Berea City School District

1. Berea City School District Looking Ahead to College Berea High School January 10, 2013

2. The landscape for college admissions has changed . . . • College admissions in the late 1970s and early 1980s is very different from today’s admissions • Parents will most likely reflect on their own experiences. Students will talk with older siblings or friends or go on-line.

3. Back then . . . • Paper, typewriters and correction fluid (few PC’s) • First resume was prepared in college • Students typically thought in-state • ACT/SAT was taken once • Students typically applied to very few colleges

4. Today . . . • One click may mean applications for several colleges • Resumes (brag sheets) are started when 8th grade ends • College admissions is now global in scope • College admissions is competitive

5. and . . • Some students start taking the ACT/SAT in 6thgrade (NUMATS) • Some parents pay $$$$ for test prep • Web sites can compute “chances” in seconds; Naviance • Summer is no longer “down time”

6. add to that . . . • less Federal and state funding for education (state funding for Higher Ed. dropped by 7.6% from FY11 to FY12 alone) • a struggling economy, and • the changing demographics of our society.

7. some parents will say . . . • “Paying for college scares me . . . ” • “My son/daughter is in the top 10, so Harvard (or MIT, Caltech, Yale, Princeton, etc. is a real option.” • “What do you mean Ohio State University is no longer a safety school?”

8. Some students will say . . . • “I want to go to a top school . . . I don’t care which one.” • “I don’t know where to start.” • “My mom and/or dad is pressuring me to go to School X.” • “I’ll just go where my friends are going.” • “I want to go to school in Florida because of the sun.”

9. Perfect Storm

10. Perfect Storm • HS counseling loads are increasing • The economy is still struggling; yet college costs are soaring (OSU $20,000, Sarah Lawrence tops the list at $61,236) • Application numbers continue to rise and acceptance percentages are declining: Harvard 5.9% Yale 6.8% Stanford 6.6% Cornell 16.2% • Some schools are no longer able to be “need-blind” • Internationals are being courted

11. What do the numbers look like? • Valedictorians • 2 • 93 (Cuyahoga) • 987 Ohio (P & NP) • College enrollment is at an all-time high; baby “boomlet” & career needs • Class of 2012: 37 in Ohio with perfect ACT scores; nationally: 781

12. The effects of the economy . . . • Reduced resources for students, schools and colleges • Reduced student-to-counselor ratios • Increase in students planning to attend public colleges (more top students attending in-state; test score averages are increasing) • Dramatic increase in demand for financial aid and the need to understand how it works

13. The effects of the economy . . . • Students are spending less time evaluating the “fit” of their college options • Increased demand from colleges to submit materials online • Increased use in Internet and social media tools into the recruitment process • Financial aid calculators ; transparency --National Association for College Admission Counseling, 2010

14. More numbers and observations . . . • The Ohio State University: Average ACT score in 1995: 22.8 Average ACT score in 2012: 28.1 • OSU mid-range: ACT 26-30 [25% above and 25% below] • Autumn 2012 Freshman class: 7,186 students • Total enrollment at OSU: 63,058 (Columbus = 56,387) • Freshman profile: Ohio residents 75.5% US (outside of OH): 16.3% Internationals: 8.2% (was 5% in 2010)

15. More numbers and observations . . . Ohio University: ACT of 32 = may be eligible for free tuition Many schools run scholarship competitions to award merit aid Some students are starting college later: 1967 - 14% started college at age 19 or older 2011 - it was 29% Something to think about: There is no race to finish in 4 years; avoid debt

16. Financial Aid • More colleges are eliminating merit aid and only using need-based • Most recommendations say “aim low” for better aid packages (schools where your child is overqualified) (Kiplinger’s) • Apply to different types of schools (private, state, AP credit, etc.) • Always apply for aid • You can always share what the competition is offering • Look at Financial Aid sites for merit aid (look at test scores needed for merit scholarships) • Some success stories: $1000 @ year for an Ivy; full-rides because of family need and great students

17. How Students are Covering the Cost of College

18. Return on InvestmentSource: Payscale.com

19. A word about rankings . . . • In 1999, US News & World Report named California Institute of Technology(Caltech) the number one college in America. Due to much criticism, the magazine then changed its criteria to reduce the importance of one measure: expenditures per student. • Different rankings emphasize different criteria: Forbes: post-graduate success, debt & happiness US News: selectivity, alumni giving and guidance counselor opinions Princeton Review: Dorms Like Dungeons, Dorms Like Palaces, etc.

