UniVarsity Update
Tips for the College Admission Process

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SENIORS

JUNIORS

SOPHOMORES

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Issue: #55

November 2015

Congratulations to UniVarsity seniors who already have college acceptances for next fall! Adding to the schools we reported last month (University of Alabama and Arizona State) students have been accepted to to University of Oregon, University of Portland , and Loyola Chicago University. Many students have worked diligently to meet Nov. 1 Early Action deadlines. In total, UniVarsity students have submitted applications to 55 individual colleges so far.

University of Oregon

Loyola Chicago

University of Portland

Paying for college is a concern of most families. This New York Times article, Why It Makes Good Sense to Save for College Now, gives a good overview of why it is important to save for college.

This month we will continue our grade-level updates and answer frequently asked questions.

SENIORS - WHAT TO DO IN NOVEMBER

Seniors should be well into the application process possibly having some applications already sent in. This is a time to pay very close attention to details and dates. Many schools have an Early Action date (often in early November) that, although not binding, allows seniors to receive their admissions decision in December or early January. Every year, we love getting calls in the fall from seniors who already have an acceptance letter.

We know this can be a stressful time for seniors. There can be a lot of guesswork involved which adds to the anxiety. Here's a link to a new blog from Slate called "Getting In" that answers some common questions. Two topics of interest covered in this episode are full-ride scholarships and do students from high-achieving high schools compete with each other for acceptance to elite schools.

If the college application process has been stressful for your family, UniVarsity can help! We use proven methods to help students reach their goals and make the whole process less stressful.

JUNIORS - WHAT TO DO IN NOVEMBER

Junior year is critical for all students. Grades in college prep classes are the number one factor in determining admission. For athletes, coaches evaluate grades and test scores before they even consider athletic ability. We can't emphasize enough that better grades give students more choices.

Junior year is also when most students take the ACT or SAT. Once Algebra II/Trigonometry is completed, students have learned all the content they need for the tests.

Kalamazoo College

It is especially important for athletes to take these tests early, if possible, because coaches request test scores and transcripts early in the process.

UniVarsity works with juniors to provide a game plan for how and when to contact coaches and set up meetings with coaches. We also help students with test planning and finding a great college fit. (We have a couple of spots left for the class of 2017.)

SOPHOMORES - WHAT TO DO IN NOVEMBER

Many sophomores took the PSAT at their high school on October 15th or 18th. The PSAT is a pre-SAT test, and it also gives a good indication of how a student will perform on the SAT that is usually taken during junior year. Since the PSAT is administered at school, results are often given to students in their English class in December or January and recently students have been receiving an email with login information to find out scores. Very commonly, when we ask families for their student's PSAT scores, parents have no idea results were given to students. Some schools host a PSAT review night to help explain the results to parents. Start checking the high school's website to find out when scores will be distributed.

This year's current sophomore class will be the first class to take the new SAT. The first administration of the new SAT will be March 2016. At UniVarsity, we are monitoring all of the industry information on the new test so that we will best be able to advise students when to take the new test and how to best prepare.

As sophomores, most students can start to narrow down which subjects they particularly like or dislike. Even students who are "good at everything" tend to have preferences. If you are having trouble figuring this out, ask yourself "which homework do I tend to do first?" or "in which class do I tend to participate in class the most?" This knowledge might start to give you clues to what you might want to study in college.

UniVarsity works with families to create an individualized road map for each high school student. We start with students as early as their freshman year to help them get on the right track and make the process as smooth as possible. Contact us for a free phone consultation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. I know the UC applications are due by Nov. 30. Is there anything new this year?

A. The UC application and the essay prompts are the same as last year. Applications can be submitted as early as Nov. 1 and we always recommend submitting at least a few days before the deadline.

Q. Is it a good idea to do an admissions interview?

A. Yes, we think that usually it is a good idea to do an interview if the school offers the opportunity. Interviews may be on campus, in a remote city, or even over Skype. Some interviews are evaluative and some just provide information for prospective students. If the interview is for information (and often conducted by an alumni or current student) it won't affect the student's chances of being accepted. If however, the interview is considered evaluative, then it is another factor used by admissions to try to complete the picture of a given applicant. Information about interviews should be on the colleges' websites.

If any part of the College Admission Process seems intimidating and stressful, let us help you make it fun!

Sincerely,

Nicole Gracie
UniVarsity
562-438-9490
nicole@univarsityllc.com

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UniVarsity, LLC is a college admissions consulting company that helps student-athletes find a college match. Unlike most companies, UniVarsity focuses on both academics and athletics.