Got the summer travel bug? Plan some college visits!

fingers with faces on it at the beach

Visiting colleges is a big part of the whole college process, but it can be a tricky thing to plan! Between classes, sports, clubs, jobs, and other obligations, sometimes it’s impossible to get college visits scheduled during the school year. Now that you’ve got your whole summer stretching out in front of you, it’s time to start thinking about getting out there to see some college campuses!

These visits can easily be done in and around your other plans, as long as you make sure you prepare everything in advance. Going on a road trip with your family? See what colleges you’ll be near and swing in for a visit! Flying across the country to visit your grandparents? That makes it the perfect time to check out campuses near them! Taking a vacation somewhere warm? Consider seeing what the options are wherever you’re visiting!

Bear in Mind

There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning summer college visits. One is that there are far fewer students on campus during the summer, so you very likely won’t be getting the true picture of what day-to-day life is like. It varies from campus to campus, but it’s possible that the summer session only has about 1/10th of the students that are on campus for the fall and spring semesters. It’s a big difference!

Another thing to remember is that many campus visit opportunities are scaled back over the summer. While it’s usually pretty easy to book a campus tour and information session during the school year, they might only be offered a few times a week during the summer; on some campuses, they might not be offered at all. You might be better off booking a private tour through an outside company, though those are also more limited in the summer months.

Also, it’s possible that you also might not be able to do other common campus visit activities, like visiting a dorm, eating in the dining hall, talking to an admissions counselor or professor, or sitting in on a class. Everyone else is on summer break, too!

All of that said, though, get campus visits done whenever you can! Campuses are very rarely truly shut down for the summer, and you can still glean a lot of important information from a summer college visit. Get out there and see what there is to see!

Getting Into A Top College: Expectations vs. Reality

As you begin to consider your college application process, you are going to be hearing a lot of details from those who have gone before you, and gathering a lot of information from various sources. Some of this information will not be accurate or helpful to you as you map out your plan for your admissions journey. You may have some preconceived notions about what the college admissions process is going to be like. It’s important to understand the difference between your expectations of getting into a top college and the reality.

Expectation:

Good grades and high test scores are all that matters to get into a top college.

Reality:

Good grades and high test scores are certainly important. They identify you as a serious scholar and as someone who can handle the workload of a rigorous academic schedule. However, your extracurricular activities and personal interests are also of critical importance when applying to college. It is these activities that will set you apart from other applicants. In addition it will demonstrate you are able to achieve balance between your academic workload and the other interests you have.

Expectation:

It is important to involve yourself in as many extracurricular activities as possible in order to stand out as a top candidate to get into the college of my choice.

Reality:

It is true that extracurricular activities are an important part of your high school experience and will be considered seriously by college admissions officers. However, quantity does not measure up to quality when it comes to your life outside the classroom. Admissions officers will not be looking simply at the number of clubs, teams and societies you joined. They will be considering if you made an impact. It’s important to show a record of achievement, not just participation. It is also important to consider your interests and spend your time where your passions lie. Love music? Audition for a county or state level ensemble. Love computers and video games? Consider leading a game building or coding club. If you go where your interests take you, you will enjoy yourself and find success in those areas. And leadership outside the classroom will make you stand out to a college admissions officer.

Expectation:

There is only one college that is right for me. If I don’t get accepted there, my future will be in jeopardy.

Reality:

There are literally hundreds of great colleges and universities to choose from, and many of them would be thrilled to have you as their student. All you need to do is be aware of what is out there, and choose a small group that would be right for you, based on your achievements, abilities and budget. This is where seeking professional help is crucial. The experts at Great College Advice have intimate knowledge of the college landscape, and they know which colleges are right for you.

Do you have expectations about your college application process that are worrying you? The experts at Great College Advice can help you debunk the mysteries and clear up the misconceptions you may have. Contact us to learn about our wide range of services and find out how we can help you get into a top college.

Getting Into College – The Worst Advice

Getting into college is one of the most important aspects of your child’s life, and it’s your responsibility as the parent to help in any way you can. There are many choices to make. Many sources of information out there to choose from, not all of it accurate. Here are some assumptions you may be making, or advice you may get, that is definitely not the right advice to follow.

‘Apply early decision, even if acceptance into that college is a stretch for your student, because you never know.’

The reality is that early decision is not a lottery. Even students that may get accepted under normal circumstances might not get accepted early decision. Colleges are looking for the strongest candidates to lock them in early. If your student does not fit that category, then don’t waste your money and effort on early decision.

‘Don’t worry about the cost. You’ll pay for it somehow.’

