LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Why Our College?


Elizabeth LaScala, Ph.D. is an independent college admissions advisor located in Lafayette, California. Her goal is to help students and their families understand the college admissions process, research college and career options, create a college list and prepare a strong, organized and cohesive application. Dr. LaScala is a member of NACAC, WACAC, and HECA and earned a certification in College Admissions and Career Planning from University of California at Berkeley. Contact her at (925) 891-4491 or elizabeth@doingcollege.com.

The University of California's application deadline is just around the bend. The last day to send in your application is November 30th and I advise sending it in at least a week prior to the deadline. Two obvious benefits are avoiding computer jam ups as well as enjoying the family Thanksgiving dinner with less stress. After the bird and leftovers are devoured, many students turn their attention to private college applications. Private colleges often ask the question, "Why do you want to attend our school?" The way you respond lets the college know if you have done some research and understand what the college offers, and how the school can meet your needs. My goal in this article is to help students to get clear about the reasons they are applying to particular schools so that they can address this important essay question.

Virtually every college has a mission and associated values. The student's job is to learn what that mission is and what values it reflects. Then compare your needs with the college's mission. The more information a student acquires, the greater the likelihood of a making a good match.

Here is what you should learn about each college before you apply:

Understand the educational program and the substance and thinking behind it.

Know the core curriculum and what classes satisfy these requirements. Some colleges offer a structured core, reflecting the belief that liberal arts education should focus on root intellectual skills in a wide range of subjects; other schools are more flexible and allow the student to define the course of study.

Acquire an understanding about how the core curriculum classes, or absence of these requirements, relate to the mission of the school. Put simply, understand the school's educational philosophy.

Get acquainted with the social climate of the campus-does it lean more toward competition or collaboration?

Get a handle on how faculty teaching and research obligations fall relative to each other; in particular learn the degree to which faculty teach and advise first year students.

High standards often equate to higher levels of learning. What are the expectations and standards set by the college?

Frequent assessment and prompt feedback still rank among the best strategies for helping students learn. Find out how the college measures up.

Find out what the teaching practices are in classes you will take as a freshman and think about whether these are the ways you learn best (e.g., lectures versus small group seminars or a little of both)

Learn about how and when students can access faculty (e.g., regular office hours; availability after class, email messages)

Here are strategies to use to learn about the schools on your list:

Use multiple sources; read several guidebooks and compare reviews. If you find conflicting information, ask an undergraduate admissions officer at the college to clarify.

Talk to advisors who know colleges well enough to add to your information base.

Use the web and dig deep. Go beyond the marketing of the college's website to glean all the information you can about the college's "personality". Look at the depth of course offerings in areas that interest you; check out special seminars and guest speakers; read the school's newspaper to get a feel for "hot button" issues, often reflective of student body's political and social orientation. "Google" the college and find news articles or even the most recent baccalaureate address.

Email faculty and students who are doing things that interest you. Ask a well-researched question. Do you get a response in a timely way? Do you get a response?

Contact your regional admissions representative and introduce yourself. Then ask several well thought out questions that you could not easily find answers to yourself.

Visit the college, preferably after you have done good research. Stay overnight, talk with students about their experiences, and arrange to sit in on one lower and one upper division class in subjects that interest you.

Arrange an interview. College selection is a two-way street. If you have done your research, you will shine in the interview and learn more about the school.

You are going to spend four years at college. So it is you, the student, who needs to be selective. For each college you apply to, try to answer the question "Why would I want to go?" Do careful research and you will be applying to colleges that meet your needs, interests, and learning style. Your effort will pay off in multiple ways. If you know what you are want in a college, you will increase your chances of acceptance as well as write effective essays.