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Danville Express - Town Square Topic
Danville Express - Town Square Topic
Beyond the Right Fit in College Admissions
Doing college, posted by Elizabeth LaScala, a resident of another community, on Aug 22, 2011 at 6:06 pm
Elizabeth LaScala is a member (registered user) of Danville Express
Beyond the Right Fit in College Admissions
Doing college, posted by Elizabeth LaScala, a resident of another community, on Aug 22, 2011 at 6:06 pm
Elizabeth LaScala is a member (registered user) of Danville Express
We always hear about colleges being the �right fit� or a �good match� for a student. What are specific and concrete ways we can help our son (and us) figure out what colleges will be right for him to apply to. He is already a senior and we are getting a late start.
Sheila M.
Dear Sheila,
The concept of �fit� in college admissions has penetrated our communities to the point that the term has become less meaningful due to overuse. But to use an old clich�, we should not �throw the baby out with the bath water.� By now, most seniors have considered factors such as region (east, west, north, and south) and type of environment (urban, residential, and rural). Seniors should also understand the differences between a small liberal arts college that is more focused on undergraduate teaching, a large research university that often houses several different schools or colleges, and a specialty school like a music conservatory, art institute or military academy. Some liberal arts schools have names that include the word �university� and universities often house a �college of arts and sciences.� Nomenclature is less important than the actual mission of the school�which is exactly what you need to know. The response to your question must go beyond the general notions of �fit� and help you to understand how your student needs to focus on the specific information he needs to make informed decisions about where to apply. Readers who are juniors in high school can use these suggestions over the next year. Seniors should focus on them right now because they are critical to their current college search and selection.
Collecting Basic Objective Information:
Often the most difficult part of understanding something is deciding what questions to ask. Here are some important ones:
1. What is the academic profile of the typical freshman and how does your academic profile compare? Here, you are trying to ascertain if the school offers the right amount of challenge for you and assess your chances of admission.
2. What percentage of the freshman class returns for sophomore year? Less than 70% is cause for concern. You want to know why students do not return. Concerned deans, attentive advisors, proper admissions decisions, and strong academic programs should be able to keep rates high.
3. What percentage graduate in 4 years? A 6 year graduation rate is commonly reported, but you should learn the 4 year rate. Also, understand the factors that may influence these rates. A small concern is finding out that many students take a course in the summer quarter following their senior year and are not included in the 4 year graduation rate. A much larger problem is a low 4 year graduation rate linked to students� inability to get into their major classes.
4. What are the class sizes for specific years, required courses, and courses in your major area of interest?
5. What is the composition of the student body?
Examine breakdowns by gender, minority group, and geography. Will you be happy with a student body that is 65% female? What about being one of the few out of state residents in your class? Remember that diversity tells you at least 2 things about a college: the institution is attractive enough to draw students from beyond its own region and offers students the opportunity to learn from each other.
6. Financial aid questions are always important. Carefully research the financial aid options offered by the college.
College Board�s 2011 College Handbook is an excellent resource to obtain some of the above information. There are many other resources as well.
Here are some additional factors to consider:
1. How well does the college prepare students for life after graduation?
What percentage of the student body applies to graduate school (professional schools like medical and law as well as masters and doctoral programs)? How many of these are accepted and to which schools? How many and which companies recruit on campus? Which majors are most heavily recruited and into what type of jobs? What is the average salary range for these positions? An active campus Career Counseling and Placement Office will have this type of information.
2. What is there to do for fun?
It is a truism that you learn as much out of the classroom as in it. Whatever college you attend, it is going to be your home for the next 4 years. It is important to know as much as you can about what activities are both on campus and in the surrounding community. If you love rock-climbing, does the athletic center have a wall? Or is there an affordable gym nearby that does? How much of the student body remains on campus over the weekend?
3. What about the campus visit?
It is better to see with your own eyes than rely upon the views of others. The campus visit is the most valuable experience you can have to evaluate a college. You may consider the visit as an educational insurance policy. Visiting can rule out a school or bring much needed passion and sincerity to your college application essay (in particular to the question �Why our college?�). You will have the opportunity to evaluate what students wear, how they live, your reactions to them, the campus and the nearest town or city. Take time to observe and try to do some active participation: attend a class, eat in the cafeteria, visit the library, work out at the gym, and arrange an overnight stay if possible.
