Making the Final College Choice

For some students, the final decision regarding which college to attend is the toughest part of the admission process. Here are some tips to help you sort out your options.

Stay as calm as possible.  While this is an important decision, allowing yourself to be overwhelmed with anxiety will not help you make a better choice. Give yourself some breathing room; you don’t have to decide today, or even tomorrow. You have until May 1 to make your choice.  Taking a break from worrying about choosing a college to do something fun and relaxing can make it easier to decide.  If you feel pressured by parents or friends to make a choice, ask them to respect that you’re still deciding.

Start with you, not the colleges. You may find it helpful to make a list of the top eight or ten characteristics you hope to find in your future college home. Try to focus on both quantifiable factors (cost, size, location, academics) as well as intangibles (social fit, reputation, campus “feel”).  Remember, this list is about what you think is important, not the factors your parents, neighbor, or best friend think matter most. Then rank each characteristic by its importance to you.  Don’t worry about which colleges match up best just yet.  The point of this exercise is to spend time listening to your head and heart.

Evaluate each college separately. Before you compare colleges, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each school individually based on the characteristics that matter most to you. If you feel you need more information, do some more research. Try to visit campus, review the school’s website again, and ask questions of admission officers, faculty, and current students.  Your gut instinct about each college is important to weigh as well.  

Narrow your options. After mulling over what matters most to you and weighing each college’s strengths and weaknesses, you’ll likely find that at least a few of your options don’t resonate as strongly with you. It’s OK to let those colleges go. 

Compare your remaining choices in pairs. Make a chart with the colleges’ names along the top and the qualities you seek along the side.  For each paired comparison, write the name of the college that seems to best match each characteristic you’re looking for.  Don’t forget to use both your head (logic) and heart (instinct) as you consider each pair of choices. When you’re done, add up which colleges received the most “votes” as you compared them to the others. Narrow your list further by eliminating any colleges that clearly don’t stand up to the other options.

There are no perfect college choices; there are only different ones. Deciding where to attend college is the last step in the long and tiring college application journey. It's easy to fall into the trap of believing that you must be absolutely 100% certain that you’ve chosen the perfect college to guarantee your future happiness and success.  In truth, there is no perfect college, nor are there any guarantees of your success.  In the end, your college experience will be defined more by the attitude with which you approach it than by the actual college you attend.  

3 Types of Campus Visits

With summer fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about which colleges to visit. An in-person visit really is the best way of assessing your interest in a particular institution. Nothing is better than seeing the students and campus facilities first-hand. There is so much to be learned from such a visit. You will want to get a sense of how your life could change when you move on-campus. Let’s take a look at three different types of visits and how they differ.

Looking around: This visit is geared towards early information gathering. It is frequently included in a family vacation to the area. Parents may encourage their children to visit their alma mater as well as any colleges in the area when visiting family or friends. These trips may not include a personalized visit with scheduled campus tours, information sessions or Open Days. It should, however, include a walk around campus, a meal in a dining hall, a visit to the library and a chat with students you see out and about. Always drop into the Admissions Office to pick up materials and find out who your local representative is. This general visit will also help you craft a list of questions that can be refined over the coming months and years. Your goal in these early forays should be to figure out which aspects of the university campus experience really matter. Examine the size of the student body, clubs and organizations of specific interest, and scope of academic options. Above all, take good notes.

Serious shopping: As you progress through high school, you will begin to acquire a deeper understanding of the importance of standardized testing, your academic interests, and a sense of what kind of campus would suit you best. Those early campus visits will come in handy when zeroing in on specifics. By late junior year, you’ll have attended a few college fairs, spoken to your college counselor, and created a college list with your top choices. Do a lot of online research the summer before senior year and, in consultation with your parents, make reservations for student-led campus tours and admission presentations. Make an appointment to meet with a financial aid counselor, the writing center, disability services and academic support. Check out ease of access to medical care, mental health counseling, faith communities, and on- and off-campus transportation. Consider safety at night, and ensure that the dining halls cater to your individual dietary needs. If possible, attend a class within your likely first choice of major. These visits should refine the list of colleges to which you will apply, so take them seriously.

