College Quick-Hitters

As a college admissions counselor and consultant, part of my job is to learn about new trends at colleges and help spread the word about interesting college programs and updates at schools across the country. As information comes across my desk and I listen to admission representatives speak to students during visits, I want to update families about the pieces of information I think everyone should know. These following “quick-hitters” should provide you with tips, trends, and general helpful advice about schools you may be interested in applying to.

Hampshire College (Amherst, MA): Will now NOT accept test scores as part of the admissions process. While there are many test-optional schools out there, Hampshire is one of the first colleges to be test-blind, in that they consider all parts of the applicant, but will not look at SAT or ACT scores.

 

St. Bonaventure (St. Bonaventure, NY): Fantastic business program, especially finance and accounting. In past years, 100% of accounting majors have been placed in job by graduation. School also has live trading floor for business majors. School was ranked best value school in New York State in 2014, with average amount student paying per year being $19,000. Families that file for the FAFSA will automatically receive $5,000 off from cost of attendance.

 

College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA): All students will come in with undeclared majors. School has a great pre-professional advisory program, and a solid 3-2 engineering program with Columbia. 91% of students are accepted into medical school and 100% of students are accepted into dental and veterinarian school. Holy Cross is a test-optional school and strength of curriculum is more important in decision process…interviews are also very helpful to show demonstrated interest. Early decision has a 65% acceptance rate, while regular decision only has a 35% acceptance rate. Offers year-long study abroad program

 

Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, CT): 22 students per classroom on average…great internship possibilities, especially business. School is surrounded by golf courses, and business students are given free lessons to help learn the game. School also offers etiquette class for business students. School is test-optional and applying early action and visiting can greatly help in admissions process.

 

Stay tuned for more colleges and more inside information. As always, happy searching!

 

-Joseph D. Korfmacher 

Applying to College by Video

Goucher College, a small, private liberal arts school in Baltimore has just come out with a new way to apply to their school. The traditional way to apply still exists using the Common Application, but they have created a very unique way to apply that may interest some students. We know that many schools are beginning to go test-optional, where they do not look at test scores, but put more focus on the academic transcript. However, Goucher is taking it a step further with their creation of the Goucher Video Application (GVA). If you choose to go this route, test scores and transcripts are not required. Yes, you read that right…they do not consider test scores or high school transcripts for admission! If you are accepted to Goucher, you will need to eventually send your transcript to be considered for merit scholarships, but not to be accepted to the school. This is a great option for students, who have not done well in the traditional structure of high school and standardized tests, but are creative and have other strengths and productive outlets. If students choose this route, they will need to provide the following:
·        -2 minute personal video describing how your talents and experiences have shaped you so far in your life
·        -A brief application form
·        -A signed statement of academic integrity
·        -One graded writing assignment and project or artistic piece that showcases your talents
·        -$55 application fee
·       - Application deadline is December 1st


I am a big fan of test-optional schools, but I may be even more of a fan of Goucher now. I think this is incredibly forward-thinking and removes the limitations of the traditional college application process. I have worked with countless of students throughout my career who were incredibly bright and creative; it just didn’t show on their official academic records, for a variety of reasons. Individuals are intelligent in different ways, and I hate to see young men and women being denied an opportunity of their top choice college because they were late bloomers in the classroom or didn’t perform well on a 3 ½ hour test. This avenue of applying to schools will not work at all colleges, but I am a fan of it and I hope more and more schools start doing this in the future.

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Wesleyan Now Test-Optional

Just a quick post here in alerting everyone of the new policy at the highly selective Wesleyan University. As we are seeing with many colleges each year, Wesleyan has decided to go test-optional in their admissions. This can be very helpful for the students who have performed well in the classroom, but just can't seem to showcase their best during standardized testing. Students no longer have to send in their test scores for the admissions process. For more specific information on Wesleyan's new policy, please click on their website link here. Enjoy, and as always, happy searching!

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

SAT/ACT Information and Procedures

Testing season is back…for seniors you are taking final shots at the SAT or ACT in hopes to raise your scores, and juniors you most likely are just beginning to plan your attack on which tests to take and when. Although there are many schools that are test-optional (meaning they do not require SAT or ACT scores for students to apply), the majority of colleges do need to see a score report from one of these tests. I think it is helpful to give a few more helpful tips about each test, so you can decide which will be the best representation of you when it is time to apply to college!

