Top Colleges for Peace Corps Volunteers

Earlier this month, the Peace Corps announced its annual ranking of the top college producers of Peace Corps volunteers. Topping the list of large universities this year is the University of Washington, which currently has 110 alumni serving in the Peace Corps. George Wsahington University tops the list of medium-sized colleges and universities, with 68 Peace Corps volunteers. The University of Puget Sound, also in Washington, was number one in Peace Corps volunteers among small colleges and universities, with 30 current alumni in the Peace Corps.

Beyond the Peace Corps, if you're interested in schools that focus on service, you may also want to check out work colleges, schools that require all students to contribute to the operation of the school, and colleges with Bonner Scholars programs, a scholarship program which rewards community service.

All Colleges Now Accept ACT in Lieu of SAT

Harvey Mudd College in California, the last college that did not accept the ACT in lieu of the SAT, has announced it will begin accetpingt he ACT starting in 2007-2008."> "We felt it was time to expand our reach into areas of the U.S. where the ACT is the preferred test and where we traditionally receive fewer applications," said Peter Osgood, Harvey Mudd's interim Vice President of Admission and Financial Aid in a press release.

America's Most Expensive Colleges

George Washington University has much to recommend it: a unique urban location just blocks from the White House, excellent programs in political science, business, and communications, and wonderful internship opportunities.

It's also the most expensive college in America this year, according to Forbes Magazine which issued a ranking of the ten most expensive colleges in the country last week.

Here's the list, along with the annual published tuition cost, not including the cost of room and board. Keep in mind, however, that after financial aid and, in some cases, merit scholarships are factored in many students won't pay list price. Still, if you're looking for a low cost value, it might be wise to start your search elsewhere.

1. George Washington University, $37,820
2. University of Richmond, $36,550
3. Sarah Lawrence College, $36,088
4. Kenyon, $36,050
5. Vassar, $36,030
6. Bucknell, $36,002
7. Bennington, $35,250
8. Columbia University, $35,166
9. Wesleyan University, $35,144
10. Trinity College (CT), $35,130

Inside View: Duke University

With a long and storied history dating back to 1838, Duke University in Durham, North Carolina is one of the most selective universities in the country. Duke's 6,400 undergraduate students is increasingly attracting students from outside the south. Top notch programs in engineering, the sciences, political science, economics, and English are part of the draw. I asked Michael Moore, a sophomore classical civilization major, to share his experiences at Duke with AdmissionsAdvice.com readers. Thanks Michael!

When you were looking at colleges, what were the three most important things you were looking for?

I was looking for colleges that offered a great education, a sense of community, and plenty of student-professor interaction.

What other schools did you consider or apply to?

I also applied to the University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins, Yale, Davidson, Wake Forest, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

What were the main reasons you decided on Duke?

When I started to seriously consider colleges, everything about Duke seemed to fit. Duke offered great financial aid, a beautiful campus, small classes, an enthusiastic and spirited student body, expertise in my intended majors, the FOCUS program, and a lot of other things.

What has been your biggest surprise about Duke - something you expected that didn’t prove true, or something you didn’t expect that surprised you?

I wasn’t sure I would like Duke’s split campus, but it turned out to be one of the things I liked best. Freshmen are housed on East Campus, and living with other freshmen builds a wonderful sense of community.

How would you describe the "typical" Duke student? How does this compare with the stereotypes people may have about Duke students?

The typical Duke student is actively involved inside and outside the classroom, puts importance on a balance between work and play, fairly preppy, athletic, and politically moderate. Duke has a reputation for preppy fraternity/sorority students. While they do make up a sizeable proportion of Duke’s student body, Duke has all sorts of students.

How would you describe the academic climate at Duke? How accessible are your professors and how intense is the workload? How have you found the advising?

Academics are tough, but the laid back atmosphere makes competition practically nonexistent, and it’s the norm to have large study groups. The review sessions, peer tutoring system, writing center, and academic support center are always helpful when students are struggling with anything from math homework to creating a resume. Professors are very accessible, and some of them actually live in dorms as part of the Faculty-In-Residence program. Professors know everyone in the class before the end of the week, they are always encouraging students to just drop by the office and chat, and a lot of professors take their students to lunch. I have had a very positive experience with advising. Duke students are advised by their pre-major advisor and dean until they declare a major, and the Directors of Undergraduate Studies are always extremely eager to talk to new students about their department.

How are the dorms at Duke? What was your dorm like Freshman year? How do you find the food?

I lived in one of the oldest dorms on the main East quad, and I loved it. The rooms were all very spacious, and the huge walk-in closets were larger than dorm rooms at some colleges. The wide halls and common room were a favorite gathering place for dorm residents. Single rooms are fairly easy to get as a freshman but almost impossible as a sophomore. Unlike the dorms on West Campus, most of the dorms on East Campus don’t have air conditioning. Freshmen have an all-you-can-eat dining plan at the Marketplace on East Campus. The Marketplace has some of the best food on campus, and many upperclassmen eat there even though it’s more expensive. Most sophomores and juniors live on West Campus. The rooms are fairly large, but the warren-like hallways can be gloomy. Upperclassmen have dining points that they can use at any restaurant on campus, and many off-campus locations will accept points. Dining options are great and constant improving.

What is your favorite place on campus? What's the worst part of campus? How would you describe the surrounding community? Is a car necessary?

My favorite place on campus is the Asiatic arboretum of the Duke Gardens. Central Campus is the worst part of campus, and it will be completely renovated over the next couple years. The surrounding area is a fairly quiet residential area, and many professors live near the university. Ninth Street is popular for shopping and entertainment. Some of the popular places to go are off-campus, but Duke often charters a bus to run between the campus and the malls, and a lot of people carpool to go places.

What do people do at Duke for fun on the weekends? Where do people hang out, both on and off campus? Is there enough to do on campus or do most people leave for the weekend? How major is the sorority/frat presence? Could someone not in a frat/sorority feel comfortable?

Duke and the surrounding area has a lot of things to do during the weekends, beginning Thursday nights. Some people head to parties either on campus or in Durham, and some people head over to Chapel Hill. Events like movie showings, improv or a cappella performances, shows at the Nasher Museum, jazz nights at the Mary Biddle Center, and theater performances are very popular on campus. One of my favorite things to do is Literature Out Loud, which is an all-night reading of a classic of literature once a month. The majority of students aren’t in sororities or fraternities, but they definitely have a huge impact on the social scene. Independents are usually welcome at fraternity events, and there are enough alternatives to allow people to find a niche.

What do you like best about Duke? What would you change?

Duke’s size is the best thing about it. It’s large enough to have resources to match any university, but it’s small enough that students and faculty know each other so well that chatting over coffee or lunch isn’t uncommon. Many of the departments are so small that students are advised by the head of the department, and faculty actually outnumber students in some majors! Classes are small enough that discussion is integral, and the number of courses offered is huge. Cross-registration and bussing with UNC Chapel Hill provides even greater opportunities. The one thing I would change on campus is student interaction. Students interact a lot in class, but it can be pretty cliquish at other times.

Do you have any advice for high school juniors and seniors trying to decide where to apply or where to attend?

My best advice is to visit, preferably staying overnight if you can. Value your gut instinct; if a college doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not. A good fit can go much further in being successful than prestige.

Inside View: Otterbein College

Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio is a small college with a twist. In addition to the usual liberal arts majors, students can also choose from more professionally-oriented majors such as business, communications and nursing. Otterbein also attracts students for its top notch musical theater and music programs. Otterbein has just over 2,200 students, and can be generous with financial aid and merit scholarships. I asked Kirsten, a freshman music major, to share her experiences as an Otterbein student. Thanks Kirsten!

What were the most important qualities you were looking for in a college?

When I was looking at colleges, I was trying to find schools with a small campus population, first and foremost. I was also trying to find a place that offered a rigorous music program while allowing time for students to pursue other activities. Finally, I was looking for professors who seemed to care about what they were doing, and had small classroom settings where students could talk and discuss what was presented to them. I don’t really do the whole lecture hall thing.

What other colleges did you apply to or consider?

I applied to American University, Hobart and William Smith, Goucher, Earlham, Otterbein, and Central Michigan. I had my list pretty early in the year, which I had to, since I had to audition at all of my schools for vocal scholarships.

What were the main reasons you decided to attend Otterbein?

I decided on Otterbein because its BA in Music was exactly what I was looking for. I’m a music major who has a lot of different interests, and I didn’t want to spend all my time practicing and performing. I like politics and international affairs and stuff like that, so having a major that would eat my time didn’t really appeal to me. Otterbein’s BA program is rigorous and is by no means easy, but I have time in the day to be part of other groups and, if I want, take a class outside my major. With a BA, I can also double major if I want. Otterbein also had really small classroom sizes, which is great, because I like my professors to have some idea of who I am and what I need. The professors were really passionate about their work, and they seemed to enjoy talking about it with me, and they answered all my questions thoughtfully. After looking at some bigger schools and have them blow me off, it was nice to see a college community that was invested in its students.

What has been your biggest surprise about Otterbein - something you expected, that didn't prove true, or something that you didn't expect that has surprised you?

I don’t necessarily mean this as a slam against the students, but there is a LOT of apathy in regards to political issues. I don’t really know what I was expecting, but I came from a high school that was very politically aware and active, and here on campus, when I start talking about something political, I either get the cold shoulder or blank stares. It can be a little frustrating. Something that was good, though, would be how very interested the other people on campus are in the artistic stuff. People who aren’t music majors or even involved in the program come to hear the recitals and attend the concerts, and they visit the art gallery a lot. It’s nice to see people who care about the arts. Also, they use Fair Trade coffee!

How would you describe the "typical" Otterbein student?

