Upload
godfrey-bernard-malone
View
213
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
GETTING STARTED IN THE COLLEGE SELECTION PROCESS
Ben Shoemaker
Interim Director of Admission
Otterbein University
&
Keith Gehres
Assistant Director
Ohio State University
6 TOPICS1. Selecting a college, where to start
2. Researching colleges
3. Visiting campus effectively
4. What colleges look for
5. What factors influence admission
6. Misconceptions about preparing for and attending college
SELECTING A COLLEGE: WHERE TO START?
Develop criteria Your ideal school? Size, location, majors,
types of students… Gather information
guidebooks web/internet searches Counselors, teachers, professionals,
friends, family
PRIVATE COLLEGES 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
PUBLIC COLLEGES
13 in Ohio with 27 regional campuses Range in size from 2,000 to 42,000 Wide variety of academic major options Opportunities for research, leadership,
internships Tuition ranges $2,600 - $11,400 Merit and Need-based Financial Aid
RESEARCHING COLLEGES
Over 3200 colleges nationwide, how to find a good match
College handbooks and guides Websites College catalogs and viewbooks Colleges visiting your high school High school counselor On campus visits Suburban multicultural college fair in April Suburban college fair in September
RESEARCHING COLLEGES
Important considerations Admission policy Majors and course offerings Support and success services Campus life and housing Location and size Private or public Religious affiliation Physical facilities Cost
RESEARCHING COLLEGES
Favorite college search sites www.collegeboard.com
Select “find a college” www.princetonreview.com
Select “counselor-o-matic”
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
Ask a lot of questions Prepare a list ahead of time Know the institution Be ready to talk (students, this means you)
VISITING CAMPUSES EFFECTIVELY
Find the experts Students: social life, residence halls, classes,
professors Faculty: department strengths, success of
graduates, opportunities like internships or research Coaches, band directors, organization advisors:
schedule of activities, what kind of competition can you expect, how to prepare for audition or try-outs
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
VISITING CAMPUSES EFFECTIVELY
If you are looking at a residential campus, the student is going to live there, not just go to school
Eat the food See a room: classroom/residence hall room Arrange an overnight visit if possible Attend a campus event
VISITING CAMPUSES EFFECTIVELY
VISITING CAMPUSES EFFECTIVELY
Ask interactive questions Describe interactions 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 campus/town? How many times did you go home last
term/year?
Apply with care! Gather application materials
(paper, web, common app) Know the deadlines Note requirements
High school transcript Standardized test scores
(ACT, SAT I, SAT II) Essay Recommendations Interviews
WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR
High School Performance Four year college prep curriculum Performance based on GPA/class rank Grade trends Rigor of curriculum Competitiveness of high school
WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR
Standardized test scores May 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 need to include writing section for ACT May not be required at all
WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR
WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR
Extracurricular activities Never replaces academic preparation and performance Consistent involvement and leadership important
Service Consistent involvement Impact on student and/or community May lead to special scholarships
Other factors Legacy Diversity Religious affiliation Special talents Interviews
WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE ADMISSION?
NACAC 2011 admission trend survey High school graduates
Number of high school grads peaked in 2008-2009 Population expected to decline through 2014-2015
and remain below 2009 levels through at least 2020-2021
Wide variations by state and region Racial/ethnic composition changing
Total college enrollment 2009: approximately 20.4 million students enrolled 2020: enrollment will grow to an estimated 23
million students
WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE ADMISSION?
Local admission trends Students apply earlier
Early decision (binding) Early action (non-binding) Single choice early action (hybrid)
Students apply more often Impact on decision
Surprise by increasing selectivity Different for current students than siblings and
parents Increasing use of technology
Makes exploration easier but can be overwhelming
Fiction: Getting into college is the hardest partFact: For most students, completing college is the
hardest part
Fiction: My senior year does not matterFact: Senior classes determine which classes you may
take and how well prepared you are for those classes
STUDENT MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PREPARING FOR AND ATTENDING
COLLEGE
Fiction: It’s better to take easier classes in high school and get better gradesFact: One of the best predictors of college success is
taking rigorous courses
Fiction: I can take whatever classes I want when I get to collegeFact: Most colleges require entering students to take
placement exams in core subject areas
STUDENT MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PREPARING FOR AND ATTENDING
COLLEGE