‘Tis the Season for College Applications

Have a senior applying to college? Catherine Cook is right there with you and sharing some tips from her own experience:

Like many parents I am navigating college application season. The postcards and letters from universities and colleges across the country are piling up. And every school has the best program, the happiest student body, and incredible professors, or so they say. Deciding where to go with all this information is daunting. If you have a child in high school (or even if you don’t), read ahead for some guidance on how to navigate this process that I found helpful. 

Jeff Selingo in his book Dream School: Finding the College that is Right for You, outlines some key factors when looking for colleges for your children. The first question he asks is “Where will they thrive?” He provides questions to ask to help determine the answer.

1. What is the student to teacher ratio?

2. What clubs do they offer? Do they fit with what my children are interested in?

3. What classes are available? And what is the likelihood of getting into those classes?

4. What research opportunities are available?

5. What kind of faculty interactions are there, such as, do they maintain consistent office hours, are they available when they say they will be? 

Selingo also examined the importance of belonging. This falls into three categories: residences, activities, and academics. To find the answer to this question, he recommends speaking to others who are in the major of your choice and find out the type of support and connection they have with others. Attend a class and visit with a professor during their office hours to get a sense of the campus community. 

In talking to my daughter about colleges, I hear the worry, stress and fear that she won’t get into a good school. And it has to be one of the 3 schools she has selected. 

I reminded her that attending a community college is not a bad choice and can be helpful. It provides her more time at home to work and save, and it opens up pathways for transfers into 4-year establishments. She looked at me like I had a horn growing out of my head. I shared this with her in all seriousness. I did not graduate from high school nor did I receive a GED (long story). I attended a local community college and completed my associates degree. I then went to my second choice school to finish my bachelor’s degree. While there I had an incredible study abroad experience that changed my life, I had research opportunities, and got to TA a class. I struggled in some areas but made the best with what I had. It took me another 15 years to apply to graduate school. I completed it online with my kids sitting near me and sometimes even on me. I learned that I studied best at taekwondo lessons and worst in voice lessons. 

I share this example to illustrate that sometimes when looking for colleges and planning our future, it does not turn out the way we plan. It is important that we expand our search to include opportunities of all kinds. It can help to set aside the idea of Harvard or Stanford, and look to state schools. More than anything we want to set our children up for success. I would have been unsuccessful had I started at a large 4-year university (we actually tried that for a semester and it did not go well). We changed our expectations and I grew in confidence and maturity. 

Let’s go back to the main question “Where will they thrive?” And that is where you start this journey. Good luck! 

For more information I recommend reading Jeff Selingo. His website also has links to TedTalks he’s given and research.