"The indicators we use to capture academic quality fall into seven categories: assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and (for national universities-doctoral and liberal arts colleges-bachelor's) "graduation rate performance," the difference between the proportion of students expected to graduate and the proportion who actually do."
The AtlanticOnline November issue has a very interesting article on the system of ranking, choices and other links that you might not see other places.
"The real admissions system is creative in finding room for everyone. The trophy admissions system is a you-versus-me competition for a limited number of spaces at a handful of schools."
The College Board is a national nonprofit membership association whose mission is to prepare, inspire, and connect students to college and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 4,200 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations.
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a program co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. For many students, the PSAT/NMSQT is the first official step on the road to college. It assesses skills developed through years of study in a wide range of courses as well as through experiences outside the classroom.
Interesting exchange on the homeschool2college list concerning the PSAT code needed for homeschoolers to have the results come to your house. This is particularly helpful for the ranking aspect of the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying.
Here is an interesting exchange from the H2C list with the appropriate code numbers for the PSAT test. These codes are needed if you want the test results mailed to your house which will not happen without the state specific code. Codes for the SAT and ACT are not state specific.
Not talked about, yet a very important subject for anyone who will spend time on college campuses.
The Wall Street Journal did a fine article on this new test:
"The College Board plans to begin using the new SAT in 2005, for the class
entering college in the fall of 2006. With so little lead time to design,
write and field test a completely new exam, the College Board will basically
copy the one-hour SAT II writing test that it has been giving since 1995,
says Amy Schmidt, the College Board's director of higher-education research."
Listen to Seattle radio station, KUOW's host, John Reynolds discuss the new SAT with reporter, John Cloud; author, Nicholas Lemann; and Rebecca Zwick from the University of CA Santa Barbara.
FairTest also has concerns for the new SAT
The New SAT!
The ACT Writing Test is here.
If you plan to enter college before the fall of 2006, you do not need to take the Writing Test. No schools will require the Writing Test for students who start before fall 2006.
If you are entering college in the fall of 2006 or later, check directly with the institutions you are considering to find out their requirements, or ask your high school counselor which test option you should take.
For FAQ, practice essays and informaton on the ACT Writing Test, go to their website. The best bet is to talk with your councelors at your intended college regarding any requirements for this test.
NEW
A to Z Home's Cool site has many interesting articles on Transcripts
ACT is an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides more than a hundred assessment, research, information, and program management services in the broad areas of education and workforce developement.
The ACT
The SAT
Public Broadcasting Systems' Frontline has a section on the SAT - Secrects of the SAT
"Based largely on Nicholas Lemann's new book, 'The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy,' the program exposes how the original intent of the SAT--to make America's elite colleges accessible to all students based on merit, not birth--has been subverted. Instead, SAT scores show a high correlation with race, gender and family income and, mainly, how well students are prepared in advance, technically and psychologically, to take the test..."
Because requirements for transfer admission are so specific, you'll need to investigate and make decisions early.
Central Washington University does not have a specific page dedicated to equivalent credit guide. From their Transfer Student page: "You may transfer a maximum of 135 credits to CWU, but only 90 credits can be from two-year institutions such as community colleges... Generally speaking, most credits from technical or vocational colleges do not transfer to CWU. However, if you have taken any courses (from a fully accredited institution) that are very similar to the courses listed in the CWU General Education Requirements or courses listed in your intended major you could possibly receive transfer credit for these courses.
Just a smattering of what some universities and colleges require if you plan on transfering from a community college. Your best bet, if you know where you might want to end up is to contact the four year school early and coordinate which classes will transfer in order for you to save time and money.
In general, all courses that are college-level and academic in nature are transferable. Those that do not have a direct equivalency may transfer to WSU as elective credit...
These two general information documents require Adobe.
FAQ from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
and the other is often handed out during Running Start Orientations.
Be aware there were changes in 2005.
Two important items:
*Homeschool students are not to be counted by the school district in any required state or federal accountability report under certain conditions.
And second, *under the provisions of this Running Start Enrollment Request, the school district is not required and should not expect to establish 11th or 12th grade status of the requesting student. Read the Bulletin #086-05 from OSPI and view the form that should be available at your Superintendent's office.
Thought it was sponsored by the U.S. Government? As of 2004, Sallie became an independent, publicly traded company. "In the student-loan business, the public TAKES ALL THE RISKS, and private companies make all the money." Read these two interesting Fortune 500 articles.
Unfortunately the complete story can only be read from Fortune's 2006 Investor's Guide magazine. The title in that publication is "When Sallie Met Wall Street". I am working on trying to get a direct link to the full story. It is definitely worth the read.
Fraud probe at Sallie Mae - CA's Attorney General's office is looking into allegations of consumer fraud at student loan financing firm Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae, which is formally known as SLM Corp., was created by the U.S. government as a response to problems in the Guaranteed Student Loan Program. It started operations in 1973 to fund student loans and was later converted to a publicly traded company.
