How to Get Through the College Admissions Maze

HOW TO GET THROUGH THE

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

MAZE

HOW TO GET THROUGH THE

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

MAZE

CONTENTS How to Choose a University ........... 1–2 Take a Look at UMW............................... 3 Programs at UMW...................................... 4 Student Life ............................................... 5 Alumni Highlights and Rankings........6-7

University of Mary Washington, Office of Admissions, 1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

HOW TO CHOOSE A UNIVERSITY WHERE TO START?

It is important to put together information from several sources, read between the lines, and look beyond the photographs of beautiful campuses and attractive students. Then visit the colleges that appeal to you the most. A few hours well spent on a college campus can tell you more about an institution than any other kind of experience.

You’re about to begin a process that will lead to one of the most important decisions of your life − which college or university to attend.

This publication is meant to help you gain a greater understanding of the college admission process so that you’ll feel better prepared to choose a college or university that will fit your needs, both academically and personally.

Whether gathering information about a college or university, or preparing for a campus visit, there are certain types of questions that you’ll want answered.

ACADEMIC QUALITY No matter where you decide to attend college, the quality of the academic program should be your primary consideration. There is a wide range of institutions offering quality academic programs, but some may be more suited to your particular needs and wants. The following questions may help determine whether a college is the right match for you.

IS THERE ONLY ONE PERFECT COLLEGE FOR ME? In a word − no. There are probably several institutions that can meet your academic and social needs. But each one is unique, having its own characteristics and its own personality.

As you begin to look at various colleges, it will become apparent that certain types of institutions have more appeal to you and that some factors are more important than others in your college decision.

• What academic programs and majors are offered?

• Is there a sufficient range of course offerings in your area of interest?

• I s there flexibility to allow you time to choose a major or to tailor the program to your own needs?

• W ho teaches – faculty or teaching assistants?

It’s important to keep an open mind. There are lots of excellent colleges that you may not be familiar with that might offer what you’re looking for. And there may be some schools that you’ve heard of − but only because their football teams are on TV. The point is, you should gather information, ask plenty of questions, and ultimately make a decision that feels right for you.

• W hat are the scholarly credentials of the faculty?

WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION DO I NEED?

• I s there an effective system for academic advising?

• H ow large are typical first-year classes?

• W hat are the conditions­­­­­­of the facilities, such as the classrooms, laboratories, studios, and residence halls?

• What types of library resources are available?

• A re faculty members accessible to students outside the classroom?

• I s the college’s academic program respected by graduate schools and employers?

There’s no shortage of information about colleges. You’ll receive a number of brochures, viewbooks, and emails. You might want to attend several college fairs or college night programs in your area. You’ll want to seek the advice of parents, friends, college counselors, and teachers. And, of course, there’s tons of information online.

• W hat is the academic profile of students who attend the college?

• H ow many students graduate and how many drop out or transfer to other institutions?

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CAN I GET IN? Colleges vary in terms of selectivity. Publications and websites will give you some idea of what the “average” admitted first year student looks like. Keep in mind most institutions accept students with a range of backgrounds and abilities. Many factors are taken into account in admission decisions, so don’t rule out applying if you don’t meet the average on all criteria.

Here are some things to keep in mind: • Consult with your college counselor. They often know

what certain colleges are looking for.

• Visit a college campus. You can learn from an

admissions counselor what type of student is typically accepted.

• Choose your high school courses wisely. Take the best

program of study that you can, given the offerings of the school and your own abilities. Continue to take strong courses through your junior and senior years.

• Strive for the best grades possible. Colleges look

for evidence in your record that you are thorough, consistent, and put forth your best effort.

• Look at the full range of test scores for accepted

students. Colleges use the SAT or ACT as only one factor among several in making admission decisions.

The amount of weight placed on test scores will vary by institution. You may want to ask about the weight placed on SAT-II Subject Exams or other tests that are required.

Some schools are also test optional or score choice. Visit fairtest.org to find a list.

• Investigate the importance given to personal qualities.

In some cases, being a great musician, star athlete, class leader, or champion debater can make a difference. So, too, can involvement in church or community activities or successfully holding down a part-time job.

