Will This College Help Me Meet My Career Goals?

This question goes beyond majors offered at a college. High school students should explore college majors and ensure the colleges they are interested in offer programs in their interest areas, especially if a major must be declared on enrollment. However, many colleges offer career-oriented programs that complement traditional, classroom-based learning. Some institutions provide the ability to job shadow, intern, or observe professionals in students' careers of interest. For example, many education programs require their students to sit in on an elementary classroom for a certain period of time to fulfill the requirements of introductory education classes. This allows them to decide if they actually like the intensity of a classroom. Colleges that provide experiential or hands-on learning do their students a favor by allowing them to preview a career before they get too deep into their college major.

Another way colleges may support students in their career planning is by helping them develop a strong professional network where they might find internship or job shadowing opportunities. Some colleges have a long history of incorporating alumni into their career services program, hosting networking sessions, mentoring opportunities, and even scholarships. Colleges that don't have strong alumni associations can still provide excellent connections to career and internship opportunities through relevant community connections.

Spending time on campus is another way for high school juniors and seniors to determine whether a college can help them meet their career goals. In preparation for a campus visit, encourage kids to schedule appointments with the admissions staff, career center, and the academic department heads of the majors they are interested in. These meetings can help them get answers to specific career questions, including these:

1. Are there any opportunities to explore careers related to my major within my first two years of college?
2. What is your job placement rate?
3. What are some examples of jobs people in my major have taken upon graduation?
4. Does the career center offer career preparation classes or events? How early can I attend these?
5. What connections do alumni have to the college? Do they offer internships or networking opportunities?

Will I Be Successful at This College?

“Success” at college can take on a number of meanings. More and more, graduation rates, specifically six-year graduation rates, have become a major component of the college search. All colleges measure and publish their graduation rates, and this information should be at the forefront of the college fit conversation. A poor graduation rate can mean a lot of things, so it's good to gather more information about the number. For example, at community colleges many students enter with the intention of taking one or two classes to bolster a specific skill. Since these students don't complete a degree program, they can negatively affect graduation rate even though they achieved their personal goals. Ask colleges about the factors affecting their graduation rate, including why they think students are not graduating from their institution. Perhaps more important, ask what supports they have in place to ensure their students persist and succeed through graduation.

Another way teens can assess their potential success at an institution is to ask questions related to academic success. This is where fit truly comes into play.

Some kids thrive in a large-group setting, attending lecture courses and taking tests to assess their content knowledge. Anonymity is fine with them when it comes to the classroom, and they prefer to study for tests and write papers instead of actively engaging in classroom conversations.

Others may prefer a small classroom setting. By being in a classroom where professors take attendance and involve them in active conversation, students can soak in the content knowledge and are measured not solely by multiple-choice assessments but through group projects, classroom participation, and presentations to their classmates.

Neither of these situations is better than the other, but when teens recognize how and where they thrive, they can seriously begin to consider how they personally will fit at the institution.

Another factor related to academic success is rigor. Colleges want to see applicants' grades, course rigor, and test scores to see if they match the rigor of their own academic programs. Institutions vary with the rigor they demand in their classes, and the fact that an applicant is admitted to a “reach school” doesn't necessarily mean he'll find success in the classroom. In fact, this may be completely the opposite. No one should attend an extremely academically challenging institution without being able to match that level of rigor. This is a hard conversation to have with teens, but having this discussion up front will help them realize that success in college is a personal endeavor that goes far beyond just “getting in” to a competitive school.

Other questions to ask colleges to determine fit include these:

1. What is the average class size?
2. Are first- and second-year classes typically lectures or seminars? Is there an opportunity for discussion in class?
3. What services are in place to support students?
4. Is an academic advisor assigned to every student? How often do they check in with students?
5. Are professors required to have office hours or study groups?
6. Is there a tutoring center on campus?
7. How do my GPA and test scores compare to the average of students who are admitted?
8. What is the average academic profile (e.g., number of AP courses, advanced courses, dual credit) of admitted students?

Do I Feel Comfortable on Campus?

Although success is often thought of in terms of surviving academically while in college, campus life often contributes to the retention (or lack thereof) of students. During campus visits, student tour guides talk a lot about dining on campus, cocurriculars, dorm life, and volunteer opportunities. This information shouldn't be dismissed as just a way to sell the college. Students spend only about fifteen to twenty hours each week in the college classroom. If they live on campus, the rest of the time will be spent eating in the dining hall, playing sports, spending time with friends, and interacting with people in the community (along with studying…hopefully).

Questions teens should ask during a campus tour or of students or college representatives include:

1. Do you feel safe walking on campus? Have there been any recent crimes?
2. Is there somewhere I can go if I am feeling lonely or sad?
3. What activities exist that match my interests and strengths?
4. Can I try lunch in the dining center while I'm visiting?

Can I Afford to Attend This College?

