Surveyed high schools as to their models and practices of grade weighting, sought opinions from college respondents who participated in past national surveys on weighting averages, and determined feasibility of recommending national grade weighting system. Found that weighted grading system is preferred by college admission professionals. (NB)

A college admissions officer at Wesleyan University (Connecticut) offers two views of early decision programs, one based on personal experience as a student and one drawing on professional experience as an administrator and knowledge of the concerns of parents. The evolution of different kinds of early decision policies and the resulting confusion…

As an administrator of a program intended to help retain students at Syracuse University, the author found herself in an ironic position this past August. She was presenting a workshop to parents of incoming first-year students about what they could expect from their sons and daughters during the first semester of college. It was ironic because…

The materials in this College Planning Guide support a 40-50 minute general college planning presentation. It is most effective when delivered to high school juniors (and their parents) in the spring. It can also be used in the fall with seniors or with sophomores and their parents who desire an overview of the college planning process. The…

This study examines the influence of networks established among high schools and colleges. Focusing on the college choice process, the authors analyzed data from the 2006 admissions and financial aid records at eight private, four-year colleges representing nearly 18,000 students. Results show that high school feeder networks have an important…

This paper addresses how institutional selectivity influences college preferences and enrollment decisions of Texas seniors in the presence of a putatively race-neutral admissions policy--the top 10% law. We analyze a representative survey of Texas high school seniors as of spring, 2002, who were re-interviewed 1 year later to evaluate differences…

This report examines the path to college for students in academically advanced programs-- graduates of Chicago's seven Selective Enrollment schools, those who completed International Baccalaureate programs, and graduates who had taken a sequence of at least six honors and two Advanced Placement classes. This report expands on the findings of…

This dissertation explores the use of formal and informal networks through cyber- and traditional communication methods in the college search and selection process by native and immigrant students to examine various postulates and propositions of social capital theory. In addition, the analysis of cybernetworks used by disadvantaged, college bound…

This book is designed to provide the vital advice and information students need for the college application process, in an easy-to-read format. The first four chapters give general information about colleges and admission requirements, with the following titles: "Thinking about College"; "Overview of Colleges"; "What Do Colleges Consider for…

A study was conducted at the University of New South Wales in Australia to determine what happened to applicants who deferred enrollment in 1975 and did not enroll in 1976 at the university. Additionally, information was sought about what deferring applicants thought they had gained from deferment and their opinions generally about the advantages…

Service academies have found that parental influence is a significant factor in the application and selection processes. Project Outreach of the Coast Guard Academy, a parent-to-parent contact using volunteers supervised by the Admissions Office, represents a way of showing concern regarding each student's uniqueness and of constructively…

Information regarding multiple college application practices was collected from a large sample of Virginia high school seniors. Results indicated that most college applicants file fewer than three applications and that more applications are filed by students with high academic ability. (Author)

Argues trend toward benign and homogeneous college promotional materials/presentations makes college selection process more difficult. Feels tactic of deemphasizing importance of college board scores to increase applicant pool and thereby enhance "college profile" is unethical and deprives college applicant of ability to make informed choices. (CM)

Three dissertations are discussed: "An Analysis of the Institutional Image of a Private University ..." (James William Klenke); "Factors that Affect a Student's Decision to Enroll at Francis Marion College" (Joseph Edward Heyward); and "An Analysis of College Choice Influence ....Freshmen at a Large Southeastern Urban…