The College Center

More Applications
But
Fewer Students!

What's the Story?

Issue #1
“More Applications and Fewer Students, What’s the Story?”

Technological improvements have made it possible for students to file their applications on line, to monitor their admissions files for the arrival of test scores and recommendations, and to maintain contact with the admissions staff as the selection process rolls forward. Technology also enables students “to cut and paste” and file more applications than they could in the old days when only typewriters and white out fluid were available. Some students think nothing of filing 10-15 applications with largely the same information and essays.

The first result of this multiple application approach is that students often fail to appreciate the differences among the schools they apply to, and their generic approach harms them in the selection process. The second result of multiple applications that a given college often has difficulty in determining the applicants who really know the school and want to come there from those who have only a passing interest. Given equal qualifications, the colleges try to identify students who really want to attend and accept them. This not only makes good sense, but increases the college’s “yield rate”, which is the percentage of offers of admission that result in the accepted student attending the college or university.

What to do? Know yourself; know the schools to which you apply, and make sure you tailor your application to each school, and indicate that you are a sincere and knowledgeable candidate who will probably come if accepted.

Close (X)

The Costs Keep Climbing and Financial Aid is Declining!

What Can You Do?

Issue #2
“Costs Keep Climbing and Financial Aid Can’t Keep Up”

The increasing costs of a college education in the United States spring from two sources. The first is the reluctance of the federal government to support student tuition and fees to the degree that governments in Europe and Asia do. The second source of the increase in costs for a college education in America today flow from the sincere and sustained efforts of the nation’s colleges and universities to provide well trained faculty, excellent facilities, and challenging programs for the students they select.

The onus of college expenses thus falls on three parties: the government, which has special programs for lower income students and subsidized loan programs for middle income students and parents; the colleges and universities which deploy their own funds for scholarships for lower, middle, and some upper income students; lastly on the families themselves. As parents plan for the expenses of a college education for their son or daughter, the motto should be, start saving early, avoid life-style choices that might make college funds unavailable [ read expensive vacations, second homes, and high debt]. Parents also may need to consider public universities rather than private colleges for their children.

It is never too early for both students and parents to go on the websites of the colleges and universities they are considering; go to the financial aid section; contact the financial aid office and seek advice about financing the costs of that particular school.

Close (X)

How Can I "Market" Myself to the "Right" School

Our #1 Mission!

Issue #3
“The Key is Matching Yourself to the Right School!”

The rationale underlying College Center’s counseling process is that students can and should assess themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, their interests, their talents, and try to identify the type of environment in which they might thrive. Once that is done, they can then begin their research on colleges or universities that might best suit their needs and aspirations. When they have developed their list of schools, students should approach each one individually.

In their interview, in their application, in their instructions to coaches, teachers and others, they should “match” their strengths and accomplishments with the values and the programs of the particular school. Remembering that each school is different, when students turn to their next application, they should tailor it to fit the values and programs of the “next” school.

The key is to market yourself to each school and induce each one to see how well you would fit into its undergraduate body.

Close (X)

For Students and Parents:

"How to Think About & Plan For the College Admission Process"

The College Center helps families and students think strategically and efficiently about the college admissions process.

It helps students assess their skills and accomplishments and merge them with their aspirations in a successful college admission action plan.

Having counseled thousands of students, face to face, through books and pamphlets, and on the internet, over the years College Center stands ready to make a difference for students in the second decade of the twenty first century.