As you well know—or are about to find out—trying to figure out which colleges suit your personality and academic and extra-curricular interests is not easy. With thousands of colleges and universities to choose from and only enough time to visit a handful or two, it can be a little like searching for a ring in the sand on the beach in the pitch dark.
We really want to help you find that “ring,” so here’s our shameless plug. . .
WiseChoice can definitely make it easier. Think of us as the eHarmony® of the college search process. We don’t just give you a list of colleges with relevant stats, we also give you reviews and ratings from over 110,000 current college students to help you make a more informed choice about where to apply.
Sign up for a free Guest account and check out some of our useful features:
Personality Assessment. This can be really eye-opening. We ask questions about your social personality, achievement, motivation and study skills/learning styles. This is where your search begins to find the right colleges for you. Every college has its own culture or “vibe” and it is important to find out if it is one that fits you. It can be the difference between a miserable college experience and a rewarding one.
College Matching Profile. We developed a program that combines the results of your personality assessment with your academics, preferences, priorities and goals (academic, athletic, career, and otherwise). The result? A recommended list of colleges and universities with compatibility ratings from 0-100. Isn’t technology great?
Explore Schools. The fun part! Look up the schools you are interested in, read their profiles and reviews, save your favorites, and even compare them side-by-side.
Scholarship Finder. As we like to say, there are scholarships for everyone, not just valedictorians, 1st seat violinists, and star athletes. Our comprehensive database is bursting with information on over 2.4 million scholarships valued at over $14 billion, and best of all we tell you which ones you’re eligible for!
Quick EFC Calculator. As I mentioned here last week, trying to figure out how to pay for college can be a major stressor. Use our EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) calculator so you know what the financial aid office will expect you to contribute toward college before you start exploring.
Career Assessment. Show of hands: Who knows what they want to be when they grow up? Figuring out a major is hard; figuring out which career path to choose can be harder. The results of our career assessment detail career and work environments best suited to you, and we even provide the salary range and education requirements for each option.
What are you waiting for? Start exploring now
Seth Godin is considered by many people to be a marketing genius. He is a best-selling author, an entertaining and in-demand speaker, and a self-described “agent of change.” Seth is also a prolific blogger; his posts are thought-provoking, insightful, funny, and always worth reading.
Last week, one of his posts was titled “The coming meltdown in higher education (as seen by a marketer).” He argued that most colleges, even the top ones, are homogeneous and therefore interchangeable; that they all game the system to appear more selective rather than just focusing on improving their schools’ curriculum; that it doesn’t matter where, or if, you go to college, and that the college experience is more important than the actual college education.
Did we mention Seth’s posts were thought-provoking?
Let’s explore the arguments he makes in each of his stated positions. In my experience, he is (mostly) speaking the truth.
1. Most colleges are organized to give an average education to average students.
Seth challenges you to sift through your child’s college brochures, scribble out the names on the cover, and then try to pick out which is which. He’s betting you cannot, and to some extent this is true. Many colleges look nearly identical on the surface, offer similar coursework, and boast that they have the best college life, the best professors, the best whatever. Simply put, schools have become mass marketers.
Bottom Line: The brochures may look the same, but once on campus you will quickly realize that each school has its own personality, its own vibe, and offers different learning environments. It is important to look beyond rankings and brochures, and find a school that is compatible to your child’s personality, social activities, academic ability and fits your family budget for the best chances of a rewarding college experience.
2. The definition of ‘best’ is under siege.
How many college brochures did your child receive in the mail? 10, 20, 45? Colleges go berserk sending out thousands upon thousands of brochures to ensure that, in return, they receive thousands of applications. Why waste all that paper, time, and money? Because they are gaming the system: the more applicants they reject, the more selective they appear to be, and the higher they rank in the annual US News & World Report ranking, and elsewhere. As Seth puts it, “Why bother making your education more useful if you can more easily make it appear to be more useful?”
Bottom Line: Choose your college based on its compatibility to your interests and goals, not on rankings and selectivity. The “best” college is one that meets your academic, social, and financial needs.
3. The correlation between a typical college degree and success is suspect.
According to Seth, where you go to college doesn’t matter as much as what you do when you get there. (Now granted, Seth has an MBA from Stanford, but we’ll let that slide.)
Case in point: A very good friend of mine is a highly successful international real estate attorney. He is worth millions, has a lovely family and tight circle of good friends, has been named Top Lawyer several times in the state where he practices law. Guess where he went to law school—Harvard? Princeton? Nope. Syracuse. But he was top of his class and, as a result, pursued by high-profile law firms when he graduated.
Bottom line: It is up to your child to make the most of his or her college education—no matter where or whether the college is private or public. Simply attending an Ivy or college that is ranked highly will not guarantee success without effort.
