Navigating the College Application Process Madeleine Reitemeyer School Counselor

Goals Getting Started with the Process Identify types of applications Discuss deadlines Admission policies Strategies for developing a stronger application

Student Perspective What is important to you in a college? Location Size Diversity (HBCUs) Majors Living arrangements School culture “The little things” – food, how to get to class, professor interactions, etc Finances**

Parent Perspective What is important to you in a college? Location Size Diversity (HBCUs) Majors Living arrangements School culture “The little things” – food, how to get to class, professor interactions, etc FINANCES!!!!**

Campus Visits Most valuable and insightful experience for families Even if a child knows they “aren’t going” – it always gives good information Information Session w/ Tour, Open House Try to go when school is in session to get a feel for student culture

Common Questions How many Colleges should I apply to? 1-2 Safety schools – schools you have a very high chance of getting into (your academic profile is on the high end) 2-4 “Likley” schools – Schools where you will probably get in, although they are selective or you are not well above their academic profile 1-2 Reach Schools – Schools that are outside of your academic profile or have extremely low acceptance rates (Princeton, Stanford, Harvard) If you would not be happy attending the school – it should not be on your list (*unless it’s in-state or the application is free!*)

Basic Questions When do I start applying? Search can begin early, but applicants normally start in August What goes into an application? Transcript(s), College entry exams (SAT/ACT) Letter of Recommendation, Activity Sheet/Resume (Interview, (Audition, Portfolio

Common Questions How can I apply to college? Institutional Application, Common Application, Coalition App Online. Paper Will I have to pay an application fee? Application fees - $25 – $80 per application Fee Waiver opportunities College Application Month!!!! UD, Wilmington University, Del Tech, Goldey-Beacom

Common Questions What does it mean to apply Early Decision, Early Action, (Restricted) Early Action, or Rolling Admission? Early Decision – One School, Binding Restricted Early Action – One School, Non-binding Early Action – Multiple schools, Non-binding, expresses significant interest. Rolling Admission – Applications are evaluated and decisions sent out as they are received Regular Decision – Multiple Schools, Non-binding

Deadlines Early Decision & Early Action Regular Decision Apply October – December. The majority are November 1st! Receive decisions December – January Regular Decision Majority of Deadlines are January 1st Receive decisions March – April. Decide/put down a deposit by May 1st

What is Considered? Academic Credentials High School Transcript Post-secondary Transcript (if applicable) Standardized Test Scores SAT – reasoning examination, SAT – Subject based Examination, ACT (w/ or w/o writing)

Academic Credentials The Importance of Senior Year Why Freshman Year Matters Academic Rigor Preparation for Major Competition

What (Else) is Considered? Personal Characteristics Essays and Short Answers Full Page or Short Answer Prompt Letters of Recommendation Extra recommendations rarely help Activities and Involvement Passions and Interests Contribution to Campus Community Tip: Prepare a resume!

Tips to Improve Your App “Optional, but strongly recommended” Present who you are, not who you believe the admissions committee wants you to be Adhere to application deadlines Proff-reed your essay  Think about the question and respond appropriately and with careful thought.

The Common Application (CA) Over 600 colleges accept it Complete one form and use for member schools Members pledge to evaluate holistically Website provides search features to aid in college search/preparation

More on the Common App Dashboards Lengthy Track progress Multiple school lists Application Requirements College Search Box Lengthy Multiple questions You will need additional assistance with responses (parental and counselor support)

The Common Application Let’s Take A Look The Common Application

Writing Prompts Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount an time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure? How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. Discuss an accomplishment or event or realization that sparked a period of personal grown and a new understanding of yourself or others? Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you?

Writing Prompts UD - Supplement Q1. Anticipate what it will be like for you as a student at the University of Delaware. Both in and out of the classroom, where do you expect to feel most comfortable and where will you need to stretch? Q2. Relate a personal experience in which you were denied an opportunity or treated unfairly. How did you resolve the situation? If that were to happen during your college experience, what would you do? Q3. Describe an accomplishment that took a great deal of time and/or effort on your part. What motivated you to persevere when it got challenging? Who or what did you turn to for support, and how was that helpful? Self-Appraisal of your academic performance: Your academic performance. With Delaware's increasing selectivity, grades of "B" or above are expected. The Admissions Committee expects that you will take advantage of this question to explain any grade on your transcript that is unusually low or varies significantly from your usual performance in the section below. Why UD? (optional) In one or two sentences, tell us why the University of Delaware excites you.

Important “Take-aways” Preparation and Time Management This process does not wait for you Get started! (General information takes time, too!) Visit, Visit, Visit Use all five senses Make an Impact What You Can Control Know that some of this is out of your hands Have Realistic Expectations

Important “Take-aways” Be Informed (Make Informed Decisions) Read the “fine print” Seek Out Advocates School Counselors Alumni Current Students Teachers Admissions Representatives

Good Resources College Confidential (online) The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College Jacques Steinberg On Writing the College Admissions Essay Harry Bauld SAT Wars Joseph Soares