What Admissions Offices Want, Objective vs. Subjective Standards

There are two sides to an admissions application for both colleges and graduate schools: objective vs. subjective standards. An admissions office wants both of these components, although some admissions committees emphasize one more than the other.

For definition purposes: the objective side of your application includes your test scores and your GPA. Whereas the subjective side of your application includes your personal statement, letters of recommendation, resume, extracurricular activities, and academic (or other) awards.

For the most part, an admissions office wants the highest test scores. In fact, test scores are the only objective standard in which an admissions office can compare your academic potential to another person applying. Think of the objective standard – test scores – in the same way that a person buying a new home would want to compare the house they’re interested in with a house on the same block. You can never really know the value of that potential home, until you see how other houses near that address fare when sold.

Also, it’s not easy to know exactly what test scores an admissions office is looking for, but one good guess is to research “median” test scores published by that school. For example, many Ivy League schools, which are ranked in the top 10 – i.e. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Penn, Columbia, generally have test scores that range above the top 90th percentile. This means for the SAT generally students score a 2000 or higher. For test such as the LSAT and GMAT, students generally score a 165 or higher and a 670 or higher, respectively, on these two exams for both schools. However, if you’re not quite in these ranges, you have two options: re-take the test, or make the subjective side (essays, resumes, recommendations) so good that they de-emphasize your test scores.

I would argue that objective standards such as your test scores and GPA are the gateway to having an admissions officer review the subjective side such as your essays and personal statements. In other words, many admissions officers won’t begin to look at your full application unless your test scores and GPA are strong enough and fit their median range. There’s a little bit of flexibility on the GPA, as there is some grade inflation at certain schools, and admissions offices know this. But for the most part, you want this objective component to also be as strong, as your test scores are. If the admissions office sees a higher GPA and a really low test score (or vice versa), you might have to explain why such a discrepancy exists.

On the subjective side of the admissions application, you really should focus on your admissions essay. In addition, your recommendations can make a big difference especially if the admissions office is comparing applicants with similar test scores. Overall, the subjective criteria that defines your application is the secondary component – but very important – to your potential admission into a top school.

If you need help with college admissions counseling or graduate admissions counseling, give us a call today or fill out our contact form.

Ross Blankenship
Admissions Expert, Founder of Top Test Prep

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Experts, Admissions Office, College Counseling // Add Comment »

I’ve had a few people ask me whether they should write about the Presidential election and how it is has shaped their lives. The answer is: if you can do it effectively without it being too clichéd, then yes – it can be an acceptable topic. All too often, however, students let the election season take over their college applications- writing fervently for either Obama or McCain without any substance; they forget to come up with a solid theme about themselves. Don’t fall victim to such poor writing.

Writing an essay, whether it be for prep school, college or graduate admissions, requires students take an inimitable approach. You must write with clarity, consistency and care.

For example, the following essay is a sample of bad writing on the election:

“I’m supporting ______ candidate because we need change. Change is a good thing for America. Just look at the last 8 years; when I was in middle school students and teachers thought we were heading in the right direction.”

Why does this essay start off bad? Well, for one, it is about a concept, i.e. “Change,” which can be difficult to bring down to a tangible level where the audience can see how it has shaped your life. Instead, start broadly and narrow the concept into a form where the reader/audience knows where you’re heading with the topic. Further, supplement any political writing with solid examples of your participation in the election process.

Here’s an example of a better essay with more substance:

“Having volunteered in a local phone drive for __________ candidate, I have heard the voices of people desiring change; I want to be part of this change. I took part in the electoral process because I feel our government is too large and our individual voices are all too often drowned out by special interests and lobbyists.”

These two parallel examples – one bad, one good- hopefully clarify the essay topic of the Presidential election or any election for that matter. If you have volunteered before or been an active part of any local, state or federal campaign, tell the admissions office, be specific and bring any abstract topic such as change down to a manageable level. You don’t want to sound clichéd like many political ads airing across the nation. Bring substance, candor and care to your essay and you’re bound to connect more with your audience.

