to take that last-second shot ” -Paul Lysnsky

Junior Year To Do List source – Countdown to College: 21 To Do Lists for High School Throughout the year…. Concentrate on your GPA – keep grades high and courses as challenging as possible Get information from colleges you’re considering Intensify your scholarship search – keep track of deadlines and requirements Attend career days, college fairs and financial aid workshops Start your in-depth college visits this year

Junior Year To Do List source – Countdown to College: 21 To Do Lists for High School This Fall… Meet with your counselor. Be sure your classes are on the right track for the colleges you are considering. Register and take the PSAT. This year it counts for National Merit Scholarships. Talk to your coach if you want to play for a college team or apply for athletic scholarships Schedule dates to take SAT and ACT at end of your Junior year. Investigate financial aid programs now Contact US Military academies now if you have an interest. Research summer workshops and college courses for high school students.

What else to think about… College Recommendation Letters You’ll probably be asking teachers from your junior year for some of your recommendations This is the year to impress and be active in class Colleges expect you to be “motivated” and a “hard worker” – what else do you bring to the classroom environment? Writing Samples/Graded Work – some schools want them – hold onto assignments that have teacher comments and a good grade

Resources Your Guidance Office is a goldmine of information – USE IT!! Peruse Amazon– there are volumes of information on what to do to prepare for college and the process itself Get an SAT and ACT test practice book…work on it! Countdown to College: 21 To Do Lists for High School – Evers has is, you can check it out. Go to collegeboard.com and sign up for daily SAT s.

Practice Essay 1. Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. 2. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. 3. Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence. 4. Describe a character in fiction, a historic figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence. 5. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you. 6. Topic of your choice.