|
|
Published August 20, 2008
|
Finding What Fits in College Admissions
|
| By Elizabeth LaScala, Ph.D. |
|
|
A question I hear frequently is “How do I begin a college search?” The sheer volume of college information can be overwhelming. Start with an honest self assessment of interests, abilities and lifestyle preferences. Then consider the ways colleges differ along these lines and make a preliminary list of colleges that match up. I know both parents and students will read this column. To simplify matters, I address the student as my primary audience, since it is the student who should take the lead in her own college search. Parents play an important role by guiding and supporting their students. Start by asking yourself the following questions. Don’t worry if you are uncertain about your answers. You have plenty of company!
|
• What size school appeals to you? Do you want to attend a large school whose freshman classes could have 200 or more students? Are you willing and able to compete for attention in this type of school? Or do you prefer a smaller school, where you can have lots of interaction with professors and actively participate in class discussions?
• Where do you want to live for the next 4 years? Do you prefer your home state or do you want to explore somewhere different? Do you like big cities, towns or a country setting?
• How do you feel about a change in weather? Are you willing to exchange the temperate climate in California for ice storms every winter? Would this change be fun or a hardship?
• What kind of campus environment suits you best? Do you want to join a fraternity or sorority? Do you want to live on or off campus? What type of intellectual atmosphere do you enjoy—highly competitive, or more laid back? What about diversity along ethnic, racial and geographic lines? Is the campus predominantly liberal or conservative? Is it important to have many activities to choose from or will a few be enough? How do you want to spend your weekends?
• What are your academic interests? Do you what to attend a liberal arts college or a research university? Do you know the difference? Are your interests considered applied, for example, engineering or nursing? If so, you want to be certain the schools you apply to offer these programs. Or perhaps you are interested in a specialty college, like the arts or music.
Now take what you’ve learned and move to the next level. Here’s how:
• Tell your parents and others who know you well about what you’ve learned about your interests and ask them for their ideas. Head over to your school’s counseling office and ask your counselor to combine her knowledge about colleges with your academic record to help generate a list to get you started.
• Buy a college guide and read up on colleges you have identified. I recommend the Fiske Guide to Colleges. It is updated and published each August, and gives an informative profile of over 300 colleges nationwide. Consider purchasing a copy of the Insider’s Guide to the Colleges, which offers anecdotal information and is best used as a supplement.
• Do an on-line search. Try the College Board site (www.collegeboard.com). It contains useful information about all aspects of college search and selection. Counselor’s Tip: Keep your search very general or you will not get much of a list.
• Contact undergraduate admissions office of each college you are interested in and request the college guidebook. Counselor’s Tip: This step has the additional advantage of letting the colleges you contact know you are interested.
• Visit college websites and do virtual tours.
• Meet with college representatives when they visit your high school. Check websites for colleges that sponsor regional events and attend those that interest you. |
| Your preliminary list could be as long as 20 schools. But when you have completed your research, including college visits, you should be applying to about 8 institutions—each one a college that you would be happy to attend. A couple of these should be a bit of a stretch given your academic record, 3-4 should be good bets, and a few should be colleges very likely to offer admission. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as the perfect college, but there are many colleges that are a good match for you. |
 |
| Elizabeth LaScala, Ph.D. is an independent college advisor in Lafayette. Dr. LaScala draws on 20 years of experience in higher education to customize the college admissions process for students and their families. Dr. LaScala can be contacted at elizabeth@doingcollege.com or (925) 891-4491. |
|
|
|
| Reach Dr. LaScala at: elizabeth@doingcollege.com |
|
|
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA