Willmar Public LibraryWillmar Public Library
Selective College Selective College AdmissionsAdmissions
Presented by Todd JohnsonPresented by Todd [email protected]@collegeadmissionspartners.com
© 2009© 2009
What is a selective college?What is a selective college?
A selective college is one that does not A selective college is one that does not accept all or almost all of the people who accept all or almost all of the people who apply.apply.
How hard is it to be accepted to How hard is it to be accepted to a selective college?a selective college?
Selective-Accept between 50 and 80%Selective-Accept between 50 and 80% University of MinnesotaUniversity of Minnesota University of WisconsinUniversity of Wisconsin
Students Typical GPAStudents Typical GPA 3.5 or better unweighted3.5 or better unweighted
Test Scores Test Scores ACT 25-30ACT 25-30
Highly Selective CollegesHighly Selective Colleges
Highly Selective-Accept 35% to 50%Highly Selective-Accept 35% to 50% MacalesterMacalester Carnegie MellonCarnegie Mellon
Students Typical GPAStudents Typical GPA 3.8 or better unweighted3.8 or better unweighted
Test scoresTest scores 27-31 ACT27-31 ACT
Most Selective CollegesMost Selective Colleges
Most Selective-Accept Less than 35% Most Selective-Accept Less than 35% CarletonCarleton HarvardHarvard
Students Typical GPAStudents Typical GPA 3.9 or better unweighted3.9 or better unweighted
Test ScoresTest Scores 29-33 ACT29-33 ACT
Students with perfect grades and test Students with perfect grades and test scores often rejected at these schoolsscores often rejected at these schools
What does it take for acceptance What does it take for acceptance to selective college?to selective college?
Most important factorsMost important factors High School gradesHigh School grades Classes taken for those gradesClasses taken for those grades Must take the most challenging classes you Must take the most challenging classes you
can handlecan handle The more selective the more it is expected The more selective the more it is expected
that student will have AP’s if availablethat student will have AP’s if available
Schools with No AP CoursesSchools with No AP Courses
Colleges expect you to challenge yourself Colleges expect you to challenge yourself with the courses you have available.with the courses you have available.
If you go to a school with few or no AP If you go to a school with few or no AP courses, colleges will understandcourses, colleges will understand
Classes to TakeClasses to Take
4 years of English4 years of English 4 years of Math4 years of Math 4 years of Science4 years of Science 4 years of Social/History4 years of Social/History 4 years of single Foreign Language4 years of single Foreign Language
Take most challenging courses you can Take most challenging courses you can and still do welland still do well
Test ScoresTest Scores
No preference for SAT or ACTNo preference for SAT or ACT Some selective colleges require SAT Some selective colleges require SAT
Subject testsSubject tests Student should compare their test scores Student should compare their test scores
with middle 50% of test scores to a with middle 50% of test scores to a particular collegeparticular college
Poor test takers may consider test optional Poor test takers may consider test optional collegescolleges
Other Admissions FactorsOther Admissions Factors
At most selective colleges all of the At most selective colleges all of the students have great grades and test students have great grades and test scoresscores
Selective colleges generally figure that Selective colleges generally figure that 80% of students applying can do the work80% of students applying can do the work
So how do they decide who to admitSo how do they decide who to admit
The HOOKThe HOOK
Great athlete is a hookGreat athlete is a hook Legacy is a hookLegacy is a hook Under represented minority is a hookUnder represented minority is a hook But what about everybody elseBut what about everybody else
What makes you different from all of the other What makes you different from all of the other good studentsgood students
And how can you show that to a collegeAnd how can you show that to a college
Application EssaysApplication Essays
Colleges use essays for two reasonsColleges use essays for two reasons
Evaluate student’s writing abilityEvaluate student’s writing ability Gives students chance to tell something about Gives students chance to tell something about
themselves not otherwise on applicationthemselves not otherwise on application What makes you interestingWhat makes you interesting
Application EssayApplication Essay
Spelling and grammar are importantSpelling and grammar are important Important to answer the question you are Important to answer the question you are
askedasked Pay attention to requested length of essayPay attention to requested length of essay
Should not exceed requested length by more Should not exceed requested length by more than about 5%than about 5%
Essays Cont.Essays Cont.
