US News and World Report’s widely disseminated ranking of American colleges came under assault in a recently released report by the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC). The report’s critiques of US News and World Report’s ranking formula and the rebuttal follow.

1. Should Standardized Test Scores Be Included in Rankings?
The NACAC report called for the removal of standardized test scores of admitted students from the US News ranking formula, asserting that they are not a complete measure of student quality and that their use discounts other aspects of admissions. US News, which assigns 7.5 percent of its overall rankings to test scores, dismissed this critique with the observation that they would only do so if the schools themselves discounted this measure in the admissions process. A recent survey revealed that 71.7 percent of all four year institutions will continue to require standardized tests for undergraduate applicants.

2. Are Peer Assessments by College Presidents a Valid Appraisal of Institutional Quality?
The NACAC called for reducing the weight of the US News peer assessment index, which counts for 22.5 percent of an institution’s overall score, on the grounds that it is highly subjective and is disproportionately influenced by social factors marginal to institutional quality. In short, college presidents do not understand the undergraduate experience at other institutions and sometimes downgrade other institutions to enhance their own. US News responded that there is no research based evidence that this is the case.

3. Are College Rankings Themselves helpful?
The NACAC report challenged the national rankings themselves arguing that the ranking criteria and the weights assigned to them by US News are arbitrary. Instead, overall rankings should be replaced by rankings customized to the criteria of individual families and students. US News contends that national ratings provide an essential tool for families interested in the relative merits of schools.
Conclusion

US News college rankings also assign importance to student retention rates, faculty resources, and alumni giving rates, among other factors. While the rankings will continue to generate heat from critics, there is little indication that they will be disappearing in the foreseeable future. Nor will the global competition for seats in America’s best colleges be diminishing anytime soon.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep. Contact Top Test Prep today @ (800) 501-Prep or fill out our quick contact form.

Top Test Prep provides students with expert private tutoring and admissions counseling.

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(Ten Recommendations for Writing a Strong College Admissions Essay)

The prospect of writing multiple college admissions essays may appear to be overwhelming. It can be managed effectively, however, with organization and deliberation. Recommendations which will assist you in writing strong admissions essays follow.

1. At the Start of the Process, Make a Chart of Required Essays
Being organized is crucial in the admissions process. Early in the process identify essay questions which are similar.

2. Read the Previous Examples/Essays of Successful Applicants to Individual Schools
If the schools you are applying to provide access to applicant essays, take advantage of it to extract lessons for your essays.

3. Create a Resume Focused on Your Academic and Non-Academic Accomplishments
Think about why your accomplishments are important and how they would assist you in contributing to individual institutions. Integrate these accomplishments selectively into your essays which should be tailored to those schools.

4. Formulate a List of Personal Attributes that You Want to Highlight in Your Essays
You no doubt have many great attributes – so explore which are the best, and let the admissions office know more through specific examples in your life.

5. Search for Inspiration in Your Daily Activities
Find things which are meaningful to you that are pertinent to your essays.

6. Be Authentic in Your Admissions Essays Speaking in Your Own Voice
It is usually self-evident if you are trying to be someone other than yourself as a student and person.

7. Start Off with the Smaller Essays Before You Proceed to the Longer Ones
Doing so will provide you with ideas for the comprehensive essays.

8. Recycling Parts of Essays is Legitimate but Make Sure You Address the Essay Questions Directly
Your college admission essay may have commonalities with other ones, but should be adjusted to the distinctions of the institution to which you are applying.

9. Keep Your Admissions Essays Brief and Close to the Minimum Word Count Delineated
A superior essay is shorter and to the point. Your admissions readers only have a short period of time before they move on to the next application so make the most of what you write. State in five words what you could have stated in ten words.

10. Find an Outside Editor to Offer Advice on Your Essays
Even the most experienced writers need good editors to provide feedback and perspective. Top Test Prep has some awesome college admissions counselors who can help you – give the team a call at (800) 501-Prep or contact us online.

Conclusion
Admissions Essay writing can even be enjoyable if you approach it methodically and with a basic understanding of the ingredients of essay preparation.
David Dickson is a counselor at Top Test Prep which offers private tutoring and expert test preparation with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools.

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Want to know more about graduate school admissions?

A new study released by the Council of Graduate Schools paints a mixed picture of American graduate school education today. Trends identified by the study include the following.

