There is so much information out there that it is hard to keep up. I got tons of emails and want to forward that information to you. Check out my Padlet below:https://padlet.com/kris_nilsen/5r9kkrvp68ury39j

I will be updating the information daily. Enjoy!

Congratulations Class of 2022!

University of Hawaii, Manoa (Marine Biology)- Kol Hayford

MAKE SURE THE FOLLOWING IS COMPLETED NOW!

• Apply to your California State University (CSU) campuses right now. Use your transcript in your Pathways Student Portal for reference purposes.
• Finish your Common App for your chosen EA/ED schools and submit. Do NOT report your SAT/ACT scores on your Common App because then you’ll forfeit your right to apply test-optional to some places…that is, if you plan to go test-optional at designated places.
• Make sure your letter-writing facilitators are identified in SCOIR.
• You and your folks should complete the FAFSA. You will not be informed of Early Admissions financial aid until after you’ve completed this step, so do it now.

Check to see if any of your private colleges also require completion and submission of the CSS/Profile. You most likely have some.

The CDS (Common Data Set) compiles some of the most important facts and figures about a college in a standardized format that all participating schools share. It allows you to:

• easily look up certain pieces of information
• helps you compare colleges and provides admissions and enrollment statistics

The standard CDS format is divided into the following ten sections.

(a) General Information: The type of college—private or public, single-gender or co-ed, degrees offered, and so on—and the college’s contact information.

(b) Enrollment and Persistence: The number of students, broken down by various demographic categories, and how many of those students go on to complete their degrees.

(c) First-Time, First-Year (Freshman) Admission: Applicant and admissions statistics that cover how many people applied, were accepted, and enrolled, as well as basic facts about the school’s admissions procedures, requirements, and standards.

(d) Transfer Admission: Applicant and admissions statistics for students transferring to this college, including timing, requirements, and admissions rate.

(e) Academic Offerings and Policies: Very brief checklist of the school’s special academic programs (such as an honors program or study abroad) as well as academic breadth required for graduation.

(f) Student Life: Activity and housing options, as well as a breakdown of the student body by age, residency, and other factors.

(g) Annual Expenses: How much it costs to attend each year, including figures for tuition, room and board, and required fees.

(h) Financial Aid: What types of aid are available, how much students receive, student loans and debt, and the requirements for applying for and receiving aid.

(i) Instructional Faculty and Class Size: The number of instructors (full- and part-time) and their characteristics, the size of the average class, and the overall ratio of students to faculty members.

(j) Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred: The most popular areas of study or majors, based on how many students end up graduating in each one.

Once you find colleges you are interested in, google (example: Common Data Set Goucher College) and you will be able to access the document.

The information is cool. I looked up Harvard University’s Common Data Set and found out that class rank is not considered in the application process. Who’d thought?

Click on the link below for important information about the FAFSA and CADAA:

FREE MONEY FOR COLLEGE

Resources:

• Fiske Guide to Colleges 2022 – an annual comprehensive catalog of diverse universities here in California and nationwide.
• Colleges That Change Lives – 44 liberal arts colleges that support the goal of every student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.
• Colleges that Create Futures – looks beyond the usual “best of” college lists to highlight 50 schools that empower students to discover practical, real-world applications for their talents and interests.

KNOX COLLEGE (CTCL)

2 East South Street, Galesburg, Illinois

Click here for Admissions Info

Click here for Tuition & Financial Aid Info

Enrollment: 1,222 (Undergraduates Only)

Acceptance Rate: 68%

Male/Female: 43/57

Private

Test Optional

Strong Programs: Creative Writing, Biology, Theater, Computer Science, Economics, Anthropology and Sociology, Psychology

“Every student comes from a unique background, has a different story to tell. It is a wealth of exposure that nourishes students hungry to learn, to step outside of their comfort zones.
~College That Change Lives

DETAILS:

• Among the first to admit African Americans and women
• Located in the heart of the Midwest
• 180 acre campus
• Average class size is 14
• 32% US students of color; 19% international students
• Operates on an honor system; students can take tests unproctored and in public
• Knox believes every experience is an education; every new venture, every fantastic idea, every great journey is human-powered
• One of the 10 most diverse liberal arts campuses in America
• Knox awards every student a $2,000 “Power of Experience” grant students can use in their junior or senior year to study abroad, independent research, an internship, or community service
• Offers 3-2 or 3-4 in engineering, nursing, medical technology, law, and architecture, as well as a cooperative program with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
• Creative Writing and Biology are among the school’s strongest programs
• 82% of students reside in campus digs
• Knox’s trimester system packs a great deal of studying in a short period of time but students only take 3 courses per term
• All courses are taught by full-time professors who are distinguished scholars-teachers and experts in their fields (97% have their Ph.D or equivalent). They are dedicated to teaching and there are no teaching assistants.
• Knox students focus their pride on their academics and the quality of their campus experience
• Flunk Day is the crown jewel of all Knox traditions. At 6:00 on a spring morning, Old Main’s bell rings, seniors bang pots and pans, and classes are canceled to make way for lawn games, inflatables, food trucks, karaoke, and other festivities
• Knox is a close knit community with an emphasis on hands-on-learning, and an open-minded atmosphere. “There is a strong sense of ‘we are all in this together’,”concludes a junior, “and gives us a unity that is pretty unique.”

Join 365 Colleges

Tuesday November 2nd

1:00 – 5:00 pm

Click on the link below to register and see what colleges are attending according to your preferences:

Register Here

Need Help With Your College Applications?

How to Write a Successful Common App Activities List: You get 10 spots and 150 characters to describe each of your extracurricular activities. How do you make the most of that space? This in-depth guide (with examples) may help.

How to Use the Additional Information Section: This is probably the most underutilized section of the application. Though optional, it provides an important opportunity for some students to provide context for their application.

The College Essay Guy YouTube Channel: I’ve spent a ton of time the last 9 months recording tons of new videos, from my full guide to the “Why Us?” essay, tips on the UC personal insight questions, to reviewing some of my favorite essay examples of all time. Subscribe if you’d like to get notified; I publish a new video each week.

The Dangers of Getting Personal Statement Feedback From Too Many People: A helpful lesson from Pete the Cat.

How to Write a Super Essay by Combining Essay Prompts: If you’re writing separate essays for all your supplemental essays, this one’s for you. Write better essays and save hours drafting by finding opportunities for overlap among your college essay prompts.

The College Application Hub:Okay, I lied. I had a few more resources come to mind that I wanted to share as I wrote this email, so here’s my College Application Hub, which has pretty much all the things, organized by category.

Appointment w/Nilsen