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Selective College Admission Rae Ann M DiBaggio Senior Associate Director Office of Undergraduate Admission Case Western Reserve University What’s the hype with the college selection process? ◦ Media attention ◦ Consumer mentality ◦ More than one good choice ◦ Being knowledgeable: helps you focus on what is important and is not as important     Deciding where to apply to college can be a daunting task US boasts more than 3,800 colleges- majority accept more than half of those who apply More than 13 public and 50 private colleges in Ohio But what is important to remember is that THERE IS A COLLEGE FOR EVERYONE!  Open Admission ◦ HS diploma, accept on first-come first-served basis  More Selective ◦ Largest group ◦ More selective than open enrollment ◦ Look at a variety of factors  Very Selective ◦ Small number of schools ◦ Receive 10-15 apps per slot ◦ Tough review process for admission   Admission and Application Process Types of admission: ◦ ED  ED admit/deny  ED defer ◦ EA  EA single choice – restrictive EA  EA defer ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Regular Decision Common Application Deadlines vs Rolling Admission Final grades matter ◦ Identify students who are likely to be successful academically ◦ Attract students who will contribute to campus life ◦ Build a diverse and talented class ◦ Fulfill specific program and University needs What are we looking for? ◦ strong record of academic performance ◦ enthusiasm for learning ◦ willingness to contribute to school and community ◦ academic promise in part by standardized testing ◦ distinctive achievements or talents ◦ knowledge of self & appreciation for individual differences ◦ demonstrated interest ◦ institutional needs/goals  Vital to continue taking the most challenging courses and achieving good grades Decisions can be reversed ▶ Transcripts ◦ Your academic story ◦ coursework that has prepared you effectively ◦ academic rigor ▶ Testing ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Why does it matter? ACT vs SAT Should I continue to re-take? Looking at the middle-50% ▶ Extracurricular ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ profile What you do? What are your passions, commitments? Depth vs breadth Time management  Essays:  Recommendation Letters: ◦ The essay is also a key element ◦ Essay should grab your reader’s attention, be willing to take a risk and talk about something unique ◦ Don’t retell information already included in your application ◦ Choose a given topic to discuss or use the essay as a chance to tell the reader something about you that we may not learn form reading your application ◦ Appropriate topic/subject/language : consider if you really want the committee to know what you’re telling and HOW you’re telling it ◦ What image is left with the reader ◦ PROOF READ ◦ Choose recommenders carefully, ask those who know you well ◦ Diverse, can speak about you in several different ways ◦ Maybe ask someone with whom you have struggled, can talk about your ability to overcome ◦ Usually no more than are needed  Review Process  First Read:  Second/Final Read: ◦ Typically - counselor assigned to high school ◦ Make admission/scholarship recommendations ◦ Another admission counselor – adds another dimension ◦ Approaches review from a non-familiar look at app ◦ Committee: ◦ Some files – borderline cases ◦ All files – some schools may review every app in a discussion environment  Get to know your admission counselor  Contact the schools, ask questions  Events hosted on campus, locally, interview  Alumni connections  Deadlines matter  Be organized and read information  Work in partnership with school counselor  Understand that this is a process  Please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions: Rae Ann M DiBaggio Senior Associate Director Case Western Reserve University 216-368-6568 raeanndibaggio@case.edu