1. Enrollments in Master’s Degree and Graduate Certificate Programs Are Down, but PhD Program Enrollments are Up

Enrollments in Master’s degree and graduate certificate programs were down 1.6 percent in 2010, fueled by drops of 8.1 percent in master’s degrees in education and 2.9 percent in business. Contributing factors included the hesitancy of prospective students to take on debt or leave jobs, and employers’ reluctance to subsidize employee graduate studies at a time of economic uncertainty. In contrast, PhD enrollments were up 1.5 percent in 2010 as departmental grants for enrollees remained intact.

2. International Student Graduate Schools Enrollments Continued to Climb
Enrollment of international students in American graduate programs was up 4.7 percent in 2010. International students made up a whopping 45 percent of graduate enrollees in math and computer science and in engineering.

3. Women Make up an Increasing Proportion of Graduate Students
The presence of women in graduate programs continues to grow and they now make up 58 percent of graduate students. Women constitute 80 percent of the graduate student body in the health sciences and 78 percent in public administration. Women still make up a distinct minority of graduate students in math and computer sciences with 30 percent of the total and in the physical and earth sciences with 39 percent of students.

4. Latino Graduate School Enrollments are Inching Up as Other Ethnic/Racial Groups Experience Declines
In terms of graduate enrollments of ethnic and racial groups (among U.S permanent residents), Latino numbers grew by 4.9 percent in 2010. Asian graduate enrollment percentages dropped by 0.1 percent for the year while declines were recorded among whites (0.6 percent), blacks (8.4 percent), and Native-Americans (20.6 percent).

Conclusion
Advanced degrees remain the best path to opportunity and prosperity for Americans in the post- industrial era, as borne out in numerous studies, despite enrollment fluctuations in selected fields and a cloudy national economic picture.

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Top Test Prep offers GRE Tutoring, LSAT Tutoring, and MCAT Tutoring, for those applying to graduate schools. Call (800) 501-Prep to learn more.

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Top Test Prep is excited to be part of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC). Please join us at Booth 1149.

We look forward to seeing everyone in New Orleans for the NACAC event.

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Want a four year plan for getting into the best colleges? If you wait until your junior or senior years in high school to prepare for college, you’re behind the curve and the challenge of finding the right institution can be elusive. A four year plan for getting into college and maximizing your potential follows.

What do do Freshman Year
-Enroll in rigorous courses. Generally, colleges recommend a minimum of four years of a foreign language, science, math, and history. Go beyond the call of duty and consider honors, and eventually advanced placement or International Baccalaureate course.
- Look into SAT Subject Tests shortly after you have finished a subject. Some colleges require them.
- Conduct an informal visit to a college to get a feel for college life.
-Make a commitment to an extra-curricular activity and community service. The depth of your commitment over a sustained period of time is looked upon more favorably by colleges than a laundry list of activities.
-Explore how scholarships work and what the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is.
- Consider a test preparation and college counseling firm. Top Test Prep offers tutoring with admissions experts who can help you gain admission to your top schools.

What to do Sophomore Year
-Think about when to take the practice SAT or ACT college entrance exams. The preliminary SAT, called the PSAT, is given in October and is combined with the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
- Start to explore what you might want to study in college.
- Bolster your transcript with strong grades and continue with your extra-curricular activities.

What to do Junior Year
-You should have a list of ten to 20 colleges that you would like to find out more about and to tour. On-line virtual tours will suffice for some, but plan selective college visits with your family.
- Request information packets from schools on your list.
- Communicate with students or alumni from schools which provoke your interest through friends, family members, or recruiter visits to your area.
-Schedule the SAT (October, November, December, January, March, May, or June) or ACT (September, October, December, February, April, and June)
-Keep a journal focused on what makes you distinctive to assist you with your application essay. Consider formulating a rough draft of the essay.
- Continue your research on financial aid including merit based and need based aid as well as accessing grants and loans

What to do Senior Year
-Make a master calendar to keep track of test dates, fees, and deadlines for Advanced Placement courses and retakes of the SAT and ACT.
- Flesh out your college essays.
- Follow-up on scholarships and complete the FAFSA form.
- Determine whether you will be applying to schools early decision (binding if you’re accepted) or early action (non-binding, but a preference).
– Even as you complete the items on your master calendar, don’t celebrate prematurely. Your grades still count and even poor second semester grades could convince a school to rescind their acceptance.

