College admissions; trends, issues and initiatives

Area colleges and universities are welcoming students back to class and new students are arriving to begin their first year. At the same time, portals have opened for rising high school seniors to make their school application choices.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the state has nearly 250 public and private higher education institutions, which attract more than 36 thousand students from across the country and around the world. Applicants have a lot of choices when it comes to picking a school and career-program, but the process is often complicated and confusing. High school counseling offices are where students begin the process, and they have many questions:

Which standardized test do colleges and universities prefer, the SAT or the ACT?

What is test-optional?

Will Advanced Placement classes make me more competitive? What about International Baccalaureate programs?

How are extracurriculars factored into the selection process?

What are the differences between need-based and merit-based scholarships?

Choosing a college or university is one of the biggest personal and financial decisions a high school student will ever make. Joining Smart Talk on Tuesday to talk about trends, issues and initiatives are representatives from four area schools:

•  Bill Conley, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Bucknell University

•  Dr. Michael Thorp, Director of Admissions, York College

•  Cathy Davenport, Interim Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions, Dickinson College

 • Laura Fahy-Leo, Interim Director of Admissions, Kutztown University

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