Then, when others are scurrying around in the fall trying to find time for the college search and application processes, you will have completed most of the work in a thoughtful and gradual manner. By taking care of the June-July tasks, you will avoid being overwhelmed in the fall.

Answer these questions, and you’re ready to launch your college search for your best fit colleges and universities:

• - Why do you want to go to college?
• - Will your answer to “why” keep you motivated and directed all the way to college graduation?
• - What jobs or types of jobs will incorporate your interests, skills (present and/or future) and values?
• - What college majors will prepare the way for those jobs?
• - What is your personality profile?
• - What is your academic profile?

The more you take into account who you are before you explore your college options, the greater your chances of joining the 50% who begin and actually graduate from a four year college/university. That’s right, only about 50% of those students who begin a four year college ever graduate! Know yourself – know the colleges – apply to those where you will thrive!

What to do: June-July

• - Review your senior courses. Make sure you are taking the most challenging program you can without over-doing it.
• - If you will take the SAT/ACT again (most students need to take them at least twice), schedule time to prepare all summer – a little bit all summer will have a greater pay off than much time a few days before the tests.
• - Talk finances with your parents. While you are looking for good academic and personal college fits, it is important to look for good financial fits too. In this area you and your parents need to do your research. If you qualify for merit scholarships, you may find that some private colleges will cost less than public universities. Beware of and avoid the College Loan Trap.
• - Identify those colleges and universities that meet your personal and academic needs and where you stand a good chance for admission. Visit as many as you reasonably can. If you will meet with a college admissions representative, be well prepared.
• - Establish your on-line application accounts and begin applying. Any essays to write? Brainstorm topics that will allow you to write compelling essays.

With the above tasks completed by the end of July, you will be ready for the August-September tasks!

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1. Have a strong sense of who you are before you venture out on the college visit circuit and decide on the colleges to where you will apply. Having a clear understanding of your GPA, SAT/ACT results, strongest extra-curricular interests, and possible college majors, will clue you in to the colleges where you have the best chances of admission.

2. Begin the process early so that you will not be overwhelmed with all the college application tasks in the fall just when you are adjusting to the demands of your fall academic schedule.

What to do: August-September

· Continue visiting colleges. Always take the official admission tours. When you take the official tours, you will get a much better sense of college life and the college’s personality. You have your own personality and each college has its own personality. Your job is to find the right fit. Additionally, on the official tours, you will learn about special programs and proposed new facilities.

· If you are applying to any Common Application colleges, as of August 1, you can get started on that application. If nothing else, look ahead to the essay question topics and brain storm ideas for a compelling essay. Begin your rough draft. Look to see if any of the colleges to which are applying have Common Application Supplements. If they do, you may find more essay assignments!

· If you did not establish your on-line application accounts in July, get that done now!

Set a goal for yourself to complete the applications by early September.

· See your school counselor by September 7 to discuss the colleges to which you are applying. Your counselor may have other suggestions for you to consider. Make sure you know your high school’s deadlines for getting specific items to your counselor, such as Secondary School Reports and requests for recommendations.

· If you are applying to any college under the early decision or early action plan, go over those deadlines with your counselor.

· Register for the ACT and/or SAT. Missing those deadlines is costly!

· If your ACT and/or SAT scores could use some boosting, seek preparation assistance through on-line sources or in-class courses near where you live. Don’t expect positive changes in your scores if you do nothing between tests. Just how motivated and dedicated to improve are you? If you are motivated and dedicated, preparation usually improves scores.

· Aim high in you academic work. First semester senior grades are important considerations for most college admissions committees.

Now that you are implementing the suggestions from both the June-July and August-September blogs, you are positioning yourself for a successful senior year and receiving positive college admissions decisions. Enjoy!

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What you need to know and do

• E-mail: Some students who find their personal accounts cluttered, create an account solely for college purposes. This practice is especially good because it allows the student to immediately see those messages, often important and time sensitive, without getting lost in the other messages.  When communicating via e-mail it is just as important to proof read as it is when writing a paper. Spelling, capitalization, and grammar do count.  Never use the language of IM and texting.
• Facebook: Regularly check your Facebook and eliminate any postings that could shed a poor light on you.
• Phone:  Have a brief clear voice message.  Check messages and return calls promptly.  When leaving a message for someone, talk at a pace that can be understood, especially when leaving your phone number. It is a good practice to repeat the phone number, including area code.

All of your communication should come from you, not your parents. This advice includes contacting the school to make appointments or asking a question. It is important that your name and voice are remembered, not your parents.  It is important that you are developing a relationship with the college personnel and that they see that you are fully engaged in the admissions process.