Oh, the typical Otterbein student… well, I’ve already described how they have no clue what’s going on politically or in different countries. Otherwise, they’re pretty laid back. They don’t tend to get really hyped up about anything, but they’re not depressed or anything. They just kind of go with the flow. Now, if you get into the Music program, you’ll see people who are mainlining coffee to stay alive, but that’s mostly the music education majors and BM’s. Otterbein students are pretty friendly - they hold doors open, they smile at strangers, they apologize if they bump into you, stuff like that. Striking up a conversation with a total stranger in the supper line is normal. A lot of the people you know on campus you’ll never have had a class with, you’ll just have sat with them one day and talked about random things. They’re a pretty normal bunch, all things said.

How would you describe the academic climate at Otterbein? How accessible are your professors and how intense is the workload?

I wouldn’t say that Otterbein is the most academically intense college in the world, but it’s not a slacker school. Students don’t get out of class and immediately run to the library, but they can’t just blow off a paper for weeks at a time. The professors are really accessible. All of mine so far have given me their e-mails addresses, cell phone numbers and home phone numbers. They all have office hours, and if you can’t meet with them during those times, you just have to talk to them and they’ll work something out around your schedule. They really like it when students come to them. I spent a lot of time in my humanities professor’s office talking politics and literature, even though I only came to ask a quick question. They’re very friendly and personable. I don’t know how the workload is for the average student (though the Nursing major across the hall from me is always buried beneath homework and test deadlines), the normal Music major has a few hours of homework a night. That doesn’t count practicing. You still have time to have fun and go out, so long as you manage your time well. I’m writing out this questionnaire between Theory I homework and College Algebra homework, for instance, and I’m not worried about getting it all done. Otterbein offers a really nice Writing Center and Math Center as well, so if you’re a moron in math like I am, there are always tutors there to help you out. The Music department also posts the tutors for each quarter, so if you’re having trouble with Music History or Theory, you can just call someone to help you. My Western Civilization class has an extra study group on the side that the professor organized. If you’re struggling in any class, or just want to meet with other people and discuss the work, Otterbein has a lot of opportunities to meet with people.

How are the dorms at Otterbein? How do you find the food?

I love my dorm. It’s freaking huge! I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to handle it, because I’m an only child, but the rooms are big enough that I have my own space. Clements Hall, which is where I live, has two closets in each room and ten drawers for clothes, and they’re both built into the wall, so they don’t take up any extra room. The desks are wide and spacious, so my crap is scattered across it (I’m not the most organized person). The bathrooms are meticulous. The showers are really cool, because they’re a curtain off recess and then an actual shower door behind that, so you don’t have to worry about wandering around in your towel and trying to jump in the shower without anyone seeing you. My only complaint about the dorms is that there aren’t enough outlets, but if you bring a surge protector, that’s not a problem.


The food is a little bit… um… interesting. We’re going to go with interesting. They have a lot of selections each night, which is nice, because the main course is usually a little gross looking. Not so bad tasting, usually, but the meat always looks vile. They have a really nice salad bar, and they always have pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken patties, etc. They also have a “Global” section, but when they say global, what they really mean is fake-Mexican. Sometimes they serve semi-decent Chinese. My favorite meal is on Tuesday Nights- it’s a Pasta Bar, where you can make your own pasta dish. That’s really nice, and very popular. They also have a little Waffle bar, where you can make your own waffle, and that’s out every night. Good dessert selection. They also always have stuff so you can just make a sandwich if you want.

What is your favorite place on campus? What's the worst part of campus? How would you describe the surrounding community? Is a car necessary?

My favorite place on campus would probably be Battelle, which is the music building, but that’s probably just because I’m there so often. But they have two really comfortable lounges, and if you have to be there for two or three hours doing your homework, it’s comfortable. I also really like the OtterBean, which is the coffee shop.

My least favorite place on campus is the Rike Center, which is the fitness place, but that has nothing to do with the actual building and everything to do with its location. It’s on the complete opposite side of campus for me, and if you’re trying to get from Rike to Battelle in less than ten minutes, it’s a nicely paced jogging distance. In terms of aesthetics, I would say there is really no place on campus that you just don’t want to be. It’s an intimate, beautiful campus.

Westerville, the town Otterbein is in, is really nice. It’s a quiet community, with a lot of restaurants and strange folk-y shops. We have an Amish Furniture Store. I guess if you like Amish Furniture, you’ll like Westerville.

What do people at Otterbein do for fun on the weekends? Where do people hang out, both on and off campus?

Well, a lot of people go back home, which is annoying. I’m an out-of-stater myself, and all of my friends live within two hours, so they tend to go home and leave me here, which I really don’t get. As for the people that stay here, we just tend to stay in our dorms and do our work, meet up for meals and stuff. Weekends are quiet. I know some people go to parties, but I’m not a partier myself, so I wouldn’t really know. Right now, people are rushing for frats and sororities, so there are a ton of parties. When my friends stay, we go to the library in town and wander around the town. There is a GREAT donut shop called Schneiders, and it opens at 1 am, so it’s college tradition to go to Schneiders and get donuts at 1 am. To get a donut and milk it’s only $1.00, so it doesn’t cost a lot in the end. And they’re fantastic donuts. I can’t eat any other donut anymore because Schneiders is just that good.

