The first of May is quickly approaching. Known to some as May Day, it is a time to celebrate spring. For college-bound high school seniors, it also represents the National Candidate Reply Date, the day by which newly admitted students must decide where they will enroll. Some applicants, many of whom have never stepped foot on campus at the schools to which they applied, are screaming “mayday”. They wonder how they will pick a college as the pandemic drags on? Fortunately, responding to this signal of distress are admission officers and school counselors throughout the country, ready to support applicants as they celebrate, deliberate, and ruminate over the opportunities that lie ahead. Not every student has easy access to counseling as they weigh their options, so I asked admission colleagues to offer some advice. Here are their thoughts:
Experience Matters
“Think about what experiences you want to have on a college campus, academic or otherwise. To an extent, the core curriculum of engineering, journalism, sociology, or any other area of study will be similar from college to college. So, what experiences do you want as you pursue that content knowledge? It might be undergraduate research, the variety of extracurricular options offered at a large university, or being part of a specific community on campus, like the honors program or a varsity sports team. Also, remember that there will likely be more than one 'right' answer to the question of where to enroll, and you would have a great experience at a number of colleges.”—Charles Murphy, director of freshman and international admissions, University of Florida
“College is expensive. It’s also highly experiential and emotional. This has been the chief concern that admission professionals have had throughout the pandemic. It’s hard to create strong connections between students and the institution without opportunities to interact and show students around campus. Visits can go a long way towards narrowing the field, but as we’ve learned during the pandemic, that’s not always possible. Students need to be proactive about asking for what they need to know in the absence of seeing the campus and meeting people in person. After figuring out which schools they can be happy at—and there will be more than one—students need to work with their families to determine the appropriate balance of cost, opportunity, and value. That matrix differs for everyone.”—Mary Wagner, assistant vice president for enrollment management, University of South Carolina
Have a Fit
“While the process of college selection can be daunting, it can also be fun. College is a transformative experience that opens incredible opportunities for students. Finding the right 'fit' is easier said than done, but by asking the right questions along the way and identifying people in your life you trust to help you think through this important decision, students can be sure that the college they select is the right fit for them on a number of fronts, not the least of which are academic fit, financial fit, and personal fit.”—Brian Troyer, dean of admission, Marquette University
“Wait until you have all of your award letters. Once you get to the decision phase, you have likely looked at the academic programs, campus life, location, etc. In my opinion, the award letter is one of the more important pieces of the puzzle. The majority of American families would need grants or scholarships for college to be accessible to them. There is no shame in deciding on the right college based on financial fit. Student loan debt has its place and can benefit students, but it's important to make sure any debt accumulated will serve as an investment down the road.”—Dr. Ashley L. Bennett, director of college counseling, KIPP Sunnyside High School
“In a perfect world, students apply to schools based on their needs, they’re accepted to multiple schools, and then they use the same factors they considered when deciding where to apply to decide where to attend. In reality, the financial fit is a huge factor, especially for students from first-generation and low-income households. First, students and families need to understand what the actual cost is — they need to figure out what the total bill is and what money is made available to them, including loans and what good debt is vs. irresponsible debt. While the financial fit is the first thing to focus on, students should also make the most out of every opportunity to further understand whether they feel like this institution can support them in all aspects of what they need to thrive. If possible, attend admitted students day and connect with staff, professors, and current students, ideally those who are also alumni of your high school and/or CBO.”—Emmanuel Moses, associate director of college guidance & transition, The Opportunity Network
Be Social
“If you can't have in-person engagements, try to find small virtual spaces: one-to-one conversations with current students or alumni or small group virtual coffees. Even if what someone is saying in a big Zoom webinar is compelling to you, the format may make it harder to relate to. Seeking out small conversations may help”—Emily Roper-Doten, dean of admission and financial aid, Olin College of Engineering
“Talk to people! Talk to current students to get a sense of their experience - what they like, and what they wish was different. If you can, sit in on a class (in person or virtually) to try and determine how students and faculty members interact with each other. If you know any graduates of the institution, ask them about their experience. If you are trying to decide on a particular college, you know by this time that they have the academic program(s) in which you are interested. Take a look at the specific requirements you need to fulfill at each institution to determine what best meets your needs and satisfies your interests. Are there co-curricular options you are seeking—study abroad, internships, and/or research experiences? Does one of your choices give you better/greater access to the opportunities you are seeking?”—Stefanie Niles, vice president for enrollment and communications, Ohio Wesleyan University
“The College/University's overall social media channels will give you the best feel-good marketing the school's got. Consider the niche things you are passionate about (rugby, biomedical engineering, outdoor recreation, climate change research, for example) and follow those specific social media pages from the schools that you are considering. Now, you're getting the authentic content that isn't specifically made to entice you to enroll. Now you can see what students and faculty are truly up to and if you'll find your people and passions at that school.”—Jeff Schiffman, director of admission, Tulane University
Feel it Out
“I cannot stress enough the importance of starting by reading the mission statement of the schools you're considering. It may seem like a small and perhaps unprofitable step, but what you're doing is trying to get a sense of the culture of the place at which you'll spend at least four years of your life. It is important to know what's viewed as acceptable behavior and norms on campus. What and who gets rewarded? All schools have a tempo and rhythm by which they operate. What's the dance step of your schools? Can you rock along? Avoid getting falsely fostered by the glitz and glamour of what your friends and neighbors think makes a good school. Stay true to your own ideals and ensure the school you choose will foster them instead.”—Anthony E. Jones, M.Ed., associate provost/assistant vice-president of enrollment management, Howard University
“Listen to your inner voice rather than all of the voices around you. It's hard to dismiss others' opinions in the college search process, but if you can focus on what it is that you really want out of college, you will make an excellent choice.”— Lisa Keegan, vice president for enrollment management, Bucknell University
“Go with your gut. If you are torn between two schools, it likely means you’d be pretty happy at either one. It’s a good problem to have. So go back to your list of what you were looking for in a college in the first place. Use that to help decide or break any ties and always take advantage of going back to visit each school after you are admitted. I know many students that got a strong feeling about a school when visiting after already knowing they got in. Sometimes you just have to listen to yourself. Everyone will have their opinion but don't forget it’s your decision.”—Eric Nichols, vice president for enrollment management, Loyola University Maryland
Don’t Hesitate, Celebrate
For many young people, this is the most significant decision they have ever made, and that can feel daunting and stressful. First and foremost, be sure to pause and take the time to celebrate and reflect on all it has taken you to get here. As you come down the home stretch of your college admission experience, soak in the excitement and confidence that hopefully comes with having options, and be grateful for the opportunity to choose. It is critical to realize that there is no one “right” choice. The college experience will not be perfect, and there are likely many schools that will meet most of a student’s needs. If you can approach your decision with that mindset, it will help you relax and move forward with excitement into the next phase in your educational journey.
