STUDYING IN THE USA

Qualities Valued in US Higher Ed

Critical Thinking & Analysis

Teamwork

Discussion & Debate Individuality

Drive & Intrinsic Work Ethic

Creativity

Timeline• Now - June

– Academic performance– Standardized testing

• SAT, ACT, TOEFL

– Research universities– Attend visits to ISM

• June – August– Exploration

• Service work, Internships, travel, college visits

– Research universities & narrow down list (ISM limit of 10 worldwide)

• September – December– Verify requirements for final list of

schools– Academic performance– Standardized testing

• SAT, ACT, TOEFL

– Essays

• December – January– Submit applications– Submit financial documents

• January – March– Wait….

• April 1– Decisions

• May 1– Deposit to ONE institution

Timeline

Types of Institutions

• Distinctions– Public vs. Private– Universities

• Graduate level research, includes pre-professional programs

– Liberal Arts Colleges• Undergraduate level research, broad preparation in

academic disciplines

– Community Colleges• 2 years, general education requirements, vocational

training

Factors To Consider• Cost & Financial Need• Location

– Rural vs. Urban– Jobs & Recruitment– Climate– Distance to Family/Friends

• Size (1,000 students to 60,000)• Major• Selectivity

– Reach– Possible– Safety

• Campus Culture

COST & FINANCIAL AID

Cost

• Total cost up to US$60,000– Public: ~$20,000 to ~$52,000– Private: ~$35,000 to ~$60,000

• Billable Expenses– Tuition, Room & Board (About $10,000+)

• Indirect Expenses– Books, Travel, Spending Money

Financial Aid in the US

• Basic premise of Financial Aid: Students and parents are the primary source of funds and are expected to contribute to the extent they are able

• Not based on what the parent’s would LIKE to pay

Financial Aid in the US

US Citizens

• Eligible for– Federal Aid– Institutional Aid– Private Aid

International Students

• Eligible for– Limited Institutional

Aid– Limited Private Aid

Financial Aid

• Grants & Scholarships– No stipulation of

repayment– Originate from

• Federal or State government• Private Sources• Institution

– Grants tend to be based on need

– Scholarships• Financial need• Merit• Particular talents or skills

• Loans– Requires repayment,

usually with interest• Subsidized• Unsubsidized

• Jobs– On campus

• Work Study

– Off campus• International students

not eligible

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Where Do You Want To Live?

• City Living vs. The College Town

• Jobs– Internships– Recruitment

• Environment• Staying close to family & friends

– Where will you spend holidays (Thanksgiving, etc.)?

College Visits

• With family, if possible• Visit a variety of colleges in a variety of locations to help

refine your preferences• Schedule interviews, if offered• Go when classes are in session, if possible

– Spring Break, October Break• Organized Tours

– Trevor Sturgeon College Tours• www.tscollegetours.com

– College Visits• www.college-visits.com

COLLEGES VS. UNIVERSITIES

The BIG Schools• More majors and classes• Larger size classes• Research• Diversity• International name recognition• Large scale events, sports

NYU 22,000 students 26 appsUC Berkeley 25,000 students 32 appsU of Michigan 27,000 students 16 apps

The Small Schools

• Intimate community• Smaller classes• Easier to build relationships with professors• Focus on teaching & learning• Recommendations for graduate school• Opportunities

Claremont McKenna 1,250 students 10 apps Wesleyan 2,850 students 8 apps Barnard 2,400 students 8 apps

Did You Benefit From The Teaching At Your College?

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Liberal Arts

Private

Top 50 Public

Public Flagships

Regional Public

Liberal Arts

Private

Top 50 PublicRegional Public

Public Flagships

Rankings• US vs. Other Countries

– US = for profit media as opposed to government• Tell you, in general terms, about the academic credentials of the

students they attract• Be informed • Only one criteria in researching colleges• Go well beyond rankings using other data

– Career Placement Office• Companies that recruit• Services provided

– Retention Rates– Graduation Rates– Employment rate after graduation

SELECTIVITY

Apply To A Selectivity Range

• Based on 8 applications– 2 Safety: 95% chance– 4 Possible: 35% to 75% chance– 2 Reach: less than 35% chance

• Consult with counselor

Are You Competitive?

Types Of Admission

Early Decision (binding)

ED I: Nov 1, Nov 15ED II: Usually JanuaryYou can do both!!

