what you need to know to be a better recruiter1

What You Need to Know to be a Better What You Need to Know to be a Better RecruiterRecruiter

What do you think when you hear the word ACT?

- College admissions test- Perfect score is 36- Scholarship test- Oh God, that test!Oh God, that test!

Importance of Score Sender DataImportance of Score Sender Data

Score Senders Are Simply not Like any Score Senders Are Simply not Like any Other InquiryOther Inquiry

Among 2007 ACT-tested high school graduates:

62.8 tested at least once as 11th graders

30.8% enrolled at a college that was at least in one of their score-sender choice sets*

Among students who tested as 11th graders, specified at least one college choice, and enrolled somewhere:

57.2% enrolled at a college that was in at least one of their 11th grade choice sets

*includes students who sent no scores and/or enrolled at no institution that we could track.

Importance of Score-SendersImportance of Score-Senders

Score-senders will typically be the highest-yielding initial source code (aside from applications) in your inquiry pool

Even 3-5th choice students will enroll at rates above most other initial source codes in your inquiry pool

Official vs. Unofficial ScoresOfficial vs. Unofficial Scores

Students sending official score reports are more likely to enroll than ACT-tested students who do not send official scores

Understanding the Score ReportUnderstanding the Score Report

Understanding the Score ReportUnderstanding the Score Report

Over 300 points of data on each student Cognitive Data Non-Cognitive Data

Cognitive DataCognitive Data

Understanding the data you receive:Understanding the data you receive:Cognitive DataCognitive Data

- The ACT is a curriculum-based assessment

- Tests students in core subject areas of English, mathematics reading and science

- Assesses student proficiencies in these subject areas

- Informs and affects more than recruitment strategies

More than just a score!

ACT National Curriculum Survey

ACT College Readiness Standards


ACT National Curriculum Survey Survey middle, high school and postsecondary educators Determine faculty expectations in English, math, reading

and science – then compare these to actual teaching and rigor practices as they tie to college readiness

Survey is basis and foundation for EPAS Tests and promotes college readiness Standards are not opinions, but facts based on survey

and research


ACT College Readiness Standards Narrative description of what students need to know and

be able to do Reflect a common continuum of achievement Progressive model of student progress from middle to

high school Reflect student strengths/weaknesses evaluate student

readiness for next levels of learning


Without improving the quality and content of the core, it appears that most students need to take additional higher-level courses to learn what they should have learned from a rigorous core curriculum, with no guarantee even then that they will be prepared for college-level work.

ACT research suggests that students today do not have a reasonable chance of becoming ready for college unless they take additional higher-level courses beyond the minimum core, and even then they are not always likely to be ready for college. This finding is in part a reflection on the quality and intensity—the rigor—of the high school curriculum.

ACT Minimum Core

English: 4 years Social Studies: At least 3 yearsMathematics: At least 3 years Natural Sciences: At least 3 years


Readiness Benchmark Scores

Through collaborative research with postsecondary institutions nationwide, ACT has established the following College Readiness Benchmark Scores:

A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject area test to indicate a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75% chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college courses.

College Readiness Benchmark Score

English English Composition 18 Math Algebra 22 Reading Social Sciences 21 Science Biology 24

ACT SubjectArea Test

College Course(s)

Non-CognitiveNon-Cognitive

Non-Cognitive: Score Report Non-Cognitive: Score Report InformationInformation

Major/degree interests

Type of institution/interests Extracurricular activities In HS and for postsecondary

School choice/size

Needs (academic and otherwise)

Integrating Data Into Your Integrating Data Into Your Recruitment StrategyRecruitment Strategy

Integrating Data Into Your Recruitment Strategy

Integrating Cognitive Data Understanding Skills vs. Scores improves

communication with students Personalizes communications regarding

academic needs/strengths More informed application review process Become a resource to HS College/Guidance

Counselors

Integrating Non-Cognitive Data Personalized communication which each student Promote institutional student support services

geared toward student needs/interests/plans Begin effective communication as early as first

ACT Official Score Report Impacts Prospect to Applicant to Enrollee yield Increase value of high school visits, phone calls, email

Integrating Data Into Your Recruitment Strategy

Time of First Time Testing

Time of First Time TestingTime of First Time Testing

When a student takes their first ACT has an impact on college access and enrollment

The later a student takes their first test, the less access they have to the college admissions pipeline

First time test taking impacts all demographics, but has a greater impact on minorities

First-Time TestingFirst-Time Testing

Nationally – 60% of African-American and Hispanic students take their first ACT as Seniors Late testing limits access to postsecondary

institutions Schools are looking at yield and not building

prospect pool during student senior year

In IL, CO, MI, KY, TN, WY – 100% of students take ACT in Spring of Junior year

Importance of Name Release for Importance of Name Release for ACT TestersACT Testers

Releasing Names for Postsecondary Releasing Names for Postsecondary AccessAccess

Entering the pipeline requires that students release their names and contact information for access by colleges/universities

Not releasing names limits access to important information for entry to postsecondary education

Students, parents and high school college/guidance counselors need to know!

College Choice Set and YouCollege Choice Set and You

College Choice Set and YouCollege Choice Set and You

As part of the Student Questionnaire (via ACT registration), students: Will identify colleges and universities Show interest level for each institution

1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc Up to four score reports/institutions at no additional

cost

College Choice Set and You College Choice Set and You

College choice is the single most important predictor of enrollment

Likelihood of enrollment by college choice is affected by ACT Composite Score, race/ethnicity, and enrollment preferences

Score Report InformationScore Report Information

Score Report InformationScore Report Information

Use information to personalize communication….students: Want to see themselves on your campus Are interested in being a part of the whole Insist on the fact that schools provide them with

needed support Are attracted to personalized communication

Most Important Factors for Effective Most Important Factors for Effective RecruitmentRecruitment

More in-depth knowledge of skills – not just scores College Readiness Standards/Benchmarks Steer admissions decision, communication,

students services based on cognitive understanding

Effective personalized communication using non-cognitive data Connect institutional services with students

interests and needs

Most Important Factors for Effective RecruitmentMost Important Factors for Effective Recruitment

Promoting early testing (Junior year) increases access for students and institutions to vital information/data

Students and Counselors need to understand importance of releasing names

Use choice set to prioritize communications with students

Data-based communication and overall recruitment strategies help you more effectively achieve and exceed your enrollment goals

Most Important Factors for Effective Most Important Factors for Effective RecruitmentRecruitment

what you need to know to be a better recruiter1

Education

points of data

college readiness survey

college choice

acttested students

student readiness

minimum score

score senders

act research