Do your homework before you apply to colleges and you will enjoy your college years all the more.
Elizabeth LaScala Ph.D. guides college, transfer and graduate school applicants through the complex world of admissions. She develops best match college lists, offers personalized interview and essay coaching, and tools and strategies to help students tackle each step of the admissions process with confidence and success. Elizabeth helps students from all backgrounds to maximize merit and financial aid awards. Contact her @ (925) 891-4491 or elizabeth@doingcollege.com.Thursday, June 30, 2011
儿子撞车之后
老大Peter刚满18岁还没多久。在他过生日前一个月他才考了驾照。一次通过。当我看到他考完喜笑颜开的样子，我当时就开始忧心了：一次性考车通过的人，很容易出车祸的。这样的人心容易骄傲。心里骄傲，就无法静下来；心浮动了，就容易出车祸。
前天他去图书馆当tutor。我在家正忙着，接到他一个电话，说他倒车时，碰住了边上的车。把那个车划了一尺长的痕。那还是个才两个月的新车，是个SUV。他问我该怎么办。我说人家的车在停着，你是动的，错误完全在你。先交换information吧。
他很紧张，希望我过去。我说你自己处理就行了。
等他回了家，我问他被撞的车的主人是哪里的人。他说是中国人。我问他那人的态度怎么样。他说还好，但是那个阿姨L不高兴。我说，当然了，人家的新车被你划了，谁也不会高兴的。她发再大脾气都是应该的。认罚吧。
我赶忙给L 打电话，除了道歉，还能说什么？
L 说她在商店买东西，听不清。
昨天，我又给她打电话。她说她正在练瑜伽，不方便讲话。后来Peter 又给她打电话道歉。没想到，她给Peter说，没关系的，她不会找保险公司，也不要他赔。
这怎么行？撞了车哪有不赔的道理？我赶忙打电话给L。她接了电话，向我道歉说她前面电话都不方便，没和我多谈。然后她就劝我：没关系的，他还是个孩子，算了。你可千万不要骂他呀，他会心里不舒服的。他也是第一次啊。
一尺长的划痕，两个月的SUV新车！我说，该赔我一定会赔的。她说真的不要。我坚持让她说个数。她最后终于说了个很小的数字。我把零头补上，还了她一个价。她不好意思地同意了，说我们可以把支票寄给她。
晚上给LG一讲，他说太少太少。他给的数字把我还过的价加了两倍半，说至少要给这个数。
我给Peter 说，你给她发个Email道歉加感谢吧。Peter写的信给我看了，我一字没改，发吧。
今早，Peter 又给L打了电话： 我们希望登门拜谢。L 让了几句，同意了。
我写了个感谢卡，放进去一张支票，支票的数字是LG 说的。
上午赶到L 家，她的父母和孩子正在前院玩呢。
见到了L。她说，她看了Peter的Email，很感动，立刻forward 给了她先生。她先生说： 这么懂事的孩子，不能要他的钱。车吗，早晚会划的。只是早晚问题。就算是咱们自己不小心给划了。
她说，她刚看到Peter时，觉得他是二十几岁了。看了驾照才知道他刚18岁，还是个孩子。她看着身边三岁的儿子说，我也有孩子，他以后也会遇到各种事情的。我希望他长大了也能很懂事啊。
她说什么不肯接我手里的谢卡和支票。她说她不能收。来回让了几个回合，我说：这样吧，你真的不想要的话，你先收着，你看你对哪里有感动，你就捐给哪里。终于，她这才收了。我的心也可以有些安慰了。
我们聊得很投机。世界很小，她的父亲还是我们上海交大校长的好朋友呢。她的父母也都是很和善。
L，愿万能的上帝祝福你，祝福你的父母，祝福你的丈夫，祝福你的孩子。愿上帝的恩惠和慈爱永远随着你。
L，好人一生平安。谢谢你。
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