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Selective CollegeAdmissionEvan FavreauDrake University
The process may be different
The criteria used for admissions may be different
The potential for scholarships and financial aid may be different
At Every School…
•Regular decisions
•Rolling decisions
•Priority deadlines
•Early decision
Application Policies
Initial applications are reviewed at once
Decisions are communicated at once
Regular Decisions
Applications are reviewed and decisions are communicated on an
on-going basis
Rolling Decisions
All applications before priority deadline will be considered equally
Applications after priority deadline may be considered on space-
available basis
Priority Deadlines
• Early application to your first-choice school• Early notification of admission• Binding: if you are admitted, you are committed to attend• Can only apply as “early decision” to one school•Deposit usually expected well before May 1
Early Decision
CollegeBoard.com
•Gone on many college visits
•Done extensive research
•On your own, you have a strong
academic profile and history
• You currently meet or exceed the
profile of your first-choice school
Apply Early Decision If…
CollegeBoard.com
Paper applications
(If you really want…)
How To Apply
School website/application
How To Apply
•Common Application• Build a “common” application profile• Member schools• Streamlines the process• Separate supplement for each school
How To Apply
Be aware of fees!
How To Apply
•Transcript
•Standardized test scores
•Student
activities/involvement
•Essay
•Recommendations
Application Materials
•Transcript
• GPA
• Challenging curriculum
• Trends over time
• Senior year schedule
• Class rank (maybe)
Application Materials
• Standardized test scores
• ACT
• SAT
• Written portions
• Subject tests
• Test optional/test flexible applications
Application Materials
•Student activities/involvement
• What are you doing outside of the classroom?
• Leadership experience is a big plus
• Another way for schools to see if you fit their student profile
Application Materials
•Essay
• Make it unique
• Not too long
• Proofread!
Application Materials
Proofread!
Proofread!
• Recommendations
• Check on requirements
• Diminishing returns
Application Materials
•Likely schools
•Probably/maybe schools
•Reach schools
•Find a balance
Where Do I Apply?
•Automatic consideration
•Additional applications
•Major/program
•Extracurricular/cultural/
leadership
•Outside scholarships
Scholarships
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
•Submit once for all schools being considered
•EFC (Estimated Family Contribution)
•Grants, work study, loans
Need Based Aid
• Selective/private schools will rarely cost the sticker price (in the end)
• Colleges award aid, including need-based
•Will be different from school to school!
• Everyone should submit the FAFSA
•Don’t be afraid to ask if more is available!
Keep In Mind…
•Before or after you apply
•Different types of visits•Group visits
•Individual/personal visits
•Overnight visits
•Program-specific visits
•Vital part of the process!
Campus Visit
•May 1 – National Candidate’s Reply Date
•Tuition/enrollment deposit
•Housing deposits
Making A Decision
• To consider when making a decision:
•What do you want out of your college experience?
•What was your visit experience?
• Four good data points:
• First-to-second year retention
•Graduating on time
• Internship/professional experience
•Accomplishment/placement rates
•Go beyond the numbers
Making A Decision
Evan FavreauDrake [email protected]
