Navigating the College Search

Kelly DiamondAssistant Director of Enrollment

John Carroll UniversityMarch 12, 2014

Too Many Choices!

Don’t be overwhelmed!

What do they have in common?

• Investor Warren Buffet• Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass • Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner• NBC "Today" show host Meredith Vieira• Former "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw• CNN founder Ted Turner• Folk rock legend Art Garfunkel• Matt Groening, creator of "The Simpsons”• Sun Microsystems chairman Scott McNealy

They were all rejected from Harvard.

There is not just one right school!

1. College Admission is a human process2. Life will go on no matter where you go to college

“What counts most in terms of desired outcomes of college is what students do during college, not who they are or even where they go.”

• George D. Kuh "The National Survey of Student Engagement”

Outline for today

• Help you think about what makes a “Good” college search?

• What “we” know about why students choose a college?

• Some useful research sites• The long view • Questions and answers

Many definitions of “best”

• Advice on picking a school: Various rankings by types of school, offerings

• Advice for types of students or parents: • Misguided advice focused on “getting in” • Too many guides/sites talk about stress/anxiety

Know Yourself

• Making the decision to pursue a college degree is the first step

• Knowing yourself is the key to navigate this process• A search form can be daunting if you haven’t thought about

questions in advance• What are you looking for?• Have you visited various campuses?• Do you learn well online? At your own pace? In a lecture? Or

needing to participate?• Do you want to be told what to take or have the ability to

choose?

Tip: There is not just ONE perfect school for every one –- that’s why there are 4,500 schools in the U.S. alone!

Enrollment Decision Reasons - Nationwide

• First-TierStrength of the Academic ProgramProfessional Success of Graduates

• Second-TierOverall AffordabilityCampus Physical CharacteristicsSocial Environment

• Third-TierCampus LocationAthletic Programs

Enrollment Decision Reasons - Nationwide

• First-Tier [The primary factors to put schools on your list]Strength of the Academic ProgramProfessional Success of Graduates

• Second-Tier [Factors that differentiate one school from another]

Overall AffordabilityCampus Physical CharacteristicsSocial Environment

• Third-Tier [“Tipping point” factors]Campus LocationAthletic Programs

Academic Programs

Academic Programs

Academic Programs

Academic ProgramsThe long view

• What if you don’t know?• THAT’S OKAY!

• Availability of Internships• What if you change your mind?

• Be sure about selecting a specialized school or program

• If you don’t change your mind … Graduate School• Call a graduate admission office: Where do

they come from?

Success of Graduates

• Graduating • On time?• Graduate school placement rates • Career center services offered

• Consider the field of your choice

• Articles written by faculty• Are they experts in their field• Do faculty teach or research?

• Is there a city or company where you want to be?

Tip: Reverse-Engineer from your dreams to make them a reality

Affordability

• Affording college is more than just the sticker price• Books and Fees• What is the history of tuition increases?• Will you graduate in four years or not?

• Consider all four years• Younger siblings coming? Going?• Understand aid policies of an institution• Off campus costs

• Loan debt of graduates• Compare quality of the experience• Compare the starting salaries• Online calculators

Tip: Costs should play a role in choosing a college but not in applying!

AffordabilityThe Long View

• Examples of future costs:• Fees to participate in student groups?• Books?• Graduate on time?• Does the school guarantee housing for four years?

• Consider New York City• “My 2BR apt is $3,200/month ....and that's actually

considered a decent deal”

Campus Characteristics

• What do you like to do?• What type of environment interests you?• What would distract you?

Campus CharacteristicsThe Long View

• Can you navigate the campus?• Hills? Weather?• What else?• Other Concerns …

• Architecture, Safety, Housing facilities, Dining Food Concerns, Disability/Access, Proximity of classes to residence halls

Tip: Deviate from the campus tour

Social Environment

Do you want to … • Lead or follow?• Be entertained or perform?• Continue things you have done or learn new things?• Help others?• Study Abroad?• What else?

Campus LocationThe Long View

• Distance from home• Near a city or rural• Access to Off-campus activities, apartments• Can you bring a car? Do you need a car?• What about parish or Church of your faith?• What about Medical considerations (hospitals, prescription refills?)

Athletic Programs

Athletic ProgramsThe Long View

• What if you don’t make the team?• What if you get injured?

Choose a school, not just a sport

Summary - Handout

• Academic Goals• Professional Success of Graduates• Overall Affordability• Campus Physical Characteristics• Social Environment• Campus Location• Athletic Programs

I can see myself here. It just feels right.

Useful Links

College Navigator: Compare colleges on factors such as programs offered, retention and graduation rates, prices, financial aid, campus safety, and accreditation.

• Research one specific school• Compare schools• Most helpful later in the

selection process to pick a school

Useful Links

• http://collegemeasures.org/

Useful Links – College’s Own Website• Research

• Admission is about 5%

• Read the student newspaper

• Find a calendar of events

• Search for Institutional Research

• Search for “accreditation”

• Department information

Good Questions• I am hoping to do X, can you tell me about that at your school?

• Instead of: What are your biggest majors?• Rather: Can you tell me about your Biology major?

• Instead of: What is your average gpa for admission?Rather: I am above your average gpa, can you tell me about what scholarships or challenges exist?

Rather: I am below your average gpa, can you tell me what other factors are important in the review process?

• Will you be reading my application?

0.001%

• The admission staff represents such a small fraction of the John Carroll family.

• Don’t judge an entire college by one person• Find student newspapers online• Reach out to friends at the school• Talk to your counselor about former students• Listen!

Questions?