US Colleges & Universities:An Insider’s Perspective

DIFFERENTIATION- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Brian E DavisVice President Academic Relations and Advising

LPI Learning

Many students can reasonably be accepted to a university. They just need to look beyond the top 50 -100 schools.

It’s not just about a curriculum, a formula or even quantifiable data that determines success or failure when applying to university. It’s how does a student stand apart from the other applicants.

• Amherst College• Brown University• California Institute of

Technology• Claremont McKenna College• Columbia University• Cornell University• Dartmouth College• Duke University• Georgetown University• Harvard University• Harvey Mudd College• Johns Hopkins University• Massachusetts Institute of

Technology• Northwestern University• Pomona College

• Princeton University• Rice University• Stanford University• Swarthmore College• US Air Force Academy• US Coast Guard Academy• US Military Academy• US Naval Academy• University of Chicago• University of Virginia• University of Notre Dame• University of Pennsylvania• Williams College• Washington University – St. Louis• Yale University

Top 30 Universities in the US

Brown University — 30,291 applicants (2,619 accepted / 8.6%)Columbia University — 32,967 applicants (2,291 accepted / 6.9%)Cornell University — 43,041 applicants (6,025 accepted / 13%)Dartmouth College — 19,235 applicants (2,220 accepted / 11.5%)Harvard University — 39,041 applicants (2,106 accepted / 5.3%)University of Pennsylvania — 35,788 applicants (3,551 accepted / 9.9%)Princeton University — 26,607 applicants (1,939 accepted / 7.2%)Yale University — 30,922 applicants (1,935 accepted / 6.2%)

Applicants & Admits for Ivy League schools this year

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Harvard Admitted Student Profile Class of 2020

Applicants Admits Admit

RateEnrollees

39,041 2,106 5.3% 1,667390 students applied from China---only 9 were admitted.

Stanford Admitted Student Profile Class of 2020

Applicants Admits Admit

RateEnrollees

43,997 2,114 4.8% 1,750

The best university may not be the university on the top of list, but the university that is the best match for the student.

It should also be noted that of the schools which enroll the most international students, none of them are in top 30.

U.S. INSTITUTIONS HOSTING THE MOST INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - 2014/15

1 New York University2 University of Southern California3 Columbia University4 Arizona State University5 University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign6 Northeastern University7 Purdue University8 University of California Los Angeles9 Michigan State University10 University of Washington11 New School, NYC12 Florida Institute of Technology13 Illinois Institute of Technology14 Lynn University15 University of Tulsa

16 Carnegie Mellon University17 University of San Diego18 University of Buffalo19 University of San Francisco20 Boston University21 Penn State University22 University of Michigan23 Ohio State University24 University of Texas - Dallas25 Indiana University – Bloomington26 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities27 University of California – Berkeley28 SUNY University at Buffalo29 Texas A&M University30 University of Miami

Beyond the numbers and statistics the admissions process can be complicated, competitive and high stress---another reason to differentiate.

Critical factors in the admissions process: • Intellectual imagination• Strength of character• Ability to exercise good judgment• Differentiation

The most important factor:

Academic preparation in high school---the combination of the level of your academic courses and the grades you receive---and being different from the other applicants.

There is no ‘one formula’ that will ensure admission to any college or university.

Benefits of our Renzulli Creativity program are:

Heightened Levels of Creativity Increased Academic Performance Higher Test Scores Broader Thinking and Creative Problem Solving Skills Enhanced Visual, Oral, Written, Construction, Performing and

Presentation Abilities Heightened Research, Collaborative, Teamwork and Leadership Skills Evolve to producers of knowledge from consumers of knowledge.

Key Components Admissions Officials look for:

Growth and Potential Interests and Activities Character and Personality Contribution to the University Community Preparation and Potential To Succeed Producing Something of Value Beyond the

Classroom

Key Academic Preparation Admissions Officials look for:• 12 years secondary education or in final year• Minimum equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA). Based on 4.o

scale. (4.0 = A, 3.0 = B, 2.0 = C, 1.0 = D and 0 = F).• English language proficiency. (TOEFL test if English is not first

language).• SAT or ACT Test Scores• Advanced Placement (AP) –University Level learning. Some

places award credit or advanced course work.• International Baccalaureate (IB); A-LEVELS, GCSE (Subsidiary

and A-Levels)• SAT II Subject Tests - useful to show proficiency in a specific

area of study.

Other Academic Preparation Admissions Officials look for:

• 3 years of History or Social Sciences with writing component

• 4 years of Mathematics (algebra, trigonometry, geometry)• 3 years of Science (PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, AND BIOLOGY) • A course or 2 in Visual, Performing Arts or Art

How to stand out in a highly competitive global applicant pool – differentiate yourself.

Emphasize your diverse background. Universities like the perspective multinational or multicultural students bring to the classroom.

What makes you different from other students? Why you have a desire to study at that institution? Practice an ACT and SAT to see which test is right for

you---the act may be better for you.

Many students can reasonably be admitted to a university. They just need to look beyond the top 50 -100 schools.

Contact:Brian E Davis

Vice President Academic Relations & Student Advising

bdavis@lpilearning.org+1-203-680-9985

www.lpilearning.org