 For seniors, you have a few more opportunities to improve your scores. Test dates still available are:

 SAT
October 5th (Late registration-9/20)

 November 2nd (Register by 10/3)

 December 7th (Register by 11/8)

 ACT
October 26th (Register by 9/27)

December 14th (Register by 11/8)

 If any of your colleges require subject tests, please make sure you register for them and get that taken care of! Some schools require up to 3 Subject tests. Usually, colleges will accept one ACT score in place of a Subject test, but you should follow-up with the college to be certain.

 Applying Early

 If you are applying early action or early decision (most often with 11/1 or 11/15 deadlines) and you plan on taking the November SAT/Subject tests to improve your scores, please alert the school of this. On the Common Application, you will be able to indicate future test dates. However, it is best to contact admissions representatives directly and alert them of this, so hopefully they will wait until they receive those scores to make a decision.

 In case you are still wondering if you should take one of these tests, please read the following information:


SAT  (http://sat.collegeboard.org/home)

Length: Standard time of 3 hours and 45 minutes, consisting of 10 sections.

Format: The test is broken up into 3 math sections, 3 critical reading sections, and 3 writing sections. The tenth section is experimental, will not be scored, and will be either on math, critical reading, or writing. Although this section is experimental and will not be scored, students are unaware of which section is the experimental one. All sections are comprised of multiple choice questions, however, the writing section also includes an ESSAY and the math section also includes student response questions. The essay will always come first, with the rest of the sections to follow randomly.

Scoring: Each section is scored out of 800 points; therefore the highest possible score one can receive on the SAT is a 2400. The essay portion is scored 2-12 and is included in the overall writing score.

Guessing Penalty: There is a guessing penalty on the SAT, which means if you get a multiple choice question wrong; you will be deducted ¼ of a point. You will lose zero points for leaving a question blank. However, student response questions on the SATs should all be attempted, because you will lose points for either getting it wrong or leaving it blank.

Reporting Scores: Because of score choice, you can choose which test dates you report to colleges. You cannot choose an individual section to send (i.e. June math section), but if you send multiple tests dates, most colleges will super score the results, giving you the highest score possible for your report.

 ACT (http://www.actstudent.org/)

Length: Standard time of 3 hours and 25 minutes, consisting of 4 sections with an optional writing section (30 minutes long).

Format: The four sections are English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. There is only one section for each subject area, so the sections are longer with fewer breaks than the SAT. The writing section is optional on the ACT, but some schools do require this part, when submitting the ACT scores.

Scoring: Each section is scored on a scale of 1-36 (36 is the best score one can receive). Overall, there is one ACT composite score, which is an average of all four sections.

Guessing Penalty: There is no guessing penalty on the ACT meaning you lose the same amount for an incorrect answer and a question left blank.

Reporting Scores: You have the option of sending or not sending any of the test date scores to colleges. However, because of the scoring methods, you cannot combine or super score ACT scores from multiple test dates.

 Quick differences between the SAT and ACT

Science section: SAT- NO / ACT-YES

Trigonometry in math section: SAT- NO / ACT-YES

Multiple choice: SAT-mixture / ACT-ALL

Guessing penalty: SAT- YES / ACT- NO

It is also important to know that although both tests will focus on what you have picked up in high school, the ACT is more knowledge-based. Therefore, one easy way to decide which test is best for you is to look at your GPA and PSAT scores. For those who have a high GPA and low PSAT scores, the ACT may be the way to go for you. Regardless of GPA, for those who did well on the PSAT, then you might as well keep going with what worked for you!

So, in the end, how will you choose which test to take? Well luckily you don’t have to choose, because you can take both as often as needed! My advice is always to take the SAT at least once in junior year, and see how you do. If you do not feel comfortable and your scores are low, then look into the ACT option. Although the two tests are similar in some ways, as you have read there are many differences and students may perform better on one than the other. All schools will take both tests with equal validity, so find the one that best suits you and show yourself off to the colleges of your choosing!

-Mr. Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

SJU Now Test-Optional

Because Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia is a popular school around here, I thought it would be helpful to alert everyone that they are now a test-optional school, starting for students applying for fall 2014 admission. This means you are not required to send in SAT/ACT scores as part of the admissions process. This is helpful for students who do well in the classroom, but struggle on standardized testing. If you go this route, college admissions counselors will only consider your GPA, strength of schedule, extracurriculars, and the rest of your general application and essay. However, if you have solid scores, then you should go ahead and submit the scores. It is a great idea to consult with your high school counselor before deciding on going test-optional or not. Also, please visit The Test-OptionalWebsite, for all of the current colleges and universities that do not require testing scores for admissions.


Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Test-Optional Colleges

As mentioned in a much earlier post, there are many schools that are test-optional. What does this mean, you may be asking? The answer is certain colleges do not require that a student submits their testing scores (either SAT or SAT). If the student chooses not to send in their scores, then admissions will review the applicant and make a decision based on their transcript, extra-curriculars, essay, and support files (recommendations). Test-optional schools is a hot topic these days with discussions on the validity of testing in general in predicting college success, and the chances of students being accepted who do not submit scores. The first issue will takes years and years to truly understand, however, admissions consistently say that students will be reviewed equally who do or do not submit scores.

So who is the test-optional route really for? Unfortunately, if you are a student with low testing scores and a low GPA, this may not be the best way to apply. Admission counselors generally want to see a competitive GPA for students who do not send in their scores. Remember, if you do not send in your scores, then they are primarily focusing on the transcript to make their admission decision. So if you are a student with a good GPA, but you struggle on standardized testing, going test-optional may work for you.

Choosing what to do with test-optional schools can be a difficult decision, so please consult your college counselor before deciding to do this. It may be best to take this on a college by college basis, so please communicate with your counselor early enough to make an informed decision.

For a complete list of the schools that currently have the choice of going test-optional, please visit FairTest, which is a website with an up-to-date list. When you visit the site, please go to the top tab ‘University Testing’ and then click on ‘Optional List’. As always, please direct any questions towards your college counselor.


-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Thoughts about Test-Optional Schools


People often say that death and taxes are the only two things we can be sure of in our lives. Well for high school students, you can add one more to that list, and that is ‘standardized testing’. For some this is no big deal, and for others, this can be a very scary thought. There are tests to get you into high school, college, graduate school, professional schools, and tests to keep you enrolled in these schools. After that, there are tests to gain professional certificates and then to keep those certificates. As someone who was never a good test-taker, I wish tests didn't exist, but they do and we all better get used to that fact.

For high school juniors and seniors, the SATs and ACTs are a very important part of the college application process. Although some schools have started going test-optional, which means they do not consider a student’s standardized test scores for admission, there are still many questions about the effectiveness of this option. This is a very new process, and it is important for all students to research this option before applying test-optional to colleges. Please take a moment to read an article recently composed by Jennifer Karan, Executive Director of the SAT Program at the College Board, which talks about their view on test-optional schools:

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA


“Test Optional” May Not Mean What You Think It Means

Much has been made in the past few years about the ‘test-optional’ approach some colleges have taken toward admissions.  For those not familiar with the term, this means that these schools do not require students to submit a college entrance exam score.  At least, that’s what many of them would like you to think.
By making the admissions process appear a little easier or less cumbersome, higher education – and everyone else – knows students will be more likely to submit applications. To wit: in his 2009 report in The Journal of College Admission, Jonathan P. Epstein examined how dropping test requirements affects recruitment and enrollment. He said, “With colleges and universities engaged in intense competition to recruit ever more talented and diverse students… test-optional policies become alluring.”

Test-optional colleges often cite grades in core coursework and academic rigor as the most important factors on an application, and there’s no question that high school GPA is central to the admission process. What they don’t say is that the SAT actually serves as an objective validation of the factors like GPA. When test-optional colleges don’t require an entrance exam like the SAT from every student, they eliminate a fair and reliable predictor of how the applicant would perform at their institution.
Despite the label, test-optional schools still see the value in an SAT score.

College Board score-sending data indicates that 60 to 80 percent of applicants to test-optional schools still send SAT scores – and test-optional schools consider these scores when they’re received. Why?  Because students inherently understand that the SAT corroborates the other academic information on their application and colleges have seen that prove out time and again in their retention and graduation rates. 
Further, these schools often require scores to be submitted upon matriculation for course placement,  scholarship opportunities, and internal research, meaning that students who thought they didn’t need a college entrance exam end up taking one anyway, often on the fly.

As colleges work to become applicants’ dream schools, it’s important for students to remember that a seemingly easier application process – or the “alluring” path, as Epstein put it – isn’t always best.  College entrance exams provide critical information to students, parents and admission officers to help inform important decisions that will impact their future. 

By: Jennifer Karan, Executive Director SAT Program at the College Board