4. Accreditation isn’t the solution, it’s the problem.
Finally, Seth argues that college is not the only way to gain a valuable education.
Yes, there are cheaper ways to earn an education: such as a gap year or a research internship. Many people take a year or more off after high school to pursue a non-traditional education (think the Peace Corps). Many then decide to attend college and get a traditional education, while some do not. And there is certainly nothing wrong with that.
Bottom Line: Explore other education options that may fit your child’s interest. And, if college is the path for your child, it is important that your child chooses a college that is right for him or her—one that is compatible with his/her learning style, social activities, and personality.
Have you been in ballet shoes since before you could tie your sneakers? Played the violin before you could recite your ABC’s? If so, perhaps you are thinking of attending a performing arts college. Wondering how you would go about that? Lucky for you, I have personal insight into the process. My sister was a member of the Conservatory at Shenandoah University and graduated with a degree in Dance.
One of the first decisions she had to make was whether she wanted to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree in Dance. Many performance dancers opt for a B.F.A., as the training and education is very specific to the major. My sister decided she wanted a broader degree and chose a B.A. Like any other student, she had to first consider if she could get into a college based on her grades and test scores, and then she had to evaluate the dance program based on her interests and her skills.
When visiting performing arts college, she met with the dance department and shadowed an entry-level dance class. This was an important evaluation tool to gauge if she would be interested in the program and if the class would challenge her level of dance. Think of it as the department auditioning for you, so you can judge if the program would be a good fit. If your art is more of a solo process, see if you can observe a student’s private lesson. You should also check out the practice space.
After being accepted into a performing arts college, schedule an audition to qualify for your program of interest. My sister attended a group audition similar to an audition scene from the television show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” Each participant was issued a number and the group was taught specific choreography. After performing, participants were separated based on level of ability. As my sister confirmed, this was a high pressure, competitive situation.
A private audition she attended at another performing arts school was more relaxed. For that audition, she prepared a short solo piece, which she had practiced and tweaked extensively at her dance studio. Immediately prior to performing her solo for the department Chair, she willingly participated in a freshman dance class. It was a great way to ease into the audition and it boosted her confidence. After her solo performance and a brief interview, the Chair informed her that she would be accepted into the Dance program. Other schools might not tell you on the spot, however.
The important thing about a performing arts program is that just like the college itself, you have to make sure the program is right for you. Take the time to meet with the department Chair, research the performance requirements and opportunities provided to existing students, check out the practice space, and most importantly, check out some of the classes/lessons. If you can visualize yourself at the school and in the ensemble, chances are you’ve found the program for you. Find out all of the audition details and schedule yours. Approach it prepared and confident, and soon you may be on your way to a career in the arts. Bravo!
Everyone enters college expecting to learn a lot in the classroom. And while college is absolutely about the education you receive, it is also about educating yourself in the ways of the world. It’s a time where you learn to stand up for yourself and act as your own advocate.
For students with any sort of learning difference, being your own advocate when applying to college is even more important. So what does this mean? It means understanding exactly what you need to be a successful student, feeling comfortable in discussing those needs, and asking for help meeting those needs.
Know your needs. Understand exactly what your learning differences are. Before you head off to college, talk with your support team at home. Go over your Individualized Education Program— IEP—to understand your challenges and the accommodations you qualify for and how those services may help you. Practice discussing your learning difference. Learn to state your limitations and challenges in a concise and informative way. It helps to know what you need in the classroom and in your living space to be a successful student. Maybe you need a note taker, or maybe you need to sit in the front of the class. Maybe you would do best in a single dorm room, or maybe you would thrive with a roommate. The point is, you need to be in-tune with your needs and be comfortable discussing them.
Understand the process. As mentioned, go over your IEP with your current support team. Find out what documentation your college requires for special services and ensure your college meets the requirements. Often colleges request records of IEP evaluations no more than three years old. It’s important that you understand the evaluation process and what the various documents reflect so that you can explain your needs to your college. You’ll want to get to know the people in the student services department because they will facilitate your classroom accommodations. Know that they are there to support you.
Know yourself. Going off to college is a new experience for everyone. It can be exciting, frightening and challenging, all at the same time. The important thing is to remain calm. Reflect on how your needs might best be met, and make the student services department your ally. Remember, you are the one who is ultimately responsible for your success. The student services department is on your side, but you must articulate what you need. Remain confident and calm and you’ll be able to handle most everything in stride.
Do you have any advice to share with others on how to successfully managing a learning difference in regards to preparing for college or while attending college?
