SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS Board Presentation January 15, 2014 Presented By: Frank Felix Ruben Felix Bette Hardy Gina Romero Veronica Vega Susan Villon 1

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% of Students Meeting A-G & Attending 4 Year College 28% % of Students Attending 2 Year College 66% World of Work4% Military2% 2013 – Number of graduates Number of graduates – Number of graduates % of Students Meeting A-G & Attending 4 Year College 28% % of Students Attending 2 Year College 66% World of Work4% Military2% % of Students Meeting A-G & Attending 4 Year College 26% % of Students Attending 2 Year College 66% World of Work5% Military3% BUHSD College Admission Data 3

Admission Decisions: What Counts Whether or not your school district promotes the class-ranking system, you and your colleagues must find a way to make colleges aware of your students' achievements and future potential A college's statistics should never be taken as rules for admission. Students should know that many factors influence admission decisions, including: High School curriculum Grades received, student’s G.P.A. Class rank Standardized test scores, range and median of SAT and ACT scores; Results of AP Exams Personal statements and essays; Interviews Recommendations Extracurricular activities Which factors most affect the admission decision? Many small, selective colleges pay greater attention to: Personal statements and essays Teacher and counselor recommendations Leadership experiences Individual talents of applicants Listing of colleges and universities that accepted students from the previous school year Most colleges say that they're looking at a number of different elements in the admission process. Giving them plenty of detail about your school (school profile) will help them be selective in making admission decisionsplenty of detail about your school. 4

Courses and Grades A student's grades in college-preparatory classes remain the most significant factor in the admission decision, followed by scores on standardized admission tests and grades in all courses. Highly Selective Colleges Look for Students Who: Complete core academic requirements. Take more challenging classes, even though they may have slightly lower grades than they'd achieve in lower-level courses. Enroll in several college-prep or college-level courses (such as AP®) and perform well.AP® Take four years of a world language, showing evidence of academic discipline and challenge. Class Rank Although still reviewed by many colleges, class rank has declined in significance as many private and religious schools have eliminated student ranking.class rank Test Scores Standardized test scores remain important at many colleges. Examinations such as the SAT and SAT Subject Tests™, or the ACT, allow colleges to compare students from across the country.SAT Subject Tests™ Essays Personal statements and essays are both a measure of writing ability and a window into each student's background. Admission officers want to hear an original voice in the student's own words. For a successful essay, encourage students to get to the point quickly and personalize their writing through specific examples. successful essay 5

Recommendations from Counselors and Teachers At selective colleges, strong school support in the form of recommendations from counselors and faculty members has become more important than ever. Should be highly specific, for example how students:counselors faculty members Add to the classroom experience Challenge themselves Attempt original projects Extracurricular Activities Depth of involvement is more impressive than breadth. Students can achieve this if they: Focus on a limited number of interests. Document long-term involvement. Highlight activities related to a major or career goal. Show leadership skills and ability. Additional Factors to Consider Many Colleges set aside spaces for students who may not meet traditional criteria but will add to class diversity Geographic location, racial or ethnic background Extenuating or unusual life circumstances Evidence suggests that in some cases applying early decision may also increase the chances of admission. 6

Class Rank & College Admission – To rank or not to rank How Class Rank is Determined Class ranking is a mathematical summary of a student's academic record compared to those of other students in the class. It usually takes into account both the degree of difficulty of the courses a student is taking (AP®, honors, college-preparatory or regular courses) and the grade the student earns. The compilation of courses and grades is converted to an overall grade point average (GPA), and the higher the GPA, the higher the student's class ranking. Why High Schools are Forgoing Class Ranking Class rank was once a major component in admission decisions. But according to a recent report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), more than half of all high schools no longer report student rankings. - Most small private and competitive high schools have done away with it because they feel it penalizes many excellent students who are squeezed out of the top 10 percent of the class and then overlooked by elite colleges. - Although most public high schools still rank students, some now make it optional for students to report their rankings to colleges. 7

ROLE OF A COUNSELOR AS IT PERTAINS TO THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS Help to plan a challenging course schedule Keep records of classes and grades Track graduation requirements Suggest which college admission tests to take and when to take them Connect students to information on various colleges, majors and careers Recommend colleges to match academic profiles and career goals Advise on "safety," "probable" and "reach" colleges Make sure transcripts are sent to colleges Write letters of recommendation Explain how aid awards and financial aid work, and connect students to local scholarship opportunities 8

HOW MANY SCHOOLS SHOULD STUDENTS APPLY TO? ► 1 SAFETY Where students’ admission credentials exceed those of the most recently admitted freshman class ► 2 GOOD FITS Where students’ admission credentials are equivalent to those of the most recently admitted freshman class ► 1 REACH Where the institution’s average admission criteria for admitted students far exceeds the student’s admission credentials ► Encourage students to apply to four or more colleges What is the secret to getting into a certain college/university? Video Transcript – M.I.T. Dean of Undergraduate Admissions 9

BUHSD BOARD OF EDUCATION THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT Resources Used: