Vol. 18 No. 3 November 2003

News from NACAC
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING met in October in Long Beach, California. What was the talk of the town? All the new surveys and guide books. Here are some of the hottest.

Diversity by Mission. NACAC released its own survey on diversity in college admissions. It found that 74 percent of colleges and universities in the U.S. include a commitment to student body diversity of some form in their mission statement.

But only one-third consider race or ethnicity as a factor in the evaluation of applications for undergraduate admission. At the same time, what colleges mean when they talk about diversity varies from geography to gender to ethnicity. For a copy of "Diversity and College Admission, 2003" go to: www.nacac.com/diversity.html.

A Must Read. The Atlantic Monthly released advanced copies of its first annual survey called "College Admissions," which will run in its November issue. The issue examines trends ("The New College Chaos"), "Late-Decisions Programs" (as opposed to early decision), "Rankings," "The Selectivity Illusion" and "Testing Standards." Fifty colleges are ranked according to admit rates, SAT percentiles and class rank.

The top 10 in the "Atlantic College Admissions Survey" are: MIT, Princeton, Cal-Tech, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, U. of Pennsylvania, Brown and Swarthmore. For more info see the November issue at your local newsstands or library.

A New Source. Sourcebooks, Inc., the publisher of The 2004 Fiske Guide to Colleges, has joined U.S. News and World Report to release the Ultimate College Directory, a 1,908-page guidebook that profiles 1,400 four-year colleges. Included is information on degrees offered, admission requirements and lists such as "The Hardest (and Easiest) Colleges to Get Into" and "Most Generous Financial Aid Packages." $29.95; ISBN 1-4022-0212-1.

Planners. Former New York Times education editor Edward B. Fiske and Bruce Hammond have just released their new College Deadline Planner for 2004-05, a week-by-week guide to key deadlines. It was created in response to frustrated parents who weren't sure when to apply for what. The 222-page book includes deadlines for early and regular admissions, financial aid and SAT and ACT tests. $14.95; ISBN 1-4022-0110-9.

"Feeder" Colleges. The Wall Street Journal entered the conversation with a look at the colleges that "feed" students to top graduate schools. This survey found that many smaller colleges were catching up to big universities and the Ivy League in sending their graduates to top graduate schools.

The top 10 "feeder" schools among the privates: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Williams, Duke, Dartmouth, MIT, Amherst, Swarthmore. Among the state universities: U. of Michigan, New College of Florida, U. of Virginia, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, Georgia Institute of Technology, (C. of William & Mary), SUNY Stony Brook, UNC-Chapel Hill and U. of Texas, Austin. See the September 26 Wall Street Journal or the WSJ Campus edition online.
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California Dreamin'
NACAC's meeting in Long Beach afforded CB the opportunity to take a look at California college news. Here is some of what we found.

Online Apps will be Required at Cal State U. and for the UC System. Beginning with the entering class of fall 2005, the California State University and University of California systems will require all undergraduate applicants to submit their applications online.

"Over the past few years, our applicants have displayed tremendous interest in filing online," said Leon Washington, associate director, enrollment management services, CSU. "Taking this step made perfect sense, especially now that both systems are implementing it at the same time."

Last year, more than 70 percent of those applying to both systems did so online. According to Susan Wilbur, director of undergraduate admissions at UC, "Overwhelmingly, the feedback we have received from students who have used the online application has been positive. They tell us it is easy to use, fast and convenient, and they like the self-help tips that assist them in completing the application accurately and completely. We expect that most students will have no problem with this change."

Students applying for fall 2004 can still submit paper applications or apply online. For 2005, students without computers at home will be able to access applications for CSU and UC through a computer connected to the Web at a school, library or community center.

Both sites include detailed instructions for students, teachers, parents and counselors. Computer prompts and error checks will help students complete their applications online.

Though the two systems will be asking students to apply electronically for fall 2005, both systems state they will still accept paper applications from students for whom it is the only option. Students who are unable to apply online can print a version of the application from the Web and submit it by mail; if they cannot print the application they can call CSU and UC admissions offices to request a printout. Both systems offer online and telephone support for students.

