Ask an Expert
AUGUST TOPIC: The College Search Process
Sandra Moore
Independent Educational Consultant & Founder of Next Step College Counseling |
OUR EXPERT:
Sandra M. Moore, M.A., is an independent educational consultant and founder of Next Step College Counseling (Next Step CC, LLC), which she established in 2008. A former college admissions director and lifelong educator, Sandra helps students and their families navigate all aspects of the college search process and expertly guides them on how to become a viable candidate and to narrow the search to “best-fit” (and affordable!) colleges and universities. Sandra is a professional member of the Higher Education Consultants Association, Independent Educational Consultants Association, National Association for College Admission Counseling and New York State Association for College Admission Counseling. She sits on the affordability subcommittee of IECA’s College Committee, which provides information and training to the association’s membership. She is a frequent speaker and writes a popular blog, “College Aid,” hosted by the Poughkeepsie Journal. |
“What are the top three things colleges look for in applicants?” ~ K.M. Walton (PA)
Thanks for the question! Most admissions officers review applications in a holistic way, carefully considering a number of factors to determine whether students are a good fit for their particular institutions. However, first and foremost, schools seek assurance that an applicant is well prepared for college-level work. They want to see if the student’s academic program is challenging (for example, one that includes Honors and/or AP courses, if offered) AND if they’ve done well, as evidenced by good grades. Many students mistakenly believe that an “A” average will ensure admission to their dream schools. Or they may not realize that dropping courses in a core area, like foreign language, can doom their chances at some institutions.
The most important component of the application can vary from college to college. For highly-selective schools that still require them, standardized test scores matter a lot. For others that don’t, students’ genuine, demonstrated commitment, initiative and/or leadership in a few activities - ideally, those that have made an impact on the larger community - will help them stand out among similarly qualified candidates. It’s also what so-called “elite” institutions expect to see in applications.
“How much involvement does the college have in terms of guiding seniors into the workforce? Some colleges state they do help, but what is it they actually do, and are there certain questions parents should ask when they visit with their child to find out?” ~ Paula (NY)
Hello, Paula. Today, most colleges - including those whose liberal arts mission and traditions remain strong - pro-actively combine academic studies with real-world experiences (both paid and unpaid), such as on and off-campus internships, independent research, study abroad and service learning projects. Whether taking advantage of a college’s career office programs, working side by side with faculty mentors or networking with successful alumni, students have a myriad of opportunities to explore various career paths.
But, of course, it’s important to know how soon and how often such opportunities actually are available. You can ask about "accessibility" as well as post-graduation employment rates and average starting salaries when visiting campuses or by emailing admissions reps and/or researching colleges online. Ultimately, it’s up to students to actively take advantage of whatever level of support is offered. In addition to doing their very best in the classroom, they must assertively and doggedly seek out the kind of hands-on experiences that will help distinguish them from others in the job market.
“I thought I knew it all after visiting 17 schools with my daughter, but then she decided to go the musical theatre route, and it was a whole different process. I was totally clueless when the process began. We wound up using an audition coach. Do you have any suggestions/tips for what parents should do if their child is planning on applying to arts programs that have different admission rules than regular admission?” ~ Risa (CO)
Yes, Risa! If at all possible, start early – ideally in the 9th grade. That way, students have the opportunity to map out a four-year plan for strengthening and showcasing their talents. They also have the time to spread out all the necessary and complicated application-related tasks, such as portfolio development if considering a B.F.A. program in the visual arts.
To ensure that students applying to visual or performing arts programs are aware of any additional application requirements - like auditions - it’s essential that they carefully review admissions sections of college websites. Depending upon the school, students might very well need to complete a preliminary application form prior to being offered such an audition. Again, the earlier students check out arts programs, the better prepared they’ll be to meet application deadlines and more likely to achieve positive outcomes. And, if you have questions about any aspect of the application process, don’t hesitate to contact admissions offices directly.
Another tip: Before even coming up with a tentative college list and hitting the road, I’d encourage students to go through a thoughtful self-assessment process, identifying their specific needs, abilities, interests, strengths, learning style, personality and preferences. In putting the student at the center of the search process rather than the colleges, lists tend to be shorter and more focused from the get-go, even when kids have diverse interests they think they might want to pursue concurrently.
Although young people are works in progress, and likely to change direction (if not prior to college, then certainly once there), the self-assessment process provides teens with a kind of road map that helps them stay the course while being flexible enough to accommodate detours and even about-faces. It also helps to save time, energy and money while reducing family stress!
“What's the best way to start a graduate school search if you aren't going in straight from undergrad? The only guidance counselor I have now is my mom.” ~ Hannah (NY)
Hannah…
If you’ve already identified the area in which you wish to pursue graduate study (e.g., business, education, law, medicine, etc.), you’ll want to build on any related, hands-on experiences you already may have had in college. Doing so will solidify your interest in that area and strengthen the profile you’ll present to admissions offices. And if you’re not absolutely sure which path to follow, now’s the perfect time to shadow a professional in a couple of different areas. You also might benefit from taking online or in-person courses that will enhance your eligibility for a particular program. Be sure to also secure appropriate recommenders you can contact when you’re ready to apply.