Hope that helps…
For more information on college essays and private college counseling, check out one of our programs, or call (800) 501-7737.

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Office, College Applications // Add Comment »

There are an increasing number of college admissions consultants discussing the benefits of applying to college from either a public or private high school. Further, many parents and students want to know whether going to a private high school will give them a greater advantage in the admissions cycle. So we’ll discuss the benefits of applying from either public or private schools.

Applying to College From Public High Schools:

• There’s a greater chance that you might “stand out” more with higher SAT and ACT scores.

Most admissions offices have statistics of matriculated students from any given high school. These show the performance of students from any high school at their college. In fact, many high school admissions offices provide SAT and ACT medians from their respective school. So, if you score way higher or lower, it could be seen more or less favorably. If a recent study by the Center on Education Policy concluding that students score slightly higher on SAT Verbal / Math from public schools is correct, then you might stand out with a higher score.

• You are more likely to be the only one applying to a “Top” College

Because some public high schools are more worried about students attending high school at all, if you’re one of the few students applying to an Ivy League School or to another “Top 50″ college (based on U.S. News and World Report), admissions officers will make note of this fact. Often times students recall of X student of 300 total from Y public high school getting into Harvard. In some cases, this is true. But work on increasing your scores and improving your essays, and then apply to college. Don’t worry about the fact that you have to apply from a public school.

Applying to College From Private High Schools:

• Many private schools have greater resources.

Simply put: because many private schools charge tuition and don’t rely on state and local taxes to survive, private high schools can channel more resources into college counseling and other things like computer technology. So if you’re going to a private school use the resources wisely. And our admissions consultants help both public and private school students, regardless.

• There’s a better chance you can speak with current and former students at top schools.

Because there are more students from private schools at the top colleges, your private school is more likely to put you in touch with a current student who can help facilitate a campus tour or discussion with the admissions office. In addition, these contacts will help you find out what school is a good fit for you. So find out what graduates went to your choice schools and contact them.

So now you know…

Overall, it is doubtful that an admissions office will think more or less favorably of your application whether at a public or private school; the most important thing is to create an application that shows you contributed to your high school (public or private) and will do the same in college.

Remember, the key to applying to colleges is making sure that you develop a strong theme in your admissions application that shows you stood out of the crowd, regardless of whether you went to a public or private high school. Don’t worry about whether you’re currently at a public or private school, the SAT and ACT create enough objective criteria to evaluate your applications that this fact becomes irrelevant.

Ross Blankenship, Co-Founder, Top Test Prep

College Admissions Consultants

(800) 501-Prep

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Interviews, Admissions Office, College Applications, College Counseling, SAT Prep // Add Comment »

There are several college admissions myths which should be exposed before you apply. These myths often scare certain students from applying to the best schools. Never limit yourself from applying to top colleges because you believe these things:

(10)

Applicants are pre-screened.

Whether using the common application or a school-specific application, college admission offices have enough staff members to read your entire application. After all, you pay an application fee for a reason and colleges want to make sure you get your fair chance. However, if your application is incomplete or missing crucial components (essays, transcripts, or supplements) this might explain why it is rejected, or pre-screened out, before it reaches the full committee.

(9)

You must choose your major and stick to it.

When you apply to college, admissions officers know your major is bound to change. In fact, many admissions offices have reported that the majority of their students change their major by the end of their freshman year. Don’t worry about choosing your major. Pick a department or major where you have a genuine interest, and be open-minded to changing it once you’re enrolled.

(8)

You must apply early decision or early action.

Yes, applying early decision or early action shows a student is committed to a particular college. But you do not have to apply early to be accepted, even to top colleges. In fact, if you’re deferred in the early decision or early application round, your application goes right back into the regular pool and will be re-evaluated again.

(7)

Colleges have a certain profile of the “perfect” student.

While colleges strive to admit students who will fit into their college, there’s simply no way for a college to predict whether a student will be happy or whether they will actually succeed at their college. This is why colleges don’t set a particular admissions profile for the “perfect” student.

(6)

Ivy League schools don’t give scholarships.