David Dickson is a college admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; David also help with the overall admissions expert team with private school, college and graduate admissions advice.

For more information on Top Test Prep, go to our Quick Contact and Request a Free Consultation. You can also call 1-800-501-7737.

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America’s higher education system is an intriguing one as illustrated by the following revelations from the Chronicle of Higher Education’s annual almanac;

here are some interesting facts about American colleges today:

1. Less than one-third of Americans hold at least a bachelor’s degree, but at least 30 percent of adults in 16 states-mostly on the coasts- have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. The three interior states are Utah, Illinois, and Minnesota.

2. During a 10 year span ending in 2009, undergraduate enrollment jumped 38 percent, with some of the highest growth occurring in Arizona (149 percent), Georgia (77 percent), West Virginia (56 percent), and Florida (54 percent).

3. Between 1999 and 2009, undergrad enrollment at for-profit schools soared 539 percent compared with 32 percent for public institutions.

4. The largest state university in the country is Arizona State University in Tempe with 46,994 full-time and 9, 568 part-time undergraduates. The largest non-profit private university is New York University with 20,815 full-time and 1,282 part-time undergraduates.

5. While 347, 985 students earned undergraduate business degrees in 2009, only 15,496 walked away with a degree in mathematics.

6. One of the fastest growing degrees is in park, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies. During a 10-year period, the number of students earning degrees in this major (31,667) jumped 92 percent.

7. Among common majors, education experienced the biggest drop in interest among undergrads. In a 10 year period, the number of students earning an education degree declined five percent.

8. Twenty-three percent of full-time undergrads, who are 24 or younger, work 20 hours or more a week.

9. About 9 percent of students attend flagship universities and other state institutions that conduct intensive research.

10. Seventy-three percent of all students attend all types of public colleges and universities.

11. Just 16 percent of students attend private non-profit colleges and universities.

12. Nineteen percent of college freshman hope to earn a Ph.D., and 10.2 percent would like to become a medical doctor.

13. Between 1999 and 2009, undergraduate enrollment at for-profit schools soared 539 percent compared with 32 percent for public institutions.

14. About 3 percent of undergrads are veterans and 1 percent are on active military duty or reserves.

15. Twenty percent of all first-time undergraduates take at least one remedial course.

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David Dickson is a counselor for Top Test Prep’s program. Top Test Prep = private tutoring and expert test prep with admissions counselors who help you gain admission to your top private schools, colleges and graduate schools. Call (800) 501-Prep or visit Top Test Prep’s contact page and enter your information to learn more.

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Families are bombarded these days with fancy brochures, slick web-sites, and savvy college representatives singing the praises of their institutions. How do you separate hype from reality and focus on what is really important in a college education? Seven recommendations for choosing colleges the right way follow.

1. Avoid Official Campus Tours and Class-room Visits, and Take Student Comments with a Grain of Salt
You want to be in charge of your own college investigation so there are common approaches to college visits to be avoided or placed in context. The official campus tour is just that, and is designed to manipulate your perception of the college. Skip it, and while you’re at it don’t bother to visit classes since colleges will steer you to those which shed the best light on them. Talk to students, faculty, and staff but keep in mind that they may be unrepresentative of the college as a whole.

2. Find out About Availability of Faculty Members
Look into the number of weekly faculty office hours set aside for students, and survey students on whether they have a faculty mentor. If you can’t meet with professors with regularity outside of the class-room, you are being robbed of the intimacy which is vital to an effective education.

3. Make Inquiries about the Advising System
Ask how often and comprehensively academic advisors discuss course options and academic concerns with their advisees. You don’t want to flounder as you search for the right major or combination of courses.

4. Scrutinize Student and Alumni Satisfaction Levels with Academics and the College Climate
Most institutions survey students and alumni about the quality of education and college life. Request this data including the NSSE(National Survey of Student Engagement:nsse.iub.edu/html/annual_results.cfm) or similar surveys. Moreover, ask about the CLA (Collegiate Learning Assessment: facwww.collegiatelearningassessment.org), which measures whether students’ analytical reasoning skills improve between their freshman and senior years.

5. Look into Campus Health Facilities
We all get sick so make inquiries about health facilities, including those addressing mental health issues. Ask how long it takes to get a routine medical appointment?

