Tips from UChicago on Calming the Selective Admissions Frenzy

Our show today was an extension of our conversation from last week with Dr. Denise Pope. Dr. Pope leads the Challenge Success project at Stanford University and she shared tips for our listeners about managing and recognizing stress. The top stressors for students . . . and keep in mind that stress starts as early as 3rd grade then continues into college . . . are

  • Academics
  • Grades
  • Testing (ACT, SAT, AP)
  • College admissions

Because my firm does work with students who are applying to college, you know I’m seeing some elevated stress levels right about now. The Common Application was released on August 1, the first ACT is offered this Saturday on September 10, many seniors are returning to school with 2 or more AP courses, the SAT is offered on October 1 which many students are studying for, especially if they’ve decided to retake the exam for a better score. So all the high stressors, academics, grades, testing, and college admissions are like a perfect storm for high school seniors.  Stress has so many other ill effects that students and parents do not need right now. The aim of all our shows is to bring families strategic and practical information that supports their educational success and this episode met that goal.

Our guest today is a seasoned admissions professional with 10 years at the University of Chicago, Colin Johnson. (Aside: It’s a small world because she and I lived on the University of Chicago campus at the same time. She was a graduate student when my husband was a graduate student there. With all the people on the Hyde Park campus, we didn’t meet then. I actually met her during my tour of the campus this summer. Although I know the campus fairly well from having lived there, I still wanted to go through a full tour and presentation from the vantage point of current families who are considering the university. It was quite an informative tour and session because there have been a number of changes at the University of Chicago. And quite frankly, I knew the graduate community when I lived which seems to be quite different from the undergraduate community.)  My guest, Colin Johnson is the Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at the University of Chicago. She talked with us about admissions at a selective institution such as hers as well as provided some actionable tips for students and their parents on calming the stress of admissions frenzy!

Click here to listen to an interview with University of Chicago admissions

You can also hear more from Colin Johnson next week as she meets with students during the Diversity Day at College Week Live event on Wednesday, September 14 from 6 to 7 pm.

How to be a successful College Student – What the research says

August is a month fraught with both excitement and anxiety over starting college or returning to college if you’re a sophomore or upperclassmen. This morning along, I met with a reporter who is writing an article about separation anxiety and the emotional roller-coaster for both parents and students who are starting college. We talked at length about various stressors and what families can do during this major life transition.

Then, about an hour ago, I got a great text from one of my families. It was a picture of my client Tori moving into her dorm room today! I loved the picture and the text because it highlighted the excitement of starting college. There are so many butterflies in anticipation of meeting your roommate(s), getting your room set-up and stocked, and sleeping in a new bed! It’s all the start of a new and unfamiliar experience for Tori, as well as hundreds of thousands of college freshmen this month.

Here’s the rub. . . College graduation overall in our country today is about 55%. Slightly less than  80% of our freshman return for the sophomore year. When students drop out after freshman year, it costs us nationally over $4.14 billion dollars. Our show in July focused on the Freshman year transition.

Today on The Education Doctor® Radio we extended that conversation with our guest, Professor Eric Bettinger of Stanford University, and the National Bureau of Economic Research. Professor Bettinger has studied and published in the field of higher education for many years. His work includes the role of teacher characteristics and class sizes in college, the role of need-based financial aid, and the complexity of the college application process.  We were honored to have him share his expertise and he gave our families some new insights about what it takes to be successful in college. A key tip for students applying to college and those currently enrolled is planning ahead for deadlines, according to Professor Bettinger.

Here is a recording to the show: (Yes, I do need to get transcripts soon . . . :-))

Click to listen to Interview with Prof Eric Bettinger of Stanford on How to Be a Successful College Student

More interesting posts to check out:

How to get into the University of Chicago

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Are you Applying to a College that Values You?

As seniors are narrowing down their list of colleges, I urge them to seriously consider those colleges that are a good fit for them. Applying to those colleges that are a good fit for you gives you the best opportunity to attend a college where you will thrive and graduate!