Ready to buy: Being ‘ready to buy’ typically means that an offer of admission is on the table, and you need to make your final decision. It may also mean you need to clarify your top choices, and thus are ready when offers arrive. It is true that many students apply to several colleges without ever setting foot on campus but with a tangible offer, a targeted visit then becomes an absolute must. There are always Admitted Student Visit Days, typically in April before the National College Decision Day of May 1. Colleges will pull out all the stops for these visits that are 100% geared towards the needs and interests of admitted students and their families. The student-focused program will include classroom visits and chats with faculty. Parents will often have their own version of the events, most often with a presentation by the Financial Aid Officers.  All this should help you make a final decision.

The Importance of College Fit and Match

One student loves the non-competitive academic atmosphere at Haverford College that made learning much more enjoyable.  Another student praises the intense competition at UC San Diego, which motivates her to do her best work.  

Two great schools. But not great for every student. Both of these students had done their homework, made good matches and are thriving.  

When a student is in an environment where they feel good about themselves, they’re more likely to be successful academically and socially. It seems so obvious. But in this time of high anxiety about college admission, students and parents often pursue the most popular colleges and lose sight of whether those schools are the best matches for them.

Just as in romantic relationships, there’s more than one potential match out there if you remain open to possibilities. There’s no perfect person or college. But there are some very good schools (and people) that offer opportunities for growth and satisfaction.  

Self-assessment is crucial to making a good match.  If you don’t know what you’re looking for, chances are you won’t find it. While grades and possibly test scores are major factors in college admission, it’s important to use your heart as well as your head to find the right school. This means thinking about what kind of college experience you want. 

A student who is more motivated by intellectual curiosity than grades might like Reed College, where students have to ask if they want to know their grades.  Or Evergreen State College, where students    receive narrative evaluations instead of grades. 

Someone who likes to get totally immersed in a subject might like Colorado College or Cornell College (in Iowa), which operate on a block plan, where students take a single subject for three and a half weeks.

For a student who does well when she likes her teacher, but loses motivation if the teacher doesn’t inspire her, it might be important to find a college with small classes, where professors and students form close relationships.

There are many non-academic factors that contribute to a student’s happiness in college. A green, lush environment can be soothing and lower stress levels.  But some students thrive on the excitement of an urban environment. Schools like George Washington University, Boston University and NYU offer all the cultural resources of great cities, as well as opportunities for internships at government agencies, theater companies and corporations. The downside is that all this involvement in the city means there’s less sense of community on campus.

Social life is a major part of the college experience, and it’s important to find a school where there are people who share some interests and values.  A student who likes being around artsy people might be drawn to Bard College. A basketball fanatic might head for Duke University, where students camp out for days to get tickets for games.  

These are just some of the factors that go into making a good college match. It takes a little more time and effort, but a student who clarifies their educational goals, values and interests is more likely to find a school that will allow them to grow and realize their potential, as well as enjoy their college years. 

Considering College's Return on Investment

There are so many moving parts to a student’s search for the ‘right’ college – location, academic options, student services, clubs and organizations, career preparations – but none of them matters if a family is unable to afford that wonderful education. Attending college is a privilege and one that costs a great deal of money. For the most part, when we enter into a costly venture such as purchasing a new car, a house, or stock investments, the pros and cons of that purchase must be weighed heavily against the anticipated return on our investment, or ROI. How will the costs of that purchase compare to the benefits of making that purchase? In other words, how will the net cost measure up against both potential debt and potential earnings? 

Many young people graduate with thousands of dollars of debt and enter into an employment placement that typically provides an annual salary far below that level of debt. This puts new graduates into a very dangerous financial situation and impacts their ability to start their career and purchase a car. Students pursuing graduate degrees may often find themselves in debt for many years.

In order to come up with a realistic and honest assessment of the costs for each college under consideration, it is important to first calculate the true total cost of attendance – tuition, room, board, fees, transportation, entertainment and general living expenses such as cell phone bills and travelling home for the holidays. Expect that tuition will rise, as well as fees and living costs. Once you have a complete picture of the total cost, then it’s time to review the potential outcomes. Research career opportunities and the job placement support your college offers; review annual salaries in your chosen field; analyze the industry overall and be aware of any growth or cutbacks in your area of likely employment. If you have to move to another part of the country, what costs of living are associated with that location – compare across all your possible geographic locations. Finally, analyze overall growth of salaries in your field, alongside cost-of-living adjustments and inflation. Be honest with your analysis: there is no point in entering into debt for an industry that is on the decline. Consider what happened to video stores, printing, photo finishing and telephone apparatus manufacturing as a guide to declining industry. 