Have you ever played the board game, Risk®? I never won, nor fully understood the game. But, I did recognize that a well-thought out strategy was important to winning. Much like Risk, strategy is an important component of the college search and application process. A college contact strategy is a vital plan to ensure that a college knows who you are beyond your college application and knows that you are serious about attending their institution.
Most college admissions offices have software that tracks your contact with them. So, each time you place your college contact strategy into action, you should remember to inform the admissions department whom you spoke with, when and where—and be ready to explain why the meeting was so important to you—in order for your meeting to be tracked by the college. But remember, you can’t get tracked unless you have a strategy in place:
Your College Contact Strategy Strategy
Find local events. Meet with your high school counselor and find out about local college fairs. College fairs allow you to converse with college admissions representatives, sign up for more information about a school, ask questions, and acquire valuable contact information from college representatives. Alumni functions are another excellent way to interact with colleges and give yourself an edge. When you meet representatives from these schools, make sure to request their business cards so you’ll remember whom you met.
Sign up for a campus visit. Contact your prospective college and arrange a campus visit and interview. Meeting with college admissions in person allows them to place a face with your name and get to know you beyond what they see on your application.
Contact student representatives. Many college websites host a “get to know us” section on their admissions pages; don’t be afraid to use this feature to contact student representatives. These representatives are pools of information willing to answer any questions.
Strategic tips to stand out
Be well mannered and prepared. It goes without saying to be polite to whomever you encounter. Being well mannered also includes being timely. Allow plenty of time to contact a college. Contact them within business hours. This generally applies to emails as well. Well mannered extends to proofreading your emails and having a mental checklist of what to say on the phone. And always send a thank-you note to any college representative you’ve spoken with.
Be proactive and purposeful. While simply contacting a school to show your interest is not a bad approach, there is room for you to push the envelope. Are you contacting a school that corresponds with a strong academic interest or extracurricular activity? If so, then let the college know. There is no harm in alerting a college that your interests align with theirs. This will help colleges recognize you above other applicants.
Don’t underestimate the power of reaching out to colleges you are interested in. Demonstrating your interest may be the difference between selecting you over another applicant, or acceptance over waitlist.
“Congratulations, you won!” Ever seen that on an envelope in your mail or in the subject line of an email? Usually they are just advertisements promising something too good to be true, but would you believe some colleges use this same advertising technique?
As soon as you take the SAT or even the PSAT*, colleges will start sending you information. You’ll receive emails, brochures, even applications. Some of the information might be generic, but some of it might be personalized just for you. It’s easy to read a letter with your name on it inviting you to visit the school or some other personalized offer and think that the school is holding a spot for you. But don’t be fooled!
Most schools want as many applicants as possible and they use various forms of marketing to gain those applicants. The more applications a school receives the more selective they may appear. Let’s say the college knows it’s going to accept 1,000 students and receives 1,200 applications. That gives the school an acceptance rate of over 80%, which basically screams “apply here, you WILL get in!” No university wants to send that message, so they strive to increase their number of applicants to decrease the admissions ratio and up their appearance of selectivity.
Be wise when looking at any information from a college. Information packets, invitations to visit, applications with your name on them, even promises from faculty members are not guarantees of admission. That goes for letters of interest from coaches, athletic scouts, and activity directors, too.
Remember, the only guarantee of college admission is an official letter of admittance from the Office of Admissions.
*By the way, if you want to cut down on the unsolicited college information overload, the next time you register for the PSAT, SAT, or ACT, make sure to correctly mark the box that opts you out of the mailings!
Get the video camera out; it’s time to apply for college! Nope, that’s not a typo; your eyes do not deceive you. Several colleges this year are allowing students to supplement their applications with a short YouTube video. The video below, from a Tufts University applicant, actually went viral. (And as of this post, the video has been viewed 102,261 times!)
So what does that mean for you? If your school offers the option, I say take it! Why not? Edit your skateboarding footage into a masterpiece, share a day in your life, introduce your friends who volunteer with you, show off your cooking skills. In my opinion, this is an opportunity to bring the admissions officer into your world and show why you are a stand out.
But don’t get so excited about your video that you forget its purpose: to supplement your application package. Your grades, test scores, and the traditional essay are all still just as important as they always were. The video will just kick your application up a notch, and that’s always a good thing!
Have you seen—or better yet, created—an awesome video for college admissions? Share it with us here on this blog.
Congratulations! You’ve completed AND submitted all your college applications. Unfortunately, now is the REALLY hard part—the multi-month college waiting game. Sounds fun, huh? I’m sure you’ve heard that waiting for your college acceptance letters is the most gruesome aspect of applying to college. While that is true, the following tidbits will help you navigate this typically anxious time. So while you’re waiting, here’s what you can do.
