A college road map

Tours

Touring a college campus is one of the most important parts of the college decision-making process. It’s your best chance to talk with current students about their individual experience, but the questions you ask are as important as the answers you get.

After introducing yourself and sharing your potential major, here are five questions you should ask your guide on every college tour:

1. What was your transition like from high school to college?
2. Can you tell me about the classroom experience?
3. What is the social scene on campus?
4. How will this school prepare me for the future?
5. What is something that surprised you about your experience at this school?

Interviews

Whether required, encouraged or optional, the college admission interview is a tremendous opportunity for your student to share information and shine in the way they can't on a traditional application. Students can demonstrate their interest and excitement in attending the school further setting them apart. 

How to Ace the Interview:

• Arrive on time
• Dress to impress. Wear something neat, professional, and appropriate
• Do your homework. Review the college website, guidebooks, rankings, whatever you can find. The more you know the better!
• Bring a list of relevant questions to ask the interviewer
• Be yourself. Honesty and authenticity are key. Don’t misrepresent who you are!
• Explain items on your application that could be misunderstood such as an illness/school absences
• Say thanks! A handwritten note is best, but at the very least send an email saying how much you enjoyed the experience and appreciate their time.

Essays

An essay might seem a little old-fashioned in today’s high-tech world, but it’s still a great opportunity for a college to evaluate your child’s writing ability, to learn something interesting and important about them, and to better assess their fit into the student body. One important piece of advice: Plan ahead! Make sure your child gives themselves ample time for drafts and proofreading (summer before senior year is a great time to start). It helps to create a schedule to track your child’s progress and to set deadlines.

A few things to consider as your student writes the essay:

• Know the audience: college admission counselors
• Choose a topic you’re passionate about. You're more than a GPA or test score — your student’s true self should come through
• Keep the reader engaged
• Proofread! Use correct spelling and grammar
• Make it memorable
• Steer away from cliché or controversial topics or persuasive essays; admission officers want a glimpse into who you really are.

Recommendations

Letters of recommendation are an important part of the application process and can really make a difference. They can't be rushed, and they require some effort from you and your child.

Check it out yourself, or share with potential letter writers to make sure your child gets the best recommendations they can. And remember, the goal is to attest to the capabilities and character of the candidate. The recommender’s contribution is an important part of the admission decision process.

Here are some tips to provide the author of your letter of recommendation to help it stand out.

• Showcase the student
• Why are they a good match for the university and/or fields of interest?
• Talk about their development and potential for growth
• Illuminate qualities not easily gleaned from a transcript
• Support your opinions with examples
• Place the student in the context of the class or school
• Address attitude and character as well as academic ability
• Present the individual accurately
• Explain circumstances impacting performance
• Highlight course distinctions and honors
• Be specific, clear and concise.