Saturday, September 16, 2006
From the College Board ... For Counselors
onboard Counselor Edition
No. 45
September 15, 2006
Net Tips from NOSCA
National Office for School Counselor Advocacy <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.19544>
The College Board website offers test-preparation resources (in both English and Spanish) that are particularly helpful for parents. Consider sharing the complete articles or article excerpts in school newsletters or on your school's website.
Meet the Tests <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21333> includes information specifically written for parents/guardians on each College Board test program.
Meet the PSAT/NMSQT <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21334> ® provides details about the PSAT/NMSQT and tips for preparing, and introduces My College QuickStart, the College Board's free personalized college planning kit.
Information for counselors about the new My College QuickStart is online <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.17136> .
Counselors frequently address parent/guardian questions about the necessity of, validity of, or options for test-preparation sites and/or courses. Resources for those conversations include:
Coaching and the SAT I <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.10812> , an article by Donald Powers and Wayne Camara, is available as a PDF document.
The Long and Short of Test Prep <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21335> that offers preparation suggestions for both the long term and short term.
Handling Test Stress <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21336> , an article that offers tips for managing test anxiety.
The Official SAT Question of the Day£ Available in New Formats
There are two new resources from the College Board that you may find helpful. In addition to The Official SAT Question of the Day£ on collegeboard.com, the new wall calendarwith college planning tipsand box calendar offer students additional test preparation options. Free online answer explanations are also available. Learn more about the wall calendar <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21337> and the box calendar <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21338> online.
Forum 2006 Early Registration Is Still Open
Register by September 22 and save! College Board members who register <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.20014> by September 22 pay only $375; nonmember fees are $475. Group discounts are available.
SNAPSHOT
Four-year colleges rated their admission criteria in the recent College Board survey. Based on responses from 1,917 institutions, the following criteria are "very important":
School achievement 83%
Test scores 59%
Recommendation 19%
Essay 17%
Interview 14%
Activities 4%
Source: Annual Survey of Colleges of the College Board, 2005-06
UPDATE
STUDENTS & PARENTS
View the latest student newsletters:
Freshmen <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.15353>
Sophomores <http://www.collegeboard.com/email/SophNewsletter.html>
Juniors <http://www.collegeboard.com/email/JuniorNewsletter.html>
Seniors <http://www.collegeboard.com/email/SeniorNewsletter.html>
Please feel free to reproduce our student newsletters for educational purposes. We ask only that they not be modified or offered for sale, and that the copyright notice be retained exactly as written.
Main Story
Harvard to Eliminate Early Admission
On Tuesday, September 12, Harvard University announced that it is moving to a single application deadline of January 1. The change will apply to freshmen entering in September 2008. In making the announcement, Harvard interim President Derek Bok said the university hoped that doing away with early admission would "improve the process and make it simpler and fairer." The New York Times reported that many admissions deans and high school counselors "greeted Harvard's decision...with astonishment and delight." The article quoted Marilee Jones, dean of admissions at MIT, saying that the single deadline policy "has the capacity to change a lot of things in this business. It's bold enough for other schools to really reconsider what they're doing. I wish them so much luck in this." More information on the decision is available on the Harvard website <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21339> . Hot Topics
SAT® Scores for the Class of 2006 Announced
The College Board announced SAT® scores for the class of 2006 on Tuesday, August 29. This is the first full graduating class to take the new version of the SAT, which includes a writing section. In making the announcement, Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board, said, "The addition of writing has made the SAT a better measure of the skills students need to succeed in college and later in life. We will continue to work with schools and colleges to encourage high standards and a greater focus on writing in the classroom." Females outscored males on the writing section, which consists of a multiple-choice portion and an essay. The average writing score for all was 497. Females scored an average of 502, 11 points higher than males, who scored an average of 491. A stronger female performance in writing was evident across every racial/ethnic group. More information about student performance, including state reports, can be found at the College Board Press Release website <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21155> . Issues of Concern to College-Bound Students Highlighted in New Report
The 2006 State of College Admission Report published by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), based on U.S. Department of Education and the College Board data, is now available. Among the highlights:
More than three million students graduated from high school in the United States in 2005. Slightly more than 60 percent of them applied to and enrolled in postsecondary education, either two- or four-year institutions.
Seventy-three percent of colleges reported that the number of admission applications had increased from the previous year.
The average selectivity rate, or percent of applicants offered admission, at four-year colleges and universities in the United States is 70 percent. The average yield rate, or percent of admitted students who enroll in an institution, for four-year colleges and universities in the United States is 45 percent.
For electronic copies of this report, visit the NACAC website <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.20050> .
