The Down & Dirty About College Admission Process

www.BestCollegeFit.com© 2016, Peter Van Buskirk & Best College Fit®

“The Down & DirtyAbout the College Admission

Process”with

Peter Van BuskirkAuthor, Speaker, Former Dean of Admission

[email protected]

www.BestCollegeFit.com


A Review ofthe Competitive Process


The Pyramid of Selectivity

Selectivity

Yield

Applications

Acceptances

Enrollment

8,000

2,000

500

The Enrollment Model90%


The Competitive Playing Field

PBK

JGB

90%

X

X

X

X


The Agenda™

▲ Bright▲ Motivated▲ High-achieving▲ Diverse▲ Givers

Colleges want students who are:

What do we get?


The “Hidden Agenda™”

▲ $$

▲ ??

▲ SAT


Keys to Navigating the Process

▲ Know the Process

▲ Start Now!

▲ Step Back

▲ Manage Expectations


Know the Process and How It Is Likely to Impact Your Student

1. What is the reality of his/her academic record?2. How is his/her testing record shaping up?3. Where do test optional admission and/or Score Choice make

sense?4. How will Early Decision/Early Action impact choices of

admission?5. Where/when will cost and affordability become factors?6. Where does athletic recruitment come into play?7. How/when should learning differences be addressed?


Start Now!1. Encourage and support

△ College visits—as many as possible△ Engagement with college reps△ Test preparation where appropriate△ Smart decision-making

2. Collaborate in establishing a timeline for essential “To Do’s”△ Application deadlines△ Requests for letters of recommendation△ Essay preparation

3. Investigate financial aid options△ Net price calculators△ Estimates of “Expected Family Contributions” (EFC)


Family’s Cost of Living

Expected Family Contribution

Family’s Income & Assets

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)


Inside Differential Need Analysis

▲ FAFSA

▲ CSS Profile

▲ Net Price Calculators

FAFSA vs. CSS Profile


Financial Aid Matrix

No Need Low Medium High

High

Medium

Low

Non-Admits

Students’ Demonstrated Need

Stud

ents

’ Des

irabi

lity

65%

Number: ____Projected Yield: ____Average EFC: ____SAT Profile: ____GPA Profile: ____Net Revenue: ____

5%


Gift AidScholarships

Grants

Gift Aid vs. Self Help

Self HelpStudent LoansParent Loans

Campus Work Study


Preferential Packaging

College A$50,000

College B$50,000

College C$50,000

G=$30,000

CWS=$1,500

GSL=$3,500

EFC=$15,000

CWS=$1,500GSL=$3,500

EFC=$15,000

CWS=$1,500GSL=$3,500

EFC=$15,000

G=$20,000G=$15,000

PL=$10,000???=$15,000

G=Grants

PL=Plus Loans

???=Gap

EFC=ExpectedFamily Contribution

CWS=Campus Work Study

GSL=Guaranteed Student Loans

Key


Questions to Ask in Securing an Early Estimate of Your EFC

1. What methodology did you use to arrive at this EFC?2. What methodology are you likely to use in arriving at the EFC

after my student has been admitted?3. What is the total cost of attendance going to be for my student’s

first year?4. How are you likely to meet the differential between our EFC and

the total cost of attendance?5. What are the projected student loan amounts for years two,

three and four?


Step Back—This Isn’t About You!1. Engage your student in reflective conversation

△ Why college?△ What do you want to accomplish?△ How do you feel you can best accomplish your

goals?2. Focus on fit


Focus on “fit” as you look at colleges.The best college fit will provide a:

▲ Program of study to meet your needs▲ Style of instruction consistent with the way you

like to learn▲ Level of academic rigor commensurate with your

ability and preparation▲ Community that feels like home


And the best college fit will …

… be the place that values you

for what you have to offer


Step Back—This Isn’t About You!1. Engage your student in reflective conversation

△ Why college?△ What do you want to accomplish?△ How do you feel you can best accomplish your

goals?2. Focus on fit3. Don’t try to engineer a candidate that will be most

appealing to colleges of choice—colleges are looking for authenticity!


Manage Expectations▲ Be realistic in calculating the chances of admission▲ Focus on places where your student will be valued for what

s/he has to offer

▲ Arrive at a “short list” of colleges by the middle of September

▲ Optimal number of applications: 8△ No more than three where the chance of admission is less than 40%

△ Three where chances of admission are 40-60%

△ Two where chances of admission are greater than 60%


Provide Reassurance

Your student needs to know that success as a college

applicant is not a determinant of self-worth.

Your love and support is unconditional.


Biggest Mistakes Made in the Application Process

1. Failure to appreciate the nature of the competition

2. Inability/unwillingness to manage expectations

3. Lack of intentionality in preparing applications

4. Failure to prove the sincerity of interest in attending

the college

5. Inattentiveness to the importance of the senior year


Peter Van Buskirk

Contact Info:

▲ 717.808.5462

▲ [email protected]

College Orientation Programming:▲ Students & Parents

▲ College Access Professionals

Education

The Down & Dirty About College Admission Process