What is the Common Data Set?
You may have heard of the Common Data Set, but many parents and students who come to us haven’t, and therefore miss out on this great tool for college research. Think of the Common Data Set as the insider scoop that colleges provide to not only sources like the U.S. News & World Report or the College Board to determine rankings, but also as ways to give students a chance to compare complex institutional information.
Every year, most colleges take the time to fill out their Common Data Set, which provides a transparent view of everything from admission rates to financial aid options. Unlike glossy brochures or perfect marketing materials, the Common Data Set gives you direct access to the important numbers that can help you see these schools in a new light and make more informed choices!
Finding the Common Data Set
Most schools publish their Common Data Sets proudly on their institutional research websites, but not all do. Usually, you can easily locate this information by searching “Common Data Set– (Insert College Name Here.)”
You’ll find that some colleges maintain archives that go back several years, which is great if you’re interested in identifying trends in admission or the student body over time.
Using the Common Data Set to Assess Your Chances
The Common Data Set is great for many things, but especially in helping you gain a realistic understanding of your admissions prospects. Section C, titled “First-Time, First-Year Admission,” helps you see how many students applied, were admitted, and eventually enrolled. You can see their waitlist numbers and what high school units are required or recommended at that specific school.
Section C7 is also often interesting for students applying to college as it details the importance of specific application factors in the school’s admissions processes: for example, it lists the importance of class rank, GPA, extracurriculars, test scores, volunteer work, and work experience on a scale of very important, important, considered, and not considered.
A close analysis of this section can help you determine not only whether a school is a good reach, target, or likely fit for you, but you can also see how you stack up against their admitted class through what you learn about standardized testing, transcripts, and the application process in general.
Understanding More About the School Than Just What It Takes to Get in!
Section E is a great way to learn more about what the school has to offer in terms of academic and campus offerings. By browsing through this section, you can gain a glimpse into what your future might look like at a given school; do you have the option to double major, study abroad, perform an independent study, or practice distance learning? The Common Data Set can help you find out. You can also get a sense of the different disciplines a school offers and its priorities through the Common Data Set!
However, we also encourage students to consider elements of student life before making any admissions decisions. Section F can give you valuable insight into how many students on campus participate in Greek Life, the commuter to student ratio, and what campus housing demographics look like. Through this section you can learn more about what campus offers and make informed decisions based on your interests.
What Does the Common Data Set Tell You About Financial Aid?
College affordability is just as important as anything else when making this life changing decision. That’s why it’s valuable to spend time browsing Section G, which gives you a sense of the annual expenses associated with an institution. Between tuition rates, room and board, and average financial aid offerings, you can (more or less) get a sense of how your college choices might impact you financially.
Building a Balanced College List
Using the Common Data Set can be a fantastic way to create a well-rounded college list! It lets you bypass marketing materials and accurately compare different schools to find options that match your profile and strengths. Plus, with this information, you can more seriously think about what you’d like in terms of campus life and the programs available to you.
Interested to learn more about what we have to say about the college search? Check out our other blogs!
