This document discusses the increasing competitiveness of the college admissions process. It notes rising application numbers, with increases as high as 42% at some schools. Prestigious universities like Stanford, Harvard, and Yale received over 30,000 applications each and accepted fewer than 10% of applicants. The admissions rates for most top schools have declined significantly since 2005. The document provides advice for students to stand out as strong applicants, including strategizing course selection and extracurricular activities as early as 9th grade, and developing a compelling personal narrative in 11th grade through essays and interviews. Students are encouraged to be "2.0 applicants" who go beyond grades and tests to find ways to engage with schools.

1. The Inside Scoop on the
College Admissions Process
The Bronx High School of Science  October 16, 2013
Michael C. Motto
Michael.Motto@aya.yale.edu
New York-Based Educational Consultant
and College Admissions Advisor

2. Why has applying to college
gotten so crazy?
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Demographics
More students are applying to more schools
University recruiting and outreach efforts
The number of applications from international
students is increasing

3. A Closer Look:
2013 Application Numbers
• Boston University … 52,532 applications
• 19% Increase; 8,562 more than last year
• Case Western Reserve … 18,226 applications
• 25% Increase; 3,655 more than last year
• Clark University … 5,472 applications
• 28% Increase; 1,191 more than last year
• New York University … 48,606 applications
• 11% Increase; 4,878 more than last year

4. 2013 Application Numbers
• Skidmore College … 8,126 applications
• 42% Increase; 2,420 more than last year
• Tufts University … 18,120 applications
• 11% Increase; 1,742 more than last year
• University of Chicago … 30,369 applications
• 20% Increase; 5,062 more than last year
• Vanderbilt University … 30,870 applications
• 9% Increase; 2,522 more than last year

5. The Ivy League and Stanford
2013 Admissions Statistics
Admission RateNumber of Applications
• Stanford, 5.69%
38,828
• Harvard, 5.79%
35,023
• Yale, 6.72%
29,610
• Columbia, 6.89%
33,513
• Princeton, 7.29%
26,498
• Brown, 9.16%
28,919
• Dartmouth, 10.05%
22,416
• Penn, 12.10%
31,280
• Cornell, 15.15%
40,006

6. 2013 Admission Rates
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Amherst, 13.7%
Barnard, 20.5%
BU, 36% (49%, 2011)
Bowdoin, 14.5%
Bucknell, 29%
Carleton, 21% (31%)
Chicago, 8.8% (16%)
Colgate, 25.9%
Duke, 11.5%
Emory, 25.9%
Hamilton, 27.1%
Lehigh, 30.4%
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Middlebury, 19.2%
NYU, 30.2%
Northwestern, 13.9% (18%)
Rochester, 31.0% (36%)
SUNY-Binghamton, 40.3%
Swarthmore, 14%
Tufts, 18.7%
UCLA, 20.1% (25%)
Vanderbilt, 11.9%
Wash U, 15%
Wesleyan (CT), 19.3%
Williams, 16.8%

7. Admissions Rates: 2013 vs. 2005
20132005
• Brown
• Cornell
• Georgetown
• Univ. of Michigan
• Northwestern
• Penn
• Swarthmore
• USC
• Univ. of Virginia
• Vanderbilt
9.16%
15.15%
16.6%
36.55% (2012)
13.9%
12.1%
14.05%
19.68%
29%
11.97%
16%
31%
23%
63%
33%
29%
25%
27%
39%
40%

8. What should I do??
Not this!

9. How about this??
No, not this either!

10. 1.0 and 2.0 Applicants
Be a 2.0 Applicant!!!
- Stand out
- Develop your edge
- Strategize, plan ahead and have fun
(this can actually be fun!)

11. 9th and 10th Grades:
Critical pre-college planning activities
• Setting the right academic goals
• Understanding academic tracking; Being strategic about
course selection; Building effective relationships with
teachers
• Developing a compelling leadership profile
• Choosing extracurricular activities wisely; strengthening
interpersonal skills; engaging in community service
• Planning and preparing for standardized tests
• Selecting appropriate summer programs

12. 11th Grade:
Strategies to Gain a Competitive Edge
• Devising a comprehensive strategy and action
plan for the college admissions process
• Identifying appropriate schools and programs; Strategizing
the standardized testing schedule; Choosing a valuable
summer opportunity; Setting an application timetable and
student work calendar; Understanding the benefit of early,
regular and rolling admissions cycles;
• Developing a compelling narrative
• Crafting effective essays, personal statements, and resumes;
Preparing supplementary materials to help advance an
application
• Preparing for alumni and on-campus interviews;
• Demonstrating interest in a college