Calling all parents of high school juniors: Now is the time to be thinking about college. It's not too late, but it is definitely not too early. Winter and spring of a student's junior year is the pivotal time to set the process in motion.
Responding to the “Why this college?” question sounds easy enough. It's not a global issues question, it's easier than writing about the honor code or diversity, both common college application questions, but it is harder than most students think.
Sometimes the best way to learn is from other people's mistakes. While organizations such as The Common Application (www.commonapp.org) and College Foundation of North Carolina (www.cfnc.org) have streamlined the process, there is still plenty of room for error.
According to a federal study, as many as 60 percent of students attend more than one college before graduating with a bachelor's degree. Hopefully, most do it for the right reasons. Here are some common but not great reasons that students want to transfer.
Sweaty palms, churning stomach and the deer-in-the-headlights look are common anticipated experiences for high school seniors when approaching their first college interview.
Everybody knows that college is supposed to be “the happiest four years of your life.” Not too much pressure on an 18-year-old, huh? We send them off with high expectations, but what happens when your freshman is unhappy? Is this the time to revert to being a helicopter parent, hover over the college campus and scoop your child up and bring them home? Probably not.
Surviving your freshman year can be dicey. National statistics show that over 30 percent of college freshmen do not return to the same institution for their sophomore year.
What are admissions officials thinking after reading a strong essay? They say they're often intrigued with the applicant and would like to meet him or her. A college essay accomplishes its goal when admissions officials feel that the candidate is:
Admissions representatives are looking for reasons to accept students. An insightful essay that supports strong academic preparedness can sometimes seal the deal.