Readers' Corner
The editors of onboard invite you to suggest your ideas for topics to cover in future editions, Counselors. We would like to be sure that we report the news and information you need and enjoy. Please send your comments and suggestionseven propose features that you'd like to seeto onboard@collegeboard.org.
The Latest From Us
SAT Score Delivery Dates Set
SAT score delivery dates <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21331> for the October 2006 through January 2007 SAT test dates are now available. Information about scores and score release dates <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.14090> are online.
We have also extended some of the regular registration deadlines to be certain that you and your students have the chance to view scores before the next available registration deadline. A complete list of registration deadlines <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21332> is also on the Web.
The New World of College Admissions
Coming soon: The New World of College Admissions in the fall issue of The College Board Review.
Demographic shifts, changing technology, public attitudes: All are altering how college admissions work, and changes in the profession will continue in coming decades. The Review features essays by experts like James H. Johnson of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on how population trends are affecting higher education; Tally Hart of Ohio State University, on the need for a closer partnership between financial aid and admissions; and Rebecca Zwick of the University of California: Santa Barbara, on the future of testing. The College Board also interviews the editors behind U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges"while Edward B. Fiske casts a wry look at the history of college rankings. The Review is distributed as a benefit of College Board membership. Nonmembers may subscribe online by going to the College Board Store <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.14652> .
Registration Open for Free Fall Counselor Workshops
The 2006 Fall Counselor Workshop season is under way. The workshops offer updates of College Board programs and services to help you to prepare your students for college access and success. You can search for workshops being held in your area and register online by visiting www.collegeboard.com/meetings <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.5475> . Search by date and/or state and be sure to select "Fall Counselor Workshop" from the "Choose a Type" drop-down menu.
Fall Counselor Workshops are conducted between Labor Day and the middle of October each year. The free workshops are generally held between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. Make your plans to join the College Board and your school counselor colleagues at an informative session in your area today.
2007-08 CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® to Launch on October 1
The 2007-08 CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® will offer students a new, customized registration process that is expected to make the application process better and easier for all students. However, the major focus has been to streamline the application for students from the lowest income families. Many students now will need to answer far fewer application questions.
The new PROFILE will also have additional support features. Each application question will be identified with a unique Help Code, and a customized pre-application worksheet that includes only the questions the student will be asked will be available to each applicant.
2006-07 PROFILE application fees will remain at the current rate$5 for registration and $18 for each school report. Fee waivers will continue to be available to qualified applicants and will cover the cost of registration and up to six school reports.
Shape the Future of Education at Forum 2006
Forum 2006 <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.1657> will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California, from November 9 to 12, Veterans Day weekend. Make your plans to attend.
Of special interest to school counselors are sessions on a diverse range of topics from preparing high school students for the transition to higher education to establishing a culture of college success at your school.
Sample Topics of Interest to Counselors:
Today's Millennial Students: Implications for High School Counselors
Junior Seminar AKA College 101
Enhancing and Extending the Expertise of Community College Counselors
Success in Early Intervention: AVID, GEAR UP, and TRIO
The Headmaster and the College Counselor: An Essential Partnership
Promoting School Improvement Through Counselor Accountability Programs
We hope you will attend the Guidance and Admission Assembly meeting; the Forum's unique college fair, Dialogue & Dessert with Colleges; and presentations from prominent speakers from the fields of education, politics, arts, and mediaincluding the keynote address by University of Southern California President Dr. Steven B. Sample, a leader in interdisciplinary education.
For more information about the exciting events planned for Forum 2006 with session details and registration materials, please visit the Forum website <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.19633> .
The Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing: Call for Applications
The College Board Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing recognize exceptional teachers for the innovative methods they use to inspire and develop their students' writing skills. Six grants of $2,000, one per College Board region, will be awarded. Teachers of grades 6-12 from any discipline, in both public and nonpublic schools, are eligible for the grants. Projects could be carried out in school, through an after-school writing workshop, or during a summer program.
The application deadline is November 17, 2006. To learn more about the grants, read about the 2006 winners, or download an application, visit www.collegeboard.com/costasgrants <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.15253> .
ORA Personality Profiler® on MyRoad£: A Tool for Self-Discovery
MyRoad encourages students to learn more about themselves and use what they learn to research the educational and career opportunities that await them. On MyRoad <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.19551> , they can complete a research-validated personality assessment that connects them to original articles on the careers and majors that spark their interest.
Events Calendar
November 9-12
Forum 2006 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, California
December 7-8
Guidance and Admission Assembly Council
The College Board: Connecting Students to College Success
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,000 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.
