The Common Data Set results from a joint initiative among data providers in the higher education community. The publishers for the same are College Board, Peterson’s, and U.S. News & World Report. The purpose is to enhance the accuracy and quality of information disseminated to those planning to transition to higher education. Simply put, the CDS makes college data available publicly for everyone to access. This report also minimizes the reporting burden on data providers.
The CDS is not to be considered a survey tool or a database, but rather a collection of standards and definitions for data items along with unique items specific to each publisher.
Navigating the college admissions process can be overwhelming, with countless factors to consider and data to sift through. One valuable tool that often goes underutilized by students and parents is the Common Data Set (CDS). In this blog, we will explore what the CDS is, why it is important, and how you can use it to make informed decisions about your college applications.
The CDS has the following research points.
General Information:/Enrollment & Persistence/First-Time, First-Year (Freshman) Admission/ Transfer Admission/Academic Offerings & Policies/ Student Life/Annual Expenses/ Financial Aid/Instructional Faculty and Class Size/Degrees Conferred:
Why is the CDS Important?
The CDS provides transparency and allows for easy comparison between institutions.
Here are some key benefits:
Standardized Data: The Common Data Set has highly detailed information. The CDS breaks down their admission priorities providing specific information. Here you will be able to understand the exact scores that admitted students had got: their GPAs and Standardised scores. A closer and more detailed look at this document will provide you with exceptional information and context of each class and where you as a student lie within this given pool.
Informed Decisions: With Colleges emphasizing certain aspects of a student’s profile, students and families can access detailed information. This helps democratize decision-making. Since colleges are listing out their priorities, students, along with their counselors can understand what is the area a student is required to work on. For example, if an academically strong applicant with a high GPA and standardized scores, has weak extracurriculars, counselors can recommend schools that have less focus on extracurriculars in favor of these more quantitative elements.
How to Use the CDS
Researching Schools: Sometimes the access to data is underutilized since applicants are not aware of the way to use the CDS. Once you have prepared your college list, check the data set to look for detailed information about each school.
You must remember to check acceptance rates, average test scores, and GPA of admitted students to gauge your chances of admission. Look for a section dedicated to institutional research or data. Example: Google the name of the school you want to attend. Common Data Set | Analytical Services & Institutional Research (bu.edu)
Comparing Costs: Costs are an important factor when it comes to planning for colleges. We advise families to review the annual expenses and financial aid sections to compare the cost of attendance and financial aid availability at different institutions.
Understanding Academic Environment: Whether you are an international student or a domestic student, everyone thrives in an environment in which they are comfortable. By researching the instructional faculty and class size data, applicants can get a sense of the academic environment and faculty qualifications.
Conclusion
We understand that starting to research without proper discussions around the college admission scenario is a daunting task. We advise students to discuss with their counselor to get a perspective on college admissions. Once you make a list of probable colleges on the basis of your major, GPA, test scores, and extracurriculars, you can use the CDS to start eliminating or adding colleges that you feel fit your requirements.