6. Examine How Satisfied Faculty Are
How collegial are faculty members and how committed are they to the institution’s missions and values? You can tap into this data through the HERI (Higher Education Research Institute: www.heri.ucla.edu) survey of faculty attitudes. A satisfied faculty will often bring positive energy into the classroom. Morever, scrutinize whether the college has a “learning and teaching center” to help young and seasoned faculty improve their teaching.

7. Request Graduate School and Job Placement Data
You’ll be amazed at how fast four years of college fly. The college should have data for post graduation placement in graduate and professional programs and jobs. Also examine how alumni are faring five, ten, and even twenty years beyond graduation.

Conclusion
If you are stonewalled on any of the inquiries just delineated, then the institution is overlooking a crucial component of the undergraduate experience or the well-being of its alumni. This is a bad sign and it’s time to move on. With strong teaching, advising, health support facilities, and job and graduate school placement, an institution is meeting its student obligations. Without them, your school experience may prove to be an unsatisfying one. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and expert test prep with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep; visit Top Test Prep’s contact page and request more information today or call (800) 501-Prep.

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US News and World Report has just released its widely distributed annual listing of the top national universities and liberal arts colleges in the country. Its evaluative criteria include academic reputation, retention rates, faculty resources, selectivity, financial resources, graduation rates, and alumni giving rates. The top ten lists of colleges ranked is below:

The Top Ten National Universities
1. Harvard
1. Princeton
3. Yale
4. Columbia
5. California Institute of Technology
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
5. Stanford
5. University of Chicago
5. University of Pennsylvania
10. Duke

The Top Ten National Liberal Arts Colleges
1. Williams
2. Amherst
3. Swarthmore
4. Pomona
5. Middlebury
6. Bowdoin
6. Carleton
6. Wellesley
9. Claremont McKenna
10. Haverford

Conclusion
Students from around the world now compete for admission to America’s best national institutions of learning. Top Test Prep offers private tutors and expert test preparation with admissions experts who help you improve your exam scores.
David Dickson is an admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; Contact Top Test Prep today to learn more at (800) 501-7737.

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The US News and World Report have just released their newest installment of the College Rankings. Here’s a preview of the rankings, but be sure to check them out in your local bookstore.

So, again Harvard received the No. 1 spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 rankings of top U.S. academic research institutions; Harvard was then followed by Princeton University and Yale University in the top 3 college spots.

The US News Rankings also named Williams as the No. 1 liberal arts college. Amherst College was second, followed by Swarthmore College.

As controversial as the rankings are, we do believe that they matter – and are very helpful in giving students and parents objective and subjective standards upon which to evaluate these top colleges.

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Also, if you see the Top Test Prep feature before the rankings in this US News and World Report magazine, be sure to mention it and we’ll give you $250 off any program. Call (800) 501-Prep to learn more.

Get in touch with us today and learn how you can get help with top colleges.

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So, what are the standards for choosing students to gain admission? And how do the best colleges select applicants – what criteria is applied in the admissions process?

There are different college application admissions systems, but elite national institutions generally use the following criteria:

1. Grades and Rigor of Course Work (Honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate)
This criterion is based on the courses students take over time and the grade trend. Good grades and challenging course work are looked upon favorably.

2. Standardized Test Scores (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject, and AP exam)
Some colleges use an average of the highest SAT scores, while others use the highest in a single setting, and still others use the best scores achieved by a student. Keep in mind that schools may note the number of times you took an exam, despite their denials.

3. Extra-Curricular Record (Brag Sheet)
The duration and level of involvement in activities inside and outside of school are significant. Highlight activities such as community service, employment, summer experiences, hobbies, and honors.

4. Teacher and Counselor Letters of Recommendation
Colleges assess the quality of these reports.

5. The Admissions Essays
This includes essays and short responses that students are responsible for. The essay which asks why a student has chosen to apply to a college is of particular importance.

6. Extra-Credit Points
Additional factors in admission, though controversial, include legacy status, ability to pay, minority or first generation college status, and special gifts in athletics, music or another pursuit.

Conclusion
For the most selective elite schools nationally, strong grades and test scores may count for 70 percent of the admission decision. The other indicators may be used to distinguish between those who meet grade and test score standards. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and test preparations with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is an expert admissions counselor with Top Test Prep; call Top Test Prep today (800) 501-Prep or visit us online at Private Tutoring and Test Prep Homepage.

