Looking Ahead to College

Predicting the admissions landscape

February 23, 2010

Projected High School Graduates2010-2020

3.1

3.15

3.2

3.25

3.3

3.35

3.4

Graduation Year

Mil

lio

ns

Admissions at Selective UniversitiesClass of 2013

APPLY ADMIT %

Alabama 19370 11175 57

Auburn 17068 12085 70

UC Berkeley 44150 10250 23

Carnegie Mellon 23150 6350 27

Duke 23800 4200 17

Davidson 4410 1100 25

Emory 15400 4175 27

Furman 4000 2100 52

Georgia 17000 9200 54

Harvard 27380 2095 7

Haverford 3400 860 25

SMU 9000 4100 45

Vanderbilt 17000 4300 25

So, to put HS graduates and application numbers in perspective:

In the short term, numbers of HS graduates will decline

The numbers of applications at most selective colleges and universities will continue to rise – or at the very least, remain at very high levels

So, in a pool of very highly qualified candidates, the non-academic criteria will become increasingly important

What generates a large applicant pool?

Colleges, fearful of declining numbers, market more aggressively

Use of Common Application makes it easier for students to apply to multiple colleges

Therefore, colleges receive more applications Admission rates go down – colleges are not getting

larger Students get scared and nervous they will not get

admitted So, they apply to more colleges!

How do selective college and universities make admission decisions?

Curriculum: What a student takes relative to what is available.

GPA: Academic performance is the most important criteria. A student’s work must reflect genuine effort, intellectual ability, and a demonstrated interest in learning.

Test Scores: ACT or SAT: Test scores are still a factor at most selective colleges and universities. But they are increasingly being called into question and many colleges are test OPTIONAL. www.fairtest.org

The Academic Criteria only places a student into the pool of qualified candidates. What makes the difference? Essay(s): The ability to write personal essays – to tell

a personal story – to capture the student’s personality. Some colleges accept graded writing assignments.

Extracurricular Activities: What a student does after school is now of increasing importance! Demonstrating persistence and passion in school and community activities.

Recommendations: The ‘whole’ must fit together. School Teacher Community

The Importance of Extracurricular Activities

Selective colleges and universities expect to see meaningful experiences on a resume

Students engaged in activities have a stronger self-concept and an increased cultural awareness

Demonstrated commitment to group and group goals

Staying power – commitment and persistence for four years or more

Substance rather than titles Passion to excel Juggling multiple duties

Financial Aid: Paying for college in a tight economy

Need-Based Aid: uses federal methodology (FAFSA) and CSS Profile to analyze family income and assets and to predict Expected Family Contribution (EFC). FAFSA predictor at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Look for the FAFSA4caster.

Merit-Based Aid: Colleges use merit aid to recruit top students: scholars, athletes, musicians, leaders, community volunteers Schools recruit the top 25% of their applicant pool –

not the middle 50% The “Zippy Wal-Mart” discount.

The Randolph Experience

9th and 10th Grade: Meet with Academic Advisors to plan US

Curriculum Take PLAN (9th) and PSAT (10th) Receive feedback regarding results Introduction to College Board Quick Start Attend evening college presentation in spring Students are consistently reminded that grades

matter – more to the point – doing one’s best matters.

11th Grade:

PSAT/NMSQT testing in October The College Search process begins with the

Junior Seminars Junior/Parent meeting in late fall Standardized testing in winter and spring Junior Seminars in 3rd Quarter Student/Parent meetings Use of Naviance:Family Connection Search for “best fit”

12th Grade:

The college application process Continue standardized testing Application workshops Meet the deadlines

Rolling decision Early decision/action College reply date Enrollment date

The Randolph Bonus!

Our graduates are: Confident Engaged Self-starters Connected in extracurricular activities – fine arts

and athletics Active in the school and greater Huntsville

community with volunteer activities

The Practical Side

We require students in Advanced Placement classes to take the national AP exam.

With the emphasis on critical thinking and writing in the classroom, standardized test results are high across the class.

GPAs are weighted for in-state admissions to provide a level playing field for admissions, honors programs, and scholarships.

Most private colleges and universities recalculate GPAs with their own method and reflect the demanding nature of the high school curriculum

Why Randolph?

Our courses are demanding and rigorous. We require students to think critically,

prepare daily, write effectively, and be young people of character and integrity

It is not easy to for a young person to make their way in this teen world, but we hold steadfast to our ideals and are committed to the growth of every student as an individual