Student should be the focus of essay not Student should be the focus of essay not grandma.grandma.
Focus of essay should be very tight. One Focus of essay should be very tight. One small thing to explain something about small thing to explain something about student to college. student to college.
More EssayMore Essay
Needs to be personalizedNeeds to be personalized Often in the first personOften in the first person
““Never smell the inside of a hockey bag. Never smell the inside of a hockey bag. Trust me. Just imagine the bouquet of a Trust me. Just imagine the bouquet of a dumpster on a hot day combined with the dumpster on a hot day combined with the odor of sweat.” odor of sweat.”
College Specific EssaysCollege Specific Essays
College specific essays often ask why College specific essays often ask why student is interested in that collegestudent is interested in that college
Give specific reasonsGive specific reasons If have been on campus mention thatIf have been on campus mention that Mention specific programs that you likeMention specific programs that you like Mention professors that you have met or Mention professors that you have met or
researched that you would like to work withresearched that you would like to work with
Interesting StudentsInteresting Students
2 students Bob and Sarah2 students Bob and Sarah Bob was on the football team for 2 years, Bob was on the football team for 2 years,
now trying soccernow trying soccer Played trumpet in the band in 9Played trumpet in the band in 9thth grade grade Just joined business professionals Just joined business professionals
associationassociation Did speech in 10Did speech in 10thth grade grade Yearbook staff 12Yearbook staff 12thth grade grade
Interesting StudentsInteresting Students
Sarah likes theaterSarah likes theater She has been in the high school musical She has been in the high school musical
all 4 years.all 4 years. She has done the one act play every yearShe has done the one act play every year She helped direct a play at the BarnShe helped direct a play at the Barn She put on skits at her church to raise She put on skits at her church to raise
money for the less fortunatemoney for the less fortunate
Interesting Students Cont.Interesting Students Cont.
Selective colleges are looking for well Selective colleges are looking for well rounded classes; NOT well rounded rounded classes; NOT well rounded studentsstudents
Colleges want students that have a focus Colleges want students that have a focus on one or two things.on one or two things.
Colleges don’t care what the students Colleges don’t care what the students focus isfocus is
They want Sarah not BobThey want Sarah not Bob
Students with FeelingsStudents with Feelings
Colleges like to see a student with a Colleges like to see a student with a passion but also students with compassionpassion but also students with compassion
Volunteer efforts can be very importantVolunteer efforts can be very important Doesn’t matter what volunteer effort Doesn’t matter what volunteer effort
student doesstudent does BUT if you can tie a volunteer effort into BUT if you can tie a volunteer effort into
your passion, you make your self strong your passion, you make your self strong candidatecandidate
Teacher RecommendationsTeacher Recommendations
Generally will need two Generally will need two Choose teacher of academic subject that Choose teacher of academic subject that
you had as junior or senior.you had as junior or senior. Choose someone who knows you well. Choose someone who knows you well. Doesn’t need to be the teacher you got the Doesn’t need to be the teacher you got the
best grade inbest grade in Provide teacher with a resume of all your Provide teacher with a resume of all your
activitesactivites
Recommendations Cont.Recommendations Cont.
If asked, agree to waive right to see If asked, agree to waive right to see recommendationrecommendation
Ask early-At least a month in advanceAsk early-At least a month in advance Remember to say “thank you”Remember to say “thank you”
Counselor RecommendationCounselor Recommendation
Get to know your counselor early so that Get to know your counselor early so that they can write the best recommendationthey can write the best recommendation
Colleges understand that not everyone Colleges understand that not everyone knows their counselorknows their counselor
If there is a problem that you had the If there is a problem that you had the counselor can put it into perspectivecounselor can put it into perspective
Demonstrated InterestDemonstrated Interest
Demonstrated interest is simply showing Demonstrated interest is simply showing interest in a collegeinterest in a college
Visiting a college shows interestVisiting a college shows interest Emailing admissions counselor with Emailing admissions counselor with
questions shows interestquestions shows interest Requesting information about the college Requesting information about the college
shows interestshows interest
Demonstrated InterestDemonstrated Interest
Not all colleges use demonstrated interest Not all colleges use demonstrated interest but the number that do is increasingbut the number that do is increasing
If live far away from campus they If live far away from campus they understand you may not be able to visit.understand you may not be able to visit.
