Students are getting the message that the rigor of their high school courses matters.
The College Board administers Advanced Placement tests each spring to high school students. most all of whom enrolled in the corresponding Advanced Placement course in their high school during the school year.
Students who study subjects with the AP curriculum enjoy several benefits. First of all, when admissions personnel review their transcripts, the admissions staff are assured that students have taken the most challenging coursework their high school has to offer. Success in rigorous high school curriculum is the #1 item selective colleges consider in selecting their freshmen class.
Another advantage accrues to students who earn a score of 3 or higher on their AP exam. Many colleges award college credit to students who score a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP test. The range of exam scores is 1-5.
Lastly, a recent report found that success on these AP exams predicts college success, especially freshman to sophomore retention.
Nationally, there's been a 6% increase in the number of public school students who "pass" AP exams and in the state of Minnesota, that increase is 8%. Currently, 16.8% of high school seniors in Minnesota take and score at least a 3 on at least one AP exam.
We're thrilled that students are getting the message that there's value in challenging themselves by taking rigorous courses in high school.
Showing posts with label AP courses; high school curriculum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AP courses; high school curriculum. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Friday, July 2, 2010
TOP 10: What Colleges are Really Looking for in Applicants
College Connectors participated in the recently released IECA 2010 survey of independent college consultants. The results reveal this year’s “Top Ten Strengths and Experiences Colleges Look for in High School Students.” While several items topping the list are unchanged despite the overheated college application process, there are a number of changes to the overall list as some items have made IECA’s list for the first time, others have fallen in importance, and a number of things that families believe to be critical don’t get anywhere close to making the list. The survey is conducted every few years, completed by hundreds of members of the Independent Educational Consultants Association.
As has been true for more than five years, a student’s academic performance in high school tops the list. Most important is a rigorous academic curriculum that challenges the student. While grades are important, educational consultants believe that demonstrating a willingness to challenge oneself is more important. Additionally, IECA members felt that grades need to show an upward trend—mediocre grades in the freshman year can be overcome by demonstrating that better grades came with maturity. According to IECA members, colleges want to know what type of student will be arriving on campus—not who the student was four years go.
According to College Connectors consultant Valerie Broughton, “What we learn most in viewing these results is that parents should avoid encouraging their teens to change themselves into what they think colleges seek but instead help teens learn to promote the best thing about themselves: whether that’s a willingness to challenge themselves in a difficult course, demonstrating passion for a particular subject, committing themselves to community service, or demonstrating leadership. A college application should present an accurate and authentic portrait of the student.”
“Solid SAT or ACT scores,” reflecting a consistency with academic achievement was #3 on the list. Terrific standardized tests are rarely enough to secure admission at a more competitive school. Some colleges even brag about the number of students with perfect SAT/ACT scores who are denied admission. Test scores should accurately reflect a student’s ability.
The importance of the application essay moved up since the last survey, perhaps reflecting the essay’s role as more colleges move to ‘test optional’ status. The essay was also seen as more important to private liberal arts colleges, as compared to large state universities. Donna Kelly, College Connectors consultant, emphasizes that the opportunity to include an essay, or personal statement, in the application packet is a gift, not a task. “The essay is the student’s time to tell their story, in their own words, emphasizing what they think is important for an admissions officer to know about them. Your grades and test scores are static; make your essay a dynamic piece of the puzzle!"
Debuting on this year’s list at #8 is “demonstrated leadership in activities.” Much has been discussed in recent years about colleges seeking students who will contribute in a meaningful way to campus life. The appearance of this on the IECA list underscores this growing desire. “Demonstrated intellectual curiosity” (#9) remains an important item, particularly with those schools with more competitive admissions. Rounding out the top ten is “demonstrated enthusiasm to attend,” an item that first appeared on the IECA list just a few years ago. This reflects the college admissions office concern over their yield: wanting to offer admission only to those who seem serious about enrolling. Broughton cautions: “Colleges want to know that students have a serious interest in the college rather than just a curious question about whether or not they can be admitted.”
