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 SelectionGraduation requirements
Distinguished 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 SchoolsLiberal Arts CollegesUniversitiesCommunity CollegesSpecialized CollegesPublic vs. Private
CollegesAcademies
(including military)Prep Schools
What Do Colleges Consider?
Testing InformationCollege Board Customer Service # 866.756.7346SAT Reasoning Exam
Required 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
Cost Special 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 OptionsREACH
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 SATCritical Reasoning (450-Critical Reasoning (450-560)560)Math (470-580)Math (470-580)Writing (430-540)Writing (430-540)
Average SATAverage SATCritical 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 classclass94% 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 classclass38% 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 classclass86% 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 admissionApp 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 MaterialsGPA/RankResumeLetters of RecommendationEssayTranscriptTest Scores
The Application ProcessThe 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/.