“Good fit” colleges (note: plural) will match these criteria:

• Offers the course of study you want to pursue—and will provide opportunities for you to explore if you are undecided;

• Provides instruction and learning opportunities in a manner that is compatible with the way you like to learn;

• Is a good match for your level of ability and academic preparation; and

• Provides a community that feels like home

Ultimately . . .

—the ideal college—will also be the place that values you for what you have to offer!

Think about it. Wouldn’t you prefer to be at a college that recognizes your talents and abilities, interests, and perspectives—and demonstrates its commitment to investing in your success?

via The Best College? The One That Values You – The College Admissions Insider usnews.com.

During the recruitment process, college-bound students should look for these indicators that the college values your candidacy:

• Give you personal attention throughout the recruitment process;

• Answer your questions about housing, registration, and payment plans in a timely manner;

• Provide financial aid to meet your need; and

• Recognize your talents with scholarships and/or special academic opportunities i.e., study abroad, internships, research, etc.

via The Best College? The One That Values You – The College Admissions Insider usnews.com.

Watch for these signs as they will tell you a lot about how you’ll be treated as an enrolled student!

 

More interesting posts to check out:

How to get into the University of Chicago

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The Backlash and Appeal of Forbes Top 200 College Rankings

Forbes Top 200 College

Another brouhaha has been stirring about the most recent college rankings from Forbes. Frankly, I hadn’t even noticed these rankings until I read about Northeastern University’s (#534) objections. Northeastern is taking issue with the inclusion of points for the graduation rate (their’s is 69.9%). According to the Forbes analysis, the 4-year graduation rate counts for 17.5% of the score. Much of the remaining points related to student satisfaction and alumni success. It seems that even if their graduation rate was 100%, they would still be ranked in the triple digits.

The biggest issue for Northeastern may be recruiting. Although countless “experts” discount the use of these rankings in the admissions process, countless rising seniors and their families rely on these reports to determine where to visit and ultimately, where to apply. Thus, there are many more students who may not even consider Northeastern because it’s so far down on the list. This may translate into increased resources for them to get their message out to prospective students and be competitive with all the other top colleges in Massachusetts that are ranked in the single and double digits:

For the second year in a row, Williams College, a small, western-Massachusetts liberal arts school, has been named as the best undergraduate institution in America. With total annual costs adding up to nearly $55,000, a Williams education is certainly not cheap, but the 2,000 undergraduates here have among the highest four-year graduation rates in the country, win loads of prestigious national awards like Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships, and are often rewarded with high-paying careers.

In second place? Princeton University, which boasts nearly nonexistent student debt rates due to one of the most generous financial aid programs in the nation. Outside of Princeton and Harvard (#6), Ivy League schools fare relatively poorly, suggesting that their reputations might be a bit overblown. Yale (#14), Brown (#21) and Dartmouth (#30) crack the top 5%, but the other Ivies – Columbia (#42), Cornell (#51) University of Pennsylvania (#52) — do not.

Because of our emphasis on financial prudence, the zero-cost military service academies rank highly. West Point, which topped the list two years ago, ranks third this time, thanks to outstanding teaching (#3) and high alumni salaries (#8), while the Air Force Academy (#10) and the Naval Academy (#17) glide easily into the top 20. Even the less prestigious academies – the Coast Guard (#97) and the Merchant Marine (#158) — score well.

Outside of the academies, the highest ranked public school is the University of Virginia (#46) followed closely by the College of William and Mary (#49) and UCLA (#55).

via America’s Top Colleges – Michael Noer – Backslash – Forbes.

I actually applaud the efforts of these recent rankings because they do take into account affordability and college graduation rates. Studies have shown that the breakdown in graduation occurs in the application process. This ranking helps in leading students toward a more informed selection of colleges.

Additional interesting posts to check out:

How to get into the University of Chicago

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Top 3 Concerns when applying to a Party School

Ohio University

When I recently visited Ohio University in Athens Ohio, I had no idea that it would be named this week as the #1 party school by

Princeton Review! The town of Athens was quite charming, filled with restaurants and shops. Even though I visited during the summer, there were many students on campus, current undergraduates as well as high schoolers. The campus and curriculum seemed to have a lot to offer.

Certainly, with this new ranking, it begs the question . . .

