U.S. College Admissions INTRODUCTION TO THE U.S. COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS

U.S. College Admissions

INTRODUCTION TO THE U.S. COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS

BY N A N C Y M A C H L E S R OT H S C H I L D, A S S O C I AT E D E A N

S Y R A C U S E U N I V E RS I T Y

Why Study in the U.S.?

The advantages of attending school in the United States:

◦ A diverse geography: east coast vs. west coast and the

Midwest in between

◦ Varying sizes: small college to large university

◦ Liberal arts based education or schools

specializing in specific fields

◦ Flexibility to change majors or even

transfer to another school

◦ Time to explore your academic interests

◦ Holistic approach to admissions

◦ Global acceptability by employers world-wide

Where to Begin?

PERSONAL INVENTORY OF WHAT ’S IMPORTANT TO YOU

Determine Your Priorities

 Academic Interests and Options

 Flexibility

 Can you explore?

 Size

 Setting

 Location

 Internships

 Residential Campus

 Study Abroad

 Research Opportunities

 Diversity of Students

 College Spirit

 Extracurricular Activities

 Sports

 Clubs

 Professional Organizations

 Community Service

 Affordability

Research: Finding the Right Fit

o College Search Programs - Generate a computer list of colleges meeting your individual criteria

using a college search program:

• www.cois.org

• www.collegeboard.com

• www.petersons.com

o School College/Career Center or EducationUSA Fulbright Office

o Admissions Offices

o College Representatives and College Fairs

o Current Students & Alumni

Review College Websites

 Private vs. Public/State Institution?

 Religious Orientation

 Vision/Mission Statement

 What does the website highlight?

 Latest events: Lectures, Visiting Artists, etc.,

 Faculty

 Successful alumni?

 Special Speakers

 Student Projects

 Special Opportunities: Study Abroad, Internships

 Virtual Tour

 Follow on Facebook!

Develop an understanding of what each

school has to offer – where it is located, what

it offers, etc. For example: Syracuse University

MAJORS

School of Architecture

465 students Architecture

The College of Arts and

Sciences

4,481 students

African American Studies Anthropology

Applied Mathematics Art (through Arts and Sciences) Art History

Biochemistry

Biological and Medical Physics (through Physics)

Biology

Biophysical Science Biotechnology Chemistry

Citizenship and Civic Engagement Classical Civilization

Classics (Greek and Latin)

Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech Pathology and Audiology) Earth Sciences (Geology) Economics

Energy and its Impacts English and Textual Studies Environmental Sciences (through Biology or Geology)

Ethics

European Literature Fine Arts Forensic Science

French and Francophone Studies Geography

German Language, Literature, and Culture

Greek (through Classics) History

History of Architecture International Relations

Italian Language, Literature, and Culture Latin (through Classics)

Latino-Latin American Studies Linguistic Studies

Mathematics Middle Eastern Studies Modern Foreign Languages Modern Judaic Studies

Music (through Arts and Sciences) Music History and Cultures Neuroscience

Philosophy Physics

Policy Studies (Public Affairs) Political Philosophy Political Science Psychology Religion

Religion and Society

Russian and Central European Studies Russian Language, Literature, and Culture

Sociology

Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture

Women’s and Gender Studies Writing and Rhetoric Professional Advising Programs:

Predentistry Prelaw Premedicine Preveterinary Medicine Dual and Combined Enrollment:

School of Education

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer

Science

School of Education

484 students Teacher Prep:

Inclusive Early Childhood Special Education

Inclusive Elementary and Special Education

Health and Physical Education Spanish Education

Non-Teacher Prep:

Health and Exercise Science (includes Pre-Physical Therapy and 3+3 DPT) Selected Studies in Education

Dual Enrollment:

The College of Arts and Sciences English Education

Mathematics Education Science Education Social Studies Education

College of Visual and Performing Arts Art Education

Music Education

College of Engineering and

Computer Science

1,429 students Aerospace Engineering Bioengineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems and Information Science (dual enrollment: School of Information Studies)

Combined Enrollment offered through:

The College of Arts and Sciences

David B. Falk College of

Sport and Human Dynamics

1,158 students Child and Family Studies Nutrition

Nutrition Science and Dietetics Public Health

Social Work Sport Management

School of Information Studies

(iSchool)

515 students

Information Management and Technology

Systems and Information Science (dual enrollment: College of Engineering and Computer Science)

Dual Enrollment:

Martin J. Whitman School of Management

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Martin J. Whitman School

of Management

1,651 students Accounting

Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises

Finance Management Marketing Management Real Estate

Retail Management Supply Chain Management Dual Enrollment:

School of Information Studies S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

S.I. Newhouse School of

Public Communications

1,274 students Advertising

Broadcast and Digital Journalism Graphic Design

Magazine

Newspaper and Online Journalism Photography

Public Relations Television - Radio - Film Dual Enrollment:

The College of Arts and Sciences Martin J. Whitman School of Management

School of Information Studies

College of Visual and

Performing Arts

1,889 students School of Art and Design Department of Art:

Ceramics History of Art Illustration

Jewelry and Metalsmithing Painting

Printmaking Sculpture

Dual Enrollment:

School of Education (Art Education) Department of Design:

Communications Design Environmental and Interior Design Fashion Design

Industrial and Interaction Design Department of Transmedia:

Art Photography Art Video

Computer Art and Animation Film

Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies:

Communication and Rhetorical Studies Department of Drama:

Acting

Drama - Theater Management (B.S.) Musical Theater

Stage Management

Theater Design and Technology Setnor School of Music:

Music

Music Composition Music Industry

Performance (Organ, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice, Wind Instruments)

Recording and Allied Entertainment Industries (The Bandier Program) Dual Enrollment:

School of Education (Music Education)

School Spirit!

300+ Organizations and Clubs, Visiting Speakers, Concerts …

Next Steps

 Develop your list of schools

 Discuss your interests/schools with your college counselor for advice

 Create a chart with requirements & deadlines

 Sign-up for necessary exams

 Ask your counselor and teachers for letters of recommendation in advance

 Schedule personal interviews, if recommended/available – it shows interest

Financing Your Education:

An Investment in Your Future

 Talk with your parents/guardians throughout the process

 If you are an international student, keep in mind that financial aid may be limited

 If you are a U.S. citizen, you will be able to apply for federal student aid

 More expensive private colleges and universities usually have more financial

assistance to offer

 Consult with your EducationUSA/Fulbright Advisors and college counselors

 Be sure you understand how to apply/be considered for financial assistance

 Once you are admitted, you may appeal for more assistance.

The Application Process

HOW TO MAKE YOUR APPLICATION STAND OUT

Applying for Admission

What you have done, what you say about yourself and what others say

about you.

◦ The Common Application

◦ Test Scores: SAT or ACT Optional, Required or not

◦ English Proficiency: TOEFL or IELTS

◦ Transcripts and National Exam Results

◦ Teacher/Counselor Recommendations

◦ Portfolios or Auditions for Talent-based Programs

◦ Financial Support Information

◦ Application Fee

◦ Admissions Plans

◦ Early Decision I

◦ Early Decision II

◦ Regular Decision

Personalize Your Application

◦ Provide context for

◦ Academic environment

◦ Your achievements

◦ Personal circumstances

◦ Personal Statement/Essay - Help the Admissions Committee to know you better

◦ Tell your story

◦ Narrow and deep is better than broad and shallow

◦ It is not experience but your REACTION to the experience that matters

◦ Take advantage of personal interviews, if offered

◦ Demonstrate that you have researched the school – that you explain why x

school/program is a good fit for you.

Summary of Process

Research

Colleges

Take tests,

prepare to apply Apply

Receive offers,

make final

decision

Enroll

Suggestions

•Create a special email address with your name to use for all college related communications

•Consider summer college programs

•Try to establish a specific contact person at the colleges in which you are interested

•Take initiative to make sure that your application is complete. Check website or contact school

•Don’t wait until the deadline to apply

•Follow-up with school if you have any concerns about the admission decision or scholarship –

you can sometimes appeal decisions related to admission and/or financial aid

•If direct admission/enrollment is not possible, discuss other pathways with the college. Perhaps

starting at another college and then transferring after one or two years

•Community Colleges may be a less expensive option and a pathway to 4-year institutions.

Let’s stay in touch!

◦ Europe

◦ College Fairs

◦ Personal Interviews

◦ Information Sessions

◦ Online

◦ Syracuse University: www.syr.edu

◦ Admissions: admissions.syr.edu

◦ Virtual Tour

◦ On-Campus

◦ Information Sessions & College Meetings

◦ Personal Interviews

◦ Campus Tours

◦ European Student Organization

Syracuse University

Nancy Machles Rothschild, Associate Dean, Office of Admissions

NMROTHSC@SYR.EDU