20. Where to Start • Understand the Terminology: • Use the BCSD resources: --Acronyms/ Definitions for Navigating the College Process --College Prep Assessment Terminology --Suggested List of Colleges --What College/University is Right for Me? • Where to find resources: BHS web site (Guidance) BCSD District web site (Services > Gifted Services) and (Curriculum)

21. Important Things That People Miss • SAT II’s and/or not taking both ACT & SAT exams • Looking ahead for the FAFSA, CSS Profile • Codes (High Schools, CEEB) 360435 • Understanding the differences (e.g., Early Action, Early Decision, Rolling Admissions); tracking changes • Deadlines (waiting too long to ask for recommendations, information or missing scholarship deadlines)

22. Where do you start with students? • Look at strengths & weaknesses • Favorite classes • Undecided or Focused? • Tell them to spend their free time wisely but strive for balance • Engage in honest conversations with parents (work together!!!) • Look at criteria: large v. small, rural v. urban, close v. far away, beautiful campus v. plain, Greek v. not . . .

23. Where do you start with students? Help students find schools that are a match for their interests/criteria: • Look for “fit” • The “friends” factor – avoid “herd mentality” • When visiting campuses, ask questions: What are their graduates doing? What about job placement? • Evaluate the resources on campus • Look at the applications NOW, not when it is time to complete them • Talk with other parents and students who have been through the process

24. Where do you start with students? • Encourage students to talk with their guidance counselors and teachers. • Veteran teachers and counselors know student and college history having seen many students.

25. Where do you start with students? • Stress that they need to allow plenty of time for the process • Know that military, arts, & athletics have different processes • Discuss campus visits – when, how many, how far • Note that admission to highly selective schools can be quirky

26. Campus Visits • Virtual or Real, photo shopped brochures • A school may look ideal on paper . . . but not be a good fit once visited • Visits usually help students determine criteria • Dorms like palaces? • TA’s v. profs?

27. Finding reach, match & safety • Reach, match, safety – what do they mean? • Some schools are reach schools for everyone • A reach school for one student may be a safety for another • Some students will always wonder “what if?” • Use the lists, look at the test score mid-ranges, look at other students with similar profiles • Maybe start with the lists of schools known to have strong programs in the interest area then gradually look at the other criteria

28. What are my chances? • Many students want to know . . . almost like dating . . . • Colleges post profiles of incoming classes • Web sites: • http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ • CollegeBoard’s College MatchMaker • CollegeConfidential’s SuperMatch • Princeton Review & others

29. Writing the Essays – Important Points • The essay can make the difference in the end result. • Start early. • The essay must be error-free. • The essay must be interesting. • Optional essays really are mandatory if you want to increase your odds of acceptance. • English teachers and other staff will help.

30. Common mistakes • Overestimating the child’s abilities; too many reach schools • Standardized testing (SAT II’s, ACT/SAT) • Not understanding the competitive nature of college admissions • Waiting until the senior year to do everything • Inability to decide; to know thyself

31. What matters to Admissions Offices? • Grades in college prep courses • High School Curriculum (strength) • Standardized Test Scores • GPA

32. Think of this as a journey . . . but one where you are not alone. • Guidance Dept. • Teachers • Former students • Coaches • Community • Gifted Services • Mentors

33. Conclusion • Start early • Meet with your counselor • Look at the available resources • Talk with other families • Start your lists