Selective College Admissions

1. Selective College Admissions

2. Non Selective Admissions • Test Scores • GPA • Class Rank • Minimum Required Courses • Examples: KU, MU, K-State, Emporia State

3. Selective Admissions Process • Transcript • Courses and Grades Earned • GPA • Class Rank • Test Scores • Recommendations from Counselor and Teachers • Essay • Extra-curricular Activities including Leadership - Resume • Examples: Private colleges (Drake, Harvard, Creighton) and highly selective public (Univ. of Michigan)

4. College Planning Timeline • SME Counselors website • Junior Year Timeline • Senior Year Timeline

5. College Admissions Testing

6. General Information • ACT, SAT, Subject Tests • First testing in spring Junior year • Allow time for retakes - unlimited • Value of Test Prep • Which Test? 99% of all colleges accept either score.

7. General Information Continued • Reporting Scores to Colleges • Removing Scores from Your Transcript • What is a “Super Score”?

8. SAT Reasoning Test • Tests Problem-Solving and Critical Analysis Skills • Writing Section Required • Perfect Score 800/2400 • Score Choice Policy • Register on www.collegeboard.com

9. ACT • Tests Knowledge in Content Areas • Writing Section is Optional – Check Colleges • Perfect Score 36 • Score Choice Policy • Register with www.act.org

10. SAT Subject Tests • Tests knowledge in specific content areas. • Highly selective colleges only – check colleges • Don’t take unless required. • Take when you have completed the highest level of instruction. • Administered on same day as SAT Reasoning Test. • Option to take 1 to 3 on a Saturday – each 1 hour long • Register at www.collegeboard.com

11. Creating Your List of Colleges Safety, Probable, Reach • Maximum of 2-3 Colleges for each Category • Analyze Information to Determine Category • Average Test Scores • Course Requirements or Recommendations • Acceptance Percentages • Average GPA

12. College Search Resources • College Search Websites • www.collegeboard.com • www.petersons.com • Admissions Representatives • Calendar on SME Counselor Website • Announcements • Sign Up in Counseling Office

13. Researching Colleges • College Websites • Great Resources • Rugg’s Recommendations on Colleges • Fiske Guide to College • Insider’s Guide to Colleges 2012 • The Best 376 Colleges by Princeton Review • www.collegeboard.com • www.petersons.com

14. College Visits • Handout on SME Counselors Website for Questions • Call Admissions Office to Register • Large Group Presentation/Small Group Tour • Senior Year – May schedule interviews, overnights, or meeting with department chairs.

15. College Visits Continued • Visit when classes are in session. • Determine Priority List before Visit • Informal Checks • Bulletin Boards • Student Newspaper • Events in the Student Union

16. College Clinic • Junior Year - College Search Information • Senior Year • Specific Information about Applications, Majors, Activities on campus, etc. • Personal Introduction to Admissions Counselors

17. Types of ApplicationDeadlines

18. Non-Restrictive Applications Rolling Admission • Colleges review applications as they are submitted and render admissions decisions throughout the admissions cycle. • Toward the end of the cycle, admissions may become more competitive. • Non-Binding

19. Regular Decision • Students submit their applications by a specific deadline and receive their decisions on the same date identified by the college. • Applicant pool is reviewed at the same time. • Non-Binding

20. Early Action • Students apply early and receive an admissions decision prior to the college’s regular decision date. • May still apply to other colleges. • Know early in the process about decision. • Receive financial aid package in spring and compare with others. • Must plan ahead for testing. • Non-Binding

21. Restrictive Applications Restrictive Early Action (REA) • Students apply to a preferred college and receive a decision early. The student may be restricted to applying EA or ED to other colleges. If admitted, student may confirm attendance by May 1. • Plan ahead for testing. • Receive financial aid packages in spring and compare with others. • Non-Binding

22. Early Decision • Students make a commitment to a first-choice college and if admitted, the student will attend. Application and decision deadline are early. • May only apply to one college Early Decision and if admitted must withdraw all other regular or early action applications in writing. • Will receive financial aid package with decision. • Plan testing in advance. • Admissions advantage????? • BINDING AGREEMENT

23. Common Application • Online application which may be submitted to multiple colleges. • www.commonapp.org • College must use the selective admissions process to offer this application. • Must identify your counselor using the “ea” email address who will provide a recommendation and submit your transcript online. Must still sign pink transcript card. • Teachers may or may not use the online recommendation. • Be sure to check supplements.

24. Counselor Recommendations • Not required for all colleges • Signed Transcript Release Form turned in to the Counseling Office • Complete Personal Information Sheet, Parent Information Sheet(s) and resume. Then… • Make appointment at least 4 weeks prior to your earliest deadline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

25. Teacher Recommendations • Ask teachers if they are willing to write a recommendation. • Focus on teachers from junior year, possibly senior year. • Consider core curriculum and choice of major. • Provide stamped, addressed envelopes for each college. • Write a thank you note.

26. Process in SME’s Counseling Office • Transcripts • Transcript Release Form • Waiving Your Rights • Pink Transcript Card • Electronic Transmissions – Free • Mailed Transcripts - First 5 are free then $2.00 each • Envelopes and Postage – Not needed • Deadlines – 1 month prior to your earliest application deadline

27. Questions???