Expert Advice: Admission
Want insider admission advice? Look no further!
The admission process can be daunting. Financial aid, interviews, deadlines—the work never ends. With the amount of stress that applying to college can cause, it’s understandable that a few mistakes will occur. To help you have the best possible admission experience, we’ve asked deans, admission representatives, and college experts to give their best advice and tell us their most memorable stories from years past. Here’s what they had to say.
“My best advice for students would be to pay close attention to deadline dates for required documentation at the institution(s) you have applied to. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact admission representatives; they are there to help you navigate the admission process.”
— Michelle Beaton
Manager, International Recruitment, Undergraduate Admission Recruitment
Ryerson University
“A big mistake students make is limiting their choice of college based on cost. In the initial phase of the college search process, students should be looking for schools that best fit their needs and interests (i.e. academic programs, size, location, housing, athletics, etc.). Cost should not limit choice in the beginning. Students should apply to the schools that best fit their needs and assess the impact of cost after the admission, scholarship, and financial aid packages have been received. In the end, after grants and scholarships are factored in, students may find that a school with a higher tuition, like a private school, may actually cost less or the same as a school with lower tuition, like a public school.”
— Alyssa McCloud
Vice President for Enrollment Management
Felician College
“Set aside a designated time each week to search out and apply for scholarships. Don’t limit yourself to just online scholarship websites. Contact local and national businesses, corporations, and organizations directly to inquire about any they may offer. For those who are fortunate enough to not have to work, make it your part-time job. It’ll pay off big time in the end.”
— Troy Pearson
Director of Admissions
North Central University
“Approach the college search as a great adventure! Have some fun! Yes, it’s a big decision, but it is also a great chance for growth and self-discovery if you approach it with the right attitude. Look inward as well as outward, and take this step with a sense of confidence and joy. There are great adventures ahead!”
— Christopher Hooker-Haring
Dean of Admission and Financial Aid
Muhlenberg College
“File the FAFSA, regardless of whether or not you think you may qualify for federal aid. Many schools use the FAFSA information to award institutional aid. Neglecting to file the FAFSA may drastically reduce a college’s ability to offer a sound financial aid award package. Why run that risk? File your FAFSA!”
— Bruce Perkins
Director of Admissions
Oklahoma Baptist University
“Do not let your grades slip the last semester of your senior year. Colleges can revoke your acceptance or scholarship if you perform poorly your last semester. Check within your local community for scholarships. Oftentimes, donors, clubs, or churches set aside money for high school seniors attending college.”
— Katie Herrick
Admission Representative
Davenport University
“Make sure you use the same name and not name variations for your SAT tests, college applications, and financial aid reports. For example, Patricia Smith and Patty Smith are different names in databases.”
— Quynh Tran
Media Relations Manager
Mills College
“There are many emotions that go into choosing a college. I often remind families that finding the “right” college is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. Always remember that this process is about you finding the right fit. Follow your dreams and land at a college that is best for you.”
— Barbara Sosin
Director of Admissions
Kettering University
“My big piece of advice is to pay attention to spelling on the application. One of the funniest applications we received had a student listing “handing out toilet trees” (instead of toiletries) as part of a community service project. We also frequently see “bacheler” of arts or “batchler” of arts degree when listing parents’ highest degree. Proof that spell check doesn’t solve everything!”
— Dr. Terri Snyders Crumley
Director of Admission
Central College
“Establish one e-mail account with a professional address just for college admission purposes. The addresses used among friends will not do. For example, crazylittlegirl@domain.com does not present a good image. All aspects of communication between a student and an admissions office should be professional. The same is true for cell phone greetings on the message machine—please be careful what you say and what music is played.”
— Magda J. Castineyra
Director for Undergraduate Admissions
Barry University
“Do not think you must know exactly what you want to study before you go to college. Take that pressure off. College is all about discovering who you are, what you like, and ultimately who you want to be in the future. So take the time to learn about all the things that interest you and of course, eventually you will need to declare your major.”
— Jessica Barco
Admission Counselor
Biola University
“Believe it or not, admission professionals do not use success (or failure) in elementary school or in extracurricular activities (for example, badminton or clarinet) in the admission decision. So save time and money (and trees) by not sending in copies of elementary school academic records and/or certificates of achievement in extracurricular activities with your admission materials. The best advice is to send whatever the school indicates as required documents, no more and no less.”
— Jacqueline Girard Vogl
Director of International Student Services
State University of New York, Plattsburgh
2009
