Wendy Andreen, PhD - College & Career Planning

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⏳ WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

⏳ DID YOU INCLUDE ALL THE TYPES OF DEADLINES ON YOUR COLLEGE CHART?
- You still have time to organize the sequence.

⏳ARE YOU COMPLETING YOUR IN THE ORDER THEY NEED TO BE RECEIVED?
- Which college or has the earliest deadline?

✅ TYPES OF ADMISSIONS POLICIES

⏳ EARLY ACTION
- NOT Binding!
- Apply by an earlier date and receive an answer earlier in Senior year.
- Can make decision later and have time to compare financial aid offers.

⏳ RESTRICTIVE EARLY ACTION
- NOT Binding.
- Cannot apply to other colleges EA.
- Rules vary from each college.
- In most cases you may apply to universities EA - BUT read requirements carefully!
- Colleges with REA: Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Princeton, CalTech, U Notre Dame, Georgetown

⏳ EARLY DECISION
- ‼️
- May only apply to ONE college ED (if offered).
- If accepted you COMMIT TO ATTEND and withdraw all other applications❗️
‼️ Only apply ED if your family can afford to pay if no or not enough financial aid is offered!
- It is unethical to apply ED and withdraw if you don’t like the financial aid package. It will also impact your high school’s reputation!
- Some colleges offer an ED2 in January (you may apply ED2 if not accepted to ED1 from a different college).

⏳
- Many families overlook this category!
- It is NOT EA or ED
- It is NOT Binding
- It IS a reminder that many colleges connect CONSIDERATION to students who apply by the earlier ‘priority’ deadline.

⏳
- Colleges review completed applications as they arrive throughout the year with a final deadline in late spring or early summer.
- Sometimes offers are made within 2 - 6 weeks of receiving the application

⏳ REGULAR
- Generally, the later or last date a college will accept an application.
- Many colleges off a variety of application types and deadlines.
- Some offer EA with REG. Some offer EA, ED, & REG.

✅ RESEARCH & KNOW WHICH TYPE OF APPLICATION IS BEST FOR YOU❗️

✅ ADDITIONAL DEADLINES TO KNOW WHEN APPLYING TO YOUR COLLEGES.

⏳ SOME ARE EARLIER THAN THE ADMISSIONS APPLICATION DEADLINES
❗️ POST ALL DEADLINES ON YOUR CHART to avoid confusion

⏳SCHOLARSHIPS
⏳HONORS PROGRAMS
⏳HOUSING
⏳FINE ARTS (Portfolios?)
⏳PERFORMING ARTS (Auditions?)
⏳ATHLETICS (Tryouts?)
⏳OTHER?

✅ Check out the meme below to see a few examples of deadline dates & types of admission.

❗️ DISCLAIMER: All dates were verified on each college’s website BUT please verify dates for yourself. 😊

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know the types of admission
Know the deadline dates & SUBMIT EARLY!

RICE UNIVERSITY - - & GRADES 11, 10, 9.

🦉 O-WEEK is about to start for incoming
- The Office of Public affairs shares some stats & information.

🦉 Are you a Class of 2027 senior who is a Rice-hopeful?
- Are you an underclassman who has on your radar?

🦉With an admissions rate of close to only 8 percent, it’s critical to plan ahead & know all the facets of Rice Admissions

🦉STATS are one piece of the picture.
- Over 38,000 applications received
- 46 states & 54 countries represented
- Around 1,350 freshmen (largest incoming undergraduate class)
- Around 50 transfer students
- SAT middle 50%: 1510-1570
- ACT middle 50%: 35-36
- Test Optional but encouraged to submit competitive scores

🦉APPLICATION PHILOSOPHY
- Please read the Rice website thoroughly ❗️
- Know what Rice is seeking in future Owls.
- Watch the virtual tour
- Schedule an in-person tour, if able.
- Understand (& be able to address) their Residential College system
- Seniors, schedule the virtual interview EARLY.

🦉 Read the & slowly & carefully.
- Look 👀 for key words important to Rice.
-Excerpts from prompts:
- “…what DRAWS you to the academic areas…& how you hope to EXPLORE…”
- “Based on YOUR exploration…what APPEALS…”
- “…HOW will you CONTRIBUTE…”

🦉 THE RICE BOX
- 2-dimensional IMAGE - something that appeals to you.

