Removing the Mystery:Removing the Mystery:Important Trends Important Trends ImpactingImpacting the College the College

Admission ProcessAdmission Process

Martin WalshMartin WalshAssistant Dean-Office of Undergraduate Admission- Assistant Dean-Office of Undergraduate Admission-

Stanford UniversityStanford UniversitySenior Director of Admission Santa Clara UniversitySenior Director of Admission Santa Clara University

College CounselorCollege Counselor

Confusion and FrustrationConfusion and Frustration

““College Admissions is like a College Admissions is like a casino gamecasino game on Marson Mars: You : You have to guess the rules of the have to guess the rules of the game you are playing, and the game you are playing, and the rules can change while you are rules can change while you are playing it.” playing it.”

– – The Early Admissions GameThe Early Admissions Game By Christoper AveryBy Christoper Avery

How Do I Get Admitted?How Do I Get Admitted? Understanding the Important Admissions Trends Understanding the Important Admissions Trends

Impacting Your ApplicationImpacting Your Application

HolisticHolistic NotNot NumericNumeric EvaluationEvaluation MeritMerit MeritsMerits MeritMerit GenderGender GapsGaps TheThe QuestQuest forfor Geographic DiversityGeographic Diversity The Expanded Use of Safety NetsThe Expanded Use of Safety Nets Early Applications = Early AcceptanceEarly Applications = Early Acceptance The “Echo-boom” ContinuesThe “Echo-boom” Continues

How will my application be How will my application be evaluated? evaluated? Public or Public or

Private?Private? Holistic or Holistic or

Numeric?Numeric?

Numeric EvaluationNumeric Evaluation

Formula BasedFormula Based SAT/ACT + GPASAT/ACT + GPA

Focus Focus LimitedLimited Less PersonalLess Personal Reader/ReviewersReader/Reviewers

The University of The University of CaliforniaCalifornia ELCELC Comprehensive Comprehensive

ReviewReview

Comprehensive Review and the UC SystemComprehensive Review and the UC System

Used by Selective UC CampusesUsed by Selective UC Campuses Allows for readers to look at all the Allows for readers to look at all the

information provided by the studentinformation provided by the student Campuses will draw from 14 criteria Campuses will draw from 14 criteria

approved by the University facultyapproved by the University faculty ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT REMAINS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT REMAINS

THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORTHE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR The criteria is often more holistic – and The criteria is often more holistic – and

may include assessing the special talents may include assessing the special talents of the applicant or accomplishments in light of the applicant or accomplishments in light of life experience. of life experience.

Holistic Evaluation and AdmissionHolistic Evaluation and Admission

College Admission & College Admission & Holistic ReviewHolistic Review::

Defined:Defined:

- - Movement away from a Movement away from a numeric formula.numeric formula.

* 100% of a * 100% of a selective private university’s selective private university’s applicant pool will get a applicant pool will get a “holistic” read. “holistic” read. -The “two-prong” evaluation -The “two-prong” evaluation focuses upon personal and focuses upon personal and academic qualifications. academic qualifications.

Motivation:Motivation:- - The The GratzGratz Case: Point Case: Point System too mechanicalSystem too mechanical-Crafting the Class-Crafting the Class

*Ethnic Diversity*Ethnic Diversity**Academic Academic

ExpectationsExpectations* * Socio-economic Socio-economic

considerationsconsiderations

Holistic Review-ExplainedHolistic Review-Explained Academic EvaluationAcademic Evaluation

--Often more “number basedOften more “number based-May involve filling in or -May involve filling in or checking off boxes. checking off boxes. - Can take into account a - Can take into account a variety of factors and variety of factors and assign varying import to assign varying import to each factor. each factor. -GPA, course rigor, SAT’s, -GPA, course rigor, SAT’s, competitive ranking of high competitive ranking of high school, essayschool, essay

Personal Evaluation Personal Evaluation -Issue: What factors are -Issue: What factors are examined by universities examined by universities when evaluating the when evaluating the “personal characteristics” of “personal characteristics” of an applicant?an applicant?