CAN I AFFORD IT? Sooner or later, for most students and their parents, the question of cost enters the college decision process. This is not surprising, given the seemingly high cost of education today. However, a college education is one of the best investments you can ever make. And you may receive financial assistance to help ease the burden of attending the college or university of your choice.

Be sure to research scholarships and financial aid opportunities – local, national, and those related to the schools you may be applying to.

Many people believe in the myths that “you only get what you pay for” and that “you must pay for all you get.” Neither of these are necessarily true when it comes to colleges. There are many statesupported colleges and universities that offer excellent programs at very moderate prices. On the other hand, many fine private institutions are affordable because they provide substantial financial aid and scholarship programs. So look beyond just the apparent price of an institution. Consider the net out-of-pocket cost to you and the quality of education you’ll receive in return for your dollar.

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NOW TAKE A LOOK AT UMW PERFECT SIZE

STUDENT PROFILE

With an enrollment of 4,400 students, Mary Wash is large enough to support diversity, but not so large as to be impersonal. There’s a strong sense of community on our beautiful 176-acre campus. And you can expect small classes in which you can interact with professors and other students.

At UMW, we’re looking for students who can benefit from our challenging academic program and who will contribute to the life of our campus community. Successful applicants take demanding courses in high school, including advanced, honors, or advanced placement courses. The middle 50 percent of our admitted students scored between 1110-1280 on the SAT and scored between 23 and 29, on the ACT, but there is no minimum score. UMW is also a test optional school. Students perform strongly in a challenging course of study may request to be considered for admission without standardized test scores. Personal qualities and individual talents are also considered in the admission process.

PROGRAMS We’re very proud of our academic tradition. We offer students a solid, well-rounded education and provide more than 45 majors and programs and 40+ minors. The student-professor ratio is 14:1 and all classes are taught by faculty, not graduate students.

PROXIMITY

PRICE

UMW offers a spectacular campus, set in the historic city of Fredericksburg, Virginia. We’re located an hour south of Washington, D.C., and an hour north of the state capital, Richmond, Virginia. Fredericksburg, is a growing region of more than 300,000 people. The area offers plenty of opportunities for entertainment, shopping, and recreation.

Because we’re one of the state-supported colleges in Virginia, we’re able to keep costs to our students low. Students who qualify may receive financial aid if they file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before February 1. The University provides scholarships to qualified students.

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PROGRAMS Majors and Programs Accounting American Studies Anthropology Applied Physics Art History Biochemistry Biology Business Administration Chemistry Classical Civilization Classical Archaeology Communication and Digital Studies Computer Science Cybersecurity Economics Education English English – Creative Writing Concentration Environmental Geology Environmental Science – Natural Science Environmental Science – Social Science French Geography Geology German Historic Preservation History Interdisciplinary Science Studies International Affairs International Business Latin Marketing Mathematics Music

Nursing (BSN) – dual-degree program with Germanna Community College Philosophy Philosophy – Pre-Law Concentration Physics Political Science Psychology Religion Sociology Spanish Studio Art Theatre Women’s and Gender Studies Minors Actuarial Science Applied Mathematics Applied Statistics Arts Administration Arabic Studies Asian Studies Biology Business Administration Business French Business German Business Spanish Chemistry Climate Science Computer Science Contemplative Studies Cybersecurity Data Science Digital Studies Economics English Literature Environmental Sustainability Financial and Quantitative Analysis

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French German Latin American Studies Linguistics Mathematics Middle Eastern Studies Museum Studies Music Musical Theatre Neuroscience Physics Practical Ethics Pre-Conservation in Fine Art Security and Conflict Studies Social Justice Spanish Sports Management Urban Studies Pre-Professional Programs Pre-Dental Pre-Law Pre-Med Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Veterinary Graduate Degrees Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Business Administration (EAGLE-MBA) 4 + 1 Program Master of Education (M.Ed.) Five-Year Initial Licensure Programs Master of Education (M.Ed.) for Professional Development or Added Endorsement Master of Science (M.S.) in Elementary Education Master of Geospatial Analysis (MSGA)

