What a great chat! We devoted our time to discussing some key themes-and tensions that play out during the college search process… once we got past that little contribution from the dog!
- your growth and change
- maintaining close relationships with your family and becoming more independent
- using both your head and your heart to sift through the information you hear and learn to reach decisions that work for you
You can listen here
Being in the college search means being a detective
and finding out the “scoop.”
We had an awesome call about all there is to learn about finding the college that’s right for you… While I was chatting away with the girls on the call, Grace, (leadership coach for talented teen girl athletes, http://TigressTeens.ning.com) was taking notes of our conversation-here are the highlights (plus a wee bit more information)!
Did you know?
There are over FOUR THOUSAND colleges and universities in the US-so you are bound to find some that fit YOUR needs. (And, you might look outside the US too! Take a peek at Maya Frost’s book, The New Global Student. )
It’s real important to college admissions for you to be resilient (and show it!). Everyone has bumps in the road, what they (admissions office personnel) want to see is how you respond to and manage adversity.
Remember you are a whole person. The package of you is what matters-be honest about yourself-know what you want (size, location, etc.)-even if that means you don’t have a major yet.
Not knowing your major is fine-50% of students haven’t decided on a major by the time they enter college. If you want to go to school to find what you want to do then you look more towards liberal arts colleges, on the other hand, if you know what you want and are focused, look to schools with your focus.What is important is to know your interests. Find schools that have what you want-look for the differences in how each school presents your focal interest.
SAT Scores are NOT required at all schools. So, if you are intimidated or have strong feelings against SAT’s then find a school that does not ask for these or other standardized test scores. There are plenty of excellent colleges that do not require these scores. And the number is steadily growing.
Always go to the interview and college tour if possible AND do the interview-this gives you an opportunity to be a face with the paper-you really are a human being. Go with a portfolio-this can include your awards, your community service, your interests.
Be prepared for the interview, develop questions about the schools. Be specific as well as general-have at least one question that is very school specific.
Understand that the school is a community. They are trying to see how you will fit into their existing structure-what can you add? What do they have that you need? Why you are different and unique?
Know yourself both strengths and weaknesses–know your needs–these can be anything from the school having the club you most desire,to having the reading help you must have, to having the buildings that you feel most comfortable in.
Size of school is important-how can you tell what is the right fit for you? When you visit the school see if you can sleep over, spend a day in classes. Talk with the kids who are there. Eat in the dining hall.
Ask the students why they are there. What is the best part of the school? What is the worst part? VERY important question-what do you do, you know, when you are not in class? And, the fact is, as the visitor you are way more nervous than kids in the school. They have had to go through this process-so they understand-and most of them want to help you make the best decision for you.
Keep to a few things really passionate about—don’t try to do a ton of stuff just to put it on a resume. Remember you are the person-it’s you who will be going to school, not your resume.
If you have extra things you want to share (letters of recommendation, awards, written work, videos), call (the admission office) to find out what to do, (not all schools want and/or accept extra materials). Use them as a “door opener” to get your folder opened and to show you are interested in the school.
Wow! These were only some of the topics we discussed in the 20 minute call! If you have questions, email me!
Next post: Questions teens have… that we didn’t get a chance to talk about on the call!
Background
I give interactive workshops in high schools, and at local, regional and national conferences… on the very subject listed above. So many students have questions and concerns that can be addressed easily in an hour’s time. For the past two Monday evenings I’ve partnered with Grace Mauzy, Coach for Talented Teen Girl Athletes, to talk with girls about their college search-with great results! I’ll share the key points of all the 15 minute sessions on the blog, (and the audiofiles when we have them).
First Session
The Question
What do you know about the college search that you’re not aware of… that you just never thought about before, or information you have picked up along the way?
If you want to hear what we talked about, click here. If you want the info. – read on!
Key Points
- What do you know about yourself? Be prepared to talk/write about your passions, needs, wants, challenges, favorite subjects and activities, connections to the community. Thinking through your answers will help you write applications and essays.
- First, focus on: What do you want? Make decisions about which colleges are the right fit for you.
- Second, focus on: What do the colleges want? Colleges want to know about you as a whole person: your strengths, challenges, course of study, grades, extracurriculars, community involvement, what you want from college and your education
- How many colleges are there in the US? There are 4,000 colleges… plenty of them that will be a good fit for college ready students/you.
