Life in the Big Ten: Admission to a State University

An Overview of this presentation Why do students believe that “bigger is better?” Analysis of four universities Questions to ask in researching programs at a big state university, with tips for admission Final comments

Bigger is better!?! Minnetonka High School has students, so for many seniors, their college list includes only schools that are bigger. Some want to attend a place that is much bigger – usually for financial or geographical reasons. All universities of 20,000+ students have departmental divisions, which provide a more personal experience to the students.

Bigger is better!?! Application is straightforward, with mostly objective questions Essay might be optional! Numerical academic index – admission can be predicted Rolling admission, with a fairly quick turnaround

Campuses with the largest enrollments in the United States University of Phoenix117,309 Miami Dade College54,169 Arizona State Univ at Tempe 51,612 Univ of Minnesota – Twin Cities51,175 The Ohio State University50,504 University of Texas at Austin50,403 University of Florida49,646

University of Minnesota – Twin Cities For fall 2006 Applicants:20,641 (priority deadline: Dec 15) Admitted:14,708 (71%) Enrolled:5,305 Undergrads:28,957 % in-state:67%

U of M, continued Admitting colleges for freshman enrollment and average ACT score College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences/College of Natural Resources24.3 College of Biological Sciences27.9 College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture/College of Human Ecology25.5 College of Education and Human Development/College of Human Ecology24.0

U of M, continued Admitting colleges for freshman enrollment and average ACT score College of Education and Human Development: General Studies 20.1 College of Liberal Arts25.8 Carlson School of Management28.2 Institute of Technology28.3

U of M, continued Admissions statistics: 51% of admitted students have a 3.8 gpa or better 34% of admitted students were ranked in top 10% Mid-50 th percentile on ACT: In-state comprehensive tuition fee: $17,200

University of Wisconsin - Madison For fall 2006 Applicants:22,648 (priority deadline: Feb. 1) Admitted:14,718 (68%) Enrolled:5,643 Undergrads:28,462 % in-state:61%

U of Wisconsin, continued Admitting colleges for freshman enrollment: College of Letters and Science (90%) College of Agricultural and Life Sciences College of Engineering School of Education School of Human Ecology

U of Wisconsin, continued Admissions statistics: 62% of admitted students have a 3.8 gpa or better 60% of admitted students were ranked in top 10% Mid-50 th percentile on ACT: Out-of-state* comprehensive tuition fee: $19,570 * reciprocity

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor For fall 2006 Applicants:23,882 (priority deadline: Oct 31) Admitted:13,610 (57% accepted) Enrolled:5,399 Undergrads:25,555 % in-state:66%

U of Michigan, continued Admitting colleges for freshman enrollment: Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) Engineering Art & Design Kinesiology Music, Theatre & Dance Nursing

U of Michigan, continued Admissions statistics: 67% of admitted students have a 3.8 gpa or better 92% of admitted students were ranked in top 10% Mid-50 th percentile on ACT: Out-of-state comprehensive tuition fee: $39,500

University of Iowa – Iowa City For fall 2006 Applicants:13,241 (priority deadline: Feb. 1) Admitted:11,122 (82%) Enrolled:4,017 Undergrads:19,566 % in-state:61%

U of Iowa, continued Admitting colleges for freshman enrollment: College of Liberal Arts & Science (95%) College of Engineering (5%) Sophomore year admission to: College of Nursing College of Business College of Education College of Pharmacy

U of Iowa, continued Admissions statistics: 31% of admitted students have a 3.8 gpa or better 22% of admitted students were ranked in top 10% Mid-50 th percentile on ACT: Out-of-state comprehensive tuition fee: $24,500

Questions to research in seeking admission to a big state university: What percent of classes have an enrollment over 100 students? How many of those classes have a “break-out” discussion section? How big is the Honors Program? What criteria are used for selection, or admission? When/where does course registration take place?

Questions, continued Housing is guaranteed for the freshman year, but then what? (On a tour, ask about where sophomores live!!) How many upperclassmen eat on campus? What are the plans/options? What credit is given for AP/IB courses? Is there preferred admission to a graduate program? How easy/difficult is it to conduct research?

Questions, continued How many students study abroad? How early do students make use of the career center? Who helps students set up an internship? How much does parking really cost? How many tickets can each student buy for the football game?

A few important final thoughts: Our priority in the college counseling program at Minnetonka High School – helping the student to find the right fit! College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won! Every student is encouraged to follow this rule: “You apply for admission to a college because you want to go there!”

The final word! The general rule about applying to a big state university: you should apply as soon as you’ve discovered the school is the right choice for you. Phillip Trout College Counselor Minnetonka High School