New Eligibility Index for the University of California

Here is an update from the University of California:

The University of California has just released its Eligibility Index for
fall 2007 freshman applicants, which contains two important changes.


The Eligibility Index defines the combinations of test scores and grade
point average students must earn to be eligible for admission to the
University. Effective with applicants for fall 2007, the index¹s minimum GPA
rises from 2.8 to 3.0. This change was adopted by the UC Board of Regents in
2004, but implementation was delayed to allow students time to prepare.


In addition, the new index changes the way students will calculate their
test score totals. Instead of converting their ACT test scores to equivalent
SAT scores, as is done now, applicants will convert all test results,
whether they took the ACT or SAT, to a new UC Score, based on a 0-100 scale.
Students will then use their UC Score and GPA earned in required A-G courses
in the 10th and 11th grades to find where they fall in the index.


Students can quickly convert their scores and determine their standing in
the index by using UC's online calculator at
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/scholarshipreq . (Students
who have limited computer access can download a printed worksheet from
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/resources/materia
ls.html .)



While the UC Score gives a new look to the Eligibility Index, it will not
alter who becomes eligible for the University. The revised index will
capture the same share of California¹s high school graduates with the same
academic strengths as those who met the previous index with a GPA of 3.0 or
above.


A detailed explanation of the Eligibility Index is available at
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/adminfo/freshman/
advising/admission/scholarshipr.html .

Let your Priorities lead you to a Career

Students are constantly asking me what jobs are "hot" right now, but they should really be asking what things are important to them when finding a profession that fits their strengths and priorities. The Career Journal identified several key priorities for individuals and found careers that may just fit your interests.

Transcripts go Electronic

A company called MHEC is working with states to make a mailed paper transcript a thing of the past. The company hopes to be able to create a national database that would allow high schools and colleges to exchange transcripts via the internet.

Tufts Gets Creative

Tufts University will change their admission process this year to shift the focus of admissions from the current scores of a student to the potential contribution of a student.

How to Succeed in College

Are you off to college in the fall? Check out this article from a recent Dartmouth Alum who shares his advice on how to succeed in college .

SAT or ACT

Not long ago students there was a general assumption that colleges in the west preferred the SAT and colleges in the east preffered the ACT, but times have changed and many students opt to take both exams. There are benefits to both tests , but students should take sample tests before making a final decision on which tests to take for college admissions.

Top Ten Things About College Admissions

Students who have just gone throught the admissions process are a wealth of information, so here's the top ten things a student should know about college admissions from a student accepted to Harvard.

Teachers feel the Competitive Climate of College Admissions

Even teachers feel the competitive climate of college admissions and know that today deserving students may not be accepted to their first choice colleges.

Making Your Summer Count

Summer is a time to find interesting activities that encourage your intellectual development. Some students are using their summers to make themselves stand out in the college admissions process by going abroad to volunteer or study. Students need to remember that summer is a wonderful opportunity to find your niche, so make this summer count and take a class, volunteer, or find some other exciting opportunity!

Students should rush to consolidate loans

Graduating college students should think about consolidating their student loans to lock in at a low interest rate now because interest rates are set to rise 2% by the end of summer.

What Activities Get you into College?

A study called, Chess Cheerleading Chopin, What gets you into College, sizes up the impact certain activities can have on college admissions. The study reveals that students who have parents who visit art museums increase their probability of attending an elite college. Additionally, the study concluded that students involved in yearbook, the school newspaper, and/or "hobby clubs" tend to be more likely to attend an elite college.

How do I find an Arts College?

The Washington Post has a very insightful article on How to Find a Great Arts College.

High SAT scores can come at a cost

The competitive climate of college admissions has many students enrolled in SAT prep courses that can cost hundreds of dollars. The SAT does require students to become familiar with test, so each student needs to consider how they can prepare for the SAT in a timely manner. There are affordable alternatives for test preparation; Number 2 offers free online test prep and The College Board, the authors of the SAT offer an online testing program for 69.95.

Parents Fear Paying for College

A survey of 300 parents ranking their greatest fears revealed that paying for college was their top fear. The increase of tuition weighs heavily on the minds of parents, but financial planning can alleviate some of the stress.

Two competitive college announce the SAT will be optional for some students

This week Gustaus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota and George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia announced new admissions standards that may make submission of ACT and SAT scores optional for some students.

Colleges are beginning to rethink admission policies and find alternatives to relying on the SAT and ACT as indicators of academic potential. There are currently 735 institutions that do not require the SAT or ACT for admission.

Should Middle School Students take the SAT?

More than 120,000 students from 7th-8th grade took the SAT this year. If students decide to take the SAT they need to take into consideration that the SAT has content that they have not covered in their school curriculum and their scores will be lower.

Few Students are Being Admitted off the Wait List

The increase in college applicants this year has led to colleges accepting few students off their wait lists. For example, Harvard will probably take five to ten student versus the 28 students they admitted last year off their wait list.

Here are some tips to help you improve your chances of getting in:
1) Let them know that you are interested in their college
2)Provide new information
3) Don't annoy the admissions office

The SAT can cause Fatigue

The dip in SAT score has led some people to believe that the increase in time required for the new SAT is a strain on students. The SAT allows three hours and forty five minutes to complete the three sections, which is more time both the GMAT and GRE. Students are being stretched thin in the close to four hour SAT and scores are reflecting the change.

What do Admission Officers want?

Jacques Steinberg, an Education Reporter for the New York Times and author of The Gatekeepers had a great interview posted in the Jewish Ledger. Here are the main points he discovered while investigating college admissions-
1) Follow your passions
2) Grades and Test Scores do matter
3) There are just too many qualified applicants to accept
4) Admission Officers and not concerned with a formula, but they seek to "build a community"
5) Each application receives consideration

How Many AP classes should I take?

Students constantly hear that they need to take challenging courses. The message has been heard and there is now a dramatic increase in the number of students taking AP courses across the nation. According to USA Today there has been a 743% increase over the number of seniors a decade ago who took nine or more AP exams. College Admissions officials now want to soften the message, "we want to see students stretch themselves, (but) we've been telling them that they don't need to have every last AP course," says Lee Stetson, admissions dean at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Student need to strive for balance and challenge themselves but still maintain their sanity.