Cem Sunata Registrar, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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Workshop IIIUnderstanding College Admissions

• Cem SunataRegistrar, University of Nevada, Las
  Vegas

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• Commonly Used Terms in Admissions

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Online Admission Application

• Faster
• Decisions
• Admission fee payment (traceable)
• Admission GPA calculations
• Encourage your students to use online
  applications whenever possible.

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www.commonapp.org

• Non-profit organization.
• Provides admission application that can be
  submitted to nearly 300 member colleges.
• Membership limited to colleges and universities
  that evaluate using a holistic selection process.
  

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Early Admission

• Earlier application deadlines than usual.
• Higher likelihood of being admitted as an early
  admission candidate.
• Two categories of early admission
• Early Action
• Early Decision

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Early Decision

• Binding programs. If accepted, you must attend!
• Schools honor each others binding decisions.
• Students submit only one early decision
  application to one school.

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Early Action

• Non-binding programs. Applicants not required
  to attend upon acceptance.
• Students may still apply to other schools, even
  if accepted.
• Single choice early action (SCEA) programs
  prohibit students from making Early Action
  applications to other schools.

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• Open Admissions
• Used by colleges and universities that have no
  admission requirements.
• Course placement is determined through either
  placements tests or standardized test scores.
• Rolling Admissions
• Used by colleges and universities that do not
  have a hard admission deadline.
• Applications are accepted until the freshmen
  class is filled.

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Waitlists

• Used when an institution fills its freshmen class
  to capacity
• Institution refers to their waitlist when an
  accepted applicant withdraws
• Fills freshmen class back to capacity.

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Course requirements for admissions

• Mathematics algebra I II, geometry,
  trigonometry, calculus,...
• English grammar, composition, literature,
  vocabulary, speech,
• Laboratory Science biology, chemistry, physics,
  earth/space science, physiology/anatomy,
• Social Studies U.S. history, world history,
  geography, government, economics,
• Foreign Language any foreign language from the
  high school curriculum.

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Advanced Placement (AP) International
Baccalaureate (IB)

• An opportunity to receive college credit while in
  high school.
• They are not considered much different from each
  other.
• Colleges dont usually value one over the other.
• Bottom line is your high school curriculum
  demanding enough?

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College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

• Opportunity to demonstrate college level
  achievement through a program of exams in
  undergraduate level courses
• Get college credit for what you already know.
• Cheaper than taking the class (currently
  65/exam).
• Free to military service members.
• Used by almost 3000 colleges and universities.
• More info _at_ www.collegeboard.com
• CLEP exams dont always equate to particular
  class.

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Placement Examination

• Examination used to determine students level for
  academic classes otherwise determined by
  standardized tests such as ACT or SAT.
• Typically used for English and mathematics
  placement.

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• The Road to College
• Middle School Building the Foundation

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7th Grade This is where it starts!

• Assess their English and math skills. Are they
  ready for algebra?
• English every year.
• Pre-algebra.
• Help them develop good study skills and habits.
• Do the homework as soon as it is assigned.
• Learn how to read and understand what is being
  asked.
• Academic success only comes with hard work.
• Encourage them to read, read, and then read some
  more.

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8th Grade Getting ready for high school

• Time to take Algebra I.
• Foreign language a multivitamin with many
  benefits.
• Have them take EXPLORE by ACT.
• Help them develop good study skills and habits.
• Encourage them to read, read, and read some more.
• Map out the high school curriculum.

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What else should they take in middle school?

• Science
• History or Geography
• Computer Science
• Visual or Performing Arts

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Middle school recap

• Target Algebra I by the end of 8th grade.
• Take English every year.
• Establish the foundation for a challenging high
  school curriculum.
• Establish good study skills and habits.
• Establish the importance of good grades.
• Visit a college campus.

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• The Road to College
• High School The Journey Begins

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Common factors considered in college admissions

• The curriculum
• The GPA
• The test
• The essay
• The extracurricular

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The Curriculum1
1 American Council on Education
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The GPA

• Indicator of how well you perform your job as a
  student in the long term.
• Core GPA GPA of a selected group of courses.
• What are the GPA requirements of your top
  choices?
• What are the GPA requirements of your
  hometown/state institutions?
• The Transfer GPA vs. High School GPA.

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The Test

• The indicator of students
• Reasoning abilities
• Problem solving skills
• Content knowledge
• How they measure up to their peers
• SAT (East West), ACT (South Midwest)
• Tests measures skills learned in years, not weeks
  before the test.
• Before you take the test
• What are the test requirements of your top
  choices?
• What are the test requirements of your
  hometown/state institutions?
• What does your institutions of choice value as a
  predictor of success?

