Archive for the ‘College Prep’ Category

What Is the Average Cost of a College Education?

September 12th, 2012 |

What Is the Average Cost of a College Education?

The cost of higher education is on the rise. The scariest part of this trend is that costs are going up a noticeable amount from year to year rather than increasing a little bit at a time. According to the College Board (that’s the folks who administer the SAT exam) college students will pay an average of $400 more for room and board this year compared to last year. That number will be different from college to college, but seeing big increases in college costs over just twelve months should be enough to convince you — college costs are going up.

Average Cost of Four Year Colleges

Because colleges regularly report their costs it is easy to come up with an average cost for a college education. In 2010, a year of tuition and room and board at a private college is up to $26,273. That’s an increase of almost 5 percent from last year’s cost. The price at public institutions is up too — room and board and tuition will run you $7,000 and that number is up 6.5 percent from the last academic year.

When students want to attend a school outside of their home state the cost is even higher. This year, out of state room and board and tuition and fees will run students an average of $11,500.

Average Cost of Two Year Colleges

College doesn’t have to be this expensive — two-year colleges (which aren’t included in the above averages) are affordable and you can often finish a large portion of your course load at a two-year college before transferring to a larger school for graduation. The College Board says that 31% of college students attend one of these two-year schools, so not everyone is getting squeezed at the bursar’s office.

The average cost at a public two-year college is around $4,000 depending on what part of the country you are in. Costs at these colleges vary widely, so check at two-year colleges in your area before you decide to go to a two-year school to save money.

College Cost Statistics

There are some interesting figures related to college cost reported by the College Board. College students have found lots of ways to reduce cost (grants and scholarships) and it appears there are plenty of colleges still offering a great value. For instance, 19 percent of students who attend a private four-year college pay tuition and fees below $18,000. Sure that’s a low number, but it means that you can get a private school education somewhat closer to a public school cost. With costs at public schools rising even more rapidly than those at private school, you may as well choose a cheap private college.

Having said that, there are some great deals on public four-year schools. The College Board reports that 32 percent of full-time public college students pay less than $6,000.

The opposite end of that spectrum is the group of students who pay outlandishly high costs — apparently, only one fifth of all private school students pay anything higher than $36,000.

College costs aren’t going to start a downward trend anytime soon. The issue of cost adds one more wrinkle to the already difficult college decision process. Consider cost differences between public and private universities as well as the differences between two-year and four-year programs before committing to any college.

This article answers the question “what is the average cost of a college education?” Other articles in this series include:

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What Is an Average MCAT Score?

January 21st, 2010 |

What is an average MCAT score?

The Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT, is a computer-based standardized test for students applying to medical school. The purpose of the MCAT is to provide applicants to medical schools with a common score on the same test. Students taking the MCAT are tested on problem solving, writing, critical thinking, and basic science concepts.

Why the MCAT?

The MCAT was developed early in the 20th century to combat rising dropout rates at medical schools–estimates suggest that as many as 1 in 5 medical students in the 30s were dropping out because they weren’t prepared for the rigors of medical school. Once the MCAT became standard, medical schools saw that dropout rate drop back to normal levels within ten years.

The MCAT is now used as a tool by medical schools to compare applicants and select them based on their performance in undergraduate school as well as their skill set, recommendations, and MCAT score.

The test itself involves four parts and a total of 144 questions. Test takers have four hours and twenty minutes to complete the test.

MCAT Scoring

What Is an Average MCAT Score?

Those unfamiliar with the MCAT test look at a typical score and wonder what the hell it means. According to testing centers around the country, an average score on the MCAT is about 28.1P. What does that mean?

Three of the sections of the MCAT are given a number score–all three multiple choice sections are scored from 1 to 15, and the writing section is judged by a human and assigned a letter score between J (lowest) and T (highest). Add up the three number scores and tack on your writing score. That’s your MCAT score.

A final note on scoring–when taking the MCAT, you should concern yourself with presenting a “balanced” score. The makers of the MCAT as well as admissions departments at medical schools are more likely to look favorably on three numerical scores that are close together (12, 12, 13) than three that show an obvious over-concentration or under-concentration in one area (12, 19, 11).

