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Insight Answers Your Top College Admissions Questions!

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This past weekend, Insight hosted two community seminars in Fremont and Cupertino respectively. During those seminars, families wrote down their top college admissions questions. 

 

We’ve collated those questions and our team of College Admissions Counselors has put together the answers! 

Below, a snapshot of some of the questions! 

 

Q: Everyone in my school is extremely competitive and it feels like I may have no chance compared to them even if I have a good GPA… etc. ?

A: Colleges are looking to build a diverse class.  There is a college out there for you. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on what you can do and how you will contribute to your school and your community– and how that translates to the college you will attend.  Your essays will help you stand out among your peers, so that’s where you can talk about these experiences and how you will fit into the college. 

 

Q: We have friends who have had children accepted at Universities that we are interested in. Would it be helpful to ask for a copy of their child’s admissions paperwork/essay?

A: Each student essay is unique to that student.  You cannot replicate what a “good” essay looks like because a good essay is specific to you and your experiences, not your friend’s experiences.  Also, each year for admissions is different. Colleges are looking to build a campus community and diverse class, so writing your story and experiences and how you will contribute to the campus life is what will benefit you the most. 

 

Q: Is it better if AP courses are done online vs in school? 

A: Some AP courses are easier to take online rather than at school.  If you are planning to pursue a degree in a similar field and your school offers the AP course, you should take it at your school.  Also to take an AP course online requires self-motivation and self-study.  If this is something you excel at, online courses may be a good fit for you.  If not, then taking the course at school in the classroom may be a better choice for you. 

 

Q: If a student is fully occupied with busy schedules of sports activities etc. no time left for other activities – does it affect their application?

A: Sports is a way to show leadership and teamwork.  So if a student is doing well academically and involved in sports, it shows that they have time management skills and can balance a busy schedule.  However, if the student is not doing well academically, then maybe cutting sports and focusing more time on studying and joining other activities would be appropriate. Student-athletes tend to have less time for other activities and that is okay!

 

Q: If my GPA was low freshman year but significantly improved over the course of high school, do I still have a chance at UCLA or UCB? Will it bring down my cumulative GPA?

A: Yes, it will bring down your cumulative GPA because that includes your Freshman year grades.  However, showing colleges an upward trend in GPA is great and UCLA and UCB do look at that and the essays you write.  Being able to showcase your strengths and how you will contribute to the school will help you in the holistic and comprehensive review UCLA and UCB do on their applications.

 

Q: What if SAT subject test scores are not released when I’m applying to college? How do I make sure the college will see the score(s)? 

Sometimes students will apply to colleges before all test scores have been released. This is often the case if they are still testing in October or November of senior year. If you are applying early, please be sure to check the college website for deadlines for submitting test scores so that they are accessible when the admissions department is reviewing the application. Many colleges (though not all) will also accept rushed scores, meaning that for an added fee, scores will arrive at the specific colleges you request much faster. This can be a worthwhile option if you are concerned about the process taking three or four weeks.

 

Thank you to everyone for attending these seminars, we really enjoyed meeting with you! 

Insight Alma Mater: San Jose State

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We return to our Insight Alma Mater series with our wonderful Office Manager Christina and her story of studying at San Jose State University. 

 

What I knew about college, I learned from television.

 

I am the first generation in my family to have been born in the United States and would be the first to navigate my way into college. College was never a choice, it was just the next step. I had envisioned a college experience in New York filled with classes, friends, lattes, and romance.

 

Essentially, I was picturing “Felicity,” a late 90s drama, but I was quite mistaken. It turned out that I did not have a choice about college and not having a say affected my college experience and attitude towards my higher education. Looking back, I have a greater appreciation for what I have been able to learn, it was just far cry from what I had pictured for myself upon graduation.

 

Going into junior year of high school, I was hopeful and excited about this upcoming chapter in my life. I was going to finally live on my own, have tons of school spirit and success was a given. However, when it was time to start deciding on what colleges I would look at, my dad stated that I would only apply and go to San Jose State. There was no option in entertaining any other school because he said so and just like that, it felt like my future was decided for me.

 

Walking onto that large university campus on my first day was really exciting, however, it quickly felt like an extension of high school. Living at home and working two jobs did not afford me a lot of time to invest in the school. I was oblivious as to what SJSU could offer because I was there to get a degree so that I can check off the next box on my life to-do list. I simply noted the important buildings to complete my courses and the best times to get to school to acquire a parking spot.

