College Admission 101: Expert Advice for the New Challenges in Admissions, Testing, Financial Aid, and More (2022)

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EditorialRobFranek,Editor-in-ChiefDavidSoto,SeniorDirector,DataOperationsStephenKoch,SeniorManager,DataOperationsDeborahWeber,DirectorofProductionJasonUllmeyer,ProductionDesignManagerJenniferChapman,SeniorProductionArtistSelenaCoppock,DirectorofEditorialAaronRiccio,SeniorEditorMeaveShelton,SeniorEditorChrisChimera,EditorOrionMcBean,EditorPatriciaMurphy,EditorLauraRose,EditorAlexaSchmittBugler,EditorialAssistantPenguinRandomHousePublishingTeamTomRussell,VP,PublisherAlisonStoltzfus,SeniorDirector,PublishingBrettWright,SeniorEditorEmilyHoffman,AssistantManagingEditorEllenReed,ProductionManagerSuzanneLee,DesignerEugeniaLo,PublishingAssistantThePrincetonReview110East42ndSt,7thFloorNewYork,NY10017Email:editorialsupport@review.com©2022byTPREducationIPHoldings,LLC.Allrightsreserved.PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyPenguinRandomHouseLLC,NewYork,andinCanadabyRandomHouseofCanada,adivisionofPenguinRandomHouseLtd.,Toronto.Allrankings,ratings,andlistingsareintellectualpropertyofTPREducationHoldings,LLC.Norankings,ratings,listings,orotherproprietaryinformationinthisbookmayberepurposed,abridged,excerpted,combinedwithotherdata,oralteredforreproductioninanywaywithoutexpresspermissionofTPR.ISBN9780593450574EbookISBN9780593450970ThePrincetonReviewisnotaffiliatedwithPrincetonUniversity.Editors:LauraRoseandAaronRiccioProductionEditor:NinaMozesProductionArtist:DeborahWeberCoverillustrationofsky©Vicgmyr/AlamyStockVector;graduationcapsandclouds©JuanFlores/AlamyStockVectorCoverdesignbySuzanneLeea_prh_6.0_140165841_c0_r1StudyXY

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AcknowledgmentsThisbookwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthefollowingindividualsatThePrincetonReviewandbeyond:PiaAliperti,KristenO’Toole,EmmaParker,SuzannePodhurst,AaronRiccio,LauraRose,andDeborahWeber.MycontinuedthankstoourdatacollectionmastersDavidSotoandStephenKochfortheirsuccessfuleffortsinamassingandaccuratelyrepresentingthestatisticaldatathatinformspartsofthisbook.Mostofall,thankyoutomyreaders—Ihopethisbookprovesusefulinyourcollegesearches,applications,andoverallcollegeadmissionjourneys.Keepaskingthetoughquestions.Goodluck!RobertFranek

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TableofContentsAuthor'sNoteAbouttheAuthorGetMore(Free)ContentIntroductionHowhascollegeadmissionchangedsince2020?Isacollegedegreeworththeprice?Isonlineorhybridcollegelearningworththeprice?Whatisthe“best”college?Chapter1:CollegeResearchHowhascollegelifechangedsince2020?Howdo|determinethebestcollegeoruniversityforme?Howimportantarecollegerankings?Whenshould|startmycollegeresearch?Howmanyschoolsshould|applyto?Howcan|getthemostoutofacollegevisit?Howcan|researchcollegesif|can'tvisitcampus?Chapter2:StandardizedTestsWhatchangesarecomingtothePSATandSAT?HowareSATorACTtestscoresusedintheadmissionprocessandhowimportantarethey?WillcollegesseemyPSATscores?HowisthePSATusedindeterminingNationalMeritScholarships?Whatdoesitmeanwhenacollegeis“test-optional"?Should1stilltaketheACTorSATifI'mlookingattest-optionalschools?Whatcan|dotogetintoatest-optionalschool?Whichtestshould|choose:SATorACT?