No. 45
September 15, 2006
Net Tips from NOSCA
National Office for School Counselor Advocacy <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.19544>
The College Board website offers test-preparation resources (in both English and Spanish) that are particularly helpful for parents. Consider sharing the complete articles or article excerpts in school newsletters or on your school's website.
Meet the Tests <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21333> includes information specifically written for parents/guardians on each College Board test program.
Meet the PSAT/NMSQT <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21334> ® provides details about the PSAT/NMSQT and tips for preparing, and introduces My College QuickStart, the College Board's free personalized college planning kit.
Information for counselors about the new My College QuickStart is online <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.17136> .
Counselors frequently address parent/guardian questions about the necessity of, validity of, or options for test-preparation sites and/or courses. Resources for those conversations include:
Coaching and the SAT I <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.10812> , an article by Donald Powers and Wayne Camara, is available as a PDF document.
The Long and Short of Test Prep <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21335> that offers preparation suggestions for both the long term and short term.
Handling Test Stress <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21336> , an article that offers tips for managing test anxiety.
The Official SAT Question of the Day£ Available in New Formats
There are two new resources from the College Board that you may find helpful. In addition to The Official SAT Question of the Day£ on collegeboard.com, the new wall calendarwith college planning tipsand box calendar offer students additional test preparation options. Free online answer explanations are also available. Learn more about the wall calendar <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21337> and the box calendar <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21338> online.
Forum 2006 Early Registration Is Still Open
Register by September 22 and save! College Board members who register <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.20014> by September 22 pay only $375; nonmember fees are $475. Group discounts are available.
SNAPSHOT
Four-year colleges rated their admission criteria in the recent College Board survey. Based on responses from 1,917 institutions, the following criteria are "very important":
School achievement 83%
Test scores 59%
Recommendation 19%
Essay 17%
Interview 14%
Activities 4%
Source: Annual Survey of Colleges of the College Board, 2005-06
UPDATE
STUDENTS & PARENTS
View the latest student newsletters:
Freshmen <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.15353>
Sophomores <http://www.collegeboard.com/email/SophNewsletter.html>
Juniors <http://www.collegeboard.com/email/JuniorNewsletter.html>
Seniors <http://www.collegeboard.com/email/SeniorNewsletter.html>
Please feel free to reproduce our student newsletters for educational purposes. We ask only that they not be modified or offered for sale, and that the copyright notice be retained exactly as written.
Main Story
Harvard to Eliminate Early Admission
On Tuesday, September 12, Harvard University announced that it is moving to a single application deadline of January 1. The change will apply to freshmen entering in September 2008. In making the announcement, Harvard interim President Derek Bok said the university hoped that doing away with early admission would "improve the process and make it simpler and fairer." The New York Times reported that many admissions deans and high school counselors "greeted Harvard's decision...with astonishment and delight." The article quoted Marilee Jones, dean of admissions at MIT, saying that the single deadline policy "has the capacity to change a lot of things in this business. It's bold enough for other schools to really reconsider what they're doing. I wish them so much luck in this." More information on the decision is available on the Harvard website <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21339> . Hot Topics
SAT® Scores for the Class of 2006 Announced
The College Board announced SAT® scores for the class of 2006 on Tuesday, August 29. This is the first full graduating class to take the new version of the SAT, which includes a writing section. In making the announcement, Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board, said, "The addition of writing has made the SAT a better measure of the skills students need to succeed in college and later in life. We will continue to work with schools and colleges to encourage high standards and a greater focus on writing in the classroom." Females outscored males on the writing section, which consists of a multiple-choice portion and an essay. The average writing score for all was 497. Females scored an average of 502, 11 points higher than males, who scored an average of 491. A stronger female performance in writing was evident across every racial/ethnic group. More information about student performance, including state reports, can be found at the College Board Press Release website <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21155> . Issues of Concern to College-Bound Students Highlighted in New Report
The 2006 State of College Admission Report published by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), based on U.S. Department of Education and the College Board data, is now available. Among the highlights:
More than three million students graduated from high school in the United States in 2005. Slightly more than 60 percent of them applied to and enrolled in postsecondary education, either two- or four-year institutions.
Seventy-three percent of colleges reported that the number of admission applications had increased from the previous year.
The average selectivity rate, or percent of applicants offered admission, at four-year colleges and universities in the United States is 70 percent. The average yield rate, or percent of admitted students who enroll in an institution, for four-year colleges and universities in the United States is 45 percent.
For electronic copies of this report, visit the NACAC website <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.20050> .