Go to NACAC fair in MinneapolisGo to NACAC fair in Minneapolis
InterviewInterview
2 types of college interviews2 types of college interviews Evaluative and InformationalEvaluative and Informational Evaluative- college wants to see if you are Evaluative- college wants to see if you are
a good fit for the college. Admission a good fit for the college. Admission decision may be influenced by interviewdecision may be influenced by interview
Informational-college there to give Informational-college there to give information only and has no effect on information only and has no effect on admission decisionadmission decision
InterviewsInterviews
May be with admissions officerMay be with admissions officer May be with local alumniMay be with local alumni Show up on timeShow up on time Dressed AppropriatelyDressed Appropriately Be prepared to answer questionsBe prepared to answer questions Be prepared to ask questionsBe prepared to ask questions
WorkWork
Most colleges will say this has little effect Most colleges will say this has little effect on admissions decisionson admissions decisions
BUT at highly selective colleges it can BUT at highly selective colleges it can make a differencemake a difference Very few students at these colleges have ever Very few students at these colleges have ever
workedworked You demonstrate maturity if you have workedYou demonstrate maturity if you have worked
If you can tie work into your interests, even If you can tie work into your interests, even betterbetter
Other FactorsOther Factors
Boy or GirlBoy or Girl Colleges like to try and keep fairly even Colleges like to try and keep fairly even
ratioratio Most colleges have many more girls than Most colleges have many more girls than
boys applying so admission rates lower for boys applying so admission rates lower for girlsgirls
But some colleges have more boys and But some colleges have more boys and girls have easier chance. MIT is examplegirls have easier chance. MIT is example
Geographic IssuesGeographic Issues
Colleges like to have geographic diversityColleges like to have geographic diversity Student from Minnesota may have better Student from Minnesota may have better
chance at college in Maine than one in chance at college in Maine than one in WisconsinWisconsin
Application TimingApplication Timing
Early Decision- EDEarly Decision- ED Early Action- EAEarly Action- EA Single Choice Early Action- SCEASingle Choice Early Action- SCEA RegularRegular RollingRolling
Early DecisionEarly Decision
Not all schools offerNot all schools offer Requires all application materials to be Requires all application materials to be
submitted early, often November 1submitted early, often November 1 If accepted, student required to go to that If accepted, student required to go to that
collegecollege
Early Decision cont.Early Decision cont.
