Presented to the friends of ib May 15th 2018 Eduardo Lopez, jr. College Admissions 101 Presented to the friends of ib May 15th 2018 Eduardo Lopez, jr.

This evening’s agenda A little about your presenter. Highlights & New Initiatives from the College Center Current Scholarship Count for IB Admissions 101: Curriculum Overview Types of Admissions with a focus on holistic review Connecting your “story” to your summer plans. Showing your “IB-ness” to Universities Welcome to Plymouth Shores University– Are you in? Case study overview Free Private Consultation Sessions

educational background College Admissions Experience Brown Admissions Interviewer from 2008 – 2015 Brown Area Chair for Alumni Interviews from 2013 – 2015 UPenn Graduate Admissions Representative from 2008 – 2009 Assisting students with admissions since 2008 in various capacities. High School: Rio Grande City Undergrad: Brown University Graduate School: University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

Highlights & New initiatives New website for students and families www.lamarcounseling.com College Visits January: Baylor University March: UT Austin April: Texas A&M College Station April: IB Mini – College Fair (UTRGV, AM, Princeton, & a few more!) Remind 101 – Free Donuts & Coffee! Classroom Presentations: High School Transition, History, & English courses. For the upcoming school year – scheduled visits discussing the Admissions 101 curriculum. Catalyst SAT Boot Camp Participation

Advance Placement Distinctions AP Scholar 25/53 47% IB AP Scholar w/ Honors 3/8 38%IB AP Scholar w/ Distinction 6/12 50% IB National Hispanic Scholars 4/11 36% IB Breakdown by School McAllen: 4 (AP) 2 (NHS) Memorial: 15 (AP) Rowe: 15 (AP) 47% AP Distinctions are IB

Summer Dual Enrollment Count: 70 Savings of $30,940 Breakdown by School Summer Dual Enrollment Count: 70 Savings of $30,940 McAllen: 18 Memorial: 29 Rowe: 23

$5.5 Million Current Scholarship Count McAllen $1,400,201 Breakdown by School Current Scholarship Count $5.5 Million McAllen $1,400,201 Memorial $2,266,181 Rowe: $1,824,949

Admissions 101: Curriculum overview Freshmen year Get involved with your passions Join or start a club (Build Resume) Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals (2) Academic & (2) Personal Take the PSAT! Participate in a college fair! Know your academic schedule! A days & B days! Get organized! Time & Content Management Systems Meet your teachers! Introduction basics Tutor with your teachers! Schedule a session! Is the rigor right? Course review & future planning Summer to Sophomore Year Re-evaluate S.M.A.R.T. Goals Volunteer College Visit(s) if possible Summer Program / Internship Summer reading!

Admissions 101: Curriculum overview Sophomore year Continue to be involved with your passions (Continue with your resume) Think about potential leadership roles Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals (2) Academic & (2) Personal Participate in a college fair & think about your favorite colleges! Stay organized! Time & Content Management Systems Meet your teachers! Introduction basics Tutor with your teachers! Schedule a session! Is the rigor right? Course review & future planning Take the PSAT! Complete your personal project. Summer to Junior Year Re-evaluate S.M.A.R.T. Goals Volunteer College Visit(s) if possible & highly recommended Summer Program / Internship Summer reading! STC Summer Class (Gov / Econ) Standardized testing preference (ACT or SAT or Both)

Admissions 101: Curriculum overview Junior year Continue to be involved with your passions (Continue with your resume) Think about potential leadership roles Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals (2) Academic & (2) Personal Participate in a college fair & develop college list Stay organized! Time & Content Management Systems Know your teachers! Introduction basics Tutor with your teachers! Schedule a session! Is the rigor right? Course review & future planning Take the PSAT! Take the SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Exams Summer to senior Year Re-evaluate S.M.A.R.T. Goals & Volunteer College Visit(s) if possible & highly recommended Summer Program / Internship Summer reading! STC Summer Class (Gov / Econ) Standardized testing PREP (ACT or SAT or Both) Draft your college essays (Mr. Lopez can help!)

