Do Rankings Really Matter?

In a brand-name driven society, it’s no surprise that families often turn to magazine rankings to help them find the “best” college. While college administrators may publicly dismiss rankings as meaningless, favorable rankings are often featured prominently on a school’s website.

Deans of Admission are under constant pressure to improve their rankings. A college that slips in the US News & World Report rankings may disappoint its alumni, and that can impact donations to the school. But families need to keep in mind that the quality of education doesn’t change dramatically in one year.

Even if you accept the idea of ranking colleges, can you trust the data used to make those decisions? The class profiles submitted by schools may not give the full picture. Colleges can leave out the SAT scores of certain groups, including legacy students, recruited athletes, and development admits whose families are big donors, because the grades and test scores of these students would lower the class average and make the school look less selective. Schools may count applications that were never completed so it looks like they have more students applying, lowering the acceptance rate and making them appear more selective in the ratings. Also, part of the US News score is based on college administrators rating other schools that they may know little about.

How do you compare schools that have different programs and cultures? It’s like including romantic comedies and sci-fi in the same best movies list. Different people love different films, and one person’s number one is another person’s number twenty. The enjoyment you get from the experience of watching your favorite movie has nothing to do with its ranking.

The same holds true for colleges. What matters is the experience a student will have at that school. Spending four happy, productive and successful years at a college that is number forty-eight on the US News list makes that college number one for that student.

Other magazines have also gotten into the rankings game. Money magazine ranks colleges based on educational quality, affordability, and alumni success (as measured by Pay-Scale.com). On its list, Princeton ranks #1 this year, followed by Baruch College of CUNY. Forbes ranks colleges based on student satisfaction, graduation rate and alumni salaries. Its top colleges are Harvard, Stanford and Yale. Washington Monthly takes a different approach and instead of asking which college is best for you, they ask which college is best for America. Its criteria includes how colleges facilitate social mobility (by reaching out to low-income students), whether the college fosters scientific and humanistic research, and how much the ethic of service is promoted. Stanford, Harvard and MIT top Washington Monthly’s list of national universities while Berea College is #1 on its list of top liberal arts colleges.

But none of the rankings assess the quality of teaching, because that is tough to measure quantitatively. Rankings don’t tell us how prepared a school’s students are for graduate school or the job market. They also don’t say anything about the sense of community that makes a campus welcoming and campus life rewarding.

Perhaps rankings make us feel more secure. If someone pronounces a school "the best", we can reassure ourselves that we’ve made the right decision. But students who trust themselves enough to find their own best schools will end up making the most satisfying college choices.

Social Media - Think Before You Post

Stories abound of students and even teachers sharing inappropriate items on social media. One would hope students who are about to apply to colleges and be evaluated by admission officers would know better. The truth is that the vast majority of high school students are very responsible about their social media presence, and we only hear about the foolish ones whose mistakes live on as lessons for others.

A big question most parents ask is whether or not colleges are fishing in the social media waters. Are colleges and universities proactively seeking out information on prospective applicants or not?

Recent research from Kaplan Test Prep, a survey of nearly 400 admissions officers, demonstrates that “the percentage of admission officers who visit applicants’ social media pages to learn more about them has hit a record high of 40% — quadruple the percentage who did so in 2008,” when Kaplan first explored this issue. Further research also identified that only 11% of admission officers do it “often.” Googling an applicant to learn more about them has remained relatively stable over the past two years, at 29 percent.

Why are colleges looking? It’s interesting to note that what triggers admission officers to look beyond the traditional elements of the application (GPA, standardized test scores, extra curriculars) and turn to Google and Facebook are both positive and negative factors. Contributing factors include:

Special talents - Students who are musicians, writers or performing artists will often invite admission officers to view their social media presence in their applications. According to Kaplan’s research, 42% of admission officers reported an increase in such invitations compared to two years ago.

Award verification - There is no formal “fact-checking” process when students submit their applications. Colleges generally take at face-value whatever honors students list and the time commitments and leadership roles students state in their extracurricular activities and work experiences. However, a mention of a particularly distinguished award will sometimes trigger a search.