So What’s the Average MCAT Score Mean?

I’ve already given you the average — about 28.1P — but how can you use that to your advantage?

The problem is, as with all standardized tests, simply knowing the average isn’t going to help you in the long run. You need to know the averages for the specific medical schools you’re applying to, as well as their applicant’s average GPA. This will help you figure out what score you want on the MCAT.

Here’s a sampling of ten poopular medical schools and their averages. If you want to make a good impression at these schools, meet or beat these averages. The MCAT averages given is the average of all student’s three multiple choice sections, and does not include the writing sample.

UCLA — MCAT 11 GPA 3.6
Stanford — MCAT 14 GPA 3.7
Georgetown — MCAT 11 GPA 3.63
Chicago — MCAT 11 GPA 3.63
Johns Hopkins — MCAT 12 GPA 3.71
Harvard — MCAT 12 GPA 3.8
Boston — MCAT 9.7 GPA 3.6
Ole Miss — MCAT 9 GPA 3.6
Creighton – MCAT 8.8 GPA 3.7
New Mexico — MCAT 9.5 GPA 3.7

If you’re preparing for the MCAT, be sure to order Kaplan’s MCAT Premier Program via Amazon. (We make a tiny commission if you order via our link.)

This is part of our series of posts about average test scores:

What Is an Average DAT Score?

January 20th, 2010 |

What is an average DAT score?

The DAT, or Dental Admissions Test, is a 90 minute test with 100 questions that determines your aptitude and the likelihood that you will succeed in dental school.

Dental programs use the DAT as a guide when considering your application for admission. There is no “cut off” score on the DAT, nor does your score on the DAT indicate whether or not you’ll get into a program.

The DAT tests your proficiency in basic biology and both organic and inorganic chemistry as well as problem solving and higher math.

Is the DAT a difficult test? Yes, anytime you’re testing on subjects that diverse, the test is going to be tough.

But just how well do you need to do to secure a place in a top dental school?

C’mon, Just Tell Me The Average DAT Score

As with any academic test, the concept of an ‘average score’ is a misnomer. Rather than worrying about a national average, you should look into the schools you’re applying to and find out what their averages are and try to beat that. After all, if you’re not applying to Harvard for a dental program, you don’t need to have a ridiculously high GPA and DAT score. Something a bit lower will do.

What Is an Average DAT Score?

Scores on the DAT range from 1 to 30, 30 being the highest.

Nationwide, the average DAT score for incoming dental students is about 17. The average DAT score for students who are accepted in programs is just above 19.

However, average DAT scores for individual programs in dentistry range from as low as 16 to as high as 24.

The stats for dental schools vary greatly, with average GPAs ranging from 3.1 up to nearly 4.0, while the DAT scores range from 16 to 24. The average GPA and DAT statistics change every year, and because of better teaching methods and competition, the scores have been steadily increasing over the last decade.

Just ten years ago, the average dental school had entrance statistics of about a 3.2 or 3.3 with a 17 DAT score, the averages have now climbed to a 3.5 GPA with a DAT average of slightly above 19.

The following are average GPA and DAT scores for some of the more popular dentistry programs.

Alabama — GPA 3.58 DAT 19.2
Baylor — GPA 3.51 DAT 19.5
Florida — GPA 3.6 DAT 19
Harvard – GPA 3.8 DAT 24.4
Houston — GPA 3.6 DAT 20
LSU — GPA 3.51 DAT 19.1
Nebraska — GPA 3.8 DAT 18.6
Oklahoma — GPA 3.63 DAT 19.51
San Antonio — GPA 3.74 DAT 19
Stony Brook — GPA 3.71 DAT 21

One of the best ways to prepare for the DAT is to use a Kaplan DAT test prep guide. (And if you buy one via our Amazon link, we make a tiny commission too.)

This is part of our “average test scores” series of articles:

What Is an Average GMAT Score?

January 19th, 2010 |

What is an average GMAT score?

The Graduate Management Admissions Test, or GMAT, is a required exam for entrance into business school.

If you’ve decided to apply to business school, you know that you will need to take the GMAT and that you’ll want to earn as high a score as possible.

Your overall GMAT score will range from 200 – 800, with 800 being a “perfect score”.

Why Use the GMAT?

GMAT scores are used to help business schools figure out how well you will perform academically in a business or management program. Think of the GMAT as the MCAT or GRE of business school. GMAT scores estimate your abilities verbally and mathematically. Most business schools consider GMAT scores an “assessment” tool for comparing different business school applicants. Why can’t these schools just use GPA or class rank? The GMAT is a standard test for everyone who takes it, so the scores reflect a genuine comparison of abilities.

How Your School Will Use Your GMAT Score

Your GMAT score will be transmitted to the schools you indicate so that those schools can look at a picture of your academic abilities. The GMAT is not a replacement for a good application, interview, and letters from professors because the GMAT test does not measure lots of intangible qualities of a student that are so vital for academic success. Remember that admissions decisions are not based on GMAT scores alone, but a complete picture of a student gained through the admissions process.

What Is an Average GMAT Score?

The other factors that go into a business school’s decision are undergraduate GPA, work experience, essays, and recommendations.

The GMAT test itself only recommends that schools use the GMAT scores as an aid to the selection process for grad school applications or to help select students for financial aid programs. Some schools also use GMAT scores to determine a student’s need for course leveling or to enroll a student in an automatic guidance program for academics.

If you really want to know what an average GMAT score is after all that, I can give you the following information from the makers of the GMAT test:

A score of 720 or better would put you in the 96 – 99th percentile
A score of 630 up to 720 would put you in the 79-90th percentile
A score of 570 to 630 would put you in the 61-75th percentile
A score of 500 to 570 would put you in the 37-50th percentile

And here’s a list of some popular MBA programs and their average GMAT scores in 2008:

Stanford — 730
Harvard — 707
Cornell — 670
Georgetown — 655
Pittsburgh — 620

For the top ten business schools, you should shoot for a score of over 700, as they all average at least that.

A good way to prepare for taking the GMAT is to study The Official Guide for GMAT Review, which is available via Amazon. (And if you buy it via our link, we make a small commission, which helps pay for the hosting for our site, among other things.)

This is part of our “average test scores” series of posts:

What Is an Average PSAT Score?

January 6th, 2010 |

What is an average PSAT score?

The PSAT is the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, or the Pre-SAT. It is also known as the NMSQT or National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test — scores on the PSAT can earn high school students accolades and scholarships as part of the National Merit Scholars program. The PSAT is a good barometer for a student’s performance on the SAT and their ability to earn admission at colleges around the country.

Students take the PSAT / NMSQT in either tenth or eleventh grade as a way of preparing them for the actual SAT, qualifying for academic awards, and getting an idea of whether they should apply to college or not.

PSAT Scoring and Average Scores

PSAT scores are reported on a scale that runs from 20 to 80, 20 being the lowest and 80 the highest. This is a parallel to the SAT, which scores between 200 and 800 on each test part. If you want an idea of how you’ll do on an SAT test, simply add a 0 to your score. There are three test parts (critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills) which are each scored from 20 – 80 for a total between 60 and 240.

In 2008, the average score for eleventh graders was 142 — this broke down as an average of 47 in Critical Reading, 49 in Mathematics, and 46 in Writing Skills.

That same year, the average score for tenth graders was 127 — this average broke down as 42 in Critical Reading, 44 in Mathematics, and 41 in Writing Skills.

Selection Index and Averages

When you get your PSAT / NMSQT score report you’ll also see something called the Selection Index which is the score used to determine a student’s eligibility in the National Merit Scholarship Corporation programs.

This Index is the sum of the three scores in each test section (critical reading + mathematics + writing skills) and this Index obviously ranges from 60 to 240. The average Selection Index for students in eleventh grade was 142 in 2008. Please note that only eleventh graders qualify for the NMSQT programs.