Should college-bound students still apply to a college that has a Party School reputation??

That’s a serious question. While I don’t encourage selecting a college solely on rankings, this particular one is a bit unnerving. According to the Princeton Review, the ranking is based on a “combination of survey questions concerning the use of alcohol and drugs, hours of study each day, and the popularity of the Greek system.” Oooh!

Before adding a “party school” to your list of arbitrarily removing from your list, here are 3 critical questions that a family should answer:

  • How grounded and self-aware is my teen?
  • Does my teenager typically make their own decisions or follow the crowd?
  • What campus resources will be available for my teen if the academic load is too easy or social influences are negative?

And these questions are part of a whole range of questions that every college applicant must ask as part of their due diligence. There are other questions related to the student’s social well being, academic expectations, and financial support that will determine whether a party school still remains on the list.

In considering these questions, here is a list of the top 20 party schools of 2011 by Princeton Review, along with their rate of admissions and graduation rates. There are only two private colleges among this list and the number of enrolled students ranges from 2,000 at Depauw to 56,000 at Arizona State. These campuses are located in varied settings with 3 in rural communities, 7 suburban, and 10 urban communities!

 

2012 Party Schools* Graduation Rates Admit Rates
Ohio University 69.7% 77.8%
U Georgia, Athens 77.9% 54.8%
U Mississippi 55.7% 83.4%
University of Iowa n/a 82.3%
U California Santa Barbara 81.5% 54.4%
West Virginia University 55.9% 34.7%
Penn State, University Park n/a n/a
Florida State University 69.5% 46.7%
U Florida 81.6% 41.5%
U Texas Austin 77.8% 43.5%
U Illinois Urbana-Champaign 82.0% 69.0%
Syracuse University 80.1% 52.5%
Louisiana State, Baton Rouge 58.9% 72.8%
U Wisconsin Madison 81.3% 62.8%
DePauw University 85.3% 64.8%
Indiana U Bloomington 72.9% 70.7%
Arizona State 56.0% 82.1%
U Maryland College Park 81.8% 38.8%
U Vermont 71.2% 64.8%
U South Carolina Columbia 66.7% 59.4%

 

Additional interesting posts to check out:

How to get into the University of Chicago

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Get into University of Chicago with these 4 Tips!

University of Chicago

Last year, the University of Chicago received far more applications beyond its admitted class size of 1,400. Even if it is somewhat of a reach to be admitted, potential applicants should still consider UChicago if it is a good match. The best way to get a feel for whether it’s a fit is through visiting. Although I lived on the campus of UChicago years ago, I visited recently to learn about the campus through the lens of my students.

The admissions presenter and the student guide emphasized the academic structure. This emphasis couldn’t have been more different from the presentation and tour at the University of Cincinnati, as noted in my recent posting. Thus, potential applicants to UChicago should be familiar with the important role of the Common Core and how it shapes the culture of UChicago.

I learned also through my recent visit to the campus that potential applicants may improve their chances of admissions by paying attention to these tips:

  • Complete the Chicago Supplement, even if you use the Common Application
  • Do not make lists, as your essay. All essays should be written in a paragraphed format
  • Re-take the SAT/ACT, if you think you will do better on a re-take . . . UChicago super scores!
  • Express yourself in the essay, so that the readers get to know who you are. The application review considers all aspects of your submission, not just your transcript or test scores.

University of Chicago

In addition to its urban campus and high-quality academics, I was impressed to learn that UChicago students have so many options to build community and enjoy the college experience. There are over 400 student organizations, and my personal favorite is the Zombie Readiness Task Force. Although there is no quidditch team (you can always create one!), there is “broomball” instead!

Faith and Community define Wheaton College in Illinois

Wheaton College

Graduation rate: 85.6

Throughout my campus tour and information session at Wheaton College in Illinois, the student guide and admission officer spoke openly about their personal faith and how faith is integrated into the learning experience at this Christian college. It is an interdenominational campus with over 30 denominations represented. In the application essay, students must write about their faith so non-believers are not admitted. (This policy is similar to Cedarville University in Ohio where students must sign an acknowledgment of their faith prior to matriculation.)

