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Are You Common App Ready?

Meredith Lombardi, Common App (VA)Pat Wrobel, Binghamton University (NY)

August 19, 2020

© 2020 The Common Application, Inc.

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About us

Patricia (Pat) Wrobel, MA, MBA● Binghamton University, SUNY International Admissions● With Binghamton for over 30 years● Spent 10 years with global electronics firm

Meredith Lombardi, M.Ed● Common App’s Access & Equity team● Former school counselor in Washington, DC and Georgia● Emory University (BBA), University of Maryland (M.Ed)







Agenda

● Binghamton University overview● Common App community● Approaching the application● Tools you can use● Your questions

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What excites you about going to college?

UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

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Welcome to Binghamton University!


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ONE UNIVERSITY, SIX COLLEGESHarpur College of Arts and Sciences

College of Community and Public Affairs

Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences

School of Management

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science


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▪ Undergraduate students: 14,021

▪ Graduate students: 3,747

▪ Total applications: 41,739

▪ First-year enrolled: 2,906

▪ Transfers enrolled: 1,024

▪ International students: 2,251▪ 908 undergraduate students▪ 1,343 graduate students ▪ from 100 countries

(fall 2019 data)

Student profile


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Binghamton by the numbers▪ High school GPA (mid-50%): 93-98/3.7-3.9

▪ Transfer GPA (mid-50%): 3.3- 3.8

▪ SAT (mid 50%)▪ Math: 660-740▪ Evidence-based reading and writing: 640-710

▪ ACT (mid-50%): 29–32

▪ First-year retention rate: 92% ▪ (national average among public is 62%)

▪ Transfer-student retention rate: 88%

▪ Academic offerings: 130+ (fall 2019 data)


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Binghamton University 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry▪ Distinguished Professor of

Chemistry and Materials Science M. Stanley Whittingham won for his pioneering research leading to the development of the lithium-ion battery


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▪ English proficiency▪ We accept TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT or

Duolingo scores as proof of English proficiency

▪ SAT/ACT▪ Binghamton is SAT/ACT optional for all

schools and programs for spring 2021, fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters

COVID-19 updates

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Common App community


Common App is a non-profit membership organization committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process.

Num

ber o

f Mem

bers

Today: 922

629

276

156

116

15

Growth in membership 1975 – 2019

Who we are

Members922

US States, DC, & PR 50

International Members 62

Countries outside the US

18

New members and counting 40

2020-2021 New members

Public Institutions• Auburn University (AL)

• Augusta University (GA)

• Clemson University (SC)

• Coastal Carolina University (SC)

• Lake Superior State University (MI)

• Norfolk State University (VA)

• Northern Illinois University (IL)

• Richard Bland College of William and Mary (VA)

• Texas Tech University (TX)

• The University of Texas at Dallas (TX)

• The University of Texas at San Antonio (TX)

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)

• University of Georgia (GA)

• University of Louisville (KY)

• University of Maryland (MD)

• University of South Florida (FL)

• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)

• Virginia Tech (VA)

• Winthrop University (SC)

US states 20Public institutions 19

commonapp.org/blog © 2020 The Common Application, Inc.

The applicants213

countries and

territories1Mapplicants

9% int’l


Top 10 countries

• China (30%)• India (7.9%)• Canada (3.9%)• Korea (3.0%)• Pakistan (2.7%)• United Arab Emirates (2.2%)• Nigeria (2.0%)• United Kingdom (1.9%)• Vietnam (1.9%)• Ghana (1.8%)…• Japan (#22)

https://www.commonapp.org/blog/common-app-welcomes-42-new-members-2020-2021-application-season

Common App in JapanTop 15 receiving institutions• New York University• Boston University• Northeastern University• University of Southern California• University of Michigan• Stanford University• Brown University• Yale University• Fordham University• Cornell University• Harvard University• University of Pennsylvania• Tufts University• Columbia University• Purdue University

576 applicants

3,500 applications

399Colleges and universities



Common App stands by every international student seeking post-secondary educationin the United States.








