September 2018

The College Admission Process

Introduction

• Julie McCulloh, Dean of Admission

• I hope to answer your questions, give some guidance, lower the stress

• GU Admission Office – 313-6572 mccullohj@gonzaga.edu

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The Application Process

– More Joy, Less Angst

– Help create a smart list of colleges

• A list with options - academically and financially

• A range of schools – Reach, Target, Safe

• Not too long – Do some of the hard work early (paring down the list)

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The Holistic Application Review

• The Six Key Factors:

–Strength of Curriculum

–GPA and Grade Trends

–Standardized Tests – SAT and/or ACT

–Activities & Honors

–Quality of Writing (essay, short answer,

overall presentation)

–Character (letter of rec. & school report)

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Questions we get…

• When should a student do a college interview?

• Is it better to take AP or Honors and get a lower GPA or get a higher GPA in less-challenging classes?

• What does a good essay look like?

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Definitions to Know

• Test Optional – A test optional admission policy means some applicants can choose not to submit the SAT or ACT scores. The rules may be different at each school that uses a test optional policy.

– Examples of Test Optional Schools:• Pacific Lutheran University

• Whitworth University

• University of Puget Sound

• Whitman College

• Lewis and Clark College

– Other Requirements May Replace Test• Portfolios, Interviews, Community College Placement Test

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Definitions to Know

• Early Action – Students apply early and are notified early. Example, Gonzaga’s “Early Action” deadline is November 15 we notify by January 15. Many California schools have November 1 Early Action deadlines.

• Early Decision – Student apply early to their top choice, usually by November 1. If admitted, it is considered a binding commitment to enroll at that school. All other applications must be stopped. Think of it like an athlete signing a letter of intent. Santa Clara has an Early Decision Program.

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Definitions to Know

• Rolling Admission – This is a policy used by many colleges. Students submit their application to the university anytime within a large window. The window is often six months long – perhaps longer. The university will then review the application and notify the applicant of their decision within a few weeks of application completion.

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Definitions to Know

• Restricted Early Action – R.E.A. is a non-binding early action option in which a student may not apply to any other private schools’ early program (except in special cases).

Harvard has an REA Program.

• Regular Admission Decision Deadline – This is either the only deadline or the second deadline for schools. The University of Washington has a November 15 deadline. USD has one deadline at December 15. Gonzaga’s second, final deadline is February 1.

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Definitions to Know

• All Admission Programs EXCEPT Early Decision have a May 1 National Commitment Deadline.

• National Commitment Deadline: The date by which students must commit to one college or university. Students usually do this by submitting a tuition deposit. Students may only submit a deposit to one school.

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Looking Ahead

• April is decision month – May 1 Deadline

– Selective schools issue decisions

– Financial aid awards arrive

• Making the Decision

– Create a Pro and Con List

– Decision Exercises

• Live the decision for a day

• What if the decision was your best friend? How would you advise?

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We’re in this together!

*Julie McCulloh – Dean of Admission

mcculloh@gonzaga.edu or 313-6591

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