College Visit Tips for Parents

Touring prospective colleges is a rite of passage for many families and an important part of the college admission process.  Here are some tips to help parents plan a successful college visit trip.

Be selective.  Less is actually more when it comes to college visit. Focus on visiting the schools that seem like the best fits for your child while being sure to include a good mix of admission safe bets, realistic matches, and reaches.

Be realistic. Most students find campus visits tiring and a bit overwhelming.  Aim for no more than two campus visits each day; one visit a day is even better, unless the colleges are located very close to each other.  Allow at least three hours for each visit, including time to wander around campus and explore the surrounding area after the official tour.  A visit may take up most of the day if your child is going to be meeting with an admissions officer or a faculty member, sitting in on a class, or attending a more formal admission presentation.  

Be flexible.  Almost every parent who has ever accompanied their child on a college tour has a story about the college (or colleges) where their child simply would not get out of the car.  When this happens, just calmly move on to the next school. 

Blend into the background.  A campus visit is a chance for your child to “try on” their future.  Blend into the background while you’re on campus.  Let your child ask the questions and walk up front next to the tour guide, while you hang in the back of the tour group.  Most important of all: give your child some space and time to walk around campus on their own after the formal tour.

If your child will be interviewing with admissions while you are on campus,  remember this is your child’s interview, not yours!  While most admission officers will invite parents in to say hello at the end of the interview, this is not an invitation to chime in with things you think admission should know about your child. Similarly, if you and your child will be talking to a coach, visiting academic departments, or stopping by the office of disabilities services, let your child take the lead.  This will help your child develop the self-confident, pro-active interpersonal skills necessary for college success.

Visit the financial aid office, the security office, and the career services office.  Most families visit the admission office while on campus, but few think to pay a visit to the financial aid office, the security office, or career services.  Yet, these stops give parents the chance to ask important questions about financial aid, campus safety, and the school’s record of helping graduates find jobs.  These stops are a good time to “divide and conquer.”  Let your child explore the campus while you visit these offices for a quick chat.

Keep an open mind.  Some colleges will likely resonate with you, but not your child – and vice versa.  Expect this, and try to keep an open mind.  Be careful about assuming that your reaction is the right one, or rushing to voice your opinions before your child expresses his or hers.  Help your child reflect on the visit by asking open-ended questions about what they saw, heard, and thought while on campus.  Listen carefully to your child’s reactions before sharing your own impressions.

Enjoy this journey with your child. Yes, this trip is about visiting colleges, but it is also a chance to spend some special time with your child before they head off into adulthood. As you visit colleges together, try to build in some downtime and fun activities that have nothing to do with college and enjoy each other’s company on this exciting journey.

Navigating the Waitlist

Colleges continue to increase the use of waitlists in order to manage their enrollment. Formerly, the waitlist served as a safety net for colleges, assuring them of extra candidates if the number of students who accepted their offer of admission fell below their expectations.  Now, however, colleges appear to be using the waitlist as a way of increasing their yields and thus their rankings.

It has become pretty typical for a selective college that accepts 2,000 applicants in hopes of enrolling 500 students to offer another 2,000 well-qualified students places on the wait list.  Of these, a quarter are likely to accept a spot.  What should you do now if you are one of the hopeful applicants who has been waitlisted at your dream school?

First, you need to understand that this is not a denial of admission; instead, the college is letting you know that they consider you a good candidate and would like to accept you if room allows.  Since students on the waitlist are not ranked, you need to get the attention of admissions in order to be admitted.  How do you do that?

First, respond quickly affirming your continued interest in the college and your desire to remain on the waitlist.  Follow up with the admissions office in the manner the school requires to affirm your place on the waitlist. If this is your top choice for college, let the rep know.

Next, update your file with any additional awards, honors, new grades or experiences. 

Be prepared to make a quick decision on attending if you get an email or phone call offering you a place in the class.  Generally, colleges will expect a yes within 24-48 hours after offering you a place.  Only then will the offer become official.  If you do choose to attend Wait List U, you’ll need to withdraw your previous enrollment at your second choice college.  Be aware that you will probably forfeit any deposits you’ve paid to that institution.

Why College Admissions Has Dramatically Changed

The college admission process wasn’t nearly as anxiety-producing thirty years ago. Parents who haven’t been through it yet have heard horror stories from friends and relatives, but they don’t understand why things are so different now.

For one thing, more students are applying to college. Thirty years ago, half of high school graduates applied to college, but today more than two thirds submit applications. Back then, those who did apply usually stayed closer to home, often only applying to public universities in their state. Today’s students apply more widely. 

They also end up with more debt, and applications to expensive schools that don’t offer much aid have skyrocketed.

Parents are often shocked at how much more expensive college is today. College costs have outpaced inflation. The new, well-equipped science centers you see on so many campuses are expensive. Labor costs have gone up in higher education, just as in other industries.

