The Advantages of Being on a College’s Radar Kathleen J. Williams Seton Hall University Sr. Assistant Director of Admissions 3.18.15 Bryce Newell Creighton University Associate Director of Admissions

Ed Devine Lafayette College Regional Director of Admission . Inside Admission Decisions . Three Systems . What is Valued in the Application . Academic qualities . Personal qualities . Demonstrating Interest . Making Your Best Impression CALIFORNIA TRENDS AND DATA

Enrollments UC 31,435 CSU 46,920 CC 121,286 AICCUA 27,484 OOS 31,400 UNK 119,475

E Finding the Match

Get To Know The College GetGet ToTo KnowKnow YouYou •The academic Profile •GPA/Test Scores •Class size •Student to teacher ratio •Independent worker, •School population collaborative worker •Majors •Campus Size •Extra curricula activities •Majors •Campus & surroundings •Diversity •Resume •Location •Your Inspiration •Weather •Interests, hobbies keep in mind what your looking for in a campus setting, size wise, and what school is going to leave you with the most opportunities to fulfill your dreams. Rachel Snyder ‘18 The three tiered list

AND YOU LOVE THEM ALL! www.BigFuture.collegeboard.org HOW DECISIONS ARE MADE

. Formula/Grid Review . Holistic Review

. Rolling Admission . Regular Admission . Early Decision . Early Action WHAT WE CONSIDER . Curriculum . GPA . Test Scores . Resume or Activities List . Essay . Short Answers . Recommendation Letters . Interviews . Required vs Optional vs Not Allowed . Demonstrated interest/match . Type of High School does matter CLASSES

.Fill Your Schedule 4 years .Move toward honors and advanced coursework .When you are capable .Grade Trends .Consistent .Upward .Dip CLASSES – 5 DISCIPLINES

.Math – 4 years .English – 4 years .History or Social Science – 4 years .Science – 4 years (5 for science majors) .Foreign Language – 4 years

.Substitute .Tells me who you are .Not seen on resume or transcripts .Should answer the Why, not the What .How something intrinsically impacted you . Motivation . Feeling . Overcoming RECOMMENDATIONS .Teacher – Usually junior year .Knows you well .Write Favorable Recommendation .Can speak to your .character .work habits .Intellect INTERVIEW

.Be Prepared – Do Research on School .Have good questions .Brag about your self .Tell a Story/Have a Story to Tell .Be aware of world and community Academic Qualities Personal Qualities Curriculum Activity Resume High School Counselor Rec Grade Trend Teacher Rec (1-3)* GPA Supplemental Rec Test Scores Essay Rank Supplemental Writing Teacher Recs* Interview Demonstrated Interest . South Orange, NJ . BIG East Conference . 5,800 full-time, traditional age undergraduates . Selective: 72% admitted* . Application as first contact as % of completed apps: . Current Apps . Total Applications - 15,000 . Stealth applications - 2,588 . Stealth - 17% Admissions Funnel – Seton Hall University

16,000 – 17,000c Applications

Early Admissionsc 1 and 2

Regular Admissionsc 1 and 2

Rolling Admissionsc

Admitsc 9,500

Enrolledc

1,350c

A home for the mind, heart and spirit

A home for the mind, heart and spirit . Omaha, NE . BIG East Conference . 4,000 full-time, traditional age undergraduates . Selective: 60% admitted . Application as first contact as % of completed apps: . Fall 2012 – 26% . Fall 2013 – 33% . Fall 2014 – 34% . Fall 2015 – 27% 10,000 – Apps

7,500 – Completed Apps

6,000 – Admit Goal

Enroll 1,070 . Easton, PA . Patriot League . 2,400 full-time, traditional age undergraduates . Highly selective: 29% admitted . Application as first contact as % of completed apps: . Fall 2012 – 31% . Fall 2013 – 27% . Fall 2014 – 30% . Fall 2015 – 30%

As high as 45% stealth at previous schools 8,000 - Apps

4,000 – Admit 1st Read 1,700 – Cut, 2nd Read

2,300 – Goal 2,300 Accept Enroll 650 .3-5 Questions .3-5 Brag Points .Know Your Transcripts .Know Your Resume .Know Your Family, Where You Began .1 in 3 students is a stealth applicant (Secret Shoppers: The Stealth Applicant Search for Higher Education, Spring 2012 Journal of College Admission)

.Yield rates on decline: National average down from 49 to 37 percent yield between 2002 to 2009. (2013 State of College Admission Report, NACAC) April, 2015

Dear Mr. Devine,

I had a great time meeting you and visiting Lafayette about two weeks ago. I especially enjoyed getting a tour of the campus from one of the students. After my visit, I was all around impressed with Lafayette. Thanks for spending the time to talk with me, and I hope to see you at Prep High School in April.

Thanks, Patrick Student ‘ 16 . Ranked sixth for ‘considerable importance’ as a factor for admission decisions . Interaction and inquiry card . Campus information session/ submission (or scan) at college fairs tour in fall of senior year . Campus visit during junior year or summer after junior year . Interview with admission rep/ alum . Early application . Second visit to campus in senior . Supplemental Essay – showing year your particular interest in that college and how you have . Overnight program researched it specifically . Contacting admission rep . Speaking with alumni or students who may share information with . Meeting with faculty on campus students on behalf of admission office or by phone . High School Visit or meeting in . FAFSA form – how student region ranks the school on the form Student Perspective: Wait? I have to do what?

. Isn’t that considered stalking?

. What if a college still doesn’t want me?

. I don’t have time…

. What do I do? . Developing self-advocacy skills . How to help students prepare and practice DI . Inspire them to be engaged/present in their search . Reach/Target/Likely . Show colleges why you will enliven a campus . Workshops on do’s, don’ts of professional email correspondence, social media protocol . Create a checklist (see slide 9) . Mock interviews . Role Play . Preparing for campus visit . Preparing for rep visit to high school .Stronger Fit/Match . limit # of apps . treat every college on list as if #1 .Stronger Interviews .Stronger Supplements .Stronger Advocacy in Committee (Scholarships) .Demonstrated Self Reliance 3.18.15 WHY WILL YOU CHOSE YOUR SCHOOL? Major Reputation  Students that go there  Other students  The staff  Sports  Arts, Music  Relatives went there  Admission Materials TOP CRITERIA USED

Location, Location, Location Size Cost I got accepted THE NUMBER ONE REASON STUDENTS CHOSE A COLLEGE “It just felt right!”