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Admission Strategies for Top Tier Colleges

Learn how the college application process has evolved over the years and discover effective strategies to increase your chances of admission to top tier colleges. Find out what selective colleges are looking for and how to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate.

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Admission Strategies for Top Tier Colleges

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  1. Admission Strategies for Top Tier Colleges Debbie Austin, College Advisor September 19, 2009

  2. A Lot Has Changed in the Last 25 Years • The college application process used to be much simpler • You found a college you liked • You applied • If you were qualified, you were admitted and you enrolled • Today, the process is highly commercialized, resulting in a college admissions game that we play with each other.

  3. How Did This Happen? • 1983 – First U.S. News and World Report came out with their rankings of “America’s Best Colleges” which overnight changed the way colleges looked at themselves. • The focus changed from educating students to the business of marketing to students. • US News & World Report’s method of ranking schools changes slightly every year, so colleges move back and forth, more magazines are sold, and admissions officers continue to play games with our students.

  4. Goal: Get As Many Applications As Possible into the Funnel • 100,000 pre-inquiry group (mailings) • 30,000 inquiry group (responses) • 8,000 applications • 2,000 admits • 500 enroll • Yield = the % of admitted students who actually enroll at the college • Priority/Express/Distinctive Candidate Apps • 2008 – 4,000 apps; 2,000 admits = 50% admit rate • 2009 – 6,000 apps; 2,000 admits = 33.3% admit rate • Students see the college as more selective, then more students apply, and the college’s ranking increases

  5. Doors of Enrollment • Early Decision • Regular Decision • Wait Lists • January Admit Colleges always have their selectivity and yield in mind as they make admission decisions. “Who is most likely to accept our offer of admission?” “It’s not about you, it’s about us.”

  6. What are Selective Colleges Looking For? • Colleges are not necessarily looking for “well-rounded” students anymore; they are looking to make a well-rounded student body • Colleges prefer to see you participate in 1 or 2 things in depth, rather than 10 – 12 things • Community service is not necessarily better than getting a job • Find leadership opportunities outside of school • Show interest in the school (visit, college fairs, college rep visits to SF, etc) • Pick something you like and stick with it!

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