🦉 FROM RICE’S WEBSITE❗️
- About 50% have more than one major!
Rice expects students to have a variety of
- Highly collaborative environment
- Each application receives a “holistic review within the context of their life experiences.”

🦉HOW WILL YOU DEMONSTRATE & EXPRESS YOUR ‘FIT’❓
- Course rigor
- Academic performance
- Extra-curricular activities & achievements
- Essays
- Knowledge about Rice❗️

❗️MORE FROM RICE’S ADMISSIONS SITE

🦉How do you demonstrate academic prowess, show strong promise of & in bettering their ?

🦉 How do you use your & to the world around you?

🦉 “We look for voracious lovers of life, diverse thinkers with an unquenchable about the world - students who will bring different life experiences and perspectives to our campus.”

🌟 Please remember that when applying to any super-selective university, these points are relevant to their admissions, as well!

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know admissions criteria

CLASS of 2027 - - COMMON APPLICATION UPDATES❗️

❗️ Also important for & & …

💛 Find something you love to do and do more of it!
Be ready to share on your college applications!

💡ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
- added the word
- This is a reminder for you to showcase ALL of your strengths, interests, & involvement. (Up to TEN Activities & Experiences allowed on CommonApp)
- Include in addition to traditional clubs, organizations, extra-curricular, part-time jobs, and community service.
- Family responsibilities: Help care for older family member, siblings, other circumstances.
- Do you help younger siblings with homework and after-school care?
- Do you help family members with translation situations?
- Do you have a that supports your where you can show deep and ?
- Have you played piano or taken ballet since you were 5 years old and still participate on your own time?
- Are you an avid baker and bake for family events, friends, and donations?
- Are you into RC (radio controlled) airplanes and fly recreationally?
- What can you share with colleges that will demonstrate your personal interests as well as those that support a ?

💡 DIRECT ADMISSIONS EXPANSION
- Most students know about their state universities admissions policies and if they offer direct admissions (Texas: Top Ten percent law).
- However, many colleges have their own admission metrics that guarantee admission to qualified students.
- Criteria usually include a specific GPA, rank or quarter, and/or test score range.
- Complete the questions on your Common App and see which colleges where you automatically qualify for admission!
- Click on the link in the Comments for details.

The journey continues…
Know Yourself
Know colleges
Know your Activities & Experiences
Know where you qualify for Direct Admissions

- Know yourself. Know your dream, goal, whatever you want to call it! Know your ❗️



& COLLEGE STUDENTS remember the words of Frederick Buechner:

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

❓ WHAT IS YOUR DEEP GLADNESS
- EVERYONE has a gift & talent to share with the world.
- What you?
- What activity, hobby, subject, major, or career energizes you?
- What makes you want to learn & do more?

❓WHAT IS THE WORLD’S DEEP HUNGER
- There are a myriad deep hungers!
- But one or two are probably tugging at your heart!
- What DIRECTION are your strengths, talents, skills, and gifts leading you?

❗️ Whether you are choosing a major, researching colleges, writing a college essay, planning a career path, getting ready for a - each of these still go back to your deep gladness & a deep hunger (that is meant for you)!

🌟 Take moment to read Raising Cane’s, Todd Graves’ story in the Comments.
- Even after an LSU professor gave him a low grade on his project, told him it wasn’t viable, and banks wouldn’t lend him the money, he knew he had something to share!
- Perseverance - Determination - Belief

🌟 Have you truly thought about what is important to you?
- Has a teacher, professor, ‘well-meaning’ person told you your dream is wrong, your idea isn’t good enough?
- What keeps you going?
- What is your motivation?

🌟 GAITS
- Years ago I crafted this acronym to help students remembers how amazing you are❗️
Gifts
Abilities
Interests
Talents
Skills

- You may not know at this moment exactly what is your “deep gladness” and which part of the “world’s deep hunger” you are called to serve, but don’t let that stop you from pursuing and developing your

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know careers
Know your GAITS

- COMMON APPLICATION IS OPEN & REMINDERS🤘

💻 DON’T RUSH THE PROCESS‼️
- Accuracy is critical❗️
- PROOFREAD EVERYTHING - TWICE!
- Let someone else proofread everything - personal information, social security, birthdate, , (if submitting)

💻 SAVE REGULARLY!
- KNOW your & SAVE them somewhere safe!