The application process has become easier in some ways and more difficult in others. The Common Application means students no longer have to prepare a separate application for each college. The convenience of the Common Application and the anxiety about getting into a “good” school motivates students to apply to more colleges. In 1990, only 16 percent of students applied to six or more colleges; that percentage doubled 30 years later. Many students now apply to 10 or 15 schools, driven by fear of rejection. Additionally, test-optional policies have led to students to apply to schools that are unreachable, significantly increasing application numbers to highly selective colleges and universities.

Admissions officers are under pressure to keep increasing their application numbers. Colleges compete with rival schools to seem more selective and desirable, and to get high rankings, which has become a priority for families obsessed with “best” schools. 

Thirty years ago, students were often competing in a smaller applicant pool, with other students from similar backgrounds. Today, admission officers have expanded their recruiting efforts, both across the country and internationally. The deluge of applicants with near perfect grades and high test scores makes admission to highly selective colleges unpredictable, as admission officers choose one super-achieving student while turning down another as they attempt to craft the ideal freshman class. 

What has not changed is the number of available seats. Most colleges have not increased their capacity dramatically. When you have more students applying for roughly the same number of spaces, fewer students will be admitted.

To make the process less stressful, focus on the programs and characteristics that are most important to you in a college, and then count on your Journey Ahead counselor to recommend schools of varying selectivity that offer what you want.  Most importantly, the “best” college is the one that is the best fit for your student, not the one with the highest ranking, or the name you recognize.

Preparing for standardized tests

Although many colleges remain test optional, there are good reasons to prep for and take the SAT or ACT.  Most students feel some anxiety about taking college entrance exams.  A good test prep course or working one-on-one with a tutor can help alleviate some of this anxiety by allowing students to become familiar with the exams and test-taking strategies.  Here are some questions to ask if you are shopping for a test prep class:

Who will be teaching the class?  Some test prep companies use recent college graduates who had high SAT/ACT scores when they took the exam in high school. Be cautious if this is the case. There is a difference between scoring well on an exam and being able to teach others how to do well.  Be sure to ask about the training the instructors receive to help them become effective teachers, not just effective test takers.  The best programs either use experienced educators as instructors or use educators to train instructors.

What is the content of the class? Does each class session divide time equally between the different sections of the exams, or are whole sessions devoted to specific sections? Is more time spent on particular sections or particular skills development?  Additionally, ask how many full-length practice exams, using real exams, will be given during the course; the more, the better.  But, also ask how the practice exams are scored and shared with students.  Do they receive any personal feedback on their strengths and weaknesses on the exam?  Of course, you should always consider how you learn best, and then look for programs that are a good match for your learning style. Some students will do best with private tutoring, while other students can do well in a group setting.

What materials will be used in the class?  The best test prep classes and test prep tutors will use actual SAT and/or ACT exams for practice. They will not create their own exams.  While many test prep companies use their own proprietary study books, it’s helpful if they also incorporate the College Board’s and the ACT’s own study guides into the classroom.

What is the class size?  Look for smaller groups, and be sure to ask how much time is allocated in each class session to answering individual questions.

What is the refund policy?  If you think the course isn’t helping after a session or two, can you get a refund? What happens if you get sick or have a scheduling conflict that requires dropping out of the course?

Can the tutor provide references?  Checking references is especially important if you are considering hiring a private tutor.  However, keep in mind that what works well for one student isn’t necessarily the best fit for all students; in checking references, be sure to dig deeper in your questions to try to get a sense of the tutor’s style, approach, and ability to adapt to your or your child’s needs.

What is the tutor’s or prep class success rate?  Use caution here.  If a class or tutor suggests that all students who take the course will raise their scores by 100 or 200 points, it should set off warning bells.  Students in any class will learn and improve at their own rates; it is very rare to see the same increases across the board for all students.  Similarly, don’t be overly impressed by promises that you can retake the prep class for free if your scores don’t increase.  You want a course that helps the first time.  

Majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies

Majoring in Peace and Conflict Studies

With the political climate in the United States so divisive at this time, a major that focuses on ways to solve problems peacefully may resonate with you.  Peace and Conflict Studies focus on ways to improve the justice and peace in the world. The major analyzes universal issues such as racism, sexism, destitution, and war. The goal, of course, is to develop an ability to non-violently solve problems.

The study of this major is part theory and part experience. Some of the curriculum focuses on learning history and concepts. Students will learn about the philosophies of legendary peacemakers such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. 

There will also be plenty of opportunities for students to get hands-on experiences. The major includes lab situations that allow students to practice conflict resolution tactics. Students might simulate a meeting in an NGO (non-governmental organization), intern, or create their own group. 

