Navigating Modern College Admissions: Trends and Challenges for High School Students

1. Berea City School District Looking Ahead to College Berea High School January 16, 2014

2. The landscape for college admissions has changed . . . • College admissions in the late 1970s and early 1980s is very different from today’s admissions • More students today are expected to be college and career readywhen finishing high school

3. Today . . . • Students apply to several colleges • Resumes (brag sheets) start when 8th grade ends • College admissions is now global in scope; internationals are courted • College admissions is competitive

4. and . . • Some students start taking the ACT/SAT in 6thgrade(NUMATS) • The PSAT is given to younger students • Some parents pay $$$$ for test prep (books/on-line) • Web sites can compute “chances” in seconds; Naviance • Summer is no longer “down time”

5. add to that . . . • less Federal and state funding for higher education (the economy & reluctance to raise additional revenues) • Ohio has cut 28.9% for higher education in state spending per student FY08-FY13 Source: Center on Budget & Policy Priorities

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

7. 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.”

8. Perfect Storm

9. Perfect Storm • HS counseling loads & job descriptions are increasing • Colleges are more expensive • The economy is still struggling; yet college costs are soaring (OSU $20,810, Columbia is near the top at $64,144) • Application numbers continue to rise -- acceptance percentages are declining: Harvard 5.79% [RA 3.76%] Yale 6.72% Stanford 5.69%[RA 4.54%] Cornell 13.47% • Some schools are no longer able to be “need-blind”

10. Latest trends in college admissions. . . • Reduced resources for students, schools and colleges • Increase in students planning to attend public colleges (more top students attending in-state; test score averages are increasing) • Students are spending less time evaluating the “fit” of their college options • Financial aid calculators ; transparency; need to understand the financial aid process • Colleges are paying more attention to yield rates; students who may actually enroll if offered admission --National Association for College Admission Counseling, 2011

11. More numbers and observations . . . • The Ohio State University: Average ACT score in 1995: 22.8 Average ACT score in 2013: 28.5 • OSU mid-range: ACT 27-31 [25% above and 25% below] • Autumn 2013 Freshman class: 7,083 students (35,475 apps) • Total undergraduate enrollment at OSU: 50,551 (Columbus = 44,201) • Freshman profile: Ohio residents 71.7% trending down US (outside of OH): 21.2 trending up Internationals: 7.1% steady Source: Ohio State University (Office of Enrollment Services), 2014

12. More numbers and observations . . . Ohio University: OLD: ACT of 32 = may be eligible for free tuition NEW: Well, it’s complicated 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

13. Test Scores • PSAT: (cut-off for National Merit has ranged from 211 – 215 since 1999); less $$$$at schools for Finalists • SAT: different test than ACT; most highly selective colleges prefer it & SAT II’s • ACT:most popular in the Midwest What scores are necessary for readiness for college? R 22 E 18 M 22 Sci 23 (scores considered minimal to not need remediation) Perfect Scores in Ohio: 58 (Class of 2013) Perfect Scores in the Nation: 1,162

14. Financial Aid – Two definitions • 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, scholarship criteria) • Some success stories: $1000 @ year for an Ivy; full-rides because of family need and great students

15. How Students are Covering the Cost of College

16. Return on InvestmentSource: Payscale.com – 2013 data

17. 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. Source: Daniel Golden, The Price of Admission • 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.

18. Where to Start Understand the Terminology (use BCSD resources): 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: Berea-Midpark HS web site (Guidance) BCSD District web site (Services > Gifted Services) and Office of Academic Affairs

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

20. Where should studentsstart? • Look at strengths & weaknesses • Favorite classes • Undecided or Focused? • Look at criteria: large v. small, rural v. urban, etc. • Look at applications BEFORE senior year • Reach/Match/Safety • Engage in honest conversations with parents

21. 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 • 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

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

23. Make sure you can get a job! • Look at “in-demand” majors • Follow your heart, not your pocketbook • Do career shadowing • Take classes to help improve your skills

24. Hot Majors Biomedical engineering Biometrics; Forensic Science Computer Game Design Cybersecurity Data Science; Business Analytics Petroleum Engineering Public Health Robotics Sustainability (environmental degrees)

25. Conclusion • Start early • Meet with your counselor • Challenge yourself in school • Get involved • Use the available resources