Generally improves chances of admission Generally improves chances of admission to collegeto college
Can be good choice if student has found Can be good choice if student has found their ideal collegetheir ideal college
Takes away comparison of financial aid Takes away comparison of financial aid optionsoptions
Only apply ED if financial aid not a Only apply ED if financial aid not a concern or understand colleges FA wellconcern or understand colleges FA well
Early ActionEarly Action
Apply early to college-November to Apply early to college-November to DecemberDecember
If accepted have until May 1 to decide If accepted have until May 1 to decide whether to attendwhether to attend
May improve chances of acceptanceMay improve chances of acceptance Still allows comparison of financial aid Still allows comparison of financial aid
awardsawards Good choice if availableGood choice if available
Single Choice Early ActionSingle Choice Early Action
Apply early to college-November to Apply early to college-November to DecemberDecember
If accepted have until May 1 to decide If accepted have until May 1 to decide whether to attendwhether to attend
May improve chances of acceptanceMay improve chances of acceptance Still allows comparison of financial aid Still allows comparison of financial aid
awardsawards But can only apply early to that one But can only apply early to that one
collegecollege
Regular AdmissionRegular Admission
Apply by certain date often around Apply by certain date often around January 1January 1
Have until May 1 to decide whether to Have until May 1 to decide whether to attendattend
Rolling AdmissionsRolling Admissions
Apply anytimeApply anytime College will give admission decision College will give admission decision
generally in 4-8 weeksgenerally in 4-8 weeks Some colleges with rolling admissions Some colleges with rolling admissions
have priority deadlinehave priority deadline U of MU of M If submit after deadline may not be admitted If submit after deadline may not be admitted
even with good gradeseven with good grades
Investigating Selective CollegesInvestigating Selective Colleges
US News College RankingsUS News College Rankings Rankings are arbitrary. Rankings are arbitrary. Information provided has some merit. Information provided has some merit. But information subject to manipulation by But information subject to manipulation by
colleges.colleges. SAT averages don’t include all studentsSAT averages don’t include all students Selectivity may not include all studentsSelectivity may not include all students
InvestigationInvestigation
Fiske Guide to CollegesFiske Guide to Colleges Princeton Review Best 371 CollegesPrinceton Review Best 371 Colleges Insider’s Guide to CollegesInsider’s Guide to Colleges
Look at the colleges that are listed as Look at the colleges that are listed as crossovers to get other ideascrossovers to get other ideas
InvestigationInvestigation
Look for colleges where your test scores Look for colleges where your test scores put you in the middle 50%put you in the middle 50%
Look for colleges where you might have a Look for colleges where you might have a hookhook LegacyLegacy SportsSports Ethnic BackgroundEthnic Background
InvestigationInvestigation
Look at each college’s common data set if Look at each college’s common data set if available. available.
This provides information on admissions This provides information on admissions broken down by sex, breakdown of broken down by sex, breakdown of number of students with particular test number of students with particular test scores, class size, financial aid information scores, class size, financial aid information and more.and more.
Reach, Match, SafetyReach, Match, Safety
In deciding on which colleges you will In deciding on which colleges you will apply to, have a range of acceptancesapply to, have a range of acceptances
Do not apply only to reach colleges.Do not apply only to reach colleges.
Reach CollegeReach College
A reach college is one where it will be A reach college is one where it will be difficult to gain admission with your difficult to gain admission with your qualifications. qualifications.
If your test scores in the bottom 25% of If your test scores in the bottom 25% of college, it is a reachcollege, it is a reach
If college has less than 35% acceptance, If college has less than 35% acceptance, then generally a reach for anyonethen generally a reach for anyone
Match CollegeMatch College
A match college is one where your A match college is one where your qualifications make you have a good qualifications make you have a good chance of acceptancechance of acceptance Test scores in middle 50% of accepted Test scores in middle 50% of accepted
students. students. You have strong grades in strong classesYou have strong grades in strong classes
Safety CollegeSafety College
A safety college is where you are A safety college is where you are confident you will be accepted in most confident you will be accepted in most cases.cases.
Test scores greater than 75% of scores at Test scores greater than 75% of scores at that college. that college.
Strong grades in strong coursesStrong grades in strong courses High acceptance rate-above 50%High acceptance rate-above 50%
Paying for Selective CollegesPaying for Selective Colleges
The most selective colleges are among The most selective colleges are among the strongest for need based aid. the strongest for need based aid.
The more selective the college the less The more selective the college the less likely it will have merit based aid. likely it will have merit based aid.
Paying for CollegePaying for College
Don’t worry about stated cost of collegeDon’t worry about stated cost of college
Only question is what Only question is what youryour family will have family will have to pay for this college.to pay for this college.
Contacting Todd JohnsonContacting Todd Johnson Email Email
[email protected]@collegeadmissionspartners.com
WebWeb www.collegeadmissionspartners.comwww.collegeadmissionspartners.com
Telephone Telephone WorkWork (320)262-9955(320)262-9955
Volunteer for families in Willmar school district Volunteer for families in Willmar school district for individual and family meetings to discuss for individual and family meetings to discuss particular student’s needsparticular student’s needs