Negative stuff - Some admission officers say that if an applicant mentions he or she has a criminal background or a record of disciplinary action, they will do some online digging to get more details.

Scholarship applications - Students applying for special scholarships can come under greater scrutiny, as schools want to ensure those receiving the scholarships are fully deserving; extra due diligence can come in the form of online checking.

The worst reason a student’s social media presence may be viewed is referred to as “Admissions Sabotage.” The ugly truth is that college admissions officers are occasionally anonymously alerted to social media postings by students or parents who are trying to sabotage another student’s chance of being accepted, presumably with the hope that they will instead be accepted. Admission officers will typically follow-up to verify any accusations.
What’s the take-away for high school students? Clean up your current social media profile before you begin the application process and think before you post.

SAT or ACT? Which is Right for You?

A year ago the SAT was revamped and now students wonder, should they take the new SAT or the ACT? Keep in mind that a 1600 on the new SAT is the same as a 36 on the ACT. While experts say that the new SAT is more straightforward and now more similar to the ACT in format and subject matter, there are still some important differences to consider before making your decision.

The new SAT returns to its original 400-1600 point scale. It has eliminated the wrong answer penalty. The SAT essay portion, like the ACT’s, is now optional. There is still no Science section, but science questions appear in each individual section of the exam.

The new SAT Reading section includes only longer passages and does not contain sentence completions, making it more similar to the ACT Reading section. Unlike the ACT, its questions follow the same order as information in the paragraph. While the ACT focuses more on reading comprehension, the new SAT focuses on analyzing specific concepts and understanding how the authors construct their arguments. The new SAT Reading portion consists of 52 questions in 65 minutes, while the ACT Reading portion consists of 40 questions in 35 minutes.

The new SAT Writing section utilizes the same passage-based format as the ACT English section, and now includes more grammatical concepts such as punctuation. It is important to note that although both tests give roughly the same amount of time, the ACT asks almost twice as many questions. The SAT Writing portion consists of 44 questions in 35 minutes and the ACT English portion consists of 75 questions in 45 minutes.

The new SAT Math section has been redesigned to be more straightforward and focuses on math taught in high school, with a heavy emphasis on algebra and data analysis. The ACT Math section includes far more geometry and trigonometry, and does not provide formulas like the SAT does. The new SAT allows more time for the Math section, but the questions are more challenging. It includes both calculator and no-calculator portions. The ACT Math section is all multiple choice, and allows use of a calculator throughout the section. The new SAT Math portion consists of 20 no-calculator questions in 25 minutes plus 38 calculator questions in 55 minutes, and the ACT Math portion contains 60 questions in 60 minutes.

The Essay section is similar in the new SAT and the ACT. They are both given about the same amount of time and they are both optional. However, according to the College Board, “you can count on seeing the same prompt no matter when you take the new SAT with Essay, but the passage will be different every time.” In the new SAT, you must evaluate an argument, whereas in the ACT, you must come up with your own argument and support it. It is important to find out whether or not colleges on your list require or recommend the Essay portion before preparing for the test. The new SAT allows 50 minutes to answer one prompt, while the ACT allows 40 minutes to answer one prompt.

So which test is best for you? The SAT is still a critical thinking test, with no penalty for guessing incorrect answers. While many consider it to be the easier of the two, since they are both graded on a curve, it is important to pick the one that will give you the strongest competitive edge. If you are able to stay focused for longer periods of time and work at a fast pace, the ACT might be your best bet. There is more practice material available for it and the content is presented in a consistent manner. If you are a slower test-taker, the new SAT may be a better option, as it is far less time intensive and allows more time per problem. It also emphasizes creative thinking over memorizing content. To decide which test to take, obtain a copy of both exams and examine the rules, format, and questions in depth. One style may resonate with you over the other. Once you have decided which would be a better fit, start preparing as early as possible for the exam. Advance preparation will help you earn your best scores on either test.