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The Essay

• What does it mean to the admission officer?
• Your writing ability
• The person behind the GPA and the test scores
• A picture of your personality, character, and
  background
• For a good essay2
• Start early
• Use your own words
• Be interesting
• Show, dont tell!
• Be concise
• Avoid slang
• Seek multiple opinions
• Revise for content, vocabulary, grammar,
  presentation, and layout

• 2 petersons.com

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The Extracurricular

• The indicator of your non-academic self.
• How unique are you?
• Extracurricular is
• School activity
• Work experience
• Community service

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The Extracurricular (cont.)

• Why do the colleges care? Here is why
• Have you made a meaningful contribution to
  society? How?
• What are your non-academic interests?
• Can you maintain a long-term commitment?
• Can you manage time and priorities?
• What diversity will you bring to the student
  body?
• No measuring guidelines, rules or scores. Show
  them your individuality, commitment, and passion.

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• The Road to College
• Navigating College Admissions

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Step I Pick your colleges

• Establish a list during your high school junior
  year that includes
• Desired schools
• Realistic schools
• Safety schools
• Be realistic and concise when creating your list.
  
• It may get expensive average application fee is
  25
• Its a lot of work for you application is an
  arduous process.
• Its a lot of work for colleges it takes a lot
  of work to process a single application.
• Be mindful of others your 10th choice might be
  someone elses 1st

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What to look for in a college?

• Number of students attending
• Location
• Academic programs
• Libraries
• Cost
• Retention and graduation rates
• Diversity
• Campus Life

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Step II Apply

• Keep a list of the admission deadlines of all
  your choices.
• Athletes looking to be recruited by colleges
  should register with NCAA Initial Eligibility
  Clearinghouse.
• Register early for Fall tests if you havent yet.
• Apply early!! This cannot be overstated.
• Make sure your test scores and transcripts reach
  your colleges.
• Dont assume anything. Be proactive.
• Have I mentioned that you should apply early?

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Ingredients of an admission application

• Application form
• Paper (bad)
• Online (good)
• Application fee
• Usually nonrefundable
• Watch for waivers
• Official transcript
• Official means it comes from your high school,
  not from you
• Make sure it reaches its destination!
• Third party Registrars Offices
• Make sure test scores and transcripts reach their
  destination!

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Ingredients (cont.)

• Essay
• Usually asked by private colleges.
• Have you revised it enough?
• Is it reflecting your individuality?
• Letters of recommendation
• Usually asked by private colleges.
• Public institutions may resort to them for the
  appeal of a deny.
• Ask the right person to write it for you.
• Interview
• Audition/Portfolio
• Applicants to Visual and Performing Arts majors.

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Step III Follow up

• Colleges do not start working on an application
  until it is complete.
• Contact your colleges to make sure that they have
  everything they need.
• Keep a copy of everything submitted.
• Read everything they send. Some may require
  further action on your part.
• Applying to college is a mountain top
  experience.
• When you have done your part, get back to earth
  and concentrate back on your classes.

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Step IV Acting on a Decision

• Getting admitted doesnt mean youre done with
  high school. You still need a high GPA and that
  diploma.
• Getting denied doesnt mean you are not going to
  college.
• Most public schools have a backdoor.
• Transferring from a community/junior college is a
  very viable option.

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If Admitted

• If attending, withdraw all other applications.
• Pay any deposits.
• Find out when you can register.
• Find out who your advisor is and when can you see
  them.
• If taking AP, make sure your AP grade report is
  mailed to your college.
• Remember most admissions are contingent upon your
  performance during your final senior semester.
• Make sure your final transcript reaches your
  college!

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If Denied

• by a narrow margin, consider appealing the
  decision.
• A backdoor Non-degree seeking student status
• Mostly seen in public schools.
• Allows you to take credits and get in as a
  transfer student.
• Not eligible for federal financial aid.
• Transfer from a community/junior college.

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Some online resources

• www.collegeboard.com
• www.act.org
• www.collegesavings.org
• www.ed.gov/students
• www.greatschools.net
• www.getreadyforcollege.org

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Online resources (cont.)

• www.collegetoolkit.com
• www.admissionpossible.org
• www.acenet.edu
• www.collegeconfidential.com
• www.petersons.com

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• It takes a huge heart to do what you are doing!
• Thank you !!