An Introduction to the Coalition

A diverse group of public and private American colleges and universities (the Coalition) has come together to develop tools to improve access to college and better support students in the admissions process. The Coalition schools are committed to providing access to students of all backgrounds and share the following characteristics:

Affordability Coalition schools represent a range of public schools with low-cost, in- state tuitions and private schools committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all their admitted domestic students.

Successful Student Outcomes Coalition schools graduate at least 70 percent of their students within six years (with many having much higher rates).

American University Amherst College Bates College Bowdoin College Brown University Bryn Mawr College California Institute of Technology Carleton College Claremont McKenna College Clemson University Colby College Colgate University College of the Holy Cross College of William and Mary Colorado College Columbia University Indiana University -Bloomington James Madison University Johns Hopkins University Miami University-Ohio Michigan State University Middlebury College Mount Holyoke College North Carolina State University Northeastern University Northwestern University Oberlin College Ohio State University Penn State Pomona College Princeton University Coalition Member Institutions Connecticut College Cornell University Dartmouth College Davidson College Denison University Duke University Emory University Florida State University Franklin and Marshall College Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology Grinnell College Hamilton College Harvard University Haverford College Illinois State University

Purdue University Ramapo College of New Jersey Reed College Rice University Rutgers University-New Brunswick Skidmore College Smith College St. Olaf College Stanford University State University of New York – Binghamton State University of New York – Buffalo State University of New York – Geneseo Swarthmore College Texas A&M University University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Rochester University of South Carolina University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Washington Vanderbilt University Vassar College Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Wesleyan University Williams College Yale University Coalition Member Institutions (cont.) The College of New Jersey Tufts University Union College University of Chicago University of Connecticut University of Florida University of Georgia University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign University of Mary Washington University of Maryland – College Park University of Michigan University of Minnesota – Twin Cities University of Missouri University of New Hampshire University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Fall 2013 – Groups of schools came together to discuss the reliability of current consortium-based application technologies and the potential for alternative platforms and models. Summer 2014 – Technology partner request for proposals released. Summer 2015 – CollegeNet selected as winning proposal. Fall 2015 – Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success publicly announced. Fall 2015 and Ongoing – Soliciting input/guidance from counselors, community-based organization partners, and others. April 2016 – The Locker and Collaboration Space launch. July 2016 – Coalition application available to students to apply to colleges. Timeline

Technology to Support Student Aspirations Students are our Focus All students, especially those lacking resources, should have access to the appropriate tools to plan for college at the appropriate times. Collaborative technology can provide support to under-resourced students, their families, and the counselors and innovative programs that work with them. Students need reliable application technology that supports them and connects them to their individual list of schools. Equity and Empowerment The admissions application process should aim to enhance, not impede, higher education access to students of every background and socio-economic status. Institutions Coalition institutions provide unique opportunities. One size does not fit all. The Coalition application should accurately represent the diversity of institutions in the United States. In doing so, the application should emphasize fit and quality rather than quantity of applications.

The Coalition Platform

Central site for students to begin the college search and planning process. Online space for students to collect academic documents, record extracurricular activities, and log observations, reflections, and ideas. A platform that is user-friendly and fully responsive, allowing students and families to engage through any computer, tablet, or mobile device. Students can choose appropriate items from their Lockers to use in their applications to Coalition and non-Coalition schools. Online platform for students to engage their support network (parents, mentors, or counselors at schools without a college planning technology platform) to view items from their locker and provide advice and guidance to the student. One application platform allowing for application to a wide range of public and private colleges and universities from one site. Free Tools for Students

A single platform to plan, build, organize, and refine a student’s application to a variety of excellent institutions. Confidence that if admitted to any Coalition school, they will be offered a responsible financial aid package and have a strong likelihood of college success. Coalition schools can be trusted to meet their commitment to access and outcomes. Coalition Benefits for Students and Families

Free college planning tools to aid mentors and counselors in their work with students. Free platform for online storage of college planning and application materials. The Coalition represents schools that can be recommended on access, affordability, and success. A single location for researching schools, organizing materials, and at the appropriate time applying to Coalition schools The Coalition platform emphasizes credential and application security, ensuring a dependable submission process. Coalition Benefits for Mentors and Counselors Using the Platform

LOCKERCOLLABORATION SPACE APPLICATION PORTAL

STUDENTLOCKER Academic Documents Essays Written Work Extracurricular Activities Multi-Media Projects Visual Arts / Music

LOCKER COLLABORATION SPACE Collaborate and share application materials of your choice with counselors, teachers, and/or mentors.

ONLINE LOCKER APPLICATION PORTAL For each Coalition application, the student selects relevant data from their locker to upload and submit.