Admissions 101: Curriculum overview Senior year Continue to be involved with your passions (Continue with your resume) Think about potential leadership roles Create S.M.A.R.T. Goals (2) Academic & (2) Personal Apply for financial aid & scholarships! Interview prep w/ Mr. Lopez Stay organized! Time & Content Management Systems Ask your teachers for recommendations! Introduction basics Tutor with your teachers! Schedule a session! Apply to college! Is the rigor right? Course review & future planning Take the SAT/ACT/SAT Subject Exams Summer to College! Re-evaluate S.M.A.R.T. Goals Submit final high school transcript Pack! Summer reading!

Types of Summer opportunities TIER 1 TIER 2 TIER 3 Open Application Very Expensive Fixed time frame Speaks to your “story” Competitive Application Base Free to little cost Established Fixed time frame Speaks to your “story” Build Your Own Internship (BYOE) Social Network Free Flexible time frame Speaks to your “story”

shOWING YOUR “ib-ness” to colleges – Your Story to admissions officers Personal Project – highlighting a passion Extended Essay – as conducted independent research State the student’s SL’s & HL’s in selected resume coursework Why are you selecting these classes to pursue 1-2 years of study? IB Learner Profile incorporated into the essays and Letters of Recommendation

Types of ADMISSION automatic Admissions Holistic Admissions University establishes a cutoff with respect to established quantitative measures State Law Institutional SAT/ACT Scores & GPA Overall evaluation of the following: School Profile Diversity Needs (formally URM) Essays LOR’S (Letters of Recommendation) GPA - EC’s Resume Test Scores Geographic location INSTITUTIONAL NEEDS & PROJECTIONS

congratulations! YOU ARE NOW AN ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR! Your task is to admit one student, deny one student, and waitlist one student. You will use a holistic approach to evaluate students. You will work in a team and you will come to a conclusion! You will have 25-30 minutes for the full evaluation period. We will have a 5 minute discussion period. We will reflect on the admissions process.

Case Study Instructions Break into groups of 5-6 (depending on attendance) Assign one person as the “senior admission’s officer” if the group is odd in numbers. Group Read – Pembroke University Profile (2 – 3 minutes) First Read – Applicant 1 Second Read – Applicant 2 Third Read – Applicant 3 Final decisions! You must admit one student, reject one student, waitlist one student.

Insider’s Guide to the Admission Committee ADMISSION CASE STUDY PLYMOUTH SHORES UNIVERSITY “INDAGATE FINGITE INVENITE”

Case Study Objectives… Understanding “Holistic Review” Plymouth Shores University – Profile Applicant Review and Discussion – Small Group Dorri Johnson Henry Watanabe Marcela Castillo Committee Review and Discussion of all applicants – All Participants The Committee Vote – Admit, Waitlist, Deny

Holistic Review – Some Factors Student’s and family’s demographic profile GPA – grades in the context at this student’s high school, grade trend and pattern, particular academic strengths Curriculum – Honors, AP, IB, dual enrollment Test Scores – SAT, ACT, Subject Tests Letters of Recommendation – Counselor, teachers, others Required Essays including supplemental essays and prompts Interview and Demonstrated interest Intended major Extracurricular activities – sports, clubs, internships, etc. Other factors and obstacles

Plymouth Shores University – Mission “To educate students and cultivate their capacity for lifelong learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world with a commitment to social justice and service to others.” Founded in 1826 located in Sunberryport, MA Four-Year private, liberal arts research university with professional schools of Business, Medicine, and Engineering along with over 200 majors, minors, and programs in the liberal arts.

Plymouth Shores University – Profile 6,276 Undergraduates (53% Female and 47% Male) Students come from 50 states and 85 countries 28% Ethnic Diversity 82% Live on campus all four years 15:1 Student-to Professor ratio NCAA Division I (Men and Women’s Lacrosse. Men and Women’s Track and Field) – all other sports are NCAA Division III Indagate Fingite Invenite - Explore, Dream, Discover

Plymouth Shores University – Admission Applications 19,300 Students Applied 7,011 Students Admitted (36.3% Acceptance Rate) Early Action and Regular Decision PSU Does not offer Early Decision Admitted Student Profile GPA Mid 50% Un-weighted: 3.49-3.92 SAT Composite Mid 50% (Superscore): 1380-1480 ACT Composite Mid 50%: 29-32 Interviews are available and encouraged PSU Admission Committee is Need Aware

Candidate Review Form Student Profile Academic Factors Activities Background Family Legacy Sex/Ethnicity Essay Counselor Rec Teacher Rec Interview Obstacles GPA SAT/ACT/Subject tests AP and Honors Core Courses School type and profile Grade trends Resume Leadership Persistence Summer

File Review – Points to Ponder How does the student’s academic profile compare to PSU’s admitted student profile? How will the student contribute to the PSU community? How does the student express a genuine interest to attend PSU? What are the student’s strengths and weaknesses?

