College Admissions Not all colleges are created equal. Some treat your SAT scores as a combined score, others will treat the critical reading and math scores separately. Some treat your SAT scores as a combined score, others will treat the critical reading and math scores separately. Some will make testing optional. Some will make testing optional. Some will offer personal interviews, others will only offer group information sessions. Some will offer personal interviews, others will only offer group information sessions. Roll with the differences.

Evaluating Applications The ultimate goals for every college are the same: 1. Admit a freshman class with many different dimensions. 1. Admit a freshman class with many different dimensions. 2. Admit students who can successfully pursue both academic and extracurricular programs at the college/university. 2. Admit students who can successfully pursue both academic and extracurricular programs at the college/university.

Evaluating Applications Primary importance placed on: High school grade point average High school grade point average ACT/SAT scores ACT/SAT scores Strength and depth of high school curriculum Strength and depth of high school curriculum ALSO important (and sometimes deciding) factors in the application: Student Essay Student Essay Teacher and counselor recommendation letters Teacher and counselor recommendation letters Activities Resume Activities Resume

Pearls of Wisdom Keep an open mind. Keep an open mind. Do not stereotype people or colleges. Do not stereotype people or colleges. Be realistic, but do not be afraid to aim high. Be realistic, but do not be afraid to aim high. Seek advice, but make up your own mind. Seek advice, but make up your own mind. Do not rely on myths, rumors or anecdotes. Do not rely on myths, rumors or anecdotes. Take the time to visit, research and really find the best match. Take the time to visit, research and really find the best match. Complete your applications thoroughly and on time. Complete your applications thoroughly and on time.

Same Student – Different Eyes Size of freshman classes varies from college to college. Size of freshman classes varies from college to college. Number offered admission varies from college to college. Number offered admission varies from college to college. Control is in the hands of the colleges in terms of what they are looking for. Control is in the hands of the colleges in terms of what they are looking for.

“What’s the Bottom Line?” “Because colleges want to build a variety of strengths and interests into the freshman class – and in so doing to add geographic, cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity- applicants feel that they have been treated ‘unfairly.’ The feeling on most selective college admissions committees is that the campus community is made vital and interesting by enrolling freshman classes that bring with them as broad a range of interests, talents, and diversity as possible….”

Do the Math “The simple math of the story is that applications are up and spaces are fixed.” - “Why Economics Makes Getting Into College So Hard,” Fulton County Daily Report, 2006

Perfect Test Scores? “In each of the past few years Harvard has received more than 500 applications with double 800 scores and has accepted just under half of them.” - “The New College Chaos,” The Atlantic Monthly, “The New College Chaos,” The Atlantic Monthly, 2003

The Essay – Your Voice The essay is the most difficult part of the application for most students, but SHS has resources to help! The essay is the most difficult part of the application for most students, but SHS has resources to help! Ambiguous writing prompts are designed to elicit how you think and to reveal your personality to the admissions staff. Ambiguous writing prompts are designed to elicit how you think and to reveal your personality to the admissions staff. Be sure to answer the question. Be sure to answer the question. Use your own “voice” in the process. Use your own “voice” in the process.

Reality Check There are 25,000 high schools in the United States, each with a top ten list of students. There are 25,000 high schools in the United States, each with a top ten list of students. 250,000 seniors apply to the same group of eight Ivies and highly selective schools. 250,000 seniors apply to the same group of eight Ivies and highly selective schools. Top SHS students become “typical” looking in this group. Top SHS students become “typical” looking in this group. Perfect scores on the ACT/SAT not unusual in this group. Perfect scores on the ACT/SAT not unusual in this group.

No Guarantees for the Most Selective Colleges No one is entitled to admission to an Ivy League or Highly Selective School. No one is entitled to admission to an Ivy League or Highly Selective School. This process is an art, not a science. There is no perfect equation that will equal guaranteed admission. This process is an art, not a science. There is no perfect equation that will equal guaranteed admission. Many top students across the country are denied admission to the most selective colleges each year. Many top students across the country are denied admission to the most selective colleges each year.

Interesting Facts Only seven CEO’s from the current top 50 Fortune 500 companies were Ivy League undergraduates. Only seven CEO’s from the current top 50 Fortune 500 companies were Ivy League undergraduates. Pomona College sent a higher percentage of its students to Harvard Law in 2005 than Brown or Duke. Pomona College sent a higher percentage of its students to Harvard Law in 2005 than Brown or Duke. Princeton turned down 4 of every 5 valedictorians who applied last year. Princeton turned down 4 of every 5 valedictorians who applied last year. Dartmouth could have filled its freshman class with students with a perfect score in at least one SAT subject and had some to spare. Dartmouth could have filled its freshman class with students with a perfect score in at least one SAT subject and had some to spare.

College Counseling News at Solon High School Last year, the SHS Guidance Department processed 1,688 applications to 382 colleges. Last year, the SHS Guidance Department processed 1,688 applications to 382 colleges. Last year the average number of applications per SHS senior was four. Last year the average number of applications per SHS senior was four. Last year’s graduates can be found on 117 different campuses this year, 38 of which are in Ohio. Last year’s graduates can be found on 117 different campuses this year, 38 of which are in Ohio.

“Last Minute Thoughts…” Remember, this college application process is unlike anything the student has experienced. Remember, this college application process is unlike anything the student has experienced. The stress level for applying to college is high, but it is also an exciting time in students’ lives. The stress level for applying to college is high, but it is also an exciting time in students’ lives. The SHS Guidance Staff is dedicated to helping each and every student with the college research and application process. The SHS Guidance Staff is dedicated to helping each and every student with the college research and application process. College is not a prize to be won, but a match to be found.