The Academic EvaluationThe Academic Evaluation

Most private universities will look at the Most private universities will look at the following academic factors when assessing following academic factors when assessing an application:an application: GPAGPA Course Rigor 9-11Course Rigor 9-11thth grade grade Course Rigor 12Course Rigor 12thth grade grade High School’s academic reputation and High School’s academic reputation and

qualificationsqualifications SAT’s/ACT’sSAT’s/ACT’s

How How importantimportant are standardized exams are standardized exams? ? The average scores of SAT college entrance exams dropped The average scores of SAT college entrance exams dropped

slightly for students headed to the University of California next slightly for students headed to the University of California next fall, the second year of decline from a fall, the second year of decline from a peak in 2004peak in 2004..

The average SAT : 1760The average SAT : 1760 For the more competitive Ivy or IVY+ schools breaking 2100 For the more competitive Ivy or IVY+ schools breaking 2100

on the SAT is advisedon the SAT is advised Student EssayStudent Essay

Admission TIPAdmission TIP: The AP Program & College Admission: The AP Program & College Admission

NumbersNumbers 2 million AP exams taken in 20062 million AP exams taken in 2006 Number of AP schools up 36%Number of AP schools up 36%

Concerns at the university levelConcerns at the university level Quality and consistency of the high school coursesQuality and consistency of the high school courses Lost revenue as students “test out’ of classesLost revenue as students “test out’ of classes ““No correlation between AP course selection and success at the university No correlation between AP course selection and success at the university

level.”level.” - University of California (2004)- University of California (2004)

New New College BoardCollege Board Policies Policies Lesson Plan ReviewsLesson Plan Reviews for teachers for teachers High Schools will need authorization to teach the APHigh Schools will need authorization to teach the AP School visits by School visits by College BoardCollege Board

Impact on the Admission ProcessImpact on the Admission Process Will extra admission points continued to be awarded to applicants with AP Will extra admission points continued to be awarded to applicants with AP

courses on their transcript?courses on their transcript? Will the IB program be given greater weight in the admission process? Or, Will the IB program be given greater weight in the admission process? Or,

are IB programs under the same scrutiny?are IB programs under the same scrutiny? Greater focus and credit on students who are not only taking AP classes, Greater focus and credit on students who are not only taking AP classes,

but also have passed an exam.but also have passed an exam. Increased importance of a high school’s AP profile. Increased importance of a high school’s AP profile.

The number of students taking the exam.The number of students taking the exam. The number of students passing the exam (4 or above)The number of students passing the exam (4 or above)

Admission Tip-Admission Tip-The I.B Program & SuccessThe I.B Program & Success

The IB Program and Academic Success at the The IB Program and Academic Success at the University LevelUniversity Level University of FloridaUniversity of Florida

59% of the students held a GPA of 3.0 or above.59% of the students held a GPA of 3.0 or above. 91.7% of the students had taken IB courses in high 91.7% of the students had taken IB courses in high

schoolschool Virginia Tech-Virginia Tech- of the 100 IB students in the school, of the 100 IB students in the school,

88% had a GPA of 3.0 or above. Only 41% of the AP 88% had a GPA of 3.0 or above. Only 41% of the AP students had a GPA of 3.0 or above.students had a GPA of 3.0 or above.

University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania: “(The) IB program : “(The) IB program favorably impacted a students ability to understand favorably impacted a students ability to understand complex assignments and to organize time during the complex assignments and to organize time during the first year of college. first year of college.

IB ScholarshipsIB Scholarships

HL exams and College CreditHL exams and College Credit SL exams and College CreditSL exams and College Credit IB Scholars ProgramIB Scholars Program

DefinedDefined Oregon State UniversityOregon State University Southern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist University Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara University

What are the common “personal What are the common “personal characteristics” evaluated by characteristics” evaluated by universities?universities? Admission TIP:Admission TIP:

Know your audience! Know your audience! Research the schools Research the schools you are applying to!you are applying to!