My major was chosen out of duty and obligation. Although I found a major I was passionate and excited about; I ended up declaring nursing. It was practical and easily accepted by my family, however, the nursing program was severely impacted. Many days and nights were spent at the library or local coffee shops to study for this challenging and in-demand program. I hoped that if enough effort was expended, I could be one of the thirty students accepted out of the two hundred applicants. Students that I spent years with suddenly had to change majors and ultimately, I followed suit and found myself in Hospitality Management.

 

Hospitality Management was still a developing major that I did not know existed and it offered me a whole different atmosphere. Forced to interact with the campus more, I was able to begin enjoying my college experience in my last year and half of college. Hospitality Management showed me what I was capable of, from planning and executing successful events, to multi-tasking and being chosen to represent SJSU on the Special Events Management Team for the Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.

 

Even though the reality was a stark contrast to my “ideal” college experience, I am grateful for my experiences, lessons, and friendships that not all are fortunate enough to get.

 

 

For High School Grads, the Rocky Road to Success Begins Now

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This time of year inspires much hope, and graduations play a big role in that. Students are leaving a huge part of their lives behind, ready and equipped for that next step. And while messages of “conquering the world” or “doing anything you put your mind to” are heartwarming and empowering, they don’t fully relay the messages we should be sending to our teens.

 

Life is challenging, as it should be, full of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Life will push you to your limits and broaden your perspectives.

 

The path to success is not a line easily treaded. Rather success is defined by how you overcome adversity and learn from your experiences.

 

So with this thought in mind, I wanted to share the advice I give to my graduates:

 

• Don’t forget your manners. About the time you learned to talk, your parents probably started teaching you manners. Please and thank you became major parts of your vocabulary. These manners should not disappear when you leave the house. You can still be a ruthless businessman or the toughest teacher if you are kind. And be kind to everyone even if you think they are “below” you. When someone comes in for an interview in my office, I listen to how he speaks to our office manager or other staff. I do the same with clients. This tells me quite a bit about how you interact with others. And in life, we want to spend time those we like.

• Accept that life is full of failures and disappointment. Don’t sweep these under the rug. Embrace them. Learn from them. Use them to launch you to greatness.

• Ask for help. There is very little that you can do all on your own. Somewhere somehow, someone can help you. Don’t be afraid to ask others for help. Doing so is not a sign of weakness, but rather one of strength. The best teams are built of people who have different strengths that get pooled for maximum results.

• Pursue your non-professional interests. You may want to be a doctor, but your life does not have to revolve around science. You may want to be an artist, but there has to be more to your life than your art. The most interesting people in life pursue many endeavors. Doing so will expose you to a more diverse group of people and friends, give you unique opportunities, and most importantly, bring you happiness and fulfillment.

• Learn to face conflict. Human beings are irrational and selfish beings by nature. These tendencies cultivate conflict. Learn to meet it head-on. Study leadership styles and effective communication. Often, conflict can be handled with a few simple words or easy negotiation. Practice patience. And in escalated situations, remember to ask for help.

• Pick your battles. Avoid unnecessary conflict. Stay away from the petty fights and issues that simply suck up your energy so you have the tolerance for issues that really matter to you. This might mean being choosy with your friendships and time. That is OK. Your time is undefined but finite. Use it well.

• Spend less time online and more time “in life.” It is great to see what your friends all had for dinner, but it is even better to have an amazing conversation with a new or old friend. It is nice to have pictures of all the cool places you have been to, but it is better to immerse yourself in those experiences so you build memories rather than photo books. Experience life rather than just living vicariously through a screen.

• You can do anything you put your heart and mind to. It is just going to be harder and more fulfilling than you can imagine. Graduating from high school will be one of the easiest things you will do in life. That does not mean you did not work hard. You did. But every step is in preparation for the next. Every step (including the backward ones) will push you closer and closer to your dreams. So dream big, but work harder. Imagine a life of possibilities and then prepare yourself for the journey.

 

Congratulations to the class of 2018. You are closing one chapter of your life only to have the rest of your life to look forward to. Enjoy every moment along the way.