Approaching the application

commonapp.org

http://commonapp.org






• Expanded filter options- First-year / transfer- Enrollment size- Campus setting- Merit / need-based aid- Test-optional- Accepts self-reported test scores- Offers aid for international

students

• Map and list views of colleges

• PDF export of college lists

commonapp.org/explore

Explore colleges

Visit fairtest.org for list of test-optional schools for Fall 2021 admissions






• Details on application requirements• Virtual tours and image galleries• Ability for colleges to showcase

specialized programs


College details

http://commonapp.org/explore

http://fairtest.org/university/optional

http://commonapp.org/explore







Plan for college

• College roadmaps for middle school, high school, community college, and military students

• Application and Recommender Guides• Learn about paying for college• Parent resources

commonapp.org/plan

commonapp.org

http://commonapp.org/plan

http://commonapp.org


Account rollover

Username & password

remain the same.

What rolls over?

A student’s college list and answers to questions on the Common App tab.

● Profile● Family● Education● Testing● Activites● Writing● Courses & Grades

What does NOT roll over? Anything on the My Colleges tab, including the FERPA release authorization, recommender invitations, or answers to college-specific questions.

The Common App launches on August 1 each year, but students don’t have to wait until then.

Navigating the application


Searching for a college is simple with a type-ahead search field and additional search filters



• The Common App tab is where you go to complete the main sections of the application

• Embedded videos, FAQs, and links to Common App support provide assistance throughout the application



Required questions are marked with a red asterisk

How do I report my class rank and GPA?

You should report your current Class Rank and GPA, even if they might change later in the school year. If your school does not rank, select "None" from the drop down menu. If your school calculates both weighted and unweighted Class Rank/GPA, report the weighted value. If your school does not calculate a cumulative numerical GPA, or if it uses a GPA scale that is different than the options available in the drop down menu, leave the Cumulative GPA field blank. This field is not required for submission of your application. You can always use the Additional Information prompt in the Writing section to elaborate.

appsupport.commonapp.org


Activities Section

Reporting activities and experiences helps colleges better understand your life outside of the classroom.

• Report up to 10 activities• Estimate the amount of time spent in each

activity






What experiences and activities have been most meaningful to you?

Choose from 7 different essay prompts● Personal Growth● Facing Adversity● Background, Identity, Interest, or Talent● Intellectual Curiosity● Problem Solving● Challenging an Idea● Topic of Your Choice

The essay helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice.

The writing section also includes an Additional Information section you can use to share more (optional).

Pro tip: You can use content from Google Drive in your application.


Writing section

❛ ❛The essay is your opportunity to shine; it gives you the creative freedom to express yourself in an authentic and insightful manner.- Ursinus College (PA)

Be as genuine as possible.- Merrimack College (MA)

Be true to yourself!- Cooper Union (NY)


COVID-19 question

New question for 2020-2021 application

Community disruptions such as COVID-19 and natural disasters can have deep and long-lasting impacts. If you need it, this space is yours to describe those impacts. Colleges care about the effects on your health and well-being, safety, family circumstances, future plans, and education, including access to reliable technology and quiet study spaces. For more information, check out our COVID-19 FAQ.

● Optional● 250 word limit● Located in the Additional Information section● Separate from the existing Additional Information

question, which remains (650 word limit)

commonapp.org/blog

https://appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/article/Where-can-I-explain-how-COVID-19-had-an-impact-on-me

https://www.commonapp.org/blog/COVID-19-question-common-app


Care Counts in Crisis

More than 350 college admissions deans across the country signed a collective statement offering advice to college applicants about how to think about their applications in the face of the ongoing pandemic.

Making Caring Common@MCCHarvardEd

We wish to underscore our commitment to equity and to encourage in students self-care, balance, meaningful learning, and care for others. More specifically, we value the following:

● Self-care. Encouraging students to take care of themselves● Academic work. Assessed in the context of obstacles faced● Service and contributions to others. Responding to

community needs created by the pandemic● Family contributions. Supervising younger siblings, caring for

sick relatives, or working to provide family income● Extracurricular and summer activities. No student will be

disadvantaged for not engaging in extracurricular activities during this time






What do you want colleges to know about YOU?

https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-colleges/endorse-care-counts-in-crisis-college-admissions-deans-respond-to-covid-19

https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-colleges/endorse-care-counts-in-crisis-college-admissions-deans-respond-to-covid-19

My Colleges


My Colleges includes detailed information and requirements for each college on a student’s list.

