Tag: #juniors

Institutional Need and College Acceptances

Posted on by Amy Garbis

Institutional Priorities and College Admissions

How do institutional priorities impact college admissions? We often hear parents say things like “my kid has a great GPA and test scores.” They mistakenly think that this gains entree to top schools. Many highly selective schools will use these first two data points to vet an application. This takes about 30 seconds. After this first round, the application is then ‘read’ by the admissions officers who often work individually or in groups to read an applicant’s profile in more depth, about 2-5 minutes. Colleges look for various criteria: activities, demonstrated leadership, personality characteristics that come through in essays, interests other than academics etc.

One thing that college admissions counselors are never privy to is something called institutional priorities that greatly influence which students are admitted to the school 

Institutional priorities play a significant role in shaping a college’s admission process. These priorities are a reflection of the goals, values, and strategic plans of the institution, and they influence how the admissions office evaluates applicants. Here’s how institutional priorities can impact college admissions:

Diversity Goals

   Many colleges and universities have specific priorities around diversity, equity, and inclusion. This can include diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, geographic region, socioeconomic background, gender, and academic interests. Schools may place additional weight on applicants from underrepresented groups or those who bring a unique perspective to campus life. This doesn’t necessarily mean diversity quotas, but it often guides the admissions committee to seek a student body that reflects a variety of experiences and identities.

Academic and Extracurricular Fit

   Colleges often prioritize applicants who align with their specific academic strengths or institutional mission. For example, a university known for strong programs in the arts may prioritize students with demonstrated interest or achievement in creative fields. Similarly, a school with a strong emphasis on STEM might place higher value on students with strong science and math backgrounds. If the college places a premium on extracurricular involvement, applicants with leadership roles or notable achievements outside of the classroom could be favored.

 Athletic Recruitment

   Many schools prioritize athletes, particularly those that compete at the Division I or Division III level. Recruiting top athletes can bring prestige to a college’s sports programs, build school spirit, and even generate revenue (especially in schools with prominent athletic programs). For such schools, admissions may favor recruits who demonstrate strong athletic talent and are likely to contribute to the success of the school’s teams.

 Legacy Status and Donor Connections

   Some colleges and universities have a tradition of admitting students who are legacies—children or relatives of alumni. Legacy applicants may receive special consideration as part of an effort to maintain long-term relationships with alumni and encourage ongoing donations. Similarly, students who are connected to significant donors or who are from families with the potential to contribute financially to the institution might be given preferential treatment.

 Geographic Representation

   Institutions often seek to maintain a geographically diverse student body. Colleges may prioritize students from certain states, regions, or countries to ensure that they have a broad national or international representation. For example, if a college is looking to increase its presence in certain regions, applicants from those areas might be more competitive.

Classroom Capacity and Institutional Resources

   Some schools have limited capacity in certain departments or majors and will prioritize applicants who are likely to fill areas where the institution has a shortage of students. For example, if a college is trying to increase enrollment in an underrepresented field such as engineering or nursing, applicants who demonstrate interest and aptitude in those areas may be given preference.

Financial Considerations (Yield and Full Pay Students)

   Colleges and universities often prioritize applicants based on their likelihood of attending if admitted. This is called “yield.” Institutions may use financial aid strategies or offer merit-based scholarships to attract higher-yield applicants. Schools may also seek students who can pay full tuition, especially if the institution needs additional revenue or if it’s looking to offset financial aid packages for other students.

Academic Rigor and Institutional Prestige

   Selective colleges may prioritize applicants from rigorous academic backgrounds, especially those from highly competitive high schools or who have demonstrated the ability to thrive in advanced coursework. A school’s institutional reputation might shape its admissions decisions as well, as prestigious institutions often look for students who will help maintain or enhance their academic standing.

 Alumni Networks and Career Outcomes

   Many colleges are focused on ensuring that their students are successful post-graduation, which can influence admissions policies. Schools with strong career services or a large alumni network may prioritize applicants who have demonstrated clear goals and aspirations that align with the institution’s career development resources. Applicants with a clear pathway to success after graduation can reflect well on the college’s reputation.