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Should|takeBOTHtheSATandACT?Whenshould|taketheSATorACT?If|takeeithertestmorethanonce,whichscoreswillcollegessee?Howcan|improvemystandardizedtestscores?Whatshould|doifmySATorACTscorewasn'tgreatand|can'tgetanothertestingspot?Do|needtotakeAPexams?Whatshould|expectif|needtotakeanat-homeexam?What'sanInternationalBaccalaureate(IB)Diploma?HowdocollegeadmissionscounselorstreatanIBdiploma?Chapter3:HighSchoolTranscriptsHowdo|makeonlinelearningworkforme?Whatshould|bedoingin9thand10thgradestoprepareforthecollegeadmissionprocess?Whatshould|bedoingin11thand12thgradestoprepareforthecollegeadmissionprocess?Howwillpass/failornontraditionalgradingaffectmyadmissionchances?IsitbettertohaveaBinanhonors/APcourseoranAinaregular/easiercourse?Myschooldoesn’tpublishclassrank.Willthathurtmyapplication?Whatcarriesmoreweightonacollegeapplication:GPAortestscores?Whichelectivesshould|take?Howdocollegeadmissionofficersviewapplicationsfrompublicschoolstudentsvs.thosefromprivateschoolstudents?Howdo|addressmyhighschooldisciplinaryrecordonmyapplication?Chapter4:ExtracurricularActivitiesHowdocollegeadmissionsofficersviewextracurricularactivitieswithinanapplication?Whatshould|doifmyextracurricularactivitieswerecanceled?Whatcanstudentathletesdoiftheyaretemporarilyunabletoplaytheirsport?Doeshavingajobcarryasmuchweightasschool-relatedextracurricularactivities?Whatsortofjobs/extracurricularscan|doremotely?Chapter5:FinancialAid&ScholarshipsWhatistheFAFSA?WhatismyExpectedFamilyContribution?What'stheCSS/FinancialAidProfile?

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Whatfinancialinformationdo|needtoapplyforfinancialaidusingtheFAFSAand/ortheCSSProfile?Howdoesthefinancialaidapplicationprocessdifferfromtheadmissionprocess?Whatisinmyfinancialaidpackage?Whatisthedifferencebetweenneed-basedandmerit-basedfinancialaid?Howdo|lookforscholarships?Howdo|save/payforcollege?Ifmyfirst-choiceschool’sonlinecollegecalculatorshowsthat|can'taffordit.should|botherapplying?Whatisaneed-blindschool?Will|bepenalizedifIapplyforfinancialaid?WillcollegeslookfavorablyonmeifIdon'tapplyforfinancialaid?Can|appealmyfinancialaiddecision?Isitasmartmovetoattendatwoyear/associatesdegree-grantingschoolfirsttosavemoney?Chapter6:ApplicationWhatistheCommonApplication?ArethereotherapplicationsliketheCommonApplication?Isonebetterthananother?Whatdoadmissionofficerslookforinanapplicationessay?Howdo|writeagame-changingcollegeessay?Whenshould|starttheapplicationprocess?Should|declareamajoronmyapplicationorapplyundecided?Howimportantisoptionalorsupplementalapplicationmaterial?Isacollegeinterviewrequired?Whatshould|expect?Whoshould|asktowritemylettersofrecommendation?Chapter7:InsidetheAdmissionsOfficeWhataremychancesofgettingintomydreamschool?Howaremyapplicationmaterialsreviewed?Whoisontheadmissioncommittee?Whatisthesinglemostimportantthingadmissionofficerslookforinanapplication?WillapplyingEarlyDecisionorEarlyActiongivemealegup?Whatdoesitmeantobedeferred?Whatcan|dotoimprovemychancesofacceptance?Whatif|don'tgetacceptedtomyfirst-choiceschool?Whataremychancesofgettingoffthewaitlist?Doadmissionofficerslookatprospectivestudents’socialmediaaccounts?

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Howmuchweightdoschoolsputonintangibleslike“grit™?Chapter8:Etc.Istheadmissionprocessdifferentforinternationalstudents?Howdifficultistransferringbetweencolleges?Should|takeagapyearbeforestartingcollege?Whatif|needadditionalaccommodations(andwillrequestingthemhurtmychancesofadmission)?Howhighlyshould|weighaschool’sstanceonsocialandethicalissues?Whatimpactwillcheatershaveonmyadmissionschances?Howcanaparentparticipatemosteffectivelyintheirchild'scollegeapplicationprocess?Howdo|balanceschoolwork,extracurriculars,testprep,collegeapplications,family.sociallife,andSANITY?!Appendix