As we explored in depth in chapter 12, it's important to consider affordability as an integral part of college fit. Taking on an unmanageable level of debt or having to leave college because of the cost is not beneficial to students, parents, or the institution. College affordability isn't just related to the amount of scholarships and grants received. It means graduating with a reasonable amount of loans and then being able to pay off loans by obtaining gainful employment after graduation.

College affordability is a personal question, but teens and families should seriously consider the return on investment when investigating potential colleges. This conversation should also be had at the beginning of the college search process. A “dream” school should be a dream school only if it's affordable.

Some colleges get creative in helping to make attendance affordable for their students, so questions should always be asked through the discovery process—for example:

1. What is the price I'll have to pay out of pocket?
2. How much money will I have to borrow through loans?
3. What other costs are associated with attending this institution (e.g., housing, books, fees, food)?
4. Are there additional scholarships or methods of funding that are available to me to help afford attending?
5. What are the most common jobs for those who graduate with my major, and what is the average salary?

Start Broad

Teens often start the college search with what they know and stay within their comfort zone of familiar institutions. With more than 4,000 two- and four-year colleges in the United States alone, it's worth going in with an open mind. Encourage your teen to explore all the possibilities; he may be pleasantly surprised. Online college search tools can help kids discover colleges that fit their needs but are not familiar institutions. Challenge them to add three colleges that fit them but that they may never have considered to their first list of colleges. They may be pleasantly surprised.

Investigate

When we make big decisions in life, we do research. When we buy a house or a car, change jobs, or make an investment, we search online for comparable prices, check out what others say about it, and so on. The same should be true when looking at colleges. There are a million ways to research colleges, from the nuts and bolts on each college's website to talking to current students to reading books and magazines about the institution. Given the importance of the decision, it's impossible to do too much research on a college, and this hard work will pay off when your child is successful in choosing a good fit.

One of the most important ways to investigate a college and narrow down a college list is to visit the campus. A college visit isn't a drive-through on a weekend or even a stroll on the sidewalks. A college visit means taking every opportunity to fully experience life on campus. Just about every college offers visits at convenient times throughout the year, and they can be scheduled online or by calling the admissions office. There may be options when it comes to the visit and every opportunity should be taken. If they're not offered, ask.

These components of a college visit help kids immerse themselves in the culture, get the feel for the college, and help them determine if a college is right for them:

1. The official campus tour. The tour is the quintessential part of the college visit. The tour takes teens and families to all corners of the campus, from the football field to the classroom, and from the biology labs to the library. Some parts of the tour might be optional but worth the extra time. Ask to see what a lecture room looks like, where the art studio is, and how to find the tutoring center. Those tour guides want to answer questions. It's the perfect time to ask all about life on campus from a kid's perspective. How did they choose this college? How many students stick around on weekends? What are their favorite and least favorite parts of the college?
2. Meetings with admissions staff. What better way is there to find out more about the college than directly from the experts? The admissions staff can talk to your teen about what the first year of classes will look like, highlight available scholarships, and give hints on getting into the best dorm. In addition to admissions staff, you and your teen may also want to meet with others on campus, including coaches, faculty, or the financial aid office. Normally the admissions staff can set up these appointments for you.
3. Dining hall test drive. A lot of people skip this step on their tour, but if they are going to be eating three square meals a day in one place, it's worth checking out. Many times the admissions staff will cover the cost of lunch for a prospective student and family, and if not, it's worth the price. Although a dining hall shouldn't be the final decision maker, it offers an impression that can help to seal the deal
4. Prospective student weekend. Some colleges roll out the red carpet for high school juniors and seniors, inviting them to campus for a full day or even overnight. These prospective student weekends can help teens see what life on campus is like by having them attend a class, interact with students, and sometimes even stay overnight in on-campus housing. These weekends can be few and far between, though, so check with prospective colleges early to get on the invite list.

Finalize the List

By the beginning of the senior year in high school, teens should have a fairly good idea of what colleges fit them best. Sometimes narrowing the list is an issue, but on the flip side, broadening the list can be tough for some kids. Many colleges and high school counselors recommend that kids apply to somewhere between three and five colleges. With the advent of the Common Application and other applications allowing them to apply to multiple schools at the same time, many teens now apply to even more.

A kid who has a good idea about what colleges fit him best—academically, geographically, culturally, and financially — should not need to apply to tens of colleges. Teens should narrow (or expand) their list to colleges that meet their needs and interests. And although they should own the list, it never hurts to bounce it off the school counselor or other trusted adult. Having a second unbiased set of eyes will help them talk through the whys of the list. School counselors or other experts can provide constructive feedback and ensure that kids are set up for success.

Plan Ahead

Senior year is a very busy time, and not everything on the college application needs to wait until then, so get an early start. By planning ahead, kids can alleviate the stress of the college application process and lighten the load in their senior year. Activities such as sending standardized test scores, requesting letters of recommendation, and writing college essays can all be completed ahead of the college application if the correct planning is done. Completing these steps before the start of senior year can save both time and money when it comes to applying to college.

