October 3, 2008
College-Search Web Site Predicts Likelihood of Admission
Web sites promising to make the college search quicker, easier, and more accurate are popping up so frequently these days that users might need an additional service just to filter through the sites themselves.
Campus Explorer is one of the newest college-search sites to hit the Web. In addition to the usual features that let users search for and compare colleges, the site can analyze a prospective student’s GPA, test scores, and extra-curricular activities to estimate whether he or she will be accepted into various institutions. The site then labels each college or university on a student’s list as a “reach,” a “target,” or a “safety.”
Campus Explorer is user-friendly and offers an extensive database of four-year, two-year, and technical colleges. Most of its information comes from Wikipedia and the institutions themselves, however, which differentiates it from sites that seek student input and calls into question both the accuracy and objectivity of its entries. — Caitlin Moran
Posted on Friday October 3, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
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I just entered credentials that would certainly gain admission to the private college I recently worked for. It said admission would be a “reach” for me. I hope students don’t take this calculator too literally, as it can’t be very accurate, given the holistic review most of us use in our admission process.
— Jim Oct 6, 11:58 AM #
I too entered excellent credentials to see a sample result and was told my choice school was a reach. What was more concerning, however, were the large amount of schools listed as “safety” based solely on those credentials. My firm, CMH College Consulting, will NOT be recommending this to students, as no tool can predict college admissions. Additionally, it gives false security.
— Christine Oct 6, 02:32 PM #
Jim and Christine
Our Chance of Admissions calculator is a free tool to help young students get a sense of where they stand based on their test scores. The algorithm is based on the actual median test scores each college reports annually to the Department of Education for their latest freshman class. However, we clearly state the following:
“Keep in mind, each student has their own circumstances that can be more important than Test Scores, GPA or Class Rank.
Recommendations, athletic or artistic abilities, or demonstrated interest in a field of study can be important factors in the admissions process. Go ahead and apply to that reach school – who are we to say you won’t be accepted?”
With the average student to guidance counselor ratio at 500 to 1 nationally, kids need help. We think it’s fair to look at the data and provide information that may help give a sense of where a student stands.
Jerry Slavonia
CEO
CampusExplorer.com
— Jerry Slavonia Oct 7, 05:49 PM #
website wont open
— Janice Mannelly Oct 12, 10:59 AM #