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S/O What is the common data set? And what am I looking for?


fourisenough
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I originally asked this in another thread and since it was veering off topic, I decided to start a new thread. So here goes:

 

At the risk of sounding totally out of it, what is the common data set? (Link?) and what am I looking for there? How will it help me find a school where my student is likely to get the most merit money for her particular situation? I'm confident you're right about it being a great source of info (8FillTheHeart, I'm looking at you), I just really don't know what I'm looking for...

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The Common Data Set is one of two major data sets of college information. The other is called IPEDS.

 

Collegedata.com is a browser for common data set information, but there are some fields that are not easy to find in the college search engines. Transfer admissions stats would be an example.

 

Every college participating in the CDS will have its info on their website. The Google incantation would be

 

Site:somecollege.edu common data set

 

For example:

http://obp.umich.edu/root/facts-figures/common-data-set/

 

Finding a merit aid or need based using collegedata.com

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkm71RBraLk

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At the risk of sounding totally out of it, what is the common data set? (Link?) and what am I looking for there? How will it help me find a school where my student is likely to get the most merit money for her particular situation?

Common data sets break down % of students accepted within specific GPA, SAT, ACT ranges, factors considered in admissions, % of students receiving financial aid, both need-based and merit. If you are a family seeking need-based aid, then it also tells % of need met, etc.

 

I find this site the easiest for a first filter:UT-Austin as an example http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg02_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=788

 

Students need to to the the upper quartile in admissions stats to be competitive for scholarships. The extras "considered" are also a factor.

 

It is really just a source for pre-screening. The stronger the profile of your student compared the top admitted %s, the more competitive they are. Once you have the info that helps you evaluate your student compared to the institution's admissions data, you need to dig into the profiles of students who have been awarded the scholarships. They are typically posted on the school's website.

Edited by 8FillTheHeart
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I think the most helpful information on the common data set is breakdown of ACT and SAT scores of students who enrolled, not who were accepted--there can be a significant discrepancy between the two, and other than in the common data set, some schools tend to bandy them about like they're the same thing.  Also, the data on "persistence," i.e., graduation rates, is helpful.  I've always found the common data set by googling "Auburn common data set," for example.  Every school has it on their website, somewhere, but it's just easier to find via Google.

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For me, reading the first one didn't tell me much, but as I read more of them I was able to draw comparisons.
I like to see how many students stick it out until graduation.  It was also interesting to see how many waitlisted students enrolled.  And it qave me a general sense of various programs over time - which groups were increasing, which were decreasing.  

Acceptance rate is always good to know, but it's also interesting to look at how many accepted students enroll - as in, is it a "dream school" for many, or a "safety school" that enrolls mainly kids who didn't get in somewhere else.  

The percentage of grad students vs. undergrads; the percentage of freshman enrollees vs. transfers - these can give you a sense of the social environment as well as the school's focus areas.  Also the percent in various departments/colleges can give you a sense of whether your kid will be an English major at a STEM school or vice-versa.

The diversity stats also give you a sense of the student body.

Of course, the numbers don't spell everything out in detail, and you have to be careful about putting too much significance on any one number, but you can still get a rough sense of various things, which can then guide your research as you look for a school that's a good fit for a particular student.  (So, for example, maybe your kid is an English major but has strong STEM interests - that STEM school might be a better fit than one that is more English-major focused and has minimal STEM.)

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One thing I used the common data set for was to determine how consistent merit aid was in subsequent years.  My son's school requires a 2.5 GPA to renew merit aid.  Some schools have a much higher requirement.  Section H2A of the common dataset helps to tease out how much merit aid is awarded over the years.  See this post for an example.  Not sure if it's changed since 2014 when I wrote it.

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Also be on the lookout for schools that refer to need based aid as scholarships when they are really nothing more than institutional grants.

What is the difference between a scholarship and an institutional grant?  Neither need to be repaid, so definitely better than loans.  Ah.  Google is my friend.

 

Most scholarships are merit based. This means that they are awarded to students with certain qualities, such as proven academic or athletic ability. Many scholarships have rules — maintaining a certain GPA, for example — that you have to follow to continue receiving aid.

 

Most grants are need based. This means that they are usually awarded based on your or your family’s financial situation.

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What is the difference between a scholarship and an institutional grant? Neither need to be repaid, so definitely better than loans. Ah. Google is my friend.

Grant $$ is not fixed. It can fluctuate based on individual financial yr scenarios. Number of kids in college, etc can cause your grant aid to go up or down. Receiving merit awards can reduce your grant aid, etc.

 

Merit scholarships tend to be fixed with GPA/full-time enrollment requirements. Some (not all) schools allow merit scholarships to stack. Since the scholarships are not replacing need-based grant $$ in a direct 1-on-1 swap, the scholarships actually reduce parental contribution. (Most schools that offer only need-based aid do not let the parental contribution be reduced.)

 

This is an example from Brown:

Q. What happens if I receive an outside scholarship?

 

A. Outside scholarships and employer tuition benefits are an excellent way to help reduce the need to work and/or borrow student loans while at Brown. When you receive an outside scholarship, our office is required to reevaluate your financial aid award and account for the additional resource.

 

Outside scholarships can be used to reduce the entire amount of student effort. Student effort includes campus employment, student loans, and the standard summer earnings expectation. Federal regulations stipulate that outside scholarships cannot be used to replace the Parent Contribution or any additional Student Contribution derived from student assets.

 

This policy does not apply to entitlement awards (State Scholarships, Pell Grants and Federal SEOG). Receipt of these funds will result in dollar for dollar reduction in University Scholarship

 

If your outside scholarships exceed your student effort, your Brown University Scholarship will be reduced, in which case you may wish to consider taking advantage of the Brown Computer Purchase Program. More information about Outside Scholarships and the Computer Purchase Program is available in our Frequently Asked Questions.

I used to remember why Brown stated the piece about federal regulations, but I can't this morning. I'd have to go search for the explanation I received. Maybe Janet can explain?

 

BUT, it is not true that federal regulations stipulate that parental contribution cannot be reduced by institutional merit scholarships. It is why we focus on merit-based aid. Our contribution is what needs to be reduced.

 

While most families seeking grant aid find privates better financial matches, we have found publics to be better merit matches.

 

Does that more sense?

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