Mission and Institutional Values

   Colleges often have a set of core values, such as a commitment to social justice, sustainability, community engagement, or innovation. Admissions teams may look for students whose passions and activities align with these values. For example, a college with a strong commitment to sustainability might prioritize applicants who have demonstrated leadership in environmental causes.

In summary, institutional priorities directly shape how admissions offices evaluate applicants. Understanding a college’s institutional goals—whether they’re about diversity, athletics, academic rigor, or financial considerations—can help applicants tailor their applications to resonate with what the school values most. It’s important for prospective students to research each institution’s mission and strategic goals, as this insight can offer a competitive edge in the admissions process.

 

2024-2025 CommonApp Prompts

Posted on by Amy Garbis

 

Want to get a head start on your personal statement for college applications?

REview and plan your strategy for the commonapp prompts

The CommonApp Prompts Are Out!

  1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
  5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
  7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

I Can Wait To Write My Personal Statement, Right?

Posted on by Amy Garbis

Although college may seem like a far-away concept for many high school juniors, the optimal time to begin the college application process is in the spring. One task that can be easily accomplished before the CommonApp even opens in August is to write a personal statement. Getting this one looming task done eliminates the stress of trying to write it during the hectic fall semester of senior year when you’re still narrowing your college list, focusing on keeping up your grades and still participating in extracurricular activities.

The prompts never change dramatically, so take a peek at the 2022-2023 prompts and begin thinking about them. Allow yourself time to really reflect on each; maybe even free-write a few sentences in response to each prompt. What do you want the schools to know about you? How will you show them your strengths?

Use this reflective essay with a maximum word count of 650 to strongly show who you are. If you begin in the spring and give yourself time, you will be able to strategically craft an interesting, vivid personal statement.

By the way, this is the optimal time for high school sophomores to begin a strategic plan for applicaitons. We recommend not waiting until the last minute scramble entering senior year.

 

Thinking About Studying Abroad?

Posted on by Amy Garbis

Some students are ready to explore the world as soon as they graduate high school; others want to stay closer to home. To help offer some perspective, we recently asked one of our clients who attended a Canadian university to reflect on their experience studying abroad for four years… 

The largest anxiety I had about attending an international university was, without a doubt, all the red tape: I was stressed about obtaining a student visa, acquiring international health insurance, opening a bank account, finding a phone plan etc. These are all normal things to be stressed about, but don’t let them stop you from applying or attending; it’s all worth it!

First of all- remember that your school is a resource. If you are accepted into an international school, the university will delineate the steps you need to take to get a visa, and will likely have programs catered specifically to assisting international students in their process of ‘settling in.’ Once you get your visa application in, you can begin to tackle the other daunting tasks one at a time. If you know anyone in your community who studied internationally, or better yet, at your school of interest, it may be helpful to ask them about the process. On the whole, the process is much more manageable than it seems.

After you’ve filled out all the forms and submitted all the paperwork, you’ll have arrived at the best part! Studying internationally is a great opportunity to put yourself outside of your comfort zone and experience a new culture, language, and city. Finding other international students once on campus is a helpful way to feel ‘settled-in’ in a new place. Although it may be daunting to be in a different country alone, there are always other people who are in the same boat!

The Junior Agenda

Posted on by Tina Weber

  • Start researching colleges and universities. Go to college fairs and open houses. Learn as much as you can about colleges online.
  • Begin planning college visits. Try to visit colleges near you over spring break. Include a large, medium size, and small campus.
  • Request recommendation letters from the counselor and teachers.

Spring to-do’s

Juniors, here are tips on what to do as you embark on your college admissions journey.

  • Develop a preliminary list of colleges that interest you. Go online to request additional information.
  • Take a look at some college applications. Make note of all the pieces of information you will need to compile. Make a list of teachers, counselors, employers, and other adults who could write letters of recommendation.
  • Consider lining up a summer job or internship.