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Handsdown,whatIlovebestaboutmyjobhereatThePrincetonReviewisspendingdirect,qualitytimewithcollege-boundstudentsandtheirfamilies.Itsoundslikeacannedtalkingpoint,right?Theheadofcontentforaglobaleducationalservicescompanylikesworkingwithstudentsandtheirfamilies?But,I’mnotfibbing,notevenasyllable.Here’swhy—everydayyouteachmehowtobebetteratmyjob.Ispendmostoftheacademicyearspeakingtostudents,parents,counselors,andeducatorsalike.WhetherI'mteachingstudentsandparentsthebasicsorthemoreadvancedlessonsaroundthecollegeprocess,themostmotivatingpartofthatexchangeisalwaystheprivilegeoflisteningtoeachofyou.Here’sthelogic:ifIcanunderstandyourcollegegoalsalongwiththestuffthatstressesyou,confusesyou,andplain-oldscaresyouabouttheadmissionsprocess,thenIcancreatetherightkindsofresourcestoputyouonthepathtoachievingthosegoals.Meetingandtalkingwithyouonlyreinforcesmyoverallmissiontoassuageanxietyaroundthecollegeadmissionprocessandcreatethenextclassofinformedandfearlesscollegeseekers.Now,that’sawesome,indeed!Thelastseveralyearshavebeenmoretumultuousanduncertainthanever,butthoughtheeffectsofthecoronaviruspandemiclingeron,studentsandfacultyalikearefindingwaystopressforward.ThisbookpresentstheclearestanswersIcanprovidetothemostfrequent,savvy,andurgentquestionsthatI’vebeengetting,includingthroughourYouTubechannel:

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concernsaboutremotelearning,test-optionalschools,andchangestostandardizedtests.Ihaven’tjustbeenreachingmillionsofpeoplethisyearalonethroughTV,radio,andonlinesources:I’vebeenlistening,andIwanttogiveyouactionablenextsteps,nowmorethanever.Wonderinghowtohandleapplicationsifyourextracurricularswerecanceled?Howtogetthemostoutofacollegetourwhetheryou'reonthephysicalcampusoronline?Whichstandardizedteststotake?Havenitty-grittyquestionsaboutyourhighschoolschedule?Howaboutthefinancialaidprocess?I’vegotyoucoveredforeachofthesekeyquestions,andsomanymore.Mygoal,andoursatThePrincetonReview,istohelpyousucceedineachstepofyoureducationaljourney.ConsiderCollegeAdmission101yourprimertodojustthat.Theinformationinthisbookisup-to-dateforstudentsgraduatingin2023(andwe’vealreadygotoureyeonupcomingchangestotheSATin2024),butit’salsoausefulguideforanystudentinhighschool,parentsofhighschoolers(andevenmiddleschoolers),parentswhoattendedcollegethemselves,parentswhodidn’tattendcollege,familiesnewtotheUnitedStates,andmore.Inshort,nooneshouldeverfeelexcludedorunpreparedforthecollegesearchandapplicationprocess.FromSATscorestoscholarships,thisbookprovidesstraightforwardanswerstoquestionsaboutcollegetopicsandismeantforanyoneandeveryoneinterestedinattendingcollege.ThankstoeachofyouforputtingyourfaithinmeandourfullteamatThePrincetonReview.Iverymuchhopeyoufindthisbookagreatresourceinyourcollegeadmissionjourney.It’sbeenagenuinepleasurebringingittoyou.RobertFranek

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AbouttheAuthorRobFranek,Editor-in-ChiefatThePrincetonReview,isanationallyrecognizedexpertonhighereducationandacollegeaficionado.Hevisitsmorethan50collegesayear.Overhis28-yearcareerineducation,hehasservedasacollegeadmissionsadministrator,testprepteacher,author,andlecturer.HeisleadauthorofThePrincetonReview’sannualbook,TheBest388Colleges,aswellasTheBestValueColleges.HeisalsoauthorofCollegesThatCreateFutures:50SchoolsThatLaunchCareersbyGoingBeyondtheClassroom,andco-authorofIftheUFits:ExpertAdviceonFindingtheRightCollegeandGettingAccepted.Robgivesdozensofpresentationsayeartoaudiencesofteachers,parents,andstudentsontrendingeducationandcollegetopics.Followhistweetsat@RobFranek.

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1GotoPrincetonReview.com/guidebooksorscantheQRcodeandenterthefollowingISBNforyourbook:97805934509702AnswerafewsimplequestionstosetupanexclusivePrincetonReviewaccount.(Ifyoualreadyhaveone,youcanjustlogin.)

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3EnjoyaccesstoyourFREEcontent!Onceyou'veregistered,youcan...«Takeafull-lengthpracticeSATand/orACT«Getvaluableadviceaboutthecollegeapplicationprocess,includingtipsforwritingagreatessayandwheretoapplyforfinancialaid«|fyou'restillchoosingbetweencolleges,useoursearchablerankingsofTheBest388Collegestofindoutmoreinformationaboutyourdreamschool«AccesstheIndextothisbookandavarietyofprintableresourcesincluding:ahighschooltestingcalendarandcollegeprepchecklists

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*ChecktoseeiftherehavebeenanycorrectionsorupdatestothiseditionNeedtoreportapotentialcontentissue?ContactEditorialSupport@review.comandinclude:«fulltitleofthebook*ISBN*pagenumberNeedtoreportatechnicalissue?ContactTPRStudentTech@review.comandprovide:oyourfullname«emailaddressusedtoregisterthebook«fullbooktitleandISBN*Operatingsystem(Mac/PC)andbrowser(Chrome,Firefox,Safari,etc.)

