Whether students are applying to a small, private college or a large, public university, there are some universal missteps that college applicants make year after year, much to the dismay of the institution's gatekeepers who decide whether the student should be admitted.
To help readers of The Choice avoid these pitfalls, we've asked admission officers at a small sampling of colleges and universities to describe the one thing they wish students knew about the college admissions process. Their excerpted responses are arranged by theme.
Start Early
Choosing a college is a long but rewarding process. It takes time to find which college is the best fit for you. The sooner you complete your application (including transcripts, test scores, personal essay, and so on) the sooner you will receive a decision and your merit scholarship award. This provides you more time to investigate and weigh your options.
— Michael Joseph, vice president of enrollment management, Valparaiso University
I wish students knew to contact their universities of interest and research the steps of the application process before their senior year. Pre-planning can eliminate some of the trials and errors of applying to school. The sooner students conduct research on the application process and what it takes to be admitted, the better they understand which classes they need to take and how they should organize their past, current and future activities.
— Janie Alcala, associate director, office of admissions, Texas A&M University
College 'Fit' Goes Both Ways
I wish more students applying to college understood just how important "right-fit" is. Do we want to see people who were successful in high school and had a bunch of extracurricular activates? Yes, absolutely. But you can make an even better case for admission by showing us that you are going to be able to be highly successful and benefit most from the uniqueness of our institution.
Do your research. Don't only make the case that you're great, make the case that you're a great match great for us.
— Micah A. E. Canal, chief admission officer, Antioch College
"Fit" is a real thing, and there are many ways to tell if the college you're looking at could be the right one for you. Of course, a campus visit is a great way to get a good feeling for the personality of a place, but there are lots of ways to engage with and learn more about a school. Most schools have comprehensive Web sites and use social media to connect with prospective students.
— Shelly M. Placek, communications specialist, office of undergraduate admissions, Johns Hopkins University
Do Your Research
Since narrowing down the list of schools that you're interested in has to come before the application process, we wish that more students knew how important it is to dig a little deeper during the college search. Do your research about each college, and have the courage to allow your perceptions to change; keeping an open mind during the search process can lead you to unexpected places.
— Ms. Placek, Johns Hopkins University
Students often choose a major a because they think it will lead them into a certain professional field. That is not always the case. Students should understand the field that they're going into, and what path they have to follow in order to be successful. Becoming a doctor, for example, requires a total of 11 years of higher education before a student gets to practice medicine.
Students need to understand that not all colleges offer the same major or degrees, and that not all universities have law, dental, and medical schools. After earning a bachelor's degree, some students will have to apply to graduate school, medical school or law school to continue their career path.
— Ms. Alcala, Texas A&M University
We're Interested in Who You Really Are
In your essay, tell me something I can't find anywhere else in the application.
— Dr. Zina Evans, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost, University of Florida
Be authentic. We want to know what your real interests and passions are, not what you think we want you to be interested in.
— Dr. Tom Bowling, vice president for student and educational services, Frostburg State University
Mind the Deadline
Deadlines: Know them. Follow them.
— Dr. Zina Evans, University of Florida
If you've taken dual-enrollment classes while in high school, you are still considered a first-year student and the first-year deadlines apply. At least here at VCU, there is more aid available for first year students, so it is to your benefit to be considered a first-year student.
— Amy C. Hutton, director of admissions, department of music, Virginia Commonwealth University
Keep in Touch
Put yourself on the mailing list. Contact a current student, alumnus, or admission representative. The more you know about the university and what it offers academically, socially, and financially, the better informed you will be. This also helps you set and manage realistic expectations concerning the university that you ultimately choose.
— Linda Sanders-Hawkins, director of admission, Howard University
Stay in touch with the admissions counselors. They can be a big help navigating a very challenging process. The personal touch can also help give the student an additional advocate when it comes time for decisions to be made.
— Wray Blair, associate vice president for enrollment management, Frostburg State University
Check the e-mail account you listed on your application daily. This is our primary communication tool. If your contact information changes, tell us!
— Ms. Hutton, Virginia Commonwealth University
Parents Need Not Apply
Students should be the ones to keep in contact with admissions counselors, not parents. When the time comes for a school to make the decision on who gets the "fat" envelope, it will help them have a better sense of who they are admitting and how well that person will fit in as a student.
— Mr. Blair, Frostburg State University
Choose Wisely
Students are more likely to succeed if they choose a college and major based on passion rather than potential earnings. You are more likely to be fulfilled and follow through with your intended field if money isn't your primary motivation. If you aren't sure what you want to do for the rest of your life, that's okay. Choose a school that allows you to pursue your passion and gives you the flexibility to change your mind as you find direction.
— Tom Delahunt, vice president for admission and student financial planning, Drake University
We'd like to continue this discussion with you. If you have any advice about applying to college, please share them in the comments box below.
By TANYA ABRAMS 19 Sep, 2012
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Source: http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/18/tip-sheet-8-things-admissions-officers-wish-you-knew-about-applying-to-college/?partner=rss&emc=rss
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