What do you like best about Otterbein? What would you change?

I love my classes and my professors and the actual college. It’s fun, and it’s beautiful, and I like the challenge that it offers me. In terms of what I like least… gotta say, the parties. As I said, I’m not a partier, but a lot of the girls on my floor are, and they spend hours getting ready, which involves a lot of needless shrieking and screaming. I understand wanting to look good for a party, I really do, but the shrieking could stop. Especially when I’m trying to do some of my homework that requires listening to pitches… plus, the parties tend to mean that people start banging on doors at 4 am, and I’m right next to the stairwell. But overall, there isn’t much to dislike about Otterbein. It’s laidback, all around. It isn’t pretentious, but it offers a lot of opportunities.

What advice would you give to high school juniors and seniors about choosing a college?

My advice to juniors and seniors in regards to picking your college- go with your instincts, and don’t over think it. You’ll know.

W

Most Students End Up at First or Second Choice

There's good news for seniors sweating out the wait for fat envelopes to appear in their mail boxes: Most of them will likely end up at their first or second choice college.

Each fall, the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) surveys over 240,000 college freshman at hundreds of colleges and universities about their admissions experiences and attitudes and expectations about college. According to this year's results 67.3% reported they were attending their first choice school, with 22.8% stating they were attending their second choice school. Those results are not statistically different from the Study's 2005 survey which I reported on here last year.

Another statistic that changed only very slightly from 2005 to 2006: The majority of students - 72.9% - reported that they applied to five or less colleges, including the one they currently attend. Last year, the number was 73.9%.

For the first time, this year's survey asked students attending a college other than their top choice if they'd been admitted to their first choice school and, if so, why they had decided to attend elsewhere. Of those who are not attending their first choice college, 52.6% reported that they had been admitted to their top choice school but opted not to go. John Pryor, director of HERI noted those results were surprising. "The general assumption is that if you're not going to your first choice, it's because you didn't get in."

Instead, money may be the underlying issue. Students who had been admitted to their top choice college, but decided to enroll elsewhere, were more likely than those at their first choice school to cite "the cost of attending this college" as a reason for their final choice.

What should today's high school seniors and juniors - and their parents - take away from the findings? First, if you've planned your college list wisely, you probably have better chances at your top choice college than you think, and it probably isn't necessary to apply to 10 or 15 or 20 colleges to have great choices. Don't let admissions hysteria convince you otherwise. More important, however, is the message that financial issues need to be considered carefully before you fall in love with your "top choice" school, because when financial aid and merit offers come rolling in, your top choice may quickly change.

Still Looking for a Few Good Schools?

If you're still looking for a few good colleges to apply to, or have not been happy with the admissions decisions you've received so far, here's a handy list of schools still accepting applications. The list is not complete, and some schools that have "formal" deadlines sometimes extend them, so if you don't see a college on the list that is right for you, consider calling those that you do have an interest in and asking if they'd accept a late application.

Here's another heads up if you're nervous about what your choices will be come April: Every year, in early May, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)compiles a list of colleges and universities that didn't get the yield they expected and who have space available for a few more students. There are usually some excellent, and sometimes suprising, colleges and universities on the list. To check it in May, go to www.nacacnet.org.

Financial Planning Issues For College

When it comes to financial planning for college, many families take the ostrich approach: stick their heads in the sand, and hope for a miracle. That's unfortunate because doing so means many missed opportunties, says an excellent article on college financial planning in this month's Journal of Financial Planning.

Although the article is addressed to professional financial planners, parents can find lots of useful advice here as well. For example, the article suggests that parents and students carefully consider their perceptions of the purpose of college, and take that into account when deciding financial issues. Tax strategies, negotiating merit scholarships, and other financial planning issues families need to consider are also discussed.

A special thanks to Sue for sending me this excellent article!

Seniors: Don't Forget To Apply For State Grants

Seniors, when you're applying for financial aid, don't overlook the paperwork for any state grants and loans for which you might be eligible. Although state government aid programs vary from state to state, they can often make a real difference in college affordability. To find out about your state's financial aid programs, check the State Financial Aid Database, talk to your school guidance counselor, or contact your state's Department of Education. Juniors: As you begin your college search, now is also a good time for you to get up to speed on the rules and restrictions of your state's aid programs.