💻 Waive your FERPA rights for those writing (Letters of Recommendation)

🤘 REMINDERS FOR HOPEFULS

🧡 See attached meme I created with a few critical reminders!
- & - PLAN AHEAD!

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know what EACH & on your chart expects!

💛 College planning started your first day of year in high school.

- - It’s more than just the DEADLINE❗️⏳

⁉️ Have you finalized your COLLEGE CHART
- The chart I asked you to create in January, February, March, April, & May! 😊

❗️ The CHART should include ALL CRITICAL DEADLINES for EACH COLLEGE where you will apply!

⏳ DEADLINES for:
- AND which type. ( )
- All materials ( )
-
-
-
- Any special programs:
😵‍💫 WHEW❗️

⏳ Please REMEMBER the details & deadlines are critical in the college admissions process.
- Don’t miss an opportunity due to procrastination or ‘not knowing’ the requirements.
- NO EYE ROLLING 👀 when your parent is trying to help you stay on course. ❤️
PS - Parents are there to guide but NOT do the student’s work for them. 😉

⏳EXAMPLES to help you see the importance of KNOWING the details & deadlines EARLY so you can navigate this crazy process (I know it’s a pain - but you can do it!) 💛

‼️ DISCLAIMER - All dates were checked on each university’s website BUT please verify for yourself.

⏳
- EA Oct 15, Final Dec 1
- BUT HOUSING is first-come first-served. Not enough housing for all freshmen, if you want to live on campus.
You may APPLY for the housing list as soon as your application is RECEIVED (you don’t have to be accepted, yet).
This is why students apply well before Oct 15❗️
- UT does NOT fill seats on a rolling basis, but housing makes it important to apply early & remember to include your 2-4 page EXPANDED RESUME! UT DOES ‘admit to major!’
- Being top 5% ONLY guarantees admission to the university (Liberal Arts - COLA). Your & classes are critical for admission to major❗️

⏳
- Applying to TAMU is an art-form!
- Rolling❗️ Final - Dec 1.
- Apply by (no later than) mid-September for impacted majors - (& others)
- Housing not guaranteed. Can apply for housing AFTER you are admitted! (Another reason to submit early.)
- TAMU is known for filling seats in majors on a rolling basis - do plan to do everything early for them!

⏳ U
- ED1 Nov 1, ED2 Jan 4, REG Jan 4
- Residential housing guaranteed for all freshmen

⏳
- Priority/Scholarships Nov 2
- Final May 31
- Housing - based on when admitted & apply for.

⏳
- PRIORITY for SCHOLARSHIPS Dec 1
- FAFSA Priority Jan 15
- Fina Aug 1
- Housing - REQUIRED for all BUT not enough housing! Apply early for priority list.

⏳
- Priority/Scholarships Dec 1, Final July 15
- Freshman housing guaranteed BUT room choice prioritized by date of housing application submitted!

⏳
- EA Nov 1
- Scholarship deadline Dec 15
- Final Feb 1
- Guaranteed housing BUT room choice prioritized by enrollment deposit date

⏳
- Priority/Scholarship Dec 1, Final Feb 1
- Required on-campus first year - must submit forms by May 1. BUT Priority for housing choice - opens Dec 1.

⏳
- EA Oct 15, REG Jan 1
- Guaranteed/Required on-campus housing BUT room selection based on early registration - starts Dec 15.

⏳
- Priority/Scholarship Dec 5
- After Dec 5 - Space available
- Housing application opens October
- Feb 2 - housing

⏳
- MULTIPLE EA dates: Sept 15, Oct 15, Nov 15, Dec 1.
- Priority by Nov 15❗️
- Final Feb 1
- Housing not guaranteed - first-come, first-served beginning in November

⏳ This list focused on admissions, general scholarships, and housing.
- Research the categories that apply to you.

💛 Hope this helps ALL high school students understand the importance of getting organized early for college admissions.

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know critical deadlines for EACH college

& The Method assessment + 40 years of working with and college students.

Honored to write a guest post on how Birkman helps students prepare for post-high school decisions.

Navigating college & post-high school planning with an empirical assessment.



