October 3 2017 Private College Admissions Hikaru Yamaguchi

October 3, 2017 Private College Admissions Hikaru Yamaguchi, Senior Admission Counselor

OVERVIEW • All shapes and sizes • Driven by a “mission” – Some unique, some similar • Hundreds throughout the U. S. October 3, 2017 2

What makes a HEADLINE “private” school COPY & MORE private? October 23, 2021 GONZAGA UNIVERSITY 3

WHAT MAKES A SCHOOL PRIVATE? • Mission driven • Curriculum reflects mission • Generally tuition driven and/or run on endowments • Accredited private schools also receive federal funding October 3, 2017 4

WHY APPLY TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL? • Academics – Student to Faculty ratio • Resources – – Access Support Research Financial Aid • Community – Class Size – Residential October 3, 2017 5

PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE EXPENSIVE? • Both myth AND reality • Most private schools are expensive, but offer substantial aid • “Sticker price” is different than actual price • Can it be affordable? YES. October 3, 2017 6

MAKING IT AFFORDABLE • File the FAFSA (by priority deadline) • Be active in scholarship searches – School specific – Privately funded / “outside” • Begin thinking and talking now, being realistic about debt October 3, 2017 7

GETTING IN – the application process • Curriculum • Grades (and grade trends) • Test scores (SAT or ACT) • Essay • Activities • Recommendations / character • Admission interview October 3, 2017 (optional) 8

GETTING IN – standing out • Be yourself, but showcase your “best self” • Have someone review the essay • Think about who you ask for a recommendation • Be accurate on the application October 3, 2017 9

DEADLINES – what they mean • Pooling vs Rolling admissions • Early Action (EA) vs Early Decision (ED) • Regular Decision • May 1 commitment deadline October 3, 2017 10

ADVICE – from your admission counselor • Connect – visit, phone or email, virtual tours • Be engaged in admission & scholarship search • Understand an education is an investment in the future October 3, 2017 11

Questions? Hikaru Yamaguchi Gonzaga University Senior Admission Counselor yamaguchi@gonzaga. edu (509) 313 -6574 October 3, 2017 12