STUDENT-CENTERED SOLUTIONS FOR COLLEGE PLANNING

When the dust settles on your college search, there should be abundant evidence that the college you have chosen is excited that you will be joining its number. You will sense this enthusiasm at every step along the way as you get to know the place and apply for admission. More than just another face in the freshman directory, you are someone who will be valued in that population for the things you do well.

Think about your close, personal relationships. A relationship works because both parties are equally invested in its success. Each side values and respects the other. Problems arise when the degree of investment in the relationship is not shared equally. Despite the determination of one party to make things work, one-sided relationships are often doomed to failure.

The same is true of your pending relationship with a college or university. Your investment in the relationship would seem clear. You know what you want out of your four years and you know what you are prepared to do in order to achieve your goals. On the other hand, what type of investment in you and your goals can you expect from the institution? Where is the evidence that it is prepared to help you achieve your goals?

Be discriminating as you look for this evidence. How accommodating is the institution of your needs and concerns? Are you given the information you need regarding college costs and the potential for financial assistance? What is the response when you inquire about opportunities to pursue special independent study projects or to study abroad? In general, do you find yourself meeting with people who are eager to help you make things happen or are you left to figure these things out on your own. The manner in which a college engages you during the recruitment process often reflects the way it will treat you as an enrolled student. Colleges that value you for what you do well will:

• Show an interest in actually getting to know you. They will recruit you and not just your application for admission.
• Give you personal attention throughout the recruitment process.
• Answer your questions about housing, registration and payment plans in a thorough and timely manner.
• Provide financial aid to meet your need.
• Recognize your talents with scholarships and/or special academic opportunities (i.e. study abroad, internships, research, etc.).

The last two points are especially important when it comes time to apply for admission. Why? What better evidence that you have found a good college fit than to be admitted and extended the financial support you need in order to enroll?! The best college fit for you will be a place that seems to be saying, “Among all of the really good candidates we are considering, we want you because of what you have to offer and we’re prepared to invest in your success.”

This takes us back to the discussion about relationships. The early stages of a college search are a time of discovery for both the student and the colleges. Just as you are trying to sort through your options in developing a short list of colleges that will fit you well, college admission officers are beginning to develop a sense of their own prospective applicant pools. While they are interested in attracting as many applicants as possible (to enhance their levels of selectivity), they are also sensitive to prospects whose candidacies would be most compelling. They are especially alert to students who present talents, interests or perspectives that would “fit” well into the community they hope to construct through the admission process. Ultimately, they will admit from among thousands of qualified applicants those whom they value most.

So, what does this mean for you? The secret to your success still rests in your ability to reflect honestly on “who you are” and “what you have to offer”—and to find a good college match for those qualities. Take stock of your gifts, talents and perspectives—and don’t compromise. What do you have to contribute to a new community and where might such contributions be valued most? Be true to yourself, then, and put yourself in a better position to experience a lasting relationship with an institution that makes sense for you.