College Admissions Information Night

College Admissions Information Night Kim Cullen, Guidance Counselor Tuesday, February 3, 2009

The Ivy League consists of eight prestigious learning institutions in the northeastern United States: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Cornell, Columbia and Brown Universities, the University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth College. Seven of these were established before the American Revolution. Which one was founded last? • Brown • Princeton • Cornell • Dartmouth

Cornell • Cornell University was founded April 27, 1865, in Ithaca, New York. Senator Ezra Cornell offered his farm as a site and half a million dollars as the initial endowment for the school. He also gave the school its motto: "I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study". Incredibly, Cornell was the first Ivy League school to enroll women, beginning in 1870.

Which Ivy League school, established in 1754, was originally named King's College, after receiving a Royal Charter by King George II of Great Britain? • Yale • Princeton • Brown • Columbia

Columbia • The school was renamed Columbia College in 1784 and Columbia University in 1896. It is located in the borough of Manhattan, in New York City. The American Revolution was not friendly to Columbia. All programs were suspended from 1776-1783 as control of the area changed hands, and the campus was used as a military hospital by American and British forces during these years. Former U.S. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt attended Columbia but did not graduate. Barack Obama is the first President of the United States to graduate from Columbia University.

Computers are an integral part of a university student's life. Which Ivy League school made it mandatory for every student to own a personal computer in 1991? • Dartmouth • Harvard • Cornell • University of Pennsylvania

Dartmouth • Dartmouth prides itself on its high level of technological advancement. In 2001, it became the first Ivy League institution to offer complete wireless internet access in all buildings and most outdoor spaces, providing over 1,400 access points. "Blitzmail", is an e-mail network created by Dartmouth. On campus, there are over one hundred terminals in place for Blitzmail use. The students use it for communication just as much as cell phones.

Liberal arts colleges are small institutions focusing on teaching undergraduates that are not well-known to the general public. What three East Coast institutions were the three top liberal arts colleges in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges - 2007"? • Williams, Amherst, and Swarthmore • MIT, Stanford, and the U. of California - Berkeley • Princeton, Harvard, and Yale • Reed, Oberlin, and Sarah Lawrence

Williams, Amherst, and Swarthmore • Liberal arts colleges are four year colleges which generally have few if any graduate programs or professional degree programs. Princeton, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, and the University of California - Berkeley are in the National University category in U.S. News and World Report's college rankings. Reed, Oberlin, and Sarah Lawrence are all excellent liberal arts colleges with politically liberal student bodies but did not rank among the top three.

Many excellent schools are not well-known by the general public. What were the three top engineering programs at institutions without doctoral programs in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges - 2007"? • MIT, Stanford, and University of California - Berkeley • Grinnell, Oberlin, and Macalester • Ohio State, Michigan State, and University of Florida • Harvey Mudd, Rose-Hulman, and Cooper Union

Harvey Mudd, Rose-Hulman, and Cooper Union • The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of California - Berkeley were cited as the three top engineering programs at universities that offered doctoral degrees.

Where is… Gonzaga University • Spokane, Washington Baylor University • Waco, Texas Emory University • Atlanta, Georgia Vassar College • Poughkeepsie, New York Rollins College • Winter Park, Florida Duke University • Durham, North Carolina Vanderbilt University • Nashville, Tennessee Naropa University • Boulder, Colorado

Did you know? • Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is based on Nalanda University. Nalanda flourished in India from the 5th to the 12th centuries. At Nalanda University, Buddhist philosophy and the discipline of meditation provided the environment in which scholars, artists and healers from many Asian countries and religious traditions came to study and debate. Nalanda is known for its joining of intellect and intuition, and for the atmosphere of mutual appreciation and respect among different contemplative traditions. This was the inspiration for the development of Naropa University.

Celebrity Alma Maters John Adams was the second President of the United States. He was educated in the field of law at this Ivy League university. • Harvard University • University of Pennsylvania • Yale University • Princeton University

Celebrity Alma Maters One of the actors starring in 'Friends' graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. • Courtney Cox Arquette • Jennifer Aniston • Lisa Kudrow • David Schwimmer

Celebrity Alma Maters John F. Kennedy studied at all of these schools except one. • Harvard University • London School of Economics • United States Military Academy (West Point) • Princeton University

Celebrity Alma Maters Hollywood star Brad Pitt attended the University of Missouri, where he studied this. • History • English literature • Philosophy • Journalism

Celebrity Alma Maters At first Condoleezza Rice's plans were to become a pianist. However, after she attended a course on international politics taught by this person, she changed her mind and at age 19, Rice earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Denver. • Josef Korbel • Henry Kissinger • Noam Chomsky • None of these

