G/T PARENT ACADEMY NOVEMBER 8, 2012

Demystifying College Admissions

W E L C O M E A N D I N T R O D U C T O R Y R E M A R K S

L I Z   D U N S T E R –   G / T   A D V I S O R Y   C OMM I T T E E   C H A I R    

P E N N Y   Z I MR I N G   –   I N S T RU C T I O NA L   F A C I L I T A TOR ,   H C P S S   G / T   P R O GRAM  

J E S S I C A   P OWE L L ,   G / T   R E S E A R CH   P ROGRAM ,   A THO L TON   H S  

S T E PHAN I E   C O AK L E Y   A ND   S A R A   S E I F T E R ,   G / T   P A R EN T   A C AD EMY    C O -­ C H A I R S    

Demystifying College Admissions

To register: www.hcpss.org Scroll down. Select Office of Gifted & Talented Programs.

Demystifying College Admissions

THE COLLEGE AND CAREER ADVANTAGE

Demystifying College Admissions

My Experiences in the

G/T Research Program

JESSICA POWELL ATHOLTON HIGH SCHOOL

G/T Independent Research

Advisor: Dr. Jarvis-Selinger and Dr. Ho, E-Health Specialists at the University of British Columbia

Research Focus: The effect of telemedicine on the advancement of surgical techniques

Product: Wrote The Future of Medicine which was published in the online journal TeenInk.com

eHealth Young Innovators Program University of British Columbia

 Attended a week-long summer camp recommended by advisor

  Introduced to a variety of technologies in the field

 Developed smart phone applications

 Used robotic technology in simulated surgeries

G/T Intern/Mentor Program

Dr. Stephen Bartlett, Chief of Surgery

Dr. Rolf Barth, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery

Current Research Projects

  The use of multiple ports in procedures originally designated as single-port laparoscopic nephrectomies

  Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) for Single-Port Platform of the Da Vinci Device with Nephrectomies

Benefits of a Research Experience

Valuable Skills Include:   Research skills   Communication with professionals   Collaboration on projects   Practical application of science and math in a real-

world setting

MS. BARBARA HALL

Demystifying College Admissions

Selective vs. Highly Selective

  Traditionally: percent of applicants admitted   One-third or fewer = highly selective   One-third to one-half = selective

  USNews: SAT scores of enrolled (50%), % in top 10% of high school class (40%), and admit rate (10%)

  Truth: The definition depends on the applicant’s academic credentials

  In the end, selectivity is measured by the qualifications of the enrolled student body

High School Courses

  Take a solid schedule including:   English—4 years   Math—4 years   Social Studies—4 years   Science—4 years (at least two lab sciences)   Foreign Language—minimum of 2 years of a modern language

  AP courses should be taken as appropriate but should not so absorb the student that co- and extra- curriculars are non-existent

  Electives should mirror the interest/passion of the student

The College Application Process

  Timing: Know each school’s application deadline and beat it   Pay close attention to deadlines for special consideration (i.e.,

scholarships, honors programs, etc.) as these may differ from the “normal” deadline

  Types of deadlines:   Early Decision—binding (all other apps must be withdrawn)   Early Action—admission decision conveyed prior to April 1 but

deposit not required until May 1   Regular Decision—set deadline, admission decision on April 1,

deposit required by May 1   Rolling Admission—decision given shortly after application

completion, deposit required by May 1 or later

Standardized Tests

  SAT/ACT   Depending on score, take no more than three times   Highest score on each section considered (do not have to be

from same test administration)   General “wisdom”, SAT measures aptitude and ACT

measures mastery   SAT IIs (measure mastery of a subject)

  Usually required by highly selective schools, often required/ suggested by selective schools

  Take a minimum of the number required by school   Take immediately following the term in which the course is

completed

And What About APs?

  Original purpose was to allow students to skip introductory college courses

  Now often used to garner college credit   Generally credit is awarded if student scores a “4” or “5” and a

comparable course is offered at the school   Frequently used to replace college electives

  Some skepticism among college faculty as to the validity of APs when courses are “taught to a test”

HOLISTICALLY ( D E F I N I T I O N : R E L A T I N G T O O R

C O N C E R N E D W I T H W H O L E S O R W I T H C O M P L E T E S Y S T E M S R A T H E R T H A N W I T H

T H E A N A L Y S I S O F , T R E A T M E N T O F , O R D I S S E C T I O N I N T O P A R T S )

How Is An Application Read?

Importance of Factors in Acceptance

  Rigor of curriculum   Grade Point Average   SAT or ACT Score   Essay   Extracurriculars/Community Service   Recommendations   Other scores (SAT II or AP)

You Are Your Own Best Consultant!

  Suggested Websites   www.collegeboard.com   www.college-insight.org   www.finaid.org   www.fastweb.com

  New Resource: Net Price Calculator   Every college has one on their website   Use as a “guide” but only that

Questions