In conducting your search, you’ll want to make sure that the programs you’re considering appropriately mesh with your current career goals as well as meeting other criteria that you deem essential. Check out admissions statistics, opportunities to network with potential employers (including alumni), job placement lists and average salaries of graduates. Overall, graduate schools aren’t as generous with financial aid as undergraduate institutions, and with the allowable federal student loan debt ceiling for grad students being much higher, researching costs and relative “affordability” of various programs in conjunction with return on investment (ROI) is critical.
Thanks for the question! Most admissions officers review applications in a holistic way, carefully considering a number of factors to determine whether students are a good fit for their particular institutions. However, first and foremost, schools seek assurance that an applicant is well prepared for college-level work. They want to see if the student’s academic program is challenging (for example, one that includes Honors and/or AP courses, if offered) AND if they’ve done well, as evidenced by good grades. Many students mistakenly believe that an “A” average will ensure admission to their dream schools. Or they may not realize that dropping courses in a core area, like foreign language, can doom their chances at some institutions.
The most important component of the application can vary from college to college. For highly-selective schools that still require them, standardized test scores matter a lot. For others that don’t, students’ genuine, demonstrated commitment, initiative and/or leadership in a few activities - ideally, those that have made an impact on the larger community - will help them stand out among similarly qualified candidates. It’s also what so-called “elite” institutions expect to see in applications.
“How much involvement does the college have in terms of guiding seniors into the workforce? Some colleges state they do help, but what is it they actually do, and are there certain questions parents should ask when they visit with their child to find out?” ~ Paula (NY)
Hello, Paula. Today, most colleges - including those whose liberal arts mission and traditions remain strong - pro-actively combine academic studies with real-world experiences (both paid and unpaid), such as on and off-campus internships, independent research, study abroad and service learning projects. Whether taking advantage of a college’s career office programs, working side by side with faculty mentors or networking with successful alumni, students have a myriad of opportunities to explore various career paths.
But, of course, it’s important to know how soon and how often such opportunities actually are available. You can ask about "accessibility" as well as post-graduation employment rates and average starting salaries when visiting campuses or by emailing admissions reps and/or researching colleges online. Ultimately, it’s up to students to actively take advantage of whatever level of support is offered. In addition to doing their very best in the classroom, they must assertively and doggedly seek out the kind of hands-on experiences that will help distinguish them from others in the job market.
“I thought I knew it all after visiting 17 schools with my daughter, but then she decided to go the musical theatre route, and it was a whole different process. I was totally clueless when the process began. We wound up using an audition coach. Do you have any suggestions/tips for what parents should do if their child is planning on applying to arts programs that have different admission rules than regular admission?” ~ Risa (CO)
Yes, Risa! If at all possible, start early – ideally in the 9th grade. That way, students have the opportunity to map out a four-year plan for strengthening and showcasing their talents. They also have the time to spread out all the necessary and complicated application-related tasks, such as portfolio development if considering a B.F.A. program in the visual arts.
To ensure that students applying to visual or performing arts programs are aware of any additional application requirements - like auditions - it’s essential that they carefully review admissions sections of college websites. Depending upon the school, students might very well need to complete a preliminary application form prior to being offered such an audition. Again, the earlier students check out arts programs, the better prepared they’ll be to meet application deadlines and more likely to achieve positive outcomes. And, if you have questions about any aspect of the application process, don’t hesitate to contact admissions offices directly.
Another tip: Before even coming up with a tentative college list and hitting the road, I’d encourage students to go through a thoughtful self-assessment process, identifying their specific needs, abilities, interests, strengths, learning style, personality and preferences. In putting the student at the center of the search process rather than the colleges, lists tend to be shorter and more focused from the get-go, even when kids have diverse interests they think they might want to pursue concurrently.
Although young people are works in progress, and likely to change direction (if not prior to college, then certainly once there), the self-assessment process provides teens with a kind of road map that helps them stay the course while being flexible enough to accommodate detours and even about-faces. It also helps to save time, energy and money while reducing family stress!
“What's the best way to start a graduate school search if you aren't going in straight from undergrad? The only guidance counselor I have now is my mom.” ~ Hannah (NY)
Hannah…
If you’ve already identified the area in which you wish to pursue graduate study (e.g., business, education, law, medicine, etc.), you’ll want to build on any related, hands-on experiences you already may have had in college. Doing so will solidify your interest in that area and strengthen the profile you’ll present to admissions offices. And if you’re not absolutely sure which path to follow, now’s the perfect time to shadow a professional in a couple of different areas. You also might benefit from taking online or in-person courses that will enhance your eligibility for a particular program. Be sure to also secure appropriate recommenders you can contact when you’re ready to apply.
In conducting your search, you’ll want to make sure that the programs you’re considering appropriately mesh with your current career goals as well as meeting other criteria that you deem essential. Check out admissions statistics, opportunities to network with potential employers (including alumni), job placement lists and average salaries of graduates. Overall, graduate schools aren’t as generous with financial aid as undergraduate institutions, and with the allowable federal student loan debt ceiling for grad students being much higher, researching costs and relative “affordability” of various programs in conjunction with return on investment (ROI) is critical.