 

All the best,

Team Insight 

Insight Alma Mater: Stanford

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Welcome back to our blog series “Insight Alma Matar”. Today, our incredible college admissions counselor Sarah de Sousa talks about her experience getting into Stanford and the lessons she learned – mostly, outside of the classroom.  

 

Dec 25, 1998. I had just been accepted to Stanford early and beneath the Christmas tree was a pile of gifts wrapped in shiny, Cardinal red wrapping paper. Every. Single. Gift. my parents gave me that year had been purchased at the Stanford Bookstore: Stanford pencils, Stanford binders, pajamas, teddy bears (one of them still lives on my desk). And after the fifth present or so, I started sobbing uncontrollably.

 

My parents were understandably shocked. I turned to them and said: “What if I don’t finish? What if I transfer? What if I fail? What if, what if, what if….”

 

My tears were both for a future I feared and a form of longing for a previous time, forever erased by my Stanford acceptance, in which I only had as yet unrealized potential. In that blissful Eden of always and rather effortlessly exceeding expectations, I neither had to confront the real possibility of failure nor the deeper existential challenge of self-actualization. I was simply accomplished, collecting grades, titles, academic awards and test scores like merit badges on a girl scout’s uniform.

 

But with this single invitation to a future I had not fully believed possible, I came face to face with what psychologists call “imposter syndrome,” the belief that though I had achieved an important milestone through years of hard work and effort, I didn’t really deserve it. I genuinely believe that even what sometimes appears as self-destructive impulses contain an essential grain of wisdom. This was no exception. Most students bask in the fact of their statistically unlikely acceptance to an elite school at least for a while before the reality sinks in that this actually has little to do with their self-worth, happiness, and long-term potential. I skipped straight to identity-crisis-mode and perhaps in so doing I began the most important part of my educational journey.

 

You see, the thing is, if you are accepted to an elite college, you may be one of a few students from your high school who “got in.” But once you get there, EVERYONE got in. You go from being the “chosen one” to being one of many overnight. This is not to say I didn’t find success at Stanford. I performed so well in my freshman core humanities class that I was recommended to the Humanities Honors Program, where I also became student liaison to the Humanities Department Steering Committee. I loved having small classes, knowing my professors, and having the freedom to craft my own course of study.

 

I also became the co-director of Cardinal Ballet and helped organize the Urban Nights dance concert. I joined the Salsa performance team, Los Salseros de Stanford, wrote op-ed pieces for the Stanford Daily. I studied abroad in Florence, launched a campaign to convert all the coffee on Stanford’s campus to Fair Trade coffee. I even gave a presentation on Fair Trade at the Stanford GSB. I found my niche.

Sarah practicing ballet at Roble Gym on Stanford campus 

 

But I didn’t love Stanford. It turns out, Stanford has a fraught relationship with the humanities. It’s a place where you are either Techie or Fuzzy (translation: STEM major or humanities major), and Fuzzy is pronounced with a pejorative tone. Stanford is also every bit as cutthroat as Harvard, but no one will admit it, which leads to a symptom we call “duck syndrome.” Maintaining the school’s reputation as laid-back, friendly, and collaborative means gliding along the surface with feigned poise, as though you are not actually paddling like hell beneath those placid waters to survive. And last, but not least, I was surrounded by wealth the likes of which I had never seen before, meanwhile I worked four days a week to pay my own board bill.

 

Am I glad, in the end, that I went to Stanford? Of course. I am grateful, more than anything, for what my Stanford degree has done for me later in life. Professionally, it has opened doors. It has in no small way made it possible for me to do my dream job of helping young people develop meaning and purpose in their lives (note: I did not say helping young people attend elite universities). Personally, my experience at Stanford catalyzed a period of crisis, but also of personal growth that ultimately led to an unshakeable belief in my own purpose and in the gifts I have to offer the world. Stanford did not make me who I am, but it did make me ask the questions that shaped who I’ve become.

 

An Insight to MIT: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Recently, we had the pleasure of taking the undergraduate tour at MIT in Boston. Here are some interesting things we learned during our visit!  

 

Your Application Essays: Don’t fall into the Grandma Trap

This is what the admissions rep called writing about your grandma in the “who has inspired you or had a big impact on your life essay”. While it may be true that your grandma has inspired you, for many students, this becomes the “fallback” response. Once you’ve picked the person, talk about them for 25% of the essay. Talk about YOURSELF for the other 75%. You’re going to college, not grandma! Always bring the essay back to you and how the influence and impact this person had on you has changed YOUR life.

