MANAGING THE COLLEGE MANAGING THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESSADMISSIONS PROCESS

Karen P. CampbellKaren P. CampbellAdvisory Member, Philadelphia College Advisory Member, Philadelphia College

Prep RoundtablePrep RoundtableProgram Manager, Drexel UniversityProgram Manager, Drexel University

There are over There are over 3,6883,688 colleges in colleges in the country!the country!

•State UniversitiesState Universities

•Small Liberal Arts CollegesSmall Liberal Arts Colleges

•State-Related InstitutionsState-Related Institutions

•Large Private UniversitiesLarge Private Universities

• Ivy LeaguesIvy Leagues

•Community CollegesCommunity Colleges

Factors to consider when Factors to consider when choosing a college include:choosing a college include:

•Size (overall population Size (overall population and and class class size)size)

•Location, Location, LocationLocation, Location, Location•COST COST Before and after Financial AidBefore and after Financial Aid•Majors offeredMajors offered•Public vs. PrivatePublic vs. Private•Activities and AthleticsActivities and Athletics

What is the true cost of What is the true cost of attending college?attending college?

• Tuition and FeesTuition and Fees

• Room and BoardRoom and Board

• BooksBooks

• TransportationTransportation

• SuppliesSupplies

• InsuranceInsurance

• Personal ExpensesPersonal Expenses

Pyramid of SelectivityPyramid of Selectivity

Courtesy: Peter Van Buskirk –

www.theadmissiongame.com

DonDon’’t worry…Theret worry…There’’s s Help!Help!

Use FREE resources that are available to Use FREE resources that are available to you….you….

What influences an admissions What influences an admissions decision?decision?

High School CurriculumHigh School Curriculum High School Grades (GPA)High School Grades (GPA) High School ProfileHigh School Profile High School Rank* (student High School Rank* (student

and and

school)school) Standardized Test ScoresStandardized Test Scores Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation EssayEssay InterviewsInterviews School/Program School/Program

RequirementsRequirements Extra-curricular activitiesExtra-curricular activities

What else influences an What else influences an Admissions decision?Admissions decision?

•Demonstrated InterestDemonstrated Interest

•Ability to PayAbility to Pay

•Standardized TestsStandardized Tests

•Special Interest AdmissionSpecial Interest Admission

DonDon’’t Believe the Hype!t Believe the Hype!

• In assessing colleges, focus on In assessing colleges, focus on outcomes outcomes rather than rather than

rankings.rankings.

• Remember that rankings are just someone elseRemember that rankings are just someone else’’s opinion.s opinion.

• Resist the temptation to buy into Early Decision as a Resist the temptation to buy into Early Decision as a

strategy.strategy.

• Have your child take both the ACT and the SAT.Have your child take both the ACT and the SAT.

• DonDon’’t take shortcuts!t take shortcuts!

• Special interest admission can work in your childSpecial interest admission can work in your child’’s favor s favor if if

she has applied to colleges that will value her for what she she has applied to colleges that will value her for what she

does well.does well.

How are decisions made?How are decisions made?

Types of Admission Types of Admission DecisionsDecisions

•Early DecisionEarly Decision

(Binding w/ 1 school)(Binding w/ 1 school)•Early ActionEarly Action

(Non-binding (Non-binding ““first readfirst read””))•Rolling AdmissionRolling Admission

(Continuous review)(Continuous review)

Narrowing down the options….Narrowing down the options….

It’s all about the fit….It’s all about the fit….FinancialFinancial

AcademicAcademic

SocialSocial

EmotionalEmotional

Get That Money$$Get That Money$$$$$$$$$$

College Prep College Prep TimelineTimeline

Junior YearJunior Year• Work on GPA….every year Work on GPA….every year

and class counts!and class counts!• Attempt SAT and/or ACTAttempt SAT and/or ACT• Begin researching and Begin researching and

visiting schoolsvisiting schools• Draft a solid personal Draft a solid personal

statement that can be used statement that can be used for admissions and for admissions and

scholarshipsscholarships

College Prep College Prep TimelineTimeline

Senior YearSenior Year• Fall Fall

Gather Letters of Recommendation Gather Letters of Recommendation and supporting materials for and supporting materials for

application. application. Continue with visits and college Continue with visits and college

fairs.fairs.• Winter Winter

Attempt SAT and/or ACT again. Attempt SAT and/or ACT again. Begin compiling applications and Begin compiling applications and send in any early action or early send in any early action or early

decision packets. decision packets.

College Prep TimelineCollege Prep Timeline

• Spring Spring Get taxes done and complete FAFSA Get taxes done and complete FAFSA

ASAP. ASAP. Decide on school of choice and Decide on school of choice and confirm attendance by May 1confirm attendance by May 1stst!!

• Summer Summer Finalize matriculation process, secure Finalize matriculation process, secure

housing housing and roommate and attend orientation.and roommate and attend orientation.

Other Great Other Great Resources…..Resources…..

•www.educationplanner.org www.educationplanner.org – – American Education Services – American Education Services – scholarship and financial infoscholarship and financial info

•www.fafsa.gov www.fafsa.gov – The OFFICIAL – The OFFICIAL website for the Free Application for website for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Federal Student Aid

• www.collegeresults.org - information www.collegeresults.org - information on “real” cost of schools and on “real” cost of schools and graduation rates.graduation rates.

• www.theadmissiongame.com www.theadmissiongame.com – – Offers behind the scenes admission Offers behind the scenes admission info and tips.info and tips.

Karen P. CampbellProgram Manager, Drexel University

Advisory Member – Philadelphia College Prep

Roundtable

karen.p.campbell@gmail.com