When teens take a standardized test (e.g., ACT or SAT), they have the option to send their scores to a set number of colleges. Some choose to do this because it is included in their assessment fee. Others choose to wait and see what their score is or what their college list will look like and make the decision later. There are pros and cons to both options, but either way, test scores can be sent in the spring prior to the senior year as long as the kid's college list is fairly complete.

Many college applications require letters of recommendation, but some do not. Throughout the college search, it is good to keep this in mind and ask the college whether this will be a requirement for application. The letter of recommendation process varies from high school to high school, but many teachers appreciate being asked early to write a letter of recommendation. Seniors should choose teachers who know them well and can speak to how they learn, the value they bring to the classroom, and perhaps any challenges they have overcome. They should not choose teachers based strictly on the subject they teach. Aptitude will show on the transcript, so seniors should choose teachers who can speak to their personal side. They also should not ask more teachers for a recommendation than the number required by the college applications. Normally colleges ask for one or two letters. Teachers can get overwhelmed with requests for letters, and many colleges will not review letters beyond the number specified in their application guidelines, so it is best to stick to the number required.

As with letters of recommendation, not every college requires an essay, but many do. As teens build a purposeful college list, they should investigate the need for an essay. In the past, colleges have had specific prompts for their essays, but many are now moving toward a broader approach. Applicants can prepare by creating a personal statement in their junior year and ask colleges whether their prompts will change for the following year. The Common Application releases its essay prompts early in the calendar year, allowing teens to begin to prepare in their junior year. Students should take advantage of this opportunity to be prepared and to review with teachers and counselors before the end of the junior year.

Start Early

Colleges have various deadlines for applications, but starting early is a good idea no matter what the deadline. As soon as senior year begins, kids should connect with their school counselor or registrar's office to confirm the process needed for requesting letters of recommendation, transcripts, and forms such as fee waivers or early decision approvals. For colleges with hard deadlines, gathering all the information, crafting a thoughtful application, and submitting far ahead of the deadline will ensure that the college receives each piece of the application with plenty of time to spare. For colleges with rolling deadlines, submitting early may provide an advantage with financial aid, housing, and the time it takes to receive a decision.

Follow Up

It never hurts to follow up on college applications. Many institutions provide applicants with an online portal. Kids can keep their eye on the process and make sure that everything has been submitted (and received) for evaluation. Some of these online portals have taken the place of the “fat envelope” that colleges used to send with admission decisions, making them even more important. If applicants have questions about their college application or if there is an admissions representative with whom they have built a relationship, a quick check is appropriate.

Give It a Chance

All too often, first-year students arrive on campus and find it tough to adjust to a new way of life. They have to make new friends, learn a new city, and adapt to roommate living. Everyone is in a new position, and it can get overwhelming for them. Encourage your kid to give college a chance and not give up on it right away. Teens who have a negative attitude from the start are less likely to give their first few weeks on campus a chance and end up leaving after a semester or a school year. By immersing themselves into campus life and coming in with a positive attitude, they can set themselves up for success.

Get Involved

College students spend most of their time at college outside classes. This leaves much more time on their hands than they are used to. Upon (or even prior to) arrival, they should check out the cocurricular options on campus. There are intramural, club, and organized sports opportunities; student associations and interest-related clubs; volunteer organizations; and sororities and fraternities on some campuses. When students get involved, they can feel ownership in the institution as well as expand their circle of friends and acquaintances.

Ask for Help

The jump from high school to college is more challenging for some than for others, both academically and interpersonally. First-year students should learn about the various supports on campus that can help them succeed in all aspects of college life. Encourage them to ask their professors on the first day about office hours, study sessions, and other supports. Have them seek out the tutoring center and attend an orientation before classes even start. Resources also exist on campus to help students with their mental and physical health, and they should not feel embarrassed to reach out when needed. Student health and counseling services typically offer counseling, group meetings, and health screenings. These services are usually included in the tuition and fees, so students should use them when needed.

Maximize Opportunities

Opportunities abound at every college. By maximizing opportunities, they can feel more connected to the college, their major, and the community. For example, visiting the career services and alumni centers early in their college career can help students build connections and understand more about their college major and potential career paths. These visits can also help them construct relationships that may be useful as they begin to apply for internships and even job opportunities.

Getting involved in organizations is great, but maximizing that opportunity by becoming a leader on campus, volunteering in the community, and participating in advocacy issues can help students expand their network off campus and prepare for life after college.

Students can also take advantage of academic opportunities that can help them get to know their academic team, learn more about their major, and even build their résumé. They should ask their professors and academic departments what opportunities exist to help with projects, papers, or research. Even in their first year, students can begin to build their profile on campus.