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Students,youfaceacollegeadmissionslandscapeunlikeanybefore.TheongoingCOVID-19pandemichasradicallyupendedtheadmissionsprocess.You'llfacenewchallengesineverythingfromstandardizedtestingandgradestoextracurricularsandcollegevisits.TheaimofthisbookistohelpyounavigatethecollegeadmissionprocessandanswertheessentialapplicationquestionsthathighschoolstudentsandparentsaskmeaboutontheofficialThePrincetonReviewYouTubechannel,atcollege-boundeventsandwebinars,andthatourowncollegeadmissionexpertshearfromclients.BeforeIgetintothenitty-grittydetailsofthecollegeadmissionprocess,however,Iwanttoaddressthebigpicture.

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Howhascollegeadmissionchangedsince2020?I'dlovetotellyoudifferently,butplanning,applying,andpayingforcollegehasalwaysbeenanarduousandanxiety-inducingprocess.Thathasn’treallychanged.Electronicoptions,someofwhichwereacceleratedduetotheneedforquarantine,havecertainlymadepartsoftheapplicationprocessmoreconvenient.Whencampusesclosedtoprotectcurrentandprospectivestudentsbysocialdistancing,collegespresentedbettervirtualtouroptions.Morenotably,theactualadmissionlandscapehasshiftedandcontinuestodoso.Applicationsareevaluatedinanincreasinglyholisticfashion,andwherestudentsapplyisalsochanging.Forinstance,formedicalandfinancialreasons,anincreasingnumberofstudentshavelookedtostayclosetohome,whichcanhaveanimpactonthenumberofapplicationsreceivedbycityandstatecolleges.Theextracurricularsandjobopportunitiesavailabletostudentshavealsoshifted,andtheseismicsocietalshiftsofthelastfewyearsmayhaveimpactedGPAs,especiallyifpass/failgradingwasimplemented.Butjustasyouhaveadaptedsohavecolleges.Asearlyasthesummerof2020,admissionleaders—includingsignatoriesfromalltheIvyLeagueschools—hadalreadyissuedthe“CareCountsinCrisis”!responsetoCOVIDthatclarifiedwhattheyexpectedofstudents:“Asadmissionandenrollmentleaders,werecognizethatweandtheinstitutionswerepresentsendsignalsthatcanshapestudents’prioritiesand

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experiencesthroughouthighschool.ThiscollectivestatementseekstoclarifywhatwevalueinapplicantsduringthistimeofCOVID-19.Wearekeenlyawarethatstudentsacrossthecountryandtheworldareexperiencingmanyuncertaintiesandchallenges.Weprimarilywishtounderscoreourcommitmenttoequityandtoencourageinstudent’sself-care,balance,meaningfullearning,andcareforothers.”Folks,theveryfirstiteminthedocumentisassurancethatyourapplicationwillbeassessedwithinthecontextoftheobstaclesandchallengesyouhavefacedduringthepandemic.That’sgoodnewsandsoisthenextpart:theemphasisonself-careandbalanceforstudents.Theseadmissionsleaderswantyoutoknowthatyouwillnotbedisadvantagedbecauseyourschoolmovedtopass/failinplaceoflettergradesorcanceledyourextracurriculars,orbecauseyouconfrontednewresponsibilitiesathome,orhadlimitedaccesstostandardizedtestsandcampusvisits.Youwillbeviewedinthecontextofthecurriculum,academicresources,andsupportsavailabletoyou.Notconvinced?BoththeCommonApplicationandtheCoalitionforCollegeapplicationprovideopportunitiesforstudentstodescribeexactlyhowtheyhavebeenimpactedbythepandemic.Youarealsoencouragedtocommunicatetocollegesanyfactorsthatmayhaveaffectedyouracademicperformance,likecaringforasickrelative,workingtosupplementyourfamilyincome,orhavingnoquietplacetostudy.Howwillthatplayoutforyourcollegeadmissions?Let’stakeaquicklookatthefactorsthataffectyourfuturecollegeadmissionschances,withanemphasisonwhat’schangedandwhatremainsthesame.Believeme,we’llgointomuchmoredetailforeachtopic—oftenanentirechapter’sworth—throughouttherestofthisbook.HighSchoolGPA