 

The biggest point the rep made was don’t provide a “capsule” experience in your essay! Tell the committee how whatever you are writing about has changed your life and how it relates to who you are now.

 

Yes, MIT care about Math and Science on your Transcript

Colleges look at different things on your transcripts, and MIT is very transparent that they want to see rigorous math and science courses on yours. Students getting a 700 and above for SAT Math 2 is very common. MIT doesn’t prefer the ACT over the SAT, so take whatever you are more comfortable with. The admissions rep did make sure to note that while the standardized tests are important, MIT does take a holistic view of your application.

 

Your Extracurricular Activities

You can list 4 activities in your MIT app, and they want to see quality over quantity! Communicate how you engage in an activity and why you picked that for 3+ years of your life. There is a special section to list your summer activities. 

 

Your Admissions Interview

They will ask you why you’re interested in science and technology. They will ask how you see science and technology shaping your life, and what you want to do with it. A common interview question is “if you had unlimited time and funds, what would you do?” so prepare for that one!

75% of the interview will be about you, and 25% of it will be allotted to asking your interviewer questions – use that time! A great question you can ask is “did you engage in research during your time at MIT?” and “What is one thing you wish you had taken part in during your time at MIT”.

 

Classes at MIT

The average class size is 25 people. Freshman year has larger lecture-style classes, as you work through the years it becomes smaller. Professors at MIT try to be very accessible to you and offer a lot of office hours. The student to faculty ratio at MIT aims to be 12:1

 

The Campus Tour

MIT offers guaranteed housing for all 4 years of your undergrad study. There are currently 10 dorms, 5 of which have food halls in them. Each dorm has a different style: one has a ball put, Baker dorm is often where the athletics students live as it’s close to their early morning training locations, the East campus allows cats, there is a female only dorm and a dorm for single rooms.

 

Students are assigned housing based on a lottery. Students will be invited to list their dorm preferences during the summer before first semester, and will usually get their first or second choice of housing. During the first week on campus, students can apply to change dorms.

The Great Dome 

 

Fun MIT Facts!

– Completing a 100-yard swim is a graduation requirement for MIT undergraduate students

– You can also get a Pirate Certificate at MIT! Students who have completed Archery, Fencing, Pistol (or Rifle) and Sailing can get their Pirate certificate.

– The MIT Nano building is in the works. This will be an advanced research facility open to the entire MIT community. The goal of the building is to collaborate between groups of MIT students and faculty and accelerate the research opportunities at MIT. Check out more information on the building here. 

– There is a camera in one of the cafes in the Stata building on campus that has a camera connected to a café in Stanford University, California. This is designed so MIT students who have friends at Stanford can have a meal together!

– “Hacking” is a big tradition at MIT. This is when students play practical jokes/ pranks throughout campus. A great one to read about is the police car on the great dome in 1994.

– Sandbox is a program at MIT that provides funding for student ideas, no matter how big or small! 85% of Sandbox applicants get approved for funding. Find out more here.  

 

The Stata Building

You got into College! Now what?

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You are opening those fat envelopes (or rather, you are clicking on the portal!) and finding out where you got into college. It’s an emotional time, all that work and time you spent the last six months completing college applications is now coming to fruition. 

 

So what do you do now that you’ve been accepted?

 

Firstly, you need to decide what school you are going to attend and SIR to ONE school by May 1st. What does SIR stand for? It is your “Statement of Intent to Register”—meaning you are accepting the offer the school has given you and you are planning to attend that school. 

 

This also means that you will put down a non-refundable deposit to hold your place at the school.  If you decide to accept a waitlist offer after you have SIR-ed and put down a deposit, you will need to inform the school you plan to attend a different school and you will lose your deposit.

 

Keep checking your chosen school’s portal. Along with accepting the offer, you need to make sure you accept/decline any scholarship or loan offers to you as well.  You also need to make your housing choices, know when you can log in to register for classes, sign up for freshman orientation…lots of small to-do items that you need to get done to successfully enter your first fall semester of college.

 

You may also have the opportunity to visit your new college in the spring before your starting date, so keep an eye out for information on that and plan accordingly! 

