Applying to University in North America

Tiffany SingletonNovember 14, 2011

Agenda for Today:

Standardized Tests Look @ “Trends in Higher Education” Logistics of Applying Essay Tips Financial Aid Info Advice from RA Class of 2011 Q&A

Standardized Tests:

SAT General Knowledge

SAT Subject (SAT II) 2-3 typically needed for highly selective schools

ACT Growing # of schools now accepting the

ACT+Writing in place of SAT Subject Tests

TOEFL International students

for whom English is not 1st language

Test Registration: SAT/SAT 2

Register with Frise Forms Cash or Check

(USD/KSH)

ACT Register online

www.actstudent.org Credit Card

TOEFL Register with Frise Paper based vs.

Computer based

Test Date Reg. Deadlin

e

SAT Dec 3 Oct 25

SAT Jan 28* Dec 20

ACT April 14 March 9

SAT May 5 March 27

SAT June 2 April 24

Final Year Testing Timeline:

ACT: October

SAT: October/November

SAT II Subject: November/December

ACT (retake): April

AP: May

Requesting ADDITIONAL SAT Score Reports

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Trends in the (NA) College World…

New Financial Aid Tools www.simpletuition.com

Aim is to bring transparency

Net Price Calculator Beginning Oct 2011

all US schools are required to post a net calculator on their website

Gives estimated cost of school and aid eligibility based on each student’s individual circumstances

Test-Optional Continues 850 schools no longer

require standardized test scores

Taking more holistic approach

Admissions Officers more willing to accept students who have some life experience

Trends…

Changes in Application Process More online applications

80% in 2010 58% in 2006

More gap year students More students applying

early decision/early action

Increase in applications (easier access - CommonAp)

23% of 2010 applicants applied to 7 or more schools

3% in 1975

Application Audits Several universities are

beginning “application audits”

Turnitin Service used to detect plagiarism in essays and applications

Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) 2010• $36 billion over 10

years to increase the max. Pell Grant

• $2 billion invested into community colleges to develop and improve educational or career training.

Click icon to add picture

GLOBALIZATION OF HIGHER

EDUCATION AROUND THE

WORLD

Federal funding to increase “Study Abroad” programs. Obama hopes to send 100,000 US students to China over

the next 4 years. Increase in recruitment of international students

60% increase in number of students studying outside their native country since 2000 (150% for US Students)

Trends…

Community College Numbers Continue to Rise 44% all undergrads Open

access/admission Seamless transfer

to university Few residency

requirements FinAid offered International

student programs

At Yale, Amherst, Princeton, Harvard, Dartmouth, MIT – need blind for international students

(*Have to be accepted 1st!)

Men Finish Last First time in history

women are earning more degrees than men!

By age 25, there are 141 female college grads for every 100 men

***Technology Take Over!

“Point, Click, Study” – over 3.5 million students taking online courses

High tech classrooms (tweeting professors, podcast lessons, Blackboard)

Use of technology in admissions Blogs, discussion

boards, virtual tours, Facebook, YouTube, Skype, Aps

Watch what you post!

The new background check:

Risqué Facebook/MySpace images

Claims of drug and alcohol use

Email names

Application Timeline

Meet with Counselor

Plan Application Strategy

2:3:2

Start Asking for Letters of

Recommendation

Start Application

Gather Financial

Aid/Scholarship Information

Factors to Consider:

Location Type of Institution (Public vs. Private,

Christian vs. Secular) Size Majors Offered Student Life/Activities/Athletics Housing Campus Environment

Helpful Tool: College Board Match Maker

College Selection Process:

How many? Where? Type? Location? Cost? Can I get in?

2:3:2 ratio

2 DREAM SCHOOLS 3 JUST RIGHT SCHOOLS 2 NO PROBLEM SCHOOLS

www.collegeboard.org

What Goes into Admission Decision in the USA?

Admission

Extracurricular

Academics**-GPA

-Rank -Rigor of courses taken in HS

-SAT/ACT Scores

Character/Leadership

**Other than engineering, typically apply to the university (not specific program/subject area)

Application Process: Gather materials (almost all applications now online) Read through ALL instructions

Check for recommendation forms, financial aid forms Request recommendations/transcripts* Photocopy/print application materials (rough draft)

Be attentive to detail Reflect – don’t rush

Essay Seek Advice Make/save copies before submission Submit your application Apply for financial aid/scholarships Request Mid Year Reports Request Final Transcript

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References: Someone who knows you well

Core subjects should be primary Coach/Electives teacher can be used

Give at least 2 weeks notice Give required forms (if applicable) Give resume with list of activities and interests etc./Brag

Sheet Give stamped envelope with address

Remind your recommender to keep a copy

Follow up with a thank you note…or chocolate :)

Common ApplicationWWW.COMMONAP.ORG Accepted by many colleges (over 400 and growing) Same application/forms can be used for other

participating schools Submit online (or print forms and mail) Records Set!