The Debate About Early Programs

There's an interesting look at the continuing debate over early admissions programs in today's Philadelphia Inquirer. The Inquirer article backs what I've been saying all along: don't expect other schools to jump on the bandwagon with Harvard and Princeton, who both announced they'd end their early programs starting next fall. The article does a great job of presenting viewpoints on both sides of the fence, with Princeton's dean of admission defending the decision as a way to help low income and students of color gain equal footing, and other admissions directors saying that they'd found little difference in the diversity between those applying early and those applying during the regular round. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out next year. With Harvard and Princeton knocked out of the early arena, it may be that the only beneficiaries of the call to end early programs will be their competitor institutions.

How To Find Great Summer Programs

In the dead of winter, it might be hard to think about your summer plans. But now is the time to start planning if you'd like to participate in a summer program this year. From academic programs on college campuses to study abroad programs around the world, there are an incredible number of programs for high school students to choose from, at all levels of affordability and time commitments.

One false assumption that parents and sutdents should check at the door, howver, is the belief that attending a college's summer program will automatically guarantee a "leg up" in admissions if they apply to that college in the future. This is not always true, and should not be your main reason for exploring summer program options. However, summer programs - especially those on college campuses - do have other benefits, such as giving students a chance to explore their interests and experience living and learning away from home.

If you're looking at summer academic programs, I recommend asking lots of questions of any program you're considering. Who will be teaching your classes - faculty fromt he school or teachers brought in just for the program? What type sof non-academic activities will be available? What type of supervision and level of independence will students have? Will attendees receive transferrable academic credit? What is the cost of the program, and are financial aid or scholarships available? What are the admissions standards for the program - will you have to get teacher recommendations, submit transcripts or test scores, or write an essay? These types of questions can help you decide if a college summer program is right for you.

Finding the right summer program takes a bit of research. There are literally hundreds of options for high school students. Listed below are some links to help you track down the right program for you. Keep in mind this list is not by any means comprehensive. Try a google search with the words "high school summer program" and you'll turn up hundreds of other links. If you have a specific university or college in mind, do the same search at their website.

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth maintains an extensive list of summer academic programs.

The Peterson's Guide to Summer Programs is an online searchable database of programs. Allen's Guide to Summer Camps is a similar database with camp programs for teens.

MyFootpath.com's Summer Program Guide describes a number of interesting possibilities, with links to each program's website. Fastweb.com has a similar guide.

If you're interested in math, science or engineering, two excellent places to get leads on summer program possibilities are Summer Science Training Programs website and the MIT Guide to High School Programs in Science and Engineering. For additional math programs, check out the list maintained by the American Mathematics Society.

Students interested in architecture might want to start with the American Institute of Architect's list of architecture programs for high school students.

Learning disabled students might also want to check out the college prep program specifically for them at Landmark College.

And, here are some links to summer programs at specific colleges and institutions. Again, this list is not comprehensive - there are many more opportunities on campuses across the country:

University of Dallas (International programs)

Cornell University

Columbia University

Earlham College

Grinnell College

Georgetown University

Best Values In Public Education

Looking for a true value in higher education? Don't rule out public institutions, says Kiplinger's Personal Finance. Last week, Kiplinger's published an updated list of the Best Values in Public Colleges. Although the 100 schools listed "combine outstanding value with a first-class education," Kiplinger's noted that "when you add in financial aid and tax benefits, a public-school education looks even better."

For in-state residents, the ten "best values" were, in order of rank, University of North Carolina, University of Florida, the College of William & Mary, the University of Virginia, SUNY Binghamton, New College of Florida, SUNY Geneseo, University of California-San Diego, the University of Washington, and the University of Georgia.

But out-of-state residents can find values at public institutions as well. Kiplinger's identified SUNY Binghamton as the best value for out of state students. Factoring in financial aid, the average cost for non-residents at Binghamton is just $16,260. Other top values for out of state students include: SUNY Geneseo, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Florida, the College of New Jersey, the College of William & Mary, Truman State University, the University of Virginia, the University of California-Berkeley and the University of Delaware.

Even if you don't currently have public institutions on your college search radar, it's still worth visiting the ranking site. The site allows you to sort institutions by various factors, including four and six year graduation rates, debt upon graduation, in-state/out-of-state costs, and selectivity. While one of these 100 schools may not be on your list yet, they're worth a closer look.

Stumped by FAFSA? Here's Where To Get Help

If completing the FAFSA has you stumped, or you have questions about financial aid in general, College Goal Sunday is the answer. Sponsored by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and the Lumina Foundation, College Goal Sunday is an annual event held on weekends in late January and early February at locations around the country to help families finish financial aid paperwork in a timely manner. Students and parents can bring in their FAFSA paperwork and questions and get on-the-spot help from college financial aid officers and others familiar with the financial aid application process. There's no charge for participating. To see if a College Goal Sunday will be held near you, visit the College Goal Sunday website.

Seniors: Double Check Your File Is Complete

Although seniors may think they're done with college applications, here's some wise advise from Esther Lopez, director of admissions at St. Mary's College of California: Double check that every college you applied to has received all of your application materials and placed them in your folder. Lopez has other suggestions for tying up those pesky loose ends in this great article.