The student guide referred often to the sense of community on Wheaton’s campus, nurtured through the great food and fun traditions. Wheaton’s campus is catered by Bon Appetit and has been recognized nationally for its high-quality, locally-sourced, and varied meal options. One of the many fun traditions mentioned by the guide was the “brother-sister dorm partners.” If you visit the campus, be sure to ask about other traditions, and perhaps, you will get to see a student “slacklining.”

The names of famous alumni Todd Beamer and Billy Graham graced two of the buildings on the well-manicured campus. The new state-of-the-art science building displays the excavated bones of Perry, the mastodon. It turns out that the new mascot for Wheaton will be the mastodon (two-person costume required). Although the most popular majors are business and music, there are a number of science majors, as Wheaton has an impressive reputation for training its pre-medicine students. Students with an interest in science can also take advantage of summer research mentoring with a profession, which offers free summer housing and a stipend! (Where do I sign up?)

Wheaton College

There were many other unique aspects to this community of 2,400 students. Noteworthy: Human Needs and Global Resources program. If you are interested in a liberal art, Christian college, or Conservatory of Music, then Wheaton is definitely worth a visit.

Wheaton College (IL) graduation rate: 85.6

Dean Julie of Stanford University shares How to get the most of Freshman Year

Dean Julie of Stanford

If you’ve listened to one of our prior Education Doctor radio shows or been a client family of my firm, then you’ve heard me preach about the college graduation rate.  I’m passionate about our country’s need to improve the college graduate rate. College graduation overall in our country today is about 55%. Shocking, isn’t it for a global leader?

Another interesting data point is that 79.5% of our freshman are retained. In short, if students are going to drop-out from college, many of them do so after freshman year. And you know something else . . . it costs us nationally over $4.14 billion dollars to educate those students who drop-out after freshman year. Wow. . . I’m blown away by these numbers and they keep me going every day. . .

Our show last Thursday, July 14 focused on Freshman year and what both students and parents can do to get the most out of this important year of their college road to graduation.

My guest was Dean Julie Lythcott-Haims, who is the Dean of Freshman and Undergraduate Advising and Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Stanford University. I’ve known Dean Julie since she was an undergraduate Freshman at Stanford. Here’s a small world story for you . . . I was a Freshman Orientation Leader for her entering class and had memorized all the names of students in my cohort so that they would feel welcomed when they arrived. She was among my cohort of students for the class of 1989. Then when I returned to Stanford for my doctorate, I learned that Dean Julie would be the then-Dean of Freshman and Transfer Students. I had heard about her distinguished career after undergraduate and excited to see her return to the Farm. She’s an inspiration for many and shared some great advice and tips to share for students and parents on our show.

 

Here is the audio of Dean Julie Lythcott-Haims of Stanford University discussing what students and parents should know about Freshman year of college!

 

After our show, I saw a question posted on blogtalkradio by Benjamin Ezeokoli, who asked:

How should a [Stanford] freshman balance his or her time in specificity to taking courses and engaging in extracurricular activities?

Dean Julie responded:

Knowing that college presents both a different pace and different expectations than high school, I would encourage all incoming students to assume they will not be able to jump right in to the same number of extra-curriculars in college, at least not at the outset, or not to the same extent.  I think it makes good sense to spend the first term getting one’s academic bearings (i.e. what does xx number of units require of me outside of class?; what kind of success/accomplishments am I able to achieve
academically with xx units).  With that information in hand, the student can then think about adding extra-curriculars in a way that complements what they already know to be the time available in the space outside of academics.  I’m not saying don’t do extra-curriculars at the outset, in fact one or two small things might be a nice balance with academics.  I’m really speaking to the urge to get involved in five extra-curriculars, some of which are major, right away, which I think is not wise.

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The economics of visiting University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati

Graduation Rate: 54:9%

When I visited the University of Cincinnati today, it was my first visit since I interviewed for a faculty position several years ago. I got an offer but didn’t feel like academia was a fit for my personality and work/lifestyle. Although I toured the campus back then, it was still worth a visit this time around to get a sense of the changes and campus culture.