3.5 submissions per second during 2010-2011 admissions season!

2.3 million applicants 2010-2011 (up 23.4% from previous year)

Online School Forms System Teacher/counselor can fill out forms online Go to “School Forms” section to add teacher/counselor

Important to give accurate email!

Avoiding Application Mistakes:

Follow all directions! A lot of simple mistakes can be

easily avoided

Sins of omission Double and triple check to

make sure you haven’t forgotten anything

Give them what they’re asking for! Ex: Birthdate/Today’s Date

Have friends, family, or teachers look over

Give yourself enough time to

complete it!

Early ACTION vs. Early DECISION

Definition Binding?

Early ACTION

Apply early and receive decision

well in advance of institution’s regular

response date.

No

Early DECISION

Make commitment to first-choice. If admitted, must enroll. (Financial

aid only exception.)

YES

Community College:

The Economic Option Associate’s Degree Option Transfer Option Flexible Option

An option for YOU?

Canadian Universities:

Greater emphasis on academic record

Scholarships also usually on basis of academic success but not as common

MUCH less expensive than most US schools

Application forms/fees similar to US

Typically apply to the academic PROGRAM

International Student Info:

United States: www.eduPASS.com www.internationalstudent.com

Canada: www.Canada123.org

Writing the Essay:

Start EARLY Be honest Be yourself

Humor can be risky – be careful Go beyond the “who” and “what” and dig into the

“why” and “how” Keep in focus and follow directions Write and re-write Get a 2nd opinion Proofread Follow the word limit Don’t confuse applying online with sending an

email

Different Types of Essays:

The “YOU” Question Plus: Offers chance to talk about something other than

grades and test scores Danger: Can lead to an essay that is all over the place!

The “WHY US” Question Plus: Offers chance to show commitment to the school Danger: Any factual errors show student hasn’t

thought deeply about his/her choice

The “CREATIVE” Question Plus: Offers chance to show personality and values Danger: Possible to take undisciplined style of writing

Financial Aid:

What is financial aid? Money given or loaned to you to help pay for college FAFSA (federal government form) – US Citizens only

Who gets it? Those who need it Those who won’t (based on merit)

Where does the money come from? The government The college** Outside grants/scholarships www.finaid.com www.fastweb.com

Financial Aid:

Start Early

Financial Aid Fact Sheet

FASFA January 1 Can get PIN earlier (Nov) US Citizens ONLY

Each College Unique

Internationals – access to financial records

It is okay to negotiate!

What is the CSS Profile?

Service of Collegeboard

2012-2013 Profile available as of Oct 1st

Determines eligibility for nonfederal financial aid, such as institutional aid and scholarships

Registration fee and fee for each school to which information is sent

Gives student opportunity to include explanations about special financial circumstances

Many schools allow international students to complete

Financial Aid for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:

Each college has unique requirements for financial aid and their own financial aid application

Schools generally require complete bank records (evidence) Need to be notarized

Many schools require a down payment of 1st semester costs before they issue the 1-20 acceptance letter.

Financial Aid for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:

International Scholarshipswww.InternationalScholarships.com Financial aid, college scholarship and grant information for

international students wishing to study abroad. Basic and premium search to find scholarships all around the world!

International Studentwww.Internationalstudent.com (click resources tab)

Loans Financial Aid Scholarship Search Tool Financial Aid Advice Articles Financial Aid Forum

Ready to Apply??

Finish practice application (keep copies)

Start asking for teacher recommendations

Transcript/Secondary School Report Request

Write those essays Gather scholarship and financial aid

info Prepare to be patient!

College Advice from Rosslyn Academy Class of 2011

“Apply early…like right now!”*** “Have a backup plan” “Get your essay proofread” “Don’t miss financial aid deadlines” “Once you know where you are going,

apply for your VISA early” “Reach out to admissions counselors” “Take Subject Tests – you never know if

you will need them”

QUESTIONS???