The Best College Towns

What makes a great college town? According to a ranking of the best college towns from Epodunk.com, "great college towns have a spark that comes not only from young blood, but from jazz clubs, literary events, book stores and cafes. They are intellectual, cultural and economic hubs, balancing tradition with new business growth. Often, they mix urban amenities and small-town charm."

The Epodunk.com ranking evaluated "college towns" on 15 variables designed to assess arts and culture, recreation, intellectual activity, historic preservation, and cost of living. The ranking breaks down the "best" college towns into the following categories: Big cities, Medium-sized cities, and small cities. The creators are careful to note that they are not ranking or assessing any individual college or university - just the college towns where they're located. It makes for some fun reading, especially if you are yet familiar with other parts of the country.

Yale Will Keep Early Action

When Harvard announced plans to drop its Early Action plan next year, the media was rift with speculation that Harvard's move spelled the end of early admissions plans. It seems, however, that those speculations were premature. Although Princeton and the University of Virginia rapidly followed Harvard's announcement last fall with their own intentions to end early programs, no other major universities have jumped on the bandwagon since.

Now Yale has announced that it has no plans to eliminate or modify its Single Choice Early Action Plan. In a new article in Yale's alumni magazine,Richard Levin, Yale's dean of admissions, defends Yale's decision. Although both Harvard and Princeton suggested that their decisions were made, at least in part, to boost admissions accessibility for low income students, Levine says Yale has decided otherwise. "We don't believe that eliminating early admissions would change the socioeconomic diversity of the class," he says in the article. "It is true that the percentage owarded financial aid is lower in the early pool...but we are only choosing half the class in the early round. We shape the class in the second round, and to the extent we are concerned that we are not providing enough opportunity for students from low-income families in the first round, we can compensate in the second round."

Levine also noted that Yale admissions officers surveyed high school counselors and principals throughout the fall to get feedback on early action. "Opinions were divided, but a great many thought Yale sould keep its early action program and not follow Harvard and Princeton," said Levine, adding that counselors and principals expressed concern that if Yale followed Harvard and Princeton students would actually end up with less options, not more. "...If none of the top schools had an early admisisons program, the very best students would likely apply to three or our of the top schools each...they would tend to collect mulitple offers, causing students who ranked slightly lower to be placed on waiting lists or rejected -- not just at the top schools, but even at schools in the next tier down. This wouldn't be a very desirable outcome," explained Levine.

So, for now at least, don't expect to see any other colleges or universities following Harvard, Princeton and the University of Virginia's leads. Early admissions programs are here to stay.

Don't Be A "Serial Joiner"

Students who sign up for every sport, club and community service organization thinking it will give them an edge in college admissions are mistaken, according to Mary Ann Maimone, an experienced college admissions officer who is now at the College of William and Mary. In an article in the Virginia Gazette , Admissions Officers Avoid Serial Joiners, Maimone notes that "serial joiners" are often viewed with skeptism by admissions committees. Instead, she urges students to think about which activities truly interest them, and focus on meaningful participation, rather than being a "jack of all trades." Most importantly, concludes the article, "Students and parents should be mindful of the purpose of high school. It's not about college admissions, it's about success in college and success in life."

I particularly like this article because, unlike the vast majority of college admissions articles these days, it doesn't once use the word "passion." To be honest, I hate the word "passion" with, well, a passion. It implies that the student who hasn't acheived at a world class level is doomed when it comes time to apply to college. It also negates what admissions officers are really looking for: thoughtful students who have identified what they find most important and meaningful, and then acted upon those interests consistently over time. It's not about finding the "right" activity to "show passion." It's about reflecting on what matters most to you, and following your heart.

Inside View: Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University is a Catholic university located in northern California. Santa Clara has just over 4,500 undergraduates and offers particularly strong programs in business, engineering, political science, communications and psychology. Caroline Lloyd, a freshman science major, agreed to share her experiences at Santa Clara with AdmissionsAdvice.com readers. Thanks Caroline!

When you were looking at colleges, what were the three most important things you were looking for?

Since I'm from New England, I wanted a little bit of a change, so one pretty important thing was that the weather was nice...specifically warm. Also, I wanted the school to have a good atmosphere, so when you walked onto the campus there was an immediate feel of inclusion and welcome. The third most important thing when I looked at colleges was the academics. I wanted to go somewhere that challenged me with new things, I didn't want to just cruise by and not work hard.

What other schools did you consider or apply to?

I considered a bunch of schools, the other ones I ended up applying to were the University of San Diego, the University of South Carolina, Davidson College, and Salve Regina University.

What were the main reasons you decided on Santa Clara University?

