On my blog at Annapolis College Consulting, I want to share some insights into navigating the often unpredictable college admissions process. As a parent, it’s crucial to be equipped with the right perspective and information to guide your child through this challenging journey.
Navigating the Unfair Admissions Landscape
1. Understanding the Lack of a Clear Meritocracy
The first thing to recognize is that college admissions isn’t purely merit-based. Highly qualified applicants can, and do, receive rejections from their top-choice colleges. It’s important to emphasize to your child that a rejection doesn’t define their value as a student or individual. Though this is a concept many parents grasp, it can be particularly tough for students to accept when they face rejection.
2. Accepting the Uncontrollable Elements
Applicants can certainly enhance their profiles and align their applications to reflect their best selves, but ultimately, the decision lies in the hands of admissions committees—a fact that remains outside our control. Acknowledging this helps in managing expectations and preparing for various outcomes. It’s crucial to convey to your child that their potential for success isn’t confined to a single institution.
Strategic Approaches to Application Season
At The College Sharks, we advocate for a broad approach when targeting reach schools. This strategy involves:
- Casting a Wide Net: Applying to a variety of schools can increase the chances of acceptance and provide more options for finding the right fit. We always suggest at least one in-state school as well.
- Conducting Thorough Research: It’s vital to delve deep into each college on your list, not just the highly selective ones. Every institution has unique offerings that might perfectly match your child’s needs and aspirations. If they are unsure about what they want, we have several tools to help them determine what their “must haves” will be.
- Equal Consideration for All Choices: Encourage your child to view every college on their list as a viable option. This means engaging with each prospective school with an open mind—visiting campuses, attending information sessions, and interacting with current students to get a true feel for the place.
By taking these steps, you and your child can navigate the admissions process more effectively, making informed decisions that lead to a fulfilling college experience. Remember, the goal is to find a school where your child will thrive, not just survive.
College List Building Services
At Annapolis College Consulting and College Sharks, we do have a service to help you build your college list. It takes work on your part and we conduct an assessment which may include the Highlands Ability Battery, a series of questions, a Corsava sort and some time to understand your goals academically, socially, geographically and financially. Please see our website for this LIST BUILDER opportunity.