 

High school is not over yet! You still have to complete your finals and pass your classes.  Colleges can rescind your offer if you fail your senior year classes. Or you will have to spend time making up some classes during the summer. You definitely don’t want to spend the summer before college feeling stressed about making up a class, so keep up the hard work now! 

 

Spend time with your family and friends. For many of you, this may be the last time you live in your hometown.  The next four years (or more) are life changing.  You may not move back to your hometown after college, so take the time to enjoy your favorite places with your favorite people!

 

Learn some basic living skills if you don’t already have them. You should know how to do your laundry (work a washer and a dryer).  Learn to cook an easy meal using a microwave or even a stove/oven.  Most of you will have access to a shared kitchen, even in the dorms, and homemade chocolate chip cookies will help make lots of friends!

 

College is an amazing place and you will meet people who will become life-long friends and mentors in your life and career. Remember that everyone is feeling the same way as you; they are in a new place, starting a new chapter in their lives, so start conversations, have lunch with someone new and have fun! 

 

All the best, 

Team Insight 

The Secret Code: How to Study Computer Science without Majoring in Computer Science

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It’s no secret that computer science is one of the hottest (and hardest to get into majors!) around these days. Here are some recent examples of how difficult undergraduate CS admissions is becoming:

 

– For the Fall 2017 admissions cycle, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign had more than 4,300 applications for their CS’s program’s approximately 215 seats.

– Think things were the same when your older relative applied as a CS major? Think again! According to the Computing Research Association, the number of CIS majors has more than doubled since 2011, and more than tripled since 2006.

 

As Computer Science grows more competitive, candidates for the major are being held to an increasingly high standard.

 

That said if you’re a student who’s interested in computer science (but not 100% sure if it’s the right major!) or want to maximize your chances of admission to a top-tier university, you may want to consider some of these alternative majors instead.

 

But just how big of a difference is there between the admit rates for CS majors and ‘sister’ majors?

 

Well, among admitted UCLA transfer students for Fall 2016, requirements were considerably more forgiving for students studying alternative majors to CS.

 

 

Applying to an alternate major can give students a complementary skill set, and often increase their odds of acceptance to universities where CS spots are limited. However, before you commit to an alternate major, consider the following:

 

A. What percent/how many CS classes do students take with this major?

B. What are the career prospects for this major- and how do they differ from a traditional CS degree?

C. Will you be attending a school where you can minor in CS?

 

Discovering the best alternative major only takes two simple steps:

 

1. Really examine: what draws you to computer science? Do you live to code, are you simply generally fascinated by all STEM subjects, or is there some other reason that draws you to CS?

Making this distinction is helpful. If you’re a true CS whiz and studying anything less wouldn’t cut it, then own this – and let that certainty guide your college search. And if not, you’ll have many excellent options to learn all about computers and technology without being a traditional CS major.

 

2. Tap into you other passions! By choosing a major that combines CS with your other passions, you can greatly expand your major options- see chart below.

Ultimately, by thinking outside the box and considering alternative majors, you’ll gain even more exciting and unique opportunities in a rapidly evolving field.

 

Curious about one of the majors listed in this chart? Learn more about it with the College Board’s excellent major search tool!

 

Acceptances are in, Now you Must Choose

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College decisions are out. Finally! While this year has been really hard on some students, the good news is students still have choices to make when it comes to deciding their next step. And choice is always a good thing! I tell my students that it is the best problem to have.

 

While it can often be confusing to decide which college is best, going through this decision-making process is an important one. You have until May 1 to make your final decision, so use this month wisely!

 

Here are some tips to help you find the best fit for you:

 

–  Visit every school that you are considering if you can. Many schools will host admitted-student events that can span a few hours or a weekend. Try to attend these sessions, as the school has planned it to give you a better glimpse into the campus. You may be able to sit in on classes, sleepover in a dorm, eat lunch with current students and talk to professors. And when you go, come armed with all your questions and concerns. No one is going to take back an offer because you asked a tough question. If you have doubts, don’t hesitate to share them. Visiting is important because you will also get to meet future classmates and friends. And most importantly when you visit, pay attention to your instincts.

