1. The College Search Process
Colts Neck High School
Dickinson College

2. A COMPLICATED LANDSCAPE
More choices than ever before
New application options
Outside pressures, including rankings and the national media
Significant demographic shifts
Increased competition—more applications, same number of spots
Rising cost of higher education
Ever changing global market place—AACU study of occupation variation over the next two decades

3. College costs vs family income

4. Common application trends 2017
Over 4.3 million applications submitted through the Common App last year (9% increase over 2016)
Almost 960,000 unique application submissions (7.3% increase over 2016)
Over 700 member institutions

5. So what can be done?

6. Researching and Narrowing your list
Short List
Likely
Target
Reach

7. Where to begin Plan your college search Use your resources
Starting Local
Use some of your vacation each year
Starting too early
Use your resources
Give yourself plenty of time for self reflection
How do I learn best?
Who are my favorite teachers and why?
What does my academic voice sound like?
Be open-minded, but also be skeptical
Design a thoughtful search—employ a system that works for you

8. Finding the right fit…

9. …often involves asking the right questions.

10. Research: asking deeper questions
Types of research opportunities, internships, community-based projects? When do they start?
Percentage that study abroad? For how long? On which programs? Credit and financial aid transfer?
Graduation and retention rates?
Job and grad school placement? How is it calculated?
Curricular initiatives? Strategic plan?
College’s 5-10 year building plan?
Percentage of the budget spent on instruction compared to student services?
Percentage of students that graduate with debt? Average debt? (Perhaps ask about college’s debt—about bond ratings?)
Institutional priorities (diversity, curriculum, initiatives, etc.)?

11. Setting yourself up for success

12. Standing out from the crowd
Take the lead—evidence of self-management
Demonstrate your interest
Find the right fit(s)
Colleges are crafting communities of diverse and engaged students
Build a network of advocates
Regional counselor, faculty, coaches, guidance counselor, administrators, alumni, current students, family, and friends
Craft a well-organized application that reflects who you are (be your most genuine and mature self)
Write a thoughtful essay(s)
Communicate, as appropriate, with colleges and representatives
Celebrate each of your successes

13. The application process

14. Constructing your Application
TELL YOUR STORY—What are you passionate about, what do you value, how do you thrive?
ORGANIZE your achievements thoughtfully
Consider how all parts of your application work together
Address areas for growth head on
Read the instructions
Enlist a proofreader
Use your resources
Give yourself plenty of time—BE REFLECTIVE

15. academics

16. Activities and passions

17. Building a Community
Well-Rounded
Well-Angled

18. Letters of recommendation

19. Types of Essay Essays Common Application Additional Information
Personal
Statement
Supplemental
Essay

20. Essay tips Don’t Do Lose your authentic voice Take inappropriate risks
Draw overly simplistic conclusions
Use another college’s name
Make simple grammatical and spelling errors Do
Focus—write about a blade of grass, not a field of grass
Respond to the prompt
Read your essay aloud to someone
Be your most genuine and mature self
Ask yourself, “What do I want the reader to know about me after reading this essay?”

21. deadlines

22. Role of the Parent

23. Questions?