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The College Board, which administers the SAT and Advanced Placement(AP) exams, posed questions to 1,507 students who finished high school in 2010 to see how they were doing a year later. Almost half of the students stated that they wish they had taken more difficult writing, math, and science courses. An overwhelming majority of students who did take AP or International Baccalaureate courses-39 percent of those surveyed- felt the challenge was worth it. The inadequate preparation for college was illustrated by the 54 percent of graduates who observed that their freshman year courses were more difficult than expected. A quarter of freshmen were compelled to take remedial courses during their first year. About one in seven students did not make it through the year. The wisdom of taking AP and international baccalaureate courses in high school is borne out by the survey results. Taking more challenging courses not only will help you gain admission to the your top choice school, but will also make you feel more fulfilled after graduating high school.

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David Dickson is a counselor at Top Test Prep. Top Test Prep is an elite private tutoring and test preparation company that helps students gain admission to the best private schools (K-12), colleges and graduate schools. For more information, call (800) 501-Prep.

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Here are some helpful tips for high school freshmen:

You have just entered high school and you’re overwhelmed by the number of students, all of those course options, and more clubs than you could have imagined. Settle down a little and after you’ve found your feet, it’s time to start preparing for the future. An important part of the future is college if you want to reach your full potential and enjoy the opportunities which are out there. What pre-college steps can you take as you transition into your freshman year.

Take Your Academic Work Seriously
As your academic work load increases, it is important that you stay on top of it and meet those deadlines. Reach out to your teachers to talk over an assignment or discuss a lecture. Seeking help when material isn’t clear is a sign of maturity.

Join Clubs
Explore extra-curricular activities. You can take your interests to a new level and discover new ones by attending club meetings. With time you will identify a couple of clubs that you want to devote your time to.

Begin Your Community Service, earlier than later..
Share your skills with the community. If you’re into environmentalism, you could formulate ideas for making your school more environmentally efficient. If you’re an athlete, offer your knowledge to disadvantaged or disabled young people.

Create A Four Year Academic Plan
Identify mandatory and optional high school courses with your counselor and family. Ensure that you are on the rights track for those Advanced Placement math or English courses you want to take during your final two years.

Enjoy Your High School Years
This is a challenging period, but you can make it an intellectually gratifying one with great friendships and the opportunity to contribute to your community if you choose. The path to college and a successful and productive life begins now.

David Dickson is a academic counselor and admissions counselor with Top Test Prep whose admissions and testing experts can assist you with test preparation and gaining admission to your top private schools, colleges and grad schools. To learn more about TTP’s private tutoring and admissions programs, simply call (800) 501-7737.

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Background to the Trend and How Families Can Take Advantage of It…

Students and families seeking an edge in the increasing competitive world of college admissions should take note of an emerging trend which has received little publicity. In response to diminishing support from financially strapped state legislatures, many of America’s top public universities have been steadily increasing their admission of higher tuition paying out-of-state students in recent years. Families with the financial wherewithal might consider applying to these institutions whose tuition are still lower than their private counterparts. Moreover, a sizable number of them also exercise rolling admissions policies where applications are reviewed as soon as they are submitted, increasing the odds of acceptance for early applicants.

Illustrations of the Admissions Trend

Elite public institutions across the country have been soliciting out-of-state students. In 2010, out-of- state students made up 20 percent of the University of California, Berkeley’s freshman class, up from five percent five years ago. Moreover, 39 percent of out-of-state applicants were accepted versus 24 percent of in-state applicants. Out-of-state students made up 40 percent of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor’s most recent freshman class, an increase of three percent from five years ago. The University of Virginia, Charlottesville’s percentage of out of state freshman increased to 33 percent from 30 percent the previous year. Notable increases in out-of-state students also included the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign where 27 percent of freshman had this status versus 19 percent five years ago and The University of Washington, Seattle with a comparable upswing over a three year period.

The Ten Public Universities with the Highest Proportion of Out of State Students
The following public universities have the highest percentage of out-of-state students.
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University of Vermont, Burlington 66%
Indiana University, Bloomington 45%
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 40%
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 35%
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 35%
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 35%
University of Wisconsin, Madison 35%
Penn State University, University Park, PA 34%
University of Virginia, Charlottesville 33%
Auburn University, Montgomery, AL 33%

Conclusion:

Students and families interested in quality public universities should explore out-of-state institutions which are eager to both broaden their geographical base and enhance their financial status. Top Test Prep offers elite private tutoring and test preparation with admissions experts who can help you gain admission to your top schools, whether private or public.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep; call Top Test Prep today at (800) 501-Prep.

