The College Admission Process: Maximizing College Options

Transcription

1 The College Admission Process: Maximizing College Options

2 Presentation Overview Why College is Important Paying for College The College Admission Process Questions

3 Why College is Important Expected Full-Time Lifetime Earnings Relative to High School Graduates, by Education Level (p.12) Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012, Table PINC-03; calculations by the authors. education-pays

4 Why College is Important Estimated Cumulative Full-Time Earnings (in 2011 Dollars) Net of Loan Repayment for Tuition and Fees, by Education Level (p. 13) Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2012, Table PINC-03; Baum and Ma, 2012; calculations by the authors. education-pays

5 What Matters in the College Admission Process Courses Taking courses that prepare students for college Exams Preparing for and taking college tests Other Considerations Extracurricular, Essay, Recommendations etc Universities Learning about different colleges

6 What College s Consider The first part of planning for college is understanding what factors colleges consider when looking at a student profile. PRIMARY FACTORS Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses Academic Performance/Grades Test Scores (SAT, Subject Tests, ACT) ADDITIONAL FACTORS Extracurricular Activities Essay(s) Letters of Recommendation Demonstrated Interest

7 Courses Taking courses that prepare students for college

8 Course Work High school academic record is one of the most important factors in college admission. Colleges will look at a few aspects: + Course Selection: Has the student challenged themselves with a rigorous course load and high-level classes, including AP, IB, dual enrollment or honors courses. + Grades: Every year counts, starting with freshman year. + GPA trends: Keep improving through every grade. + Class rank: (if offered by high school).

9 Courses Required for College A core curriculum is defined as: + English: 4+ Years + Mathematics: 3+ Years + Natural Science: 3+ Years + History/Social Science: 3+ Years Other courses that may be needed: + Language other than English + Visual/Performing Arts + College Prep Electives Consult high school counselor and/ or university admission offices for state or institutional requirements

10 Advanced and AP Courses Help + AP courses are college-level courses offered in high school + At the end of course, students take AP Exams standardized exams that measure how well students have mastered collegelevel course work + Students who do well on AP Exams can earn credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college

11 Five claims confirmed by multiple research studies In general students who earn a 3 or higher on the exam 1. perform well in subsequent college courses in the discipline. 2. perform well overall in college. 3. are more likely to graduate in four years. 4. are more likely to major in their AP subject or a related discipline. 5. are more likely to have better outcomes in college compared to students who take dual enrollment courses. 11

12 Students who took one or more AP Exams, regardless of what score was earned, are more likely to graduate in four years than non-ap students - even after controlling for prior academic achievement, demographic variables and school-level variables. Expected Four-Year Graduation Rate by AP Participation and Performance 80% Expected Four-Year Graduation Rate 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 45% 54% 47% 53% 59% 64% 69% 0% No Yes AP Participation and Performance Mattern, K., Marini, J. P., & Shaw, E. J. (2013). Are AP Students More Likely To Graduate On Time? (College Board Research Report ). New York, NY: The College Board.

13 Exams Preparing for and taking college tests

14 Exams The PSAT/NMSQT is taken in the Sophomore and Junior years of high school It increases students testtaking experience and helps them prepare for the SAT College Admission SAT College Visits AP/Honors Courses AP Potential PSAT/NMSQT Sixth Grade The SAT is taken in the Junior and Senior years of high school Used by thousands of colleges in the admission process

15 The PSAT/NMSQT Offers Benefits The PSAT/NMSQT jump starts the college admission process Provides feedback on skills Explores colleges and career options Prepares for SAT PSAT/ NMSQT Scholarship eligibility Opens doors with Student Search Service AP Potential Gives access to My College QuickStart

16 My College QuickStart Options

17 AP Potential + Research shows a strong relationship between PSAT/NMSQT and Advanced Placement (AP) + AP access is linked to success in college; participation in a rigorous high school curriculum is key + AP is a stronger indicator of college success than race, socioeconomic status, and GPA

18 SAT: Why is it important? The SAT measures what a student knows and how well he/she applies that knowledge + Colleges and universities accept the SAT as an objective measurement of students college readiness + A combination of grades and SAT scores is the best predictor of a student s future success in college + Taking the SAT gives students access to scholarship opportunities

19 What is the SAT? + Assesses subject matter learned in high school and problem solving skills + Offered seven times a year in the United States + Takes three hours and 45 minutes and consists of 10 separately timed sections: - One variable (unscored) section tests critical reading, mathematics, or writing (25 minutes total)

20 Why SAT Scores Matter Mean FYGPA by SAT Score Band Controlling for HSGPA 4.0 SAT FYGPA C or Lower B A HSGPA

21 The SAT and Graduation Rates Four-Year Graduation Rates by SAT Scores, holding HSGPA constant 100% % 76% Graduation Rate 60% 40% 65% 52% 37% 61% 52% 40% 20% 24% 29% 20% 28% 24% 18% 19% 20% 11% 0% A B C HSGPA

22 8 Key Changes to the Redesigned SAT

23 About the Redesigned SAT + The first administration of the redesigned SAT will be in spring Today s ninth graders will be the first to take the redesigned SAT. + The redesigned SAT will be offered in print everywhere and by computer in select locations.

24 About the Redesigned SAT *Please note: All time limits are tentative and subject to research.

25 SAT Study Resources Khan Academy has free, high quality resources available to help students with SAT preparation.

26 What colleges consider Other Considerations

27 What Colleges Consider + Positive recommendations from educators and mentors + Personal statement and essay(s) demonstrating writing ability and self-expression + A demonstrated interest that shows your enthusiasm for the colleges to which you re applying + Extracurricular activities, including participation in sports, performing/visual arts, volunteering, etc. + Community involvement, part-time work or internship + Interview (if applicable)

28 Looking at universities Learning about different colleges

29 Researching Colleges It is important to take steps to research schools to find best fit for student + Visit campuses (starting in junior year) + Understand Costs + Understand student ability and rigor of college + Think about majors available Ultimate list should have 6-8 colleges: + Reach + Safety + Good fits one is optimistic of getting into

30 Managing your College Process: BigFuture + Get everything you need to plan for college, with interactive tools and guidance every step of the way + Addresses the challenges and barriers that may arise in the process of applying to college + Helps families identify stronger and more affordable college options

31 Parent Action Plans

32 Paying for College

33 Paying for College: Net Price Calculator Every college has a net price calculator on their website.

34 My College Dollars Helps with Cost + Connects students to scholarship opportunities + Provides information and tools about college costs + Connects with: - $6 Billion in scholarships - $45 Billion in federal and state grants

35 Questions? Jacki Giordano Senior Educational Manager College Board