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Forbetterandworse,yourhighschoolGPAremainsthemostimportantfactorincollegeadmissiondecisions.Thatsaid,it’streatedincreasinglylessasjustanumber.YouradvisorsworktirelesslytoprovidemeaningfuldataaboutyourhighschoolthathelpstocontextualizewhatthatGPArepresents.Itaccountsfortectonicshiftsattheclassroomlevel—shiftstohybridlearning,forexample,orpass/failgrading—aswellasabsencesfromstudentsandteachersalike.YoushouldtreatyourGPAthesameway—assomethingthathelpstoexplainyourjourney,butdoesn’tdefineit.Ifyourgradesaren’twhereyouwantthemtobe,itistoyouradvantagetotellthatstory.StandardizedTestsTherearefewertestsavailablenowthaneverbefore,sinceSATSubjectTestshavebeenphasedout.Thewayinwhichtheyareadministeredalsocontinuestoshift,whetherbynecessity,aswhensometestsliketheAPweretemporarilygivenremotelyandonline,orbyintent,aswiththecurrentplanstomaketheSATacomputer-adaptivetestby2024.Theirimpactstillcannotbeundersold,especiallywhenitcomestohowvaluabletheycanbeinmeritingfinancialaidorhelpingtodistinguishyoufromotherapplicants.Butifyouwereunabletotakethesetests,ordidn’tgettheresultsyouwereaimingfor,allisnotlost.Somecollegeshave,temporarilyorpermanently,adoptedmeasuresthatrelaxtheirapplicationrequirements,focusinginsteadonastudent’shighschoolexperience.(SeewhyIsaidtheGPAwasthemostimportantfactor?)Ultimately,ifyoucantaketheSAT,ACT,orboth,youshould;theygiveyouonemoreopportunitytoshine.ExtracurricularActivitiesCollegeshaverecalibratedhowtheyassesstheactivitiesthatstudentsbringtothetablebecauseformany,theircircumstancesdidchange.(Forinstance,evenifyoustillmetwithyourModelUnitedNationsteam,you

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mightnothavetraveledtowidercompetitionswiththem;ifyou’reanactororathlete,youmighthavehadfewerchancestotaketothestageorfield.)Takeheart:schoolswon’tpenalizeyoufornotavailingyourselfofanopportunitythatdidn’texist.Thatsaid,youalwayswanttobeabletoshowthatyou’redoingsomething,sothinkcreativelyabouthowtokeepyourselfbusy.HonorsandAwardsCollegesusuallyconsiderawardsandhonorsinmakingadmissiondecisions.Iknowmanyofyouaredeservingofawardsandhonorsbutaremissingoutbecauseprogramsare(orwere)temporarilyputonhold.Again,don’tworry.Collegestrulyunderstand.CollegeEssaysFriends,thisisoneareaofyourapplicationoverwhichyouhavefullcontrol.Yourcollegeessaysaremoreimportantthanever!Takeextracaretomakeanoutline,write,edit,andtheneditsomemore.Thinkaboutwhatmakesyou,you.Youmayopttowriteabouthowthepandemicaffectedyou,butkeepinmindthatalotofotherstudentsarelikelytochoosethattopic,aswell.Makesurethatwhateveryouwriteaboutrevealssomethingaboutwhoyouareandwhatyouvalue.CollegeInterviewsManycollegesencourageyoutointerviewwithanadmissionsrepresentativeoralumnusaspartofthecollegeapplicationprocess.It’sanotherchancetoshowofftheuniquepersonalitytraitsthatyou’llbringtocollegeandbuildapersonalrelationshipwithadmissionsgatekeepers.ManycollegeinterviewswerealreadytakingplaceoverSkypeorZoom,whichmeansthatyou'relikelyreadierthanevertoaceyourvideointerview.RecommendationLetters+Studyxy