 

–  Look through the course catalog. Now that you are in, you should really dive into what your academic experience is going to be. Check out the classes you will be required to take, as well as other courses you might take out of interest. Look at the size of classes and your ability to interact with faculty. Try to gauge if classes are interactive and discussion-based or lecture-based. And you absolutely want to consider the ease with which you can enroll in courses. Students at the larger public schools find that in the first two years, getting their desired courses can be challenging. Students at smaller schools have the option of trying out courses before committing for the term.

 

– Explore student life. While academics are important, you have to also consider what life will look like outside of the classroom. If you plan to get involved in specific activities, check out their availability now. If sororities or fraternities are a priority for you, find out what role they play on each campus. If you absolutely want to continue playing a sport — either intramural or intercollegiate — check out the offerings. If you cannot imagine your life without school spirit, look at what types of opportunities the school provides. These extracurricular pursuits are more than fun and games. These are opportunities where you will get to engage with others, work on teams, improve your leadership, and potentially have experiences that future employers will review.

 

–  Money matters. While your parents may be ready to pay for tuition wherever you go or you have gotten scholarships or loans to cover your costs, money still matters. College is an investment and you want to spend wisely. Look at all your financial aid offers. Consider how long you should plan to spend at schools. Not everyone graduates in four years; in fact, five years is what we tell our families to plan for if they are considering the University of California or California State University schools. That extra year includes another year of tuition and housing, and it also means a year of lost income. When you factor everything in, the cost of a public school often is not significantly less than that of a private school. And remember that loans are not free money. You have to pay them back, with interest. You don’t want to stress out about money while you are in school, so think carefully.

 

You can create lists of pros and cons. You can ask everyone you know to weigh in on the decision. You can even flip a coin. But at the end of the day you’ll have to pick the school that felt the best — the one where you feel you can be most successful and happy, where you connected with the staff and your future classmates, where you got excited about the opportunities and cannot wait to start, where you feel you’ll be best prepared for the future.

 

In one short month, your admissions journey will be over. But then the real fun can begin.

Waitlisted? The Admissions Waiting Game Continues

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We look forward to this time of year every year — the time when college decisions are released. It marks years of hard work. It also brings with it hope for the future and a new beginning. And while we celebrate acceptances and grieve denials, many don’t know how to react to getting waitlisted.

 

This is mainly because most don’t understand what the waitlist means and also because students are truly just tired of waiting any longer. A waitlist offer tends to conjure more disappointment than hope. Many students take this to mean that they fell short or that they are a college’s second, third or 40th choice.

 

But what does being offered a position on the waitlist mean?

 

Colleges have limited seats available and so admissions officers are forced to make choices. When they are offering you a waitlist position, they are sending you the message that they think you are a great fit for the class and your accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. You would be a fantastic addition to the campus, but they need to see how many admitted students will accept their offers of admissions before they pull students off the waitlist.

 

Most waitlists are unranked. Colleges are not lying when they say that. It is not some ploy to appease you. Remember that admissions officers are trying to build a well-rounded class. Once the college receives the decisions from its admitted students, they then go through the waitlist to see which students would best complement the incoming class.

 

At this point, they may also need to evaluate the financial aid it has available to offer students. Accordingly, they will admit students off the waitlist in small batches, offering more spots as they become available. This process is usually complete no later than June, but in very rare situations I have seen students get offered a position off the waitlist in early August.

 

It may sound like the college has all the power in this situation. But you do not need to just comply and play the waiting game. Think clearly about whether or not the school or schools that offered you waitlist positions are among your top choices. You are not obligated to accept the position. If it is not a school you would seriously consider, politely turn it down and give another student a chance. Collecting admissions offers is not the goal of the admissions process.

 

If you do want to stay on the waitlist, you will likely not get a decision back until after the May 1 deadline to accept an offer of admission. This means you must decide among the colleges that accepted you where you will attend. Do not rely on the waitlist. It is completely unpredictable how many students will be offered spots off the list. It can vary from 0 to 300 depending on the college and the year.

 

While you wait, be excited about your other prospects. Do your due diligence. Visit colleges. Talk to current students. Get engaged with the school you accept. Chances are strong that the college where you submit your Intent to Register is where you will be come fall.

 

If you are accepted from the waitlist, you will likely have very little time to make a decision. If you decide to accept, you will need to first withdraw your Intent to Register from the school you accepted. Chances are your family will lose the deposit. It is a very easy process and it happens every year. You are not violating any agreements or laws.

