I Care About Your College Admission, But Care Much More About Whether You Stay In and Graduate!

 

As I work with students and families throughout the college exploration and decision-making process, it’s important to look beyond the immediate concerns about college admission to consider whether the college chosen is a place where the student will achieve satisfaction and accomplish their goals.

 

With the rising cost of a college education and the trend towards 6 year graduation rates, it’s become apparent that “Exploring Your College Options” before you apply is well worth your valuable time. Statistics quote that 46% of students who enter one college, change colleges within two years contributing to extended college attendance and the increase in the COA (Cost of Attendance) for students.  Of greater concern today, are the number of students who are dropping out of college prior to completion leaving them in serious debt and without the skills, certifications and the benefits that go along with college completion.  “The job market barely distinguishes between people who never went and people who dropped out,” said Kevin Carey of the New America Foundation, a Washington-based research institution. “

 

                                           Taken from http://americandream2-0.com/

What factors contribute to extended graduation and dropout rates in college?

 

1.       One factor in the higher drop-out rates, according to a Harvard study, is the rising cost of a college education. College tuition and fees today are "559 percent of their cost in 1985.”

2.       Research links financial difficulties to attendance length and dropout rates, citing that 41% of students from lower incomes manage to graduate within five years, while 66% of higher income students complete their degree.

3.       Students drop-out because college did not meet their expectations for academic or social reasons or because they had “unrealistic” views of what they could expect from the college experience.

4.       Poor study habits, lack of motivation, or inadequate preparation carry forward from high school.

5.       Lack of direction or focus and changing majors during college prolongs graduation and contributes to drop-out rates.

6.       Students need to work to pay college costs and lose track of their number one priority, College Graduation.

What Steps to Take To Choose The Right College For You?

There really are no hard and fast rules for making sure you’re headed for your “best-fit” college, but I do know that this decision begins with finding out more about who you are and what you want in your future. Although speaking with friends and relatives about their choices will add their perspectives to your knowledge bank; remember that these are “personal” decisions and what may have contributed to their “perfect” experience may not be the same factors that you are looking for in a college.

So given that disclaimer, here are some questions, I think might begin to help you explore your choices. When I’m asked by students, what colleges should be “on my list” my replies are:

1.       What are you looking to get out of the college experience? 

2.       What majors do you need to explore at college?

3.       Do you have an idea about your career direction?”

4.       Have you done any visiting, which size campus feels comfortable to you?

5.       How far away from home have you been, and have you stayed overnight by yourself?

6.       Do you have financial concerns about attending college, and have you spoken with your parents about college costs?

7.       Do the colleges that you’re considering have strong programs in your areas of interest?

8.       How good is the Academic Advisement at the colleges you’re considering?

9.       If a job after graduation is your primary goal, what corporations come to the campus to recruit students for employment?

10.   Have you explored what “campus life” is like at that college and how involved are the students in generating activities and driving decisions?

Lastly, I always emphasize “doing your homework” for the college exploration process and leaving enough time to research by starting early.  Take time to look at the curriculum in a major you’re interested in.  Are the courses presented in their online syllabus exciting to you and are they being presented in a way that’s engaging? Compare course offerings between colleges, look at graduation rates and financial support offered by colleges before you put them on your list.

Once you make the final decision on the “College of Your Choice,” maximize your success by following these simple suggestions:

1. Develop strategies, study skills, and a network of support!
2. Attend class.
3. Arrive on time, pay attention, and participate in class discussions and activities.
4. Talk to the instructor. Ask questions.
5. Complete and check all work. Turn in neat and clear assignments.
6. Monitor your progress. If you begin to fall behind, ask for help.
7. Stay in contact with your academic adviser and your professors.

If you're just beginning the College Search and Selection Process, here's a piece that I've written to help guide you along the way.

ESTABLISHING A FOUNDATION FOR THE SEARCH 

Imagine that it is a year or so from now and you are attending the college of your choice.  You are on your way back to the dorm from a late-night talk with a friend.  You keep replaying your friend’s words:  “I hate it here.  I can’t imagine why I decided to come here in the first place.  I never really looked into it.  Everyone told me it was a good place for me.  Lots of kids from my high school applied here.  They all knew the name.  The first time I saw the place was when I pulled my suitcase out of the car to move in.  What was I thinking?”

It’s sad that your friend feels like this, but you don’t feel the same way.  You like it here.  Sure, there are times when you miss your friends from high school, your room at home, and a home-cooked meal, but the decision you made about choosing this college feels more right to you every day.  What made the difference? You ask yourself.

 Maybe it was the way I approached looking at colleges in the first place and the questions I asked myself.  I remember my sophomore year English Teacher saying, “The reason I am so intent on the amount of reading I ask you to do for this class is to prepare you for the expectations that college will place on you.  You’re all heading in that direction, and we have a responsibility to give you the kind of foundation you’ll need to succeed.”  I began to think:  Am I headed in that direction?

It was obvious to my English teacher that I was going to college, it seemed obvious to most of the kids in the class with me, and, of course, it was obvious to my parents.  But was that what I wanted to do with my life? I spent time figuring this one out.  I looked at alternatives, went to guidance with a couple of friends, and did an interest inventory and a career search.

The decision was coming down to me—no one else could make it for me.  I asked myself some hard questions.  What did I want to achieve with a college diploma?  Would I go to college to broaden my knowledge or to get specific training?  Was I smart enough to handle college? How hard did I want to work? What did I do well?  What were my strengths?  And my weaknesses?  How did I feel about learning?  Were there things I really liked learning about?  What mattered to me?  What were my values? What kind of place would reflect my values? Could I be self-directed enough to accomplish four years of college?  Would I be ready to go to college right after high school?  Was I thinking about college for the financial rewards or to gain a profession?  The self-evaluation wasn’t easy.  I envied those kids around me who seemed to know from birth what they wanted to do.

Sometime during that self-exploration, I decided that yes, college really was my choice, too.  Once I had made the decision, it felt right.

1.  Academics come first           4.  Form a Team: Parents, Counselor, Teachers 

2.  Watch your deadlines           5.  Use Your Resources:  Guidance, Career Center

3.  Stay organized                       6.  Narrow your college choices to:  25 and final to 6-8