DEVELOPING A COLLEGE LIST The primary function of the second junior year college meeting is the creation of an initial list of college ideas. This list will take into account those characteristics and trademarks students are looking for in a school, be it size, location, quality of particular academic or extracurricular program, etc. In working with students to create this list of ideas we will also share our experiences as to how past Milton students with similar academic credentials have fared in the admission process. During the following months, we will continually work to revise this list, taking into account the student’s reactions after visiting or researching particular schools or the student’s changing interests and ideas about what looks appealing in a school. Even if students have outstanding credentials, they may not be offered admission by all the colleges to which they apply. The most highly selective colleges deny far more students than they accept, with a significant number now accepting fewer than 10% of their applicants. Some admissions committees will factor in a student’s level of interest, which they ascertain by whether the student has visited, interviewed, connected with an admission officer at a college fair, and/or remained appropriately in contact with the school throughout the admission process. The student’s goal is to create a Final List with a balanced group of approximately six to ten schools which fall into three categories. The terms we use – Likely, Possible, Reach – are relative and not absolute. In determining whether a school is a Likely, Possible, or Reach for any individual student, we factor in the student’s transcript and standardized testing record to date, Milton’s recent history with that particular school, and trends we are now seeing at that school. If we feel that certain Reach schools are unrealistic, we will tell the student so and designate those schools as Unlikely on the student’s college list. We offer this to assist students in evaluating their chances at a particular school, not to pass judgment on their performance during their time at Milton. In an ideal world, we would like students to be admitted to every school on their list; in the real world, we know that some students will not be admitted to every school. We are here to support students in any way possible. We define each of the three categories as follows : LIKELY (75% or better chance of admission) : These are schools where students’ credentials are very competitive, and we are confident that they will be admitted assuming that their application has been well done and their interest in the school has been demonstrated through an interview, well-written supplements, and/or a campus visit. Given the increased selectivity for all schools, it is important that students approach their applications to Likely schools with as much enthusiasm and thoughtfulness as they give to Reach and Possible schools . In effect, students should treat all schools as first choice schools. We also consider it extremely important for students to find Likely schools where they truly believe they can be happy and productive. Students will need to have at least two Likelies on their Final List.
- 19 -
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker