What should we look for in Common Data Sets??

<p>While on CC I have learned that there is such a thing as a Common Data Set for the colleges and universities, and I have seen links to them and notes that you can find this or that in them, but when I have looked at them (admittedly briefly) they seem like a wealth of information, but I don't feel like I know what I am looking FOR or what I am really even looking AT. Can you give those of us unfamiliar with the Common Data Sets some lessons on how to best use them?</p>

<p>Note that some (not all) of the information can be found on [CollegeData:</a> College Search, Financial Aid, College Application, College Scholarship, Student Loan, FAFSA Info, Common Application](<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com%5DCollegeData:”>http://www.collegedata.com) . This may be particularly useful if the college does not make its common data set available.</p>

<p>Some things of interest:</p>

<p>Section C: This includes frosh admissions information, including what criteria are used, and a profile of the academic stats of the entering frosh class. Note that use of “level of applicant’s interest” means that the college probably does not want to be used as a safety.</p>

<p>Section F1: Percentage of frosh living in dorms can give some indication of how residential versus commuter the college is. However, note that it obscures the difference between residential off campus living and commuting from parents’ house by combining the two.</p>

<p>Section J: Percentage of students in each major. If the student wants to be around others with similar academic interests, that may be relevant.</p>

<p>Other sections may be of interest, but more specific information can often be found elsewhere:</p>

<p>Section G, H: Cost and financial aid. The college’s net price calculator may be more useful for your specific situation.</p>

<p>Section I: Class sizes. This is often findable for specific classes on the college’s on-line schedule of classes, so a student can look up classes that s/he is specifically interested in to see how large or small they are.</p>

<p>Section C is a wealth of info. I created a chart for all the schools my son was considering, and tracked:</p>

<p>(1) top and bottom 25% for test scores, gpas, class rank</p>

<p>(2) which components of application which are very important vs. important vs. considered vs. not considered. Smaller schools, which are only admitting a class of a several hundred kids, are more likely to rank “interest” as important. There are surprising differences among these categories – while many schools identify gpa, rank and test scores as very important, there are often differences whether recommendations are important or just considered, or if an interview is important or just considered, etc., role of ECs etc. </p>

<p>(3) the recommended vs. required high school courses – most schools only require a few years of science and foreign language, but recommend 4 of each. You will be a stronger applicant if you meet the recommended requirements, not just required.</p>

<p>Good luck with your search!</p>

<p>Imo, it doesn’t replace scouring the college’s website to see how they present themselves and what you can learn about programs of interest, more info about majors, activities, support, etc. More is explained in the website about, eg, finaid, core requirements, study abroad and so much else. </p>

<p>It’s one tool, of many.</p>

<p>lookingforward, </p>

<p>I agree that you need to scour the website of an individual school, but I’ve always used the CDS as a way to confirm what otherwise might me little more than marketing-speak, especially on things like “demonstrated interest” and the % breakdown of students by GPA grouping.</p>

<p>shoboe</p>

<p>there’s a wealth of data, but here’s what I think is most important. If you can get the common data set, you never have to look at another chance me thread --EVER.</p>

<p>Essentially – if your data falls in the 25%ile-75%ile corridor (or higher), you meet the academic profile for the school. Higher is better. </p>

<p>It also provides data as to what % of the incoming class had certain scores – again a way to gauge your chances.</p>

<p>Finally, look at the admissions %. If a school admits <20% of its applicants – well, no one is a lock, and it’s a bit of a crapshoot. But this only applies to a handful of those schools – if you’re looking at that tier of selectivity – well, be prepared to write a whole bunch of applications.</p>

<p>Beyond this data – any chance-me thread is a pure guess based on people who have no better information than you have.</p>