guiding students through the college application · guiding students to college commonapp.org 15....
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Guiding Students Through the College ApplicationScott Anderson, The Common Application (VA)
NACAC Essentials: Fort Worth
February 5, 2016
Approaching the College Application
How Common App Can Help
Common App Ready: A Powerful, Flexible Advising Tool
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Your Questions
Agenda
Showcase
their
talents
Highlight
their
goals
Tell their
personal
stories
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Understanding the College Application
The application provides context for understanding the student
Students can use the application to:
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Testing
Activities
Writing
Profile
Profile
Family
Education
Parts of the College Application
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The Anatomy of the College Application
The Profile SectionBasic demographic information
The Family SectionInformation about family circumstances and members, including their education history
• Profile
• Family
• Education
• Testing
• Activities
• Writing
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The Anatomy of the College Application
The Education Section Schools attended, current coursework, education interruptions, honors and awards
The Testing SectionSelf-reported scores for any of the following standardized tests: ACT, SAT/SAT Subject, AP, IB, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and IELTS
• Profile
• Family
• Education
• Testing
• Activities
• Writing
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The Anatomy of the College Application
Activities SectionHow students spend time outside the classroom, including work and family responsibilities
Writing SectionPersonal essay, disciplinary history, optional additional information
• Profile
• Family
• Education
• Testing
• Activities
• Writing
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What Students are Writing About
47%
22%
17%
10%4%
Background,
Identity, Interest,
or Talent
Transition from
Childhood to Adulthood
Lessons
from Failure
Problem SolvingChallenging an Idea
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How Common App Can Help
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The Common Application is a not-for-profit membership organization
committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity
in the college admissions process.
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Members at a Glance
620+ Colleges from 47 states + DC
100 public universities
9 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
33 international universities from 14 countries
More than 250 with no application fee
Not-for-Profit
Undergraduate degree-granting
Properly accredited
2014-2015 At A Glance
School Affiliation (Applicants)
73.9% Public
10.3% Independent
13.3% Religious
2.3% Charter
<1% Homeschool
Total Reach: 212 countries
and territories
90.5% US
9.5% International
3.7 million
Applications Submitted
14.3 million
Recommendation Forms Submitted
4.58 Average Submission
per First-Year Applicant
864,276 Unique
Applicants
54% Female
46%Male
32%First
Generation
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Common App in Your Area
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6.2%
7.0%
7.9%
8.1%
16.0%
Texas A&M University
UT Austin
Texas Christian University *
University of North Texas *
UT Arlington
201Unique
FWISD
Common
Applicants
from Class of
2015
According to a 2011 report, 45% of FWISD graduating seniors who matriculate to a four-year college attend one of these five:
* Common App member
The Counselor’s Toolbox
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Common App Website
Tools & Resources
Create a student test account
Requirements Grid
The Virtual Counselor
Solutions Center
Account Rollover
Common App Ready
Guiding Students to College
commonapp.org15
Middle School
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
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Title
LEARN
Absorb knowledge,
develop skills and
study habits
Every year of a student’s academic career provides a different set of skills and experiences that prepare a student for college
EXPLORE
Explore opportunities,
challenge yourself, try
something new
GROW
Strengthen skills and
maintain involvement
in activities
FOCUS
Focus on grades,
entrance exams,
college search, and
yourself
APPLY
Apply your
knowledge,
apply to colleges and
scholarships
The Virtual Counselor
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Ultimate goal of advancing college access
All students should feel supported throughout the college preparation and application process
Unfortunately, many students around the country – and the world – are at a disadvantage, as they lack helpful resources they can turn to for trusted guidance
The Virtual Counselor serves as an online content library filled with college-related advice for students and parents. Topics range from high school course selection to financial aid and everything in between
24.7.365 Applicant Chat Training Resources
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Solutions Center
New portal
Visual appeal
Friendly language
Piloted Applicant chat starting October 6
during peak hours as another support channel for our
applicants
More short videos for all areas of the system and beyond. Partner
webinars and new and improved Help Topics
appsupport.commonapp.org
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The Application Solutions Center helps students, parents, and counselors with questions regarding the application
recsupport.commonapp.org
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The Recommender Solutions Center answers questions for teachers and counselors regarding recommendations
Account Rollover
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Accounts created in 2015-2016 will carry over to 2016-2017 and beyond
User name, password, and Common App data will all be preserved
Counselors can introduce their students to Common App and the college application process as early as makes sense for their needs
When paired with Common App Ready, account rollover makes for a flexible, powerful college advising tool
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Comprehensive training resource covering all aspects of the application system, from account creation to submission
Ready-to-present slide decks with accompanying scripts to make your training sessions as easy as possible
Designed to fit your needs: present the slides all at once or in multiple workshops as your schedule allows
A complement to the Solutions Center training videos
commonapp.org/ready
commonapp.org #commonappready
THE PROFILE SECTION
© 2015 The Common Application
• A comprehensive training resource
• Ready-to-present slide decks
• Introduction to the Common Application
• Getting Started
• Searching and Adding Colleges
• Explanations of the following sections: Profile, Family,
Education, Testing, Activities, Writing
• Payment and Submission
What is Common App Ready?
24© 2015 The Common Application
• Schedule a workshop for your students, parents,
colleagues, or anyone else who would benefit from
learning about the Common Application
• Organize your workshop(s) around your needs by
presenting the slides all at once or in multiple sessions
• Use the accompanying guide (also recorded in the footer
notes of each slide) as your script
• Direct participants to our training videos for more
information: appsupport.commonapp.org
How to use Common App Ready
25© 2015 The Common Application
Please begin your presentation
with the next slide.
Now YOU are Common App Ready
26© 2015 The Common Application
commonapp.org #commonappready
THE PROFILE SECTION
© 2015 The Common Application
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Sign in to your account
Pro-tip: Bookmark
apply.commonapp.org
© 2015 The Common Application
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Navigate to the Common App tab
© 2015 The Common Application
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Profile Section overview
© 2015 The Common Application
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Profile Section overview
The Profile section includes:
• Personal information
• Your address
• Your phone numbers
• Background
• Languages you speak
• Your citizenship
• Scholarship Information
• Request for a fee waiver
© 2015 The Common Application
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Scholarship Information
Pro-tip: Scholar Snapp
connects students with
scholarships.
© 2015 The Common Application
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Fee WaiversOne fee
waiver will
cover all of
your
Common
App
submissions
© 2015 The Common Application
Connect with the Common App
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Blog: http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commonapp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonApp
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/CommonAppMedia
Working Together to Support Student Success
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Parents/Legal Guardians
Teachers
Colleges
Counselors
Outside Recommenders
The Common ApplicationStudent
Q & A
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Thank You!
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We appreciate the work that you do!
For questions, comments, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Scott Anderson
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