Readers' Corner
The editors of onboard invite you to suggest your ideas for topics to cover in future editions, Counselors. We would like to be sure that we report the news and information you need and enjoy. Please send your comments and suggestionseven propose features that you'd like to seeto onboard@collegeboard.org.
The Latest From Us
SAT Score Delivery Dates Set
SAT score delivery dates <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21331> for the October 2006 through January 2007 SAT test dates are now available. Information about scores and score release dates <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.14090> are online.
We have also extended some of the regular registration deadlines to be certain that you and your students have the chance to view scores before the next available registration deadline. A complete list of registration deadlines <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.21332> is also on the Web.
The New World of College Admissions
Coming soon: The New World of College Admissions in the fall issue of The College Board Review.
Demographic shifts, changing technology, public attitudes: All are altering how college admissions work, and changes in the profession will continue in coming decades. The Review features essays by experts like James H. Johnson of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on how population trends are affecting higher education; Tally Hart of Ohio State University, on the need for a closer partnership between financial aid and admissions; and Rebecca Zwick of the University of California: Santa Barbara, on the future of testing. The College Board also interviews the editors behind U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges"while Edward B. Fiske casts a wry look at the history of college rankings. The Review is distributed as a benefit of College Board membership. Nonmembers may subscribe online by going to the College Board Store <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.14652> .
Registration Open for Free Fall Counselor Workshops
The 2006 Fall Counselor Workshop season is under way. The workshops offer updates of College Board programs and services to help you to prepare your students for college access and success. You can search for workshops being held in your area and register online by visiting www.collegeboard.com/meetings <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.5475> . Search by date and/or state and be sure to select "Fall Counselor Workshop" from the "Choose a Type" drop-down menu.
Fall Counselor Workshops are conducted between Labor Day and the middle of October each year. The free workshops are generally held between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. Make your plans to join the College Board and your school counselor colleagues at an informative session in your area today.
2007-08 CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® to Launch on October 1
The 2007-08 CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® will offer students a new, customized registration process that is expected to make the application process better and easier for all students. However, the major focus has been to streamline the application for students from the lowest income families. Many students now will need to answer far fewer application questions.
The new PROFILE will also have additional support features. Each application question will be identified with a unique Help Code, and a customized pre-application worksheet that includes only the questions the student will be asked will be available to each applicant.
2006-07 PROFILE application fees will remain at the current rate$5 for registration and $18 for each school report. Fee waivers will continue to be available to qualified applicants and will cover the cost of registration and up to six school reports.
Shape the Future of Education at Forum 2006
Forum 2006 <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.1657> will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California, from November 9 to 12, Veterans Day weekend. Make your plans to attend.
Of special interest to school counselors are sessions on a diverse range of topics from preparing high school students for the transition to higher education to establishing a culture of college success at your school.
Sample Topics of Interest to Counselors:
Today's Millennial Students: Implications for High School Counselors
Junior Seminar AKA College 101
Enhancing and Extending the Expertise of Community College Counselors
Success in Early Intervention: AVID, GEAR UP, and TRIO
The Headmaster and the College Counselor: An Essential Partnership
Promoting School Improvement Through Counselor Accountability Programs
We hope you will attend the Guidance and Admission Assembly meeting; the Forum's unique college fair, Dialogue & Dessert with Colleges; and presentations from prominent speakers from the fields of education, politics, arts, and mediaincluding the keynote address by University of Southern California President Dr. Steven B. Sample, a leader in interdisciplinary education.
For more information about the exciting events planned for Forum 2006 with session details and registration materials, please visit the Forum website <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.19633> .
The Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing: Call for Applications
The College Board Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing recognize exceptional teachers for the innovative methods they use to inspire and develop their students' writing skills. Six grants of $2,000, one per College Board region, will be awarded. Teachers of grades 6-12 from any discipline, in both public and nonpublic schools, are eligible for the grants. Projects could be carried out in school, through an after-school writing workshop, or during a summer program.
The application deadline is November 17, 2006. To learn more about the grants, read about the 2006 winners, or download an application, visit www.collegeboard.com/costasgrants <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.15253> .
ORA Personality Profiler® on MyRoad£: A Tool for Self-Discovery
MyRoad encourages students to learn more about themselves and use what they learn to research the educational and career opportunities that await them. On MyRoad <http://click.collegeboard.com:80/12198263.49360.0.19551> , they can complete a research-validated personality assessment that connects them to original articles on the careers and majors that spark their interest.
Events Calendar
November 9-12
Forum 2006 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, California
December 7-8
Guidance and Admission Assembly Council
The College Board: Connecting Students to College Success
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,000 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.