Although Ivy League schools say they only allocate “need-based” scholarships, there’s no doubt that certain schools issue other grants and fellowships based on other criteria. If you’re a top athlete, recruit or a national merit scholar, an Ivy League school will go out of its way to make sure you can afford their school.

(5)

International students don’t receive scholarships or loans.

More colleges are looking to diversify their student body with international students; major banks and financial institutions offer the same financial opportunities for international students as they do American applicants. Scholarships and fellowships are available for international students.

(4)

You should pad your resume with extracurricular activities.

Every admissions officer is a human being. Imagine that. Applications aren’t accepted or rejected by a computer. So when filling out this section of the common app, know that admissions offices can (and do) spot superfluous extracurricular activities. Further, they can certainly tell whether you added an extracurricular because you have a genuine interest or because it “looks good” on your resume.

(3)

Recommendations don’t matter.

Great recommendations are vital. You cannot expect to be admitted simply with high scores and great grades. If an admissions officer sees a perfunctory or suspicious recommendation, it will set off a red flag. Bottom line: choose the recommender who knows you best and make sure they know where you’re applying and what your qualifications are.

(2)

There’s a GPA Cut-Off.

Colleges generally don’t have a GPA cut-off. The reason admissions offices don’t have a GPA “cut-off” is because students come from all sorts of different high schools with varying curriculums and grade structures. Some students attend public schools, others private schools where the GPA ranges could be wider or narrower. Further, there has been much discussion about grade inflation, and colleges do know what particular high schools tend to have higher GPAs than others. Whether this is so-called grade inflation or not, the schools have an idea of what schools have a more competitive curriculum, including more AP, IB and honors courses. Be aware of your GPA and explain discrepancies in your transcript.

(1)

There’s always an SAT/ACT Cut-Off.

Some state colleges do have a cut-off for SAT/ACT scores. But the majority of American Universities do not. So keep working on your test scores but don’t fear the mythical cut-off.

If your SAT or ACT Prep isn’t as strong as you’d like it to be, Top Test Prep.com will help you improve your score.

Hope these admissions myths were answered. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Top Test Prep team.

-Ross Blankenship, Admissions Expert and Founder, Top Test Prep

Test Prep and Admissions

Tags: Admissions Advice, Admissions Data, Admissions Office, College Applications, College Counseling, Tutors // Add Comment »

We have had a lot of questions about the new college rankings, particularly what sort of methodology was used to assess hundreds of schools throughout the country. Although there’s an entire school of thought on the efficacy of the rankings themselves, what we believe is that the criteria should at the very least be modified. One of the key criteria we believe should be factored into these rankings is post-graduation statistics, namely what students are doing from these prestigious colleges after they graduate.

We believe that much information could be gleaned by adding an additional category on post-graduation employment and/or statistics on graduate school entry. Adding an additional category would reflect a college’s ultimate purpose, i.e. providing employment opportunities and/or graduate program opportunities.

There are two reasons why adding this criteria into the rankings would be helpful: (1) this information would show the public exactly what the graduates do after college, and (2) it would create an incentive for colleges to improve their career services and graduate program counseling. If a parent were comparing two top schools, let’s say Cornell University and Washington University in St. Louis (both ranked 12th respectively), would it not serve the public well to know which school provides its graduates better career opportunities and/or graduate program opportunities? Further, colleges have for generations been adjusting their core curriculum and admissions based on the U.S. News rankings. Whether this is a good or bad thing could be debated for just as long. However, if parents are going to spend 40 to 50 thousand dollars per year on their son or daughter’s education, it would be helpful to know what exactly their son or daughter will do after graduation.

The U.S. News Rankings do provide valuable information on colleges, both public, private, as well as liberal arts and graduate schools. But the methodology could be improved with additional criteria like graduation statistics specific to employment and further education pursued by students. This addition would create major incentives to improve student resources, would give valuable information to parents and students and lastly, would provide a greater ability for parents to differentiate these schools.

-Ross Blankenship, Co-Founder, Top Test Prep

Test Prep and Admissions

Tags: Admissions Office, College Rankings // Add Comment »