CSU Priority Applications Open through November 30. Students intending to enroll at a California State University campus in fall 2004 have been "strongly" advised to submit their applications no later than November 30, according to CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. Academically-qualified students who apply for admission before November 30 increase their chances of being admitted to a CSU campus. After that, students run the risk of not being admitted to the campus of their choice.

Because of the state's budget crisis and deep cuts to education, the CSU system will be forced to limit the number of students admitted next year. Therefore, many CSU campuses will stop accepting applications earlier than in past years for the entering class of fall 2004. Campuses will no longer accept applications when they reach their target enrollments.

In 2004-05 the system must maintain enrollment at the 2003-04 levels to comply with the state's 2003-04 budget language stipulating that the CSU and the University of California will not receive funding for enrollment growth next year. Fall 2004 applicants are encouraged to apply electronically by logging in to www.csumentor.edu.

The California State University is the largest system of senior higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, approximately 414,000 students and 46,000 faculty and staff. For more info see www.calstate.edu.
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Applications to Occidental Soar. Occidental College received a record-breaking 4,500 applications for this fall. It was the fifth consecutive year that applications have set records at the 116-year-old college. Of those who applied for admission, 1,861, or 41 percent, were offered admission, the lowest admit rate at Occidental since the postwar boom year of 1947.

With just 445 places available this fall, Occidental received 10 applications for every opening. Of the 1,861 students offered admission to the Class of 2007, 93 percent ranked in the top quarter of their class, up from 92 percent last year. The median SAT score for students admitted this year is 1310, up from 1230 five years ago. Fifty-three percent of applicants are from California; the rest are from 47 states, the District of Columbia and 21 foreign countries. Students of color and international students make up 38 percent of the class; 61 percent are women; and 56 percent are from public schools.

The University of California Releases Bilingual Admissions Guide. In an effort to better serve Spanish-speaking families throughout the state, The University of California Office of the President has developed "Great futures start here" or "Un futuro brillante comienza aquí," a new bilingual guide that outlines admission requirements, financial aid options and other essential information.

The 36-page booklet updates and expands the information previously contained in UC's Spanish-language publication "Tomando las riendas de su futuro." The new publication includes a section on the Dual Admissions Program and a new path for students to gain UC eligibility. It has also been updated with current fee levels and new financial aid information.

By 2008, Latinos are expected to comprise the largest group of California's high school graduates. The university hopes the bilingual format will allow Spanish-speaking parents and their English-speaking children to share information and better understand what it takes to get into a UC campus.

The free booklet can be obtained from UC campus outreach offices or by calling 1-866-204-4589. An online version in PDF format is also available at the University of California Web site: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/collegeprep/greatfutures.pdf.

Mudders. Did you know Harvey Mudd students are known as "mudders?" Six hundred "mudders" share a seven-college campus with The Claremont Graduate University, Keck Graduate Institute for Applied Life Sciences, Claremont McKenna, Pomona, Pitzer and Scripps Colleges.

In all, they have use of 175 buildings, 550 acres, a 2-million volume library, 2,500 courses, 6,500 students, 500 faculty members, a bookstore which carries 30,000 titles, 12 sports playing fields, 6 swimming pools, 2 complete intercollegiate athletic complexes, 20 varsity and 17 intramural sports. If that isn't enough, there are 150 public events each month with a 2,500-seat concert hall, 350-seat theatre, recital halls, art and dance studios, museums, art galleries and nearly 300 clubs and organizations. Other facilities available to "Mudders" include a biological field station, a 40-inch telescope at Table Mountain Observatory and machine shops to build tools.
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Community College Transfers Continue Strong Five-Year Upward Trend at UC. University of California campuses have admitted 14,665 transfer students from the California Community Colleges for fall 2003, nearly 8 percent more than in 2002. It is the fifth consecutive year of growth.

UC campuses accepted almost eight out of 10 transfer applicants. California residents accounted for 13,415 of the transfers, 7 percent more than in 2002. "Attending the California Community Colleges is a great way to come to the University of California," said UC President Richard C. Atkinson.

Students can use Assist, a web-based planning system for transfer students available online at www.assist.org to see how specific course credits earned at a California community college can be applied to a major at UC or a California State University campus.

