The college and career process can be an intimidating time for high school students. Vamos Geneva 2030 has initiated a community conversation to collect a variety of materials and advice from professionals to aid in the process!
When Linda Ochoa graduated from Geneva High, she found the college application process hard but she never gave up. She wants graduating seniors to know “It is tough, it's not easy, but it's worth it. If you don't know what career path to take, do some research, look for internships or opportunities where you could shadow people in a day-to-day routine at work. If you know your career path but don't know where to start, ask for help, look for resources, and most importantly never give up, stay positive, and believe in yourself”.
When should I start researching colleges?
The timeline of thinking about college is different for everyone; however one good place to start is towards the end of 10th grade and through 11th grade. There are many online publications that can help. There are also local resources that give great advice on where to begin and where to go next in the process. Joe Latimer, assistant Dean for Enrollment Diversity and Outreach at the University of Rochester, recommends that:
“Rising 10th and 11th graders look up Pre-College Programs, which would allow them to spend time on campus learning particular subjects, eating on campus, and staying in a dorm. This allows students to understand what being on a campus is like, seeing themselves there, and being inspired and encouraged by the experiences they are having on campus over the summer. There are scholarships available for low-income students who want to attend a school’s Pre-College Program. Typically, 11th graders start the process in spring, but it's never too early to start learning about the many schools out there”.
High school students can become knowledgeable about a college or university in several ways, such as online research as well as campus visits. Pre-college programs can help a student have a vision of what it would be like if they were to live on that campus in the future, which can be an enriching experience.
Hobart and William Smith Students at the 2019 Graduation, photo courtesy of the Office of Intercultural Affairs at Hobart and William Smith Colleges
What questions should I ask myself when looking at different colleges?
We have asked multiple members of our community to create some questions that would benefit high school students going into the college process. Below are some ideas provided by Joe Latimer along with, Alejandra Molina (the director of the Intercultural Affairs Center at Hobart and William Smith Colleges), Renée Grant (the director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges), and Leigh Pitifer (the Assistant Director at the FLCC Geneva Campus Center):
Which college will best suit me? What’s the difference between a university, community college, and a liberal arts college?
What are my interests and is there a program at a college that I would benefit from? Which college has a program/major/minor that aligns with what I would like to do in the future? Which college will give me the foundation that I will need if I am not sure what I want to do?
What do I want to get out of my college experience? What is my “why” for going to college?
Which is the college where I will feel at home? Will I be able to relate to the students at the college? Are there students who share my background, beliefs, and interests?
Which colleges have worked towards an inclusive campus where diversity, equity, and social justice matter?
Do I want to be close or far from home? Are there colleges outside of my community/city/state that would meet my needs? Are there colleges outside of the United States that would meet my needs?
Do I want a small or a large college?
What is the cost of the college? What financial aid would be available to me?
What academic support services are available to me during my studies? What post-graduation support services are available to me?
What opportunities do I have to be involved in coursework, research, activities, and student organizations?
Will I be able to work on-campus or off-campus?
How can I get involved in the community? Is there an office(s) that helps connect students through education, environment, health, or other opportunities?
These are all valuable questions that high school students can ask themselves when doing research on colleges.Students may want to consider these questions first before looking at colleges and then proceed with their search. They may have an easier time weeding out colleges that are not a good fit for them if they consider these questions early in the process.
Alejandra Molina and her son Sebastian after her PhD graduation, photo courtesy of Alejandra Molina
Are there online resources that can help me find the right college?
Yes! There are many online resources, with vast amounts of information about schools, which can help students with the process on their own time. One helpful resource is the Princeton Review. This website will give you an idea of what the application pool is like each year at different universities. The Princeton Review can also show students the best schools for specific specialties. Learn more here:
Joe Latimer recommends that, “students meet with their school counselor to understand the various resources available to understand the process. There are resources online, such as Grown and Flown and The National Association for College Admission Counseling.
In addition, colleges/universities will continue to provide virtual programming for students.”
Learn more at Grown and Flown: https://grownandflown.com/ and the National Association for College Admission Counseling: https://www.nacacnet.org/professional-development/wfh-resources/#seniors
Are there local resources that can help?
Yes! Many people and places in the community can serve as resources to help with college research. Alejandra Molina highly recommends that students “establish a strong connection and relationship with their high school counselor.” Counselors can give students information about what schools may be a good fit for them and answer questions about the process. Leigh Pitifer recommends visiting FLCC since they are a local college that can have the answers to many questions.