From the moment I walked into SCU, on my very first visit, it was different from all the other schools. First off, it is absolutely gorgeous with impeccable rose bushes and landscaping and all of the buildings are in the same Spanish style. Also, the atmosphere was so welcoming and kind, people smiled and said hello to me, even though I was clearly not a student there. It was also in the size range I really
wanted, it wasn't extremely small but it wasn't gigantic, it is medium size. Everything about the school seemed to click with me, and I went and spent an overnight there my senior year of high school, which I had a blast at. From that moment on, everything clicked and I just knew SCU was for me.


What has been your biggest surprise about Santa Clara University?

I was expecting Santa Clara to be alot like my high school, where every student knew each other and your whole class was friends with eachother. While I do know a lot of people, and I typically see people I know everywhere I walk, Santa Clara still has the feeling of a small school, but it's really not that small. It's a little weird, but it has that small feeling that makes it seem like you know everyone, but then the next day you see someone you've never seen before!


How would you describe the "typical" Santa Clara University student?

We're just normal people. A "typical" SCU student might stumble out of bed for their first class, but one thing that is definitley concurrentvthrough all SCU students is that they are all very friendly. I have yet to find someone who just hates the school and doesn't want to be around anyone. People always say hi or wave to one another and that's really the only defining thing I can think of for a "typical" SCU student, otherwise we're just normal people!

How would you describe the academic climate at SCU? How accessible are your professors and how intense is the workload?

Academics at SCU are definitely a big thing, it may seem like people aren't trying hard, but they're just faking it. Everyone works very hard at SCU, but we still manage to remember we're college students. Typically, the professors are always there when you need them, and if you're the type of person who likes to talk to the professors, then definitely take advantage of office hours. Coming from high school, I thought it would be really easy going to college and taking 4 classes a
quarter compared to the 7 classes a day in high school. Boy, was I wrong! The workload is definitely challenging, but that might be because I'm taking a heavy science load. However, it's not so intense that you're stuck in your room 24/7.

The one thing about SCU that is unique, at least to me, is the array of religion classes. SCU is a private Jesuit university, so every student has to take three religion courses. But it's really not as bad as it sounds because you can take a religion course in basically ANY religion you can think of, so that's a cool and unique thing about SCU.

How are the dorms at SCU? What is your dorm like? How do you find the food?

The dorms are not too bad at all. I love the dorm I'm in, we have walk-in closets! Pretty much every dorm is boy-girl alternating by room, but some dorms do have all-boys floors. But, I should mention the RLC's...Santa Clara doesn't have "dorms" we have RLC's (Residential Learning Communities). Basically, if the RLC appeals to your interest, you can apply to live in that building. My RLC is the Unity RLC, which symbolizes well...unity. It's really nice, there's two buildings and mine actually used to be a mens-only...so the bathroom situation is a little funky where girls are on the 1st and 3rd floors while the guys is on the 2nd floor...but you get used to it after a while. Lucky for me, the food is right next door at Benson Memorial Center. It's not to bad for dorm food, it's pretty decent. There's a little bit of everything, but my favorite is the make-your-own-salad bar!

What is your favorite place on campus? What's the worst part of campus?
How would you describe the surrounding community? Is a car necessary?

It's hard to decide what my favorite place on campus is...probably the gym. I really like to work out, so I really like the gym, which is also only a couple of years old. The worst part of campus...oh, I don't know, the soccer stadium?? I mean, our soccer teams are pretty amazing and I think we can afford a little bit better of a stadium for them!

The surrounding community is very welcoming...and most of it is students. There are a lot of houses surrounding the school and while some of them are just residential families, the majority are upperclass students. A car is nice, but not necessary. The bus station is right across the street and typically you'll become friends with someone who has a car.

What do people do at SCU for fun on the weekends? Where do people hang out, both on and off campus? Is there enough to do on campus or do most people leave for the weekend? How major is the sorority/frat presence?

There's a lot to do on the weekends at SCU..even staying on campus isn't boring. There's always something happening on or off-campus, but San Fransisco is just a 40 minute CalTrain ride away and Santa Cruz is a half hour drive away. The mall is a five minute drive away, so there's no shortage of things to do at all. There is actually no sorority/fraternity life on campus, but there are a bunch of off-campus
sororities/fraternities, some of which are nationally recognized, and some not. Only about 3 percent of the student body is Greek, so if you're not Greek it's not going to harm your social life,


What do you like best about SCU? What would you change?

The thing I like best about SCU is the people, everyone's friendly and
happy and it is such a great atmosphere to be in! I honestly have no
clue what I would change about Santa Clara...maybe I'll figure something
out after I've been there a year!


Do you have any advice for high school juniors and seniors trying to decide where to apply or where to attend?

For prospective students, all I can say is go with your gut, it knows what it's talking about. If a school feels wrong, don't force it. Try to find a school which meshes with you, you want to be happy somewhere because you're going to be there for 4 years! Also, when trying to figure out schools, have a short list (5 points max) for what you look for in a school, that definitely helps narrow things down. For kids looking to go far away, just know what you're getting yourself into. I'm coming home only 2-3 times a year, versus someone who lives 4 hours away can come home basically whenever they want. Know that you're not going to be able to go home whenever you want to, and know that you might get a little homesick. I recommend for kids to look far away from home, not to get away from the parents, but to experience a new part of the country. I mean you've grown up for 18 years maybe in one place, for four years you can go somewhere farther away and experience something
new!