In 2004, UC will implement a Dual Admissions Program which will provide an additional path to the UC system through the community colleges by granting admission at a UC campus to students who are between the top four percent and 12.5 percent of their high school' graduating senior class, but who are not eligible to attend UC as freshmen. Dual Admission Program students will complete a transfer program at a community college, then transfer to UC to complete baccalaureate requirements.

Other California News. Paul Newman recently donated $50,000 to Pepperdine U. for its classical guitar program which will include scholarship funds Stanford U. announced that it would become the first U.S. university to require medical students to pick a "scholarly concentration" similar to undergraduate majors. Stanford ranked among the top business schools, according to two new reports. The Economist published its list of the 100 best full-time MBA programs in Asia, Europe and North America. The Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University ranked number one in the world, followed by Dartmouth and Stanford. The Economist analyses career and networking opportunities and includes student comments and survey data. For more info, see the Economist Intelligence Unit at www.economist.com. Forbes magazine also released "The Best Business Schools" in its October 13 issue. Its top 10, based on salaries of graduates and class ranks: Harvard, Columbia, Chicago, Dartmouth (Tuck), Yale, Pennsylvania (Wharton), Stanford, UNC (Kenan-Flagler), Northwestern (Kellogg) and Virginia (Darden).
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Trends in College Pricing
and Student Aid
IN MID-OCTOBER, The College Board released its annual report detailing trends in tuition and student financial aid. Among the findings this year: The net price the average undergraduate student pays for a college education is significantly lower than the published tuition and fees. However, over the last 10 years tuition has gone up 47 percent at public universities and 42 percent at private colleges.

For the 2003-04 academic year, college tuition and fees increased $579 at four-year public institutions to $4,694, a 14 percent increase, and $1,114 at four-year private institutions to $19,710, a 6 percent increase. At two-year public institutions, tuition increased $231 to $1,905, nearly a 14 percent increase.

On the positive side, in 2002-03, $105 billion was distributed in student financial aid, $13 billion more than the previous year. Full-time students averaged $9,100 in aid, $3,600 of that in the form of grants.

The College Board noted that in spite of rising college charges, only a small percentage of students enroll in those colleges and universities with the highest tuition rates and fees. "Only 8 percent of students enrolled in four-year institutions face tuition charges of $24,000 or more per year," the College Board concluded. A quarter of full-time undergraduates attend two-year public colleges, of those in four-year institutions 29 percent attend institutions charging less than $4,000, while almost 70 percent face tuition charges of less than $8,000.

Charges at four-year public institutions represent 5-6 percent of income for families with the highest incomes, 19 percent of income for middle-income families and 71 percent for low-income families. For a complete copy of this year's report see www.collegeboard.com.
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THE COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Counseling the Science Student
Editor's Note: How can more students be encouraged to major in math, science and engineering? At the NACAC meeting in Long Beach, California, one of the sessions focused on ways to counsel science students. Here is some of what the experts said.

TODAY'S HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE STUDENTS are "a population that is sometimes neglected," according to Peter Osgood, Harvey Mudd College in California, who argues that their needs might be different, they take difficult courses and a full curricula and don't always have time to talk with counselors. "These are the students who could use a lot of guidance," he said.

To Osgood, students interested in math and science need to know that there are options in higher education, varied, each with advantages and disadvantages. These include big universities with programs targeted for science students in particular academic fields, liberal arts colleges with science curricula and technical schools. Is it better to be in a research institute? A technical school? Or one that is more broad based? The answers vary according to the student and their area of interest. The student interested in computer science may have different needs than the student interested in premed.

DIFFERENT CHALLENGES IN COLLEGE
Yet, a lot of students who succeed in high school sciences find college level science is beyond them," said Bill Rubin, director of the College Authority in California. The challenges, according to Rubin,

