For most applicants thin or thick envelopes arrive from colleges in dribs and drabs from early January through late March. It is “waiting season” for students as they anticipate decisions from their colleges: accepted, denied, or wait-listed.
As a college consultant this is the time of year I check in with my seniors about where they stand with their colleges. An advisee from New Jersey responded to me this morning: three acceptances, two denials, one wait-list, and two still-to-be-heard-from. Other advisees, applying to high-profile colleges, will wait until late March before hearing from any of their choices.
Admission officers gathering at recent College Board sessions around the country dreaded their own “worry season” as to decision-making about the numbers of students to accept in an unpredictable and financially challenging year. They too have their own “waiting season” in April as they keep tabs on the number of students responding positively to their offers of acceptances (in admission parlance – “the yield”).
This year especially students would be wise to be patient during their “waiting season.” Before making a decision and sending in a deposit by May 1, the Candidates’ Reply Date, students should adhere to these maxims:
1. Sustain an open mind until all decisions have arrived;
2. Keep in mind merit and need-based awards before making comparisons of actual cost for each public and private college on your list;
3. Attend the “accepted student” functions for your top choices – even if you have visited these colleges previously because visits in the spring can provide fresh information and insights as you hone in on your final choice.
Be patient and thoughtful in the “waiting season.”
Will Dunfey
University Advisors
Monday, February 16, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
University of California Regents Change Admission Policies
The UC Board of Regents approved a change to the University's admission policy that will affect current high school students graduating in 2012 and beyond. The new policy requires the same number of "a-g" courses and the same GPA as current policy.
The two key differences are:
1. These changes will not change the way students prepare for the University: students still need to complete the"a-g" requirements, earn the best grades possible, and take the ACT Assessment with Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test. They will also need content knowledge in case they choose to take an SAT Subject Test to demonstrate specific subject-matter proficiency.
2. Students who graduate from high school prior to 2012 will be held to existing admissions requirements. Moreover, this means that these students will be required to submit scores from two SAT Subject Tests in order to be eligible for admission (which is the policy now).
You can find out more information about the policy here.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
The two key differences are:
1. These changes will not change the way students prepare for the University: students still need to complete the"a-g" requirements, earn the best grades possible, and take the ACT Assessment with Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test. They will also need content knowledge in case they choose to take an SAT Subject Test to demonstrate specific subject-matter proficiency.
2. Students who graduate from high school prior to 2012 will be held to existing admissions requirements. Moreover, this means that these students will be required to submit scores from two SAT Subject Tests in order to be eligible for admission (which is the policy now).
You can find out more information about the policy here.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Monday, February 2, 2009
Hitting College Application Deadlines
It’s that time of year again when regular admission deadlines are looming. Students will sometimes wait till the last minute to upload their essays, or request transcripts, or ask teachers for letters of recommendation. There’s no point in procrastinating till the last day when you have months of planning time to make sure all necessary documents are received well before the deadline.
During these challenging economic times, there are some advantages to submitting your application before the deadline. The first is that many institutions are sending acceptance letters faster than in previous years because they want you to strongly consider them as an attractive option. Second, for students’ and parents’ sake, there is no need to compound the stress of waiting till the last minute when one missed item can cause a delay in an institution making a decision, or even worse, not considering the student at all because there are missing components to the application.
The college search can be stressful, but taking the anxiety out of it is very easy, especially at this time of the admission cycle. If students find themselves in the precarious position of missing a deadline, they should consider strongly calling the institution and asking what their options are. It never hurts to ask!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
During these challenging economic times, there are some advantages to submitting your application before the deadline. The first is that many institutions are sending acceptance letters faster than in previous years because they want you to strongly consider them as an attractive option. Second, for students’ and parents’ sake, there is no need to compound the stress of waiting till the last minute when one missed item can cause a delay in an institution making a decision, or even worse, not considering the student at all because there are missing components to the application.
The college search can be stressful, but taking the anxiety out of it is very easy, especially at this time of the admission cycle. If students find themselves in the precarious position of missing a deadline, they should consider strongly calling the institution and asking what their options are. It never hurts to ask!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Friday, January 23, 2009
Ten Financial Aid Questions
Let's face the fact that financial aid can make or break a decision about attending a particular institution. Here are ten questions that I recently read about from the latest HECA e-newsletter that you can ask an admission officer about financial aid before making an informed decision:
1. What is the average four-year graduation rate? What are some reasons why students don’t graduate in four years?
2. What is the average loan debt of a graduating senior?
3. How do you handle outside scholarship awards? Some colleges will reduce loan and/or grant awards.
4. What are the projected tuition increases over the next four years? What’s been the rate over the last five years compared to inflation?
5. Do you offer both merit and need based aid?
6. When packaging financial aid awards, do you meet full need or gap students?
7. Is institutional aid available, and if so, is it re-evaluated annually based on a family’s circumstances?
8. Does applying to financial aid impact admission decisions?
9. What are the criteria for merit aid?
10. Which need analysis methodology do you use?
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
1. What is the average four-year graduation rate? What are some reasons why students don’t graduate in four years?
2. What is the average loan debt of a graduating senior?
3. How do you handle outside scholarship awards? Some colleges will reduce loan and/or grant awards.
4. What are the projected tuition increases over the next four years? What’s been the rate over the last five years compared to inflation?
5. Do you offer both merit and need based aid?
6. When packaging financial aid awards, do you meet full need or gap students?
7. Is institutional aid available, and if so, is it re-evaluated annually based on a family’s circumstances?
8. Does applying to financial aid impact admission decisions?
9. What are the criteria for merit aid?
10. Which need analysis methodology do you use?
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Be Realistic: Plan Ahead for Your College Options
Colleges can't accept everyone. Just like any other consumer product (and yes a college education is a consumer product!) there is supply and demand.
Many colleges have only so many places and the job of the admission office is to find students to fill those places without over enrolling. The Ohio State University marching band can only have one tuba player dotting the "i" on Ohio during the halftime show! And colleges only have so many seats in classrooms and beds in the residence halls.
Supply and demand is what makes certain colleges or majors selective; thus, they can pick and choose exactly who they want and who they think will enroll.
This selectivity causes many very good students (even valedictorians) and those who are class presidents with many extra-curricular activities to be rejected from their first choice college. It comes down to is a numbers game. And sometimes these numbers are not SAT scores, GPA, yards per carry, number of extra-curricular activities or leads in the school play.
If you've “got the numbers and resume” you should still apply to the selective places, but you should also apply to others that are not as competitive for admission. You will get in somewhere. It may not be your top choice, but you will find the place which will be "exactly the right school for you.”
This is also the reason for applying to schools that you definitely want to go to or where you will be happy if your first choice college doesn't accept you. Being realistic about the places you apply will eliminate the stress of the process not only for yourself, but also for your parents.
Plan ahead for options now!
Brian E. Davis
University Advisors
Many colleges have only so many places and the job of the admission office is to find students to fill those places without over enrolling. The Ohio State University marching band can only have one tuba player dotting the "i" on Ohio during the halftime show! And colleges only have so many seats in classrooms and beds in the residence halls.
Supply and demand is what makes certain colleges or majors selective; thus, they can pick and choose exactly who they want and who they think will enroll.
This selectivity causes many very good students (even valedictorians) and those who are class presidents with many extra-curricular activities to be rejected from their first choice college. It comes down to is a numbers game. And sometimes these numbers are not SAT scores, GPA, yards per carry, number of extra-curricular activities or leads in the school play.
If you've “got the numbers and resume” you should still apply to the selective places, but you should also apply to others that are not as competitive for admission. You will get in somewhere. It may not be your top choice, but you will find the place which will be "exactly the right school for you.”
This is also the reason for applying to schools that you definitely want to go to or where you will be happy if your first choice college doesn't accept you. Being realistic about the places you apply will eliminate the stress of the process not only for yourself, but also for your parents.
Plan ahead for options now!
Brian E. Davis
University Advisors
Friday, January 9, 2009
Online Admission Interviews
Many students have and/or will cast a wide net when applying to colleges and universities for fall 2009 admission. Some small to mid-size schools require an interview, whether it’s on-campus or remotely with a regional admission officer or alum. However, a few schools are trying a different approach – online interviews.
Online interviews are not a new phenomenon, but they are not commonplace in higher education. I see that changing, though. Most macintosh computers have built in cameras or students can purchase webcams for $30 at your local target. But, is the online interview a better option than in-person? If you can’t get to the campus or have scheduling problems, yes, it is. If you can do the former, face-to-face is always the way to go. I’ve conducted face-to-face interviews and on the telephone, but never online. I have, however, used gmail’s video chat, which is a compelling option to stay in touch with family and friends on the other side of the country.
Colleges have been slow to integrate the online interview option. Perhaps savvy prospective students could broach the subject of having an online interview with their admission officer? That would catch my attention as the interviewer and make me aware of the assertiveness of the student and his/her interest in my institution.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Online interviews are not a new phenomenon, but they are not commonplace in higher education. I see that changing, though. Most macintosh computers have built in cameras or students can purchase webcams for $30 at your local target. But, is the online interview a better option than in-person? If you can’t get to the campus or have scheduling problems, yes, it is. If you can do the former, face-to-face is always the way to go. I’ve conducted face-to-face interviews and on the telephone, but never online. I have, however, used gmail’s video chat, which is a compelling option to stay in touch with family and friends on the other side of the country.
Colleges have been slow to integrate the online interview option. Perhaps savvy prospective students could broach the subject of having an online interview with their admission officer? That would catch my attention as the interviewer and make me aware of the assertiveness of the student and his/her interest in my institution.
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
Monday, January 5, 2009
College Campus Trips/Tours
I’m always amazed at how students choose colleges Most times, it’s the brand name, or a family member attended, or a high school friend is going, or it’s in-state/close to home (perception that tuition will be cheaper). I rarely hear a student say: I’m interested in X school because I visited the campus when I went on a college campus trip/tour. Students that go on college campus trips/tours are the ones I enjoy working with because someone (their parents, their guidance counselor, or perhaps themself?) took the initiative to learn more about the “lived experience” of a school. In this age of facebook and google searches, it’s comforting to know that students will look outside their limited view and focus on the possibilities, which are initially found on the campus itself.
There are many college campus trips available to students in the United States. One that I know well and recommend is College Campus Trips. I met with their owner, Ron Denaro, after the NACAC conference this past year, and learned more about the unique experiences that his company provides – hassle free – so that students can focus on observing and living the campus experience. Without going into all the details, it just made sense for me as an admission consultant to want my students involved with this opportunity.
Many juniors are just beginning their college search and should consider scheduling a college campus tour experience this spring/summer/fall. Don’t rely on hearsay, the default of going to the local school, or following in someone else’s footsteps just because you’re supposed to. College is a major investment of your time and money. Take the time as a high school student and visit campuses you don’t know about or want to investigate. It will broaden your viewpoint on college itself. Additionally, traveling is such a fun experience to begin with, so why not do it while you can!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
There are many college campus trips available to students in the United States. One that I know well and recommend is College Campus Trips. I met with their owner, Ron Denaro, after the NACAC conference this past year, and learned more about the unique experiences that his company provides – hassle free – so that students can focus on observing and living the campus experience. Without going into all the details, it just made sense for me as an admission consultant to want my students involved with this opportunity.
Many juniors are just beginning their college search and should consider scheduling a college campus tour experience this spring/summer/fall. Don’t rely on hearsay, the default of going to the local school, or following in someone else’s footsteps just because you’re supposed to. College is a major investment of your time and money. Take the time as a high school student and visit campuses you don’t know about or want to investigate. It will broaden your viewpoint on college itself. Additionally, traveling is such a fun experience to begin with, so why not do it while you can!
Liam Dunfey
University Advisors
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