Counselor Corner

Getting into College.

Information about Colleges and different Alumni around the globe will be featured on our Counselors’ Corner page, here on the Student Athletic Academic Planning Portal. If you need additional information our counselors will find that information and post it or have one of our staff contact you by e-mail with the information you need. We update weekly, so do not be alarmed if information is not changed or updated as soon as you post it. The Student Athletic Academic Planning Portal administrators has to verify all information before it is posted, so be patient.

Conducting The College Search.

In conducting the college search, it is important to make sure students are compiling well balanced lists of colleges that fit their profile both academically and socially. Thorough research is necessary to be sure that students are applying to the right colleges for them. The research will also come in handy when completing applications and when answering essay questions that ask why an applicant wants to attend that college.

Here are some helpful tips from College Connections that should help in your search.

Examine the Campus Life Prepare questions about housing (on campus/off campus, required to live on campus…), food plans and dining options, the recreation center, various clubs and organizations, dorm setup, roommate assignment, degree of community involvement, Greek Life, campus security.

Explore Academic Programs If the intended major is known, research the faculty and course offerings in the department of interest, learn who does the teaching and grading, visit the department’s web page, learn about any requirements or prerequisites, what if any are the core requirements, is the student assigned an adviser, can the student assist in designing an independent major, internship opportunities, average class size. If the student enters as undeclared regarding a major, review requirements for the Bachelor Degree and core requirements.

Review College Statistics Remember that admission rates can provide information but will not necessarily be a factor in deciding whether a student should apply to that college. Numbers to consider would include a college’s retention rate, the make-up and diversity of the student body, number of males/females, how residential that college is (number who live on and off campus) what percentage of students obtain internships and go on to graduate school.

Other Factors to Consider: Size, location, climate, distance from home, afford-ability.

As students conduct research, they should scrutinize information. Colleges want to impress their readers and visitors and they encourage students to apply. Validate information found by checking additional sources. If possible visit the colleges, as that is the best way to know whether that school would be a good fit. Know too, that if students can’t visit, they can apply.  If accepted, students have many weeks to plan a visit before they make their final decision.

When research is completed, create a college list (approximately a dozen colleges).  The information collected will help when filling out applications, writing essays and when interviewed. The more students learn about colleges, the better they will be able to make an informed choice.

College Connections counselors work closely with students, assisting with college research making sure students apply to their best matched colleges.

What Are Colleges Looking For In Their Applicants:

Be focused – Be hungry – creativity surfaces most everywhere – smart is good – interact with your community & seek internships – want teachable people – show an upward trend in high school – make teacher connections at school – they writing recommendations – seek interdisciplinary opportunities & share about them – teach admission people something with your essay – write about small daily occurrences – they’re looking at writing skills – learn how to be brief – don’t recite their viewbook with anything you say – apply your personal interests – want engaged students – passion in the classroom – not too much emphasis on expressed interest, but it does matter – interview is a good thing but not much weight in the admission decision – do seek local interviews though – holistic is a buzz word in admissions.

Know that each college has “a personality” with their individual admission policies, requirements, academic programs and deadlines.  Make sure you thoroughly research every college where you choose to apply.

Stay Organized During The College Application Process.

“Back to School” ads, posters and reminders are appearing just about everywhere. The college application process begins to move at lightening speed with the launch of the Common and Universal Applications. Some colleges have already released their supplements.

Seniors Now.

SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER Prepare for and complete any standardized testing requirements and be aware of deadlines to register for tests. Confirm the different testing requirements of the colleges where you intend to apply. More information is here: www.collegeboard.com & www.act.org.

Private Student Loan Rates.