Knowing how much aid you will receive from a college is a critical piece of information in calculating return on investment. Submit your FAFSA as early as possible, and read about options for institutional aid – are there separate scholarship applications to complete? Know about the CSS Profile – does your college require this in order to be considered for institutional aid? Review your financial aid package very carefully. Understanding exactly the amount of financial assistance you may receive will be a big part of your calculations. As you educate yourself on your future employment possibilities, be guided by the rule that says: never borrow more than your anticipated first year’s salary. If you find yourself outside of those parameters, look into ways of reducing your costs. Would accelerating your studies save you more money? Many high school students are able to gain college credit by successfully passing AP and CLEP exams, or by taking classes at a community college while still in high school. This will reduce the time you have to spend in college to obtain your degree. Can you get a job during your college years? Would an in-state college meet your needs and keep you within your budget? Will the “name” college yield a post-graduate income higher than a similar degree from a less prestigious institution? For some people, money does not necessarily represent success, and immediate financial success may not mean as much as long-term satisfaction for graduates such as entrepreneurs and academics. 

Speak with your Journey Ahead college counselor about the potential cost of the universities you are applying to, and make sure there are some low-cost options on your list in case the aid offers are not significant enough.

At the end of the day, the benefits of a college degree far outweigh the burden of taking on some debt. The degree represents a sound investment in your professional future and financial well-being. College graduates earn over 80% more over a lifetime than a high school graduate, and employees without degrees may find themselves unable to advance in their fields and earn more money. So, is college worth it? Absolutely, 100% yes! Just do your research and learn as much as you can about your investment.

Why Taking the AP Exam is a Good Idea

During early May, high school students around the world sit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The College Board runs the AP program, and provides teachers with curriculum guides so that they can cover the material students will be required to know for the exams. At some schools, students enrolled in AP classes are required to take the AP exams, but it makes sense to take them, even if not required. You may do better than you think, and after working hard in an AP class all year, why miss out on the opportunity to receive college credit? 

AP exams include a free response section, which will be either problem-solving or essay writing, as well as a multiple choice section. The only exception is the Studio Art exam, which consists of a portfolio review.

Raw scores on the exams are converted to a scaled score of one to five. Each college sets its own policy for granting credit, but most will award credit for scores of four or five. Some schools grant credit for a score of three. The score required for credit can vary by subject as well as by college. Some of the most selective schools have more restrictive policies for awarding AP credit. 

Some college applications, including the Common Application, ask you to self-report scores, though they are not officially part of the admission process and may be used only for placement. You need to send official scores only the summer before you will be enrolling, so that the registrar can evaluate the scores for credit at that school.  AP scores may be considered in the admission process at some test-optional colleges. Students applying to the UK may be required to submit AP scores for direct entry.

If you have earned an AP Scholar award, it is certainly worth noting in your application. Being designated a National AP Scholar is most impressive, as it requires an average score of at least four on all AP exams taken, and scores of four or higher on eight or more exams.

Students who have taken a full load of AP courses in high school often start college with at least a semester’s worth of credits. Some students even enter college with sophomore standing. They may decide to graduate early, saving tens of thousands of dollars in tuition. Even if they plan to spend four years in college, by placing out of introductory courses they have the flexibility to double-major or take a lighter class schedule while doing an internship.  

Majoring in Nursing

Nursing is hot! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 194,500 nursing positions will be created each year over the next decade. Finding a job will not be an issue for Registered Nurses anytime soon.

The duties of a Registered Nurse include treatment of patients, education of both patients and the public about medical conditions, and providing advice and support to the families of patients. Some RNs specialize in the type of care they provide.  

There are three major paths to a career as a registered nurse:  a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university (BSN); an associate’s degree (AA) from a community college; and a diploma from an approved nursing program.  Of these paths, the bachelor’s degree provides graduates with the largest number of career possibilities as well as the option to earn an advanced degree leading to employment as a nurse practitioner.   

AA programs are offered by junior and community colleges and take between two and three years to complete.  Colleges and universities that offer the BSN prepare their graduates for licensing in about four years.  Many RNs will earn their AA degree and begin their nursing career before returning to school to earn a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. All three paths allow graduates to take the national licensing exam, known as the NCLEX-RN.  Once licensed, a nurse is eligible for employment as an entry level staff nurse.