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WHY: You gain an awareness of the atmosphere or “feel” for a college that cannot be derived from reading a catalog or talking to people second-hand.

WHICH ONES: Visit only after careful research and consideration of colleges that could interest you.  Location, cost, academic competitiveness should be within your reach.

WHEN: The best time to visit is during the normal college session (spring or early fall).  However, most colleges are in operation during the summer months and admission officers are feeling relaxed and enjoy seeing prospective students at this time.  A return to several favorite colleges could be arranged in the fall.

PLANNING FOR THE INTERVIEW AND VISIT

1.   Be prepared for the visit by carefully reviewing the college’s website so you do not waste the interviewer’s time with questions easily answered on the website.  Keep notes on each college and write down questions you wish to ask and impressions you wish to confirm.

2.   Look up former students from your high school with whom you can visit.

3.   Check to see how the college uses the interview.  Is it evaluative or simply considered a time to exchange information?  Is it required or optional?

4.   Save critical, top-choice colleges for last, when you have gained experience and self-confidence, and can draw comparisons.

5.   Call 2-3 weeks ahead of time for your interview and ask for the tour schedule at the same time.  Do not drop in on a college and expect to be interviewed.

6.   Dress appropriately, neatly and in a manner that is typical of you.

7.   Be prepared to talk about your courses, grades, and ACT/SAT (or PSAT) scores.  Get ready to talk about your strengths, interests, accomplishments, goals, what you are looking for in a college experience.

8.   Discuss with your parents their role in the interview.  It is important that the interviewer remembers you, not your parents. Even if invited to join the interview, the wise parents decline.   Some colleges will arrange for parents to be involved in other activities while you are being interviewed.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

1.   Be on time!

2.   Relax!  Enjoy yourself!  Be spontaneous!  Gain information for your own use.  Remember that the interview is a 50-50 proposition.  You should ask questions too.

3.   Be prepared for the interviewer.  He/she may be difficult, indifferent, passive, busy or on another “wave length.”  Remain calm, optimistic and natural; do not be defeated.

4.   Be ready to share why you think this college/university is a good fit for you. The focus should be on the academic offerings in the area of your interest. Be specific so that the interviewer knows you have done your research. Also, you might discuss one or more extracurricular activities in which you want to become involved such as the drama program, Circle K, or athletics (intercollegiate or intramural).

5.   Listen well.  You need not do all the talking.  If possible, ask follow-up questions to show you are paying close attention and know how to probe deeper.

6.   Do not bluff!  If you do not know the answer to a question, say so.  If you are confused by the question, ask for clarification.

7.   Remember the name of the interviewer and thank him/her.  Ask for a business card so that you can write a thank-you note or an e-mail message when you return home.  It is always appreciated.

DURING THE TOUR

1.   Include the dorms, classrooms, library, dining room, student center and athletic facilities–places where you can meet students.  Above all, get a feel for the atmosphere of the college.

2.   If possible, talk to a variety of students.

3.   Eat a meal on campus.

4.   Try to arrange a visit to your area of specialty. If possible, sit in on a class and talk to faculty.

5.   Pick up copies of the student newspaper and check the bulletin board to find out what is happening on campus.

Of all the steps you take in the process of selecting a college, visiting the campus will probably have the greatest impact on determining which college you choose. College admission officers agree that, except where a visit is impossible, no student should select a college without having spent some time on the campus. At many colleges and universities (especially private institutions), an interview is highly desirable and sometimes required. Most college students and college counselors agree that the visit will have the greatest single impact in determining your college choice.

WHY: You gain an awareness of the atmosphere or “feel” for a college that cannot be derived from reading a catalog or talking to people second-hand.

WHICH ONES: Visit only after careful research and consideration of colleges that could interest you. Location, cost, academic competitiveness should be within your reach.

WHEN: The best time to visit is during the normal college session (spring or early fall). However, most colleges are in operation during the summer months and admission officers are feeling relaxed and enjoy seeing prospective students at this time. A return to several favorite colleges could be arranged in the fall.

PLANNING FOR THE INTERVIEW AND VISIT

1. Be prepared for the visit by carefully reviewing the college’s website so you do not waste the interviewer’s time with questions easily answered on the website. Keep notes on each college and write down questions you wish to ask and impressions you wish to confirm.

2. Look up former students from your high school with whom you can visit.

3. Check to see how the college uses the interview. Is it evaluative or simply considered a time to exchange information? Is it required or optional?

