Upload
aleah-curle
View
215
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Moderator: Frank D. Sachs Director of College Counseling
The Blake School
Participants: Mark J. Hatch VP for EnrollmentColorado College
Kirk Brennan Director of AdmissionsU.S.C.
Mark Spencer Director of College Advising
Deerfield Academy
Questions for each participant to
answer:
1.Share the history of your program.2.Why do you do it? 3.What are the advantages to your school, to the student?4.What are the disadvantages to your school, to the student?5.Please share some statistics. How many offers do you make? How many accepts? How many participate?
6. Do you do anything special for the Midyears?
7. What options do they have during the first semester? Are they on their own or do you provide them with information about those options?
8. Do you ever admit any of the Midyears for the fall semester? Why or why not?
9. What feedback do you get from the students who participate in the Midyear program?
10. Do you have one piece of advice to share with others who are considering a Midyear program?
Questions for each participant to answer:
October 2013College Board Forum
Approximately 8-10% of each class (45-50 students)
Prior to 1998 it was a Summer Start Program with 80-100 students. June start for three Summer Blocks followed by the fall off.
Moved to Winter/January start in 1998 due to concerns with June 15th Block A start date.
Historically study abroad at CC has been 1/3 fall, 2/3 spring
Some students request a GAP semester at the time of application
Alumni often ask if this is an option for their children
Some College Counselors are proactive in working with students and families
A few are surprised and shocked when offered a place but for January
What do they do in the fall?
• Work and travel• Internships• NOLS• Where There Be Dragons• Study at a (local) college – as a non-
degree student• Spend time with family• Other
Why is this important to us and the educational
process?• Getting off the treadmill• Reflection• Life experience• Getting ready for college• Maturity• Ownership and authorship
SPRING ADMISSION AT USC
Kirk Brennan, Director of Admission
Steven B. Sample Paul Rigali Joe Allen
Once upon a time…
HISTORY
•Conceived in 1998, implemented in 1999•Renewed focus on Undergraduates•Response to USC transitioning to selective•Student-centered solution to challenge of enrolling a specific number•We have room in spring•Based in thinking that wait lists are not the best for students.
PROCESS
April 1 AdmissionMay 1 Spring Enrollment ResponseMay ~15 Movement from spring to fall if anyJuly 1 Apply for housingAugust 1 Commitment deposit dueDecember ~10 Mid-Year OrientationJanuary ~10 Start of school
ADVANTAGES
•Can allow for precision in shaping class•It’s an answer. Students can make plans•Eliminated the spring review cycle of October/November•We can say yes to more students
CHALLENGES
[How much time do I have?]
WHEN YOU GOT INTO SCDear [John Doe], Congratulations! You are among a select group of students who have been admitted to USC…"
See: http://fightonsprings.tumblr.com
..for the spring semester
See: http://fightonsprings.tumblr.com
CHALLENGES
Confusion•Big envelope•Feeling of second-class •Post-admit conversation is much different, urgent•Fall is depressing for the student•Some tempted to double deposit
Enrollment•Melt is higher, varies•Some academic programs can’t support it•New tuition stream becomes a new target•Moving spring admits to fall can be seen as failure•Draws out pressures/appeals•Extensive work with campus stakeholders•Size of pool likely smaller than wait-list pool
CHALLENGES[Do I still have time?]
Student life•Fall means football season, rush•Transition seen as more difficult•Housing is difficult to manage•Students will engage during fall
What to do in the fall•Students don’t want to (or can’t) enroll in community college•Articulation pre-approvals
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE
Think it through:•Gather buy-in from campus stakeholders•Hold the student’s hand from May to January•Guard value of wait-pool
Mark Spencer
Currently: Director of College Advising
Deerfield Academy
Formally: Dean of Admission
Brandeis University
Mid-Year Program• Advantages– Balance and Pace of life supported– Students asked to think differently about
admission– Pursue a productive and fulfilling experience– Study Abroad and Domestic– More admits in class (400 at Brandeis)– Graduate in seven semesters
• Disadvantages– No aid for abroad programs– Pre-med students and core classes off track– Initial negative and/or confused perception
Mid-Year Program• What do in First Semester?
– Anything– Study Abroad (England, China, France,
Spain)– Washington DC semester– Train for a sport– Do community service project– Work as an EMT– Take classes locally– Try something new
Mid-Year Program• Started @ 2005 to fill empty beds from
study away students.
• Thought we would get 50 in year 1, got 100
• Have admitted @400 to get 100 since
Admissions Volume Total - Mid Year
Year Entering 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Admits 436 424 407 427 413
Deposits 87 124 117 97 107
Yield 20.0% 29.2% 28.7% 22.7% 25.9%
Mid-Year Program• Transitioning to Campus– Full week long Orientation program– Constant communication before January
entrance– Group bonding (100-member family)– Understanding course sequencing ahead of
time– Housing - together in nicer residences
• Other– Must enter in Spring, even if defer
Mid-Year Program• Other, including “hidden”, benefits
– Character check - Students who elect to do mid-year show grit
– Mid-year students quickly assume leadership positions
– Admission officers make purer decisions, move beyond pressure for SAT and GPA numbers for US News ranking
• From the “other side of the desk”– Another opportunity for admission– Another opportunity for growth– Favors the wealthier, so counselor needs to be
creative with aid candidates and semester less tuition
Q & A
But first some comments from Frank