Get Ready For the College You’ve Chosen
May 13, 2009
By Heidi Fletcher
Vice President for Enrollment Management
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
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It’s May now – so, you’ve selected your college! If not, get moving, as many colleges have a May 1 deadline, and you may need to get permission to accept their offer this late. Let’s assume you’re all set. What’s next?
It’s really important to read through your “new student packet.” This will include all sorts of forms that need to be completed and sent back to the college.
One that often gets pushed aside until the last minute is the health form. Usually you’ll need to provide copies of your vaccination records and possibly get a physical. Having your doctor complete this form is vital because it’s necessary for you to attend (you will be sent home if it’s not done), and it can sometimes take awhile. Plus, if you can’t provide records of your vaccinations, then you’ll have to get them again (ouch).
Also, make sure you’ve completed all the paperwork associated with loans or other types of financial aid.
Find out when orientation is being held. Are there multiple dates or just one orientation? If there are choices, try to go to one of the earliest as you’ll likely have the best selection of classes available for registration.
Find out if there will be placement tests at this event (this will help you determine how much sleep you need the night before!). Do not miss attending orientation. It truly sets the tone for your entire collegiate experience. Retention rates are much higher for students who attend these events. Sometimes orientation and move-in occur at the same time. Read your paperwork carefully to make sure you’re in the know about any official activities that occur over the summer.
Speaking of orientation and move-in, try to find out if there’s an opportunity to get involved. Often colleges have an orientation crew that may include some incoming students. If you can get involved, do so as you’ll likely get to move in early, make some new friends and get a bit of a head start over the students coming later. If there’s no official role for freshmen in these activities, look for other ways to connect with your campus before attending.
One of the easiest ways is by finding social networking sites associated with your college. Some schools have an official “accepted student site” which is a great source for up-to-the-minute information. Likely there are a couple of student sites – search for “Class of 2013″ and your institution’s name. It’s a great way to cybermeet some of your new classmates.
Often students will set up social activities for other new students in your area. If no one else is planning an outing, why don’t you? It’s always great to know a few people prior to moving on campus.
Also, you may want to post questions to current students, asking them for any “tips” about campus life or things about the surrounding community. It’s always good to know where the nearest Target or ice cream shop is located.
You should find out the name of your roommate(s) sometime mid-summer (usually in July). Reach out to this person and start connecting right away. You have much to talk about – and plan for the upcoming year.
You’ll want to think about determining who is bringing what (you don’t need two refrigerators) and if you want any “theme” to your room décor. It is always helpful to know a little about the person before getting to college. Plus it’s fun.
Keep an open mind. Your roommate may at first seem like your total opposite, but often the best roommate is completely different from you. It’s a real misconception that you need to be bffs to be roommates. Plus, college is about meeting new people and trying new things. It’s much harder to do so with someone you already know well.
You can do other things to prepare as well, and while you have all summer, don’t wait too long. Open a bank account with an institution that has a branch near campus. Try to find your textbooks online for less money (just make sure you have the right version). Make sure you have the right type of sheets, phone, etc. (your college will provide guidelines – read them!).
Oh, and if you have a summer reading program at your college, please read the book. It will make your first weeks much easier!
Next month’s blog will focus on juniors (now rising seniors) and how to start planning those college visits.
Heidi Lippmeier Fletcher is vice president for enrollment management at College of Notre Dame of Maryland. She has worked in admissions at colleges in North Carolina and New Mexico. Ms. Fletcher holds a bachelor of arts in anthropology from The University of Cincinnati and a master of arts in anthropology/human biology from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
