Mr. Chapin's College Counseling Blog

The SAT Isn’t Fair

counselorchapin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:50:51 +0000

Maybe the SAT isn’t fair. Maybe the ACT isn’t, either. But these tests are very much a reality in the college admissions game, for better or for worse. Whether these standardized tests are racially, ethnically or socioeconomically biased is another matter altogether. What I, my students and countless admissions officers believe is that a student’s transcript is a better reflection of their potential in college.

All that aside, the SAT and ACT are a virtual necessity for the college-bound high school student. You have to take them. Period.

There is a growing number of colleges and universities that recognize that the SAT and ACT are not always accurate measures of a student’s potential, achievement and aptitude. These schools are known as “SAT Optional” schools. Don’t let the name fool you – they don’t require the ACT, either! You can see a list of these schools by clicking here.

If you take the SAT or ACT and do well send your scores to those schools you are applying to. If you aren’t happy with your scores, know that there are at least some schools (nearly 1,000 actually) that don’t require SAT scores!

UConn – Apply Early (Or Else)

counselorchapin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:59:25 +0000

Among our students at Watertown High School, UConn is the #1 most applied to school. As you’re assuredly all aware, the University of Connecticut is increasingly difficult to get into. Last year’s freshman admission rate was 49%, an all-time low for their admission office.

The news of this low admission rate was followed by a bit of a shock for the UConn admissions office. Each year, any admission office will expect to admit far more students than will attend. Admissions offices will do their best to forecast exactly how many students will attend their school out of the pool of applicants they accept. It’s kind of a guessing game. Well, a few hundred more students from the Class of 2008 have decided to attend than was anticipated. That means that UConn is experiencing a housing crunch.

What does that mean for you? Well, it means that because more students are attending UConn this year, there will be fewer students admitted for next year.

But wait! You, UConn Applicant, can do something to increase your chances of gaining admission. This little secret applies not only to UConn, but all schools. The general UConn admit rate is 49%. The Early Action (EA) admit rate is 63%! The earlier you apply, the better your chance of being admitted. Put another way, if you don’t apply early you are reducing the chance you will be admitted by at least ~15%.

The article in the Hartford Courant I mentioned can be read here.

Counselor + Blog

counselorchapin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:39:17 +0000

Hi. Mr. Chapin here, school counselor at Watertown High School in Watertown, Connecticut. This blog is geared mostly towards juniors and seniors who are in the search for post-secondary high school plans. Things happen so quickly during these years that I thought a dynamic blog would be a great way to dispense information – much better than a static webpage. Please subscribe to this blog and check it frequently. I’ll be posting news, reminders, photographs, trivia and information.