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
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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