Low Cost Ideas for Summer Adventures

Money may be tight, but it’s not necessary to give up on finding a cost-effective way to spend a productive summer. Free and low cost summer enrichment programs are out there—you just need to look a bit harder to find them, or think outside the box about what makes a productive summer.

Begin by considering your interests. Our nation’s need for engineers and scientists has led to the creation of numerous free and/or low cost programs in these areas. The Research Science Institute at MIT, the MITE program at the University of Texas, the ASM Materials Camp held at numerous universities, the Bridge Program in Biomedical Sciences at Sewanee, and the Summer Institute for Mathematics at the University of Washington are all provided free of charge or at low cost to qualified students. Interested in the environment? Check out the American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacations or the Student Conservation Association programs. Students with interests in the humanities and social sciences might look to the Carleton Liberal Arts Experience for a low-cost enrichment program. Telluride offers free residential programs for students with outstanding qualifications, while individual states often sponsor Governor’s programs or honors institutes. Dual enrollment classes taken at a nearby community college are often provided free to high school students.

Many hospitals have outreach programs designed to interest students in the health sciences—check with your local institution for opportunities. Some state attorney’s offices allow student interns to shadow their lawyers. Contact your city government—some departments even offer paid internships to high school students.

Look, too, to local businesses. Aspiring veterinarians can volunteer at their local vet’s office or work at an animal shelter or rescue organization. Budding artists might help out at an art school program, while future scientists can volunteer to work as research assistants for professors. Use your imagnation and work your (or your parents’) network of contacts.

For more ideas, check out www.blayz.com or www.teenlife.com.

Attending College in Canada

The number of international students attending college in Canada increases each year for several reasons. The cost of living and tuition are, on average, lower than in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Australia. Top Canadian universities consistently rank among the best in the world. Their university campuses are rated highly for safety and happiness, and are known for their inclusive, multicultural student bodies. Due to an emphasis placed on research, there are many opportunities for undergraduates to get involved. Canadian colleges also have a shorter academic year than in the US; school runs from September through April.

It is important to note that there is no common application other than in Ontario, which allows students to apply to multiple schools at once. Each university has its own admission requirements, but the process is faster and easier than applying in the U.S. and can be completed online by submitting personal information, educational history, official transcripts, the intended program of study, and the start date. Usually there are no supplemental essays, test scores, or letters of recommendation required, but check with each school for exceptions. Some Canadian universities have multiple start dates and others have rolling admissions, but once they have received your transcript and application, it is not uncommon to hear a decision within a week. Final requirements to enroll vary. Many schools have ‘conditional offer of admission’ conditions, such as maintaining your academic average and graduating from high school. When you receive a conditional letter of admission, it can be used to begin the process of applying for a study permit.

What do you need to do to attend college in Canada? A passport is required to enter the country. You must also apply for a study permit, which is mandatory for any student studying in Canada longer than four months. To be eligible for a study permit, you must have first been accepted by a ‘designated learning institution’ in Canada. You also have to provide documentation showing that you have enough funds to pay your tuition and living expenses for a full year. You need to prove that you are a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record, and are in good health. Finally, you must satisfy an immigration order that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay. A study permit allows you to work part-time on or off campus during the school year and full-time during academic breaks.

If the study permit application is approved, a letter of introduction will be sent as confirmation. This letter must be shown to immigration upon arrival in Canada. An eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is then issued for citizens of countries who require one. The eTA is valid for five years or until your passport expires. A visitor visa is issued if you are from a country that requires their citizens to have one. US citizens do not need an eTA or a visitor visa.

There are a few considerations to plan for if you will be attending a Canadian school as an international student. To avoid paying costly international wire transfer and credit card fees, get a cashier’s check from your bank in currency calculated at the current exchange rate to pay your tuition. To bypass foreign transaction fees, consider opening a local bank account in Canada. Look into different cell phone plans so you don’t have to pay roaming charges when calling or texting from Canada. If gaining a new perspective, surrounded by students from all over the world, sounds exciting, consider applying to a Canadian university!

More information about studying in Canada can be found at www.educanada.ca and www.cic.gc.ca.