- What’s your reason for picking a school? If it’s all about the name/prestige… think again!
- Where should I be looking at colleges? Check out colleges/universities beyond your region. Colleges are looking for diversity… including what part of the country you represent.
- What about the big price tag for college today-how can I afford it? Teens and parents have misconceptions about the costs of colleges-small, private, liberal arts colleges are costlier than state schools, yet they give out more financial aid and scholarships. Don’t cross them off your list.
Grace was taking detailed notes. She felt that the two most important points were:
1. Colleges are looking to create a community-Candidates need to share who they are and what they do throughout the admissions process (applications and interviews)
2. There are a number of ways to fund your college years-look at all the possibilities.
Second session… We talked about, “What do you have yet to learn about the college search process?”
Check out the next post!
I love this saying! How true, right? I know that I approach tasks I like much more readily than those that feel difficult or boring. What about you?
How do you feel about searching for colleges that are a match for who you are, and what you want and need? Does it feel fun and exciting? Big and scary? Overwhelming and tedious? Maybe all those things?
How can looking for colleges that are matches for you be fun? By tapping into what you already do well. Here’s a question: What are your strengths? What do you do really well? I love helping teens get in touch with their strengths and then identifying how they can use them to make EVERYTHING easier… and more fun!
Take the next few minutes to think and then make a list of at least five of your strengths. If that feels hard to do, go here, www.authentichappiness.com and take the Brief Strengths Test. It’s free, takes about 20 minutes, and will give you great information-about yourself!
Now reflect on your strengths and how they show up in your life… here are just a few examples of strengths:
- Are you curious about the world and open to new experiences?
- Do you have great perspective? Do others seek you out to help them solve problems and gain another view of themselves?
- Do you persevere, finishing what you start, being flexible, realistic, and not perfectionistic?
- Are you kind and generous to others?
- Are you a leader, organizing activities and maintaining good relations among group members?
- Do you demonstrate self control, holding your desires, needs and impulses in check when appropriate?
How can you use these strengths to have more fun during your college search?
If you…
- are curious, use that trait to become a super sleuth, figuring out who you are, what the colleges are about and how you will create a match (more on that in the next post!)
- have perspective, maybe you want to approach your search as a problem solving exercise
- persevere, then you will be in great shape to mange the big and little pieces of the project
- are kind, then perhaps others will repay your kindness by working with you and answering questions
- are a leader, then your organizational and people skills will help you manage the pieces of the puzzle, the “paperfun,” and the people you will meet during this months long journey
- are a wizard at self control then you will manage yourself in the process, working when necessary, helping yourself feel more in control of the big picture and the niggling details, and stepping away from the search to take a break!
You may want to make a quick mindmap, web, collage of your strengths (mmmm, that must be your strength in creativity!) and keep it with your college search materials… to give you the lift you need when the task starts to feel too big.
I bet you’ll have more fun if you’re using your strengths to meet your challenges!
I wanted to share this information about my series for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors at the JCC Rockland. It’s an interactive, four session program for students ready to learn about, and to begin, the college search and selection process. Every session we discuss new topics…
What is Involved in a College Search?
Tuesday, Jan 26 6:30-7:30 pm
Students begin by discovering what they know and what they have yet to learn about the college search, gaining confidence and clarity through the pre-planned exercises.
How to Make a Great Impression with Your Application & Interview
Tuesday, Feb 9 6:30-7:30 pm
Students will use a survey to identify their strengths and challenges, and then apply that knowledge to writing the application. We will also cover strategies for the interview process.
What are Colleges Looking For?
Tuesday, Feb 23 6:30-7:30 pm
What are the college admission personnel thinking about the pool of applicants? During this session students will gain a clear picture of what the colleges are looking for and how to put your best foot forward.
What Will the First Year Look Like?
Tuesday, March 9 6:30-7:30 pm
This session focuses on making the decisions about which colleges are the right fit and imagining life at college the first year; talking through what is new and exciting, and addressing potential challenges and fears.
It starts in less than 2 weeks!
Check out the full description and pricing here, Choosing the College That’s Right for You!
Just the other day I was reading a book that suggested mapping the unknown. Sounds almost impossible, right? I started by thinking about what I don’t know about a project I needed to start (working for The Climate Project as a graphic recorder for a World Cafe) … and the map began to take shape. In a few minutes I had created…
Now, I had a sense of my questions:
- What are the key elements of the process? The questions/the framework, the people, the budget?