Students learn how to analyze both local and global issues. Some programs are more globally-based while others focus more on the United States, but all programs delve into the diversity of human cultures. In addition, the major may offer study abroad opportunities for students. 

The major includes courses in the philosophy of social science, Marxism, the urban political economy, methods of peacemaking, the history of non-violence, and ecology. International law, the global political economy, postcolonial theory, and international relations are also frequently covered.

Peace and conflict majors gain a plethora of widely-used skills. Majors acquire an aptitude in strategic thinking, teamwork, communication, negotiation, and peaceful problem-solving. They gain research skills, writing skills, and the ability to look at a situation from multiple perspectives. Students leave with an understanding of the complexities of the world and its human issues.

Because the abilities honed in the major are applicable to almost any job, students have a wide variety of career options. Students typically go into careers in one of the following fields: government, law, humanitarian action, counseling, development, conflict resolution, global threat mitigation, and business. 

Government jobs may be in diplomatic roles, civil-military relations, the protection of human rights, and post-conflict aid. Careers in law may focus on subjects such as immigration, human trafficking, land and environment, and employment.

Students interested in humanitarian action may work for an NGO to aid in emergency response, healthcare, and social services for areas in crisis. 

In counseling, graduates might undertake work as trauma therapists. They may help communities heal from tragedies or deal with the emotional and psychological side of crisis repair.

Careers in development can focus on the following topics: the international economy, urban and housing, microfinance and small businesses, and sustainable agriculture. Students may also work towards improving the state of poverty, hunger, and homelessness at local levels. Some developmental jobs are more numbers-based, such as microfinance and the economy, while others have a strong humanitarian aspect. 

Peace and conflict majors going into conflict resolution may deal with mediation, inter-faith and intra-faith conflicts, violence prevention, and reconciliation. 

Global threat mitigation may address issues such as genocide, gender-based violence, climate change, terrorism, and war. Students might join an organization working to fight one of these threats, or they might found their own organization. 

Another option for students is to work in business. Graduates can employ the skills learned in their major in human resources, public relations, and contract negotiation. 

Finally, majors may use their writing, communication, and humanitarian skills in journalism or speech writing. For more information, visit bls.gov.

Career Paths for Peace and Conflict Studies Majors

· Business

· Conflict Resolution

· Counseling

· Development

· Diplomacy

· Education

· Global Threat Mitigation

· Government

· Human Rights Advocacy

· Humanitarian Action

· Law

· Non-Profit Management

· Restorative Justice

· Women's Advancement

What's an Honors College?

As seniors review their college lists, they might find themselves caught between their desire for the intimate learning environment of a liberal arts college and the options and experiences available at a large university.  One way to have the best of both worlds is through a university honors program. Many public and some private universities offer honors programs that provide great benefits, including preferential class registration, special honors classes, enhanced advising and enrichment programs.

Honors classes attract top professors who enjoy teaching bright, motivated students. In most programs, students are not required to take all honors courses, and often take one or two honors classes each semester along with their other classes. Honors classes are smaller and students can pursue a subject in more depth. Some programs require students to complete a senior project to receive an honors designation on their transcript.

Many schools offer separate honors housing. Having a residential community where students take their studies seriously can be especially important at schools that are known for a party atmosphere. Honors students are generally not required to live in honors housing, but it’s nice to have the option.

The University of Arizona and Arizona State University offer honors programs. These are such large universities, each with more than 30,000 students, that an honors program is a great way to create a sense of community and to be assured of having real contact with professors. Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College creates a living-learning community featuring classrooms, advising center, computer room and residence halls. Honors advisors help students find opportunities for    research, internships and study abroad. Students who are interested need to apply both to ASU and the Barrett Honors College.

Some honors programs provide financial incentives. Penn State University’s Schreyer Honors College offers a renewable scholarship of $5,000 to all first-year students, and provides grants to students who study abroad. The school offers more than 300 honors courses each year. Like many honors programs, Schreyer boasts of high placement rates to graduate and professional schools.

Private schools can also have honors programs. At Boston’s Northeastern University, students have access to separate honors sections of courses, as well as interdisciplinary honors seminars. They can live with other freshmen honors students, and enjoy excursions to the theater and symphony.

These are just a few examples of the many honors programs available at colleges and universities across the country. While a few require a separate application, most schools will invite applicants with top grades and test scores to join their honors programs. These programs can offer terrific benefits, but as always, it’s important to do your research and make sure the school is a good match.

Majoring in Bioengineering

What makes a major “valuable?” Most would agree that competitive average starting pay, median mid-career pay, growth in salary, and wealth of job opportunities all contribute to value. Biomedical Engineering is one of the majors that is considered most worth your tuition, time and effort. But what is Biomedical Engineering? 

The terms bioengineering and biomedical engineering are often used interchangeably. Sometimes, however, bioengineering refers to issues involving animal health and/or plants and agriculture, whereas biomedical engineering refers to a focus on human health.  

There are four fields within biomedical engineering: clinical engineering, medical devices, medical imaging and tissue engineering. Clinical engineering involves operating and supervising the use of equipment within hospitals and medical facilities. Medical device engineering is concerned with the invention and operation of diagnostic devices; either devices that help cure diseases or devices that help the body operate normally such as pacemakers, diabetic pumps or dental implants. Medical imaging is concerned with the invention and use of equipment that takes images of the body to help diagnose and create treatment options for patients, including X-Ray machines and ultrasound equipment. Tissue engineering focuses on developing and implementing artificial organs. In some cases, this also includes inventing technologies to regrow organs or create entirely new ones. Other specialties within biomedical engineering are biomaterials,  biomechanics, rehabilitation engineering, and orthopedic engineering.

Bioengineering programs provide students with the scientific knowledge and engineering tools necessary for graduate study in the engineering or scientific disciplines, continued education in health professional schools, or employment in industry. Top notch programs provide students with a rigorous education in engineering and fundamental sciences, offer experience in state-of-the-art research in bioengineering, and teach the problem-solving and team-building skills necessary to succeed in a bioengineering career.  

All students begin with foundation courses in biology, physics, chemistry, and math. They then take courses in basic engineering principles, computer science, statistics, and applied math. The last two years of most undergraduate programs include courses in materials, fluid mechanics, signals and systems, biomedical imaging, and ethics, among others. Students often have the opportunity to choose electives tailored to their individual interests.   

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering often work in collaboration with health care professionals. Effective communication skills, the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams, and an appreciation of the ethical and regulatory constraints governing the development, manufacture, and distribution of health care products, are all required.   

Demand for biomedical engineers will be strong because an aging population is likely to need more medical care and because of increased public awareness of biomedical engineering advances and their benefits.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% growth of job opportunities within this field, twice that for most engineering positions.  

Engineering programs should be ABET accredited, meaning they meet the standards established by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology.  Look for this accreditation when researching college programs.

http://www.abet.org Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology. Includes information for students about the importance of accreditation, careers options, and student perspectives.     

Career Paths for Biomedical Engineering Majors

· Software and hardware engineering

· Medical device industry

· Innovative design and development

· Research and development

· Manufacturing

· Equipment testing and field servicing

· Clinical patient evaluation

· Technical documentation

· Sales

· Hospital equipment selection and support

· Teaching

· Management

· Undergraduate preparation for medicine, dentistry or law

Considering Applying Early Decision (ED)

What is Early Decision (ED)? Early Decision is a binding admissions decision plan.  In exchange for receiving an earlier admissions decision, students applying ED agree that, if they’re admitted, they’ll attend that college and withdraw all of their other college applications. Typically, Early Decision plans have deadlines in early November. Since ED is a binding agreement, students who’ve carefully and thoroughly researched their college options and decided with certainty that one particular school is their top choice are the best candidates for Early Decision. Some colleges also have a second ED round (ED2) with deadlines falling in early January.  For ED1, applicants will generally receive their decision before Christmas.  In the second ED round, students will receive their decision a month to six weeks before regular decision candidates are notified.

Will applying ED make it easier to get in?  Sometimes.  Early  Decision isn’t a “miracle cure” for students whose stats are far below those of the students typically admitted to that college. However, if you wouldn’t be a strong applicant during the regular admissions round, then it’s unlikely that you’ll be admitted simply because you apply under ED.  When a student’s grades and test scores put the student within the typical ranges for admitted students at a college, they can often have a better chance of admission during the ED round.  Keep in mind, however, that ED acceptance rates vary greatly from college to college, and the early applicant pool is often extremely well qualified.  At the most competitive colleges, the acceptance rates for ED applicants are still very low.  Many of the highly selective colleges, however, fill around half their class through ED; some fill a higher percentage, leaving little space in the regular round.

How will applying Early Decision affect financial aid? If you’re admitted during Early Decision, you’ll typically receive the same financial aid package that you would have received if you’d applied in the regular admission cycle.  However, one of the main disadvantages of an ED acceptance is that you won’t be able to compare financial aid offers from other colleges.  Because you’re giving up the right, it’s smart for families to use the Net Price Calculators on different college websites to get estimates of how financial aid may vary before making the ED choice.

What happens when I receive my ED admission decision? When you apply ED, you’ll receive one of three decisions: Admit, deny, or deferred.  If you’re admitted, you must immediately withdraw all applications from other colleges, and send in an enrollment deposit to the ED college.  If you’re denied (rejected), you can’t reapply to the college in the regular decision round and should immediately turn your attention to the other colleges on your list.  If you’re deferred, the college will take a second look at your application during the Regular Decision round, but you should immediately complete your applications to other colleges.