A College Primer for Freshmen and Sophomores

Early last week we held a college program for parents of freshmen and sophomores.  Our goals were simple: provide parents with some of the basic information they need as their daughters begin thinking about college and allow them the opportunity to ask as many questions as they liked. And did they ever ask great questions!

Our first topic was "what are colleges are looking for in an applicant?" and I suspect most people already knew the answer.  A student's transcript is the most important, and that includes their grades, the appropriate strength and depth of coursework, and patterns over time (upward/downward trends in individual subjects).  And by the way, AP classes are not mandatory for college admission. Test scores are also important, but most colleges will accept the SAT or the ACT, and some don't even require standardized test scores (see fairtest.org for a complete list).  Last, but certainly not least, colleges will consider a student's activities.  This could include school clubs, sports, and fine arts, but it is not limited to that.  Many students are involved in their greater community, some hold part-time jobs, and others have unique hobbies or outside interests.  All of these will be part of a student's application.

While it is impossible to name every characteristic a potential college might be interested in,  I believe it's safe to say that schools also want students who demonstrate a willingness to engage with their academics and their peers, students who show intellectual curiosity and signs of independent learning, students who appreciate diversity and have an awareness of the world around them, and students who have the fortitude to bounce back from failure.  It is important to note, however, that there is no simple, objective formula that all universities use when making admissions selections, and in the end, authenticity is key.

Among some other tips we mentioned were:

1. Context is important, so communicating with the college counselors will be very important. It is also essential that everyone reads their email thoroughly. I know email can sometimes be a pain, but now is not the time to ignore it.
2. The focus of the college search should be on the student, not the college.
3. The answer to almost every college question is "it depends." It depends on the college, the student, the year...it's almost impossible to have a single answer for every question.

I cannot recap everything we reviewed during the program, but I do will leave you with this.  It is paramount that parents discuss expectations, concerns, and realities with their daughters. April of the senior year is not the best time to find out that they cannot go to school north of the Mason-Dixon line.  It is also important that students and parents be willing to think a little outside the box, especially if scholarships and/or financial aid are part of the equation.  There are some amazing programs out there that are worth your consideration.  Exploring college options takes time and energy, but the chances are your daughter will be happier with the outcome if she puts the work into it on the front end.

Rick Clark, the Director of Admission at Georgia Tech, recently wrote that it is unfortunate we describe college admissions as a process, as if it is something you encounter or endure.  "When," he explains, "the admission process becomes a verb, you change because you challenge yourself to think and grow."  And if students are willing to think and grow, they are much more likely to find colleges that will fit them for the next four years.  That is our goal for your daughters.