Yield Information


   As many seniors may still be waiting to hear from their schools where they have been placed on the waitlist, and other underclassmen are researching the competitiveness of various colleges, please take a look at the latest yield and waitlist information presented on THECHOICE BLOG. For those who do not know, the yield is the amount of accepted students who have decided to make that college their home. Yield is a very important figure for college admissions, as it shows the competitiveness and the true desire for students to attend the college. The amount of students who apply is great, but the number of students who actually attend once accepted is a true indicator of the popularity and selectiveness of the college. So basically, the higher percentage of yield the better! There is also information on the waitlist numbers for colleges, which schools will be taking students off of the waitlist, and how many students they plan on taking off. Enjoy the article and continued good luck with the college search process!


-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

More College Reviews!

Kenyon College





1,700 students-SAT: 1865-2135-Total COA $53,000

-Nationally renowned English and writing program
-Top-notch science program, and a variety of languages offered, including Arabic
-Open-curriculum (no core curriculum requirements)
-Ideal school for self-directed learners
-Big draw of students from both New York and California
-One of the best D-3 swimming programs in the country with beautiful facilities
-37% acceptance rate
-Need aware for about 10% of applicants during admission process
-Close to 100% acceptance rate for law school
-Students with GPA of 3.5 or higher, have a 93% acceptance rate to medical school

Counselor thoughts: Situated in Gambier, OH, the surrounding environment of Kenyon College is a quiet and quaint village that has accepted Kenyon with open arms. The campus is picturesque, with traditional academic buildings, and modern athletic facilities, the school is set on what seems to be endless lawns. It’s a good thing the campus is so beautiful, because the majority of students stay on campus for most of their days and nights while attending Kenyon College. With a small student body, and dedicated faculty, the personal attention is ever-apparent. Students interested in writing programs should certainly have this school on their list, as long as they are comfortable with a very small-town feel!

Baldwin Wallace University



3,700 students-SAT: 1445-1790-Total COA $35,000

-Houses a variety of majors, but most known for its nationally ranked music and theatre conservatory
-Geographically and racially diverse
-#1 neuroscience program in the country
-All students have an internship or research experience before graduating
-Test-optional school (no SAT/ACT required for admission)
-30% minority
-Houses a music therapy major
-20 minutes from downtown Cleveland
-Must be admitted to University, then audition for conservatory
-Big programs in athletic training, exercise science, and health and physical education. Many students are able to intern with Cleveland Browns.
-‘3-2’ program for engineering. Complete first 3 years at BWU, then finish 2 years at Case Western University or COLUMBIA.
-4 different courses in ‘problem solving’

Counselor thoughts: This is a unique school that obviously prides itself on educating students on how to think, not just ‘do’. With many interactive classes from physics to athletic training, students are constantly part of the action, and not just being talked at all-day. To be honest, this school does not have great curb appeal, being situated on a main road with numerous connecting buildings, but it’s truly what is on the inside that makes it special. The conservatory is one of the best you will find, and the neuroscience and athletic training/education programs are second to none.  Walking through campus, and sitting in on classes, I got a feeling that students owned their experience there and took advantage of all of their opportunities. If any of their big 3 programs interest you, do yourself a favor, and take a look at Baldwin Wallace University.

Denison University



2,275 students-SAT: 1775-2060- Total COA: $50,000

-Admissions looking for students serious about academics and have taken a rigorous course schedule
-Test optional school (students should have a 3.5/89 GPA or higher if they go this route)
-70% of students are from out-of-state
-Top 100 in endowments in country
-Liberal Arts college-No engineering and no business program
-35% in Greek life and 35% in Athletics
-Arabic program


Counselor thoughts:  I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Denison University. The school lies on an absolutely stunning campus, with amazing athletic and academic facilities. Students looking to study one specific field, especially business and engineering, Denison will not be the right choice. Denison has a strong philosophy of forming an all-around educated individual. Students will take a variety of courses in the liberal arts and sciences. Do not fear though, students are more than prepared for the workplace, as Denison does a superb job helping their students find internships and jobs out of college.  

