understanding the new college application landscape
TRANSCRIPT
Understanding The New College
Application LandscapeRebecca Joseph, PhD
College Fair ExtraordinaireSeptember 10, 2016
Your Presenter
Rebecca Joseph, PhD• Professor, Cal State LA• Founder, Get Me To College and All
College Application Essays• Current 2016 Unsung Hero, LA County
Contact [email protected]@getmetocollege @allcollegeessay
http://www.slideshare.net/getmetocollege/new-college-application-landscape
Understanding The New College Application Landscape
Overview of Shifting 2016-2017 American Admissions Landscape
• The landscape changes include testing, financial aid, and new application types
• What changes does 2016-2017 hold for these 4 application types?
Common Application University of California New Coalition Application
Which Colleges Does This Affect?• Survey frequency of applications
Tips for Advisors to Finding Firm Footing• Location • Components• Deadlines: Early or Regular? • Essay management
Overview of Shifting 2016 American Admissions Landscape
ACT/SAT test changesFAFSA Changes
New Coalition Application
Changes to Common Application
2016 College Admissions
Changes to UC & Texas Apply Application Essay Prompts
Many Steps to Class of 2017 College Admissions Process
New SAT; Changes to ACT
New FAFSA Structure and Opening Date
Changes to Common Application
New UC and UT Essay Prompts
New Coalition Application
Class of 2017 College Admissions Process Organizing Your Applications
New Testing In Place
Testing
• Entirely new SAT• New Writing Section of ACT• Many schools now not
required writing section of each
• Many schools now making SAT Subject Tests optional
• A few new test optional colleges
New FAFSA Cycle and PPY
http://www.slideshare.net/getmetocollege/new-college-application-landscape
Shifts With College Applications
University of California
• Introduces new format and prompts for both freshman and transfer essays
• Applicants must write 4 short 350 word max essays
• Freshman can choose from 8 prompts
• Transfers have one required and then seven prompts, of which applicants must choose 3
UC Freshman and Transfer Prompts• Freshman Personal Insight Prompts: Answer any 4 of the following 8 questions:
• What do you want UC to know about you? Here’s your chance to tell us in your own words.• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you: But you should select questions
that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.
1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
6. Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
• Transfers: Personal insight questions: There is one required question you must answer
• You must also answer 3 out of 7 additional questions• What do you want UC to know about you? Here’s your chance to tell us in your own words.• Which three questions you choose to answer are up to you: But you should select questions
that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.
• Required question• Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your
readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.
• You will also need to select 3 out of the following 7 questions to answer:1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have
positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
6. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
7. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
Common Application
• Keeps same essays as last year
• Allows accounts to roll-over• Continues to improve transfer
application• Adds Indiana University,
George Mason University, and University of Wisconsin-Madison along with 45 other new institutions
• Expands outreach including virtual counselor
2016-2017 Common Application Prompts
250-650 Words (2015-2016 percentages)
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. (49%)
2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? (17%)
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again. (4%)
4. Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. (10%)
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family. (22%)
New Coalition Application
New Kid on the Block
Three Rules to Join
• Must have at least 70% graduation rate after six years
• Must meet all demonstrated need for low-income students
• If public, must have affordable in-state costs
Who’s Accepting Coalition Apps this year?
94 members
- 56 colleges TAKING
applications this
year
38 waiting for next
year
Unique Coalition Features
• ONLY platform that allows students to invite anyone of their choice to collaborate on platform.
• Students can create their OWN connection.
• Students can start EARLY
• Students enter profile data ONCE
$1 Million Question
Which application to have students
use?
4 Tips for Getting Firm Footing1. Find Common Denominator
• Where do most students apply?• Use that to drive strategies.
2. Identify Components • All essays? Recommendations? Mix? Early applications?• Break down and organize colleges by components.• Personalize at end.
3. Stay current • What has changed? What is current? • Ensure students are working on CORRECT and
RELEVANT components.• Minimize mistakes and need to back track or rework
information
4. Create plan• Review past protocols/policies? Do they still work for
students and your organization? Or do you need new ones?• Use online application tool/process to track progress.• Set deadlines.• Set tasks/assignments.
1. Find Common Denominator
Check or create list with application types. Which application should Andy do?
2. Identify ComponentsCalifornia State
UniversityUniversity of California California and Out of
State Private CollegesOut of State Public
CollegesApplication Application Application ApplicationSAT or ACT
(check campus requirements)SAT or ACT
(must have writing)SAT or ACT
(with writing as needed)SAT or ACT
(with writing as needed)
SAT Subject Tests(as needed)
SAT Subject Tests(as needed)
SAT Subject Tests(check campus for requirements)
High School Curriculum Self Report on application
High School Curriculum Self Report on application
Transcript Transcript
Personal Insight Questions(4 )
Personal Statements(number varies)
Personal Statements(check campus for requirements)
Activity List(9, 10, 11, 12)
Activity List(9, 10, 11, 12)
Activity List(9, 10, 11, 12)
Counselor Recommendation&
1-3 Teacher/CommunityLetters of Recommendation
Counselor or Teacher Recommendations
(check campus for requirements)
Applications open Oct. 1Submit: Oct. 1 - Nov. 30
Applications open Aug. 1Submit: up to Nov. 30
Applications open as early as July 1 (varies)Submit: Varies (as early as July, as late as May)
3. Stay Current
• More colleges than ever are filling more than 50% of their classes with Early Decision.
• More colleges are adding ED 2.• Applying ED 1 or 2 often doubles
likelihood of admissions than regular.
• More students are applying to 12+ colleges.
• Deferrals and waitlists more common than ever.
https://www.iecaonline.com/PDF/IECA_Library_ED-vs-RD-Acceptances.pdf
Deadlines: EA, REA, ED, 1 & 2?
4. Create a PlanCreate or use online platform to view all application due dates
Essay Management
Use Available Resources
And More Changes
• Other components to manage:• Recommendations• Transcript delivery process changing• More schools going Test Optional• Proliferation of student portals –
based on student applications
Questions?
Seizing the moment
Contact Dr. Joseph• [email protected] • www.getmetocollege.org• www.allcollegeessays.org• Buy my Integrated Website and Mobile
App-All College Application Essayswww.allcollegeessays.org
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