4. Save critical, top-choice colleges for last, when you have gained experience and self-confidence, and can draw comparisons.

5. Call 2-3 weeks ahead of time for your interview and ask for the tour schedule at the same time. Do not drop in on a college and expect to be interviewed.

6. Dress appropriately, neatly and in a manner that is typical of you.

7. Be prepared to talk about your courses, grades, and ACT/SAT (or PSAT) scores. Get ready to talk about your strengths, interests, accomplishments, goals, what you are looking for in a college experience.

8. Discuss with your parents their role in the interview. It is important that the interviewer remembers you, not your parents. Even if invited to join the interview, the wise parents decline. Some colleges will arrange for parents to be involved in other activities while you are being interviewed.

DURING THE INTERVIEW

1. Be on time!

2. Relax! Enjoy yourself! Be spontaneous! Gain information for your own use. Remember that the interview is a 50-50 proposition. You should ask questions too.

3. Be prepared for the interviewer. He/she may be difficult, indifferent, passive, busy or on another “wave length.” Remain calm, optimistic and natural; do not be defeated.

4. Be ready to share why you think this college/university is a good fit for you. The focus should be on the academic offerings in the area of your interest. Be specific so that the interviewer knows you have done your research. Also, you might discuss one or more extracurricular activities in which you want to become involved such as the drama program, Circle K, or athletics (intercollegiate or intramural).

5. Listen well. You need not do all the talking. If possible, ask follow-up questions to show you are paying close attention and know how to probe deeper.

6. Do not bluff! If you do not know the answer to a question, say so. If you are confused by the question, ask for clarification.

7. Remember the name of the interviewer and thank him/her. Ask for a business card so that you can write a thank-you note or an e-mail message when you return home. It is always appreciated.

DURING THE TOUR

1. Include the dorms, classrooms, library, dining room, student center and athletic facilities–places where you can meet students. Above all, get a feel for the atmosphere of the college.

2. If possible, talk to a variety of students.

3. Eat a meal on campus.

4. Try to arrange a visit to your area of specialty. If possible, sit in on a class and talk to faculty.

5. Pick up copies of the student newspaper and check the bulletin board to find out what is happening on campus.

AFTER THE VISIT

1. Take careful notes right after the visit for later reflection and review.

2. Write thank-you notes/e-mail messages to people who spent time with you.

3. Do not rely on emotions alone to judge your visit. Make a reasonable and objective evaluation based on a range of observations and opinions.

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT BE ASKED DURING THE INTERVIEW

1. Why are you interested in this institution? Why are we a good choice for you?

2. Tell me about your school. What do you like or dislike about your school?

3. What is your greatest strength as a person–as a student? What are your shortcomings or weaknesses?

4. What are you hoping to major in? Why?

5. How do you spend your leisure time?

6. Describe yourself with three words. What would you like to say about yourself?

7. What significant events(s) have occurred in your life thus far?

8. Where and when are you most stimulated intellectually?

9. What are your plans for the future?

10. What do you want to get out of your college experience?

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK (YOURSELF OR OTHERS) DURING THE VISIT

1. What are the physical surroundings like?

2. What are the dormitory accommodations?

3. What are the dining facilities like? Is there a student center?

4. If athletics are important to you, what are the facilities? Are there intramural opportunities as well as intercollegiate?

5. What kind of counseling center is available? What career exploration, internships, and job placement services are available?

6. How large are the classes, especially at the introductory levels?

7. Who teaches at different levels (graduate assistants, professors, adjunct faculty)?

9. What are the strong departments?

10. What are the opportunities for off-campus study such as foreign study?

11. What is the focal point of social life on campus?

12. Am I a person who could fit well on this campus?

13. Is this a place where I would really enjoy living and studying for the next few years?

AFTER THE VISIT

1.   Take careful notes right after the visit for later reflection and review.

2.   Write thank-you notes/e-mail messages to people who spent time with you.

3.   Do not rely on emotions alone to judge your visit.  Make a reasonable and objective evaluation based on a range of observations and opinions.