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Recommendationlettershaven’tchangedalot.Yourteacherswanttoseeyousucceed,andtheycanstillhelpyoustandapartbysingingyourpraisesandhelpingtodevelopthepictureofwhoyouareasaperson.You'lllearnmoreabouthowtomaintainrelationshipswithyourteachersbymakingremotelearningworkforyouinChapter3.DemonstratedInterestFinally,collegestakeintoaccountyourdemonstratedinterest—allthethingsyou’vedonetoshowthatyou'reagoodfitfortheirschoolandthatyou’dbelikelytoattendifyouareaccepted.Youmaynotbeabletovisitinperson,butyoucantakeanonlinetour.Youcancombthroughtheschoolwebsite.Youcantalktooremailcurrentstudents.Conveyyoursincereinterestinyourapplicationandanycommunicationyouhavewithmembersoftheadmissionteam.Schoolsaredealingwithalotofupheaval,too,soyou’relikelytohaveanadvantageintheprocessiftheyknowthatyou'reaskeenonthemastheyareonyou.Thebottomlineisthatlotsofcolleges—especiallythosethattendtodrawstudentsfromacrossthecountryandtheworld—aredealingwithtremendousuncertainty,justlikeyou.TheyaremakingHerculeaneffortstobefairandarenotpenalizingstudentsforcircumstancesbeyondtheircontrol.Stayfocused,myfriends!Keepupwithyourstudies,staysharpwithyourskills,andremainoptimisticforthefuture.Next,Iwanttoaddresstwoquestionsthattendtoappearonop-edpageseachfall.

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Isacollegedegreeworththeprice?Thecostofafour-yeardegreehasbeenincreasingfasterthaninflationforover30years.Ninety-eightpercentofparticipantsinour“CollegeHopesandWorries”surveyreportedthatfinancialaidwillbenecessarytopayforcollegein2021.Atmanyinstitutions,financialaidincludesloans—sograduatesoftenenteranuncertainjobmarketalreadyloadedwithdebt.Withthatinmind,iscollegereallythepathtoprofessionalsuccessandfinancialstability?Isacollegedegreeworththecostoftuition?Myanswerisanemphatic“yes!”Ofcourse,I’mbiased—I’veworkedinandaroundcollegeadmissionsforover25years.Ihaveseenfirsthandhowyoungpeopleusethetoolsandexperiencestheyacquireincollegesanduniversitiestoachievetheirpersonalandprofessionalgoals.Fortunately,thereisplentyofdatatoconfirmmyanecdotalobservations.In2020,adultswithabachelor’sdegreesawsignificantlyhighermedianearningsandalowerunemploymentratethanthosewithonlyahighschooldiploma.EducationUnemploymentrateMedianweeklyattainedearningsProfessional1.6%3.1%$1,893degrees1.505Bachelor's2.2%5.5%$1,305

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degreeHighschool3.7%9.0%$781diplomaonlyNote:Dataisforpersonsage25andover.Earningsareforfull-timewageandsalaryworkers.Unemploymentrateswerehigherin2020thanin2019atalleducationlevelsduetothepandemic.Source:U.S.BureauofLaborStatisticsInfact,theCenteronEducationandtheWorkforceatGeorgetownUniversitycalculatesthatabachelor’sdegreeitselfisworth$2.8milliononaverageoveralifetime,andbachelor’sdegreeholdersearn75percentmorethanthosewithahighschooldiplomaalone.2AccordingtotheCollegeBoard’s2019report“EducationPays,”individualswithacollegeeducationaremorelikelyto:eParticipateinretirementplansofferedbytheiremployers¢Receivehealthinsurancethroughtheiremployers*VoteinelectionsThesearemerelythequantifiablegains—you’llhavemany,manyvaluableexperiencesoncampusorasadirectresultofyourcollegeexperience.(Iwroteaboutsuchexperiencesinanotherbook,CollegesThatCreateFutures:50SchoolsThatLaunchCareersbyGoingBeyondtheClassroom.)+StudyXy

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Isonlineorhybridcollegelearningworththeprice?Inanutshell,YES.I’mheretotellyouthatnotonlyareonlineandhybridlearningincollegeworththepricebuttherearealsoextrabenefitstothem.You'llhavemoredirectinteractionswithfaculty,whoareincorporatinginteractivefeaturesthatmakeclassesfeellesslikealectureandmorelikeaconversation.Oddsareyourclassmaterialswillbepresentedinbite-sizedpiecesthatworkbetterwiththeaveragestudent’sattentionspanandarecoupledwithopportunitiestoaskandanswerquestionsandrespondwithvideooraudioassignments.Onlineprogramsalsotendtobemoreflexiblewithsynchronous(live)andasynchronous(pre-recorded)formatsthatallowyoutostudyonyourownschedule.Videoconferencingtoolscanevenhelpyoustaybetterconnectedwithyourfellowclassmates.Andhybridlearning(acombinationofface-to-faceandonlineinstruction)cangiveyouthebestofbothworlds.Hybridlearninggivesyouallthebenefitsmentionedabove,alongwiththeopportunitytoexperiencecampuslifeandattendsomein-personclasses.AccordingtoTimothyWhite,thechancellorofCaliforniaStateUniversity,thenation’slargestpublicuniversitysystem,therearecareerbenefitstoonlinework,too:“That’sactuallysortoffieldtrainingforthefutureworkforce,becausewhen[students]graduate,chancesaregoingtobeincreasingeverydaythattheywillbeworkinginavirtualspaceinthefuture.”2