Celebrity Alma Maters At first Condoleezza Rice's plans were to become a pianist. However, after she attended a course on international politics taught by this person, she changed her mind and at age 19, Rice earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Denver. • Josef Korbel (Madeleine Albright’s father) • Henry Kissinger • Noam Chomsky • None of these

Celebrity Alma Maters Before altering the course of his career towards drama, this actor received a master's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney, and was eventually awarded a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to MIT. • Sean Connery • Dolph Lundgren • Clint Eastwood • Nicolas Cage

College Admissions Information Night Kim Cullen, Guidance Counselor Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Guidance Office/College Counseling Kim Cullen Upper School Guidance and College Counselor kimcullen@asmadrid.org Anna Pointing Upper School Guidance Secretary, CAS Coordinator UCAS support annapointing@asmadrid.org Juan Ortiz Director Técnico (Selectividad, LOGSE) juanortiz@asmadrid.org

The goal As a college-preparatory school ASM Guidance Office focuses on helping to identify those colleges or universities that most closely match the individual student’s interests, needs, abilities, and potential.

Guidance Office • Assists students and parents to develop a reasonable list of colleges, based on student’s interests, needs, abilities, and potential. • Assists students through the college application process: transcripts, records, recommendations, essays. • Coordinates SAT and ACT testing. • Advocates for the student, through the recommendation letter, and ongoing contact with the colleges and universities. • Serves as a sounding board for both parents and students when questions or concerns arise through the application process.

Purpose of tonight’s presentation • Preview the college admissions process • Get students to start thinking about where you might like to go to college, and what you might like to study • Highlight what is in the College Admissions Handbook • Encourage parents and students to begin working with the Guidance Office on college-career plans • Answer questions

The importance of “fit” The degree to which the student and their choice of university “match” is crucial in making the college experience positive. Dr. William Scott Green, Dean of Undergraduate Education at University of Miami says: There are two things in life you cannot take back: your criminal record, and your academic record. Finding the right fit will enable you to flourish.

Self-Assessment • Do you want to go to College? • Why? • What do you hope to gain – personally and professionally? • How do you learn best? • Do you want to study anything that requires special facilities or programs? • What are your extracurricular interests/needs? • Alternative Options • Gap year, Community service, Work

Characteristics of US Colleges: types University vs. College Liberal Arts College Junior College Engineering or Technical College Specialty Schools (for example): • Nursing • Military • Hotel Administration/Tourism • Business Special interest groups (Historically Black Colleges & Universities; single sex schools)

Characteristics: size • Small: usually under 2,500 students • Medium: generally 2,500 to 10,000 students • Large: any campus over 10,000 students.

Characteristics: selectivity Competitive, Less Competitive, and Non-Competitive Most Competitive: • Accepted students have an “A” average • SAT scores between 625 and 800 • Admissions rates under 30% Very Competitive: • Accepted students general do not have lower than a B- in any course • SAT scores between 525 and 575 • Admissions rates between 50% and 75% Highly Competitive: • Accepted students have a “B+” to “A” average in most difficult classes • SAT scores between 575 and 625 • Admissions rates between 30% and 50%

What do colleges look at? Transcript • Quality of student’s course selection • Quality of high school program Standardized test scores (if applicable) • How they compare with the typical profile of accepted students Recommendation letters • Typically English/Math, also Humanities/Science Short answers and essays • Activities and interests • How a student presents him/herself

Standardized Testing – the tests (US) Standardized testing is an important factor in admission of using new procedures at most colleges and universities, however, they generally count less than the curriculum and grades. SAT Reasoning: Measures aptitude and potential SAT Subject: Many schools require three SAT Subject tests: English, Math IC or IIC and a 3rd of your choice ACT: Measures actual learned knowledge TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language – required of international students by a large number of universities

Standardized Testing – which test? Different philosophies: • Some colleges have made standardized testing optional (Bates, Bowdoin, Dennison, Dickinson, Drew, Franklin and Marshall, Goucher, Guilford, Lake Forest, U Miami, Mount Holyoke, Providence, Saint John’s, Union). • Some will not require SAT or ACT if you submit SAT Subject Tests (Connecticut College, Hamilton College, Middlebury College). • Most schools will give you a choice: SAT or ACT. • Some scholarship programs will require specific SAT or ACT. For more information on which schools have made SAT/ACT optional, see www.fairtest.org/university/optional.

Standardized Testing – which test? It doesn’t hurt to take both. If uncertain: take each one once, then retake the one you like better. Remember: SAT Reasoning measures aptitude ACT measures acquired knowledge • Many students who do not “test well” on standardized exams may do better on the ACT. • Compare school success with success on the SAT. If you are an A student but scoring in the lower 500s on the SAT, you might consider taking the ACT as well. • You can always elect to take the ACT and not send your scores.