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Macaulay Honors Available for Some Non-New York Residents


Macaulay Honors programs are available for out-of-state residents, who go to high school in New York state. That means Xavier students who live out of state can apply to the Macaulay Honors program. For those who do not know about this program, it is a very selective program that allows students to attend any of the City Universities of New York (CUNY) free of charge. In addition to this, accepted students can apply for a $7,500 opportunities fund that can be used in a variety of programs in NYC and around the globe. Macaulay Honors is obviously very competitive, with most of the students accepted, being near the top of their graduating class. For more information please contact your college counselor and visit Macaulay Website


Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Bentley U Review


I recently visited Bentley University and was thoroughly impressed. Bentley University is a private, medium sized (4,000 undergrads) business school, situated just 10 miles outside of Boston, in the suburb of Waltham, MA. The school is set on a beautiful, spacious campus, with tons of outdoor space and top-notch facilities. Although Bentley is a business college, up to 50% of students’ classes are in the liberal arts and sciences, giving students a very well-rounded education as they enter the working world. I was extremely impressed with the curriculum, technology, and culture of Bentley University. The faculty and student body seemed very ambitious and hardworking, and it was clear that everyone there was getting the most of a quality education.

 Below are some facts and pictures of Bentley University. As always, feel free to contact your college counselor with any questions!

-          15 minutes from downtown Boston

-          4 most popular majors: Marketing, finance, accounting, management

-          90% of students partake in at least 1 internship (60% have at least 2)

-          Bentley is partners with many corporations who work with Bentley students on real world products

-          At beginning of freshmen year, all students take a ‘career prep’ course, where they receive their own personalized 4-year plan

-          With 95% of graduates reporting, 98% of last year’s graduates were placed with a job or enrolled in graduate school within 6 months

-          95% retention rate from freshmen to sophomore year

-          Small class sizes, usually maxing out at 27

-          First school to ever mandate lab top use for students (1985)

-          Recently won award for having the most high-tech campus in country

-          All classrooms are ‘smart’ classrooms and they have state of the art library

-          Top trading room in country

-          Law as a minor

-          Cross college applications: BC, BU, Northeastern, Fordham, Babson, Villanova 








Cleveland-Area College Tour


A few weeks ago, the Xavier college counseling department traveled to the Cleveland area and visited 11 colleges and universities. It was a great trip, which allowed us to get a good feel for schools I have never been to before. I thought it would be great to put down some notes and observations from each of these schools. Take a look, and if any seem interesting, I urge you to investigate them further! Over the next few days, I will write about a few of the schools and I will put the location of each school, the size of each school, the middle 50% for the SAT’s (average scores for acceptance), and a few facts. Enjoy!

John Carroll University: University Heights, OH
3,000 students-SAT: 1460-1790-Total COA $44,520:



-40% of graduates come out with more than one major
-Maximum class size is 29
-D3 Sports, 13% of students involved in Greek Life, and 20% of students commute from home
-Most families only pay between $10,000-$15,000 out of pocket
-Last year, out of 370 Jesuit High School Students that applied, 320 were accepted

Counselor thoughts: JCU seems like it would be a good fit for many of our students. It had a great community feel, and everyone there is available to help students succeed. JCU had a gorgeous campus, with a vibrant student life atmosphere. A quiet neighborhood surrounds the campus, but the school is less than 30 minutes from downtown Cleveland.


Hiram College: Hiram, OH
1,400 students-SAT: 1340-1790-Total COA $40,000



-Although founded in 1850 by the Disciples of Christ, Hiram is a not a Catholic institution
-40% of students are 1st generation college students
-Average class size is 16
-They have 2 (15) week semesters. 12 weeks are traditional classes with finals, and then 3 weeks of specialty work of the student choosing, such as internships or study abroad.
-Tuition guarantee, so whatever you pay as a freshmen, that price will not increase
-Strong sciences and management programs, and a solid pre-nursing program

Counselor thoughts: With 60% of the students hailing from Ohio, it may be tough for our students to find this school a good fit. However, it is obvious the faculty cares deeply about the success of their students, and if a student is looking for a close-knit community with the ability to be very active on campus, it may be worth checking out this small college.


Case Western Reserve University
4,300 students- SAT: 1865-2165-Total COA $50,000



-Top notch nursing and engineering programs
-“Single-door admissions”-accepted into CWRU, student can enroll in any major
-Nursing program starts right away, giving student clinical hours early on. Students finish with nearly 16,000 clinical hours (near double the national average)
-Engineering program is not a traditional curriculum, looking ahead for new way of engineering, and wants students who can think ahead, think critically, and have good oral and written communication
-School has its own Think Box with a 3D printer
-Professional atmosphere throughout college/campus
-Utilizes ‘University Circle’, which has been named one of America’s best college areas with beautiful surroundings, and numerous museums, hospitals, and music venues, where students can gain free admission.

Counselor thoughts: CWRU is a top-notch institution, and any student thinking about engineering, nursing, or even business should consider this school. They have access to incredible facilities, and students are pushed to perform at high levels. Situated in a beautiful and active part of Cleveland, there is always something going on to keep students busy…when they aren’t studying.