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT BE ASKED DURING THE   INTERVIEW

1.   Why are you interested in this institution?  Why are we a good choice for you?

2.   Tell me about your school.  What do you like or dislike about your school?

3.   What is your greatest strength as a person–as a student?  What are your shortcomings or weaknesses?

4.   What are you hoping to major in?  Why?

5.   How do you spend your leisure time?

6.   Describe yourself with three words.  What would you like to say about yourself?

7.   What significant events(s) have occurred in your life thus far?

8.   Where and when are you most stimulated intellectually?

9.   What are your plans for the future?

10.  What do you want to get out of your college experience?

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK (YOURSELF OR OTHERS) DURING THE VISIT

1.   What are the physical surroundings like?

2.   What are the dormitory accommodations?

3.   What are the dining facilities like?  Is there a student center?

4.   If athletics are important to you, what are the facilities?  Are there intramural opportunities as well as intercollegiate?

5.   What kind of counseling center is available?  What career exploration, internships, and job placement services are available?

6.   How large are the classes, especially at the introductory levels?

7.   Who teaches at different levels (graduate assistants, professors, adjunct faculty)?

9.   What are the strong departments?

10.  What are the opportunities for off-campus study such as foreign study?

11.  What is the focal point of social life on campus?

12.  Am I a person who could fit well on this campus?

KEY QUESTION: Is this a place where I would really enjoy living and studying for the next few years?

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That’s why college graduates have the economic advantage in our country. Did you hear recently that while over 20 percent of high-school graduates are unemployed, fewer than 7 percent of college graduates are unemployed? Did you hear that most of the newly created jobs require college degrees?

What You Will Need to Succeed

- Resolve: Let nothing get in your way of turning in your best work every time on time!

Schedule study breaks, social events, and kicking back with friends around your academic responsibilities. By keeping academics first, you’ll never have a dilemma of which activity to choose. With resolve, you will keep careful track of assignments and dates for quizzes, tests, and exams and organize your time around them. Become highly skilled in your field of study. The jobs are waiting for those who can demonstrate what they know and can do.

- Resourcefulness: Know where to go and whom to see if you ever need assistance. Need help with that paper? Go to the Writing Center* several days before the paper is due. Stuck on a math problem? Go to the Math Center*. Unnerved by a personal matter? Check out the Counseling Center. Not sure of your career direction? Check out the Career Center. Being resourceful means that you won’t let your ego get in the way of reaching out to others who can help you succeed. Much of the time, all you need is a good friend. And don’t forget your parents.

- Resilience: Know deep within you that you can overcome any adversity. A bad grade? Prepare better and get the assistance you may need for the next assignment or test. What you think of yourself, what you expect of yourself, and what you say to yourself determine your future. Resilience is fortified by having good eating, sleeping, and exercising habits.

- Relationships: Find and connect with friends who share your goal of success and with whom you can receive and give support as well as enjoy leisure time together. Here, the message is to also engage with people and in activities for fun—for your rejuvenation. And that takes us back to good eating, sleeping and exercising habits. The more rejuvenated you are the more focused and productive your studying will be.

Does this overall message mean that, in the face of a high brick wall, you should never change your direction or drop a course**? No. What it does mean is that you will utilize all helping resources before deciding to make adjustments in your program of studies or your goal. That help may get you over that wall.

**Know the dates for dropping and adding classes without penalty. If you drop a class after the drop date deadline, it may go on your record as drop/failing.

Here’s to your success!

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Cost of Attending: $32,000
Expected Family Contribution: $11,000
Need: $21,000

College #1
Grant $5,000
Scholarship $8,500
Subsidized Loan $3,500
Unsubsidized Loan $2,000
TOTAL AID AWARD $19,000
UNMET NEED $2,000

Loan Amount:  $5,500  x 4 years of college = $22,000

Bottom line for college #1:  The family will be expected to come up with $13,000 each year assuming the Expected Family Contribution derived from FAFSA remains the same.  It will be important for the student to have a summer job for which much of the earning can go toward college costs.  Additionally, this student should contact the financial aid office to see about the Work/Study Program to earn income while in college. Both of those jobs can make up for the $2,000 of unmet need.  At the end of four years, the student will have a total loan in the amount of $22,000—similar to the cost of an average automobile.

College #2
Grant $4,000
Scholarship $5,000
College Work Study $1,500
Federal  Direct Subsidized Loan $3,500
Federal  Direct Unsubsidized Loan $2,000
Federal Parent PLUS Direct Loan $5,000
TOTAL AID AWARD $21,000
UNMET NEED    0

At first glance, this offer looks better than the college #1 offer.  All need has been met.  But look more closely.

Total Loan Amount: $10,500 x 4 years of college = $42,000

Bottom line for college #2:  The family will be expected to come up with $11,000 each year assuming the Expected Family Contribution derived from FAFSA remains the same.  It will be important for the student to have a summer job for which much of the earning can go toward college costs, perhaps lowering the amount of loan that will be necessary.  At the end of four years, the student and parent will have a total loan in the amount of $42,000—similar to the cost of a luxury automobile.