• The Pace. The sciences at the undergraduate level are taught at a much faster pace, the material is much denser and it's almost entirely taught in the lecture format.
• The Size. A small intimate setting can be found in smaller places. But even there, freshman chemistry or biology classes are much larger than courses in high school. The same is true for the overview engineering courses. "That format is not going to work for all students," Rubin said. "Some students excel at smaller environments and there are a limited number of those. Students who want to go into these fields, but aren't prepared for larger classes, need to be advised. If they don't believe you, send them to a local four-year college so they can see that for themselves."
• The Curve. Grade inflation doesn't exist in the sciences as often as it does in other fields. Everything is on the curve. A certain proportion of students are destined to fail. But a 55-60 percent grade could be an A and that throws students.
• Problem Sets. Students often don't just have examinations or papers, but problem sets. Some are problems that can never be solved. That can be discouraging to students. And in engineering it is far more common to work on problems in a team setting.
• The Math. Almost all the sciences require math. A lot of the college sciences incorporate math into the courses and use math including calculus to solve problems. This could be dangerous for some students.
• The Competition. This often exists within a class, particularly among students in premed. The competition may be self-imposed, but some students may discover it is not for them.

Who is most likely to succeed? According to Rubin, the high school students who do outside activities in science such as research projects, science fairs, science clubs, volunteering in a lab at a local college where they can learn the scientific method or volunteering in a hospital. "Coursework is very different than laboratory experience," he said. "A lot of students love course work and hate lab experiences, a smaller percentage typically do the reverse. But if a student likes the lab work, that can motivate them in their course work."
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CHALLENGES FACING WOMEN
At the same time, "Young women still have a hard time overcoming stereotypes in pursing their interests in science," noted Joe Prieto at Hinsdale Central High School in Illinois. He noted that in 1984, of all majors in computer science 26 percent were female. In 1996, that percentage had dropped to 22 percent.

How can counselors help young women interested in the sciences? They need to help them find "the right fit" in terms of curriculum, school climate, even advisors on campus. To help young women find the fit and showcase their talents, counselors can have students draft a statement about their courses and work outside of the classroom to show their affinity for a subject area. They should prepare a resume reflecting their interests. In letters, counselors can note those students who have taken challenging courses and quote teachers on a student's talents. Students, in turn, should use the web to explore programs and contact department chairs about their interests.

INSTILLING CONFIDENCE COUNTS
According to Stephanie Blaisdell, director of diversity and women's programs at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, the good news is that girls are doing a better job at being prepared in the math and sciences. The bad news is they are still not confident in the field. Blaisdell tracked 300 female science students and what majors they selected. The girls had taken the same courses in high school as the boys and earned better grades. But the majority of boys went into engineering fields and the girls when into the "helping professions." Applications to medical school and veterinary applications now are predominantly women, she noted. "But I am concerned about the lack of young women in physics," she said. Only about 13 percent go into engineering, physics or computer science.

What can counselors do to bolster confidence in these areas? Blaisdell's research has found that interest follows self-efficacy, not the other way around. "Confidence plays an important role," she said, in choosing a career. Also, female students are not well informed. Women who end up in engineering tend to have a parent who is an engineer and know what engineering is. Or they have had a guidance counselor or teacher who said, "You would be good in engineering."

The same advice applies for students of color who still aren't encouraged to go onto high-level math and sciences courses while in high school, according to Blaisdell. They, too, may lack role models and or the knowledge of career options. Counselors are in position to encourage students of color and pay attention to their interests, she noted. If a student is good in math and science, counselors should talk to them about it. And professionals in these fields could talk to a class about what they do and how they overcame challenges.

The remarks above are taken from talks given at the National Association of College Admission Counselors annual conference in October in Long Beach, California.
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America Losing Ground in College Access, Participation and Attainment
America has fallen alarmingly behind other industrialized countries in access to and participation in college, according to a report hot off the press from the Education Commission of the States. "Closing the College Participation Gap" states that according to the most recent data, the U. S. has fallen from first to thirteenth among developed nations in college participation leading to a bachelor's degree in the last decade.

"Stagnant levels of postsecondary participation and attainment keep the U.S. in a holding pattern while other nations soar ahead," said Sandra Ruppert, ECS program director.

