Big City School equals Fun? 

Deborah Davis Groves • September 13, 2012

Many of my high school clients say they want to go to college in a big city. I ask them why and they really can’t explain. It seems to come down to “it just sounds like fun.” Hopefully, finding the “right college fit” for them is the final answer that we will all come to after an adequate search and many campus visits in between.

A recent trip to New York City afforded me the opportunity to really look at several “in big city” schools. I have to admit that I can certainly see the elements of “fun” in attending any one of these three colleges that I visited. Barnard College and Columbia University are in the middle of Morningside Heights – a trendy, beautiful area of downtown New York City while Fordham University is located right in the middle of the Bronx. Barnard College reminds me so much of the small, intimate colleges at the University of Cambridge in England as this school is also built around a beautiful courtyard. Once in the courtyard it’s as if New York City and its big city noise no longer exist. On the other hand Columbia University, located directly across the street, is a sprawling roman architecturally influenced campus that also somehow manages to keep the hustle and bustle of New York City at its campus edges. Fordham University is a stunning 85 acre campus that has mastered the art of melding their new buildings with the older gothic architecture influenced buildings. The Bronx seemed very far away on this beautiful treed campus. Our tour group was quite amazed that all three schools could provide such an “intimate” college feel in the midst of more than 8 million people in the city surrounding them.

The perks of attending these particular schools include special opportunities for discounted or free tickets to different arts, music, Broadway and sports events in the city. There is no need for a vehicle on the campuses as all transportation is easily accessible. Of course, the train system in New York is wonderful as kids can head off to Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia and smaller cities in between. The students feel safe on both the Barnard and Columbia campuses, but point out that a safety shuttle is always available to all students wherever they are within the city. Fordham is located close to the subway system, but the school provides a buddy shuttle system that waits for students at the subway entrance at night. It is clear that safety precautions are important at Fordham as the school is completely fenced in with gates and security guards at each gate location. However, the students made it quite clear to us that they feel very safe on the campus. The students enjoy the cultural aspects of the Bronx and the different eating establishment opportunities.

As I have pondered my response to my high school clients who are looking for that “fun” big city school or any school for that matter, I help them realize they will have much more fun at a school when they have found their “right fit.” If a student chooses a college or a city solely based on it looking fun, they will end up being miserable and miss out on an amazing opportunity to grow into the person that they are called to be. This was clearly reiterated by the college admissions staffs at Barnard College, Columbia University and Fordham University during their tours. Their jobs have now turned into less looking at a student just for their grades and test scores because that does not always translate into a student who “fits” into their college campus. Rather they are concentrating on finding that student who “belongs” on their campus, who will “resonate” on their campus and who will bring “value” to their campus.

My advice to high school students and their parents is to get out there as soon as possible to begin touring the campuses, going to the information sessions, staying overnight, or attending classes at different schools. This information seeking time will really help a student discern his or her “right fit.” Regardless of city size or college size, a student who finds where they truly belong will experience a lot more “fun” during his or her college tenure.

Early Decision versus Regular Decision - does it matter? 

By Deborah Davis Groves • September 6, 2012
A student who goes Early Decision or Early Action does stand a better chance of being accepted than going regular decision. Remember there are still no absolute guarantees, but the pool of students who go Early Decision or Early Action is far less while the Regular Decision pool is significantly bigger. Legacies and athletic students are encouraged to apply early as their admissions chances are greater at that point. It is also statistically proven that it is better for women to apply early decision or early action. Those students with higher financial needs also have a greater chance of acceptance in Early Decision or Early Action because these decisions are made at the beginning of the financial aid budget. Therefore money is more readily available at this time. It is important to note that Early Decision is binding which means that your student is saying that if accepted at this college he or she accepts and will pull or cancel their applications from all other colleges. Early Action is non-binding and a student’s final decision is not required until May 1. This allows students the opportunity to evaluate all of their scholarship and financial aid awards at the various schools they have applied to before making a final decision. Again, while these admission tips are helpful, there is still no denying that college admissions today is truly a “crapshoot” as described by one admissions staffer. If a student has complete certainty that a school is “the school” then it makes sense to go for Early Decision. But understand that sometimes that does not work out the way you want. My youngest child was completely denied by her first choice, early decision school. While devastating at the time, it afforded her the opportunity to quickly reevaluate her other applications. We ended up looking for the school that was most like her first choice. She ended up getting accepted at Furman University with a $40,000 scholarship. She realized that sometimes the worst “NO” can become the most incredible “YES.” Furman ended up being the far better choice for her.

Choosing a Recommender 

By Deborah Davis Groves • August 29, 2012
Many people try to use College Board Members, Senators, Congressmen or other important people to write recommendations on their children’s behalves. Most of these letters are form letter like with some benign reference of recommending your child to that school. Sadly, these hold little value for the College Admissions staffs. While most of these come across as nice letters, there is no real first hand knowledge of the student that they are writing about. Recommendations really need to come from teachers or people who know your child. Because you have no control over what these people will write about your child, you really want to choose that teacher or person who has some long term history with your child or good knowledge of your child in a class. Admissions offices look at these recommendations as another opportunity to really get beyond the application to know a student and to determine if they are a “right fit” for their college. (read more great information)

Ghostwriters not OK! 

By Deborah Davis Groves • August 22, 2012
Ghostwriters might be ok for celebrities, but definitely not allowed for your student’s college essays. Biggest hint for college admissions is do not write your student’s college essay! The first thing the admissions readers look for in your student’s essay is authenticity. They can usually spot an essay that has not been written by the student or has had too many people involved in the process. Their first clue is the comparison to your student’s SAT or ACT writing sample. It is also important to note that your student will sign a pledge at the end of their college application indicating that all the essay work is their own and that the information provided is true. If it becomes clear that the essay was not written by the student, the application is no longer considered. Admissions staffs will tell you they want to hear your child’s own voice in their essays. As one admissions person put it, “Let them be themselves!”

Show your interest! 

By Deborah Davis Groves • August 16, 2012
Your student’s level of interest matters to the College Admissions staffs. That interest can be shown through college tours, college over night stays, college class visits, interviews with the college admissions rep of your area, interviews with college alums, and email question exchanges with admissions staff members. Level of interest can also be determined by the admissions office when your student opens emails from their school or when they have visited the school’s website. Most, if not all schools keep track of your student’s interest. I remember when my oldest daughter was applying to Davidson College. We were told they keep a file on your child once they fill out an information card. It was noted in her file every time my daughter would contact the admissions rep, go to the campus, stay at the campus or show up at the school’s information night in our hometown. Admissions staff members will tell you that if it comes down to two similar students for admissions acceptance, the one who has expressed the most interest in the school will more often than not gain admission. In my daughter’s case, she got into Davidson College! I don’t know what the tipping point was for her admission acceptance, but I can say that we did everything possible to let them know of her interest. I tell my clients to make a point of signing in every time they visit a school, try to get an interview or meet the admissions representative who covers our area, check out the website often, and show up at any college fairs or in town information sessions. Let the school you are interested in know who you are!