+ Understanding the Selective College Admission Process MSCA Annual Conference November 8-10, 2015

+ Your Presenters Barbara Sams Director of College Counseling Saint Louis Priory School Mark Steinlage Associate Dean of Admission Saint Louis University

+ Demographics and Trends in College Applications 1.9 million + high school from the Class of 2015 took the ACT; up 19% since 2011 Since 2004, enrollment in college has increased by about 15% according to the US Department of Education National Association for College Admission Counseling data indicates: in 1990 just 9 percent of students applied to seven or more colleges. By 2011, the year of its most recent survey, that group had risen to 29 percent. National Association for College Admission Counseling

+ TRENDS IN COLLEGE ADMISSION Importance of Demonstrated Interest The National Conversation – Focus on under-represented populations particularly those who are Pell Eligible or First Generation Implications of Application Creep Test Score predominance Demonstrated Interest Need-Aware Admission Rise in the use of early application programs Growth of Supplements to the Application – not just for admission. Scholarships. Special Programs.

+ How Colleges Make Choices – Admission Selection Models Open Admission Colleges – high school diploma or equivalency: Community Colleges Formula Admission – definitive set of criteria usually a combination of required courses, grade point average and test scores: Many state schools Competitive Admission – holistic review process. This process considers academic (objective) and non-academic (subjective) characteristics of the student.

+ Holistic Admission Process Academic (Objective) Rigor of Your Curriculum Grade Point Average Your standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) Counselor Recommendation Teacher Recommendations Caliber of your educational experiences, i.e. opportunities your high school provides Non-Academic (Subjective) Your Activities Resume Essay Interview Special Affinity or Talent Level of Interest Admission

+ College is a match to be made…NOT a prize to be won WHY is the student going to college? Best thing about higher education in the United States is the choice… why have all of these choices developed Understand YOU (the student) Find the school where the student will FIT … where will he or she be successful. College Choice is a process, not a point

+ Choice Factors to Start Your Search What Size School Is Most Likely to Help The Student Succeed More than 3000 colleges and universities in the US alone 67% of these schools are less than 3000 students Only 14% are larger than 8000 students What Setting Does the Student Want Urban Suburban College Town Easily Accessible to Home? In a Particular Climate?

+ Other Factors to Consider Mission – what is important to the school Strength in The Student’s Area(s) of Interest (academics and extracurricular activities) Culture Academic Environment Campus Environment Special Opportunities … academically and socially Campus Resources Advising Career Planning and Placement Learning Center

+ First and Foremost… Grades The Transcript -- Most important document in all of college admission The Role of the High School Profile – Define who your school is for the colleges What is noticed 1. Rigor – has the student taken advantage of what’s available at your school in light of his or her strengths 2. Actual grades earned – comparing different high schools 3. Trends – has the student improved over time; how has the student grown as a member of your learning community

+ The Unknown Factors The Admission Process can be unpredictable (what are the institution’s goals and priorities that year?) The intangibles that no student can control. Senior year is important from beginning to END Does demonstrated interest matter and how should a student show this if he/she can't visit? Financial aid and scholarships – is the school need-aware in the admission process? Do they gap students? And, if yes, what is a typical gap?

+ Ways to Teach Families About this Process Mock Admission Committee Dean’s Round Table The Admission Game Advice from Students and Parents who Have Been There/Done That

+ Resources Our Contact Information Barbara Sams – Saint Louis Priory School, Mark Steinlage – Saint Louis University, College and Universities in Your Area Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling

+ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS