Describes the home-grown system of external educational standards and incentives that were created in the early 20th century by college prep schools and the impact this system had on how teachers taught and students learned. Discussions include how standards were used as curricular frameworks and the creation and influence of the College Board…

Applying the principles of latent trait analysis makes it possible to rank order profiles of students seeking college admission in terms of the adequacy of a single score. An illustration using 577 profiles shows that it is possible that only a subset of profiles may require qualitative analysis. (SLD)

Describes the Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art Program for high school students committed to studying art. Outlines portfolio requirements, the evaluation process, and depicts student work. (KM)

Discusses techniques secondary school counselors can use to help parents understand and negotiate the college admissions process, including encouraging parental self-assessment; assisting parents to assess student; giving parents special tips; and maintaining open and ethical communication. (ABL)

Reports on a national survey of community college journalism and mass communication department heads conducted to determine faculty members' perceptions of the quality of journalism education provided at the two-year college level and of their four-year college counterparts' attitudes regarding community college journalism education. (DMM)

Describes how high school students interested in pursuing a career in art can have their work evaluated by portfolio examiners from the admissions offices of art schools. Suggests that art teachers should make more use of these occasions by accompanying students and preparing them to accept criticism. (KM)

American students devote only about 20 percent of their waking hours to learning tasks. Academic effort in high school is generally not well signaled to colleges and employers. Educators can make studying pay off by offering school-based rewards, providing diplomas certifying various competencies, and challenging college-bound students with…

A study evaluated the use of a video cassette as an early recruitment tool, with respect to promoting viewer awareness and increasing rate of application to the undergraduate pharmacy program. Analysis of questionnaires showed that the videotape increased knowledge the profession. (Author/MLW)

A study investigated how 362 Ohio high school seniors perceived the quality of selected state universities in Ohio and how those perceptions affected their choice of colleges to which to apply. It is concluded that students do use perceived quality as a basis for application. Implications for practice and further research are outlined. (MSE)

Critically looks at how colleges review writing in students' application essays. Describes high school personal essay writing course for seniors designed to help students find "voice" suitable for personal essays, select original topic, and avoid some typical subjects that college essay readers may find tiring. Describes course's nine-point…

Reviews history, policies, and practices of admitting learning-disabled students to postsecondary institutions. Presents legal and social background information with respect to emergence of undergraduate applicants with learning disabilities, discusses uncertainties that affect response of high school and college admission and guidance counselors,…

Use of market research to enhance college admissions publications is discussed. The role of marketing in recruitment materials is examined, sources of market research on and off campus are noted, suggestions for conducting original research are offered, and applications of research to preparation and evaluation of recruitment materials are…

Presents journal entries written by college counselor at a U.S. school in Egypt. Entries concern transfer of students to counselor's school from U.S. and international schools in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates during Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 and difficulties in communicating with U.S. colleges during Persian Gulf…

An Illinois study found that parents' (n=823) college savings and awareness of college financial aid possibilities had significant indirect effects on the tuition levels of colleges under consideration. Effects of a number of other demographic variables and knowledge factors were found. (Author/MSE)

Reviews literature appearing since 1985 on changing patterns of community college transfer, the current status of community college articulation, and areas for improvement in the transfer/articulation process. Includes a 21-item bibliography. (DMM)