by Dave Best – Galin Education College Counselor
Here at Galin Education we are fortunate to help guide high school students who are passionate about attending college. One important aspect of what we do as College Counselors is to support our students through a thoughtful process powered by significant research to carefully build their college list. As the calendar recently turned to April, our seniors have their college acceptances in hand. Now it is time when we help them to evaluate their offers of admission and by May 1 select which school to attend.
Our students add schools to their final application list that typically fit them well. By getting to know our students, we advise and recommend schools to research based on the parameters most important to them. Our students visit schools they are excited to see in person and while on campus determine if they can envision themselves as a student there if accepted.
The college list evolves over time as schools are added to the list and others removed. We work closely to help manage the application process and guide our students to tell their story in their own voice. Through each element of the applicant our students cohesively communicate to admissions why they should be selected to be part of the next freshman class.
Then comes the admissions review and the admissions decision. The goal is for our students to have good choices. Is their only one right choice? One clear best decision? This often feels difficult for our students and we help guide them through what typically can be considered a moment of doubt.
Here are a few of the ways we help guide our students through their offers so come September they couldn’t picture themselves being anywhere else.
Financial Fit
Beyond the sticker price of schools, more relevant is what is the actual net cost to your family. Note that not all offers are created equal. Gift aid in the form of merit scholarships or financial aid grants are always welcome. They are free and do not need to be paid back. On the flip side student loans, parent loans and work study can be helpful but should be viewed separately. Loans need to be paid back over time and can be quite expensive. Work study is a job on campus which the student needs to work at to earn wages that are paid to the student (not the school). It is important in evaluating offers that they are affordable and within your budget. Do most students graduate within four years? If not you might have to account for that in determining how much each school will cost.
Academic Fit
Congratulations you are accepted to multiple schools. If you know what you plan to study which of these schools is strongest in your major? If perhaps you are considering multiple majors which schools would enable you the flexibility to easily transition between those majors without having to transfer to a different university.
Social
Which school do you feel you will fit in best socially? Where will you have the best experience? Was there a particular campus you liked most that would be welcoming to someone like you?
Geography
Sometimes the school that wins the jump ball simply has the best location for you. It could be in that city you always wanted to live in. Or perhaps in that idyllic location near the mountains or near the beach. But ultimately for some of our students it comes down to distance from their home. For some a gentler transition to college is at a school near family where they also have a built in network of friends. For others they prefer to explore an area further away without a safety net. They effectively decide to rip off the bandaid and make a more rapid transition to independence.
