Seeking a Match? Dig up Data Bone up on what Matters to You! Part 2

There are lots of ways to get information. Information is power in the college selection and admissions process. Some colleges have joint travel programs–a group of colleges host evening programs in specific cities. Even freshmen can go to these. Sometimes just one or two colleges will hold these evening information sessions. Many high schools host programs in the evenings or even during the school day to allow a speaker to talk about specific aspects of the college selection and admissions process. I’m lucky that my high school hosts these types of programs

Remember . . . boning up is my personal specialty.

So when Howard Singer, Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission at Boston College, spoke at my school last month–I was all ears. He presented two programs–one for the freshmen and sophomores and one for the juniors and seniors.

This week, I’ll share some things I learned in the session for the 9th and 10th graders.
I’ll just hit some high points–can’t paws long enough to cover it all. And, remember, this is the Clyde version of the info–the facts and some questions.


• Here’s a newsflash that came as a surprise to some of my freshman foster brothers and sisters: your freshman year matters!
• If you don’t get off to a great start, make sure you learn your lesson and be on an up hill trend academically. (btw–this matters in your activities too!)
• Never mind the student to teacher ratio–how big are the biggest classes students might have and how many of them might a student have before getting to more manageable sized classes?
• What percent of the undergrads study abroad? And, does their financial aid go with them?
• Location–location– location–how do you feel about it? Big city, suburban, rural? When you are on campus, what kind of transportation is available if you don’t have a car or don’t want to walk everywhere?
• What is there to do–class only takes up a small part of a week, and if you study a lot and sleep enough, there are still a lot of ours to fill.
• What kind of a community is the campus milieu–cut throat competitive or collegial?
• Is the school need blind or needs aware in admissions?
• Can the school meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated need?
• Are there merit scholarships?
• Lots of applicants have really good grades, test scores and killer resumes. Essays matter and they need to reveal part of the applicant that can’t be seen anywhere else in the application. (That does not mean to talk about controversial topics–that could be risky. And, frankly you don’t know if a young admissions rep or a seasoned pro is reading your essay.) Here’s a quote from Mr. Singer: “When I’m finished reading your essay, do I know something substantially different about the applicant that I couldn’t have known without reading the essay?”
• And . . . the basics count–spelling, grammar, meeting deadlines. (Reread Two, to, too. Their, there. Receive. Weight listed??? Spell check and grammar check are great tools, but....http://blogs.makingitcount.com/tccp/2009/10/two-to-too-their-there-receive weightlisted-spell-check-and-grammar-check-are-great-tools-but.html
• Think of college as an adventure–consider trekking out of your comfort zone. See college as an opportunity to see different perspectives and get a different world view.
• To give yourself the most options, work to your potential and don’t take forever getting started. Challenge yourself–take hard classes. There are costs to taking the easy way out.
• There are options (NOT JUST ONE!) for every student who wants to pursue higher education.
• Be really engaged in the classroom and in your activities. Colleges are crafting a class–they want well rounded and well lopsided students.

I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet and hear Mr. Singer.

Those freshmen and sophomores have a lot to think about.

Woof,
Clyde