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Since2020,mostcollegesanduniversitieshavebecomeveryresponsivetoourever-changingenvironmentandstudents’educationalneeds.Theyhaveadaptedtoimplementonlineandhybridlearning,includingutilizingnewtechnologyandteachingmethods.Thischangingofthetraditionallearningmodelhashadsomeunexpectedandpositivebenefitsforyou,thestudent.Younowhavemoreflexibilitywithyourtimeandcommitmentsandmorechoiceinthewaythatyoulearn,andsinceeveryonelearnsdifferently,thisisagreatthing!JuliaThom-Levy,viceprovostforacademicinnovationatCornellUniversity,stated,“Wearecomingoutofthepandemicwithanevenstrongercommitmenttothevalueofin-personinstructionasanessentialcomponenttoourresidentialacademicprogramsbutthatwealsohaveabiggertoolboxofsuccessfulteachingmethodsavailabletousnow.Teacherswanttousethebestofbothgoingforwardandwilllikelyblendin-personinstructionwithdigitaltoolsthatcanengagestudentsinandoutoftheclassroom.”#Therearestillmanyunknownsastowhatcollegelifewillbelikeinthefuture,buthere’swhatIdoknow:Ifthere’saschoolyouwanttoattendandyouhavetheopportunitytogo,thengo!Goevenif“going”meansputtingonheadphonesandtalkingtoyourcomputercamera(fornow).Goevenifitmeansdeferringyouracceptanceandtakingclassesatalocalcommunitycollegeordoingremoteworkandthengoingin-personinayear.(IgiveplentyofadviceontakingagapyearinChapter8).Butmakeplanstopursueyourdreams—inwhateverwayfeelsrightforyouandyourfamily.Ifyou,likeme,acceptthepremisethatacollegedegreeismostdefinitelyworththecostoftuition,thenthatbringsustotheotherbigquestionthatsomanystudents,parents,andmediacommentatorsgrapplewith.

College Admission 101: Expert Advice for the New Challenges in Admissions, Testing, Financial Aid, and More (2022) - Page 26 preview image

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Whatisthe“best”college?Thereisn’tone.Itmightseemsillytoincludeaquestioninthisbookthathasnoanswer,butthisisanimportantpointthatwillhelpputyourwholecollegeadmissionjourneyintoperspective.Iunderstandwhyfolksask.Giventheawesomelifetimebenefitsweknowastudentcanobtainwithacollegedegree,it’scommontomakeacorrelativeleap:themoreprestigiousthealmamater,thegreatertherewardsforthegraduate.Butit’simportanttorememberthatprestigeandreputation—whichareoftenmajorfactorsincollegerankingmethodologies—tendtobemeasuredwithonedatapoint:acollegeoruniversity’sselectivity.Accordingtoour2021CollegeHopesandWorriessurvey,HarvardCollegewastheschoolstudentsmostnamedastheir“dream”collegeandStanfordUniversitywastheschoolparentrespondentsmostnamedastheir“dream”collegefortheirchild.BothHarvardandStanfordenjoyanexcellentreputation,provideworld-classresources,andfeatureanimpressiverosterofalumni.Wedon’tneedtorelyonoursurveyresultstoknowtheyarehighlydesirableschools—in2021,over57,000studentsappliedforadmissiontoHarvard,andmorethan55,000appliedtoStanford.Harvardacceptedjust3%oftheapplicantpoolandStanfordacceptedonly4%.Aretheroughly55,000studentswhoappliedtoHarvardandtheapproximately53,000studentswhoappliedtoStanfordanddidnotgetindoomedtofailure?

