College Admission

Process of applying to a college for admission (entry).

Timing: typically Jan01 of senior year for regular admission, Nov01 for early decision.

Typical key inputs:

• SAT/ACT Standardized Test
  • note these are just Basic School Skills - don't require huge Curriculum
    • though it does require Algebra
  • alternatives? http://21k12blog.net/2013/01/22/experiences-with-noncog-assessment-from-osu-depaul-and-act/
  • Test Optional College-s? http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/slideshows/10-top-ranked-colleges-that-are-flexible-with-test-scores
    • or is this a scam to improve UsNews ratings?
      • nope, can't be that, because dropping exams gets you kicked off the UsNews list entirely!?!?
• SAT Subject Test (used to be SAT2 and before that Achievement Test) (some colleges require 1-2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT_Subject_Tests
• Advanced Placement tests also help (don't know of any colleges requiring them)
• High School Class Ranking (and relative quality of the High School)
• application (bogus Essay questions)
• interview (not used that often)
• Portfolio (more for Art School)

See HowToBeAHigh SchoolSuperstar

From the other side, a big component for students deciding where to apply is the UsNews CollegeRanking reports.

• one side-effect has been in colleges spending more money in Advertising to increase the number of applications so they can accept a smaller % of applicants, which improves their ranking.
• Freeland swept into Northeastern with a brand-new mantra: recalibrate the school to climb up the ranks. “There’s no question that the system invites gaming,” Freeland tells me. “We made a systematic effort to influence [the outcome].”
• Jan'2016: encourage students at risk of dropping out to do so in the first few weeks, so they won't be counted in the total numbers reported to the U.S. Education Department and others... to improve a college's retention rate... "My short-term goal is to have 20-25 people leave by the 25th [of September]. This one thing will boost our retention 4-5 percent. A larger committee or group needs to work on the details but I think you get the objective.”... “This is hard for you because you think of the students as cuddly bunnies, but you can’t. You just have to drown the bunnies … put a Glock to their heads.”