The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know careers
Know Birkman

(No, that’s not a picture of me. 😊)

https://birkman.com/resources/articles/essential-for-teens-and-college-planning

🤘❗️NEW at - COCKRELL-MCCOMBS BS/MS HONORS PROGRAM (5 YEAR)❗️🤘

🤘CURRENT and beyond

🤘Cockrell School of Engineering & McCombs School of Business collaborate for a new degree program.

🤘 APPLICATIONS OPEN AUGUST 1, 2026 to START FALL 2027❗️

🤘”For students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, a strong interest in both engineering and business, leadership potential, and the drive to make an impact at scale.”

🤘Initially, open to the following
1. BS Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering
2. BS Mechanical Engineering

🤘MS in Business offers 4 Specialized Tracks:
1. Business Analytics
2. Finance
3. Marketing
4. Information Technology & Management

🤘 Students will earn a BS in Engineering + an MS in Business in 5 years.
- Developing technical mastery & business fluency

🤘Additional Program Benefits
1. First-year study abroad
2. Multiple internships in both engineering and business

🤘More details in the link in Comments

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know programs that offer employment & career benefits

- COMMON APPLICATION ROLLOVER - WHAT TO KNOW & DO BEFORE JULY 28‼️

❗️ opens & rollover is August 1.

‼️BEFORE JULY 28 - there are steps you need to take if you started filling out the Common App this summer.

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know the college process & important dates❗️

The University of Texas at Austin - NEW & maybe HIDDEN & 🤘🧡

🤘Prospective - Are you really searching out majors & minors that could be a great for your & ❓

🤘 Have you taken a Birkman Method assessment to help you find direction❓

🤘 is introducing TWO new MAJORS for the Class of 2027.

🤘 Just as I shared in the previous post about 👍, students need to look beyond the obvious at EVERY where you intend to apply❗️
- Great majors are often hidden in departments or schools.

🧡 SCHOOL of CIVIC LEADERSHIP
(A fairly new school at UT)
- BA Civics Honors
- BA Great Books Honors ❗️ NEW 2027❗️
(St. John’s College in both Annapolis, MD & Santa Fe, NM is considered the model for a Great Books curriculum.)
Students are immersed in texts from ancient civilizations to modern era.
Excellent for any career for critical thinking, logic, analysis.
- BA Strategy & Statecraft ❗️ NEW 2027❗️
“Humanities-based training for students entering national security & foreign policy careers.”

MINORS
- Consider pairing one of these minors with a different major to enhance your future degree.
- Civic Leadership
- Philosophy, Politics, Economics

💡 A minor in Business will complement these majors.

🟦🟧🟩 High INTERESTS may include Literary, Administrative, Persuasive, Social Service
-Birkman JOB FAMILIES may include
Legal; Protective Service; Arts-Design-Sports-Media-Communication; Community-Social Services; Management; Education-Training; Computer-Mathematical science

🧡 LBJ SCHOOL of PUBLIC AFFAIRS
- BPA Bachelor of Public Affairs
“A degree that prepares graduates with skills in leadership, policy analysis and organizational management for a career in public service at every level, from city hall to Capitol Hill”

💡 A minor in will complement this major

🟧🟩🟦 High Birkman INTERESTS may include Administrative, Persuasive, Social Service, Numerical, Literary
-Birkman JOB FAMILIES may include Legal; Business-Finance; Management; Community-Social Services; Protective Service; Sales-Marketing

🧡SCHOOL of INFORMATION
- BA or BS in Informatics
“trains students to leverage insights from data and information technology to solve problems. An Informatics minor is also available.

💡 MINOR pairs well with a major in Business, Biology, Engineering, Psychology, & more❗️

🟧🟥🟦 High Birkman INTERESTS may include Numerical, Administrative, Scientific, Technical, Literary, Musical
- Birkman JOB FAMILIES may include Computer-Mathematical Science; Business-Finance; Protective Service; Engineering; Management

❓Is there a major at UT Austin or another university that is “hiding in plain sight” that could be a ‘fit’ for your and social strengths? 👀

❗️NOTE - There are also other excellent majors & minors at UT in different schools and departments to explore. 🤘

The journey continues…
Know yourself
Know colleges
Know to search out majors & minors