Just missing the top ten list: “financial resources” (despite the economy) and “out of school experiences.” This latter item fell off the top ten list, although “special talents and abilities” (#7) remained. There has been considerable buzz in the admission community in recent months about the trend toward creative applications with videos or other unique components, but this placed far down, well out of IECA’s top ten list. Also relegated to a status of far less importance by IECA educational consultants were several items thought by the general public to be important to decision-making: the personal interview, being a legacy (family member of an alumnus), and demonstrations of responsibility as being far less important in the current admission climate.
The full list just released, can be found at TOP 10. This list offers great advice for families looking to understand the nature of college admission and is also used by school districts and many others.
As has been true for more than five years, a student’s academic performance in high school tops the list. Most important is a rigorous academic curriculum that challenges the student. While grades are important, educational consultants believe that demonstrating a willingness to challenge oneself is more important. Additionally, IECA members felt that grades need to show an upward trend—mediocre grades in the freshman year can be overcome by demonstrating that better grades came with maturity. According to IECA members, colleges want to know what type of student will be arriving on campus—not who the student was four years go.
According to College Connectors consultant Valerie Broughton, “What we learn most in viewing these results is that parents should avoid encouraging their teens to change themselves into what they think colleges seek but instead help teens learn to promote the best thing about themselves: whether that’s a willingness to challenge themselves in a difficult course, demonstrating passion for a particular subject, committing themselves to community service, or demonstrating leadership. A college application should present an accurate and authentic portrait of the student.”
“Solid SAT or ACT scores,” reflecting a consistency with academic achievement was #3 on the list. Terrific standardized tests are rarely enough to secure admission at a more competitive school. Some colleges even brag about the number of students with perfect SAT/ACT scores who are denied admission. Test scores should accurately reflect a student’s ability.
The importance of the application essay moved up since the last survey, perhaps reflecting the essay’s role as more colleges move to ‘test optional’ status. The essay was also seen as more important to private liberal arts colleges, as compared to large state universities. Donna Kelly, College Connectors consultant, emphasizes that the opportunity to include an essay, or personal statement, in the application packet is a gift, not a task. “The essay is the student’s time to tell their story, in their own words, emphasizing what they think is important for an admissions officer to know about them. Your grades and test scores are static; make your essay a dynamic piece of the puzzle!"
Debuting on this year’s list at #8 is “demonstrated leadership in activities.” Much has been discussed in recent years about colleges seeking students who will contribute in a meaningful way to campus life. The appearance of this on the IECA list underscores this growing desire. “Demonstrated intellectual curiosity” (#9) remains an important item, particularly with those schools with more competitive admissions. Rounding out the top ten is “demonstrated enthusiasm to attend,” an item that first appeared on the IECA list just a few years ago. This reflects the college admissions office concern over their yield: wanting to offer admission only to those who seem serious about enrolling. Broughton cautions: “Colleges want to know that students have a serious interest in the college rather than just a curious question about whether or not they can be admitted.”
Just missing the top ten list: “financial resources” (despite the economy) and “out of school experiences.” This latter item fell off the top ten list, although “special talents and abilities” (#7) remained. There has been considerable buzz in the admission community in recent months about the trend toward creative applications with videos or other unique components, but this placed far down, well out of IECA’s top ten list. Also relegated to a status of far less importance by IECA educational consultants were several items thought by the general public to be important to decision-making: the personal interview, being a legacy (family member of an alumnus), and demonstrations of responsibility as being far less important in the current admission climate.
The full list just released, can be found at TOP 10. This list offers great advice for families looking to understand the nature of college admission and is also used by school districts and many others.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Course Selection Time - AP or not???
This is the time of year when high schools ask students to select courses for next year. It's important to consider many factors when faced with these decisions and students need help and guidance. Remember that a rigorous high school curriculum is the #1 thing colleges look at when deciding whether to admit a student. Should you take AP classes or not? Check out this article for valuable perspectives.
http://familytimesmn.com/FT_0110/Advanced_Placement.htm
http://familytimesmn.com/FT_0110/Advanced_Placement.htm
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