What Top Colleges Look For In Top Students

1
What Top Colleges Look For In Top Students

• Christopher C. Holley
• Chairman, Eastern NC Alumni Admissions Program
• Georgetown University
• nchoyainterview_at_gmail.com

2
Disclaimer

• While I will use Georgetown examples in this
  presentation, it is not endorsed by the
  University, nor is it a reflection of its
  admissions policies.
• This is a macro view of things. As such, it
  cannot predict any single individuals experience.

3
U.S. High School Graduates1984 - 2015
4
2004 National College Bound SeniorsSAT Verbal
Scores
750 to 800 2
700 to 749 3
600 to 699 17
Total SAT Test Takers 1,419,013
500 to 599 32
400 to 499 31
300 to 399 11
200 to 299 4
5
2004 National College Bound SeniorsSAT Verbal
Scores
2005 Competitive College Applicant Profile
750 to 800 2
700 to 749 3
750 to 800 21
600 to 699 17
700 to 749 20
Total SAT Test Takers 1,419,013
600 to 699 43
500 to 599 32
500 to 599 13
400 to 499 3
400 to 499 31
300 to 399 0
200 to 299 0
300 to 399 11
200 to 299 4
6
Classification of Top Colleges

• National Reputation with Interview
• Ivies, GU, Service Academies
• National Reputation without Interview
• Stanford, Rice, Berkeley, Virginia
• Regional Stars with or without Interview
• Davidson, Boston College, Gettysburg
• Everyone Else
• Most state schools, 2nd tier private schools

7
What They Look For

• Horsepower
• SATs, Grades, Curriculum Strength, Rank
• Leadership
• 3-4 key activities with increasing leadership
  roles
• A Good Story The Essay
• Your unique selling proposition
• Geography, Ethnicity, Legacy
• Key Talent

8
Interview Tips

• Treat it like its a job interview it is!!
• Proper dress, manners, image
• Reply quickly to the interview card
• Shows interest, respect for the process
• Provide a resume to interviewer
• Make the interview write itself
• Stand Out
• Maturity, enthusiasm, interests, potential
• Answer questions fully, let your personality come
  out
• Use common sense. Some things arent interview
  material.
• The university interviewing you is always your
  first choice
• No one wants to be the second choice for the prom!

9
Everyone Has Four Chances for Admission

• Early Admission
• Binding or Non-Binding
• Regular Admission
• Wait Listing is good PR for the school, not much
  else
• Freshman Transfer
• Often easier, statistically, than Regular
  Admission
• Sophomore Transfer
• Usually results in an extra year to meet
  graduation requirements

10
Implications for Raleigh Latin School Students

• Do not view newness of school, size as a negative
  to Nationals
• Your individual situation drives your
  competitiveness
• Dont lose sight of the uniqueness of your
  educational experience
• Merit-based aid/scholarships almost non-existent
  in this space
• Size, quality of students and uniqueness of
  educational experience are very attractive to
  regional schools
• There are dozens of admission/scholarship
  opportunities here
• Horsepower, horsepower, horsepower
• SATs, achievement test(s) performance show you
  can hack it
• Awards, recognition, publications
• Small class mirrors home schooler challenges
  rather than traditional HS profile
• Focus, Focus, Focus
• Your story interests, activity, coursework,
  employment must tie together
• Undeclared is a disadvantage

11
What You Can Do to Best Position Yourself

• Test as well as you possibly can
• SAT prep book is inexpensive! Kaplan not
  necessary!
• Be smart about the achievement tests you take
• Its a buyers market you need a unique
  selling proposition
• Activities, work, interests define you
• Treat yourself like a brand Coke, Volvo, You!
• Dont be bashful, but.be sincere.phoniness will
  show
• Research colleges for fit
• Dont chase the big name for its own sake --
  youre wasting your time
• Size, location, prominent programs, job placement
  
• Focus, focus, focus
• If you are applying to more than five schools you
  are wasting your time and your parents money
• One lock, one reach and three good fits

12
Holleys Rule 1 of College Admissions

• It doesnt really matter where you go to college
• Subject matter and demonstrated excellence are
  what counts
• Unlike 30 years ago, the depth of quality
  institutions is 200-300 deep
• Costs and merit opportunities at regionals are
  spreading the talent

13
Corollary to Holleys 1

• Being 100K in education debt at 22 years old is
  a burden you may never overcome
• The real world values bachelors degrees
  equally
• Go into debt for professional schoolsthats
  where the income increase is worth your financial
  investment

14
Case Study
15
QA

16
GU Committee 200 Statistics