The College of Wooster
2,000 students-SAT: 1640-1985-Total COA $48,000



-Nationally recognized as the top school in undergraduate research and senior capstone. Each student does one full year of research with 1 professor.
-City of Wooster is a growing, safe, culturally diverse and has a vibrant downtown
-1/3 of students participate on Varsity sports
-Study abroad very popular and school has its own entrepreneurship center
-11:1 student to teacher ratio and zero teacher assistants

Counselor thoughts: Wooster is a fabulous college. The students there are very serious academically, but it does not seem overly competitive. Students looking for personal attention, and a chance to research and explore an area of interest, should seriously consider this school. 

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Waitlist Tips


Waiting on the waitlist is never a fun time during the college application season. Students have worked so hard, and have already waited so long for a decision, just to hear that…they have to wait a little longer. However, if you have been put on the waitlist at your dream school, it is not the worse news in the world, as it is better than being straight-up denied. There are a few important things you should know about the waitlist, also known as the purgatory of college admissions…

1) Put a deposit elsewhere! You will not hear back from the waitlist until after May 1st, as this is national deposit day. Schools will see what percentage of the students they have accepted will be attending their school. If the number reaches their goal freshmen enrollment, schools will not go to their waitlist. However, if they are low, they will move to their waitlist and start notifying students they have now been accepted. Unfortunately, since this is after May 1st, the student must put a deposit elsewhere, to ensure he will be attending college somewhere!

2) Even if you put a deposit elsewhere, you can still attend the school you were waitlisted at, if you are pulled from the list. Most deposits are non-refundable, so you will lose out on the $500 deposit, but if that is your dream school, and you are chosen from the waitlist, you can still attend.  

3) If schools ask you to complete various assignments to be placed on the waitlist, do them! Some schools will just ask for a yes or no if you want to be placed on the waitlist, but others will ask for additional writing samples, updated grades/scores, and even interviews. This is their opportunity to filter the students that are serious about attending their school from the not-so-serious.

4) Do not put all of your time, energy, and sanity into the school(s) you were waitlisted at. Chances are there are plenty of other fabulous schools that have accepted you, and want you to be a part of their incoming freshmen class. Focus on those schools and see which one is the best fit for you. If you come off the waitlist, great, but chances are you will not. Do not put yourself through the agony of checking your virtual mailbox every day to see if you have been chosen. Begin moving on and focus on the positives!

5) Do not pester the admissions office for an answer! A great way to get pushed to the bottom of the waitlist is to call the admissions office for a daily update. If you have followed their instructions, they know you still want to attend their school. It will depend on the numbers that year for who will get pulled off the list. Calling them to investigate the process will not give you an advantage!

6) Let your counselor know if this is still your number one school. Your college counselors have relationships with colleges, and we would be happy to contact them on your behalf. We can give them support for your acceptance and talk to them about all of your positive qualities. Just let us know, and we will try our best to help!

-Joe Korfmacher, MA

College Visit Questions to Ask


College visit season should be kicking off now for most juniors. Colleges are in session for only 2 more months, and it is best to visit while students are still on campus. As I have mentioned before, college visits (if possible) are one of the most important parts on the entire search process. Student cannot duplicate the experience of walking the campus, sitting in classrooms, eating the cafeteria food, and much more other than actually making the trip to potential colleges and universities. Most people would never think about buying a car without seeing it, taking it for a test drive, and asking the dealership questions. So if you wouldn't do this with a car, why would you even think about doing it with a college?

So it is obviously very important to see the schools first-hand, but make sure you have questions ready to go for admissions counselors, professors, and students…yes even current students! One of the best things you can do while visiting a school is to walk up to a random student and ask them about their school. Most students are happy to talk about their college, and those who aren't may be just as important, as it could be a bad sign about that school.

With all of this said, take a look at the following sample of questions you may want to ask when visiting a school:
·         What is the freshmen-sophomore retention rate?
·         What is the on-time graduation rate?
·         What is the job placement/graduate school admission percentage?
·         If applicable, what percent of student who apply, are accepted into medical school?
·         What percent of financial need is met for students?
·         Is housing guaranteed for all four years?
·         What percent of students commute?
·         Do you have campus police/patrol?
·         How is the food selection? How are the living quarters?
·         Is there a core curriculum? If so, what is it?
·         Do you have study abroad opportunities?
·         What do students do on the weekend?
·         What tutoring opportunities does your school offer?
·         What is the student to professor ratio?
·         Could you tell me some features of the school that makes it unique?
·         What percent of students are accepted from Early Action/ Early Decision?


-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA