Admissions 101 Michele Brown – Senior Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions, The Ohio State University Trip Hopkins – Admissions Counselor, Undergraduate Admissions, Ohio Dominican University

PEN (Public Education Network) Excerpted Article High-tech, high-touch Despite tough zip codes and challenging students, Rocketship charter schools in San Jose have turned in strong results, writes Thomas Toch in The Atlantic Monthly. The network's schools outperform nearly all their impoverished California peers on standardized tests, and many of the state's more privileged school districts as well, using "blended learning," a combination of traditional teaching and computer-based instruction. This has led many reformers to herald Rocketship as the technology-driven future of education. But Toch says he took away a different conviction from his visit to Rocketship's Discovery Prep Elementary School: The school's success shows that younger and more disadvantaged students need adults supporting them in different ways, day in and day out. In the 640-student school, personal connections between adults and students are paramount. The school organizes meetings on curriculum, instructional strategies, and student behavior to enlist parents as educational partners. Read more: http://tinyurl.com/9rsaxvc

The College Search Process Choosing the right college is a process that students can start as early as middle school First generation, low-income and minority students often start the process late and poorly prepared

College Success Many students focus on the financial concerns and not on academic preparation The ultimate goal is College Graduation! This requires academic, social and financial preparation

Academic Preparation The College Prep Curriculum English: 4 years Math: through Algebra 2, best: every year of HS Science: 3 years Social Science: 2 – 3 years Foreign Language: 2 – 3 years Visual/Performing Arts: 1 year

Academic Preparation Develop Good Study Habits Challenging Coursework Reading and Math Skills Note-taking and Organization Test-taking Challenging Coursework Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Dual Enrollment

Social Preparation Time Management Leadership Extra-curricular Activities Support Services

Financial Preparation Understand the Financial Aid Process Savings Strategies Sticker prices vs. actual costs

Helping Students at every level

College Planning for 9th & 10th Graders Students can start to: Identify goals, academic interests, and possible career interests Identify strengths and interests, join related activities Seek help to strengthen areas of weakness

How can you help 9th & 10th graders? Assist with Self-Assessments Understanding themselves, their talents, their interests is first step in the process Tools: http://www.asvabprogram.com/ http://www.careervoyages.gov/students-links.cfm

College Planning for Juniors Students can start through: Research College Characteristics – what type of college will fit them best? Application/Scholarship procedures & deadlines Visit college campuses Narrow list of possible colleges based on visits

How you can help Juniors Make sure students take the ACT or SAT before the end of Junior Year Registration, practice questions, college searches available on their websites: http://www.collegeboard.com/splash/ http://www.actstudent.org/index.html

High School Senior time-line Fall Finalize list of college choices Re-take the ACT or SAT if desired Submit applications for admissions and scholarships Campus Visits

High School Senior time-line Winter File the FAFSA Admissions Decisions from colleges arrive Campus visits

High School Senior time-line Spring Financial Aid Awards arrive May 1 is National Candidates Reply Date Housing, Orientation, scheduling materials sent

High School Senior time-line Summer Students attend Orientation/Scheduling programs Summer Bridge Programs Housing assignments, class schedules set

How to Help Seniors Stress importance of deadlines Review applications and essays Write letters of recommendation Stress importance of deadlines some more

Special Focus: Visiting College Campuses It’s not too early to start visiting college campuses The visit is a college “test drive” Students should Take the campus tour Meet with faculty Ask lots of questions

The College Admission Process What is it really all about?

Types of Admissions Open Enrollment Liberal Enrollment Selective & Highly Selective 70% of all colleges have open or liberal enrollment

Selective Admission Factors Grade Point Average Class Rank Standardized Test Scores Essays Extra-curricular Activities Letters of Recommendation Legacy Status Race, Ethnicity

Questions? Michele Brown The Ohio State University brown.1112@osu.edu Trip Hopkins Ohio Dominican University hopkinst@ohiodominican.edu