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Smile, you're in college
Friday, Feb. 27, 2009
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High school seniors in Southern Maryland are fighting senioritis to make sure all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed in their college applications. After going through the process they now have some advice for juniors and sophomores.
Dreams, reality and safety
According to Westlake High School guidance counselor Janel Young, college choices can be broken down into three categories: the "dream school," the "realistic school" and the "safety school."
Young said the dream school is the one that students are really excited about going to, but know that it may not be feasible. These are the schools that they may like because they followed the school's athletes, or maybe the school family members have been talking about for many years. The realistic schools are those that a student feels have the right programs, are relatively affordable and have a good chance of accepting the student based on grades and other factors. The safety schools are the schools a student may not necessarily have on the top of the list but know they can get into.
For Laurel Frederick, 18, a senior at Patuxent High School in Lusby, the dream school is the Savannah College of Art and Design. She really wants to go to the Georgia school, but the cost alone makes it her dream choice. Frederick applied to that school and five others; she has been accepted by two. She has yet to hear from the dream school, but said she is leaning toward Western Kentucky University, since she has already been accepted there.
The dream school for Cailyne Skym, 17, a senior at North Point High School in Waldorf, is Brown University in Rhode Island.
Realistic schools for Diane Berringer, 17, a senior at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Pomfret, are schools in the region, such as the University of Maryland and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., because they fit her academic needs. D'Andre Moore, 18, a senior at Westlake in Waldorf, has been accepted to Morgan State University in Baltimore. MSU is his safe school, but he really wants to go to Old Dominion in Virginia or Clemson University in South Carolina.
Young uses her personal experiences when advising students on how to select their college choices.
"The whole college process is the whole reason I ended up in high school counseling," she said. "I didn't want others to make a tens of thousands dollar mistake."
Young was in a pre-medicine program out of high school because she was interested in science. That interest led her to a degree in microbiology, but she switched paths and got a second degree in psychology and then a master's degree in counseling from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Now, she said, she enjoys what she does and is able to help students pick a school that is right for them.
Young said many students have family ties to schools and others have had their hearts set on schools forever. Others find their schools of choice at college fairs and when colleges visit high schools. "This is when many fall in love with particular schools," she said.
But some of the schools might just be a dream for some students, which is why multiple school choices is a good idea. Young said students should think about applying to at least five schools.
Deadlines come and go
"I had my energy drink, my computer and 12 hours," said Skym of the day she sat down to fill out 12 college applications. Skym filled out her applications all at once, but other students spread it out over time. What many students agreed on was that no matter how many are filled out, start early.
Skym said the most stressful part of the process for her was the deadlines. "I missed almost all of my deadlines," she said.
Some colleges have early-decision deadlines along with regular deadlines, and finding out when the deadlines are becomes just as important as filling out the application itself.
"There are a lot of tough choices to make," said Wesley Jordan, director of admissions for St. Mary's College of Maryland. Last year, St. Mary's received 2,700 applications, of which 460 were accepted.
Jordan said there are some exceptions to missed deadlines. For instance, many students do not submit all of the necessary paperwork to go along with the application and the college then sends out a letter detailing what needs to be turned in. Generally, applications are accepted late provided a student has "at least started the application."
The questions never end
"Do I take the SAT or the ACT?" "Do I start thinking about college before I am a senior?" These questions and more run through a student's mind at some point. Some learn firsthand what they should do, while others look to friends and family.
"I wish I would have taken my SATs earlier," Skym said.
Brittany Libert, 17, a senior at La Plata High School, said she was in a car accident and ended up having to take the SAT later than expected. As it turned out, she sent her ACT scores to colleges, because she scored better on them than the SAT. Skym sent SAT scores. Both girls said which scores are best to send varies with colleges. Regardless, the girls said to get the tests done early.
Early is a common thread when talking to students about college.
Moore said he learned quickly that by the time he was a senior he did not have the cumulative grade point average he needed to apply successfully to some of his top choices. He advises lowerclassmen to at least start thinking about the academic factors of college as early as their sophomore year.
"That's when everything is starting to happen. You already have one year of high school in you," he said. Moore's classmate, Evan Harris, who recently accepted admission to Miami University of Ohio, agreed.
"Don't wait until your senior year to get started," he said. "It can be disappointing."
Brittany Powell, 18, a senior at Leonardtown High School, waited a little later than many and decided her best option, both academically and financially, was to attend the College of Southern Maryland for two years and then transfer to Towson University or the University of South Carolina later on. Powell's advice to lowerclassmen is to "just do your work. I didn't do any work and it's kicking me in the butt now."
Many students are opting to attend a two-year college first for economic reasons and to get a jump-start on a career, such as in nursing or criminal justice. Heather Beall, enrollment adviser at CSM's Prince Frederick campus, said she attended CSM for two years before attending an out-of-state college and saved her parents thousands of dollars.
Assessing the essays
With a majority of college applications comes the essay. Students may opt to use the same essay for each college application, but Jordan said using this strategy can sometimes be caught by a university. Jordan said St. Mary's asks its applicants questions such as "Did you watch cartoons as a child? What cartoon character do you most relate to?" Another question asks students: "You are having the dean of admissions over for supper; what are you cooking and who are you inviting?"
Jordan said these questions give applicants a chance to be creative and allow the school to see the writing styles and learn a bit about the applicant.
A recycled essay might not fit the question and applications that have essays which are too short or do not answer the question can easily be cast aside.
Jordan said the school turned down a student with a perfect SAT score because the essay was only one paragraph.
Jordan said if a student doesn't appear to have tried to write a decent essay, "That student isn't very interested."
Waiting for that letter
"I will be happy once I get the acceptance letter," Moore said.
But even then, there's no guarantee. Jordan said colleges look at student progress even after transcripts have been sent and applications accepted. If a student slips up or fails a couple of classes, short of a medical excuse, the student will likely have the acceptance letter revoked.
Where to turn for help
When it comes to applying for colleges and for financial aid, students are not alone. Organizations such as Southern Maryland CAN and the College of Southern Maryland work all year to ensure students are on the right track. Both organizations have instructional workshops taking students and family members line by line through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. CSM also holds informational meetings at each of its three campuses regarding financial aid, whether a student plans on attending CSM or not. Southern MD CAN (College Access Network) is a group that works within the school systems to help students get on the right track for college and help students through the financial aid process. Southern MD CAN works predominantly with first-generation, college-bound juniors and seniors but is open to help all students. Web sites recommended by the College of Southern Maryland to help with financial aid include: www.fafsa.ed.gov www.pin.ed.gov (required for FAFSA applicants) www.mhec.state.md.us www.fastweb.com www.students.gov www.csmd.edu/financial For more information on the Southern Maryland CAN program, call Sonia Wagner at 410-474-4144.