• The study's key findings:
  The 13 percent increase in traditional college-age enrollments projected for the next decade has captured national attention, but the less-noticed story is that half the states likely will see either little or no growth or an actual decline in their numbers of students attending college. For example, by 2015, California's enrollments of 18- to 24-year-olds are expected to increase 41 percent, while West Virginia's are projected to decline by 11 percent.
• College is not just for new high school graduates anymore. Adults age 25 and older now account for nearly half of the more than 17 million students enrolled in U.S. colleges. Changing workforce needs and economic conditions are projected to drive up demand for college access among adults, which is currently projected to increase 13 percent by 2015.
• If the entire nation were to match the participation rate of the top-performing states, the U.S. could boost enrollments by an additional 8 million students by 2015. It means millions more Americans who are not projected currently to benefit from a college education would be able to acquire the education needed to enjoy more prosperous lives.

The study also reveals several forces lining up: At a time when Hispanics and Latinos are the fastest-growing population in America, and thus a key factor in workforce and other economic issues, the Hispanic population in almost every state may be the most at risk in gaining access to and participating in college. Further, current gaps in college participation based not only on race or ethnicity, but also on age, gender and income, are likely to increase among those most at risk.

According to Virginia Governor Mark Warner, ECS chairman, the unprecedented budget shortfalls facing states should not deter action. "In the business world, the companies that come through fiscal hard times stronger are the ones that invest and innovate during the crisis," he said.

Added Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, ECS chairman-elect, "While each state has a different profile, almost all states will need to expand access to meet their economic challenges."

To access state profiles online or to learn more about this initiative, visit the ECS Web site at www.ecs.org.
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SCHOLARSHIP SCOOPS
Competitive Cheer. The U. of Maryland recently announced it is making competitive cheerleading a varsity sport beginning with the 2003-04 academic year. UM believes it is the only program nationally to grant varsity status to cheerleaders. Four full scholarships are available for a squad of approximately 25 student-athletes. An additional eight scholarships will be phased in over the next two years for a total of 12 awards on an annual basis. The catch is that cheerleaders will no longer cheer at athletic events, but only at cheer competitions.

Brown vs. Board of Education Essay Contest. National History Day, in cooperation with the Commission for the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1954 landmark decision Brown v Board of Education, invites students in grades 6-12 to participate in a national essay contest as part of the 2003-2004 National History Day program. Students are encouraged to write an essay with supporting research that examines the Brown decision and its ongoing impact. The essay must relate to the theme "Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History" and should follow the National History Day rules for the paper category.

Papers selected at district or regional National History Day contests to advance to the state contest are eligible to compete in the special Brown v Board essay contest. See www.nationalhistoryday.org

AXA Foundation. AXA Foundation in association with U.S. News and World Report will select high school seniors from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for its Achievement Scholarship Program. The 52 achievers will receive $10,000 scholarships for undergraduate education. From the state recipients, 10 students will receive additional awards of $15,000. Deadline: December 15. Go to www.axaonline.com/axafoundation

Lucent Global Science Scholars Program. In 1999, Lucent Technologies Foundation established a program to encourage the world's youth to pursue careers in technology. The program also recognizes and rewards students who have made significant achievements in math and science. The Institute of International Education (IIE) administers the Lucent Global Science Scholars competition. For information regarding the competition, eligibility criteria, application procedures, downloadable applications and deadlines for the 2004, see www.iie.org/programs/lucent.
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COLLEGE BOUND's Publisher/Editor: R. Craig Sautter, DePaul University; Chief Operating Officer: Sally Reed; Contributor: Marc Davis; Circulation: Irma Gonzalez-Hider; Illustration: Louis Coronel; Board of Advisors: Rosita Fernandez-Rojo, Choate-Rosemary Hall; Claire D. Friedlander, Bedford (N.Y.) Central School District; Howard Greene, author, The Greenes' Guides to Educational Planning Series; Frank C. Leana, Ph.D., educational counselor; Virginia Vogel, Educational Guidance Services; M. Fredric Volkmann, Washington University in St. Louis, Mary Ann Willis, Bayside Academy (Daphne, Ala.).

In This Issue

Feature Articles
News from NACAC

California Dreamin'

Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid

COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Counseling the Science Student

America Losing Ground in
College Access, Participation
and Attainment

SCHOLARSHIP SCOOPS
-Competitive Cheer
-Brown vs. Board of Education
Essay Contest
-AXA Foundation
-Lucent Global Science Scholars
Program

COMING UP...
more news from folks at
NACAC... new data from
CB's annual fall survey
on college admissions
trends