Go to the web! Many Go to the web! Many universities are quite universities are quite transparent about their transparent about their admission criteriaadmission criteria

Examples-visit the website of:Examples-visit the website of: University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan

Common factors evaluated Common factors evaluated include: include:

Purpose, Passion and Purpose, Passion and MeaningMeaning

Intellectual VitalityIntellectual Vitality Life ChallengesLife Challenges Character/Commitment to Character/Commitment to

the Highest Idealsthe Highest Ideals Personal AchievementPersonal Achievement

1.1. Out of classOut of class Extra work? Projects? Extra work? Projects?

Internships? Internships? Role of subject matter in Role of subject matter in

decision to apply to a decision to apply to a particular universityparticular university

Is this a “passionate life-Is this a “passionate life-long learner?”long learner?”

2.2. School leadershipSchool leadership Awards? Awards? Lead group projects?Lead group projects?

3.3. Character/CommitmentCharacter/Commitment Evidence of strong Evidence of strong

personal values and a personal values and a commitment to ideals commitment to ideals that match well with the that match well with the university.university.

What Can the Applicant Do? What Can the Applicant Do?

Time and Effort into the Time and Effort into the ApplicationApplication

The SummerThe Summer

The ApplicationThe Application

Personal StatementPersonal Statement* * Incredibly ImportantIncredibly Important

* Vitality, Thought and Reflection* Vitality, Thought and Reflection* The best place to address the holistic * The best place to address the holistic criteria of each university. criteria of each university.

The Why QuestionThe Why Question Make the connection between Make the connection between

your skills and interests and the your skills and interests and the programs offered by the programs offered by the universityuniversity

Summer before Senior YearSummer before Senior Year

DO SOMETHING!DO SOMETHING! WorkWork InternshipInternship TravelTravel Journal/BlogJournal/Blog Start a CompanyStart a Company Show that you have taken Show that you have taken

ownership of your life and ownership of your life and learning! learning!

Admission Tip:Admission Tip:

Know Your Legacy Status!Know Your Legacy Status! Defined:Defined:

Parents, Grandparents, RelativesParents, Grandparents, Relatives If I am a legacy, how will this impact the If I am a legacy, how will this impact the

admission decision? admission decision? School visitSchool visit Admission PolicyAdmission Policy AidAid

Why do universities favor legacy Why do universities favor legacy applicants? applicants? Increased yieldIncreased yield Vote of ConfidenceVote of Confidence DevelopmentDevelopment

Trend #2: Merit Merits MeritTrend #2: Merit Merits Merit Merit Based Aid Versus Need Based AidMerit Based Aid Versus Need Based Aid ““Need Based” UniversitiesNeed Based” Universities

Need BlindNeed Blind Need AwareNeed Aware Guaranteed to meet 100% of NeedGuaranteed to meet 100% of Need

The “Model” System of Awarding Aid and ScholarshipsThe “Model” System of Awarding Aid and Scholarships How will private colleges react to the economic How will private colleges react to the economic

downturn? downturn? Tuition driven institutions! Tuition driven institutions! They can’t lose studentsThey can’t lose students They will still offers discounts and scholarshipsThey will still offers discounts and scholarships They will cut back in other areas –They will cut back in other areas –

New hiresNew hires New BuildingsNew Buildings

Trend # 3: The Gender GapTrend # 3: The Gender Gap

NumbersNumbers1.1. 56% ACT/SAT exam takers were female.56% ACT/SAT exam takers were female.2.2. 712,00 women graduated from college, while 513,000 712,00 women graduated from college, while 513,000

men earned their bachelors.men earned their bachelors.3.3. Women dominate the top deciles of class rankingsWomen dominate the top deciles of class rankings4.4. USD: 60/40 female to maleUSD: 60/40 female to male5.5. Santa Clara University: 57/43 female to maleSanta Clara University: 57/43 female to male6.6. LMU: 59/41 female to maleLMU: 59/41 female to male

Impact on AdmissionImpact on Admission1.1. Males as a new category in need of affirmative actionMales as a new category in need of affirmative action2.2. Adjusted admission decisionsAdjusted admission decisions