Three things to do:
1. First things first, take a break. You’ve just accomplished a monumental task and are very deserving of some R&R. Let go of the process. Recognize that you have completed your part.
2. Check and make sure that your applications have been received. Most undergraduate admissions offices have websites and emails that will confirm receipt of your application. Check regularly to ensure that all parts of your application have been received (transcripts, letters of recommendation, test scores, etc). If something shows up as not received, call the admissions office
3. Make sure that all financial aid forms are completed by their deadlines. You can also invest time looking for scholarships. There are plenty that have spring deadlines.
Three things not to do:
1. Once you have determined that the admissions offices have received all components of your application, do not call to check on your application status. The admissions process takes time. Calling incessantly to check on the status of your application will not speed up the process, but will increase your anxiety. Only call if there is a major change in your application information.
2. This may seem impossible, but try not to build up your hopes about your first-choice school. We all know that each school has its positives and negatives. Despite the fact that you may have a top choice school, each college offers something unique. Furthermore, it is important to remember that once you arrive at college, you are the one in control of your education. Prospective students often fail to realize that success in college is based on the relationships you develop with mentors and professors. Although one school might be your favorite, you must remember that there are several colleges that might be right for you.
3. As difficult as it may seem, don’t compare notes with your peers. The admissions process can feel like a competition. This will only increase your anxiety.
In closing, here’s a personal story that I told numerous times to prospective students visiting my alma mater. Although you may not believe in fate, it is an important variable in the college equation. You will end up where you are supposed to be. Even if it isn’t your first choice school and it may be heartbreaking initially, you will go to the college that is best for you. I flipped a coin between two schools that accepted me. My first choice school was heads and another school was tails. The quarter landed on heads…and I wasn’t thrilled. I went to the tails school and never looked back. No regrets. It all works out in the end.
It’s February. That means less than four months of high school left for most seniors. College applications are in, standardized testing is over, and the last semester is breezing by. Naturally that means time to slack off and screw around, right?! Wrong. So wrong. Be afraid, be very afraid of a potentially dangerous and extremely contagious condition going around – SENIORITIS.
I get it. It’s your last semester ever of high school. You probably filled your schedule with as many PE and art credits as allowed (I seem to recall taking Ceramics II and Country Line Dancing) and you have a couple of AP classes. But now is not the time to slack off on the AP classes. Focus your time on your challenging classes, especially if you are planning to take AP exams for college credit. This is the semester when you should enjoy a ton of time with your friends and continue to maintain your grades. Think of it as training for time management in college.
You early decision folks probably already know what school you are headed to in the fall and might think this doesn’t apply to you. Read the fine print! If you were offered any type of scholarship, chances are, it is contingent upon graduating from high school with a specific GPA. At a minimum, your college expects you to graduate with the same type of grades you’ve been maintaining throughout high school.
The majority of seniors will hear from colleges in March and April. This means that most of you are still being considered. Colleges could be checking in with your high school to see how your final semester is progressing. Look at this semester as your opportunity to wow them. Did you do particularly well on a midterm? Were you able to pull your grades up from last semester? Receive an award for community service or leadership? If so, don’t wait–notify your colleges of these accomplishments now. These are all things that can move you from “wait list” to “acceptance,” so let your potential colleges know!
The point is, you only have a few months left and your grades will reflect how you choose to spend them. Colleges seek well-rounded students, but they aren’t interested in students who do only what they need to do just to get in and then blow it afterwards. So build up your immune system against Senioritis! It’s one thing to have it for a few days, but come down with a serious case, and you and your GPA might never recover.
college applications
It’s getting down to the wire and college application deadlines are just around the corner. Are worries of something falling through the cracks keeping you awake at night? Well, worry no more. Complete all the items below and you’ll stay organized and on top of things.
• Confirm college application deadlines, whether you are applying early, regular, or rolling admission
• Request that your guidance counselor send both your high school transcript and midyear report to your schools
• Contact your colleges and confirm that your test scores (that is, your SAT or ACT scores, and any AP test scores) were received.
• Confirm that your teacher recommendations have been sent
• Send thank you notes to your recommenders
• Have someone proofread your essays for spelling, grammar, and content
• Where possible, do an on campus or alumni interview
• Send thank you notes to your interviewers, if applicable
• If required, send supplemental materials (additional essay, art portfolio, etc)
• Make copies of all your application materials
• Complete and submit your applications online; be sure to include the application fee
• Confirm receipt of your application materials by the colleges
Once all of your applications have been sent in, give yourself a big congratulations. You deserve it! And then get back to your studies so you can keep your grades up throughout senior year. In future blog posts, I’ll address how to make a final decision when choosing among several great colleges.
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