Dorri Johnson – Highlights White/Female, Dual Citz. Australia, Parents advanced degrees 3.79 GPA un-weighted (2.80, 3.30, 3.92 and 12th – 3.50) 5 Honors classes and 2 AP classes – Demanding Curriculum Diagnosed with ADD in 10th – on medication and uses Learning Ctr. ACT 31*; SAT 1180 (English 650, Math 530) *extended time Communications & Journalism Major Blog (Designer), School Newspaper, Yearbook (Editor-in-Chief) Essay about her masks and the girl behind them Recs – Counselor doesn’t know her well, Strong teacher rec Campus Tour, HS Visit, local PSU Preview Day, college fair Supplement – met admission counselor, interview, solid “Why PSU”

Henry Watanabe – Highlights Asian/Male, Japanese spoken at home, Parents advanced degrees 3.36 GPA un-weighted (3.00, 3.09, 3.71 and 12th – 3.80) 5 Honors, 4 APs, Dual Enrollment – Very Demanding Curriculum Disciplinary Action (plagiarism) in 9th grade SAT 1410 (Engl 610, Math 800) – Subject Tests Math 1 & Math 2 800 Computer Engineering Major The Computer Club (President), Robotics Club, Internship – IT Dept. Essay – developed speech recognition app to help grandmother Recs – Counselor explained DISP. Strong Teacher Rec Campus Tour, college fair, interview Supplement – Impressive interview, explains DISP, solid “Why PSU”

Marcela Castillo – Highlights Hispanic/Female, Spanish spoken at home, Parents divorced 3.05 GPA un-weighted (3.33, 2.42, 3.08 and 12th – 3.67) 3 Honors, 5 Aps (4 in senior year) – Demanding Curriculum Aunt died which affected Marcela’s 10th grade – rebounded in 11th ACT 29 and SAT 1440 (English 750, Math 690) Public Health Policy/Pre-Law Major San Diego Division Runner of the Year, Com. Service, Internship Essay – inspired by her aunt’s battle with cancer Recs – Counselor says Marcela’s GPA not indicative. Strong T-Rec Campus Tour, local PSU Preview Program, high school visit Supplement – Strong interest by Track coach, confusing “Why PSU”

Committee Group Discussion How do you decide? Highest GPA in the strongest curriculum? Best test scores? Demonstrated the most interest? Best extracurricular activities? Most examples of leadership? Best essay and “Why PSU?” supplement? Best letters of recommendation? Not as bad as the others? ▪ Best fit for Plymouth Shores University?

Committee Group Discussion Is it better to get a “B” in an AP/Honors class or an “A” in a regular class? Are test scores more important than grades? Can a strong essay make up for weak academics? Can a weak essay overshadow solid academics? Hooks – what they are, how to leverage them? Demonstrated interest – when can it help? How can “fit” be conveyed? Is an applicant who has not faced adversity at a disadvantage? What types of disciplinary actions are forgiveable?

Time to Vote Everyone gets one vote Cast your vote to Admit – Dorri, Henry, or Marcela Cast your vote to Deny This means that the student who was not offered admission and was not denied admission is on the Waitlist.

Time to Reflect As you reviewed and discussed the applicants, what were some specific factors that tipped the scale in your admission decision – positively or negatively? Were there factors that you initially felt were important but ended up not being crucial in your final vote? Did your votes match the decision of the Committee? How did you feel about voting to deny a student? What lessons did you learn about the admission process? Compare your final admission decisions with those of your own student or your parents. Students – what will be your “tag” in the admission process?

Free Private College Consulting Eduardo Lopez, Jr. 956-735-9797 (cell) Eduardo.lopezjr@mcallenisd.net