Linda Ochoa, Geneva High School graduate and medical technologist, explains that students “start within the school by asking counselors or advisors. Students should also check the library for resources”.
Renée Grant recommends reaching out to recent graduates, she explained that the “best way to get to know something is to talk to someone who is currently going through it. College is a cyclical thing, and is constantly changing...Find someone in college to get connected to and talk to them”.
Joe Latimer recommends “books and college guides can be found at the local library.” These can be helpful tools, especially if they are recently published. If the books were published more than 5 years ago, check the internet for information about the college or university that has changed. College is always changing and students should be looking at recent information.
Marilu Segura, a Geneva High School and Hobart and William Smith Colleges alumni mentioned the Migrant Outreach Education Program, which she describes as “community members sharing resources, personal experiences, and knowledge about programs and opportunities for scholarships.”
There are so many people and organizations in the community who are willing to help in a high schooler’s college process.
Linda Ochoa at her work as a medical technologist, photo courtesy of Linda Ochoa
What scholarships should I consider?
College scholarships are very important in the college process. Various types of scholarships are offered, through specific institutions, programs, and companies excited to provide assistance for the upcoming generation. Joe Latimer suggests consulting Fastweb.com; “the online source of scholarships for college-bound students”. He also suggests going to the institutional websites because colleges/universities may offer additional funds to admitted students interested in specific courses of study. Latimer points out, for example, “Geneva Scholarship Association at HWS provides funding to Geneva High School applicants admitted”.
Leigh Pitifer was excited to announce the many scholarships that FLCC has, such as their Gemini scholarship. FLCC, “has consolidated many scholarships into one convenient application. When you complete the scholarship application process, you will not only be considered for the Gemini Scholarship, but also other scholarships where you meet the eligibility criteria.” Learn more about FLCC scholarships at: https://www.flcc.edu/scholarships/
Renée Grant explained that the Martin Luther King Junior scholarship program gives an award every year to a high school senior. She also mentioned that the African American Men's Association offers a scholarship to juniors and seniors in Geneva. The association will bring these GHS students to HWS and other colleges to talk to current college students. This association has also created a scholarship that can help students receive money for college as well as a computer. Learn more at about the Martin Luther King Scholarship at: Martin Luther King Committee, 3041 S. Pre-Emption St., Geneva, NY 14456 and about the African American Men’s Association at: http://aamageneva.org/
Alejandra Molina mentioned the Abbott and Fenner Scholarship and the $1000 Cameo College of Essential Beauty Annual Scholarship. She also added the following resources:
https://www.fastweb.com/directory/scholarships-for-bilingual-students
https://www.flhealth.org/make-a-donation/scholarships-awards
Learn more about the Abbott and Fenner Scholarship at:
Learn more about the $1000 Cameo College of Essential Beauty Annual Scholarship at:
There are many opportunities to find scholarship money through online resources, community associations, and nationally-known companies. It is important to make sure a student appropriately qualifies by meeting specific requirements. However, there is an abundance of scholarships. It is likely that more than one scholarship may apply to a student and their needs.
Renée Grant at her college graduation, photo courtesy of Renée Grant
Which application deadline should I use?
There are many different application deadlines that students should keep in mind. Kelly Mae Ross and Josh Moody from USNews explain that Early Decision 1 and 2 are two application deadlines that are binding. This means that once the student applies to this school and once they are admitted, they are obligated to attend the school. The only difference between these two Early Decision deadlines is the time that the applications are due. Early Decision 1 deadlines are typically in November and Early Decision 2 deadlines are usually in January. Early Action is a non-binding application deadline. This allows for students to apply to schools in November and December and hear back earlier from schools while also having the freedom to apply to other schools. USNews tells us that colleges and universities that have Rolling Admissions, “evaluate applications as they receive them and release admissions decisions on a regular basis”. Regular decision is another non-binding application deadline where students hear back about their decision in March and April. One thing to note is that not all schools have all of these application deadlines. All schools will have a regular decision deadline but they may or may not have the exact deadlines mentioned above. Students should make a list of deadlines for specific schools. Another idea is to rank the schools on the student’s list from favorite to least favorite so a decision can be made about whether Early Decision is a good idea.
Hobart and William Colleges 2019 Graduation, photo courtesy of the Office of Intercultural Affairs at Hobart and William Smith Colleges
How many schools should I put on my list?