STUDENT LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM Residence Life and Housing

15 residence halls

Traditions Honor Convocation Eagle Gathering Homecoming Devil-Goat Day Multicultural Fair

2 apartments

$275K supporting student research, fieldwork, travel and scholarships

147

study abroad programs in 51 countries

Junior Ring Week

150+

Spring Formal

Service, performing arts, political, religious, athletic, leadership, and cultural clubs and organizations

Study Abroad 15 Faculty led programs 7 exchange programs

23

NCAA Division III teams for men and women

5

1

Sammy D. Eagle mascot

20

club sports

RANKINGS Washington Monthly listed UMW 21st in the Top Master’s Universities category of the 2018 Washington Monthly College Rankings. The publication also listed UMW in the “Best Bang for the Buck Southeast Colleges” category.

U.S. News & World Report ranked UMW’s 64th in the Best Value category in its “Best Colleges 2019” guidebook.

The University of Mary Washington has been rated among the top in the nation by The Princeton Review, which featured UMW in its 2019 issue of “The Best 384 Colleges.”

Forbes, 2018: “America’s Top Colleges,” ranked UMW 205th of 650 undergraduate institutions; 64th of the nation’s public colleges; and 42nd in the South.

VISIT US As you begin your search, we hope you’ll consider the University of Mary Washington. We believe that we offer a number of advantages that just may make UMW the right place for you – come and see for yourself. We offer: • Information sessions Monday through Friday in the morning and afternoon and most Saturday mornings • Student-guided campus tours following the information sessions • Open house programs throughout the year Visit umw.edu/visit or call 1/800-468-5614 and let us know when you’d like to visit.

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UMW ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS Tad Dickman ’12 parlayed a New York Giants internship into a volunteer role at Super Bowl XLVII and is now the Senior Manager, Public Relations, for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Robert Durrette ’09 visited Honduras three times during his experience at UMW and it kept calling him back. A decade later, Durrette’s rainforest lodge and microbrewery is a top-rated tourist spot in Central America.

Rebecca McHale ‘01 majored in math and did “game-changing” undergrad research. After graduating, she took a trip to Europe, because cryptography programs were somewhat scarce, to study discrete mathematics and computing applications at Royal Holloway, University of London. McHale is now the chief information security officer for Booz Allen Hamilton.

Colby Croft ‘08 is a licensed physician and board certified psychiatrist. He completed his undergraduate degree with honors in biology and then attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his general adult psychiatry residency with an area of distinction in LGBTQ mental health at the University of California, San Francisco, and served as chief resident at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

Lindsey Crawford ’18 interned at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

She majored in historic preservation, minored in museum studies, and is pursuing a master’s degree in education.

Samantha Luffy ‘11 graduated with her Master of Public Health from Emory University in 2015. She now works as a Program Analyst within the Office of HIV/AIDS in the Bureau for Global Health at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington, D.C.

Brent Monseur ‘09 is an obstetrics and gynecology resident physician and reproductive biologist. He has been selected for NASA’s Mars Program as their reproductive science specialist.

Clare Denk ‘03 is an archivist at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Denk majored in historic preservation and interned at the Library of Congress’ Prints and Photographs division for two summers. After graduating from UMW, she obtained her master’s degree from UCLA in moving image archive studies.

Robert Davis ‘12 and Abbas Haider ‘12 made CBS News and Forbes’ prestigious “30 Under 30” list.

Their business, Aspetto, sells men’s bulletproof clothing.

Sarah Roche ‘18 is working on a master’s in neuroscience in a program so selective that only 6% of applicants worldwide are selected. The Neurasmus Program is run by a consortium of European universities in Bordeaux, France. She was one of 21 students admitted to the program.

Jay Sinha ‘07 is an Information Security Attorney at Verizon Enterprise Solutions. Previously he was a Cyber Privacy Analyst with Booz Allen Hamilton, where he used his legal and privacy expertise to assist federal government clients.

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Get to know UMW better: Visit us online umw.edu/MaryWash

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