College Admission 101: Expert Advice for the New Challenges in Admissions, Testing, Financial Aid, and More (2022) - Page 27 preview image

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Ofcoursenot!Andthereinliesthefatalflawinthemythof“thebestcollege.”Theremaynotbeasinglebestoverallcollege,butthereareabsolutelyschoolsthatarethebestforeachandeveryoneofthoseapplicants,andthere’sabestschoolforyououttheretoo.Don’tletthisassumptioncreateanenormousamountofanxietyforyouandyourparentsbycreatingtheimpressionthatthechoicesmadeinhighschooldetermine,orlimit,allfutureopportunities.Youdonothavetoattendahighlyselectiveschoolinordertopursueameaningfulandlucrativecareer.SalariesandJobSatisfaction*DatafromPayScale.comCollegeSalaryReport2021.HighJobMeaningreferstothepercentageofrespondentswhoanswered“verymuchso”or“yes”tothequestion,“Doesyourworkmaketheworldabetterplace?”+StudyXxy

College Admission 101: Expert Advice for the New Challenges in Admissions, Testing, Financial Aid, and More (2022) - Page 28 preview image

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**DatareportedtoThePrincetonReviewbytheschoolfromfall2020throughspring2021Whiletheschoolsinthistablevaryintheirselectivity,thereislessvariationamongstthenumberofgraduatestheyproducethatgoontofindenjoyable,well-paidopportunitiesintheworkforce.Moreover,youarenotastatistic,sodon'tletnumbersoracceptanceratesbetheonlyfactorwhenchoosingtheschoolthatisrightforyou.Theroadtocollegeislong,andstudentsandtheirsupporterswanttobesuretheirhardworkwillpayoffwithadegreeandexperiencethatpavethewaytoasuccessfulcareer.Butaftertwenty-eightyearsinthisbusiness,Icanassureyouthatcollegeandcareerpreparenotone-size-fits-all—thereareover3,000four-yearcollegesintheUnitedStates.Thoughtfulresearchandreflectionwillhelpyoufindtheschoolsthatfityoubest.ThePrincetonReviewproducesanumberofbooksthatcanhelpyounarrowdownthechoices,includingTheBestValueCollegesandTheBest388Colleges.Applyingtoschoolsthatlineupwithyourgoalsandinterestsalsohelpsyourchancesofgainingacceptance.Youwilllikelybeaskedwhyyouwanttoattendaparticularschoolinasupplementalessayorinterview,and“Becauseyou'rethebest!”won’tcutit.Ifyouidentifythespecificopportunitiesoncampusthatareexcitingtoyou,thatenthusiasmwillcomethroughonyourapplication.Admissionsofficersarelookingforstudentswhowillbeactiveparticipantsintheircollegecommunity.Nowthatwe’vedispensedwiththe“bestcollege”myth,Ihaveplentytosharewithyouabouthowtosetyourselfupforsuccessinhighschool,maximizeyourSATandACTscores,findthecollegesanduniversitiesthatwillfityoubest,andcraftcompetitiveapplications.

College Admission 101: Expert Advice for the New Challenges in Admissions, Testing, Financial Aid, and More (2022) - Page 29 preview image

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SurveySaysWhat'sthebiggestbenefitofcollege?43%saythepotentiallybetterjobandhigherincome32%saytheexposuretonewideas25%saytheeducation*ResultsofThePrincetonReview'sCollegeHopes&WorriesSurveyofcollegeapplicantsandparentsofcollegeapplicants.PrincetonReview.com/college-rankings/college-hopes-worriesSkipNOTES1https://mcc.gse.harvard.edu/resources-for-colleges/endorse-care-counts-in-crisis-college-admissions-deans-respond-to-covid-192https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/collegepayoff2021/#resources3https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/06/22/coronavirus-reopening-college-fall-2020/3210719001/4https://www.usnews.com/education/articles/hybrid-classes-in-college-what-to-know+StudyXy

College Admission 101: Expert Advice for the New Challenges in Admissions, Testing, Financial Aid, and More (2022) - Page 30 preview image

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College Admission 101: Expert Advice for the New Challenges in Admissions, Testing, Financial Aid, and More (2022) - Page 31 preview image

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CHAPTER1CollegeResearchOnThePrincetonReview'sannualCollegeHopes&Worriessurvey,weasknearly14,000highschoolstudentsandtheirparentstoanswerasimplequestion:Whatwouldbeyourdreamcollegeifacademicadmissionandcostweren'tfactors?Let'stakeaganderatthemostrecentresults,shallwe?TOP10DREAMSCHOOLSStudentPicksParentPicks1.HarvardCollege1.StanfordUniversity2.StanfordUniversity2.HarvardCollege3.NewYorkUniversity3.PrincetonUniversity4.ColumbiaUniversity4.MassachusettsInstitute5.UniversityofCaliforniaofTechnology—LosAngeles5.YaleUniversity6.PrincetonUniversity6.Universityof7.MassachusettsInstitutePennsylvaniaofTechnology7.UniversityofCalifornia8.UniversityofTexas——LosAngelesAustin8.NewYorkUniversity9.Universityof9.ColumbiaUniversityPennsylvania

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