1. A How to Guide on the College
Admissions Process
Presenter:
Rob Dellibovi
Admissions Counselor
Winthrop University

2. What Types of Colleges are out there?
• Four Year, Baccalaureate Schools
– Public
– Private
• Two Year, Associates Degree Schools
– Technical/Community Colleges
• Military Colleges
• Co-Ed vs. Single Sex
• Religious Denomination

3. What Sizes of Colleges are out there?
• Very Small (500 – 1,200 students)
– Erskine, Wofford, Presbyterian, Anderson, Coker,
Newberry
• Small (1,600 – 4,000 students)
– Francis Marion, Lander, The Citadel, Claflin, Converse,
North Greenville, USC-Aiken, Furman
• Medium (5,000 – 12,000 students)
– Winthrop, Coastal Carolina, USC-Upstate, College of
Charleston
• Large (15,000+ students)
– USC, Clemson

4. Ahhh! Deadlines
• Deadline Schools
– Early Decision
• Apps due usually in November
• Binding!
– Early Action
• Due usually in November
• Non-Binding
– Regular Admission
• Due Usually in February

5. Ahhhhh, No Deadlines…
• Rolling Admissions Schools
– Typically State Institutions (not always)
– Will continue to take applications until full
– No application deadline
– Makes decisions when applications complete
• Waitlists
– Colleges decide when they access waitlists, can be
as early as January and as late as May

6. College Selectivity
• Highly Selective (highly competitive)
– More students apply then there are spots
– Less than 20% of applicants are offered admission
• Moderately Selective (somewhat competitive)
– Admitting around 50% of total applicants
• Selective (not competitive)
– Admitting 70% or more of applicants
• Open Enrollment

7. The Application Process
• Common Application
– Universal Place to apply to many colleges at once
• Not all schools in SC are on the Common Application
– No state schools
– www.commonapp.org
• Apply Web
– A smaller Universal place to apply to colleges
• Most SC state schools are on this
• www.applyweb.com
• School Websites
– Click on “Apply Now”

8. What to Submit?
• The application
– Application Fee (i.e. Winthrop app fee = $40)
– Essays may be a part of this process
– Residency Forms (state schools)
• Transcripts
– Up to Junior Year
– First semester Senior Year

9. What to Submit? (continued)
• Test Scores
– SAT
– ACT
– Subject Tests
• Recommendations
– Teacher
– Guidance Counselor

10. What to Submit? (continued)
• Essays
– Given topic vs. “Topic of Your Choice”
– Length
• Resumes
– Activity Sheet
– Work Experience
– Extra curricular activities

11. How are decisions made? (continued)
• High School Record
– Course curriculum
• Carnegie Units vs. all courses taken
• Graduation Requirements
– Academic Rigor
• The AP and Honors Effect
– Grades/GPA
– Class Rank
• Used for Admission and Scholarship
– School Profile
• % of Graduates at 4 year schools

12. How are decisions made? (continued)
• Extracurricular Involvement
• Leadership
• Community Service
• Special talents and abilities
• Special Circumstances
• Essay
• Recommendations ( Counselor & Teacher)

13. The Recommendation Process
• Counselor Recommendation
– Overview of the student
• Involvement in activities in and outside of school
• Personal and academic achievements
• Teacher Recommendation
– Describe type of student you are
– Classroom personality
– Obstacles that have been overcome

14. Standardized Test Registration
• ACT
– www.act.org
– Look for Study Guides
• SAT
– www.collegeboard.com
– Look for Study Guides
• Standardized tests require a commitment of
studying prior to taking the test – opportunity
costs

15. Doing Research on Colleges
• Visit high school’s college counseling office
– *Ask Questions
• Attend local college fair
– *Ask Questions
• Research University websites
– *Look for Questions to ask
• Read College Materials
– *Look for Questions to ask
• Review admissions and scholarship criteria
– *Look for Questions to ask

16. Visit Colleges that are of Interest
• Open House/ On Campus Program
• Information Sessions
• Walking Tour/Driving tour with a student tour
guide
• Attend a class and shadow a student
• Spring break is a prime time to visit

17. Timeline for Students
• Sophomore/Junior year
– Research and review options
– Set up visits for spring of junior year
• Senior Year
– Apply to college in Sept/Oct
– Visit your top choices again
– Apply for scholarships
– Keep in touch with you admissions counselors

18. What not to do….
1. DO NOT apply to college late
2. DO NOT forget to change the name of the
college you are applying to on the application or
essay
3. DO NOT wear a t-shirt of a different college on a
college visit or to a college fair
4. DO NOT leave typos on your application, essay,
or any correspondence you have with the
University
5. DO NOT answer phone calls in a college
interview of during a campus tour

19. What not to do….
1. DO NOT have inappropriate messages on your
answering machine
2. DO NOT have inappropriate email names
3. DO NOT email Admissions representatives with
incorrect punctuation or capitalization
4. DO NOT wait to get involved or to improve your
grades
5. DO NOT forget to stay in touch and connected to
your admissions counselor