Observation:  While college #2 pronounces that all need has been met, the burden of a much higher loan is being placed on this student and family than the college #1 offer.  It is very important to look at that debt.

The Question: Is attending college #2 worth carrying that heavy debt when a more reasonable debt load is available at college #1?

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For some of you the decision is easy, you were accepted at your first choice college and the financial package you were offered fits your family’s budget.  For others the decision may not be as easy.

John was not accepted at his first or second choice college.  His heart was really set on his first choice.  Although he put on a brave face to his friends and family, he was deeply disappointed.

It was not like this school was a long shot for him.  His grades, number of rigorous high school courses, school activities, and test scores all indicated that he stood a good chance for admission. His ego took a blow, not to mention his self-confidence.  Even with the support of his family and friends, he needed time to lick his wounds before opening his eyes those three colleges that did accept him.

DOING THE RIGHT THING: He revisited his reasons for applying to those schools.  He established a new ranking and set up visits to remind him of the student culture and offerings of each of those schools. One was a public university and the other two were private. Because of his excellent academic record and evidence of leadership, he received generous scholarship offers from both private colleges.  Those offers leveled the playing field as far as cost of attending.

By the last week in April, John had re-visited each of these schools and was able to identify the one school where he got the greatest sense of connection. He made his decision to attend.  He also placed on the back burner the knowledge that if, once established in his selected school, he still looked longingly at his original first choice college, he could re-apply as a transfer student. This back-burner knowledge gives him extra incentive to begin his college career with an impressive academic record. However, the most likely reality is that once John invests himself in the academic and campus life of the school he has chosen, he will establish strong ties to his new college home, thriving academically and socially.

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But use the BIGFUTURE’s college search engine and all other web-based college searches with caution. No matter how carefully crafted, the college search engines on all college planning websites have limitations. They allow you to put in items such as location, size of desired school, possible major, SAT or ACT scores. Some allow you to put in your GPA. Please be aware college matches based on that information alone can be skewed. For example in the BigFuture college search, I put in this information: In-State public or private; 4-year; 26 Composite ACT; medium size; American History major. Clicked on See Results: Sorry NO MATCHES. So, I deleted American History and replaced it with History. Clicked on See Results and a number of colleges appeared. But why not a certain university I had in mind? Ok, I deleted the ACT Composite score of 26 and replaced it with 28. Now that university and several others appear! And with a 100% match! Does that mean that I have a 100% chance of acceptance? NO! Only a 100% match with the information I supplied.

Always rely on your human connections such as your family and friends. Know that your school counselor is your main link to college. Working with an independent college counselor can add further enrichment and support for you, your parents, and your school counselor. These counselors know the trends in college admissions and they know you as a person, your unique characteristics, talents, rigor of your academic program, life experiences, and contributions to your school and community. These personal qualities and achievements, more than any other measure, are crucial in finding your best fit colleges. We all know that test scores do matter; however, the degree to which they matter varies from school to school. But when it comes to an admissions decision, approximately 80% of that decision is based on your personal attributes and academic achievements.

What is the lesson?

· Use a website’s College Search as a way to expand your options.

· Don’t limit yourself to only public institutions–do you know that many students actually pay less to attend a private college?

· Always refer to a particular college’s website to see how your SAT/ACT and GPA compare with the students who have been accepted.

· If you put in ACT or SAT scores, take time to vary your responses with different ACT or SAT scores; different major names; and any other characteristics. Notice how the college list changes.

This new College Board website has many excellent features. It carefully takes you through the processes of planning for, searching for, and applying to colleges. I encourage all high school students and their parents to utilize BIGFUTURE.

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I liken you to a coach.  You helped Derek work his own way through the college admission process.  This way he gets the satisfaction of doing the work and we get the satisfaction of seeing that an extremely experienced individual is behind him guiding him down the right path for a successful outcome.

Because of Derek’s hard work and dedication with his studies, along with your professional and personal guidance, he gained admission to six out of six universities with academic scholarships to four.  While Derek certainly had the foundation covered by making such good grades, without your experience I am not so sure the college search would have been so smooth and without incident.  That is why we were more than happy to pay for your counseling services.  We had piece of mind as parents.  Not to mention Derek likes you as all of your other clients I know have mentioned as well.

Sincerely,
Mike and Sharon Rogers
Chesterfield, VA

Sincerely,
Stu and Marge Oram
Nellysford, VA