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In recent years, many colleges including the most competitive have been filling 30 to 70 percent of their freshman class through early decision or early action. Consequently, students who wait to apply during regular decision are competing with far more students for a smaller number of seats. Last year, the University of Pennsylvania filled about 50 percent of its freshman class through early decision whereas Johns Hopkins University and Williams took 40 percent of their freshman from the early round. Disparities between the prospects for acceptance of early decision applicants and regular decision applicants are often stark. Columbia University’s early decision acceptance rate for the class of 2015 was 20 percent versus six percent for regular decision applicants. Last year, Cornell accepted 35 percent of early decision applicants and 16 percent of those who applied through regular decision, while Brown’s figures were 20 percent in the early round and seven percent through regular decision.

Applying Early Decision
Students can only apply to one college early decision and if accepted they must attend. Deadlines generally fall in November and students are typically informed by the latter half of December of their application status.

Pros:
-Significantly higher acceptance rates
-Many early decision schools have sizeable need-based financial aid programs

Cons:
-You can’t change your mind
-You can’t compare college financial aid packages

Applying Early Decision II
It often falls a month or two after Early Decision I. In some cases if a student is rejected Early Decision I at one school and receives a letter of rejection, they may apply Early Decision II at a second school. Acceptance statistics are still unclear on this new practice.

Early Action and Priority Plans
Students can apply to several institutions under these rules, and have until spring to inform a college of their intentions. Deadlines in November or December are the norm and admissions decisions take a month or two.
Pros:
-Higher acceptance rates than regular admissions
-Families can exercise all of their financial aid options at a number of schools, and more favorable aid packages may be available earlier in the admissions process
-You aren’t compelled to attend

Cons:
-Lower acceptance percentages than early decision

Conclusion

Early decision and early action applications may enhance your admissions prospects and are worthy of exploration. Familiarize yourself with the admissions policies of every school to which you apply since they can vary. Top Test Prep offers tutoring and test preparations with admissions experts who can help you gain admission to your top schools.

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep. To learn more about applying early or getting help with college admissions counseling, call (800) 501-Prep today.

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Game-Like College Micro-Sites for Recruiting and Alumni Outreach At the Cutting Edge

In the highly competitive world of college recruiting and fund-raising, a few colleges have pioneered new off-beat web-sites to solicit information from prospective students and alumni.

Here are ways a couple colleges are reaching students and college alumni…

The College of St Mary in Omaha’s watchmebloom.com site introduces users to an interactive, animated landscape resembling a video-game app. You take a diagnostic test that offers a series of hypothetical scenarios and recommends a course of study contingent on your response. You mouse over different buildings on the cartoon depiction of campus and watch films of St Mary’s students talking about these places. Visitors can create a profile that includes their name and contact information. The micro-site was created by Phenomblue, a firm that develops game-oriented promotional sites such as “McNuggets Olympic Village.” According to St Mary’s vice-president for enrollment services, web inquiries and phone calls increased exponentially in the aftermath of the micro-site’s debut.

Visitors to Nazareth College’s flightoftheflyers.com site are exposed to cartoon animation and birds swooping to Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries.” The site urges Nazareth alumni to order stuffed-animals of the college’s winged mascot, the Golden Flyer, take pictures of the bird, and submit them via the web-site along with their locations and personal updates. They are then sent to former class-mates with requests to do the same. Different class years are pitted against one another to see which can achieve the most aggregate miles for their birds.
The micro-sites, which are separate from the college’s official web-site, can be confusing to users and complicate a college’s marketing strategy. Usability can also be diminished if the sites are not properly designed. Nonetheless, the micro-sites with their creativity pose a challenge to the less imaginative mainstream college web-sites. A face-lift may be in order!

David Dickson is a counselor with Top Test Prep which offers private tutoring and test preparation with admissions experts who help you gain admission to your top schools. Call Top Test Prep today to learn about SSAT, ISEE, HSPT, SAT, ACT and more private tutoring and test prep – (800) 501-Prep.

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