Standardized Testing: the TOEFL A note about the TOEFL: Increasingly, the more competitive universities will want international students to take the TOEFL no matter what; independently of whether the student has studied in an English-language school since kindergarten, or whether the student is in IB HL English. Students are encouraged to take the TOEFL before the end of 11th grade. This will take off some of the pressure in 12th grade.

Standardized Testing: SAT Prep? Should you take an SAT Preparation course? Consider the following: • Is the SAT optional? • How competitive is the university? • How did you do on the PSAT? Add a “0” to your PSAT score to get a rough idea of how you would do on the SAT 50/50/50 on the PSAT would be more or less equivalent to 500/500/500 on the SAT Several options: • ASM-based SAT Prep course – Alpha Review • Spring session leads to May exam. • Fall session is intensive and leads to October exam. • Outside SAT Prep course – e.g. Kaplan, private tutoring

Typical Testing Plan 11th grade: ACT with Writing – April 4, 2009* SAT Reasoning – May 2, 2009 SAT Subject – June 6, 2009 TOEFL: offered monthly – take before end 11th grade 12th grade: SAT Reasoning – October 2009 SAT Subject – November 2009 SAT– Dec 2009/Jan 2010 ACT with Writing – December 2009 TOEFL: monthly * You can take the ACT without writing, but if you will likely be submitting only the ACT and not the SAT, you should plan to take the ACT with Writing.

Final notes on standardized testing HOW MANY TIMES CAN I TAKE THE SAT? No more than 4 times, typically 2 Reasoning tests and 3 different Subject tests taken only once each. WHICH SCORES WILL THE COLLEGES SEE? Default: All scores for all sittings are sent, and colleges will pick the highest in each sitting for each subject area e.g. May 09 590 CR 650 M 630 Wr Oct 09 650 CR 620 M 680 Wr NEW Mar 09: Score Choice: Allows you to select the scores from a particular sitting e.g. May 09 590 CR 650 M 630 Wr Oct 09 650 CR 620 M 680 Wr

The College Search Process Catalogs in Guidance Office Online Alumni Network College Visits

The College Search Process Catalogs in Guidance Office Advantage: compare and contrast schools Disadvantage: printed books can become quickly outdated. Online www.asmadrid.org/guests/departments/guidance/guidance_home.htm www.collegeboard.com www.princetonreview.com www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/rankindex_brief.php www.petersons.com https://connection.naviance.com

The College Search Process Alumni Network College Connections Program • Allows ASM student to contact ASM alumni at many different colleges and learn more from the unique perspective of the ASM graduate. • http://www.asmadrid.org/alumni/subpages/programs.htm#COLLEGE_CONNECTION_PROGRAM College Q&A Alumni Panel Program

The College Search Process College Visits Visits to ASM from college representatives Students should attend as many of these as possible. Visits to college campuses Students who have the opportunity to visit a campus have a much better idea of the kind of school they want. There are organizations that offer tours, such as The Princeton Review, and College-Visits.com* Virtual Tours www.campustours.comfree online www.ecampustours.comfree online www.collegiatechoice.com(walking tours, 15$ per video) * Neither ASM nor the counselor have experience with these organizations. The names are provided merely as resources that parents may want to look into.

Where to apply? • United States • Flexible education that allows you to decide as you go • Outstanding educational opportunities at all degree levels • Financial aid is readily available • Common application (1 application for many) – www.commonapp.org • Spain • Students must pass either the IB diploma or the Selectividad exam • Public university options are reputable and inexpensive • UK • More “European” in approach • A great option for European citizens who wish to continue their studies in English – less expensive than US • Common application (1 application for all) – www.ucas.com

Where to apply? • Canada • Very strong education system comparable to the US • Significantly less expensive than US schools • American Colleges Overseas • College that use the American style of education with locations all over the world. • Offer either full degree programs or 2 year bridge programs • Other options • Some students go back to their home country (Japan, Korea, Sweden, The Netherlands, India) • Some students want something different – e.g. veterinary school in Hungary • ASM will work with these students individually, as needed.

Where to apply? When choosing where to apply, you must face the toughest question of all: Will the college choose you? Assessing your own academic record and the colleges statistics will enable you to apply appropriately. The average number of colleges to which ASM students have applied is around 6 (with a range between 1 and 18). We like to recommend students limit their choices to 10. It is recommended that you apply to +/- 3 in each of the following categories: “Reach” Schools “Probable” Schools “Prudent” Schools

College Admissions Information Night