Introduction to College Admissions

January 12-13, 2011

OverviewIt is in your best interest to take notesGETTING READY

Course SelectionTypes of SchoolsWhat Colleges Consider Testing Information

CHOOSING A COLLEGECollege Search Process & ResourcesConsidering the OptionsComparing Schools Types of AdmissionsApplication Materials and Process Application Checklist

Course Selection

Graduation requirementsDistinguished high school graduation plan

(4X4X4)

A balance of requirements and challenges

Courses that include interests and/or build skills for a future college major are encouraged.

Types of Schools

Liberal Arts CollegesUniversitiesCommunity CollegesSpecialized CollegesPublic vs. Private

CollegesAcademies

(including military)Prep Schools

What Do Colleges Consider?

Testing InformationCollege Board Customer Service # 866.756.7346

SAT Reasoning ExamRequired for almost all colleges except for

community colleges (Texas is an SAT state.)Generally taken in the spring of junior year and

fall of senior; MUST be taken no later than December of senior year

Several high schools are area test sitesRegister at www.collegeboard.com; save User

Name and Password Test scaled on 2400 points

Critical reading, writing and math sectionsColleges may elect to review essay written by

students

Testing Information Continued…

SAT Subject TestsPreferred by many selective colleges (two

to three exams)One hour subject examsStudents can take up to three exams in

one dayRegister and send scores same way as the

SAT Reasoning Exam (and by the college’s application deadline)

Test dates and registration deadlines are the same as the ones for the SAT Reasoning Exam

Testing Information Continued…

ACTAchievement testMeasures actual learning in English,

math, reading and scienceStudents should take the test with writing

as many schools want to see a writing sample Register at www.actstudent.org

Some selective colleges will accept ACT in place of SAT Subject Test

Scores to be sent to the colleges by the student by the college’s admission deadline

College Search Process

Programs Size

Location Campus Life

CostSpecial

Programs

Narrowing

Your Options

Resources for Selecting CollegesThe College Board – www.collegeboard.com

Use the free services (college and career searches)My College Quickstart

A ‘one-stop-shopping’ site for the college and career exploration and planning

Program also includes SAT preparation and ‘EZ-SAT Registration’ for every SAT exam

Princeton Review – www.review.com Use the Counselor-O-Matic to search for colleges

Books (i.e. Barron’s, Rugg’s Recommendations, Index to College Majors)

The List – Considering The Options

REACH

REALISTIC

SAFETY

FINANCIAL – REACH, REALISTIC, SAFETY

Sample College Comparison

University of Texas at University of Texas at AustinAustin

University of Texas at University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio

Trinity UniversityTrinity University

Average SATAverage SATCritical Reading 530-660 Critical Reading 530-660 (592)(592)

Math 570-700 (631)Math 570-700 (631)

Writing 530-660 (592)Writing 530-660 (592)

Average SATAverage SAT

Critical Reasoning (450-Critical Reasoning (450-560)560)

Math (470-580)Math (470-580)

Writing (430-540)Writing (430-540)

Average SATAverage SAT

Critical Reasoning (590-Critical Reasoning (590-700)700)

Math (610-690)Math (610-690)

Minimum GPA 3.0 Minimum GPA 3.0

81% from top 10% of 81% from top 10% of classclass

94% from top 25% of 94% from top 25% of classclass

No GPA offered (2.0)No GPA offered (2.0)

10% from top 10% of 10% from top 10% of classclass

38% from top 25% of 38% from top 25% of classclass

92% had HS GPA 3.0+92% had HS GPA 3.0+

55% from top 10% of 55% from top 10% of classclass

86% from top 25% of 86% from top 25% of classclass

45% offered admission 45% offered admission

App deadlines (reg, early)App deadlines (reg, early)

3,209/7,432 admitted Fall 3,209/7,432 admitted Fall ’10’10

87% offered admission 87% offered admission

App deadlines (reg, early)App deadlines (reg, early)59% offered admission59% offered admission

App deadlines (early dec, App deadlines (early dec, early act)early act)

73/80 admitted via EA73/80 admitted via EA

Types of AdmissionEarly Decision

Binding!

Early Action Non-binding Can apply to more than one school with a few exceptions

Regular Decision Watch deadlines – they vary Hear by April 1st

Rolling Admission “Apply anytime, hear anytime” It is recommended students apply as early as possible to

be sure space is still available Watch for priority deadlines

College Application Materials

GPA/RankResumeLetters of RecommendationEssayTranscriptTest Scores

The Application Process

The STUDENT will submit to the college:The applicationEssayApplication feeOfficial SAT & ACT scores from the testing

organizationOfficial transcript from Alamo Colleges

The GUIDANCE COUNSELOR will submit to the college:Official transcriptCounselor recommendationTeacher recommendations (if received)

The Checklist

Create a list of what is important – don’t forget the “must haves” in a school

Take SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject exams and/or ACT exam

Attend Open Houses and campus tours at different colleges and attend college fairs

Develop your academic resume.

Ask for letters of recommendation (2 teachers, guidance counselor) – ASK EARLY! Students should also check requirements at college to see if specific content area recommendation is required.

The Checklist (con’t) Select a range of schools and WATCH DEADLINES

Applications can be found on the college’s website (some schools offer reduced or no fee applications) or consider the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) and Texas Common Application (www.applytexas.org) . Paper versions are available but most colleges prefer electronic applications.

Make copies of EVERYTHING you submit and date when applications were submitted

Maintain/improve grades – they are very important

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if participating in Division I, II & III athletics (www.eligibiltycenter.org)

SourcesAdapted from Wilmington High School

College Information Night presentation. 2010.

College Board. College MatchMaker. 2010. 8 January 2010

http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/adv_typeofschool.jsp .

University of Texas at Austin. 8 January 2010 College Board. College MatchMaker.

2010. 8 January 2010 http://www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/.