.png)
Research
Once students have a better sense of their own strengths and needs, they can begin to search for colleges and universities that fit those criteria. While it is tempting to turn to rankings like US News & World Report to determine which are the ‘good’ schools, we cannot discourage this enough. To find out why, google "annual reminder to ignore the USNWR rankings." Students and parents need to think beyond the rankings and their own limited base knowledge about colleges today. Rankings often measure criteria that have little to do with the undergraduate experience. Colleges are also living entities that change and evolve over time; a party school thirty years ago may be considered an academic powerhouse today. If students do their research well enough, they should have no problem identifying eight to twelve colleges out of the 4,000 out there that would all be good matches.
Gathering Information
Like any good researcher students need to gather, analyze and interpret information about each college they are considering. Guidebooks are a good place to start and the most helpful ones typically provide qualitative descriptions rather than simply quantitative summaries; The Fiske Guide or The Best 388 Colleges are two good examples of this. It is important for students to realize, however, that these guides are providing one, not entirely unbiased perspective. There are also a number of specialty books available for students looking at a particular area of interest: religious life, performing arts, cultural diversity, etc… (recommended reading).
Much information can also easily be found online. There are a number of websites that provide useful search engines so that students can plug in the specific criteria they are looking for in a college and receive a list of possible college matches: two examples are the Peterson’s and College Board websites. In addition, a wealth of information can be found on each school’s specific website (collegename.edu). There is typically a section designed specifically for prospective students that includes useful information on admission and financial aid. However, we would also encourage students to explore other areas of the website such as academic departments, online course catalogs, student life postings, and online publications and galleries. For example, don’t just see if a college offers a psychology department, check out the faculty, their areas of specialty, the range of courses offered, and any research or internship programs highlighted by the department. (recommended websites)
At the onset of the pandemic admission offices significantly expanded their virtual programming. Options include:
-
Information sessions with an admission officer
-
Tours (sometimes in real time) led by a current student
-
Interviews or small group chats
-
Model classes taught by a professor
-
Student panels or salons
-
Special topic sessions for engineering, business, etc..
-
Advice on admission and financial aid in general
Please note that while it is important to learn more about colleges, and to demonstrate interest, students should be conscious of how much time they are spending on screen. Do not feel obligated to participate in every virtual opportunity offered.
Students should also take advantage of opportunities to speak with college representatives and alumni. In the Fall over 80 college representatives will visit with our students in small sessions here at Friends. Alumni can also be valuable resources and students are particularly encouraged to contact recent Friends’ graduates; the 2021-2024 Alumni Directory is available on the Seminar class Canvas page. As with any resource students should be aware that alumni perspective is by nature biased; they are talking about their personal experiences and opinions.
And, of course, one of the best ways to get a feel for a college or university is to actually visit the campus: see the facilities, talk to the students and faculty, and check out the surrounding town or city. In the next section, tips for planning and conducting a successful college visit are provided.
The Importance of
Demonstrated Interest
As application numbers continue to grow and in an effort to keep their acceptance rate low, many colleges have started to consider demonstrated interest when evaluating an applicant. Colleges feel that the more interaction they have with the student, the more likely the student is to enroll which increases their yield, an important statistic for colleges. Additionally, an admission counselor will be able to better advocate in committee for a student who they have either met or corresponded with throughout the student’s application process. In recent years, we have seen “likely” schools become “reach” schools due to a lack of demonstrated interest. Below are a number of ways a student can demonstrate interest in a college.
Join The Mailing List
Students can sign up for the mailing list for colleges of interest on the school's website. Schools will send important information about interviews, on-campus programs, and local events to students on their mailing list.
Please note, students may also unsubscribe from a school's mailing list if they know they are not interested.
Open Emails
Always open all emails sent from the college! Colleges can track this information. If the student does not open emails from the college, they make an assumption about the student’s level of interest in attending their school.
Contact the Admission Representative
Most admission representatives are open to students contacting them to ask questions about the university. If the student contacts a representative, they should be sure to ask thoughtful questions. Avoid asking questions to which the answers can easily be found on the school’s website. You want to be sure to distinguish yourself as a thoughtful and serious applicant. On that note, be sure to proofread your email before sending it.
Local & Virtual Events
Attending a local event in the City is also a great way to demonstrate interest and learn more about the school. Many schools will offer information sessions at venues around the city. Students can find information about the programs on the college’s website. Colleges will also send information about the programs to students on their mailing list.
As noted in the section above, colleges are now offering a range of virtual programming from real time and recorded tours to information sessions and specialized talks.
High School Visits
Many of the schools to which our students apply will also visit Friends during the fall semester. These visits are a great way for the student to learn more about the school, and to also get face time with the admission representative. Most of the time, the person who visits Friends is also the person who reads the applications from New York City. Students should come to the meeting prepared to ask thoughtful questions. The College Counseling office sends weekly emails to juniors and seniors throughout the fall to inform them of these visits.
Interviews
Many schools offer interviews, with either alumni or admission representatives. Although the interviews may not be evaluative in nature, students should still sign up in order to demonstrate interest and learn more about the school. For more information about interviews please visit the Campus Visits section of the handbook.
Campus Visits
A campus visit is a wonderful way to not only familiarize yourself with the school, but to also let the school know that you are serious about attending. If you choose to visit, be sure to sign up for an official tour. Ask the admission office if they offer interviews or meetings with admission representatives. Please visit the Campus Visits section of the handbook for more information.
Supplements and Optional Statements
Most schools require students to complete a writing supplement in addition to the Common Application essay. The most common question is “Why do you want to attend X college?” Colleges use these supplements to gauge interest level, so be sure to include specific information about programs and activities available at that school. If a school has an “optional” statement, do it! “Optional” is rarely actually optional in college admission.