Early Action (not binding)

“Single Choice”Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford“Restrictive”Boston College, Georgetown

Regular DecisionStrict deadlines, usually around January 1

Rolling AdmissionApply any time, quick repliesApply early, if possible

ADMISSION DECISIONS

Factors In the Admission Decision

FactorConsiderable importance

Moderate importance

Limited importance No importance

Grades in college prep courses 84.3% 11.9% 2.3% 1.5%

Strength of curriculum 67.7 20.4 5.8 6.2

Admission test scores (ACT, SAT) 59.2 29.6 6.9 4.2

Grades in all courses 51.9 39.2 6.9 1.9

Essay or writing sample 24.9 37.5 17.2 20.3

Student’s demonstrated interest 20.5 29.7 24.7 25.1

Counselor evaluation 19.2 39.8 27.2 13.8

Class rank 18.8 31.0 31.4 18.8

Teacher recommendation 16.5 41.9 26.5 15.0

Subject test scores (AP, IB) 6.9 31.2 31.5 30.4

Portfolio 6.6 12.8 30.2 50.4

Interview 6.2 25.4 25.8 42.7

SAT Subject Test scores 5.4 9.7 22.6 62.3

Extracurricular activities 5.0 43.1 38.1 13.8

State graduation exam scores 4.2 14.9 23.8 57.1

Work 2.3 17.0 43.2 37.5

Data Isn’t Enough

• Data means…– Transcripts– Grades– Test Scores

• Students need to demonstrate VOICE– Teacher

Recommendations– Counselor Evaluations– Essays

“We don’t want professional test takers. How are you

and your perspective different?”

-University of Pennsylvania

What Colleges Want To Know…

• Can the student do the work here?• What evidence do we have?• How does he/she compare?• How will the student contribute to our

campus?• What will the student take away?

From Admissions Officers

“We are looking for people whose egos won’t get in the way of learning, students whose

investment in ideas and words tells us - in the context of their records - that they are aware of

a world beyond their own homes, schools, grades and scores.”

From Admissions Officers

“Students we accept haven't just gone through the motions—they've put heart and soul into

the areas that interest them.”

Essays & Activities

• Are you consistently interesting?• Are you passionate?• Do you make an impact?

Teacher Recommendations• Attest to you as a person in the context of the classroom• Powerful characteristics colleges seek

– Intellectual power– Curiosity– Love of learning– Initiative to learn beyond the classroom– Insightful in discussion– Creative– Willingness to take risks– Independently motivated– Collaborative– Learns from mistakes

• Don’t feel like you have to be ALL of these things• Ask a teacher who knows you well and can communicate your strengths• Teachers need stories to tell• Recommendations are honest but in a positive tone

Counselor Evaluation

• Put you in the context of our school• Tell stories that show what kind of person you are• Convey your interests, how you’ve pursued those interests

and what impact you’ve made in those endeavors• Help us advocate for you

– Allow us to get to know you; spend time in the Counseling Center

– Give us insight into who you are and what you stand for, dirt and all

– Senior profile, junior parent survey, and peer recommendations

GETTING STARTED

Where Should I Be In The Process Today?

• Determine your own criteria for a “good college” – student/faculty ratio, internship opportunities, location,

educational philosophy, etc.• Family conversations

– Student priorities– Parent priorities

• Create a college list– Now: 20-30 colleges – August: 5-10* colleges

• Be open-minded• Create an organizational chart, including deadlines and

requirements

*ISM strictly limits students to 10 applications worldwide (UC’s and UCAS count as one)

What To Do Now• Self-reflection; Determine priorities• Research• Junior college meeting #1

– December - February• Junior college meeting #2 (includes parents)

– February - April• Register for:

– SAT, ACT– TOEFL, if appropriate

• Junior Parent Survey (in Naviance) due: Jan 10• Senior profile due: First Day of Senior Year

Upcoming Events

**College Visits to ISM

**Mock US AdmissionsFor Grade 11 students and parents

Tuesday, February 4Wednesday, February 12Tuesday February 18

5:00 – 6:30, Little Theatre

**College Essay Writing Workshop, Part 1For Grade 11 students only

Tuesday, April 22Thursday, April 24Tuesday, April 29

3:00 – 4:30, Lofthouse

HS Guidance Blog

ISM College Counseling Site