Ask the Consultant: Test Optional Colleges

Q: The college I am applying to is test optional.  Will it hurt me if I don’t submit my standardized test scores?

A: Many colleges no longer require standardized test scores in the application process.  They find that the results of the ACT or SAT have little predictive value in determining student success at the college level. As such, not submitting your standardized test scores will not be held against you.  At the same time, colleges that are test optional put more weight on your high school transcript, so if you have a lackluster transcript and high standardized test scores you may wish to send them as part of your application. You always want to put your best foot forward in the college application process, so if your scores will help your application then submit them, but if they are not indicative of your caliber as a student, then don’t send them; the college won’t hold that against you.

Ask the Consultant: Oh Canada!

Q: I’ve heard that Canadian universities are much more affordable.  I'd like to consider that option. What should I keep in mind?

A: It is true that universities in Canada can be quite affordable.  There are many excellent options for schools and tuition is often significantly less than at U.S. colleges and universities.  Most Canadian universities are medium to large public schools.  Smaller, liberal arts colleges are not as numerous but can be well worth the look.  Often students must apply to a particular program or school within the university, although “undetermined” can be an option as a choice of program.  Typically, the transcript, grades, and test scores are the most important components of an application, with the junior and senior year grades of utmost importance in admission decisions.  Standardized test scores are given more weight in admission than at most U.S. schools, so plan ahead in order to present excellent SAT or ACT scores, as well as SAT subject tests.  Canadian schools don’t usually require an essay, although there are exceptions, and most do not require recommendation letters. 

Go to the official website of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada for more information www.univcan.ca.

Ask the Consultant: Including a Resume

Q: Several of the colleges I am applying to have the option to upload a resume.  Should I include one?

A: Including a resume as part of your application can be a great way to provide more details about your accomplishments.  The Common Application only allows you to include ten activities and a brief description of each extracurricular.  If you feel that that is inadequate, then a resume is a great tool.  However, if your resume simply rehashes what you have already included in your Common Application then don’t waste the time of your admission reader.

Ask the Consultant

Q: I’m finally to the point where I feel like my essay is done.  Should I show it to a third party for comment?

A: Over the years we have seen students swing from confident to questioning after they have shared their college essay with others for comment.  Your aunt who is a copy writer or the next-door neighbor who is an English teacher is truly trying to be helpful, but the very act of giving your essay to someone else for comment means that they feel a duty to critique the piece.  Often, too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth.  The most important element in your essay is authenticity, and we have found that when too many people try to insert their ideas, the personality of the author tends to get lost.  That doesn’t mean that you have nailed it on the first draft or you shouldn’t scrub it for grammar mistakes.  It takes many drafts to get a college essay to the point of being brag worthy.  However, when it gets there, own it -- be proud of it and move forward with confidence.

Ask the Consultant

Q: I took the SAT this past weekend and don't think I did so well. I was hoping to apply to a few schools early action. Will I have time to take it again?

A: First of all, take a deep breath! We often have students tell us that they "bombed" a test initially, and then are pleasantly surprised with the results.  Good news!  Most colleges will consider October or even November SATs, or September ACTs, for consideration for early action. As always, check the college website or call the admission office to confirm!

There is still time!

You can indicate on your Common Application or Coalition Application that you are planning to take a test in the future, which will signal to the college admission team that they need to wait for that score to render a decision. Just make sure that you send an official score report to each college via the College Board or ACT website as soon as scores are released. You can then go back into your Common or Coalition app and update the testing section with your better scores! 

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Q: My high school senior applied to colleges late and did not receive any scholarships to attend. Should he consider taking a gap year and applying again as a freshman or go to community college and transfer?

A: Taking a gap year can be a wonderful way to re-energize, focus interests, and gain maturity. Some students travel the world during their year off, but I'm guessing that if you are looking for scholarship money for college, an expensive program won't be in the cards. Other students save money for college by working or bolster their resumes with internships or service opportunities. It's also not too late to retake standardized testing if you think that higher scores might translate into more merit money. 

There are pros and cons to each option!

On the other hand, attending community college can be a great route for the student that wants to stay on the academic track and gain credits at a much lower cost than at a four-year institution. But do your homework! Some universities will only accept a community college transfer after they have completed the equivalent of two years of coursework. Others don't offer merit money to transfers. And always make sure that you are taking courses that are likely to transfer to a full bachelor's degree! 

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Q:  How do we tackle the college admission process for an underachiever?

A:   I often ask parents of freshman and sophomore students to think back on all of their child’s report cards and tell me the common themes.  “Does not work up to potential” is not an infrequent reply.  If that is your answer, you are not alone.

The first thing we need to discover is the cause of the underachievement.  Is this the type of student who “rewards” a favored teacher by getting an A and “punishes” a teacher they don't connect with by getting a C?  Is the student not as mature as their classmates?  The only way to “turn around” an underachiever is for the student to begin to recognize the patterns and proactively learn to avoid them.

When working with underachieving students, we like to start planning for college as early as the sophomore year.  We spend a considerable amount of time discussing their learning style and how they are unique.  We call this “discovering your greatness.”  Many times a visit to a college helps the student to see the long term goal more clearly.  If maturity is the issue, we may consider a postgraduate or gap year.

For the underachiever, the college fit is critically important.  Small classes with interesting and caring professors can make all the difference for some; others need hands-on immersion in an area of great interest.  So don't give up!  After all, these students do have great potential!

Ask the Consultant

Q:  I was deferred from my early action school. What should I do now?

A:  For many students, deferral seems like being in limbo – “do they want me or not?” Deferrals, however, can provide a second chance for those who understand the process. 

When a college informs you that your application has been deferred, they are often saying, in effect, that they’d like more information before they make a final decision. This presents you with an opportunity to give them more reasons to accept you.  The first and most important reason would be improved grades in challenging courses. Be sure that your senior year grades reflect your hard work, and ask your school counselor to send updated marking period grades to them as soon as they are ready. Secondly, ask another teacher to write a letter on your behalf if this teacher can comment positively on your continued growth and achievement. Also, confer with your educational consultant about the advisability of calling the admission office to determine their concerns so that you can address these issues directly.

Next, send updates of significant new achievements that occur during your senior year: perhaps a copy of an article you wrote for your local newspaper or honor or award you received. 

Finally, review the list of colleges to which you applied. Check to be sure that your list is realistic and that you’ll have choices in the spring… and remember that for every student, there are many schools that offer a perfect fit.

Ask the Consultant

Q: When do we set up college interviews? What should I do to prepare?

A:  Early on, it is a good idea to take a look at the interview policies at each of the schools that you are seriously considering applying to.  Why?  Not all interviews are “counted” as a part of the admissions decision.  "The Fiske Guide to Colleges" spells out each college's interview policy.  For example: “Campus interviews: recommended, evaluative.  Alumni interviews: optional, informational.”  This tells you that if you do an on-campus interview, the interviewer will take notes and put them in your file.  If you interview well, this can help you in the process.  You can also interview with an alumnus in your local area, but, in this case, these interviews are only to provide you with information on the college.  In an informational interview, nothing about the interview will be used in the decision-making process, with the exception of the knowledge that you had an alumni interview. 

Also, know the timing of interviews.  Generally, the more applications the school receives, the more restrictions that they will have about interviews.  Some large state universities do not interview at all.  Many of the elite and Ivy League colleges will only interview students who have submitted an application, or at least the first part with the application fee.  Many schools only offer interviews to prospective students between April 1 of the junior year and January 15 of the senior year.  After that, they are reading applications and making decisions.