Setting Yourself Apart – College DNA

In part one of Setting Yourself Apart we talked about MAs (Mature Activities) and how they can help your student stand out from the rest of the crowd. In this post we’ll explore how to discover each college’s DNA so that you can find the right fit for your student and package them in a way that will help them stand out!

• Scheduling interviews with not only the head of admissions but with faculty and department heads in the area of your student’s interests shows demonstrable interest.
• Many department chairs would like to be part of the admissions process and scheduling an interview with them demonstrates a high level of maturity.
• While scheduling these interviews the student should be looking for areas of institutional need that they may be able to satisfy and increase their value to the school.

Colleges don’t like to be rejected so getting to know and understand your student gives them a higher degree of confidence that their offer for admission will be accepted. Getting to know the atmosphere, the DNA, the departments, faculty, and other students of each college gives your student a clearer idea of whether or not it’s a good fit for them. It also shows the college the demonstrable interest that they are looking for from valued students.

While schools frequently measure the demonstrable interest of each student it is imperative that the student and family fulfill their own due diligence to ensure success.

• Have your student prepare a list of questions for their interview process.
• It’s more important that your son or daughter interview the school than it is for the school to interview them.

Essential questions about the qualities needed for success in the department, undergraduate research opportunities, leadership positions, and most importantly job placement statistics within the first year of graduation are the types of questions that will get the college’s attention and position your student for higher consideration. During the interview your student should discuss current activities (the MAs) and high school activities.

The interview process itself demonstrates maturity and students should be prepared to assert themselves and ask the department chair or other faculty member outright if they think that they would be a good fit at the school.

When the answer is yes about fitting in ask that the individual support your submission and request that they call your contact in admissions and recommend your acceptance. Again this is a mature move that can pay huge dividends.

• If this is the school of your dreams don’t be afraid to ask for their support of your efforts.

Why is it important to bring up activities and interests during the interview? If your student happens to play the tuba and mentions their tuba playing in the marching band and the admission director knows that the school needs tuba players your student just earned another tag on their application. This increased the value of the student to the school.

• Being unique and setting them self apart at selective and competitive schools will enhance your student’s chances for admission.
• The more information your student has about what the college is looking for helps them determine whether it is the right school for them and if they will fit in.
• Keep in mind that the choice of their college is not a four-year decision…it’s a 40 year decision.

In our next post we’ll talk about the ins and outs of a Campus Visit and give you a specific guideline for ensuring your success!