Admission Matters

by Sally P. Springer; Marion R. Franck

• ISBN13: 9780787979676
• ISBN10: 0787979678
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-09-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

This is a remarkable book that every student and parent should read before applying to college. It explains the rules and how to play the game successfully. Well-written and up-to-date, Admission Matters offers important insights into the college admission process, as well as important practical advice they can implement all along the way.

Author Biography

Sally P. Springer, Ph.D., is associate chancellor at the University of California, Davis. She is a psychologist with more than thirty years of experience in higher education as both a professor and an administrator.

Marion R. Franck, M.A., is a weekly columnist for the Davis Enterpriseand a featured writer in UC Davis' publications for parents.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
Why Has College Admissions Become So Competitive?	1	(20)
It Used to Be Simple . . .But Not Anymore
The Echo Boom
Social Changes
The Role of the Internet
Where the Real Crunch Lies
Which Colleges Are the Most Selective?
Why Is There So Much Interest in Such a Small Group of Colleges?
The Importance of Fit
The Rankings Game
Concerns About Rankings
Why Are Rankings So Popular?
``I'll Make More Money If I Graduate from an Elite College'': Another Myth
Getting into Graduate School
Looking Ahead
What Do Selective Colleges Look for in an Applicant?	21	(24)
How College Admissions Has Changed
What Matters Now
The Academic Record
Standardized Tests
Engagement Beyond the Classroom: The Extracurricular Record
Personal Qualities: The Person Behind the Paper
Hooks
Fitting It All Together
How Do Colleges Make Their Decisions?	45	(16)
Who Works in Admissions?
Ambassadors and Gatekeepers
What Happens to Your File?
Reading and Rating
Tentative Decisions
Making the Final Decision
Building the Freshman Class
The Role of Your High School Counselor
A Word About Private Counselors
The Parents' Role
Taking Responsibility
How Colleges (and Students) Differ: Finding What Fits	61	(22)
So Many Choices: How Do You Begin?
Some Questions to Ask Yourself
Liberal Arts Colleges
Research Universities
What's in a Name?
Other Kinds of Four-Year Institutions
Which Kind of College Is Best for You?
Location, Location, Location
Size
Curriculum and Requirements
Colleges with Special Affiliations
The Intangibles
What Makes for a Quality Undergraduate Experience?
Getting the Information You Need
Where Should You Apply?	83	(20)
Start at Your Counseling Office
The College Visit
Selectivity and Your College List
How Long Should Your College List Be?
Determining Your Chances
Some Cautions About Data
Scattergrams Can Help
Have Eight First Choices
Self-Assessment and Research: The Keys to a Good College List
A Word About Finances
The Big Tests	103	(24)
Where Did the Sat Come From?
Concerns About the Sat
The New Sat
Is the Sat Coachable?
How Much Does the Sat Count?
How Does the Psat/Nmsqt Fit into the Picture?
When Should You Take the New Sat?
How Many Times Should You Take the Test?
Does Test Preparation Help?
Considering the ACT
Which Test Should You Take?
The Special Case of Special Accommodations
The Sat Subject Tests
A Special Word to Parents About Standardized Tests
A Postscript on the Future of the Sat
Deciding About Early Decision and Other Early Options	127	(18)
The Pros and Cons of Early Decision
Does Applying Early Help Your Chances?
The Early Advantage for Legacies
More Concerns About Early Decision
The Move to Single-Choice Early Action
Should You Apply Early Decision or Early Action?
More Things to Consider
Likely Letters and Early Notification
The Advantage of Thinking Early Even If You Decide Against Applying Early
And Humor Always Helps Keep Things in Perspective
Applying Well	145	(28)
Getting Off to a Good Start
Should You Use the Common Application?
Writing an Effective Personal Essay
Getting Great Letters of Recommendation
Shining in Your Interview
Highlighting What You've Accomplished
Special Talent
The Special Case of the Student Athlete
Details, Details
Now What?
Paying the Bill	173	(22)
How Do Colleges Determine Your Financial Need?
The Verification Process
Why Do Need-Based Packages Differ from College to College?
How Can You Estimate Your Financial Need?
What Goes into a Financial Aid Package?
How Is Your Package Put Together?
Will Your Need for Financial Aid Affect Your Chances for Admission?
What About Merit-Based Aid?
Seeking Scholarships
Should You Use a Scholarship Search Service?
Financial Aid and Your Decisions
A Word About Early Decision
Planning Ahead When Your Child Is Young
Making Your Decision After the Colleges Make Theirs	195	(20)
How Will You Be Notified?
The Special Case of Early Decision
Accepted!
Denied or Deferred
What You Can Do If You Are Deferred
When It Is Your Turn to Decide
Spring Admits
Taking Another Look
Revisiting Financial Aid
How Wait-Lists Work
Deposit Ethics
A Word About Senioritis
Celebrate and Enjoy!
What Matters Most: Advice to Parents and Students	215	(10)
Some Parting Thoughts for Parents
Some Parting Thoughts for Students
Epilogue	225	(8)
Appendixes	233	(20)
A. College Research Worksheet	234	(3)
B. Common Application 2005--2006	237	(10)
C. Sample Student Information Sheet for Letters of Recommendation	247	(4)
D. Financial Aid Comparison Worksheet	251	(1)
E. Cost of Attendance Worksheet	252	(1)
College Preparation Time Line	253	(10)
Glossary	263	(6)
Resources	269	(8)
Notes	277	(6)
About the Authors	283	(2)
Index	285