1. Selective College Admission Evan Favreau Drake University

2. At Every School…
The process may be different The criteria used for admission may be different The mix of available scholarships and financial aid may be different

3. Application Terms Regular decisions Rolling decisions
Priority deadlines
Early decision

4. Regular Decisions
Initial applications are reviewed at once Decisions are communicated at once

5. Rolling Decisions
Applications are reviewed and decisions are communicated on an on-going basis

6. Priority Deadlines
All applications before priority deadline will be considered equally Applications after priority deadline may be considered on space-available basis Applications before priority deadline may receive better consideration for scholarships

7. Early Decision Early application to your first-choice school
Early notification of admission
Binding: if you are admitted, you are committed to attend
Can only apply as “early decision” to one school
Deposit usually expected well before May 1
CollegeBoard.com

8. Apply Early Decision If…
Gone on many college visits
Done extensive research
On your own, you have a strong academic profile and history
You currently meet or exceed the profile of your first-choice school
CollegeBoard.com

9. Paper applications (If you really want…)
How To Apply
Paper applications (If you really want…)

10. School website/application
How To Apply
School website/application

11. Fast applications / special applications
How To Apply
Fast applications / special applications

12. How To Apply Common Application Build a “common” application profile
Member schools
Streamlines the process
Separate supplement for each school

13. How To Apply
Be aware of fees!

14. Application Materials
Transcript
Standardized test scores
Student activities/involvement
Essay
Recommendations

15. Application Materials
Transcript
GPA
Challenging curriculum
Trends over time
Senior year schedule
Class rank

16. Application Materials
Standardized test scores
ACT
SAT
Written portions
Subject tests
Superscore
Test optional/test flexible applications

17. Application Materials
Student activities/involvement
What are you doing outside of the classroom?
Leadership experience is a big plus
Another way for schools to see if you fit their student profile

18. Application Materials
Essay
Make it unique
Not too long
Proofread!

19. Proofread!

20. Proofread!

21. Application Materials
Recommendations
Check on requirements
Diminishing returns

22. Where Do I Apply? Likely schools Probably/maybe schools Reach schools
Find a balance

23. Scholarships Automatic consideration Additional applications
Competitive scholarships
Major/program
Extracurricular/cultural/leadership
Outside scholarships

24. Need Based Aid FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Submit once for all schools being considered
EFC (Estimated Family Contribution)
Grants, work study, loans

25. Need Based Aid FAFSA is available October 1 New timeline this year
Better for students and families!
May add some complexity to financial aid awards, at least for this year

26. Keep In Mind…
Selective/private schools will rarely cost the sticker price (in the end)
Colleges award aid, including need-based
Will be different from school to school!
Everyone should submit the FAFSA
Don’t be afraid to ask if more is available!

27. Campus Visit Before or after you apply Different types of visits
Group visits
Individual/personal visits
Overnight visits
Program-specific visits
Vital part of the process!

28. Making A Decision May 1 – National Candidate’s Reply Date
Tuition/enrollment deposit
Housing deposits

29. Making A Decision To consider when making a decision:
What do you want out of your college experience?
What was your visit experience?
Four good data points:
First-to-second year retention
On-time graduation
Internship/professional experience
Accomplishment/placement rates
Go beyond the numbers

30. Evan Favreau Drake University evan.favreau@drake.edu