• Complete the FERPA Release Authorization

• Invite recommenders

• Answer college-specific questions

• Submit application

• Submit writing supplements, if applicable


Counselor

● Completes school forms and sends transcript

● Writes letter of recommendation (40% require)

● Can view your completion progress and a PDF copy of your application (with your permission)

Recommender types

Teacher Other recommender

Advisor

● No school requires more than 2

● Completes teacher evaluation and writes letter of recommendation (42% require)

● Optional● Examples include

- Arts teacher outside of school

- Clergy- Coach- College access

counselor- Employer- Family member- Peer- Other

● Optional● You can invite up to 3

advisors● Advisors do not

submit any forms● Can view your

completion progress and a PDF copy of your application (with your permission)


Transcripts, recommendations, and school forms are only sent to colleges when students submit their Common App.

Written evaluations

Colleges that invite letters of recommendation are looking for stories that will help them better evaluate a student for academic potential and fit within their community.

❛ ❛Letters of recommendation provide an outside perspective and add important commentary to complement the grades, standardized test scores and additional information found in a student’s application. They help us look past the numbers and learn more about who the student is, what they will add to our campus and whether they may be the best fit for our school.

-Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art






Who would you ask to write a letter of recommendation for you? Why?

Tips for presenting your best self


● Avoid mentioning another college in your Why College X essay

● Don’t just list your activities● Have others read your application








Tools you can use


Common App

● Explore Common App’s 900+ member colleges

● Virtual tours and image galleries


Virtual College Exploration

NACAC StriveScan Cialfo

● Free virtual college fairs● Connect with hundreds of

admission reps via live and interactive Zoom sessions

○ Sunday, Sep 13○ Monday, Oct 12○ Sunday, Oct 18○ Sunday, Nov 8

virtualcollegefairs.org

● Free● View recordings of virtual

presentations to explore college opportunities

● 500+ colleges in 47 states and 13 countries

strivescan.com/virtual

● Free● Online University Fair● View recordings of

university presentations from International Weekend (May 22-24)

explore.cialfo.co/webinars

Common App Ready


A toolkit of tips and best practices to help you with each step of the application process

● Getting started● Preparing your application● Telling your story● Working with recommenders and advisors● Paying for college

commonapp.org/ready

https://www.commonapp.org/explore

http://virtualcollegefairs.org

https://www.strivescan.com/virtual/

https://explore.cialfo.co/webinars

http://commonapp.org/ready






24/7 support

Help when you need it!

● Frequently Asked Questions● Known issues● Contact support● Live member schools● Writing requirements resource

appsupport.commonapp.orgrecsupport.commonapp.org

Reach Higher

A Student’s Guide to Your First Year of College

Created in partnership with Michelle Obama and Reach Higher, YouTube Originals and NowThis produced a 10-episode crash course for students entering college. The series covers topics ranging from financial management to finding mentors and friends to living on your own.

A Year of Firsts

Michelle Obama partnered with the digital media company ATTN: to launch A Year of Firsts video series on IGTV showing inspiring stories about four students navigating their first year of college.

reachhigher.orgbettermakeroom.org


http://appsupport.commonapp.org

http://recsupport.commonapp.org

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzb2FcahKSbP8HTUuN2wsty3fkonpsxSE

http://reachhigher.org

http://bettermakeroom.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKyQW4Q9Hgg

Better Make Room


Saying thingsout loudmakes them happen

bettermakeroom.org#bettermakeroom


Connect with #commonapp, #reachhigher and #bettermakeroom

@CommonApp@ReachHigher@BetterMakeRoom

@CommonApp@ReachHigher@BetterMakeRoom

@CommonApp@ReachHigher2020@BetterMakeRoom

CommonAppMediaBetterMakeRoom

http://bettermakeroom.org






What next steps do you want to take on your pre-college journey?








Your questions

We’re committed to continuous improvement:ideas.commonapp.org

http://ideas.commonapp.org


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Questions?▪ Contact Patricia (Pat) Wrobel: [email protected]

▪ Request more information: Scan QR code

▪ Email: [email protected]

▪ Apply: binghamton.edu/admissions/apply/international

▪ Schedule a personal Zoom meeting: connect.binghamton.edu/portal/virtual-meetings

▪ Social media:▪ Facebook: International Students at Binghamton University▪ YouTube: Search Binghamton University Channel ▪ Instagram: @binghamtonadmissions








Thank you

Please visit appsupport.commonapp.org or email us at [email protected] with any questions.

http://appsupport.commonapp.org

mailto:[email protected]

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