Demystifying the College Admission Process
A Seminar for Alumni, Faculty, and Staff
A Rite of Passage
“If we use the college admissions process as
a model for a stressful but exciting
challenge, adolescents can gain valuable life
lessons about self-advocacy, keeping things
in perspective, managing time, and
rebounding from inevitable
disappointments.”
Marilee Jones,
Less Stress, More Success
The Elephant in the Room
Your lives are
about to change.
Fact or Fiction?
This is the most competitive time in our
nation’s history for applying to college.
Fiction
In 2008, we saw the largest number of high school graduates
in US history. This number peaked at over 3.34 million
students, will decline to a low 3.18 million in 2013-14, and
will return to 3.3 million in 2018.
Various regions of the country will be affected more than
others:
• The Northeast will drop about 6%
• The Midwest will drop about 8%
• The West will slowly, but not significantly decline.
• The South, on the other hand, will increase by nearly
10% by 2020.
* Source: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Fact or Fiction?
Most college applicants are admitted to their
top-choice college or university.
Fact
In 2012:
76.7% percent of applicants were admitted to
their top choice college or university.
*Source: Higher Education Research Institute
Fact or Fiction?
Most colleges and universities admit most of
their applicants.
Fact
In 2012, the average acceptance rate among 4-year
colleges and universities was 63.8%.
Of the 2,000 accredited four-year colleges, only 55
(2.7%) had acceptance rates of less than 25%.
The majority of institutions admit more than half.
*Sources: US News & World Report, US Depart. of Ed., Nat’l Assoc. College Admission Counseling
Fact or Fiction?
There are only a handful of colleges or
universities that can meet the unique needs
of each individual student.
Fiction
There are more than 3,000 Two- and Four-year
colleges and universities in the United States.
US News’ List of Top 50 Doctoral Universities
represents less than 2% of all college options,
nationwide.
There are dozens and dozens of colleges that could
provide your students with a rewarding and
fulfilling college experience.
Fact or Fiction?
Private colleges and universities are less
affordable for families than public colleges
and universities.
It Depends…
Each family’s financial situation is unique and
colleges vary widely in terms of how they
consider financial need.
Generally speaking, the “sticker price” at public
institutions is typically lower than at private
institutions.
However, many private colleges have more needbased and merit-based monies to award, making
the “net price” more affordable.
Fact or Fiction?
The highly selective college admission
process is not fair.
Fact
The highly selective college admission
process is not fair.
If you (and your son or daughter) are
willing to accept this as fact, your journey
through this process will be filled with the
perspective you need to keep your sanity.
The Timeline – Junior Year
• SUMMER – Begin visiting one or two colleges to
(prior to Jr. Yr.)
• FALL –
“get a feel” for the process
College Fairs, PSAT, Internet Searches
• SPRING – Visit colleges during breaks, ACT, SAT,
SAT Subject Tests, and AP Exams,
College Fairs (Boston National), Meet
with Guidance Counselor
• SUMMER – Visiting Colleges, Schedule Interviews,
(prior to Sr. Yr.)
Begin to narrow list
The Timeline – Senior Year
• FALL – Meet with School Counselor, Attend
HSV’s, begin personal statement, ask for
recommendations, Fall SAT’s, Final college
visits/interviews, submit early applications
• WINTER – Submit applications, file financial
aid forms and scholarship applications,
visit colleges for a second time
• SPRING – Notification from colleges, final visits,
admitted student programs
• May 1 - National Candidate’s Reply Date
Visiting College Campuses
• Determine visiting schedules at each school.
• Start with tour and info session – save interview for
later date. Check in at front desk.
• Don’t visit more than two schools per day.
• Have your student take notes. Even if just a few.
• Eat lunch on campus – visit student center – read the
newspaper. This will help determine “personality.”
• Have fun.
Campus Interviews
• Do not attempt on first college visit.
• Interviews are no longer offered/required everywhere.
• If offered, take advantage of the opportunity.
• Interviews benefit students, in addition to colleges.
• Bring good questions that cannot easily be found in
literature or on the web site.
• Have fun.
The Application
• Common Application & Supplement vs. Institutional Application
• Essays / Personal Statement and Supplemental Essays
• Standardized Tests (SAT / ACT, TOEFL / IELTS)
• High School Transcript
• Extra-curricular involvement / Work
• Recommendations
• Other: Interview, Art Portfolio, Athletic Tapes, etc.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Need-Based Financial Aid
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile form
• Loans, Work Study, Grant
Merit Scholarships
• Could be awarded based on athletic/artistic talents, strength of
application, test scores, leadership potential, etc.
• May or may not require an application
Net Price Calculator
Commonly Asked Questions
• What is the rank order of application used in review process?
• How do admission offices make their decisions?
- Single Reader, Committee, etc.
• Importance of AP’s – better to have B in AP or A in C. Prep?
• Private High School versus Public High School?
• How many colleges should a student apply to?
• Does a family’s need for financial aid (or not) impact decisions?
Successful Strategies for Parents
• Keep an open dialogue with your student and form a
partnership to establish expectations of one another.
• Share your experience and perspective.
• Work to help your student develop self-advocacy
and self-sufficiency skills.
• Use your instincts - approach the process in the way
that is right for your student and your family.
One size does NOT fit all.
Successful Strategies for Parents
• Model resilience and a positive attitude.
• Manage your own anxiety, grief and stress.
• Make minimizing your child’s stress your #1 goal.
How Parents Can Minimize Student Stress
• Manage your student’s calendar – track timelines.
• Investigate financial aid and scholarship
opportunities. (Net Price Calculator)
• Protect your child from the constant college chatter.
• Protect and respect your student’s privacy – avoid
public discussions about test scores and GPA.
How Parents Can Minimize Student Stress
• As accurate as it may seem, don’t take admission
advice from friends.
• Celebrate success.
• Stay behind the “white line”.
• Eliminate the words “we” and “our” from your
vocabulary.
The Cinderella Syndrome
“In the application process, students try
to be who they think we want them to be.
They attempt to jam their feet into
someone else’s glass slipper.”
Marilee Jones,
Less Stress, More Success
Demystifying the College Admission Process
A Seminar for Alumni, Faculty, and Staff
QUESTIONS?
Some Basic Terminology
• Early Action / Early Decision / Regular Decision / Rolling
Admission
• Common Application - Supplement
• Deferral – Waiting List
• CSS Profile – FAFSA
• Net Price Calculator
• Selectivity - Admit Rate – Yield
• Double Deposit
*Complete Glossary of Terms Provided as Handout