RN to BSN programs allow practicing nurses to earn their bachelor’s degrees, thus making them eligible for higher level nursing positions.  A bachelor’s degree would be necessary for administrative and teaching positions, as well as for advanced practice positions such as nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and clinical nurse specialist.  The advanced nursing practice specialties also require additional study leading to a master’s degree.

Nursing education programs include classroom instruction in such areas as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, nutrition, psychology, microbiology and nursing.  Supervised clinical experience is provided in hospital settings and generally involves rotations in pediatrics, surgery, psychiatry and maternity.  Shortage of clinical placements along with a lack of qualified nursing instructors has severely limited the number of students who can earn nursing degrees, thus fueling the ongoing scarcity of nurses.  Nursing programs have found themselves becoming more and more competitive, with high grades in high school or in the first two years of college becoming a requirement.  Experience in a health care setting may also be considered in the application process.  

A recent report from the Georgetown Center on Education & the Workforce found that 37% of qualified applicants were not accepted by BSN programs and that 51% of qualified AA students failed to gain acceptance because of a lack of available spaces. Accomplished high school students who want a BSN degree might want to explore direct-entry nursing programs.  Rather than taking a general college curriculum for the first two years, students begin their pre-nursing classes immediately and generally begin clinical rotations by their second year of college.  Other colleges offer their pre-nursing students a guaranteed spot in their nursing school as long as the pre-nursing prerequisites have been completed at a satisfactory level. To become a competitive nursing applicant at any 4-year university, choose the most rigorous high school program you can handle, and do well in it. You’ll also to demonstrate why you wish to become a nurse, and experience you’ve had taking care of people.

Mastering the "Why Us" Supplemental Essays

This essay is as important as the long Personal Statement essay. Admission officers at many colleges believe the response to this question tells them how much effort a student has put into getting to know the college and whether she is a serious applicant who is likely to matriculate. A student who has researched a college and knows it’s the right place for her is also less likely to transfer or drop out, and that means a higher retention rate for the school.

Some students use this essay as an opportunity to demonstrate “fake” interest in a college, but they usually end up with a generic answer that won’t enhance their application. For students who are genuinely interested in a college, the process of answering this question helps them assess whether the college is a good fit and enables them to write a meaningful response. 

When responding to the “why our college” prompt, resist the temptation to tell admission officers what they already know. They are aware that their college has a reputation for educational excellence. They know the low student-teacher ratio and the great internship opportunities. Your response should not sound as if  it was lifted from a school’s website. 

You need to use this essay to show that you and this college are a perfect match, and flattery is not the best way to do that. Instead, think about your interests, strengths and goals, and look for how they mesh with those of the college. If one institution’s mission statement talks about the importance of the life of the mind and another stresses its commitment to preparing students for the job market, you get a sense of the different approach each college has to education. You may realize that one institution is a much better fit for you.

Taking the time to review course offerings in the catalogue, and reading about professors, research opportunities, and student organizations will help you make sure you are applying to colleges that are truly good matches. Instead of trying too hard to win over admission officers, you will be able to make a compelling case for admission, in a matter-of-fact way that is ultimately much more effective. 

Merit Awards Can Make Private Colleges Affordable

A majority of private colleges, in an effort to attract top students, award substantial scholarships or grants based on merit. 

Merit scholarships are especially helpful in attracting students whose families don’t qualify for need-based financial aid but are unable or unwilling to pay more than $50,000 a year for college.

At highly selective colleges that offer merit scholarships, students need to have outstanding academic records. They may be required to write additional scholarship essays and may need to interview on campus. Some scholarships also consider leadership and community service.

Other colleges offer guaranteed scholarships, so if you have met a specified grade point average and test score, you will get a scholarship. National Merit Scholarship finalists are guaranteed scholarships at some schools. If you have reasonably good grades and test scores, and are willing to consider colleges that are not as well-known, you are likely to end up with some scholarship offers. Scholarships are generally renewable for three additional years, as long as you maintain the required grade point average. 

Students who can afford to attend a private college without taking on huge debt may find that the educational experience is much more personal and engaging, and well worth the extra cost. You are more likely to find a student-centered environment, more meaningful interactions with professors and more access to support services at a smaller private college than at a large public institution.

At private colleges, most students successfully complete their degree requirements in four years.  So don’t let the sticker price of private colleges keep you from applying; merit scholarships may make them more affordable than you think.