Public Liberal Arts Colleges Offer Great Educational Value

Public universities and colleges often get a bad rap with students and parents. Many automatically think "private is always better" and that's unfortunate because in doing so, they may be overlooking some outstanding educational values.

One group of public institutions that deserves a close look are public liberal arts colleges. These schools tend to be smaller than most public insitutions (under 6,000 students is typical), and dedicated to providing an excellent liberal arts focused education. They can also be terrific values - even for out of state students - with tuition running thousands of dollars less than comparable private colleges. The Council on Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), a consortium of public schools falling into this category, currently includes twenty members, ranging from the Evergreen State College in Washington State, to the University of North Carolina at Ashville.

However, COPLAC members aren't the only public colleges that I'd put into this category - non-members such as the College of New Jersey and the University of South Dakota are also excellent options with a liberal arts focus. If you'd like to learn more about some of these schools, here are previous AdmissionsAdvice.com articles to get you started:

Public Schools that Feel Like Private Colleges

Public Schools that Feel Like Private Colleges, Part II

Avoiding FAFSA Glitches

For many families, filling out the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) is a bit like going to the dentist: Not something you enjoy, but necessary none the less.

If you're struggling with questions about FAFSA, Kiplinger's has just published a solid article full of advice and tips on completing FAFSA, Early Birds Grab the Financial Aid. The article highlights some of the most common mistakes made on the FAFSA, and answers some of the most common questions. One nitpick with the article: It makes it sound like you must file the FAFSA to be considered for all merit scholarships, which is not true. While a few "merit scholarships" are tied to need, most aren't, and therefore the majority of merit scholarships awarded by colleges do not require FAFSA for merit consideration. However, it is always wise to check with each school on their individual requirements just in case.

In addition to the above article, in November, I wrote an article here about resources to help with financial aid basics, including several excellent FAFSA related links. If you have questions about FAFSA, a search through those resources should turn up reliable answers fairly quickly.

Good luck!

New Year's College Admissions Resolutions for Students & Parents

As 2007 dawns, many people will be making New Year's resolutions. Here are my suggestions for the college admissions resolutions students and parents should be making.

For seniors:

1. Resolve not to confuse your college admissions results with your value as a person, or your chances of success in the future. Both will be tied more to who you are, and the effort you put into life, than where you will end up going to college.

2. Resolve to thank everyone who has helped you with your college search and application process - your teachers, your guidance counselor, those who proofed your essays for you, and yes, your parents. If you've already thanked them, thank them again...and make sure you let those who helped you know your final choice in April.

3. Resolve to believe that where ever you end up next year will be exactly where you are meant to be. Consider your options carefully, but once you've made the final choice, try not to second guess yourself. Go positively into your future.

4. Resolve to not let senioritis creep in too severely, but at the same time, enjoy the rest of your senior year. You will not pass this way again. Make sure your high school journey ends on a positive note.

For juniors:

1. Resolve to build a solid, well-thought out college list. It won't happen overnight, and it will take effort and introspection on your part, but the time you put into your college list now will pay off next fall when you're working on your college applications. Make sure every college on your list has a solid reason for being there.

2. Resolve to consider at least a few colleges that you haven't yet heard of -- there are over 2,600 colleges and universities in the U.S., yet most students never look beyond the obvious ones. Delve deeper, and you may just discover a hidden gem that's perfect for you. I've listed hundreds of resources on this blog to help you cast a wide net in your college search. Use them.

3. Resolve to understand your rights and responsibilities as a college applicant. Try to act as ethically as possible, even when others don't.

4. Resolve not to make getting into college the only thing that matters in your life. Take time to enjoy your last year and a half in high school, to build friendships and relationships, and to pursue new interests and hobbies just because they sound fun, not because they may enhance your college appplications. Most important, never forget that who you are is more important than the college decal that will eventually end up on your car.

For parents:

1. Resolve to believe that where your child ends up going to college is not a measure of how well you've done your job as a parent. Be proud of your child, but don't think of college admissions as as proof that you're a better parent than anyone else.

3. Resolve to let your child steer the college admissions boat. Yes, they may make mistakes, or do things differently than you would, but, ultimately, you must let them take this first step into adulthood on their own, even if the results are not what you hope for.

4. Resolve to treat your child's guidance counselor with respect, even if it seems like you know more than they do about college. Consider them partners, not adversaries, in helping your child reach his or her goals.

5. Resolve to keep college admissions in perspective. Don't waste most of the precious time you have left with your child obsessing about colleges, applications, and "what if?" scenarios of admissions doom. Never forget that getting your children into college is not the most important part of being a parent; loving and enjoying them is.

Happy New Year to all of my readers!