Our Counselors Answered:
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
Brittany MaschalFounder/DirectorB. Maschal Educational Consulting
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
It is very important some some students/parents and less important for others. Not everyone wants to go to a selective school. Not every students is prepared for or would do well at a selective school. It is really up to you, but selectivity does not need to matter. More important is that you find a school where you can be successful, get the education you want/need to reach your goals, and have an awesome four years. Affordability is also a factor at the top of the what matters list.
Benjamin CaldarelliPartnerPrinceton College Consulting, LLC
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
Selectivity is important to consider when determining if a school is a good match. It can be misleading however, since many schools are very self selective. Therefore, a school with a 10 percent admission rate is not necessarily better than a school with a 20 percent admission rate.
Kathleen HarringtonOwnerNew Jersey College Consulting
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
When conducting your research on chosen colleges you must be aware of what the average acceptance rate…the lower the percentage accepted, the more selective the school. When applying, understand your chances of getting in to highly selected schools. A well balanced list that contacts a well balanced list of highly selective and selective schools, given you meet a majority of the criteria, will most likely lead to a successful college application process.
Rana SlosbergOwnerSlosberg College Solutions LLC
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
When applying to colleges, it is important for you to understand the school’s selectivity. The more selective a college is, the less likely it is that you will get accepted even if you are a qualified candidate. Selectivity is not a measure of how good a fit the college is. it is a measure of how likely it is that you will receive the “fat” envelope with an acceptance letter.
Rana SlosbergOwnerSlosberg College Solutions LLC
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
When applying to colleges, it is important for you to understand the school’s selectivity. The more selective a college is, the less likely it is that you will get accepted even if you are a qualified candidate. Selectivity is not a measure of how good a fit the college is. it is a measure of how likely it is that you will receive the “fat” envelope with an acceptance letter.
Angela ConleyCollege Admission ExpertVentureForth
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
Selective colleges are those with more than 50 applicants for every available seat. This simply means they are more selective in choosing their class because their research has shown which characteristics and preparation characterize successful graduates from their institutions.
Just as colleges researched the metrics for successful students as they identify those they will admit, those applying should do the same. Applicants should selectively discern the intellectual and social environments where they are best suited to be challenged. In the midst of challenge, students and families should also identify which environments are suited to growing them from who they are, to who they hope to become. It is a fit and match process and with 4000 colleges and universities, those who do the research can make an informed choice. I tell students find the place that feels good on your mindset, your pocketbook and your aims. The answer varies based on your beginning and the experiences you bring to the enterprise that is college.
Ronald Harris
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
Increased selectivity means better students are going to all colleges, broadening your choice of schools with a high achieving student population.The number of applicants is rising, making admissions more competitive. Students and parents should consider a range of schools, rather than focusing on a specific institution.
Rebecca JosephExecutive Director & Foundergetmetocollege.org
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
You should be as selective as selective colleges. Selectivity means how hard a college is to get into. It is determined by the number of applicants/numbers of acceptances. Some colleges are highly selective, while some are not. That does not always mean the quality is less with less selective colleges. You should match yourself to colleges that meet your qualifications and needs. Have a variety of colleges on your list. You should be selective to in which colleges you elect to apply to.
Zahir RobbCollege CounselorThe Right Fit College
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
Selectivity of schools will help you understand the number of applicants that are accepted. I have heard stories of schools encouraging a larger number of applicants through promotions, but I would like to think that most numbers are genuine. The selectivity of a school will generally drive up its admissions criteria as the more applicants that apply, the more selective a school can be. Just as with any club or new restaurant, this increases the interest in a school and a cyclical process begins. This means nothing of its quality of education or fit for you, so use this number with caution.
Rohit GoyalIvy League CounselorHarvard University
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
It is important to be aware of the acceptance rejection ratio of a particular college. Acceptance ratio is indirectly proportional to the selectivity. If a college is highly selective, it means your acceptance probability decreases. This may be considered in finalizing the list of colleges you want to consider.
Tira HarpazFounderCollegeBound Advice
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
I would be very careful about using selectivity as the sole or major factor in evaluating a college. There are some wonderful schools that are not incredibly selective (often state schools fall in this category) and some not as good schools that spend a lot of time trying to expand their applicant base in order to become more selective. However, you should certainly look at the average test scores, average GPAs and acceptance rates to see if a school makes sense for you to apply to.
Dr SharonAssociate Professor and Program Director of the International Business Bachelor ProgramFriends University
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
If you want to attend a prestigious college, then selectivity is important. These are institutions that can command high tuition and turn away many applicants. However, there is a college out there for everyone, you just have to find it. If you choose not to cater to the whims or trends of student recruitment, you can find an institution that will fit the kind of person you are and your interests and values.
On the other hand, sometimes being a unique character who doesn’t say and do what every other candidate says and does can be the one thing that sets you apart from the rest of the flock.
Emily GoldmanFounder and CounselorGrey Guidance
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
Many colleges rely on Resident Advisors to live in student dorms and serve as links between the college/university and its students, especially around residential life. The official duties of the “RA” often include: helping roommates work through conflicts, organizing and executing relationship-building events, maintaining student safety and well-being, passing along school-specific information, and serving as a general resource for helping students find what they need on campus, usually during the first year of college. The extent of an RA’s role often very much depends on the school itself….some have a much more involved and structured RA system then others.
Because beginning college and thriving as a student often involves a large amount of change, your RA can be a great resource for helping your successfully navigate all of this change. You might even consider serving in the RA role yourself after your first year of college, especially if you find yourself taking advantage of your RA’s support as a new student.
Bill PrudenHead of Upper School, College CounselorRavenscroft School
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
Selectivity is more about their evaluation of you and your fellow applicants than it is about your evaluating the school. Selectivity is about the number who apply and what the school’s needs are. It is not a measure of the educational experience that a student may have. The fact that an accepted applicant was one of 10 who could have gone does not mean they are better than if they were one of four. The important number is 1—you, and whether the school serves your needs and aspirations tn. Selectivity is about external things–focus on the internal ones–you.
Nancy MilneOwnerMilne Collegiate Consulting
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
For some students and families it is all about selectivity. That is fine if that is the type of environment you will be comfortable in for the next 4 years. Other applicants may not want to buy in to the pressure to succeed and feel there is more to the college experience than prestige. Be cautious when noting statistics put out by the recruitment folks. They are obviously only going for a positive spin and if you dig a little deeper you might find they haven’t shared the whole picture. Do your own homework and pay attention to what feels right to you.
Reecy ArestyCollege Admissions/Financial Aid Expert & AuthorPayless For College, Inc.
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
You want to be as selective as feasibly possible, unless you don’t care – & that would surely be a poor choice! Nothing’s perfect, and you’ll have to make the best of it, but you don’t want to be miserable doing it, so plan well in advance or suffer the consequences.
Remember, it’s you who’s doing the selecting, not some 3rd party!
Garth H
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
Wha?
Henry DelAngeloHigh School Counselor 20 + yearsYour Key to College
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
A schools selectivity rating is just one piece of information to consider when evaluating colleges. So selectivity ratings can be helpful but should not be looked at as the only way to choose a school.
Pamela Hampton-GarlandOwnerScholar Bound
How important is selectivity in evaluating colleges?
Of course selectivity is an ambiguous term therefore I will answer based on my perception of the question. Selecting colleges is a very important part of your success. I typically encourage students to apply to 1 DREAM school, 1 Great School (one you like and is known for your major), 2 QUALITY REALISTIC schools that you can receive a quality education and afford to attend, and finally at least 1 IN-STATE School. Always keep in mind major, affordability, and social life.