PSAT / NMSQT National Percentiles

The last thing on a PSAT / NMSQT score report is your national percentiles. These numbers let you compare your own scores and testing abilities with the scores and abilities of other students of your grade level who took the same test you took.

If you take the PSAT in the eleventh grade, you receive what are called “junior percentiles”. If you take the PSAT in tenth grade or younger, you will be given “sophomore percentiles”. The number you see is the percentage of students of your grade whose scores you bested.

For example, a student in eleventh grade with a percentile of 65 did better on the test than 65 percent of all eleventh graders.

Think of it this way — imagine 100 students lined up from the lowest (or 1st) percentile at the end of the line to the highest (or 99th) percentile at the front of the line. If you are at the 65th percentile, you would be the 66th person in line, ahead of 65 people in the line and behind 34.

Don’t try to “hit the average” when you take the PSAT. Remember that this is a preliminary test and doesn’t really give you a good idea of how you’ll do on that big bad SAT test. The tests are different, the test parts are different, and you don’t want to stress yourself out any more than is necessary. The SAT is hard enough without worrying about averages.

This post is part of a series of college prep posts focused on various college entrance exams. Other posts in the series include:

What Is an Average GRE Score?

January 5th, 2010 |

What is an average GRE score?

The GRE, or Graduate Record Exam, is a required test for people wishing to enter Graduate School. The GRE is made up of two distinct tests — the General Test and any Subject Tests you wish to take. Many people won’t need to take any Subject Tests, but some areas of study will require it.

The General Test is made up of three parts — verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing. The verbal and the quantitative tests will produce a separate score between 200 – 800. Scores on the analytical writing test are reported in 0.5 point increments on a scale from 0 to 6.

The Subject Tests measure knowledge of specific concepts related to graduate study in a given field — these tests also produce a score of between 200 – 800.

Different Grad Schools will require different minimum scores and will have different requirements in terms of Subject Tests and the like.

In truth, the most important part of your GRE in terms of admission to Grad School is your scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE and not the Subject Test you’re asked to take. In order to do well on the verbal and quantitative sections, you should score 550 or above on each test. This will almsot guarantee your score is acceptable for many PhD programs, not to mention Master’s programs. As Master’s degree programs are less competitive than Doctoral, lower scores (let’s call it 450 – 500 on each of the tests) is often acceptable. Scores of less than 450 on either one of the tests will cause trouble when it comes time to apply for Grad School.

Average GRE Score

Depending on what school you’re looking for, average GRE scores fluctuate. Let’s look at an up and coming University like the University of North Texas. This school’s average quantitative GRE scores have gone from 417 just four years ago to 565 this past term. This shows that a smarter and more qualified pool of applicants is applying to UNT and that your score should be somewhere around that new average of 565 quantitatove in order to be competitive. Look at the GRE scores for the specific schools you’re applying to an aim for something near that.

What Is a Good GRE Score?

According to experts on GRE testing, there is no official “good score” or “minimum score” for acceptance into Grad School or a PhD program.

In theory, any score you make above 550 for verbal and 700 for Quantitative is way more than acceptable — so shooting for these big numbers should be your goal.

However, if you earn a lower score on any part of the test but the rest of your Grad School application contains killer accomplishments like experience in the professional world or awesome grades in your undergraduate program, the GRE score simply won’t matter.

Putting together your Grad School application is an arduous process, so you need to manage your time as best you can. If you make a decent score on your GRE (say around 1000 total) there is no point wasting time studying and re-taking the GRE. At this point, you should improve your references, your personal statements, and any extra information your school requires such as a portfolio or body of work.

You should only ever re-take the GRE test if you made a big mistake and your score was significantly lower than you can manage or will keep you from your top school.

This is part of a series of articles about college prep and entrance exam scores. The other posts in this series include:

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Archive for the ‘College Prep’ Category

What Is the Average Cost of a College Education?

What Is an Average MCAT Score?

What Is an Average DAT Score?

What Is an Average GMAT Score?

What Is an Average PSAT Score?

What Is an Average GRE Score?

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