 

Most students prefer the black and white of an acceptance or denial, but I always cheer for a waitlist. It’s still an accomplishment and should not be viewed as any less. Try not to dwell on the fact that you have to wait. Focus on the positives — you are going to college! What you have been working so hard for during the past several years is right in front of you. Enjoy this moment and savor it. It’s a time in your life like no other. 

 

If you need advice or would like to talk to a college admissions counselor, contact us at info@insight-education.net today! 

 

All the very best, 

Team Insight 

How to Make the Most of your Spring College Visits

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One of the most exciting parts of applying to colleges is visiting those colleges that you’d really love to attend. While it can be tricky to visit colleges that are far away, there are often plenty of great in-state options to check out and make a day trip to. No matter which college you are visiting, there are some secrets to ensuring you make the most out of the visit.

 

Our two top tips: Plan ahead, and be confident!

 

Many colleges offer guided tours, but you’ll need to know what time they start and where they meet before you step foot on campus so you can plan your day accordingly. Usually, your college name + “college tour” or “visit” typed into google will pull up all the information you need to figure out what tour works for you. Also pay attention to what the tours cover, as some will be a little more “touristy” (Eg. Show the outside of buildings) while others are more suited to prospective students.

 

You may also be able to attend a class during your visit, but will only know that you can do this if you plan ahead and arrange your schedule to do so. Think about which classes will be closest to what you’ll actually take if you end up attending this college, and start there. Not all classes will be open to attend, so make sure you double check! Call up the college information desk and they will be able to guide you. If you do get to attend a class, make sure you take lots of notes – treat it like you’re a student in the class!

 

Write a list of all the questions you have and things you want to know. Things like ‘is there a cheap or free gym on campus for students’? ‘Where do students do their laundry’ (yes, you will have to do your own!). ‘How close is campus to the airport’ (if you’re going out-of-state) and ‘what is transport like to get there’? ‘Is there parking on campus if I need it’? Spend some time before you visit writing these all down in your phone or notebook. Even if you don’t get a chance to ask them all, having some questions to refer to will help on the day.  

 

Confidence is key when it comes to visiting colleges. Why? Because some of the best information you will get from your visit is from actual students attending the college. While it’s awesome to have a tour and talk with your tour guides (who are often students themselves), being able to talk to a student while you grab a coffee at the café may give you insights into college life that you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

 

The same goes for talking with faculty and staff. You may be able to schedule ahead of time to talk with a specific staff member you’re interested in meeting with, but you will also get some great information by talking to other staff during your visit. Remember is to ask the student or staff member if they have a moment to chat, rather than launching into your questions. Introduce yourself, mention that you’re on a college visit and ask if they’d be willing to answer your questions about *insert question here*. You’ll be surprised by how willing other students are to do so!

 

One thing to remember here is that if your parents are visiting the college with you, politely ask them to let you talk with students and staff on your own. It’s a great experience for you to do this yourself and shows faculty that you are confident and prepared for your college visit.

 

What are some other good tips?

 

Take photos! And not just photos for your Instagram story. Take photos of everything you find interesting and even the things you don’t. You’ll be surprised by how great it is to get to look back on all the small details of the college once you’ve returned home.

 

Write down your initial thoughts about the college, best done if you can do it on the same day as your visit. Write down the things you love, the things you aren’t sure about, and the things you didn’t like. Even if it doesn’t seem important to write “didn’t like the vegetarian lunch options at the café in the quad”, you may find that this nugget of information is more relevant when it comes time to decide which college you will be attending.  

 

Venture off campus! Check out things within walking distance to where you would be living like places to eat, grocery shop, parks, libraries, etc. Think about all the places you go at home, and try to find where they are in relation to the college. A good “walking score” for a college is important, or if the college is bike friendly, a “biking score”!  

 

Pick up all the brochures and information packets you can during the visit. It will be nice to be able to read back over them once you’re back home, and often they have contact details and other important pieces of information. A good thing to remember while you’re visiting is that you might not remember all your questions on the day. The more information you have to take home with you, the easier it will be to find those things out post-visit.

 

Most of all – enjoy yourself! Even if the college you visit isn’t the one you end up attending, it is a great experience to visit and see what’s out there. Make the most of it!

 

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