by Meggan Mattson & Mike Deutsch
College Fit Counseling, LLC
As college-bound high school students and parents begin the college search and selection process, they often seek out publications that rank colleges and universities based on a variety of criteria. While these resources provide some useful statistical information, they are only a snapshot of the many factors that comprise the selection process. So as you dive into your search, here is why you should look beyond the numbers to find that perfect fit.
George Burns once said, “If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made. Very few people die past that age." Statistically speaking, he was correct. This is why we can’t always take statistics at face-value…we need to put them in context and think about what went into the statistical calculation.
We recently received viewbooks in the mail from a small university. In it, the school claims that the “out-of-pocket cost” for an average student is just $180. That’s tough to beat! However, when you look closer at the details, you realize how misleading this number is. First, the university includes a student loan of nearly $12,000/year into the equation. Second, as you read the fine print, it states that the “average scholarship” listed in their equation is reflective of the “average of those students receiving this type of aid.” It is not an average amongst the entire student body, but just those receiving a scholarship. Third, additional expenses have been overlooked in the equation. It includes tuition, fees, and on-campus housing, but no board/food, transportation, etc.
Another example is how some universities determine their selectivity. Oftentimes, parents and students “Oooooo” and “Ahhhh” about the acceptance rate of a particular university. “Look, ma, this college only accepts 5% of their applicants…they MUST be a great school!” Well, that is not entirely accurate. It is not uncommon for schools to manipulate this statistic. Some schools may offer application fee-waivers for all students, hoping to increase the amount of students who apply and, in turn, improving their perceived selectivity. Other schools may send out partially-completed applications to students who have shown any interest at all in their university and count those as “completed applications”. The student may have no intention of applying to the school, but the “application” still contributes to their overall acceptance rate.
It is important to ask yourself the following questions. How was this information collected? Could there be some manipulation within the data collection itself? Does this statistic tell the whole story? Was the university calculating with the information they chose to report? So our advice is…be wary of the numbers you see and be willing to dive into information beyond those numbers!
Meggan Mattson and Mike Deutsch, both former high school counselors, created College Fit Counseling, LLC to help students and families navigate the college search and selection process. They assist with all pieces of the process: from creating a college list of “good fit” schools, through college applications and essays, and into applying for financial aid and scholarships. Visit our website at www.collegefitcounseling.com for more information on services offered. Or, contact us at meggan@collegefitcounseling.com or 773-807-4079 with further questions and to see how we can help you.
As college-bound high school students and parents begin the college search and selection process, they often seek out publications that rank colleges and universities based on a variety of criteria. While these resources provide some useful statistical information, they are only a snapshot of the many factors that comprise the selection process. So as you dive into your search, here is why you should look beyond the numbers to find that perfect fit.
George Burns once said, “If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made. Very few people die past that age." Statistically speaking, he was correct. This is why we can’t always take statistics at face-value…we need to put them in context and think about what went into the statistical calculation.
We recently received viewbooks in the mail from a small university. In it, the school claims that the “out-of-pocket cost” for an average student is just $180. That’s tough to beat! However, when you look closer at the details, you realize how misleading this number is. First, the university includes a student loan of nearly $12,000/year into the equation. Second, as you read the fine print, it states that the “average scholarship” listed in their equation is reflective of the “average of those students receiving this type of aid.” It is not an average amongst the entire student body, but just those receiving a scholarship. Third, additional expenses have been overlooked in the equation. It includes tuition, fees, and on-campus housing, but no board/food, transportation, etc.
Another example is how some universities determine their selectivity. Oftentimes, parents and students “Oooooo” and “Ahhhh” about the acceptance rate of a particular university. “Look, ma, this college only accepts 5% of their applicants…they MUST be a great school!” Well, that is not entirely accurate. It is not uncommon for schools to manipulate this statistic. Some schools may offer application fee-waivers for all students, hoping to increase the amount of students who apply and, in turn, improving their perceived selectivity. Other schools may send out partially-completed applications to students who have shown any interest at all in their university and count those as “completed applications”. The student may have no intention of applying to the school, but the “application” still contributes to their overall acceptance rate.
It is important to ask yourself the following questions. How was this information collected? Could there be some manipulation within the data collection itself? Does this statistic tell the whole story? Was the university calculating with the information they chose to report? So our advice is…be wary of the numbers you see and be willing to dive into information beyond those numbers!
Meggan Mattson and Mike Deutsch, both former high school counselors, created College Fit Counseling, LLC to help students and families navigate the college search and selection process. They assist with all pieces of the process: from creating a college list of “good fit” schools, through college applications and essays, and into applying for financial aid and scholarships. Visit our website at www.collegefitcounseling.com for more information on services offered. Or, contact us at meggan@collegefitcounseling.com or 773-807-4079 with further questions and to see how we can help you.
