1. “The Down & Dirty About the College Admission Process” with Peter Van Buskirk Author, Speaker, Former Dean of Admission

2. A Review of the Competitive Process

3. The Pyramid of Selectivity
Most Highly Selective (1/8)
Highly Selective (1/4)
Selective (1/2)
Somewhat Selective (6/8)
The Enrollment Model
90%
Applications
Acceptances
Enrollment
8,000
2,000
500
Selectivity
Yield

4. The Competitive Playing Field
PBK
JGB X
90% X X X

5. Colleges want students who are:
The Agenda™
Colleges want students who are:
Bright
Motivated
High-achieving
Diverse
Givers
What do we get?

6. The “Hidden Agenda™” $$ ??
SAT

7. Keys to Navigating the Process (As a Parent!)
Know the Process
Start Now!
Step Back
Manage Expectations

8. Know the Process and How It Is Likely to Impact Your Student
What is the reality of his/her academic record?
How is his/her testing record shaping up?
Where do test optional admission and/or Score Choice make sense?
How will Early Decision/Early Action impact choices of admission?
Where/when will cost and affordability become factors?
Where does athletic recruitment come into play?
How/when should learning differences be addressed?

9. Start Now! Encourage and support
College visits—as many as possible
Engagement with college reps
Test preparation where appropriate
Smart decision-making
Collaborate in establishing a timeline for essential “To Do’s”
Application deadlines
Requests for letters of recommendation
Essay preparation
Investigate financial aid options
Net price calculators
Estimates of “Expected Family Contributions” (EFC)

10. Five Sources of College Funding$ →
Student’s family Federal government State government Institution Community-based scholarships

11. Expected Family Contribution
Family’s Income & Assets
Family’s Cost of Living
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

12. Inside Differential Need Analysis
FAFSA vs. CSS Profile
FAFSA
CSS Profile
Net Price Calculators

13. Students’ Demonstrated Need Students’ Desirability
Financial Aid Matrix
Students’ Demonstrated Need
No Need
Low
Medium
High
Non-Admits
Number: ____
Projected Yield: ____
Average EFC: ____
SAT Profile: ____
GPA Profile: ____
Net Revenue: ____ 5%
Students’ Desirability
65%

14. Gift Aid vs. Self Help Gift Aid Self Help Scholarships Grants
Student Loans
Parent Loans
Campus Work Study

15. Preferential Packaging
Key
G=$15,000
G=$30,000
G=$20,000
G=Grants
PL=Plus Loans
???=$15,000
PL=$10,000
???=Gap
CWS=Campus Work Study
CWS=$1,500
CWS=$1,500
CWS=$1,500
GSL=$3,500
GSL=$3,500
GSL=$3,500
GSL=Guaranteed Student Loans
EFC=$15,000
EFC=$15,000
EFC=$15,000
EFC=Expected
Family Contribution
College A
$50,000
College B
$50,000
College C
$50,000

16. Questions to Ask in Securing an Early Estimate of Your EFC
What methodology did you use to arrive at this EFC?
What methodology are you likely to use in arriving at the EFC after my student has been admitted?
What is the total cost of attendance going to be for my student’s first year?
How are you likely to meet the differential between our EFC and the total cost of attendance?
What are the projected student loan amounts for years two, three and four?

17. Step Back—This Isn’t About You!
Engage your student in reflective conversation
Why college?
What do you want to accomplish?
How do you feel you can best accomplish your goals?
Focus on fit

18. Focus on “fit” as you look at colleges
Focus on “fit” as you look at colleges. The best college fit will provide a:
Program of study to meet your needs
Style of instruction consistent with the way you like to learn
Level of academic rigor commensurate with your ability and preparation
Community that feels like home

19. And the best college fit will …
… be the place that values you for what you have to offer

20. Step Back—This Isn’t About You!
Engage your student in reflective conversation
Why college?
What do you want to accomplish?
How do you feel you can best accomplish your goals?
Focus on fit
Don’t try to engineer a candidate that will be most appealing to colleges of choice—colleges are looking for authenticity!

21. Manage Expectations
Be realistic in calculating the chances of admission
Focus on places where your student will be valued for what s/he has to offer
Arrive at a “short list” of colleges by the middle of September
Optimal number of applications: 8
No more than three where the chance of admission is less than 40%
Three where chances of admission are 40-60%
Two where chances of admission are greater than 60%

22. Provide Reassurance
Your student needs to know that success as a college applicant is not a determinant of self-worth. Your love and support is unconditional.

23. Biggest Mistakes Made in the Application Process
Failure to appreciate the nature of the competition
Inability/unwillingness to manage expectations
Lack of intentionality in preparing applications
Failure to prove the sincerity of interest in attending the college
Inattentiveness to the importance of the senior year