Choosing Universities/Colleges
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Transcript of Choosing Universities/Colleges
Choosing Universities/CollegesBackground InfoWhat to think aboutWhat to doResources
To Start off…
You have to be the EXPERT!
Types of Institutions
• Public • Private
• Universities: Graduate level research, includes pre-professional programs
• Liberal Arts Colleges: Undergraduate level research, broad preparation in academic disciplines
• Community Colleges: 2 years, general education requirements, vocational training
Choosing Universities• Cost & Financial Aid• Location
– Rural to Urban– Jobs/recruitment– Weather– Distance to family/friends
• Size: Under 1,000 to 60,000+• Major• Special Programs• Selectivity
– Reach (2)– Target (4)– Safety (2)
• Campus Culture
COST & FINANCIAL AID
Cost• Total cost from Up to ~$60,000
– Public: ~$20,000 to ~$52,000– Private: ~$35,000 to ~$60,000
• Room & Board – About $10,000+– Can save money by living off campus years 2-4
• Fees• Books• Travel
Comparative Costs
Comparative Costs
Financial Aid• US Citizens
– Eligible for• Federal Aid
– FAFSA– CSS Profile
• Institutional Aid• Private Aid
• International Students– Eligible for
• Limited Institutional Aid• Limited Private Aid
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Where do you want to live?• City Living vs. The College Town
• Jobs– Internships– Recruitment
• FYI: Snow is cold!• Staying close to family and friends
– Where will you go on holidays?
SIZE ??? – BIG VS. SMALL
The BIG Schools• More majors and classes• Bigger classes• Research• Diversity• International name recognition• Large scale events, sports
NYU 22,000 studentsBerkeley 25,500 studentsMichigan 27,000 students
The Small Schools• Intimate community• Smaller classes• Easier to know your professors• Focus on teaching• Recommendations for graduate school
Claremont McKenna 1,250 studentsWesleyan 2,850 studentsBarnard 2,400 students
Rankings• Quality cannot be quantified• They can tell you, in general terms, about the academic
credentials of the students they attract
RESEARCHING COLLEGES
Resources• Counselor• College Visits• Internet
– Review Sites– University web sites– Naviance
• Friends and Family• Alumni• Guide Books
Visiting Colleges• With family, if possible• Schedule interviews, if offered• Organized tour:
Trevor Sturgeon College Tours
SELECTIVITY
Apply to a Selectivity Range• Based on 8 applications:
– 2 Safety: 95% chance– 4 Target: 35% to 75% chance– 2 Reach: Less than 35% chance
Are you competitive?
HOW COLLEGES DECIDE
FactorConsiderable importance
Moderate importance
Limited importance No importance
Grades in college prep courses 74.9% 15.7% 5.0% 4.4%
Strength of curriculum 61.5 24.9 8.6 5.0
Admission test scores (SAT, ACT) 54.3 30.6 10.7 4.5
Grades in all courses 52.1 34.4 9.6 3.9
Essay or writing sample 26.6 29.9 22.7 20.9
Teacher recommendation 21.1 38.3 29.7 11.0
Student’s demonstrated interest 20.9 28.7 27.2 23.3
Counselor recommendation 20.4 41.9 26.5 11.2
Class rank 19.2 33.1 32.2 15.4
Interview 11.0 22.4 30.4 36.1
Subject test scores (AP, IB) 7.8 27.0 32.7 32.4
Extracurricular activities 7.4 36.6 37.5 18.5
SAT II scores 6.7 8.2 24.4 60.7
Portfolio 6.7 7.9 34.7 50.8
State graduation exam scores 3.9 14.2 29.3 52.6
Work 1.8 16.9 41.3 40.1
Factors in the Admission Decision
SOURCE: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2008
APPLYING
Requirements (In general)
SOURCE: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2008
U.S.A. Canada U.K. Australia H.K./Sing. Jpn/KoreaIB Diploma (Full/Partial)
Full Diploma or Partial Diploma
Full Diploma or Partial Diploma
Full Diploma (direct entry) or Partial Diploma (foundation year)
Full Diploma (direct entry) or Partial Diploma (foundation year)
Full Diploma expected
Full Diploma helpful (Grades / GPA most important)
TOEFL/IELTS YES YES YES YES YES YES
SAT SAT (and SAT Subject Tests for selective universities)
No SAT needed if Full Diploma
No SAT If Partial Diploma, strong SAT may lead to direct entry at less selective universities
High SAT if no Full IB Diploma
SAT
NAVIANCE (Family Connection)