Impact on AidImpact on Aid

Trend #4:The Expanded Use Trend #4:The Expanded Use of Safety Netsof Safety Nets How best to deal with the “How best to deal with the “Unpredictable NatureUnpredictable Nature” of ” of

the 21the 21stst century teenager? century teenager? What if we admit too many? What if we admit too many? What if we lower our admit numbers and create a What if we lower our admit numbers and create a

large waitlist?large waitlist? Claremont McKenna College- 600/WL ~ 25Claremont McKenna College- 600/WL ~ 25 Tufts University- 1,800/WL ~ 0Tufts University- 1,800/WL ~ 0 SCU- 700/WL ~ 100SCU- 700/WL ~ 100

The NYU ModelThe NYU Model Why a university may like a large waitlist.Why a university may like a large waitlist.

Polite denyPolite deny Ability to craft a classAbility to craft a class MoneyMoney Ability to measure desireAbility to measure desire

What you should do if put on the waitlistWhat you should do if put on the waitlist

Trend #5: The Quest for Trend #5: The Quest for Geographic Diversity!Geographic Diversity! The Regional vs. National UniversityThe Regional vs. National University

USC or Wheeling JesuitUSC or Wheeling Jesuit Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara University or or College of the College of the

RedlandsRedlands

The economic realities of keeping a The economic realities of keeping a university aliveuniversity alive

SCU Class of 2001SCU Class of 2001 ““Mono-culture” economies = InstabilityMono-culture” economies = Instability

Creating a vibrant classroomCreating a vibrant classroom Discussion and point of viewDiscussion and point of view

Trend #6: Early Applications & Trend #6: Early Applications & Early AdmissionEarly Admission DefinedDefined Motivation:Motivation:

More time to recruitMore time to recruit Time to process numerous applicationsTime to process numerous applications Increase app. numbersIncrease app. numbers

Numbers:Numbers: Early Action increases chances of admission by Early Action increases chances of admission by

18.9%18.9% 50% of all Harvard admits were early applicants. 50% of all Harvard admits were early applicants.

Only 10% of the regular applicants were admitted.Only 10% of the regular applicants were admitted. Accept Rate Numbers:Accept Rate Numbers:

Notre Dame: 49% EA vs. 25% Reg.Notre Dame: 49% EA vs. 25% Reg. Dartmouth: 34% ED vs. 15% Reg. Dartmouth: 34% ED vs. 15% Reg. Swarthmore: 50% ED vs. 19% Reg.Swarthmore: 50% ED vs. 19% Reg. Stanford University: 14% SCEA vs. 10.8% Reg. Stanford University: 14% SCEA vs. 10.8% Reg.

Trend #7: The “Trend #7: The “Echo BoomEcho Boom” ”

1989-20091989-2009 End of the “End of the “echo boomecho boom”” 20 year run20 year run Record applicationsRecord applications

““A Fundamental DifferenceA Fundamental Difference”” Arizona versus VermontArizona versus Vermont Latino versus CaucasianLatino versus Caucasian

ImpactImpact Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury College Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara University University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California

ConclusionsConclusions Take difficult coursesTake difficult courses

AP or IBAP or IB HonorsHonors

Be involved!Be involved! Sports, MUN, Community ServiceSports, MUN, Community Service Follow your passion!Follow your passion!

Grades equal money!Grades equal money! Most financial aide is merit basedMost financial aide is merit based

Research colleges and universitiesResearch colleges and universities Try to understand the “model” they are employingTry to understand the “model” they are employing

WomenWomen Be prepared for less aideBe prepared for less aide Merit will be very importantMerit will be very important Think “outside the box” when choosing majorsThink “outside the box” when choosing majors Look outside your home stateLook outside your home state

Wait-listWait-list Not an insult!Not an insult! Follow the instructions and use your connectionsFollow the instructions and use your connections

Look outside your comfort zoneLook outside your comfort zone Geographic DiversityGeographic Diversity

Apply earlyApply early Increased admission rate – but it may impact your fin aid package. Increased admission rate – but it may impact your fin aid package.

Understand the demographic changes taking place.Understand the demographic changes taking place. The North-East, the South-WestThe North-East, the South-West