College Applicants Must Aim to Please Picky Campuses

by Darla Dernovsek

High-school students must aim to please the colleges or universities they hope to attend, but it's just as important for these students to make sure they pick a college or university that pleases them.

That's the message from admissions officials at three campuses that are admittedly picky about the process they use to select each fall's incoming class. These admissions experts are Keith White, associate director of admissions at the University of Wisconsin--Madison and president of the National Association for College Admission Counseling; Dianne Crozier, director of admissions at Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.; and Jim Zielinski, director of admissions at Beloit College, Beloit, Wis.

Growing competition

Colleges and universities can afford to be choosy. The number of high-school graduates has been increasing since the mid-1990s, along with the number of people in the age group of 18 to 24. At the same time, high-school seniors are applying to more colleges--the average is between six and 10 applications per student--to increase their odds of being admitted. Meanwhile, ratings systems add more pressure to the process by claiming to identify "top" colleges that equip students for lifelong success.

One result is that reputable colleges and universities often are forced to reject a significant number of applicants. For example, White says UW-Madison received 23,000 applications for the fall of 2003 and admitted 11,000 students to the freshman class. That group was pared again when some students admitted to multiple colleges chose to go elsewhere, resulting in a freshman class of 5,500 students. Union College received 4,200 applications for its freshman class of 560, while Beloit College had 1,900 applications for a class of 325. At these competitive campuses, even outstanding high-school students sometimes experience rejection.

"Students who are very capable of success can be a victim of the numbers game," Zielinski says. But all three counselors hasten to add that even students who are rejected by their first choice can find a campus where they can thrive. To make that happen, students need to understand the admissions process, look at multiple campuses, and highlight their accomplishments.

The admissions timeline

The admissions process generally begins during the junior year of high school, when students begin looking for a four-year program that matches their career plan, learning style, preferred location, or other factors. Many students visit prospective colleges during the summer between their junior and senior years.

Shortly after the senior year begins, students can begin applying for admission at most colleges and universities. Some colleges or universities will make "early decisions" that allow them to guarantee admission to the most capable students in the fall, while postponing decisions on other students until after the final application deadline, which typically falls in January or February. In early spring, most students will learn whether they are admitted, rejected, or consigned to the uncertainty of the waiting list.

While most high-school students recognize the need to stay on schedule, Crozier says the prospect of being passed over by their first choice can "paralyze" a student. Parents can prod teenagers to work on applications, but Crozier advises them to resist the temptation to take over.

Crucial requirements

• Build a good record. "Hands down, the high-school record is the most important element," Crozier says. A desirable record shows the student is capable of earning high marks in demanding courses.
• Pursue competitive courses. Colleges and universities expect students to seek out challenging courses. At UW-Madison, 85% of freshmen submit advanced placement (AP) test scores, and White says all freshmen have taken some type of AP or accelerated course. When a high school fails to provide advanced courses, students should look for "distance learning" programs or take a course at a community college.
• Be a serious senior. Grades in demanding courses taken during the first semester of the senior year can make a vital difference for a borderline applicant. Students who got poor grades in the freshman or sophomore year can prove they're on an upward trend by earning high grades.
• Aim for quality involvement. Several years of meaningful involvement in a club or activity matters more than sampling many opportunities.
• Look around. Students should actively search for a campus where they will feel at home. Some parents may steer students away from private colleges due to cost concerns, but extra financial aid can compensate for a higher price tag. Options to compare include large and small, public and private. "The best college or university for any candidate is the place where the student feels the happiest, where their social and emotional needs are met along with their academic needs," White says.
• Take tests early. Most colleges require either the ACT or SAT. Many students take the test for the first time during their junior year. Taking the test early allows students with a dismal score to retake the test, sometimes after pursuing tools or study courses that claim to improve test scores.
• Complete multiple applications. Students can keep their options open by applying to multiple colleges or universities. Crozier suggests researching a "balanced list" of private and public colleges where the student will feel happy, and then sending applications to about six to eight. Online applications can sometimes make it easier for students to use all or portions of a single form to apply at multiple campuses. More than 240 colleges and universities accept the Common Application, for example. Some of the 13 four-year and 13 two-year campuses in the University of Wisconsin System also share applications; other state schools will do the same.
• Fill in all the blanks. White says that if the college makes room for information on the application form, it's important even if it's listed as "optional."
• Get good recommendations. Letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors can reveal whether a student has the character to be a serious applicant.
• Write the essay. The essay turns an impersonal form into a personal portrait that helps a student stand out from other applicants with similar backgrounds and similar grades. Submit an essay even if it's listed as "optional." It's acceptable to ask an English teacher or parent to review the essay, but the student must do the writing.
• Take control. Actively monitor the admissions process and meet all deadlines. Take the initiative and contact the college or university to gain information about admission requirements, degree programs, or other details. Guidance counselors can provide invaluable information and assistance. Hiring an independent counselor sometimes can be helpful, particularly when tight school budgets limit personal attention from guidance counselors.

Find your passion

The pressure surrounding college admissions sometimes causes students and parents to lose perspective, especially when rejection letters appear.

"It becomes a win-lose proposition when it should be a step in their lives that allows them to grow," Crozier says.

The key to surviving the process is remembering that obtaining a four-year degree is about exploring what the world has to offer. That point of view allows students to find colleges and universities that welcome their applications.

"Every college is a wonderful place to go for the right kid," Zielinski says.

Published December 15, 2003

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