1. Secrets of College Admissions
Collegewise – Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC
Jordan Kanarek, Director of College Counseling
(240)

2. Seminar Overview About us
College admissions state of the nation (good news/bad news)
What do colleges consider?
Transcripts
Test scores
Activities
Essays
Matchmaking
Parents
How Can You Help?
Things to Avoid

3. Who are we? Collegewise Jordan Kanarek, Director of College Counseling
Founded in 1999 by Kevin McMullin
Helped over 8,000 families gain admission into over 800 different colleges and universities
Jordan Kanarek, Director of College Counseling
Gettysburg College, B.A. Political Science & Environmental Law
UCLA Extension Degree, College Counseling
Former Admissions Officer- Gettysburg College
Director of Tutoring- The Princeton Review

4. College Admissions State of the Nation

5. College Admissions State of the Nation
The good:
Colleges accept on average two-thirds of their applicants
The bad:
Roughly 40 highly selective schools accept less than 10% of their applicants
Takeaways:
Create a balanced college list
Great college experiences happen everywhere

6. Transcripts Three parts: Senior grades count
Course rigor
Grades
Love of learning
Senior grades count
Interest in learning > GPA
How can you show your love of learning?
The more selective the college, the more important it is to demonstrate a love of learning

7. Test Scores
Simply not the most important aspect of a student’s application
Super selective schools: Test scores don’t get you in they just keep you out
Fairtest.org
List of 900 or so test optional colleges
For every college you’re considering find out:
What tests are required
Average scores for admitted students
How multiple scores are used

8. Activities Don’t be a joiner Invest time and effort Hobbies count, too
Use the application, essay, and interview to show your real passions

9. Essays Don’t try to impress. Just be honest.
Colleges use essays to get to know you better.
Freshman Year Roommate Test

10. Matchmaking
Yield = number of students offered admission vs. number of students who applied
US News & World Reports (USNWR) encourages colleges to achieve high yields for ranking purposes
FIT becomes crucial
Many essays ask: “Why are you applying here and why do you think you’ll be a good fit?”
“Codes” behind essays and short answer questions
Authenticity is easy to spot
ED vs EA

11. Decisions, Decisions Don’t Panic Deferrals and the Waitlist
Making the right choice
May 1st deadline

12. Parents We know it isn’t easy!
Cannot control how students grow, but we can foster a healthy learning environment.
Ways to help vs. Ways to hurt
What do we really want for our kids?
Rather than pushing harder, be more expansive. Focus on fit rather than name brand.

13. Helping Your Student
Make your conversations be about all the cool things that happen at college and less about getting in.
Help them discover who they are, to get to know themselves.
Allow your students to become more independent and get comfortable talking to adults.
Help them develop good study habits.
Reinforce kindness and putting others first. Model the same behavior.
Encourage your student to get to know his/herself.

14. Doing the Opposite Waking them up in the AM
Making breakfast and packing lunch
Filling out their paperwork
Delivering forgotten items
Doing their laundry
Making their failure your emergency
ing/calling teachers & coaches
Meddling in their academics

15. The Collegewise Strategy
Our belief: College admissions should be an exciting time for every family.
Our approach: Finding right fit and encouraging student ownership over process
Our delivery:
Free advice via our blog, newsletter, and seminars
Products for sale on our website include books, videos, and guidelines (almost all under $20)
Individual counseling sessions with yours truly

16. Next Steps
Want more? Fill out the sheet in front of you to sign up for:
Want the slides? me!
Free monthly newsletter
Free 30-minute introductory meeting with me 

17. Collegewise – Maryland, Virginia, Washington D. C
Collegewise – Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C. Jordan Kanarek, Director of College Counseling (240)