The College Admission Process An Overview What we

The College Admission Process: An Overview

What we plan to answer � What must I consider (college fit)? � What processes are involved? � When do I need to complete the parts of the process?

What’s at stake? ◦ Nationally, approximately 30% of college students drop out in the first semester (poor college fit) ◦ Only 38% of Americans hold a baccalaureate degree ◦ Less than ½ of one percent of self-described Christians aged 18 -23 hold a biblical worldview ◦ Nearly 75% of Christian young people leave the church after high school.

College “Fit” Starts with You � To identify the right college options, both you and your student must determine the criteria for evaluating schools & prioritize them. ◦ Needs (non-negotiable) – see handout in packet ◦ Desires (negotiable) ◦ Academic credentials - “safe”/ “match”/ “reach” school (see SUS matrix & common data sets) � Begin with the end in mind – what kind of man or woman do you want your student to become (the whole person)?

Ask the right questions � What are my strengths, interests, passions (not necessarily my major)? � How do I want to develop further these strengths, interests, and passions? � Which colleges will help me to that? � Measure your answer against your values ◦ For the believer in Jesus Christ, all decisions are spiritual decisions and must be measured against eternal values (not the world’s – fame, popularity, etc. ) ◦ Prayerfully ask God to show you which college will develop you in every way to be the man or woman He is asking you to be.

Let’s Look at the Colleges With nearly 4000 college options, how do I know what to look for or what to expect? Breadth of Program Selectivity in Admissions Application Plans Decisions to Expect Outcomes

Considerations: Breadth of Program ◦ National Research Universities (280 institutions) �Have doctoral, masters, and bachelor’s degree programs with emphasis on graduate research by professors �Lower-level courses taught by graduate assistants �Offer extensive resources and major programs. Examples: UF, Vanderbilt University, Duke University, Clemson University, FSU

Considerations: Breadth of Program ◦ Liberal Arts Colleges (249 institutions) �Smaller with the emphasis on teaching & undergraduates (may still have graduate programs) �Award 50% of their degrees in the arts & sciences �Personal attention given to the student by the professors �Exposure to broader base of courses Examples: 3 Military Academies, New College of Florida, Wheaton College, Hillsdale College, Eckerd College

Considerations: Breadth of Program ◦ Comprehensive (364 institutions) �Offer a range of degree programs that include the liberal arts, as well as professional fields such as business and education. �Focus primarily on undergraduate education just as the liberal arts colleges do but grant fewer than 50 percent of their degrees in liberal arts disciplines. �Balance between teaching & research for professors. Examples: Florida Southern, Flagler College, Cedarville University, Anderson University (SC), Southeastern University, PBAU

Considerations: Selectivity in Admissions ◦ The more selective a college is in its admission process, the better retention and graduation rates it has. In other words, the institution is better able to “shape” its freshman class for best “fit. ” ◦ It is a good idea to have a “reach” school, a “match” school, and a “safety” school in your list of colleges to which you are applying. ◦ Selectivity ratings determined by test scores, GPA, HS rank, and acceptance rate of the college

Considerations: Selectivity in Admissions ◦ Highly Selective �Top 10% of the high school class �Competitive admissions process �High test scores required ◦ Examples of Highly Selective colleges �Harvard University (6% accept rate) �Vanderbilt University (14. 2% accept rate) �University of Miami (39. 7% accept rate)

Considerations: Selectivity in Admissions ◦ Selective �Top 25% of the high school class �Competitive or rolling admissions process �Average ACT scores 23 -27 ◦ Examples of Selective colleges �University of Florida (44. 1% accept rate) �UCF (46. 2% accept rate) �FSU (53. 7% accept rate) �Wheaton College (68. 7% accept rate)

Considerations: Selectivity in Admissions ◦ Traditional �Top 50% of the class �Rolling admissions process �ACT scores 20 -23 ◦ Open (Community colleges/State colleges) �Rank does not matter �ACT scores of 17 -20 or no test required

Considerations: Application Plans ◦ Non-restrictive/Non-binding �Regular Decision – student submits an application by a specified date and receives a decision in a clearly stated period of time �Rolling Admission – colleges review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle. �Early Action (EA) – students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date (nonbinding) ◦ Note: Priority deadlines for FSU (10/15) & UF (11/1)

Considerations: Application Plans ◦ Restrictive Application Plans (REA) �Early Decision (ED): �Binding decision �Early deadlines �Student must commit if accepted and rescind all other applications �Restrictive Early Action: �May be restricted from applying to other schools with early decision, early action, or restrictive early action �Non-binding �Have until May 1 to confirm enrollment

Application Plans: Decisions ◦ Accept: offered a place in the freshman class. You may be accepted for fall term or, in some cases, the summer term. �NOTE: Early Decision accepts must submit a deposit immediately and withdraw other applications ◦ Deny: Not admitted. Consult with college placement advisor before considering an appeal. ◦ Defer (ED & EA/Priority): The file will now be considered with the regular decision candidates. ◦ Wait Listed: Not admitted but if space becomes available they will do so. You will be asked if you want to remain on the waitlist.

Considerations: Outcomes ◦ Retention & Graduation Rates �Quality measure of student satisfaction and academic assistance �Indicates a college and a majority of its students are well-matched �Indicates sufficient classes and academic programs are available for on-time graduation �Solid system of support exists for the students to persist to graduation (academic, social, financial) �Average national graduation rate = 59% (6 yr. ) �Average national retention rate = 79%

Considerations: Outcomes ◦ Employment Rates for graduates �In general �In field ◦ Graduate School Admission �Medical School/Pharmacy School �Law School �Business ◦ Professional Exam Pass rate �MCAT �LSAT �Fundamentals of Engineering Exam �NCLEX (Nursing)

Admissions Timeline See Handout

� Students Other Thoughts should get to know the college admissions representative - he/she will be your student’s advocate. � Recruited athletes should complete NCAA pre -certification prior to senior year. � Have on-going family discussions about “must haves” in a college & evaluate after college visits. � Have on-going family discussions about what you can afford to contribute to your student’s education.

� Don’t Other Thoughts allow sticker shock to drive initial decisions � Create a checklist and calendar to chart your strategic college plan � You must visit colleges as a family (college is an investment similar to a home purchase)

Other Thoughts God is sovereign over all things, even college decisions. It is He Who will open and close doors in the process. We are asked to be faithful stewards of the time, talent, and treasure He has given us.