This question has various answers. Joe Latimer recommends that if “students start with a list of 20,” they should “whittle them down” and keep in mind that “there should always be a safety school, a reach school, and schools in the middle range.” Renée Grant believes that a list of “4-6 is a good sweet spot”. It is a great idea to generate a smaller list of schools when application deadlines come around so there are not too many decisions to make. Leigh Pitifer, the Assistant Director at the FLCC Geneva Campus Center also advises that students should “gather information on potential colleges and universities, and narrow your choices; choose three or four colleges or universities that will help you meet your goals”.
Do I need to know what I want to do (for a career) before going to college?
No! There is no pressure in picking a major when applying to a college. An article from USNews explains that “high school students should not feel compelled to have their intended major selected for their college applications. Most college students declare their major toward the end of their sophomore year of college. This sense of 'undecidedness' or 'undeclared' can come from a strong interest in multiple fields, so you may want to speak to those interests or check multiple boxes on the application”. College is the time for a student to explore all of their interests and going into college undecided will allow for a student to participate in this enriching experience.
However, some colleges, typically bigger universities, ask for a student to select an intended major on their application. USNews also emphasizes that students “should be aware that when you commit to a major on your application, colleges will pay particular attention to your grades in the academic areas most associated with that major”. It’s important to note that colleges give students the freedom to change their major later in their college career, if their interests change. USNews says that “80 percent of college students will change majors at least once”. This is a clear example of how college is a time for a student to explore and try new subjects. Joe Latimer explains that,“it's fine to be undecided... It's not a negative for a student not to know what they want to study. In fact, many students who think they know change their minds”. There should be no pressure for students to come into college knowing exactly what they want to do in their future. However, this unknowingness can also cause a lot of anxiety for students. Linda Ochoa remembered when she was a college student it was hard for her to see others who are so sure of what they want to do for their career. She said that she was “struggling to find my niche, or somewhere I could see myself making a career while not hating my job. The most rewarding part was learning so much...learning things, anything, from ethical classes to biostatistics”. This is exactly the point of college, to learn about various subjects that bring excitement and curiosity into a student’s life, which may just help them decide later in their college career what they may want to specialize in.
Linda Ochoa from her college graduation, photo courtesy of Linda Ochoa
What should bilingual students consider?
There is such an advantage for bilingual students So many colleges see this as an asset. Bilingual students should emphasize this on their applications. Alejandra Molina advises students to, “always keep in mind that being bilingual is a great advantage ... being bilingual provides you with outstanding communication skills, an ability to multitask and solve problems – in increasingly globalized economies, linguistic versatility is a plus!”
Renée Grant explains that, “the knowledge of language is a strength, do not ever let it hold you back, there are so many spaces available for you, so many people are supporting you, people looking out for you. Utilize your bilingualism, it is a part of you and your identity. Don’t be afraid that your ESL background will hurt you. The world is such a diversified and changing place, nurture your bilingualism throughout your life, many jobs and opportunities will be looking for bilingual applicants”.
Joe Latimer emphasizes that, “your fluency in more than one language is a benefit to the college/university where you end up, and your alma mater will be grateful that you will enter the world able to communicate with many more clients, patients, business people, customers, etc. Capitalize on being bilingual, don't be shy about letting an admissions office know you seek to be bilingual in the world you enter after college”.
Marilu Segura says that she would advise bilingual high school students to, “ask questions and to use their language skills to reach out, to communicate and to connect with people in their school and community that could perhaps help them/guide them to paths of their interest. I believe that being bilingual is an asset that sometimes bilingual students take for granted. I think that if students who speak another language motivate themselves to become better speakers, readers and writers in both languages they are setting themselves up for success”.
Leigh Pitifer, says that future college students, regardless of language ability should “Make connections with faculty, staff, and other students. Communicate your questions, needs, and interests often to be proactive. Check your course syllabi, schedules, and student email several times per day. Enjoy a holistic experience at college - engaging not only in the classroom but also in clubs, leadership opportunities, athletics, student life activities, work-study, mentoring, or whatever interests you. Use the student support services, for example, tutoring even if your grades are solid”.
References:
Ross, Kelley Mae, and Josh Moody. “Your Complete Guide to College Applications.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 16 Oct. 2020, www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/college-application-process.
Unigo. “When Do I Need to Choose a Major?” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 25 May 2011, www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-experts/2011/05/25/when-do-i-need-to-choose-a-major.
Other Resources:
Understand the Differences Between a College and University:
College Types:
College and University Common Terms:
Hobart and William Smith College Tutor Corp
Comments