IMG_0087
This amazing structure houses the 4 floors of trophies, showcasing UCinn’s athletic achievements

Once I got over the fact that there were approximately 2,000+ other attendees at this Open House, it was time to absorb the presentations, tours, etc. I say that I had to get over it because it is a large, urban university with approximately 20,000 undergrads and just as many graduate students. With so many people there, attendees did not wear name tags, groups had different schedules, and I personally felt invisible. This experience is probably not a whole lot different from attending as a student. My student tour guide had only lived on campus for 1 year and lived off-campus for 3 years. She didn’t have a lot of answers about the campus, but she exuded pride in being a Bearcat. So UCinn can be a large university with tons of visitors at a time and . . . be a perfect fit for the students who attend there.

 

Throughout the presentations and campus tours, there was a lot of talk about costs. The morning presentation started with a discussion of financial aid. The next presenter highlighted all the “free” things on campus and emphasized all the off-campus activities galore . . . (it certainly made me wonder about the strength of the on-campus community).

 

When we started on the tour, the guide mentioned the cost of parking, how to save money on textbooks, and other services not

The lazy river and jacuzzi in Rec Center at University of Cincinnati are free to all students
The lazy river and jacuzzi in Rec Center at University of Cincinnati are free to all students

included in recreation center fees. (Massages and personal trainers are an additional fee, while the “lazy river” and jacuzzi are included.)  Perhaps it’s more a sign of the times in Ohio and nationally. . . . the cost of higher education is on the minds of families. I listen to a lot of admissions presentations and campus tours throughout the year. The consistent references to costs stood out. I definitely know that the application fee is $50 and nothing happens to your application without that fee! One other tip is that your application must be submitted by December 1, in order to be considered for Honors or scholarships.

 

Overall, the visit to the University of Cincinnati was well worth my time. After 2-1/2 hours, there was finally a presentation about academics. It was comforting to learn about those special programs that bring alive the intellectual engagement. The First-Year Experience includes learning communities that give freshmen a chance to form a community among their peers. That’s a plus on a large urban campus such as this. The Co-op Education program was also a highlight. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences must major in French, Spanish, Communications, or English though to participate. This is a great idea because it helps those students to be just as competitive in the job market after college. Also, the Co-Op Education program is 5 years, but you only pay for 4 years!UCincinnati

Graduation Rate: 54:9%

Ohio University in Athens for the Summer and Academic Year

Ohio University in Athens

Who knew it would be so difficult to find on-campus parking at Ohio University in Athens . . . in the middle of the summer? My tour guide stated that this summer was unusually busy on campus and likely due to students taking courses in preparation for the university changeover from quarters to semesters. The 2011-12 academic year will be the last year that Ohio University is on the quarter system.

IMG_0072
Photo of the student center at Ohio University

In addition to enrolled students taking courses this summer, there are 3 other cohorts on campus:

  • International students – I saw a lot of international students. I was surprised to see so many international students since there is a relatively small international community during the academic year (less than 8%). In fact, only about 17% of their student body are non-Ohio residents.
  • Rising Freshmen – OU encourages its freshman students in the Honors College to begin in the summer session. Those students participate in smaller learning communities. Administrators noted that the summer session is a program to help students transition to college and hopefully improve retention. The most recent graduation rate for OU is 69.7%.
  • Middle and high school students – There are a host of summer programs on OU’s campus for both day and residential students. Nike hosts several sports camps there each year. Additionally, OU hosts its own summer program for high school students. During my visit, I met with the directors of the summer programs and they have been fine-tuning this program since its inception. I will be meeting with them again during the academic year to learn more about upcoming changes.

As rising juniors and seniors are traveling this summer, I encourage them to take advantage of opportunities to visit area campuses. Even if you visit a campus that may not be of interest, you can still learn a lot about available options and make comparisons. When I use the term “area” I am referring to those campuses that are near your home or proximal to where you’re already traveling. I am not suggesting that families make special distant trips just for the sake of visiting – that can be very costly and time-consuming. Campus visits should be done more thoughtfully and strategically than that.

Please listen to our radio show on-campus visits and get more information about how you can make the most of your campus visits.