Not every family can afford every college, and not every dollar you invest in your college education is created equal. Finding the right school is the most important aspect of the application process. Finding a program where your student is a strong candidate, and that you can afford is a big part of your decision. College loan debt is a real problem for so many graduates. It can affect your student for years to come. Aggressive saving and proper budgeting is a crucial part of the college application process.

‘Colleges have “holistic” evaluations, so even if your grades and test scores are bad, they might still accept you.’

College admissions officers do consider many aspects of your student’s record beyond grades and test scores. But, the fact is that your grades and test scores are considered first and foremost in your college application. Being the first thing they look at, if your scores don’t pass muster, then your extracurricular activities will not outweigh a record that demonstrates that your student has struggled in an academic environment.

‘Do whatever it takes to get into an elite college, because it’s worth it.’

An elite college is certainly attractive to consider. However, if your student is not a strong enough candidate, that may be a sign that they will struggle in that particular environment. And low test scores means a lack of scholarships and higher tuition costs for you. What you need to do is find the college that is right for your student. Not only will you be getting the highest value for your student’s education, but you will be doing everything you can to ensure that your student will be placed in an environment where they can thrive, learn and grow.

As you consider your child’s college application process, do you need some good advice? The experts at Great College Advice can help you navigate the complicated and sometimes overwhelming process of getting your child into college. Visit greatcollegeadvice.com and find out how we can help you.

Getting Into College – Why It’s Easier Than You Might Think

The thought of getting into college can be daunting. The ACT or SAT exam is a big deal. Keeping your grades up is not easy, and writing an admissions essay that stands out is no simple task. But there are trends these days that are sure to make you feel more at ease about getting into college.

First of all, the number of college age students is declining in America.

This means competition for slots at top universities are easier than ever to fill.

Also, the number of higher education slots is higher than ever these days. Schools have more slots for students than ever before. In fact, the U.S. has an overcapacity in university slots. So outside of the universities that reject more applicants than they admit, competition for students to enroll is very keen. This, combined with the decline in student population, really works in your favor.

The average acceptance rate for college acceptance right now is 70%. Many schools have acceptance rates of 80% or more. Again, they have their slots to fill if they want to remain active and vibrant places of learning, and this works to your advantage.

It’s especially easy to get accepted into college if you’re a boy. More girls apply than boys, 57% to 43%, and colleges always look to keep their student gender ratios in check.

The bottom line is this:

Try not to be too intimidated by the thought of getting into college. If you are a serious student who is looking for the experience of higher education, then there is a college or university out there for you. The trick is to know how to choose the right group of schools to apply to. And to make your application the very best it can be.

The experts at Great College Advice can help you navigate the complex and intimidating process of getting into college. They have years of experience helping thousands of kids just like you get accepted to the school of their dreams. They are familiar with colleges and universities all over the country and the world, and the programs they offer that would be the best fit for you. Contact Great College Advice to find out how they can help you make the best decisions about getting into college. As well as to maximize your chances of getting accepted!

Which College Is Right For You?

There are many aspects of the college search that you must consider when deciding to apply. Among the most important is where to apply. It may be easy to consider applying to a college or university that is nearby, or that your best friend is applying to, or is where a parent went to college. But the right college may be one that you are unaware of. Here are 4 questions you must ask yourself if you are to make the right choices of where to apply.

1. Are you considering school size and student to faculty ratio?

You may thrive at a large school with huge class sizes, like many state schools. However, you may consider a smaller school, a school you might otherwise overlook, if smaller class sizes are a positive feature for you. Do you know where to look?

2. Does a college offer a strong program in an area of interest?

Do you excel in a particular area of academics? Do you love physics, chemistry, or biology? Or, are your strengths in the arts such as drama, music, or design? Knowing how to find the right college that aligns with your strengths is a crucial part of the process of finding the school that is the right fit for you.

3. How does the college you are considering fit with your budget?

Is the college you are considering realistic given the amount of savings that has been set aside for your education? Do you know how to apply for scholarships? Are you aware of financial aid packages and what you might be eligible for?

4. Are you aware of colleges that are far away, which may be a good fit for you?

There are literally thousands of colleges and universities, in every corner of the country, that have much to offer hopeful high school students. Are you aware of a wide range of schools and the programs they offer?

Finding a college or university that is a good fit for you is a critical step in the life of any aspiring student, and the choice you make will affect the rest of your life. The process is complex, and there are many factors to consider. However, the experts at Great College Advice can help you navigate this complicated process, and help you zero in on colleges and programs that are a good fit for you. They are familiar with thousands of programs all over the country and the world. And, they get to know you, the student, to help you find the right match, so you can find success. Contact us to find out how we can help you.