- What is the scope of the project and what is the sequence of events?
- Where do I start, what are the first steps?
- How do I feel about this new and exciting project?
Now that I know some of the questions, I can search for the answers!
What’s your project that is “unknown” to you?
If you’re a senior
- Which colleges are the best fit for you? Where will you apply?
- Which of the questions will you address for your Common Application essay?
- What are your worries?
If you’re a junior
- What do you need to learn about the college search process?
- What are your questions and concerns?
- Who can support you during your search?
Taking the time to think through and map your ideas will help you explore the possibilities and may indicate the path for planning your way out of what is unknown to you!
I love meeting and talking with high school students, really finding out what’s on their minds… So, in my effort to stimulate thoughtful conversation and to get at what’s important in the college search process -> YOU! – my husband and I developed this Keynote presentation.
What do you think of it?
Which of these questions do you have answers for -> right now?
What do you need to be working on?
Let me know if I can be of help!
I was just clicking around on Clark University’s site, checking out my alumni information-in need of an update-checking out a pretty funny youtube video made by a Clarkie, “Discovering the Clarkie” http://clarkvoices.clarku.edu/ and listening to a few podcasts… It became clear to me (again!) that Clark has really crafted their message… who they are and what matters to them. You can hear their messages loud and clear at http://www.clarku.edu/admitted/virtualopenhouse.cfm?playvid=6
Yea, I know that financial woes are THE hot topic… and yet, you need to think about all the variables in the equation:
Being happy @ college = Finding the right place
The “right place” = challenging academically, comfortable socially (whatever that means to you), near enough/far enough from home, affordable
You have to pick a place that is a fit for you…. think of your favorite blue jeans-you feel great, you look great, and you are confident in them… you’re ready to do your best.
Wherever you look – from the college down the road to one across the country – the search is all about -> who you are, what you want and need to do your best work, and finding places to have a great time doing it.
So yes, money is something to think seriously about… and don’t fall for the “common wisdom” that state schools are ultimately cheaper that private colleges.
Your highest priority is knowing yourself, learning about the colleges/universities (beyond their marketing hype), and making matches that fall within three categories – your likelies, possibles, and reaches – and those that are financially realistic.
Can you see yourself there?
If you can’t… strike it from your list.
If you want help figuring it out, write me!
I just finished reading Operation: Admissions in Continental Airline’s magazine and my first reaction is, “Wow! This makes it sounds really hard and not much fun! Who wants to start that process?!” The article’s focus was on the “nuts and bolts”… slightly informative and completely uninspiring. What I learned from this article was:
* start early (don’t procrastinate)
* numbers are important, sort of: some colleges no longer require standardized test results and others do (so be sure to consider a test prep class and do your best)
* schools are looking for a diverse student body (take the opportunity to show schools who you really are – help yourself standout from the crowd of applicants)
I think this last bit of information is probably the newest to folks… What concerns me is that while lip service is given to,”… the college application process can be grueling, confusing and lengthy” in fact, the emotional component is missing from this and the majority of articles that I read on the subject. How can that be? We are complex, thinking and feeling human beings! If we don’t take a look at how we feel about the process we may: feel overwhelmed, procrastinate, remain isolated and scared, and not seek assistance… So one of the first questions I ask students who are about to get into the process is, ”How do you feel about the college search and selection process?” They need to discover the answer, and I need to know it to be truly helpful… that’s just the beginning of the big, exhilirating, scary, interesting and lengthy process. What do you think?
Wow! Provocative words from a dean of admissions – and excellent advice!
Harold Wingood, from my alma mater, Clark University joined me for a telephone interview to share his views on the current state of affairs in college admissions… specifically, what’s the truth out there/what do students need to know, what aren’t they hearing, what are students’ biggest misconceptions, and more… Harold was full of great ideas! Listen and tell us what you think!
The back story… Just a few months ago I was thinking that I should add some new and different voices to my blog… that idea pointed me in Harold’s direction – as I had heard him speak at a meeting for alumni interviewers. So, in my usual style of diving headlong into a project, I approached him for an interview – to be formatted as an link on the blog. With a brief introduction to my perspective on the college search and selection process and a passion for the topic, Harold accepted my invitation to be interviewed and the rest is history/an audio file!
Who else would you like to hear from? I am determined to bring you great information – help me do it by telling me what you want and need.
